january 21, 2009
Daily Living for Seniors
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. --Romans 12:20-21
There is a story of a Christian lady who owned two prized chickens. One day, they got out of their cage and wandered into the garden of an ill-tempered neighbor. When the neighbor realized the hens were loose in his yard, he caught them, wrung their necks, and threw them back over the fence hoping that would teach his neighbor a lesson.
Obviously, the woman was upset when she discovered her neighbor had killed her chickens, but she didn't retaliate by rushing to his house to yell at him. Instead, she took the two deceased birds, dressed them, and made some chicken pot pies. She then carried one of the pies over to the man who had committed the crime.
Her children, expecting an angry scene among the two, hid behind a bush in the man's yard to see his reaction. But when the Christian lady apologized for not being more careful about keeping her chickens penned up, they saw he was left speechless! That chicken pie he held in his hands, along with the apology, filled him with embarrassment and shame.
You see, the woman wasn't trying to get even. She wasn't returning evil for evil. All she wanted to do was show her neighbor the meaning of true Christian love. And her actions could have been the catalyst to bring him to faith in Christ. What a challenge this is for you and me today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you wisdom to do the right thing when conflicts arise between you and others. Pray that He would help you demonstrate the love of Christ so it would point others toward Jesus.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. --John 15:13
There was a baby girl in the hospital who was critically injured and had lost a large amount of blood. She urgently needed a transfusion, but the doctors couldn't find anyone with her rare blood type--except her 7-year-old brother.
The doctor took the young boy into his office, sat him down, and said, "Your sister is very sick. Unless we can help her, she's going to leave us and go to heaven. Will you give your blood to your baby sister so she can live?"
The young boy turned pale and his eyes filled with fear, but after a short period he whispered to the doctor, "Yes, I will."
At that, the physician smiled reassuringly and said, "Thank you. I knew you would."
The transfusion took place, and the 7-year-old seemed very nervous as he watched the blood from his body flow through the tube to his sister. The doctor said, "Don't worry, son. It will all be over before long." At that moment, big tears welled up in the little boy's eyes.
"Will I die soon? Will it be quick?" he asked the doctor.
It was obvious that this brave young boy thought he was giving up his own life so that his baby sister could live! What a beautiful picture of sacrifice and love.
In the very same way, Christ willingly gave His blood to save us from our sins. Yet it's easy to lose sight of this...to become so accustomed to hearing the story that we forget the magnitude of what His death really accomplished for you and me.
The fact is, Christ's death and resurrection is the greatest news we can ever receive! And we should live each day in praise and thanks to the Savior who gave His life for us.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life He made available when He shed His precious blood on the cross for you...and commit to live a life that reflects your gratitude.
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. --Luke 6:33
R.L. Sharpe related the following story:
"When I was just a lad, my father called me to go with him to old Mr. Trussel's blacksmith shop. He had left a rake and a hoe to be repaired, and when we got there, they were fixed like new. Father handed him some money for the work, but Mr. Trussel refused to take it. 'No', he said, 'there's no charge for that little job.'
"My father kept insisting, but I shall never forget that great man's reply. 'Ed,' he said, can't you let a Christian do something now and then--just to stretch his soul?'
"That short but effective sermon set me to thinking. I since have found the great joy and quiet happiness that come from doing little things for Jesus, and in the process I'm 'stretching my soul.'"
This really is Christianity in action! Scripture says that one of the fruits of the Spirit is kindness (see Galatians 5:22). And Proverbs 19:22 says, "What a man desires is unfailing love...." Our world is submerged in so much hate that it is oftentimes easy for believers to catch some of it. But kindness is key in the Christian life.
The Bible says that all believers should "add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).
Just as Christ first loved you and showed you the kindness you truly didn't deserve, so should we display the loving kindness of Christ to all people.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the chance today to be kind to someone who may or may not deserve it.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. --Acts 1:8
A young woman excited about her salvation developed a deep desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. She felt called to missions, so she asked her pastor where she might go to serve to be most effective. He told her to come back the following day and he would have an answer for her then.
The next day, when she returned to his office, the pastor was waiting for her with an answer. He handed her a folded slip of paper and said, "I'm suggesting that you begin with someone who needs Christ right now more than anyone else in the entire world."
The young woman quickly left the pastor's office, eager to find out where her mission field was. She carefully opened the note and was surprised to discover two words: "Your father."
She had been so passionate about reaching the lost in foreign lands that she had neglected to share the Gospel with someone so close to home.
Are there people in your life who don't know Jesus? Maybe it's a parent, a sibling, a grandchild, a close friend, an acquaintance, one of your children, or even your spouse. Many people make the mistake of thinking the only mission field is overseas.
But God has called you to share the Good News of His Word right where you are—in your city, neighborhood, and among your circle of friends. If you know someone who is living with no hope and without a relationship with Jesus, then take the time today to share truth that will change their lives forever.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal people in your life that need to know the Lord so you can share Christ with them. Pray that He would open up the right opportunity at the right time for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives through you.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. --John 1:11
In The King's Business magazine, there was a story published once that told of a Christian fisherman who decided to spend the night on his boat. In the middle of the night, he heard a loud splash...and knew right away that the man in the yacht next to him had fallen in as a result of his heavy drinking. So he jumped into the cold water to save him.
With great effort, the fisherman pulled the man back onto his yacht and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to help bring him back to life. After successfully rendering aid, he put the man back in his bed and swam back to his own boat.
The next morning, the fisherman returned to the yacht to see how the man was doing. But surprisingly, the man ungratefully replied, "It's none of your business!"
The fisherman reminded him that he had rescued him and saved his life the night before. But instead of showing gratitude, the man openly cursed and threatened him.
As the Christian man rowed away, tears filled his eyes and he prayed, "When I think of how men have treated You, Lord, I'm filled with sorrow. Now I can begin to understand just a little how You must feel when others reject You."
When you are persecuted by others because of your faith in Christ, think of the rejection that Jesus faced so that you could have forgiveness of your sins and eternal life through Him. Continue to profess His name and remember what He did on the cross...because great is your reward when you persevere in the midst of trials.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank the Lord for the sacrifice He made for you in the midst of persecution and rejection. Pray that He would give you strength so that His name may be glorified through it all.
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. --Psalm 119:71
Farmers in southern Alabama were accustomed to planting one crop every year--cotton. They would simply plow as much ground as they could and plant their crop. Year after year, they made their living by growing cotton.
Then one year, the dreaded boll weevil devastated the whole region. The next year, the farmers mortgaged their homes and planted cotton again, hoping for a better harvest. But as the cotton began to grow, the insects returned and completely destroyed the crop--wiping out most of the farms that grew cotton.
The next year, the few farmers who survived decided to plant a different crop in hopes of regaining their livelihoods--peanuts. The new crop proved to be so hardy and the market so ravenous that it enabled the farmers to pay off all their debts from the two previous years of failed crops.
Every season thereafter, the farmers planted peanuts...and they prospered greatly. And eventually, the farmers spent some of their new wealth to erect a monument to the boll weevil in the town square! They figured if it hadn't been for the pesky insect, then they never would have planted the prosperous peanut crops.
As believers, we have the assurance of knowing that God can use the "boll weevils" in our lives for something good. In fact, Romans 8:28 says, "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
No matter what trials may come knocking on your door unexpectedly, know God is in control and working behind the scenes for your ultimate good!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being in control of all the situations in your life--good and bad. And ask Him for the patience you need to wait for the light after the darkness of your trials.
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" --Luke 4:4
There's a story about an old man who lived in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning, the grandfather would sit at the kitchen table and read from his worn-out Bible. Wanting to be just like his grandfather, the young boy would imitate him by reading his own Bible.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandfather, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don't understand it. When I do understand it, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"
The grandfather simply replied, "Son, take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but the water leaked out of the basket before he could get back to the house. The grandfather sent him back three more times and told him to move faster each time. Every time, the frustrated boy returned with an empty basket.
Finally, out of breath, the young boy said to his grandfather, "See...it's useless!"
The old man said, "Look at the basket. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it's now clean. Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand it or remember everything you read, but when you do, it will change you from the inside out."
As believers in Christ in a fallen world, you and I must saturate our hearts and minds with the Word of God every day. Just like the young boy above, it may seem that we can't retain or comprehend everything we read. But remember that God uses His Word to change us from the inside out!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Make a commitment to the Lord to study His Word faithfully each day. And pray that He will use the Scripture to cleanse you and make you more like Jesus.
"I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile." -- Job 9:27
We all know the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." This is actually more than just a cliché. Health studies actually show that smiling and laughter really are very good for the body.
When you laugh, you increase your natural defenses against tumors, disease, and viruses. Laughter also lowers the blood pressure, increases oxygen in the blood, and promotes healing. What a gift God has given us that such a simple act can have such a positive effect not only our disposition but on our physical health.
You may have also noticed how smiles and laughter can be infectious. A smile can spread from one person to the next. Think of how you can bless a number of people simply by wearing a smile on your face.
In Luke 6:21, Jesus blesses, "you who weep now, for you will laugh." He's speaking of our time in Heaven when there will be no more tears. If God is planning to replace our tears with laughter, maybe we should get a head start. I encourage you to try to laugh more today. It may help you feel a lot better.
Prayer Challenge -- Ask God to remove any sorrow from your heart today. Pray for healing laughter in its place.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:34
One day, a young, new preacher was walking with an older, seasoned preacher in a garden. Feeling uncertain about God's plan for his life, the younger man asked the older man for some direction.
The veteran preacher picked a rosebud from a nearby bush and asked the younger man to open it without tearing any petals. The young man wondered what a rosebud could possibly have to do with knowing God's will for his life and ministry, but attempted to open the rosebud anyway.
It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this task was. Noticing his difficulty, the older and wiser preacher said:
"It is only a tiny rosebud...a flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so sweetly, then in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud, the flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine?
So, I'll trust in Him for leading each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for guidance each step of the Pilgrim's way.
The pathway that lies before me only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments just as He unfolds the rose."
No matter what age you are, it can be frustrating to figure out God's will at times. But we serve a God who knows how many hairs are on our heads...and His plan for your life is perfect! Instead of worrying about what tomorrow or the next day holds, take one day at a time and trust in the Savior for His faithful guidance.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you focus on today, not tomorrow. And ask Him to give you wisdom as He reveals His plan for your life one day at a time.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. --Galatians 5:22-23
One evening, an older Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a terrible battle inside every person. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside of us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, pride, and superiority."
His grandson asked, "What is the other wolf?"
The elderly man said, "It is good--peace, joy, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."
The man's young grandson thought for a moment and then asked, "Which wolf wins?"
The wise Cherokee man replied, "The one you feed the most."
Whether he knew it or not, this wise man could have been relating the battle between good and evil that Paul talked about in God's Word.
Too often, you and I tend to let some characteristics of the "bad wolf" take over the good--even as believers in Jesus. In order to fully grow in our relationship with the Lord, we must feed the "good wolf" to live out the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
The Bible says, "your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5), thereby affecting your thoughts, words, and actions. Make a conscious effort today to display Christ's attitude to every one with whom you come in contact.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you feed the "good wolf" today. Pray that He would make you more like Christ in attitude, actions, and spirit.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 3:14-15
There is a story of four ministers who were discussing various Bible versions and which ones they liked best. One liked the King James Version because of its eloquent literary style. Another one preferred the Revised Version of 1881 because it provided the most literal translation of Hebrew and Greek.
The third minister felt that the New King James Version was the most readable and easiest to understand of all. But the fourth minister didn't say a thing. Finally, one of them asked for his opinion on which version of the Bible he liked best.
The man replied, "I like my mother's translation the best."
The others were shocked by his answer, and one of them asked, "Did your mother translate the Bible into her own version?"
"Yes, sort of," the man replied. "She translated it into her life, and it was the most convincing version I've ever seen."
If you are a believer, people are watching your life. And quite frankly, your life is the only Bible some people will ever read!
In order for our lives to serve as godly examples for others, you and I must act out God's Word every single day. You can be certain that your children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are watching how you live your life as a Christian. Are you a living example of God's Word to those around you?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would be a living example of God's Word so that you can point others to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to direct your words and actions so you can be a godly influence--no matter the circumstance.
Daily Living for Seniors
Welcome to Daily Living for Seniors, a free devotional from Crosswalk, the world's largest Christian website.
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. --2 Corinthians 1:5
The Chicago Tribune published a story once about 15-year-old Douglas Maurer. He had suffered from a high fever and flu-like symptoms for several days, so finally his mother took him to the hospital. It was there that Douglas was diagnosed with leukemia.
The doctors explained the disease to Douglas and said he would have to undergo intense chemotherapy for the next three years. They told him about the side effects that would follow...baldness and a bloated body...and Douglas became very depressed.
To lift his spirits, Douglas' aunt called a local floral shop to send him a flower arrangement. She told the clerk it was for her teenage nephew who had leukemia.
When the beautiful flowers arrived at the hospital, Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card attached that said: "Douglas--I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I'm 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley." For the first time since his diagnosis, Douglas' face lit up.
Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with sophisticated medical equipment and technology. He was being treated by some of the best doctors and nurses around. But it was a simple sales clerk in a flower shop that took the time to care. She was the one person who gave Douglas hope to carry on.
Is there someone in your life suffering from some sort of affliction who needs comfort? If so, seek to show them love, compassion, and encouragement. You could be the one person who can make a difference in the life of another who is suffering without hope.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would help you to bring comfort and encouragement to someone who needs it more than ever today.
Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. --Psalm 86:2
A group of botanists went on an expedition into a remote area in the Alps to search for new species of flowers. As one of the scientists looked through his binoculars, he saw a rare, beautiful species growing at the bottom of a deep ravine.
To reach it, though, someone small would have to be lowered into the gorge. The scientist noticed a local young boy standing nearby and asked him if he would help them retrieve the flower. He told the boy a rope would be tied around his waist and the men would then lower him to the floor of the canyon.
The boy was excited about the new adventure and quickly agreed. But as he peered into the chasm while the rope was being tied to his waist, he shouted, "Wait! I'll be right back." He ran off and returned shortly with another man.
The boy said to the head botanist, "I'll go over the cliff now and get the flower for you. But this man must hold on to the rope that will lower me down. He's my dad!"
The Bible says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man" (Psalm 118:8). This teaches us that we should never put our complete faith in man—and this includes your pastor, Bible study teacher, or closest loved one. Put your hope and trust only in the Lord, for He'll never fail you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to hold on to the "rope" tied to your waist. Trust that your Father above will keep you safe no matter what.
February 5
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. --Romans 5:3-4
A man named Parnell Bailey toured an orange grove once where an irrigation pump had broken. The season was dry and some of the trees were dying because they lacked water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly.
He said, "These trees could go without rain for another two weeks. When they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now, my trees have the deepest roots in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at greater depths."
The story above is a good picture of how suffering can produce the "roots" we as believers need to survive and thrive in any season of life.
But to grow these roots, you and I must plant ourselves in God's Word to find comfort and strength when battling difficulties in life.
Being thrown into the "furnace of affliction" is a test of faith, as it forces us to rely solely on the Lord. Isaiah 48:10 says, "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."
Whatever trial you may be facing today--be it illness, loneliness, financial difficulty, or family struggles--remember to stay rooted in the Lord. Then you can say as the psalmist did: "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life" (Psalm 119:50).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith when you are faced with affliction. Pray that He would comfort you with His Word in times of suffering.
Daily Living for Seniors
Welcome to Daily Living for Seniors, a free devotional from Crosswalk.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. --1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Despite what our culture tells us, worldly success is temporary...and it will never bring about complete satisfaction. The number of people who have come to ruin after experiencing the world's idea of fame and fortune is astonishing. Here are just a few:
Multimillionaire George Vanderbilt killed himself by jumping from a hotel window.
Lester Hunt, two-time governor of Wyoming and soon-to-be U.S. Senator, ended his own life.
Actress Marilyn Monroe, writer Ernest Hemingway, and athlete Tony Lazzeri represent a group of popular people who were dissatisfied and took their own lives.
Solomon warned those who strived for success without God: "The hopes of the wicked come to nothing" (Proverbs 10:28). According to biblical accounts, God didn't generally use successful and popular people to accomplish His work. Instead, he used everyday people like Paul, Nehemiah, Rahab, Mary, Jonah, Joshua...and the list goes on.
What's wonderful is God doesn't require us to be "big shots" to make an impact for Him. The fact is He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom even today. And the greatest success you'll ever achieve will come one day when you meet Him in heaven!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Submit yourself to the will of the Lord and ask Him to use you for the work of His kingdom.
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. --2 Thessalonians 3:3
A prominent Christian leader was recently traveling by plane. He noticed that a professional-looking man was sitting two seats over. The man was looking over a list and periodically bowing his head as if he were praying.
Guessing the man was a believer, the minister leaned over and said, "Looks to me like you're praying. I believe in prayer too."
The man looked up and replied, "Yeah...but I have a specific assignment. I worship Satan, and I'm praying for the downfall of Christian pastors and ministers on my list."
The minister immediately said, "Well, that would include me. Is my name on that list?"
The confessed Satanist replied, "No...not yet."
Many people don't realize...or they deny the fact...that spiritual warfare is real in our world today. But it's true! There is an unseen battle being waged between the powers of heaven and hell every minute of every day.
Here is a list of ways you can prepare yourself for battle according to Scripture:
Know your enemy (1 Peter 5:8).
Keep yourself in the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39).
Be strong in Christ (Eph. 6:10]).
Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).
Be active in Christian witness and service (Matthew 28:19-20).
Be quick to make right your wrong relationships (Eph. 4:26).
Put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20).
Be in constant prayer (Eph. 6:18).
Praise the Lord always (Col. 3:16).
Be sure you are always alert and dressed for battle, and remember you are never alone!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you use the verses above to prepare you for spiritual battle today...and every day.
This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." --Zechariah 7:9
In 1935, Fiorello LaGuardia, the mayor of New York, arrived at night court in the poorest ward of the city. He dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench. Brought before him was a disheveled older woman charged with stealing a loaf of bread.
She defended herself saying, "My daughter's husband has left her. She is sick, and her children are starving."
The shopkeeper from which she stole refused to drop the charges saying, "It's a bad neighborhood, your honor, and she's got to be punished to teach other people a lesson."
LaGuardia pronounced to the woman, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Your sentence is a ten-dollar fine or ten days in jail."
However, he immediately pulled from his pocket a ten dollar bill, threw it into his hat, and said, "Here's payment for the ten-dollar fine. Furthermore, I'm going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The following day, a newspaper reported that $47.50 had been collected from a red-faced storekeeper, 70 petty criminals, and a few New York policemen!
As Christians, it should always be our goal to show mercy to those in need. Jesus once said that those who show mercy to the others will receive mercy in return (see Matt. 5:7).
It may be that you can visit a lonely friend, take baked goods to someone less fortunate, or pick up groceries for a neighbor in need. God was once merciful to you (Eph. 2:4-5), so begin showing the same compassion to others (1 Pet. 2:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a merciful heart, so that you can minister to those who are in need of compassion.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
As you most likely remember, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr. in 1981, and he was hospitalized for several weeks afterwards.
Even though Reagan was the nation's chief executive, his hospitalization impacted the nation's activity very little. The government kept going.
On the other hand, when a group of garbage collectors went on strike in Philadelphia, the city was in a mess. Not only was the city a disaster area, but the pile of rotting trash soon became a health hazard. The strike nearly paralyzed the city for three weeks.
Who would you say is more important--the President or a garbage collector?
In the body of Christ, no one part is more important than another. The seemingly insignificant ones are needed just as much as the significant ones.
Paul reminded us that "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!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable..." (1 Cor. 12:21-22).
God has given you a spiritual gift given to you by the Holy Spirit to use for His kingdom. Your gift may be encouraging those who are hurting, nurturing the sick, praying for all believers, or teaching people God's Word.
Whatever your gift is, whether it may seem important or unimportant, remember that the body of Christ "is a unit, though it is made up of many parts...they form one body" (1 Cor. 12:12), and "God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be" (1 Cor. 12:18).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you the gift He's given you so that you can use it fully for His honor.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing, and perfect will. --Romans 12:2
A school teacher was approached by a small investment group, and was easily swayed by their elaborate, but risky, new business plan. So swayed, in fact, that she invested her entire life savings into the venture!
Within months, her investment disappeared into thin air and it seemed as though her future dreams were shattered. So she decided to visit the Better Business Bureau.
The official who greeted her listened to her story and then asked, "Why on earth didn't you come to us before you made the investment? Didn't you know about the Better Business Bureau?"
"Yes, I did know about you," the teacher sadly replied, "but I didn't come because I was afraid you'd tell me not to make the investment."
As believers, you and I must always consult the Lord first when making life decisions...even when you're afraid of where He might lead you!
To discover God's will and experience His blessings, you must:
Submit yourself completely to God and His will (James 4:7).
Renew your mind daily through the consistent study of His Word (Rom. 12:2).
Consistently remain in prayer to God (Rom. 12:12, Phil. 4:6, Col. 4:2).
Be willing to wait patiently on the Lord (Psalm 27:14, 37:7, 38:15, 130:5).
In your walk with God, daily surrender to Him and practice the simple steps to submission above. He will make his will clear to you as you face big and small decisions in life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would give you a more submissive heart, one that completely trusts in His will. Then make a commitment to follow Him daily so that He can fulfill His purposes in your life.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. --Matthew 6:19-21
Clovis Chappell wrote in his book of sermons, Feminine Faces:
"When Pompeii was being excavated, there was found a body that had been embalmed by the ashes of Vesuvius.
"It was that of a woman. Her feet were turned toward the city gate, but her face was turned backward toward something that lay just beyond her outstretched hands.
"The prize for which those frozen fingers were reaching was a bag of pearls. Maybe she herself had dropped them as she was fleeing for her life. Maybe she had found them where they had been dropped by another.
"But, be that as it may, though death was hard at her heels, and life was beckoning to her beyond the city gates, she could not shake off their spell. She had turned to pick them up, with death as her reward."
As believers, it's important to ask ourselves, Where is my treasure? Is it here on earth or is it in heaven?
So often, it's easy for us to focus on the things on earth we think are most important. But God's Word reminds us that what we so often care most about are things that will be gone tomorrow!
Today, I want to challenge you to be on guard against placing value on the things that won't last. Instead, pray that the Lord would help you place value on things that will last...like your relationship with Christ and your service for Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray as the psalmist did: "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word" (Psalm 119:37).
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. --Romans 15:5-6
In May 1987, National Geographic included a feature article about the arctic wolf. Author L. David Mech described how a seven-member pack of these wolves had targeted several musk-oxen calves who were guarded by eleven adults.
As the wolves approached their prey, the musk-oxen adults bunched together in an unbreakable semicircle with their dangerous rear hooves facing out. In this position, the calves remained safe during the long standoff with the enemy.
But suddenly, a single ox broke rank, and the herd scattered into nervous little groups. A fight broke out and the adults finally fled in panic, leaving the helpless calves to the mercy of their predators. Unfortunately, not a single musk-oxen calf survived the incident.
In much the same way, Paul warned us in Acts 20 that wolves would come to attack God's flock. How true this is in the church today!
We must remember that the "wolves" will have a much harder time penetrating and destroying the church when there is an unbreakable unity among us as believers. It's so true that even when one of us falls away, we are easy prey for the enemy to attack and devastate.
Jesus prayed specifically that you and I might be unified in Him. He prayed: "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you strength to stand strong against the attacks of Satan on the church. Pledge to unite with other believers so that the world can see Jesus in you and His name may be glorified.
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. --2 Corinthians 9:7
When you go to the doctor for your annual checkup, he or she usually takes your temperature, checks your blood pressure, and pokes and prods in places to make sure everything checks out OK. The doctor will ask, "Does this hurt? How about here?"
If you cry out or admit that you are experiencing discomfort in a particular area, one of two things has happened:
The doctor has pushed too hard in that area without the proper sensitivity, or
There is something truly wrong lying beneath the surface.
In much the same way, believers often cry out in discomfort when God pushes us and prods us in sensitive areas of life. And one of these areas is tithing.
When it comes to giving to God, it's not supposed to be a discomfort for believers. God's Word says we are to give cheerfully unto Him and without reluctance!
2 Corinthians 9:6 says, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." Literally, if you withhold from the Lord what He has provided you, then you will not experience His blessings in full. But if you give cheerfully and sacrificially to Him, then He will in return bless you abundantly.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Dedicate your tithes and offerings to Him, and ask Him to bless them for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
In 1818, a boy named Louis was sitting in his father's workshop in France. His father was a harness maker and Louis loved to sit and watch his father work. One day, he said, "Father, I want to be a harness maker like you one day."
To which the father replied, "Why not start now?" He took a piece of leather, drew a design on it, and instructed his son to use the hole puncher and hammer to follow the pattern. The man set him off to work with a warning to be careful.
Young Louis was excited to begin his new job, but when he hit the hole puncher, it flew out of his hand and pierced his eye. He immediately lost his sight in it as a result. Later, sight in his other eye failed, and Louis became totally blind.
Several years later, Louis was sitting in a garden when a friend handed him a pine cone. Louis ran his fingers over the cone, and suddenly an idea came to him.
This idea eventually led to the creation of an alphabet of raised dots on paper so that others who were blind could feel and interpret what was written. As a result of his accident, Louis Braille opened up a new world for the blind!
To some, this type of tragedy would have been the thing that would have sent them into depression and isolation. But as believers, we know that all things happen for a reason--God's divine purpose and plan (see Jeremiah 29:11).
Friend, God has mapped out every day and detail of our existence. When tragedy strikes, don't be alarmed. Know that God is in control (Psalm 47:8) and that all things work together for His glory and your good.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His promises of hope and a future, even when tragedy strikes.
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. --James 4:14
Imagine if you were to check your bank account one morning only to find a direct deposit for $86,400. And it goes on for weeks!
Each morning you find a new deposit for this amount...but soon realize that your balance is not carried over to the next day. Instead, it is deleted each evening and the next morning you begin again with a new balance of $86,400.
What would you do when you finally realized your account balance would be deleted each evening if you didn't use it all that day? Of course...you'd withdraw the balance left over each day!
You and I have such a bank account called time. Each day we are credited with 86,400 seconds. And every night that which we have not used is deleted from our account. However, our time accounts do not allow overdrafts, loans, or savings options.
We must invest our time wisely in this life. According to one time management study, the average person spends two years making phone calls to people who are not at home, six months waiting for traffic lights to turn green, and another eight months reading junk mail!
Have you evaluated the way you use your time lately? Are you using it wisely to glorify the Lord? Psalm 39:6 says, "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fr he bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it."
Our time on this earth is brief. God wants us to use every minute of our lives to serve and honor Him. Determine to use your time wisely to advance the cause of Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would show you how to spend your time wisely and to keep you from wasting precious opportunities to further His Kingdom.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. --James 4:7
Iron Eyes Cody, a Native American actor, once repeated an old Indian legend to Guideposts magazine.
One time, as a youth was traveling alone to prepare for manhood, he noticed a mountain peak capped with snow. So he set off to climb it. And when he reached the top, he could see for miles.
At the top of the mountain, the youth looked down to find a rattlesnake at his feet. The snake said, "I'm about to die. It's too cold up here for me. There's no food and I'm starving. Take me down to the valley."
The youth replied, "No...I know your kind. If I pick you up, you will bite and kill me."
But the snake promised, "I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, I won't harm you."
The youth resisted at first, but finally picked up the persuasive snake and carried it down to the valley below. There he gently laid it on the grass when suddenly the snake coiled and leapt, biting him on the leg and crippling the boy.
As the snake slithered away, he said, "You knew what I was when you picked me up."
Just as magnets are attracted to one another, so the Christian is drawn to sin through temptation. If you know the things that cause you to surrender to temptation and follow through with sin, then avoid and eliminate them in your life. When tempted, lean on Christ for strength to resist.
Paul said, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). To avoid being harmed by Satan's venomous bite, recognize His ways so you can be prepared to confront and resist the temptation with which he persuades you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to strengthen you, so that you will have the power of the Holy Spirit to resist the attacks of temptation from Satan.
Daily Living for Seniors
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. --Romans 13:14
As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate bridge was built across a large canyon in the West.
The builder wanted to test the bridge, so he loaded a train with extra cars and equipment to double its normal load. Then he drove the train to the middle of the bridge, where it sat for an entire day.
One worker asked, "Are you trying to break this bridge?"
The builder replied, "No. I'm trying to prove that the bridge won't break."
Just the same, the temptations Jesus faced weren't designed to see if He would sin, but to prove that He couldn't.
Jesus fought the devil by the power of God's Word. And as believers, you and I will be attacked by Satan our entire lives. So we must always be prepared, like Jesus was, to never to give in to temptation!
In Billy Graham's Christian Workers Workbook, he lists several facts about temptation you can count on:
Temptation is common for believers (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Temptation is of the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).
Temptation itself is not a sin, but succumbing to it is. (James 1:14-15).
God does not lead you into temptation (James 1:13).
God allows Satan to tempt you, so that you can face it, overcome it, and be stronger as a result (Job 1:6-12, 1 John 2:14).
All temptation can be resisted (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When you are tempted, remember that Jesus has been there before (Hebrews 4:15).
Remember that Satan will always attack you where you are most vulnerable. So, daily submit yourself to God through prayer and the study of His Word, surrender your mind, will, and emotions to Him, and clothe yourself with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18) and the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the strength to walk away when temptation arises.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
--2 Corinthians 4:18
There are several historical monuments in the US that look like they have withstood the test of time. One such place is Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
But up close, maintenance crews have found cracks running through the granite faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. While the monument isn't in immediate danger of disintegrating, experts say that without a facelift it will soon begin to crumble.
Mount Rushmore, just like every other earthly thing, is temporary. Human beings especially can see how temporary life is by the effects of aging. A person who was once young and energetic gradually ages and his or her body begins to wear down.
The aging process is a part of the cycle of life, but it can be very disheartening to the person experiencing it. For believers, we can look forward to renewed bodies in heaven.
The apostle Paul said, "And we eagerly await a Savior... the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:20-21).
The body we exist in now is just a temporary, crumbling structure. It may be that your body has suffered much disease, heartache, and injury. Perhaps you have grown weary and become saddened by the slow decline of your physical being.
Take heart, my friend, because one day we will live with prefect, heavenly bodies in eternity with Jesus where there will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promise of a new body in heaven one day with no pain or disease. Ask that He would give you comfort and peace in your temporary dwelling place until you meet Him in heaven.
Daily Living for Seniors
Welcome to Daily Living for Seniors, a free devotional from Crosswalk, the world's largest Christian website.
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. --Deuteronomy 11:18-21
In life, most people are always building something up--a solid family foundation, a good reputation, a successful career, our relationships, and so on. But some of these things can vanish quickly due to financial loss, natural disasters, gossip, and other unforeseen difficulties.
Daniel Webster, a statesman, lawyer, and orator (1782-1852), once said:
"If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men's immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles...we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity."
One of the greatest achievements you and I can accomplish in this life is passing on a legacy of faith to our children and grandchildren. Many things can be destroyed in this life, but a legacy of faith will live on for generations.
In Proverbs 22:6, Solomon wrote, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Let us be the ones who sow the seeds of love, truth, and righteousness in the hearts of the next generation, so they can advance the Kingdom of Christ in the years to come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would make you the kind of godly man or woman needed to impact the lives of the next generation. Ask Him to provide opportunities for you to minister, encourage, and train up your own family in His Word and ways.
Daily Living for Seniors
Welcome to Daily Living for Seniors, a free devotional from Crosswalk, the world's largest Christian website.
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. --Psalm 31:19
Allen Gardiner was a faithful missionary and martyr during the 19th century. He joined the Naval College in England at a young age and accepted Christ during his career in the Navy. Soon after, Gardiner accepted God's call to take the Good News of Jesus to tribes in Africa and South America.
In 1850, Gardiner and six other men attempted to trek through southern Argentina in hopes of reaching the Yagan Indians. Despite the many physical difficulties and hardships he faced throughout his journey, he said, "While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me."
However, in 1851 at the age of 57, Gardiner died tragically of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. His body was later found along with his diary that contained accounts of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness.
In his last journal entry, illustrated by shaken handwriting, he wrote: "I am not hungry or thirsty in spite of five days without eating. ...I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God."
In the apostle Paul's time of hardship, the Lord said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). When you are experiencing difficulties in this life, rest in God's goodness and rejoice in your trials, so that you may fully experience His power in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God for His goodness in both good and bad times. Thank Him for being sufficient in your weakness and in control of your circumstances.
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. --Lamentations 3:31-33
Warren Wiersbe once relayed the story of a grieving woman traveling by train. She recognized fellow passenger F.B. Meyer, a famous preacher and evangelist, and went to share her burden with him.
For many years she had cared for her crippled daughter who brought her great joy in life. However, her daughter had recently died and she was miserable. Each day, she felt more alone with only an empty house to come home to after work.
Meyer listened carefully to her story and then said, "When you get home..say aloud, 'Jesus, I know You are here!' and be ready to greet Him. ...Tell Him what has happened during the day...just as you would have told your daughter. At night stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, 'Jesus, I know You are here!'"
Several months later, Meyer ran into the same woman again, but this time he didn't recognize her. Her face radiated with joy instead of misery. She said, "I did as you told me and it has made all the difference in my life, and now I feel I know Him."
If you have lost a loved one, it is natural to have feelings of loneliness. But you can find comfort and love in the presence of Jesus. Express your sorrow freely before the Lord and He will turn your grief into joy (see John 16:20). Simply draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Call out to Jesus and talk to Him openly in times of grief. Ask Him to comfort you and eventually turn your sorrow to peace and joy.
Senior Living - March 2
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ...We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. --2 Corinthians 5:6, 8-9
A widely respected man known as "Uncle Johnson" passed away at 120 years of age. He was well known for his cheerful outlook on life during his advanced years.
One day before his death, while working and singing praises in his garden, his pastor, who was walking by, looked over the fence and said, "Hello Uncle Johnson! You seem very happy today."
The old man looked up and replied, "Yes, I was just thinking that if the crumbs of joy that fall from the Master's table in this world are so good, what will the great loaf in glory be like? I tell you...there will be enough for everyone and some to spare up there."
On this earth, believers only get a glimpse of God's glory, power, and blessings. But we have hope in eternity and can look forward to enjoying a feast of blessings some day when we live with Jesus!
In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 says, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling."
Each passing day on this earth is a new chance to be even more excited about what's to come. As believers, we shouldn't fear death because it is only a passageway into the glory of heaven. Live each day with joy and yearning as you move closer to the day when the Savior will be waiting to welcome you home!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that each day you live would be for His glory. And pray for the salvation of those remaining here on earth who don't know Jesus.
Daily Living for Seniors
Welcome to Daily Living for Seniors, a free devotional from Crosswalk, the world's largest Christian website.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. --Proverbs 17:17
Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play Major League Baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he faced severe ridicule from the crowds, opposing teams, and officials.
During one game in Boston, the jeers and racial slurs reached the ultimate climax. In the middle of this turmoil, fellow teammate Pee Wee Reese, a Southern white man, called a timeout.
Reese walked from his position at shortstop to second base where Robinson stood. He put his arm around Robinson's shoulder and stood next to him for a long while. Finally, the crowd grew quiet.
This gesture spoke louder than words. Robinson later said that Reese's friendship literally saved his career. Reese sacrificed his own reputation and status to save Robinson from prolonged anguish.
Is there someone in your life who needs a faithful, Christian companion like you? Do you have a friend that you could sacrifice for and stand beside during hard times? John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
Perhaps you are that person in need. Maybe you are feeling alone at this point in your life. As a believer, you will never be alone because "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).
His name is Jesus. And He sacrificed His life for you so that you would not have to experience the anguish and pain of eternity apart from God. Lean on Him when no one else is there.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for making the ultimate sacrifice for you. Ask Him to bring to mind a friend in your life that you can support and encourage. Pray that He would be there to comfort you when you are all alone.
[Jesus said], "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." --Acts 1:8
In his book, The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, Dr. George Sweeting tells the story of John Currier, a man who was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1949. Sweeting tells how Currier was transferred to work on a prison farm near Nashville, Tennessee after his conviction.
After working on that farm for nearly 20 years, Currier's sentence was cut short and he was set free. But the letter informing Currier of his freedom got lost in the mail...and he ended up serving an extra ten years of his sentence not knowing he was really a free man.
In his book, Dr. Sweeting finished the story about John Currier with a question: "Would it matter to you if someone sent you an important message--the most important in your life--and year after year the urgent message was never delivered?"
He made a very powerful point. As believers, we have an important message of good news to deliver to those who have never experienced freedom and salvation through Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 43:12, the Lord declared, "You are my witnesses...that I am God."
Are you doing everything you can to make sure people who are shackled by sin receive the message that they are indeed free? Maybe you personally know people who have never heard of the freedom they can have through Jesus. Determine to deliver this message of hope to all who are still imprisoned by sin.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open doors for you to share His message of salvation with others, and give you the right words when the opportunities arise.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! --Psalm 68:19 (NKJV)
One morning, R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was met by another believer who asked how he was doing.
Chapman replied enthusiastically, "I'm so burdened this morning!"
But his happy countenance and pleasant demeanor contradicted his words completely. So the puzzled questioner asked again, "Are you sure you're really burdened, Mr. Chapman?"
"Of course!" he replied. "But it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude! I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He daily loads us with benefits!"
The blessings of God are abundantly given to all those who follow Him obediently. They are not simply the benefits or rewards of godly living, but precious gifts from the Father above. His blessings are not a measure of who we are and what we've done for Him, but of who He is and what He's done for us.
Psalm 103:2-5 says, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Blessings are experienced in different ways: provision, protection, and so on. And the most important blessing of all is the salvation we experience through Jesus Christ. As believers, you and I must daily reflect over past blessings we've received, be thankful for present blessings--health, family, friends, and more--and look forward to future blessings from God.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His personal blessings when you follow Him in obedience, and ask that He would make you a blessing to someone else.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17
There's a story about a proud young man who came to the great philosopher Socrates seeking knowledge and wisdom.
Socrates immediately recognized that this young man was indeed pompous and arrogant. But the philosopher led the boy through the streets and into the sea until they were both chest deep in water.
Then Socrates asked him, "What do you want?"
"Wisdom and knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile.
Socrates pushed the young man under the water and let him up thirty seconds later. He asked him again, "What do you want?"
"Wisdom and knowledge," the young man choked out.
Again, Socrates shoved his head back under water and let him up forty seconds later. By this time the young man was gasping for air, and Socrates asked him, "Now tell me...what do you want, young man?"
Socrates and the young man went through a third round of this scenario. Finally, Socrates asked the young man what he wanted, and the boy screeched, "Air! I need air!"
The wise Socrates then said to him, "When you want wisdom and knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have it!"
Fortunately for believers, the Bible says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt..." (James 1:5-6).
If you need wisdom to discern truth, for financial confidence, or to determine God's will for your life, then just ask in faith. Wisdom is given freely by God, and we can find His superior plan through the Bible and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for wisdom today, and rest assured that He will give it to you.
Senior Living - March 9
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. --Proverbs 22:6
Many years ago, a small Jewish boy asked his father, "Why must we surrender our Jewish faith and start to attend Lutheran services here in Germany?"
The boy's father replied, "Son, we must abandon our faith so that people will accept us and support our business adventures!"
That young boy held on to his disappointment and bitterness for the rest of his life because his family abandoned their faith. His faith in both his father and religion were crushed.
When this boy left Germany, he went to England to study where he formed unique philosophies for his own life. From those theories, he wrote a book that changed the world: The Communist Manifesto.
That boy was Karl Marx. For 70 years, billions of people fell under the spell of his Marxist ideology. The hypocritical influence of that little boy's father produced tragic consequences.
If the young people of our world do not receive godly faith and training from older believers, then they will develop distorted perspectives as well.
As a believer, you and I have the responsibility of spiritually parenting others to follow Christ, serve Him faithfully, and do great things for His Kingdom.
Paul referred to Titus as "my true son in our common faith" (Titus 1:4) and Timothy as "my true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2). Though they were not flesh and blood, they bonded together as family and Paul raised them up to follow the Lord.
If you know a young person who needs a faith-filled believer in his or her life, then pray with and for them, and seek to teach them a love for Scripture, a commitment to Jesus Christ, and to fellowship and worship with the church.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring a young person into your life who you can spiritually mentor and parent.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives... --2 Peter 3:11
In the 1800s, an American tourist stopped by the home of Polish rabbi Chofetz Chaim. The tourist was surprised to find a simple dwelling place filled only with books, a table, and a bench.
The tourist asked the rabbi, "Where is all your furniture?" To which the rabbi replied, "Where is yours?"
The puzzled American said, "Mine? But I'm only a visitor here. I'm only passing through."
To which the wise Chaim replied, "And I am simply a visitor here on this earth. I'm only passing through."
Scripture talks about heaven in three different ways: the celestial and magnificent universe (Psalm 19:1), the great expanse of space surrounding the earth or its atmosphere (Genesis 1:8), and the sought-after home of God (Hebrews 4:14).
Heaven is a reality for believers. The fact that we will one day live forever in the presence of God Almighty is a fundamental doctrine of our faith. However, the Bible gives several other glimpses into what this heavenly dwelling place will be like.
Heaven is a place prepared for believers where we will spend eternity with God (John 14:1-3). In heaven, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:1-7). It will be in heaven that we will be like Christ and will recognize one another (1 John 3:2).
Today, I want to challenge you to live in the light of eternity as if you're just passing through this old earth.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you live a holy and godly lifestyle every day of your life. Pray that you would live each day with eternity set in your heart and mind.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6-7
Many top corporate executives relieve stress in the most unusual ways. A survey was done several years ago that showed very surprising results. One odd way that these business professionals relieve stress is by throwing plates against the wall!
For the believer, we don't have to throw plates against the wall--although at times we may want to!
The Bible says you can relieve stress through prayer and thanksgiving. These two combined help you realize "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" and in turn "guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
Your natural human desire is to first experience anxiety and stress when it seems that your needs and desires are not being met. It's hard to "not be anxious about anything" in these kinds of situations.
However, when you acknowledge your complete dependence upon God and submit to His leadership--in all stressful situations--then you'll be gratefully surprised to find that your anxiety disappears every time!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for providing you with incredible peace in stressful situations. Pray that He would take control of all anxiety that tries to invade your heart and mind, replace it with peace, and lead you in the right direction (Psalm 139:23-24).
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. --Ephesians 4:29
Jean Nidetch was a 214-pound woman who badly wanted to lose weight. In her desperation, she went to the New York City Department of Health, where Dr. Norman Jolliffe gave her a diet to follow.
But after two months of weight loss, Jean was still discouraged knowing she had 50 more pounds to go. So she invited six overweight friends into her home to share the diet and talk about ways they could help each other stay on it.
Today, almost 50 years later, over one million members attend 25,000 Weight Watchers meetings in 24 countries each week. Nidetch tells an interesting story about how she has helped millions take control of their lives.
When she was a teenager, she used to walk through a park where she saw toddlers sitting on the swings with no one to push them while their mothers gossiped nearby.
Nidetch said, "I'd give him a push. ...Pretty soon he's pumping, doing it himself. That's what my role in life is--I'm there to give others a push."
Are there people in your life who need that extra push? In Ephesians 4:29, the Apostle Paul encourages us to say things that will build up and encourage those around us--not tear others down.
Not only can your kind words encourage another believer, they can also be a testimony of your faith and joy in Christ Jesus to someone who is lost without Him. Think of someone in your life who may be living under a heavy emotional load, or someone who is weary of life's problems and struggles.
Whoever God lays on your heart, determine today to give them that extra push they need!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the opportunity to encourage someone who needs it and offer kind words to those around you.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. --Galatians 5:22-25
There's a story about a farmer who planted two fruit trees on opposite sides of his property. One tree hid the unsightly view of an old landfill, while the other tree provided shade near a cool mountain stream. As the two trees grew, both began to flower and produce fruit.
The farmer gathered fruit from the tree that hid the landfill near his house first, and noticed that each piece was a little deformed. But the fruit still looked edible, so he took a bite only to discover it was extremely bitter.
He threw the rotten fruit away and picked up some fruit from the tree planted by the stream. As he bit into it, he discovered that it was sweet and delicious.
The fruit from the two trees was greatly affected by the nutrition of the root. Just the same, we as believers have a choice regarding the kind of fruit that is produced in our lives.
If we plant ourselves in the soil of fleshly pursuits and sinful nature, then we will naturally produce rotten and bitter fruit. But if we plant ourselves in the soil of Jesus Christ, then we will bear the sweet fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. .He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."
Where you're rooted influences what kind of fruit your life will bear. So plant yourself in Jesus Christ so that you can produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would manifest the fruit of the Spirit, and commit to root yourself in Christ Jesus.
Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.' Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies." --Genesis 27:6-10
Rebekah was a woman of faith in her youth. She was chaste, beautiful, courteous, helpful, industrious, hospitable, and trustworthy. As the chosen bride of Isaac, God rewarded her faithfulness with a monogamous marriage and twins, Esau and Jacob.
But because of Rebekah's weakness in faith, she later brought about rivalry, deceit, and contention in her home because of a lack of respect for her husband's leadership and favoritism among her sons.
Rebekah took into her own hands the future of her sons and manipulated the situation of birthright and blessing given by Isaac to the eldest. Even if her motive was pure, her actions were wrong. In the end, she paid the price by living out the rest of her life in separation from both of her sons and in a broken relationship with her husband.
Although we may not recognize this as often as other sins, manipulation is rooted in pride and selfishness. It involves viewing others as objects, not individuals, and seeks to limit situations through control. The direct tools of manipulation are position, power, deception, and distortion.
Scripture is full of examples dealing with manipulation. Just as Rebekah manipulated Isaac, so did Sarah manipulate Abraham, her husband, and her servant, Hagar, so that she could control what God had already promised. In every instance, manipulation brought about sorrow rather than joy.
Anytime a believer loses trust in God and begins focusing on self, then the possibility of manipulation exists. Never take matters into your own hands or attempt to control the outcome. Instead, examine your own heart and determine that you will trust in God no matter what to do the right thing in every situation.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to keep your focus on Him and root your faith in trusting Him alone through everything in life.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. --Romans 12:12
Dr. Paul W. Brand was a noted surgeon and expert on leprosy. He traveled once to London by plane and then took a long train from there to his final destination.
As he was getting ready for bed that night, he took off his shoes and suddenly discovered there was no feeling in his heel. To almost anyone else, this would have meant nothing. But Dr. Brand knew that this numbness was a symptom of leprosy.
Brand found a pin, pricked his heel, but felt no pain. He pushed the pin in deeper until blood showed, but still he felt nothing. All night the surgeon imagined his life as a leper--an outcast separated from humanity and his family.
But the next morning, he jabbed his heel with the pin...and yelled out in pain!
Dr. Brand realized that he had numbed a nerve in his heel during the long train ride, and wasn't suffering from leprosy. From then on, whenever he suffered any kind of pain, physically or emotionally, he thanked God.
Pain is a part of the God-given consequence to humankind for falling into sin (Genesis 3:16-17). Everyone is subject to pain. However, the New Testament focuses on pain's partnership with joy.
It was Christ who endured a horrific suffering and pain through His death on the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).
When you suffer in this life, remember that one day, "there shall be no more...pain" (Revelations 21:4), and until then we should rejoice in the Lord for He walks with us through our most painful hours (Isaiah 41:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy that comes from affliction in this life.
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:10
At a recent diving competition, an Olympic gold-medal diver was asked how he copes with the stress of competitions.
He responded by saying that he climbs to the board, takes a deep breath, and says to himself, "Even if I blow this dive, my mother will still love me." Then he goes for the gold!
As a believer, Satan can take advantage of your failures and try to weigh you down with feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem. However, the Bible tells us as believers that we are 100% accepted and loved by Jesus Christ! His grace covers all of our sins and failures.
If you are dealing with low self-esteem, then keep in mind these biblical prerequisites to a healthy self-esteem:
• Recognize your need for a Savior (Isaiah 53:6).
• Accept your worth in Jesus and know that He loves you (Eph. 1:6; Rom. 8:1).
• Press on toward God's purpose for you (Philippians 3:13-14).
• Develop a realistic view of yourself in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:3).
• Avoid comparing yourself to others (2 Corinthians 10:12).
At the beginning of each day, step up to the day's challenges, take a deep breath, and say, "Even if I blow it today, my God will still love me." And then go for God's glory!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for turning your tragedies into triumphs and for loving you even when you fail.
And they crucified Him. --Mark 15:24
A medical doctor once gave a detailed description of what happens when someone is crucified:
"The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders again the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place.
"The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain--the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid the stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet.
"As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream. Spasmodically he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.
"Hours of this...pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.
It is now almost over--the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level--the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues--the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...finally he can allow his body to die."
The Bible records this process of death by crucifixion in just a few simple words. How often we take for granted the pain and suffering Jesus endured when He died on the cross for you and me. Let us remember this Easter the sacrifice He made.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for the price He paid for your sins through His painful death on the cross..
[Jesus said]: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." --John 5:24
Early in Julius Caesar's political career, the people of Rome hated him so badly that he thought it best to leave his country. He sailed for the Aegean island of Rhodes, but on the way pirates attacked his ship and Caesar was captured.
The pirates demanded a ransom of 12,000 gold pieces, and Caesar's staff was sent to make the arrangements for payment. For almost 40 days, the pirates held Caesar captive.
He would jokingly tell them that he would someday capture and crucify them. The amused kidnappers dismissed his threats. But when the ransom was paid and Caesar was released, the first thing he did was gather his army together to pursue the pirates.
The prirates indeed were captured and crucified!
This was the Romans' attitude toward crucifixion. This cruel death was reserved only for the worst criminals. It was meant to show extreme contempt for the condemned. And the pain and humiliation experienced by someone crucified by the Romans was unmatched by any other.
They condemned and humiliated the person and name of Jesus thousands of years ago just as many people do today. And even though He died a lowly death, we as believers can rejoice in knowing that "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25).
Jesus died for the sins of all--including those who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross. You may know of someone today who doesn't know Jesus. Will you be the one to tell them about the forgiveness He gives? Will you be the one who points them toward eternal life through Jesus?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring someone into your life this Easter who you can share the story of His death, burial, and resurrection, and the price He paid for their sins.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. --1 Peter 1:3-5
A little boy born with Down syndrome attended his third-grade Sunday School class faithfully each week. As you can expect, the other children did not readily accept the boy because he seemed different.
The Sunday after Easter, their teacher brought in small boxes--one for each child. The children were told to go outside, find some symbols of new life, and put them in their containers. So the children ran wildly throughout the property looking for something to fill their boxes.
Once they returned to the classroom, they began to share their discoveries with the class. One by one they opened their boxes to show flowers, butterflies, leaves, and more. Each time the class would "ooh" and "ahh."
Then the child with Down syndrome opened his box to reveal nothing inside. The children exclaimed, "That's stupid! It's not fair! He didn't do the assignment right!"
The little boy exclaimed, "I did so do it! It's empty...because the tomb where Jesus laid was found empty!"
If Jesus had not risen from the dead, our faith would be foolish and fake. But He did rise from death, confirming His life and message. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our hope of life eternal beyond the grave.
Don't ever forget to include the resurrection of Christ from the dead when speaking of His death on the cross. For because He conquered sin on the cross and death through His resurrection, we can have unmistakable hope in Him for eternity.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God that you serve a risen Savior! Thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross and for defeating death so that you and I may experience eternal life with Him one day.
For as he thinks within himself, so he is. --Proverbs 23:7
An unknown author once wrote this poem:
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't. ...
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can!
Many psychologists today base their practices on Proverbs 23:7 and maintain that positive thinking increases happiness and success in life. They teach their patients that the way they think affects their emotions, their relationships, and their ability to cope with difficulty.
With the sin in the world that causes disease, suffering, heartache, and misfortune, it's easy for anyone to have negative thoughts. But the believer must be a positive thinker!
In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul assured his friends at Philippi of his positive attitude in Christ saying, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
However, as believers we must understand that this contentment and positive outlook exists in us because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we are always to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
Those whose hearts have not been filled with the Spirit of God will find it harder to combat the mind tricks and temptations of Satan (see Matthew 15:19). Simply remember that the condition of your heart determines the condition of your thoughts.
Allow the Spirit of the Lord to consume your heart and thoughts so that you can live your life positively.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Holy Spirit would invade your heart and mind, so that you would think, speak, and act positively in life.
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. --2 Peter 1:10-11
When Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski played before Queen Victoria in 1891, he won her approval. She exclaimed, "Mr. Paderewski, you are a genius."
To which Paderewski replied, "Perhaps, Your Majesty, but before that I was a drudge."
In the beginning, Paderewski was discouraged by his teachers from becoming a pianist. But through discipline and hours of practice each day, Paderewski launched his artistic career in 1885 and became known worldwide for his dynamic talents, abilities and infectious personality.
Just as Paderewski had to discipline himself to practice every day in order to grow in his talent, so we as believers must also discipline ourselves and take time each day to grow spiritually in the Lord.
Spiritual discipline is absolutely essential for Christian growth and development in the life of the believer. It is a process that continues on through the life of a believer, and helps him or her grow spiritually in Christ and know God's will.
The author of Hebrews encouraged believers to "show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure" and not become lazy, but "imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" (Hebrews 6:11-12).
A believer can mature in Jesus by practicing spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, witnessing, worship, service, fellowship with other believers, and other godly acts.
In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul said, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the world of truth."
If you will practice spiritual discipline each day in faith and obedience to the Lord despite the hardships that come along, then you can look forward to the abundant blessings of God (see Hebrews 12:11).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would build in you strength and determination to daily practice righteousness.
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:13
Hospitality is the practice of welcoming, sheltering, providing for, and feeding those who come into your home--with no expectations for rewards or personal gain in return.
Hospitality is much more than exotic menus, elegant table settings and decorations, and fancy entertainment. It is sharing what you have and who you are in Jesus with the people God brings your way.
For those in Bible times, hospitality was a necessity in the harsh desert regions. It was openly rewarded when extended fully and openly punished when there was a lack thereof.
In the New Testament, Jesus modeled hospitality perfectly. He met both the physical and emotional needs of those who came to Him (Matthew 15:32-39).
New Testament writers encouraged believers to practice hospitality toward other Christians saying, "Offering hospitality to one another without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9). And elders and deacons within the church, in particular, were to extend hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2).
However, there are some exceptions. Believers are encouraged not to show hospitality t false teachers (2 John 1:10-11) or those who receive hospitality but do not work to support themselves and assist the host family (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13).
As believers, we are called to extend this gift to all who are in need. You can open up your heart and life, and minister to others in simple ways: time, food (see Psalm 104:27), money (Matthew 25:34-40), energy, creativity, and love (1 John 4:11).
If you extend your hospitality, open your home, and share your heart with someone else, your efforts will not go unnoticed (Hebrews 6:10). Allow your warm welcome to be saturated with the love of Christ, so you can easily share Him with those who enter your presence.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you ways you can practice hospitality toward those who are in need.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. --Ephesians 4:22-24
British actor Michael Wilding (1912-1979) was once asked if celebrities had any traits which set them apart from other human beings.
He replied, "Without a doubt. You can pick out actors by the glazed look that comes into their eyes when the conversation wanders away from themselves."
Wilding's theory is certainly true, but this self-centered trait has existed in all people since the beginning of time due to our inherently sinful nature from birth to death.
For the believer, we must understand that self-centeredness is sin. The Bible says, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24).
Our sinful nature causes us to automatically be self-focused and concerned with our own interests before those of others. But the Bible says this focus inward is from the world (1 John 2:16).
Certainly each person is a unique individual in the sight of our Creator, for He made you in His own image. But when your individuality, a gift from God, is turned inward, it becomes the source of sin, and is the obstacle which stands in the way of holiness.
The Bible says, "If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil" (James 3:14-15) and ultimately leads to destruction (Philippians 3:19).
If you recognize that self-centeredness has crept into your heart and mind, then ask for God's forgiveness, begin trusting Him with your innermost being, and throw off all worldliness. When you do this, His purposes will become the driving force in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would remove any self-centeredness from your heart. Commit to Him your focus and desires going forward in your spiritual walk with Him.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. --1 Peter 3:15
The renowned 19th-century English preacher Charles H. Spurgeon told a story about King Cyrus, the man who conquered Babylon and freed the Jews from captivity.
A visitor to King Cyrus' palace was admiring his garden and said it gave him much pleasure. King Cyrus responded, "Ah...but you have not so much pleasure in this garden as I have, for I have planted every tree in it myself."
Spurgeon then commented on this story, "One reason some saints will have a greater fullness of heaven than others will be that they did more for heaven than others. By God's grace they were enabled to bring more souls there."
What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind when you are gone from this earth? How many people will be in heaven because of you?
Do you want to be known as a dynamic believer in Christ who never left the pew or walked outside of the church building to share Jesus? Or do you want to be known as one who spent every day sharing Him with the lost world around you?
Nothing is more effective in drawing someone to Jesus Christ than sharing your personal testimony of faith. How did God change your life? What great and mighty things have you seen Him do as a result?
Believers should always be ready to share their faith with others and have zeal to move beyond their comfort zone to bring more souls to Jesus.
Become the kind of Christian that when you reach eternity, someone will say to you, "I'm so thankful for you. It was because of your testimony, your life, and your invitation to accept Jesus that I'm here today" (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would have a passion for sharing Jesus with those around you who are lost.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:11-13
In the early 1990s, author and speaker Patsy Clairmont boarded an airplane and sat next to a young man. She began a conversation with him and soon found out that he was a Marine who had been serving in Operation Desert Storm.
Throughout their conversation, he told her that he was on his way home where his family would greet him at the airport. To which Clairmont commented that he must have thought about returning home to his family many times while he was in the Middle East.
But the Marine replied, "Oh, no, ma'am. We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were."
This young man was content right where he was...despite his situation. Contentment is the full acceptance of yourself, your surroundings, your past, and your future.
As believers, we can be content because Jesus paid for our sins on the cross...giving us salvation and eternal life with Him. Knowing this should help us be perfectly satisfied with our current situations because He is sufficient to meet all of our needs (Philippians 4:19).
However, contentment is never easy to obtain! It is a learned trait. No matter your situation today, strive to rely on God in every situation and circumstance.
Realize that He is sufficient and has given you all that you need for this moment in time. As you begin to depend more on Him, you will learn to be content!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the situation He has placed you in at this point in your life and commit to rely on Him in each and every situation.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on the cross! --Philippians 2:5-8
Booker T. Washington, the famous black educator, became the president of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881.
Shortly thereafter, he was taking a walk through town when a wealthy white woman stopped him. She didn't recognize the well-known man, so she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her.
Mr. Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and set out to work on the chore she had requested. When he finished, he carried the logs into her house and stacked them by the fireplace.
A little girl recognized Washington working outside the woman's house and later revealed his identity to her. The next morning, the embarrassed woman went to Mr. Washington's office and apologized profusely.
To which he replied, "It's perfectly all right, Madam. Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it's always a delight to do something for a friend."
A truly humble man or woman is oftentimes hard to find. But God gets great joy in blessing those believers who are selfless. Being humble is not a natural instinct. Rather it is a God-given mandate for holy living.
Jesus Christ's life is the perfect example of humility. Though He was God, Jesus sacrificed His position of honor and entered humanity as a humble Savior.
Believers should also follow the Lord and humble themselves before God and others. For the Bible says "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a spirit of humility today.
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. --2 Corinthians 1:20
These twelve promises of God on which we can rely were listed in Our Daily Bread on January 1, 1985:
God's Presence -- "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
God's Protection -- "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your very great reward'" (Genesis 15:1).
God's Power -- "I will strengthen you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Provision -- "I will...help you; I will uphold you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Leading -- "When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them" (John 10:4).
God's Purposes -- "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's Rest -- "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
God's Cleansing -- "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
God's Goodness -- "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11).
God's Faithfulness -- "The Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own" (1 Samuel 12:22).
God's Guidance -- "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (Psalm 25:9).
God's Wise Plan -- "All things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
If you are an obedient and faithful child of God, then you can be certain He will keep all His promises (see 2 Peter 3:9)! There is assurance for your life and hope for whatever situation you may be facing in the promises of His Word!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises found in His Word.
April 7
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:34
It doesn't matter if you're asleep or wide awake, there are two thieves that often try to creep into your heart and mind to rob you of your peace and joy. They are known as "yesterday" and "tomorrow." Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow because He knew we would have more than enough to handle today. He doesn't want you to dwell on past mistakes or tomorrow's potential difficulties. Even though this seems to be a simple concept, most people have difficulty in grasping it.
Before you know it, they suddenly catch a bad case of the "what ifs." What if I can't pay my bills next month? Where is my next meal going to come from? What if the medicine and treatments don't work? It can be maddening to those who are overwhelmed by the "what if" syndrome, commonly known as worry. But this only covers the thief named "tomorrow."
"Yesterday" is a completely different kind of bandit. People find themselves engulfed with the regrets of yesterday. We must realize everyone makes mistakes for "each one should carry his own load" (Galatians 6:5)--big, small, medium-sized--they are all sin in the eyes of God. He doesn't judge you any more or less, because Christ's blood covered all sins equally.
Everyone has his load of difficulties in life stemming from yesterday, actively working today, or building for tomorrow's explosion. But, as believers we must understand that the only way to free ourselves of worry and experience true peace is to have faith that God will work everything out in His time. Consider Him your heart's anti-theft system--He cleanses past mistakes and has every detail carefully planned out for your future.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you focus on today and serving Him at this very moment, rather than worrying about your past or future.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. --Proverbs 21:5
Everyone who plans to retire or has already retired faces a troubling question: Will I outlive my money? This is clearly a great concern and an unsettling possibility. Fears about health care and future finances run neck in neck in the race for the biggest concern among senior adults.
Today, the average person's life span has increased by 20 years since 1900, and the fastest growing age group of the U.S. population is people who are 85 years old and older. In the 1970s, Social Security provided for half a retired person's annual income, but today it counts for less than 30 percent and continues to decline.
The only way to make sure your income lasts as long as you do is through proper planning. You may have been frugal and wise with your income so you could be properly prepared when retirement came along, but now you may be feeling financially vulnerable. Don't worry--you are not alone. There are creative ways to make your money last longer for you.
Sit down with your family and discuss this issue as soon as possible. If you don't already have a professional financial advisor, you might consider working with one. Be sure to check their references before making a decision.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to place on your heart the reassurance that He will take care of you. Ask Him to reveal to you the next steps to take in preparing financially for the future. Thank Him for His provision and watch care over your life thus far.
April 9
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. --Matthew 6:14-15
A seminary professor was teaching her students about forgiveness. She asked each of them to bring a sack of potatoes to class the next day. When they did, she asked them to select a potato for each person they refused to forgive and write the date on it beside the person's name. For a month, their assignment was to carry the sack of potatoes with them everywhere they went.
Can you imagine the load? After dragging the sacks around, each student began to recognize how much weight they were carrying spiritually as well as physically. It took a great amount of energy to pay attention to their bag and they had to make sure they didn't leave it lying around in the wrong place.
It wasn't long before the potatoes began to rot and stink. Each student realized that the best thing to do was to get rid of the sack of potatoes. You can't receive forgiveness without forgiving others first. If you decide not to forgive, then God will not forgive you either. It states this in His Word!
When you refuse to forgive and let go, you pay a price. You begin to harbor bitterness and it becomes harder to find happiness. When you forgive the sins of others against you, they are gone for good! But when you don't, what happens? You begin carrying around the bitterness and rottenness like a sack of potatoes. If the thought of carrying around that heavy load makes you uncomfortable and tired, then take action and do something about it before this day is over!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are carrying grudges or bitterness around like the sack of potatoes mentioned above, then ask God to give you the strength to forgive those in your life who have sinned against you.
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. --Psalm 34:11
Many people come to God irreverently. We will never get very far in our relationship with the Lord unless we understand He is to be feared. One of the greatest examples of fearing the Lord can be found in the infamous book The Chronicles of Narnia.
In the book, an allegory written by C.S. Lewis, the story is told of two girls, Susan and Lucky, who prepare to meet Aslan the Lion, who represents Christ. A story mostly made up of talking animals, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver help to prepare the girls for their first visit with the lion king. "Ooh," says Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
"That you will, dearie," replied Mrs. Beaver. "And make no mistake, if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
Mr. Beaver goes on to tell the young child, who questions if he's safe, "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king, I tell you!"
The psalmist understood better than anyone what Mr. and Mrs. Beaver were trying to explain to Susan and Lucy. He wrote, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing" (Psalm 34:8-9). We aren't to live in terror of the Lord, but we must always fear Him in reverence and awe of His goodness and kingship. Our God is awesome beyond what we can imagine.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: In your prayer, praise God for who He is and worship Him with trembling hope and repentant tears.
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. --Lamentations 3:22-23
Have you ever been so overwhelmed by sorrow that you couldn't speak or move? If you have experienced this kind of sorrow, then you can understand firsthand the emotions of Jeremiah as he wrote the book of Lamentations. This book is a sobbing funeral song for the death of Jerusalem and the captivity of her people because of their sins. Each word in this book seems to be penned by someone with no hope. It is almost as if you could visualize the tears of Jeremiah falling onto every page.
Even though this book may seem to be full of destruction and desolation, there is a passage that may be familiar to you. It is the one ounce of hope that fills this barrelful of sadness. It says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). What a message of hope and renewal!
We often forget the glimmer of light and hope found in these words amidst this seemingly dark book of sorrow in the Bible. Jeremiah's soul was aching, but he knew the Lord could cure it all. There may be times when you want to sink into despair. But even in the deepest pit of sorrow, there is One who will reach in and rescue you. Then you will be able to repeat the same words Jeremiah used: "I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him'" (Lamentations 3:24).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are experiencing sorrow, ask the Lord to rescue you from the pain and sorrow. If you know someone who is going through this battle, pray for God's peace on their lives and point them to the ray of hope found in Lamentations.
I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. --Ecclesiastes 9:11
A newspaper headline once read, "Jockey Beats Horse over Finish Line." The jockey, indeed, crossed the finish line a length before his horse and 20 lengths before the rest of the contestants. The would-be winner was thrown out of his saddle. His horse, which had tripped, followed right behind him. The victory went to the second-place finisher--"Slip Up."
One race official said the jockey and his horse were "so far in front that only a freak accident would stop him." All of us have faced life's unexpected events. The author of Ecclesiastes said, "The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong" (Ecclesiastes 9:11). He made apparent the fact that people are not controllers of their own destiny.
You are probably already very aware of this fact, but life is completely filled with unpredictable experiences. Someone once said these events "seem like stones dropped into the gears of human ingenuity." A family survives a fire that destroys everything they own. A healthy man contracts a crippling, deadly disease. A senior citizen loses everything in a scam deal.
There are important life lessons we can learn from everyday experiences. That may sound like a general statement, but if you think about it, it becomes a powerful one. One lesson we can learn is not to trust our own strength, knowledge, or skill, but instead depend on God in all of life's day-to-day happenings. Only He knows what is going to happen from moment to moment. For us, life's race isn't over until the Lord says it is.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you trust Him for the unexpected and unpredictable events life throws your way. Pray that He would give you faith to finish the race until He comes again.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. --Psalm 5:3
Almost 50 years ago, A.W. Tozer said, "Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible." Tozer said this before there was internet, digital cable, palm pilots, or cell phones. While some of you may not have bought into this technology yet, you have definitely been affected and surrounded by it.
These types of technological advances are beneficial, but can also rob us of so much time. However, it's not just the modern complexities that hinder our devotional lives. Most of the time, the biggest obstacle in developing our relationships with God lies within ourselves. It's our own laziness and reluctance to stop and spend time in prayer and Bible study.
So how do you lay to rest Tozer's assumption that today's society makes devotional life impossible? First, you must admit that you have failed to spend time with God. Second, you must recognize that prayer and Bible study are absolutely essential for growth in your spiritual life. Your physical body can't live off one piece of bread a week, just as your soul can't live off the Word fed to you only on Sunday.
Develop a plan. In Psalm 5:3, we see that David set aside time every morning, before any part of his day unfolded, to spend time with the Lord. With this plan of action, you will be able to remove the complexities of the world and put first things first. Open your heart to the incredible joy and relationship that will come when you consistently devote your life to the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you beat the impossible through time spent with Him every day. If you have not been faithful in spending time with God, ask for forgiveness and rededicate a piece of your time to your relationship with Him.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. --1 Corinthians 1:27
A famous violinist announced he would be playing one of the world's most expensive violins in his concert. The first composition he played flawlessly. And each one after that was better than the performance before. The audience was thrilled and enamored with his perfect performance.
After bowing during the applause, the violinist suddenly picked up the priceless violin and smashed it to the floor, completely destroying it. The audience gasped and looked on with horrified expressions. That is, until the famous violinist explained he had been playing an inexpensive violin all along.
The musician then picked up the truly expensive violin and began playing it. The sound was just as beautiful as before, and most people couldn't even tell the difference between the two instruments. The lesson in this illustration is that the quality of the violin was secondary to the skill of the violinist.
This is almost like our service to the Lord. The Master can and wants to use ordinary instruments like us. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul states that God chose foolish and weak things to shame the wise and strong. And He did that so no one would "boast before Him" (1 Corinthians 1:29).
Like the cheap violin played by the violinist, we too can be instruments in the Lord's hands to bring glory to His name and blessing to those around us. It matters not if you are unable to serve as you did before, practice your talents, or put your gifts to use as often. God knows your every weakness and He still desires to use you right where He has placed you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to use you as an instrument for His glory. Pray that wherever He uses you, you will be an influence in the lives of others.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. --Psalm 119:18
An elderly woman was living in Scotland in the worst kind of poverty. She had tattered clothes, a weathered house, and barely enough food to fill her stomach each day. Many years earlier, her son had come to America and had not returned to his native land. He had gone to make a way for himself and to provide a good life for his mother. But since that day, she had not seen him.
One day, a friend came to visit the mother. He said, "Does your son every help you with expenses?"
Reluctantly she admitted, "No, but he writes me nice long letters and sends me interesting pictures."
The visitor wanted to speak harshly of the man, but held back and instead asked, "May I see the pictures?"
The aged mother brought them out of the drawer, and to the friend's amazement they were valuable bank notes. Through the years, she had been needlessly living in poverty. All the while she had in her possession everything she needed to live.
Many times, in our attempt to learn more about God's Word, we skim over some of the most important things that could be valuable at that time in our lives. Unless we daily spend time in the Bible, it will be to us as it was to the mother in the story above--nothing but words or pictures that we can't quite understand.
Most of us don't realize the pile of gold sitting right in front of us found in Scripture. If we will just take some time every day to meditate on the truths, we will see its value.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you the valuable truths and golden nuggets of wisdom from His Word, so that you can be wealthy in knowledge of who He is and His love for you.
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier... --Ephesians 2:14
Many years ago, the Prince of Wales visited the capital city of India. An arduous, stately barrier had been set up to keep back the masses of people, most of them lower class, who wanted to catch a glimpse of royalty.
When the prince arrived, he shook hands with some of the political dignitaries who were presented to him. Then, looking over their heads to the crowds beyond, he said, "Take down those barriers!" They were quickly removed, and the people, regardless of social rank, had free access to the heir to the British throne.
Several years later, the Prince of Wales visited the same district again. Waiting on him, were 10,000 outcasts that waited under a banner. The banner welcomed him with these words inscribed: "The Prince of the Outcasts."
Not many of us take time out of our hectic schedules to reflect on the majesty of Jesus and what He did for us. Born into sin, we were outcasts from conception. But by the grace and forgiveness of Jesus, we have been adopted into the family of God.
So often we don't thank Him or praise Him enough for the incredible mercy he showed us on the cross. We were separated from God, we were the outcasts, sin was the barrier, and the heir to the throne came and ordered it to be taken away. As a result, we now have free access to the Son. Thank God for our "Prince of the Outcasts"--Jesus Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Take a few moments to simply thank God for sending Jesus to provide forgiveness for your sins as a sacrifice on the cross through His shed blood. Take time to worship Him through song for bridging the gap so that we can have eternal life.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. --Galatians 3:28
A missionary who served in Calcutta said that she was profoundly influenced because of a communion service she attended during the Second World War.
The leader of that meeting was a Swedish minister. Among those present were a Chinese pastor, a Japanese teacher, a German doctor, several English citizens, and a small group of Indian believers. The missionary recalled that as she looked at that diverse company she felt a closeness to each person, especially when they partook of the bread and the cup.
The bond of Christian fellowship was real, even though some of those people were from countries engaged in a brutal war. Yes, Jesus Christ does remove the barriers of race and nationality, and He takes away the hatred that so often arises from these differences.
We live in a world, and especially a country, where diversity is great. More than the days of yesteryear, we see people of all nationalities, religions, and cultures coming to live together in one community and nation. In a time such as this, we must seek to be a witness for Jesus Christ to those who have never heard His name.
Our mission field has moved back home to the United States. While the need for evangelism abroad remains, we have a great opportunity to take Christ into our neighborhoods, communities, cities, and states like never before. People of all nations came here to live in freedom--and many of them are in need of the spiritual freedom found only in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to empower you to be the kind of minister He wants you to be to those who have come from all over the world, so that they may join the family of God. Pray that you would have a great impact on the diverse generations of today.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." --Matthew 10:42
Have you ever found it difficult to ask others for help? Why is it so hard for us to admit we need help? It's simple. Most of us have never had to depend on anyone else. We've always had life completely under control and we've been the ones helping others, right? We didn't think we'd ever be incapable of handling things on our own. But that's not reality. We hesitate before taking that first step to ask for help.
People need each other--especially Christians. It makes sense that God included "helping" in the list of gifts found in 1 Corinthians 12:28. There is a difference between offering help and making help available. Some people offer help and are genuinely anxious to give it. Others seem to make help available, but actually have no plans of following through with their offer.
Some people seem to be born with the gift to reach out and help others, and the rest have a lot to learn about offering help. Once you see God working through the kind of person who has the innate ability to easily help others, you'll want be that kind of person as well. You don't necessarily have to have the gift of helping others to be blessed by it. People all around us have setbacks, and they depend on the goodness of others to meet their daily needs.
When offering help to others be honest, specific, personal, a good listener, sensitive to their needs, faithful, and be sure to follow up. The Bible teaches specifically how to be a friend and helper to those who need it. Times may change. The culture is going to change. And even people may change--but more often than not their needs don't. Make a choice to help someone in need today.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you someone who needs your help.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. --1 Peter 2:12
In Leslie B. Flynn's book Dare to Care Like Jesus, he says:
"A Christian baroness, living in the highlands of Nairobi, Kenya, told of a young national who was employed as her houseboy. After three months, he asked the baroness to give him a letter of reference to a friendly sheik some miles away.
"The baroness, not wishing the houseboy to leave just when he had learned the routine of the household, offered to increase his pay. The lad replied that he was not leaving for higher wages. Rather, he had decided that he would become either a Christian or a Muslim. This is why he had come to work for the baroness for three months.
"He had wished to see how Christian acted. Now he wanted to work for three months for the sheik to observe the ways of the Muslims. Then he would decide. The baroness was ashamed as she recalled the many shortcomings in her dealings with the houseboy. She could only exclaim, 'Why didn't you tell me at the beginning!'"
As Christians, people are constantly watching everything we say, do, and how we react. Many times, it is our witness that determines what others will think about our faith. If you have a harsh attitude, use hurtful words, participate in questionable activities, you could hinder someone from coming to know Christ.
It is our responsibility as Christians to take the Gospel of Christ to our communities, cities, and the ends of the earth. But we are also to emulate the person of Christ in our words and deeds to those we come in contact with. Simply stated: others will know the Lord by the way live our lives.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to keep your heart, thoughts, and actions pure as you live your life in front of others. Pray that nonbelievers would constantly see Christ in you.
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. --Hosea 10:12
There's a story about a young mother who died giving birth to her third child. No one in the family was willing to take care of the three little girls, except their great-grandmother who came forward without hesitation. When she took them into her home, she was 83 years old. By God's grace, she lived another 16 years before passing on at the age of 99-long enough to parent each of the young girls into their teenage years and early 20s.
This is an amazing and inspiring example of the reality of retirement. After retirement, there is more to life than golf, easy chairs, your favorite daily television shows, and boredom. People today are living longer than ever before and it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more people over the age of 65 than those who are under the age of 18.
Almost two million people retire every year, leaving many people freed up to perform acts of kindness for others. Contributing to their long lives is good health, financial stability, and life experiences. As a result, many senior adults are ready and looking for challenging and meaningful pursuits in their older age.
You may not be in a situation like the one mentioned above, but there are some things you can do as a Christian senior adult. You are called to always be a prayer warrior for the people in your life (Ephesians 6:18), and retirement provides more time for this type of thing as well as volunteering your time in your church or neighborhood. Decide that you are going to be a blessing to others who need it. When you begin to creatively use your time, God will bring blessing into your life (Hosea 10:12).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would make you a blessing in someone's life today through giving of your time, your talents, and your prayers.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. --2 Corinthians 4:17
The magazine "Wonderful Word" once ran a story about an elderly Christian Englishman. While he was working with another man under the hot summer sun, he put down his heavy load to rest. As he sat by the road, a limousine passed by. Its wealthy owner sat in the back seat, being chauffeured in luxurious ease.
His fellow worker pointed to the passing limo and said, "Do you know the occupant of that car? He is an ungodly man, but he isn't having troubles like you. You believe that everything belongs to the Lord, you trust Him, and you serve Him; yet you still have to work hard in your old age for a meager living. How can you reconcile this with the love and justice of God?"
The old man replied, "Are you testing me, sir? Couple heaven with it! Couple heaven with it!"
The poor, elderly saint of God saw life's true source of wealth, for he could look beyond his earthly condition to his eternal treasures. Scripture says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).
Life can be harsh often neglecting us of comfort or wealth. But God supplies our needs for today and gives us assurance for eternity with Him. Today, you may be living in meager surroundings just as the man above. Take your situation now and "couple it with heaven," and you'll realize there is no better hope for tomorrow.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the strength and faith to carry on until you meet Him. Ask Him to provide for you while you are here and keep joy in your heart that comes from Him.
I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. --2 Timothy 1:3-5
Godly parents leave an unforgettable impression on their families. This is often evidenced by the love and respect they receive from their children. Take, for example, the thoughtfulness that William McKinley showed to his mother. As lawyer, congressman, Governor of Ohio, and as President of the United States, he kept in touch with her every day. When he didn't see her, he wrote or telegraphed.
In mid-October of 1897, he quietly left the White House and took a train to Canton just so he could walk to church with her again. When she became ill, he arranged to have a special train standing by at full steam, ready to take him to her bedside.
Then one night she did call for him. Immediately he wired, "Tell Mother I'll be there." Mrs. McKinley died December 12, 1897, in the arms of her 54-year-old son. Her gentle, Christian virtues helped mold the President's character.
When he was gunned down in Buffalo, New York, about four years later, he showed no bitterness toward his assassin. With Christian courage he said, "God's will be done." Before he died, he asked to hear once again the hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," which his mother had taught him.
Timothy had the godly influence of a Christian mother and grandmother. He was raised in a home with good morals and by family members who loved the Lord. As a result, he grew to be a great man of God.
Your parents may or may not have had the same Christian influence on you. As a Christian, you have been left with a great legacy that should be passed on to your children and grandchildren. The greatest gift you can leave behind to the younger generation is a legacy of faith.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would be a godly influence to your family and younger generations.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. --Proverbs 11:30
Years ago, an article was published that cited a number of men whose faithful witness through books and pamphlets had brought many people to the Lord. The influence of each author led to the changed life of another.
Richard Gibbs, an elderly Puritan doctor, wrote The Bruised Reed. A copy came into the hands of Richard Baxter and resulted in his conversion. Baxter later authored a volume titled Saints' Rest and Call to the Unconverted. By it many sinners were led to Jesus, including Philip Doddridge.
Doddridge became a famous preacher, hymn writer, and the president of a theological seminary. Doddridge wrote the well-circulated book, The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, which proved a rich blessing for countless people.
William Wilberforce read it, was convicted of sin, and became a Christian statesman. After being instrumental in freeing slaves, he penned Practical View of Christianity. This changed the life of Leigh Richmond.
Richmond became a world-famous writer of tracts that influenced thousands to seek the Lord. Yes, the "fruit of the righteous" is a "family tree" of converts who keep branching out to others. You also have probably greatly influenced the life of someone at one time or another. But don't stop now!
There are young men and women who still need the mentoring and wisdom of someone who has lived a great life of faith. Through your witness, you could be helping to nurture the next Annie Armstrong, Charles Spurgeon, or Billy Graham. If you are a follower of Jesus and have an intimate relationship with Him, then you have wisdom to share that could change someone's life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you an incredible influence in the life of someone else for His glory!
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" --Matthew 25:23
One stormy night many years ago, an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk explained that because three conventions were in town, the hotel was full. "But I can't send a nice couple like you out in the rain at 1:00 a.m.," he said. "Would you be willing to sleep in my room?"
The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted. The next morning, when the man paid his bill, he said, "You're the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I'll build one for you." The clerk smiled, amused by the older man's remark.
A few years passed and one day, the clerk received a letter from the elderly man, recalling that stormy night, and asking him to come to New York for a visit. A round-trip ticket was enclosed.
When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, where stood a magnificent new building. "This is the hotel I have just built for you to manage," said the man.
"You've got to be joking," said the clerk. "Who are you?"
"My name is William Waldorf Astor," said the man. "And I'm most certainly not joking."
That hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria, and the young clerk, who became its first manager, was George C. Boldt. The Bible says, "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High..." In the end, we will be rewarded for our faithfulness to the call of Jesus Christ with a lifetime in heaven for eternity.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would be faithful and just in all you do.
She took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. --Genesis 3:6
Our world is certainly not a perfect world. You don't have to go very far or listen very long to be reminded of the evil and sin all around us.
The secular humanist has no real answer to the philosophical question of the existence of evil. Humanists believe falsely that humans are basically good in spite of all evidence to the contrary.
One chilling example is a study done by the late professor Allen Bloom, who asked his college students, "How do you identify an evil person?" His question was met with silence. Not one student could give him a determining factor of evil! Bloom said that our inability to identify and recognize evil is a sign of grave danger in our society.
Our society has become so perverse that we can't even recognize evil or wrongdoing. Since 9/11 you probably won't find very many people who would say there is no such thing as evil. But you probably couldn't find many who know what evil is or why it is so prevalent in our society.
The Bible has the answer to the problem of evil. It all goes back to Genesis 3 and our first parents, who yielded to temptation. Sin came into our world at that point, and it's something we've had to deal with since.
But, according to the Bible, we do have hope...and that hope is in Christ. Through Christ we are freed from the power of sin and evil. And because of Christ, we can live as people of purity in a twisted world.
My challenge to you today is to reflect that purity in how you live so that a world that is in the grips of evil will see the only hope...the hope of Jesus Christ.
LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT OUR WORLD WILL SEE THERE IS AN ANTIDOTE TO EVIL, JESUS CHRIST!
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children.--Titus 2:4
There's a story of an older woman, Ms. Betty, who was known for her warm spirit and grandmotherly love toward everyone. She was the type who had numerous families over to her house for lunch after church on Sunday. She fixed the best homemade meals and seemed to fit the mold of a perfect, godly woman.
After months of praying for God to bring a new pastor along, He did. And Ms. Betty took the young pastor's wife under her wing to encourage her and model a life of service--through missions, hospitality, and other activities in the church. Before she knew it, the once-intimidated and shy preacher's wife was speaking at Bible studies and preparing mission trips for overseas.
The younger woman didn't realize it at the time, but God used Ms. Betty to plant a seed that would one day give her, along with her husband, the courage to follow Him to Brazil as missionaries. God knew that the young lady needed the influence of a servant-hearted believer like Ms. Betty to open her heart and cause her to answer God's call. Through her words and actions, Ms. Betty left a lasting impression that forever changed the pastor's wife.
How can you make a difference in the life of a young person? By simply being compassionate enough to care for them unselfishly and get involved in their lives. The Bible tells us that we can influence others through our testimony, our words (Colossians 4:6), and our teaching (Titus 2:7-8) for His glory. Don't let your wisdom and experience go to waste, for at the right time God will bless you for your faithfulness (Galatians 6:9).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to bring a young person into your life with whom you can be a mentor, encourager, influence, and friend.
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? --Job 12:12
As people near retirement age, most begin to battle the aging process in every way possible. It may seem easy to deal with the wisdom and understanding part found in Scripture. In Psalm 92:14, it sounds fine to stay fresh and green in old age just as fruit does. But why in the world does the King James Version use the word "fat?"
Look it up. The King James Version says, "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing..." We may have to deal with a lot of things as we age, but this is a little much! You may not look any younger as the days go by, no matter how many varieties of facial creams or exercise you do. But there is one thing God's Word says you will find among senior adults...wisdom.
What could be more priceless than that? Whatever is done in life with eternal value matters. If you think about that statement, it will put all disappointing thoughts of aging to rest. You will begin to view aging in the proper perspective.
The Lord has carried you this far through trials, tribulations, joys, and pains. So no matter how frustrating this age can be at times, the Lord has assured you that He'll carry you the rest of the way through life right into heaven. Capture the wisdom and understanding that God has given you in your golden years, and use these blessings to make a difference for Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you gain a positive perspective on life. Pray that He would help you use the wisdom He's blessed you with to have an impact on the lives of others who are hurting, lost, lonely, or younger than you.
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." --Deuteronomy 33:12
Consumers lose millions of dollars each year due to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a person's social security number, credit card number, phone number, address, and other personal information is discovered by a thief who uses the information for his own personal gain.
As as result of this, many people have purchased paper shredders for their homes to help prevent the theft of their mail or private information from a trash can or dumpster. While this kind of theft can almost ruin a person and is a great travesty, we must be wary of having our true identity stolen.
Satan steals a person's potential in Christ by convincing them they are not worthy of God's forgiveness, grace, and love. He rips off others by using peers to influence them in negative ways or creating enormous amounts of guilt. Through fear, guilt, and shame, Satan can prevent many from discovering God's ultimate purpose for their lives.
The devil's goal is to keep you confused about your spiritual gift and purpose, trying to dilute your true identity in Christ. Remember that God loves you and you are "precious and honored" in His sight (Isaiah 43:4). You are valuable. So much so, that Christ hung on a cross for your sins. How's that for value? And you are capable of being all that God's called you to be because He has specifically gifted you to serve and honor Him (see 1 Peter 4:10).
It may cause some problems to have your personal information robbed by the common thief, but it would be even more devastating to have the sneakiest crook of all steal your identity in Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart from Satan's crooked ways. Pray that He would strengthen your identity in Him each day.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. --Romans 12:4-6
Have you ever met someone who was gifted in a certain area? And you wished you could have that same talent? Maybe you've had a close relationship with someone who had a gift of teaching, or a special talent in music. A person gifted in a specific way has exceptional abilities in that particular area.
But usually regardless of how gifted that person is in one area, they are not gifted in every area of their life. No matter how good the beautician is, she must still depend on others to fix her car or hook up her cable. No matter how talented the surgeon is, he must still find others to take his family portrait or sing at his daughter's wedding.
In the church it is the same. There is a spiritual God-given gift that every believer in Christ has. And everyone is to use their gift to serve the Lord and His kingdom (see 1 Peter 4:10). Paul mentions several spiritual gifts throughout his letters including serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy (Romans 12:3-8).
Most people are born with natural talents, but only believers are blessed with spiritual gifts. Every Christian, young and old, should be using their spiritual gifts in ways to bring blessing and encouragement to others (see Philippians 2:3-4). And, most importantly, we are to use our spiritual gifts to bring honor and glory to the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you still don't know it, ask the Lord to reveal to you your spiritual gift. Ask Him to help you find a place to use your gift. Pray that He would use you to bring blessing, encouragement, and hope to others through your gift.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds. --Philippians 4:6-7
While pastoring Guttenburg United Methodist Church in Guttenburg, Iowa, Karl Goodfellow conducted an experiment with his church members regarding prayer. Pastor Goodfellow planted soybean seeds in two pie pans. He then asked them to pray over only one of the tins and leave the other to "Mother Nature."
After a few weeks, the congregation was amazed to witness the superior crop produced from the seeds that received prayer. This act of prayer became the start of a special ministry to pray for farmers by name. Today, it is called the Safety Net Prayer Chain and now has over 5,000 people praying for 50,000 farmers individually. Even though the crops are part of their prayers, warriors are praying for more than the growth of their seeds. As a result of their prayers, they have seen miraculous protection and provision take place in the lives of the farmers.
The most intimate communion with God comes only with prayer. Ask people who've faced tragedy or trial, heartbreak or grief, failure or fear, loneliness or discrimination. God says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds" (Philippians 4:6-7).
You won't believe the changes that will occur in your life when you come before God in prayer. Begin practicing prayer frequently throughout your day and see how much closer it brings you to the Lord. When you finally fall to your knees and pour out your soul to Him, you'll find yourself saying, "I can't explain it, but I feel a peace like I've never felt before."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Spend time today praying to God through praising, thanksgiving, and petitioning. Pray that you would sense His Spirit in your conversation with Him.
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge. --1 Corinthians 1:4-5
Commissioner Frederick Booth-Tucker of the Salvation Army was preaching in Chicago when a man stepped from the crowd and yelled out, "You can talk about how Christ is dear to you; but if your wife were dead, as my wife is, and you had babies crying for their mother, you couldn't say what you are saying."
A few days later, Booth-Tucker lost his wife in a tragic train accident. Her body was returned to Chicago for the funeral.
As the service concluded, the husband took his place by the casket and said, "The other day when I was preaching in this city, a man said that if my wife were dead and my children were crying for their mother, I couldn't say Christ was sufficient. If that man is here, I tell him Christ is sufficient! My heart is crushed, bleeding, and broken. But there is a song in my heart, and Christ put it there. The Savior speaks comfort to me today."
The man was present, and on hearing that, he came down the aisle to surrender his life to the Lord.
No matter the tragedies we face--death, sickness, loneliness, hurt, persecution, and so on--Christ is sufficient in them all. Isn't it comforting to know our Lord knows our pain--literally? Isn't it reassuring to know we have a God who will be there to pick us up when we fall, carry us when we're too weak, and never leave our side through it all?
If you've experienced loss, anguish, or some other affliction, trust in the Lord to walk with you through it. And use your experience to comfort the hearts of others who are also going through affliction.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to comfort you in affliction and help you to comfort those who are experiencing the same situations.
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. --2 Corinthians 1:20
These twelve promises of God on which we can rely were listed in Our Daily Bread on January 1, 1985:
God's Presence -- "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
God's Protection -- "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your very great reward'" (Genesis 15:1).
God's Power -- "I will strengthen you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Provision -- "I will...help you; I will uphold you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Leading -- "When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them" (John 10:4).
God's Purposes -- "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's Rest -- "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
God's Cleansing -- "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
God's Goodness -- "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11).
God's Faithfulness -- "The Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own" (1 Samuel 12:22).
God's Guidance -- "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (Psalm 25:9).
God's Wise Plan -- "All things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
If you are an obedient and faithful child of God, then you can be certain He will keep all His promises (see 2 Peter 3:9)! There is assurance for your life and hope for whatever situation you may be facing in the promises of His Word!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises found in His Word.
When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over...I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. --Joshua 13:1,6
Joshua had accomplished much on the battlefield and in taking the Promised Land. Yet, at a very old age, his command from God to take all of the land had not been fulfilled. The Lord had to remind Joshua that his mission hadn't been fully achieved.
Isn't it interesting that God didn't look for a younger leader, but went straight to Joshua even in his old age? God went to the person who had accomplished much and asked him to continue on with His purpose. The Lord wasn't finished with Joshua, and he isn't through with you either.
Whether it's through volunteer work, a part-time job, or serving in a position at your church, God still has a purpose for you. He didn't say, "OK..when a man or woman reaches the age of 55, they are no longer of any use to Me."
In almost every Christian congregation or ministry, there are things not being accomplished that could be done by seniors. All that is required is a willing and able senior to step up and take the challenge God has presented to participate in various activities and ministries.
Joshua was virtually "retired" from his job. But, even in his old age, God called him out of retirement to continue on with the job he was to complete. Is God calling you in your later years to continue on in ministry for His purposes? Are you willing to take on that challenge today? God will continue with His work through His people, even those who are "well advanced in years."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you a ministry in which you can be involved. Surrender yourself, even in your later years, to fulfilling His call on your life.
As you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. --Philippians 2:16
George Whitefield, a great evangelist, was talking to some friends one day and relating the difficulties of ministry. He explained that he was weary and was glad his work and ministry would soon be over. He stated that he was excited to depart this old earth to be with Christ.
His friends agreed with him--all except for one, Mr. Tennant. Noting his disagreement, Whitefield said, "Well, Brother Tennant, you are the oldest among us; do you not rejoice to think that your time to go Home is near?"
Tennant answered bluntly, "I have nothing to do with death. My business is to live as long as I can, and as well as I can, and serve my Savior as faithfully as I can, until He thinks it's time to call me Home."
So many people rush through life, speed through personal devotions, and pray with one eye open and glued to the clock. But, there is no excuse for you to feel life should speed by like a flash of light and you should give up. It is important to tend to your spiritual life before anything else. Now is the perfect time for you to spending time studying God's Word. You can keep a journal of daily thoughts, memorize Scripture, or use various Bible study books to provide a more in-depth study of a particular topic, book, or theme.
It's never too late to learn new things, grow spiritually, or deepen your walk with the Lord. When you begin to consistently walk with the Lord and spend time with Him, you'll begin to see other areas of your life improve.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you deepen your walk with Him until He calls you Home. Pray that He would continue to put a desire in your heart to serve Him until that day.
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. --Deuteronomy 4:9
There are 50 million grandparents in the U.S. and they are playing an increasingly important role in American families. Although some grandparents are having little contact with their grandchildren. Some children, teenagers, or young adults are more familiar with television celebrities than they are with their own grandparents.
Things such as geographical location or busyness can always make it difficult for a family to truly be together, but your children and grandchildren have much to gain from you. "Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life" (Job 12:12, HCSB).
The Foundation for Grandparenting (www.grandparenting.org) says research indicates that the grandparent-grandchild bond is second in emotional importance to the bond between parents and children. There are many benefits for families who bring the generations together. Through close intergenerational relationships, children and grandchildren learn they are a part of something greater--history. And people who have contact with those who are older tend to think beyond their own generation.
As a senior, you represent stability, security, and heritage. You can offer unconditional love, encouragement, and support, and you are an important connection to the past. You are wealthy with wisdom and experience that can be shared with younger generations. And even if you don't have children or grandchildren, there are young people in the world today who long to be mentored by you and your generation.
The connection you make between generations will benefit both you and those who are younger. The younger generations can gain from your knowledge, and you will feel younger being in touch with their generation.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Seek wisdom from God in connecting with the younger generations and passing on a legacy of faith. Ask God to bring about a young family member or a younger person in your life to whom you can guide and mentor.
Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. --2 Corinthians 1:4
There's a story of a lady who kept an ordinary cardboard box sitting on a bookcase in her home. The box was filled with notes, cards, and letters, offering love and encouragement at a time when her life was filled with sadness.
She was housebound for several years caring for her husband who had Alzheimer's disease. As each card arrived, it provided her and her husband with a cheerful message telling of the sender's prayers, love, and support. The words on the cards were often exactly what she needed to make it through the day.
When her husband passed away, and she moved to rebuild her life without him, she began sending cards to others who were experiencing the same kind of pain, remembering how much they helped her.
It doesn't take long to send a simple note saying, "I'm praying for you" or "You are in my thoughts today." With the technological advances of our world today, it's easy to send someone a quick e-mail of encouragement, but there is still nothing like holding a card in your hand, knowing that the sender took time to think of you and your situation.
George William Childs, American publisher who lived from 1829-1894, once said, "Do not keep the alabaster box of your love and friendship sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier. The kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you a blessing today in someone's life who may need a note of encouragement and love. Continually pray that His presence will surround those in your life who are going through difficult times.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. --John 15:13
A recent study of senior adults in the British Medical Journal showed that older people who spend quality time with friends live longer, happier lives than their non-social peers. Social activities reduce stress, enhance well-being, and create a sense of belonging. This includes activities such as volunteering your time, dining out with friends, or just socializing with others.
It's easy to say, "I can't go out with my friends often" or "I'm too busy to do anything." But, the connection between friends is so important that it should be a priority. If you're dealing with feelings of loneliness, isolation, or depression, an active social network of friends will help you fight them off. Plan to go out with your friends regularly from week to week. This will be a wonderful prescription for your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Some of your closest friends can be in your own family--brothers, sisters, cousins. Strengthen your family ties by staying in touch with those you love and already know. Even if your family is scattered across the country or globe, make an effort to remain in contact. Families are forever.
If you are in a situation where you don't have many friends, there are still avenues where you can to get out and meet others--senior adult clubs, volunteer organizations, social groups, and church. The more people you interact with daily, the better chance there is for you to form close friendships. As you grow older, you will lose friends for various reasons, so make it a priority to increase your social network now and you will be rewarded with a lifetime supply of great friends.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the friends you do have. And if you are in need, ask God to bring you friends with whom you can relate and develop meaningful relationships.
Senior Living - May 20
Love your neighbor as yourself. --Matthew 19:19
Oftentimes it can be hard to be nice to your neighbors when their Christmas party lasts until 2:00 a.m., their dog uses your flowerbeds for a toilet, or their children use your property for a playground. When this happens, it might be hard for you to be "neighborly."
Your "neighbor" is basically anyone you come in contact with— the grocery store clerk, the person waiting behind you in line, the cable guy, or the plumber who charges extra on the weekends. We don't choose the people God brings across our paths. He usually puts people in our way to whom He wants us to show His love. Even if their culture, lifestyle, personality, or religion is different, God says these differences are exactly why we should try harder to show His love.
Even in the sticky relationships that often come with tension, we are to love others which shows our love for Him. 1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."
In today's society, people are pushy and oftentimes downright nasty in their attitudes and actions. But, even when those people have seriously annoyed or offended you, there is little excuse for treating them with disrespect. Christ walked among prostitutes, thieves, and hypocrites—yet their lives were changed by His love. As a believer, you have the power to show the same kind of transforming love to your "neighbors."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to create in your heart a love for the unlovable and to see others through His eyes. Pray for those who come across your path who are uneasy to love, that Christ may change their hearts.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. --John 15:2
There was a man who would stop by the garden market each spring and buy a plant or bush. He loved working in his garden caring for the plants.
One year, he bought a flowering patio tree with small purple flowers that bloomed all spring, summer, and fall. In late fall, he would carry it to the barn, put it in an empty stall, and water it once or twice a month. It was dormant and showed no signs of life in the winter.
In the spring, when he brought it back to the patio, he set it next to a window. Each day, he watched it...hoping it would show some life again soon. He took the pruning shears and shaped it, cared for it, and hoped for the best. After a few weeks, he noticed a few green leaves sprouting out of the dead branches. And a month later, almost all of the branches were covered with leaves.
If the man hadn't taken care of the tree and cut the dead branches, it wouldn't have looked so beautiful for the spring, summer, and fall. In the same way, Jesus sees the dead, unfruitful branches in us and cuts them away.
The dead branches can be relationships that control our lives, material things, attitudes, or pride in work or ministry. Only the Lord knows each person well enough to know the exact branches that need to be cut away. And the dormant times may feel like God is distant. But, He is caring for us and watching over us all the time.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for knowing you so well, that He knows exactly which branches to trim, so you can be more fruitful.
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing... --Proverbs 10:7
Memories link us to our past and guide us through our daily lives. It's easier for some to recall names and phone numbers, while others have a more difficult time remembering these things. Normal memory loss or forgetfulness will afflict all of us at some point in our lives--whether it's due to disease, aging, or stress.
To stimulate your memory, be sure to exercise regularly. There are numerous benefits from exercise, especially memory retention. It doesn't have to be strenuous--just a mild form of aerobic exercise, such as walking for 15-20 minutes a few times a week, or moving your arms and legs around several times a day. It's a chain reaction--physical activity encourages good sleeping habits, which gives your brain the rest it needs, and in turn, helps with alertness and good memory.
It's also important to establish a routine. People benefit from having a routine dealing with daily tasks. When one task is remembered, it then triggers a series of memories. Daily tasks include things like brushing your teeth, taking medication, reading a book, and even parking the car in the same spot each time.
Your memory will also increase by organizing your personal space. You can avoid hours of searching for that "lost" item by eliminating clutter throughout your living place. Use those extra closets to organize the extra items sitting around your house and label things so you will know what's where.
While this may not seem like a devotional, God desires for us to help ourselves and He'll help us as well.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you take control of the things in your life that can help you enhance your memory skills. Thank God for the alertness and memory that you have today.
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." --Mark 2:1-5
Many people read this story and wonder why Jesus would address the spiritual needs of this man before his physical needs. Maybe Jesus was teaching the Christians of the day something that Christians in this century need to learn again.
Good health includes the whole of us--body, mind, and spirit. There is a connection between faith and healing. Some of the first hospital visits by first-century Christians were in response to Jesus' command to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, take in the stranger, and visit the sick and imprisoned (Matthew 25:34-40).
History tells us that in the Middle Ages, priests served as physicians and in the eighteenth century, those who wanted to practice medicine, had to first gain permission from the bishop. As time went on, the connection between faith and health began to disconnect as medicine moved forward in achieving the treatments of illnesses and developed greater understanding of where disease began. With the advances, came the exclusive responsibility of physicians and hospitals to take care of the sick, and the role of spiritual caretaker fell on the church.
Today, there is a renewed interest in faith and health, and how the connection between the two impacts those who are aging. In the Handbook of Religion and Health, the authors show a link between physical health and spiritual welfare. Here are some things to consider: religious people have healthier lifestyles; senior adults with a deep, personal religious faith have a strong sense of life satisfaction; and religious faith appears to protect the elderly from cancer and cardiovascular disease.
So, as a senior adult, stay connected to your church, ask for help or support from those in your church, and read your Bible and pray daily.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for life, and ask Him to renew you in mind, body, and spirit.
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. --Proverbs 24:3-4
There may be times when you ask: How do I handle my financial needs? Do I need to plan for the days to come?
One thing all Christians need to understand is the basics of simple, commonsense financial planning using God's principles. We should always have faith and depend on God for our finances, but it doesn't mean waiting on Him to deliver manna to us each and every day.
God is our Provider, but He expects us to help ourselves as well. If you can develop some financial goals, then you'll be on the right track. Ask yourself: Where am I financially? How do I get to my destination?
In your plan, write down visible objectives and measurable goals you can work toward. Start by committing God's portion to Him first--tithes and offerings. Then, design a strategy to control and eliminate the use of credit (if applicable). And last, you'll want to determine in your heart and mind that you will be content in the goals God has for you financially.
It is wise to seek Christian counsel in the financial decisions you make. But, everyone has an opinion, and only you and God know your needs best. If you need someone to help you with you financial goals, then look within your own church for someone you trust that can give godly advice. If needed, they may even help you balance your checkbook, prepare your finances for the future, and help you pay your bills.
It is never too late to get started with a financial plan for your life. There are people in your life who want to help you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Seek wisdom from God in planning your finances for the future. Ask Him to lead you in developing a plan--even through the guidance of a fellow believer.
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? --Mark 8:36
Around 200 years ago, the tomb of the great conqueror, Charlemagne, was opened. The workmen were shocked by what they saw.
His body, sitting upright, was clothed in the most elaborate kingly garments, with a scepter in his bony hand. And on his knees lay the Holy Scriptures, with a lifeless, bony finger pointing to Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Amazing, right? So often, people place more emphasis on what is gained in this world, how successful one becomes, or how much is achieved, rather than focusing on their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.
Martin Luther once said, "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
What are you holding onto today? It may be someone or something, but remember that material things we hold on to in life will eventually pass away. Nothing that we ever gain in this world will last. Only two things shall endure forever: the Word of God, and the souls of the men and women who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be" (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).
What are you investing in right now?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help focus your heart and mind on the things above and witnessing to those around you who are lost.
But seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. --Matthew 6:33
Our Daily Bread published a story about a missionary, Hudson Taylor, who wrote in his journal about his trust in God's faithfulness to provide. It said:
"Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."
You may be concerned whether or not you are going to have enough to live for the next year, month, or even week, but God promises to take care of all of our needs. His provision was sufficient in Genesis 22:1-14 for Abraham.
God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abraham surely was tormented by the Lord's request, but he obeyed God and took his son to the altar anyway. Tied up and bound on the altar, as Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, God provided a ram in the thicket. And Abraham called the place, The Lord will Provide.
Abraham was obedient to God, and in return He provided. If you are wondering whether or not God will provide all your needs--rest assured. "Don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist more than food and clothing? ... And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? ... Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (Matthew 6:25,30,32; NLT).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for providing all your needs and begin to put your complete trust in Him from this day forward.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven... --Matthew 5:12
There was a woman diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. So, as she was getting the last days of her life "in order," she contacted her pastor to come to her house in order to discuss certain issues regarding her final wishes.
After their discussion of what she wanted for her funeral service, she said to the pastor, "There's one more thing that's very important. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor looked bewildered at the woman, and she quickly responded, "Does that surprise you?"
The pastor said, "Honestly, I am a little puzzled by your request."
To which the woman replied, "In my many years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the main course dishes were being cleared, someone would lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew something better was coming...like rich chocolate cake or a deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful! So, I want people to see me in the casket with a fork in my hand and when they ask, 'What's with the fork?' then I want you to tell them, 'Keep your fork...the best is yet to come.'"
As believers, we don't usually envy people who've died, unless we know where they're going. Christians never say goodbye for the last time. That's the joy of being a born-again believer...we will see the ones we love again and we will meet Christ Jesus for the first time. Challenge yourself to be an everyday witness to those around you who are lost, so they will also have the chance to experience what is to come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for salvation and that death is not the end for Christians, but just the beginning.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. --Proverbs 18:24
There was a "Ziggy" cartoon recently that pictured the short, pudgy guy sitting alone in a boat. He was drifting on the water toward a tunnel with a sign above it that read, "Tunnel of Meaningful Relationships."
Loneliness plagues so many people in our society. Surprisingly, a study by the American Council of Life Insurance revealed that the loneliest group of people in America is college students. Then come those who are divorced, welfare recipients, single mothers, rural students, housewives, and the elderly.
Chuck Swindoll, noted author and preacher, pointed out how lonely people can be from an ad posted in a Kansas newspaper. It read: "I will listen to you talk for 30 minutes without comment for $5.00."
The person who placed the ad wasn't joking either...because there were those who actually answered the ad. It was only a matter of time before the person who placed it was getting 10 to 20 calls a day. The sharp pain of loneliness was so intense that some were willing to do anything just for 30 minutes of companionship with someone else.
Life may seem lonely for you, but there is a friend we have that sticks closer than a brother--Jesus. Lean on Him in your darkest hours. Jesus experienced loneliness on the cross. While He was perfect as God, He also experienced the same things we do as human beings. And even though Christ felt abandonment on the cross, God was there the entire time, seeing Him through it all.
If you are lonely, know that Jesus is constantly holding your hand as you walk through life. You will never be lonely with Him by your side.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to take away your loneliness, and thank God for His constant presence in your life.
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. --Psalm 92:14
There was a couple who had been married for over 50 years. One day, the wife said to her husband, "Things really have changed. You used to sit close to me."
The husband said, "I can take care of that," and he moved closer to her on the couch.
The wife continued, "And you used to hold me tight."
He gave her a big hug and said, "How's that?"
The wife finally said, "Do you remember when you used to nudge my neck and nibble on my ears?"
The husband jumped up from his cozy seat and left the room. "Where are you going?" she said.
"To get my teeth!" the husband shouted back.
So many people dread old age because it is associated with loneliness, physical deterioration, and a retreat from inactivity. But once a senior, there's no need to lose that excitement in your life. And there's no need to spend all your time reminiscing about days past.
Just to sit and think is no way to grow old. God doesn't expect us to cease to live before we die. History tells us there are so many people who have made great contributions to society after the age of 65—after retirement!
Here are some seniors who did remarkable things in their old age:
· At age 73, Galileo made his greatest discovery, the pendulum clock.
· At age 69, Hudson Taylor was still working on the mission field, opening up new territories in Indochina.
· And at age 85, Caleb took on the great giants (Joshua 14:10-15).
We are never to retire from spiritual activity. God would not keep you here on this earth, if His purpose for you were fulfilled. So, get out there and continue serving Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you His continued purpose for your life.
Editor's Note: Please accept our apologies if you did not receive your regularly scheduled June 3 devotional. The server issues have been resolved.
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. --Isaiah 64:8
During the Great Depression, a good man lost his job, used up all his savings, and forfeited his home. His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his wife just weeks later. The only thing he had left was his faith, and it had been weakened.
One day, the man walked about looking for work when he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a church building. One of the men skillfully chiseled a triangular piece of rock that didn't seem to fit in the formation they were creating. So the man shouted to the artist, "Where are you going to put that?"
The man pointed toward the top of the building and said, "See that opening up there near the spire? That's where it goes. I'm shaping it down here so it will fit up there."
Tears filled the poor man's eyes as he walked away. The worker's words rang clear and spoke deeply to his heart giving new meaning to his difficult situation.
You may be reading this and going through a difficult time yourself right now. It may be something even too troubling to talk to anyone about. But you can know for certain "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Each blow of the hammer and chisel in your life may hurt.
But have faith. These difficulties are only temporary! Sometimes the most painful blows bring about the greatest inner strength. Keep praying and believing that the Master is shaping you down here so you will be fit up there.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to turn your tragedy into triumph, and strengthen your spirit when life painfully hammers you from all sides.
Get rid all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. --Ephesians 4:31-32
Isn't it amazing how often we kick the devil out of our lives, only to let him leave his bags behind? Think about it. Maybe you once made up with a friend or family member after an ugly fight, but you were still resentful and angry. Well, you let the devil leave his bags!
Perhaps you once said, "I forgive you," but you couldn't seem to forget what had happened and have peace in that relationship. So you let the devil leave his bags.
At one point in time, perhaps you decided to release past hurts and disappointments caused by loved ones, yet you forgot to dig up the bitterness in your heart that had taken root. You let the devil leave his bags.
When even one small piece of the devil's baggage is left behind in your heart and life, you continue to be captive in his embrace. If you want him out of your life, then make sure he takes his bags with him when he goes.
Instead of holding on to old stuff, the Bible encourages you to escape the trap of Satan who has taken you captive (see 2 Timothy 2:26). If you stay rooted in prayer, faith, and God's Word, then you can fully release any baggage in your life that belongs to Satan and live in the peace of God.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you have let Satan keep his bags and hold captive some area in your life where you don't have peace, then pray and release that baggage to God and experience joy and freedom from the grasp of the devil.
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In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. --Proverbs 21:20
Over 30 years ago, Ron England of Los Angeles, California, bet his brother he could save a million pennies. Twenty thousand rolls of pennies, 13 boxes, a full garage, and 30 years later, England won that bet.
As a result, he now has $10,000 in pennies, and that's the good news. The bad news is that England couldn't find anyone to take his 3.5 tons of accumulated copper without costing him a "pretty penny," so to speak. Now, England is stuck with a million pennies.
Saving your money is a good thing, although you might not want to use the approach mentioned above. The bottom line is that in our country, most people actually spend more each month than they earn. Some people can operate under these circumstances because of their wealth. But this is not true for most of us.
Proverbs 21:20 says that a wise man or woman saves, but a fool gets paid and spends everything he or she has. Or a wise person keeps his or her valuables safe in their home, but a fool puts everything out in the yard to sell.
Whether your income is large or small, it's wise to save a portion. That rainy day will probably come when you need it most in for a car repair, doctor visit, or something else.
Be prepared for what may come so that you can have "stores of choice food and oil" in your house when the need arises.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for taking care of you in your time of need. Dedicate to Him your tithes and offerings, and ask Him to bless the money you save for a "rainy day."
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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
One afternoon, a teenage girl joined her mother in the kitchen. The young lady began explaining to her mom everything that was wrong with her life--she had failed an algebra test, her boyfriend broke up with her, and she just found out her best friend would be moving away soon.
All the while, the mother was baking a cake as the young girl talked. Finally, the girl's mother interrupted to ask if she wanted a snack. The daughter replied, "Absolutely! I love your cakes!"
"Here...have some cooking oil," her mother offered.
"Yuck!" the girl responded. "That's gross."
"Well, how about a couple of raw eggs?" asked the mother.
"Gross, mom!" was the girl's response.
"How about a cup of flour or a teaspoon of baking soda?" the mother then offered.
"Mom, those are all disgusting!" the girl said. "I don't want those things for snacks."
After a long pause, her mother finally said, "Dear, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"
God works the same way in the lives of believers. Not everything in life is a piece of cake. Sometimes tragedy or hardship strikes and leaves you wondering, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God do this to me?" Many times we wonder why He would even let us go through such difficulties.
However, what we oftentimes don't realize is that when God puts all these things in His order, they always work for good! We must simply trust Him that each of life's events, combined by His hands, will turn out to be something deliciously wonderful!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the good and bad "ingredients" He allows to come into your life. Thank Him for working all things together for your good and His glory.
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But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for...the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." --1 Samuel 16:7
A man was strolling down the beach when he came upon a cave. He ventured inside and stumbled upon a canvas bag filled with many hardened clay balls. It looked as if someone had rolled the clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but the man took the bag anyway and headed out of the cave.
As he strolled along the beach, he threw the clay balls, one-by-one, into the ocean as far as he could. He continued this for some time until he accidentally dropped one on the ground and it cracked open on a rock. To his amazement, a precious stone was hidden inside!
The man began breaking open the remaining 20 clay balls left in his bag and found similar treasures in each one. Then it struck him. He had just thrown more than 50 clay balls into the ocean. He could have had thousands of dollars more in treasure, but he threw them all away because they didn't look to be of much value.
This is the same way we treat people sometimes. We look at the rough exterior and decide it doesn't look like much, so we discount them and toss them aside. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful, stylish, well-known, or wealthy.
As believers, we must take time to get to know people, regardless of appearance. If we do this, then the clay will begin to break away revealing a brilliant gem inside. May we never find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in unattractive bits of clay. May we always see others as Jesus does.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal the beauty inside others and show you those people the way He sees them.
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. --Psalm 19:12-13
Time-lapse photography compresses a series of events into one picture. A photo such as this was published in National Geographic once. The photo was taken from a Rocky Mountain peak during a heavy thunderstorm, and the picture captured a brilliant lightning display that had taken place throughout.
The time-lapse technique created a fascinating, spider-like web out of the individual bolts. They all looked interconnected, but you could definitely see each bolt as it was in its uniqueness.
In such a way, our sin presents itself before the eyes of God. Where we see only isolated or individual acts, God sees the overall web of sin. What may seem insignificant--even sporadic--to us and passes with hardly a notice creates a much more dramatic display from God's panoramic view.
The psalmist wrote, "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression."
Sin is truly deceptive (Heb. 3:13), divisive (Isa. 59:1-2), and deadly (Rom. 6:23). And it is destructive to the believer if not recognized (John 8:24).
Sin is sin--no matter how big, small, or sporadic it may seem. We must constantly remain pure and holy before the Lord, asking Him to forgive our transgression every day--those that we know and those that we don't. Thank God He sent his Son, Jesus, to cover those sins by His death on the cross so that we might have freedom through salvation in Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you aware of every sin in your life, so that you can strive to rid yourself of it by the blood of Jesus Christ and live holy before Him. Thank Him for salvation and forgiveness of sins through His death on the cross.
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. --Psalm 31:9
Author Edgar Jackson describes grief:
"Grief is the silent, knife-like terror and sadness that comes a hundred times a day, when you start to speak to someone who is no longer there.
"Grief is the emptiness that comes when you eat alone after eating with another for many years.
"Grief is teaching yourself to go to bed without saying good night to the one who has died.
"Grief is the helpless wishing that things were different when you know they are not and never will be again.
"Grief is a whole cluster of adjustments, apprehensions, and uncertainties that strike life in its forward progress and make it difficult to redirect the energies of life."
Few things are as painful as grief--especially when having to adjust to the loss of a spouse. Even though we all know that death will one day come to each one of us, we still can never be prepared enough to deal with the sense of loss and intense sadness that comes when death takes a loved one.
If you are dealing with grief, then you can find healing in a grief recovery group through your local church, senior center, or hospital. There are others out there who have dealt with grief and mended from the loss of a loved one before. Begin searching for that person with whom you can share your thoughts, feelings, and tears.
Finally and above all, seek healing in the arms of the Lord and His Word. It's only natural to ask Him "Why?" and "How come?" when someone we love passes away. But He is the ultimate Healer of our hearts and sovereign in His timing.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you strength to take steps forward toward healing if you are experiencing grief. Pray that He would give you someone to share with in your journey.
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He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. --John 1:10
Actor Cary Grant once told a story of how he was walking along a street when he met a man whose eyes locked with his. The man immediately got excited and said, "Wait a minute, you're...you're...I know who you are. Don't tell me! Uh...Rock Hud...no, you're..."
Grant thought he'd help the man out, so he finished the man's sentence: "Cary Grant."
The fellow responded, "No, that's not it! You're..."
Cary Grant was clearly trying to identify himself to the man by plainly giving his name, but the fellow had someone else on his mind. The man couldn't accept who Grant was even though he clearly offered his identity.
John said of Jesus: "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." Even when Jesus identified Himself as the Son of God--the Messiah--the response was not a welcomed recognition. Instead, it led Jesus to the cross on which He was crucified for the sins of man.
Today, people are being fed the various identities of Jesus by religious experts, false prophets, and church historians--who at times skew the spiritual perceptions of even believers. The world does not recognize or know Jesus, and they are feeding anyone who will listen to their so-called definitions of who He is.
However, the Word of God plainly states who Jesus is. As believers, it is our responsibility to share with the lost world the truth and identity of Jesus Christ. Determine today to make the name and personhood of our Savior famous!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make solid your knowledge of who Jesus is so that you can give firm answers to those who do not know Him. Pray that God would empower you to make His name famous in all that you say and do, so that you can make an impact.
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. --1 Thessalonians 2:6-8
From 1986 to 1990, Frank Reed was held hostage in a Lebanon cell. For months at a time, he was blindfolded, living in complete darkness, and chained to a wall, kept in absolute silence.
Reed was beaten, made ill, and tormented, but he felt the most hopeless because it seemed that no one cared. He said in an interview with Time magazine, "Nothing I did mattered to anyone. I began to realize how withering it is to exist with not a single expression of caring around [me].... I learned one overriding fact: caring is a powerful force. If no one cares, you are truly alone."
Christians are never truly alone because we are fortunate to have God's gracious watch care over our lives, as well as that of the Church. This type of caring can provide the strength needed for a believer to endure anything.
Do you know someone who feels as though no one cares for them? Can you think of a few people right now who are living in loneliness? We have been called as believers to minister to those who are lonely. And in turn, we never have to be lonely because there are other believers who will care for us.
Remember the promise of Jesus: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open the doors of opportunity for you to pour out love, care, and concern for someone who needs it, just as Jesus did.
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Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. --Colossians 3:12
A man waiting in between flights at an airport went to a store and bought a small package of cookies. He then sat down in the waiting area to read his newspaper. Gradually, he became aware of a rustling noise next to him. From behind his paper, he was shocked to see a neatly dressed woman helping herself to his cookies sitting in the next seat.
Not wanting to cause problems or make a scene out of the situation, the man leaned over and took a cookie himself from the package. A couple of minutes passed and then came more rustling. The woman was helping herself to another cookie!
By this time, the man was so angry he had a good mind to tell her off for digging in his things. Then, as if to add insult to injury, the woman broke the last cookie into two pieces, pushed half across to the man, ate the other half, and left.
Still fuming when his flight was announced, the man opened his briefcase to get his ticket. And to his embarrassment, there he found his package of unopened cookies!
How wrong our assumptions can be sometimes. Christ has called us to demonstrate kindness and love toward others in all situations--even those such as the one mentioned above.
"'Let...the wise man boast...that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
If the Lord delights in kindness, so should we. In any situation, remember to take hold of and possess the qualities of kindness and brotherly love that our Lord demonstrates so you can be an effective witness to others (see 2 Peter 1:5-8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to remind you to practice kindness toward others and to be an effective witness in all situations.
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. --Psalm 68:19
In the Philippines, the driver of a carabao wagon was on his way to the market when he came upon an older man carrying a very heavy load. The younger fellow took compassion on the older man and invited him to ride in the wagon. Gratefully, the old man accepted.
After a few minutes, the driver turned to see how the man was doing, but to his surprise he found the older man still straining under the heavy weight of his load in the bed of his wagon. He had not taken the burden off his shoulders.
Christ offers rest to all who will trust in Him completely. How simple is that? Any burdens, worries, or fears can be handed over to Jesus. However, so many times we refuse to give up our heavy loads and, as a result, constantly strain underneath the weight of it.
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).
Scripture also teaches us to help carry the burdens and ease the loads of our brothers and sisters in Christ (see Galatians 6:2). If you know someone who is carrying weighty burdens, then show him or her compassion and help bear the weight by praying with and ministering to that person.
If it's you that's carrying a heavy load of burdens today, then hand them over to Jesus and fully accept the rest that He offers. Don't let Satan add more weight to your pack. Simply trust Jesus and give it to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to take away the burdens that are weighing you down today. Pray that He would empower you to help remove the burdens from others' lives as well.
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The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. --Isaiah 26:7
For many years, The Wide World of Sports television program broadcast the "agony of defeat" by showing a painful ending to an attempted ski jump. The skier was in good form as he headed down the jump, but for no apparent reason, he tumbled head over heels off the side of the jump and bounced off the supporting structure.
What viewers didn't know was that the skier chose to fall. He explained later that he started going too fast down the ramp. Midway down, he realized that if he completed the jump, he would land beyond the safe landing area, which could have been fatal. Because of his change in direction, he only suffered a headache from the tumble.
To change one's course in life can be a dramatic and sometimes painful experience. And no matter your age, life will always bring about changes in your path. But sometimes a change of course is better than a fatal landing in the end.
For the believer, Scripture says "the path of the righteous is level" (Isaiah 26:7). The Bible lists numerous verses on following in the footsteps of the Lord and His righteousness.
Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." And Psalm 37:23:24 states "If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand."
When it happens, change may come as a shock to you, and it may be perceived as defeat to others. But if you are following the course the Lord has called you to, then you will ultimately experience victory.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guide your steps in the way of righteousness--even if it involves a change of direction.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. --Romans 5:3-4
The Bible exhorts over and over again to be filled with godly virtues and the Holy Spirit. But what does this mean exactly? How do we know if we are full of goodness when we are full of sin, for example?
Think for a moment about a sponge. Let's say you pushed down with your finger ever so slightly on a sponge and water came running out. You could immediately assume that water filled the interior pockets of the sponge, right?
The same is true of people in general. You can tell what fills a person on the inside by what comes out under pressure and in every other situation. As believers, we should always fill our hearts and minds with goodness, godly virtues, and the Holy Spirit.
Paul said, "I myself am convinced...that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again..." (Romans 15:14-15).
If someone were to push a pressure point in your life, what would come spilling out? Would it be filth and ungodly characteristics or holiness and goodness?
Always be filled with the Holy Spirit and demonstrate godly virtues in every situation. Be prepared for the Lord to test your heart from time to time (see Proverbs 17:3). "...We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for demonstrating His love and holiness to you, so that you can be a witness to others. Pray that He would fill you with goodness and saturate your heart and mind with His Word, so that your life will pour out godliness to others--even when the pressure is on.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. --Hebrews 13:8
When American author Lloyd C. Douglas was a university student, he lived in a boarding house. Downstairs on the first floor was a retired music teacher who lived in a small apartment.
Every morning, Douglas claimed they went through the same ritual. He would come down the steps, open the old man's door, and ask, "Well, what's the news?"
The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his wheelchair, and say, "That's Middle C! It was Middle C yesterday; it will be Middle C tomorrow; it will be Middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat, the piano across the hall is out of tune, but my friend, that is Middle C!"
The old man had discovered one thing in his life upon which he could always depend--Middle C. For Christians, the one constant and absolute in this life, of which there is no shadow of changing, is Jesus Christ.
The Bible says that "because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ... We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:17, 19). God sent His Son to die on the cross so that we might have eternal life with Him. He made a promise, and He kept it.
Because of this, we can rest assured that God will never change. He is ever-present when trouble comes barreling in. He is all-powerful to do exactly as He has promised. And He is all-knowing, and we should never worry because He is in control. He is the same "yesterday and today and forever."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being the constant reality in your life.
[Jesus said]: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ... If they persecute me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. --John 15:18-20
What is a Christian? In the Letter to Diognetus, dating back to the second century, an anonymous writer described Christians:
"Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs; ...they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect. ... They live in both Greek and foreign cities....They follow local customs in clothing, food, and the other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship.
"They live in their own native lands, but as aliens. ... They marry and have children...but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives.
"They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. ... They are mocked and blessed in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others.
"When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews...and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility."
If you are a believer, the Bible commands you "...not [to] conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2). And you can expect the world to hate you as a result (see 1 John 3:13). Continue to be sanctified by the truth of God's Word and be in the world but not of it (see John 2:15).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would empower you to always be set apart, even when the world hates you, so that others can see the difference Jesus has made in your life.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. --Deuteronomy 6:6-9
In her novel about Maine, The Country of the Pointed Firs, Sara Orne Jewett describes the journey of a woman on the road to the home of a retired sea captain named Elijah Tilley. When she arrived, the woman noticed many wooden stakes scattered randomly all about the property. Each stake was painted white and trimmed in yellow, just like the captain's house.
Curious about the wooden stakes, the woman asked Captain Tilley what they all meant. He explained that when he first plowed the ground, his plow snagged on many large rocks just beneath the surface. As a result, he set out stakes where the rocks lay so that he could avoid them when plowing in the future.
In some sense, this is what God has done with the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament. The Lord has said to us, "These are the trouble spots in life. My commandments are stakes by which you can recognize these troublesome spots. Avoid these trouble spots, and you won't snag your plow."
Many people today deem the Ten Commandments insignificant because of claims that they were written only for the people of God during that time period.
But 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man [or woman] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (emphasis added).
Take some time to study each of the 10 commandments, and teach them to your family and those you love (see Matthew 5:19). Then apply them to your own life, so you can avoid the trouble spots when you're plowing the field.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for giving us His commandments so that we can avoid getting snagged along life's path. Pray that He would remind you daily to follow each one in your walk with Him.
When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. --1 Corinthians 14:26
Several years ago, the world watched as three gray whales, icebound off Point Barrow, Alaska, floated battered, bruised, and bloody, gasping for breath at a hole in the ice. Their only hope was to somehow be transported five miles past the ice to the open sea.
Rescuers began cutting a string of breathing holes about twenty yards apart in the six-inch-thick ice. It took some time, but for eight days, the rescuers coaxed the whales from one hole to the next, mile after mile. Each hole allowed them the chance to breath all along the way.
During the five-mile journey, one of the three whales vanished and could only be presumed dead. But finally, with the help of Russian icebreakers, the whales Putu and Siku swam to freedom in the open sea.
Just the same, worship can be considered as a string of breathing holes the Lord provides His people. We often become battered and bruised in a world frozen over with greed, selfishness, and hatred. But worship allows us to rise up for air.
Church gives us that place to breathe again and to be loved and encouraged by other believers until that day when the Lord forever shatters the ice cap.
If you are able to attend church, take advantage of worshipping with others who may be going through some of the same struggles you are. If you are unable to attend, then take advantage of the technology today that allows us to experience church services each week via radio, TV,and event the internet!
Either way, when it seems that you can't make it another 20 yards, you can find a breath of fresh air in worshipping the Lord with other believers.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the opportunity you have to worship Him with other Christians. Pray that He would provide various opportunities for you to worship with others so that you can be loved and encouraged in your walk with Christ.
Jesus said]: "...I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." --John 14:16-17
Rolf Zettersten once wrote in Focus on the Family magazine:
"A good friend in North Carolina bought a new car with a voice-warning system. ... At first Edwin was amused to hear the soft female voice gently remind him that his seat belt wasn't fastened. ... Edwin affectionately called this voice the 'little woman.'
"He soon discovered his little woman was programmed to warn him about his gasoline. 'Your fuel level is low,' she said one time in her sweet voice. ... He figured he still had enough to go another fifty miles, so he kept on driving. But a few minutes later, her voice interrupted again with the same warning.
"And so it went over and over. Although he knew it was the same recording, Edwin thought her voice sounded harsher each time. Finally, he stopped his car and crawled under the dashboard. After a quick search, he found the appropriate wires and gave them a good yank.
"He was still smiling to himself a few minutes later when his car began sputtering and coughing. He ran out of gas! Somewhere inside the dashboard, Edwin was sure he could hear the little woman laughing."
Believers must learn that the little voice inside, the Holy Spirit, even if ignored or disconnected, tells them exactly what they need to know. Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).
The Lord has given us His Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and warn us of what's ahead. Listen to that still, small voice in your heart and be obedient to the Spirit's calling.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for instilling in you His Holy Spirit to guide and direct your life. Ask God to make your heart sensitive to the Spirit's leading.
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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. --Ephesians 4:29
John Todd, a nineteenth-century clergyman, received a letter from his seriously ill, kind-hearted aunt, who raised him herself after his parents died when he was a child. She asked if death meant the end of everything, or if she could hope for something beyond. Todd responded:
"It is now 35 years since I, as a boy of six, was left quite alone in the world. You sent me word you would give me a home and be a kind mother to me. I have never forgotten the day I made the long journey to your house. I can still recall my disappointment when, instead of coming for me yourself, you sent your servant, Caesar, to fetch me.
"I remember my tears and anxiety as, perched high on your horse and clinging tight to Caesar, I rode off to my new home. Night fell before we finished the journey, and I became lonely and afraid. 'Do you think she'll go to bed before we get there?' I asked Caesar.
"'Oh no!' he said reassuringly, 'She'll stay up for you. When we get out o' these woods, you'll see her candle shinin' in the window.'
"Presently we did ride out into the clearing, and there, sure enough, was your candle. I remember you were waiting at the door, that you put your arms close about me--a tired and bewildered boy....
"Some day soon God will send for you, to take you to a new home. Don't fear the summons, the strange journey, or the messenger of death. God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for me so many years ago. At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome awaiting, and you will be safe in God's care."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the hope of eternal life with Him as a believer.
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Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. --Proverbs 4:23-27
A former police officer once told of the tactics of roving bands of thieves. The group of thieves would enter a store in a unit. One or two of them would separate themselves from the group, and the others would start a loud commotion in another section of the store.
This grabbed the attention of the clerks and customers. And as all eyes were upon the disturbance, the accomplices would fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, and leave before anyone suspected anything.
Hours--sometimes even days--later the victimized merchant would realize things were missing from the store and call the police. Too late--they'd already been deceived and robbed.
This effective strategy is often used by Satan as well. Believers are seduced into paying attention to the distractions, while evil agents ransack our lives and ultimately leave us confused, lost, and devastated. So what does the Bible say about this? Always be on guard!
Paul warned believers several times about this scenario:
· "...I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).
· "...Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil" (Romans 16:19).
· "So be on your guard!" (Acts 20:31).
· "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Don't be distracted by Satan and his roving band of demons. Instead, "be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart and mind, so that you won't be seduced and deceived by Satan.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.. --1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Charles Osgood, well-known CBS radio newsman, once told the story of two ladies who lived in a convalescent center. Each had suffered horrible, incapacitating strokes. One lady's stroke left her left side completely restricted. And the other's right side was severely damaged and paralyzed.
Both of these ladies had once been accomplished pianists in the past. But after their strokes, they both gave up hope of ever playing again.
But because of their love for music and the piano, the director of the center sat them both down at the piano and encouraged them to play solo pieces together. Over time and with some practice, they began to play beautiful pieces together in perfect harmony and a lasting friendship developed as a result.
What an amazing picture of how the church of Jesus Christ can work together! One member cannot do everything alone. Instead, it takes two or more of God's people working together in harmony to accomplish His will in bringing the world to faith in Christ.
The Scripture says, "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:29-31).
It may be that God has called you to one specific job within His church. Or maybe He's asked you to do something extraordinary within the Body of Christ. Whether you are a greeter, Sunday school teacher, or visitor of those who are sick, do it all for the glory of God as a precious member of His church!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the many members of the Body of Christ. Pray that He would make you effective in ministering to others wherever He's called you to serve.
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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. --Colossians 3:17
In Loving God, Charles Colson tells the story of Telemachus, a fourth-century Christian and monk. Telemachus lived in a remote village and spent most of his time tending his garden and praying.
One day, God told him to go to Rome. The monk responded obediently and set out on foot. Weeks later, he arrived at the city's gates to witness a great festival taking place. He followed the crowd through the streets toward the Colosseum.
Inside, he saw the gladiators stand before the emperor and say, "We who are about to die salute you."
Telemachus realized they were going to fight to the death for the entertainment of the crowd, so he cried out, "In the name of Christ, stop!"
As the games began, Telemachus pushed through the crowds, climbed over the wall, and dropped to the arena floor screaming over and over, "In the name of Christ, stop!" The crowd thought this was part of the show, so they began laughing. When they realized it wasn't, their laughter turned to angry shouts.
Suddenly, one of the gladiators plunged his sword into the body of Telemachus. He fell to the sand and his last words were, "In the name of Christ, stop!" Then, a hush fell over the Colosseum and one man in the upper rows stood up and walked out. Soon, others began to follow and in silence everyone left the Colosseum.
On that day in B.C. 391, the last battle to the death between gladiators in the Roman Colosseum was fought. It was all because one tiny voice that could hardly be heard above the uproar spoke the truth in God's name.
Won't you be that small voice in the darkness and commotion of our culture today?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that others might be sensitive to hear the message of truth spoken by you in God's name.
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I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. --Psalm 40:10
Peter Cartwright was a nineteenth-century, circuit-riding Methodist preacher. But more importantly, he was known for being uncompromising in his faith.
One Sunday morning, as he was preparing to preach, he was told that President Andrew Jackson was in the congregation. Some of the elders warned him not to say anything out of line or there would be trouble.
So when Cartwright stood to preach, he said, "I understand that Andrew Jackson is here today. I have been requested to be guarded in my remarks. Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn't repent."
The congregation was shocked by Cartwright's bold sermon and wondered how the President would respond. However, after the service, President Jackson walked by to shake hands with Cartwright and said, "Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world."
As Christians, we are not called to be "guarded" when it comes to sharing the Gospel message with the world. Instead, we are to be bold and outspoken in proclaiming the truth.
In Psalm, King David wrote, "I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD" (Psalm 40:9).
Scripture says that we are a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of Him who called [we] out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).
The world needs more Christians who will be uncompromising in their faith. Will you be that kind of Christian--just as Peter Cartwright was? Won't you be bold enough to declare the faithfulness and salvation of God today (Psalm 40:10)?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the opportunities to boldly share your faith. Ask Him to give you the right words at that time that will bring others to Christ.
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As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins ... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. --Ephesians 2:1, 4-5
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial is astounding for its simplicity and meaning. Etched carefully in the black granite wall are the names of 58,156 Americans who died in that gruesome war. And since its opening in 1982, the striking monument has stirred deep, and sometimes painful, emotions in many people.
Some visitors walk the length of the memorial slowly and reverently, but without a pause. Others stop before certain names to linger where they recognize the name of a son, sweetheart, or fellow soldier. They wipe away their tears and remember the legacy those lost lives left behind.
For Robert Bedker, Willard Craig, and Darrall Lausch--three Vietnam veterans--a trip to visit the memorial must be especially moving because each man can walk up to the long ebony wall and find their own names carved in the stone. Because of data coding errors, each of them was incorrectly listed as killed in action upon the monument.
Dead, but truly and completely alive--this is a perfect description of every believer in Jesus Christ. Just as Christ suffered death of the flesh and was made alive by the Spirit, so are we as Christians made alive in the Holy Spirit (see 1 Peter 3:18). And we are called to die to ourselves every day and walk in the Spirit of Jesus.
Every day we should thank God for raising us up from the mire and muck to live in glory with Him. Because of the death of Jesus on the cross, we can rest peacefully knowing that we will be alive forever with Him in heaven one day. Praise God!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for making you alive in the Spirit as a believer. Pray that He would help you die to yourself and your sins every day, so that you can be more like Him.
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Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. --1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Winston Churchill, the great preacher of yesteryear, planned his own funeral that took place at Saint Paul's Cathedral. Included in the service were many great hymns of the church and the eloquent Anglican liturgy.
At his direction, a bugler, stationed high in the dome of the cathedral, was to play "Taps" after the benediction signaling that the day is over. Then immediately afterward, Churchill instructed another bugler, positioned at the other end, to play the tune "Reveille"--"It's time to get up. It's time to get up. It's time to get up in the morning!"
This was Churchill's testimony to all--though it was the end of his time on earth, it was a time of joy for he was getting up to go home to be with the Lord. At the end of history, the last note for all believers will not be "Taps," but instead "Reveille."
Believers can have hope for the day when death comes. When you take your last breath, know that your soul will go to be with Jesus in heaven and will one day be reunited with a new body when He returns. Death is not the end for the believer, it is just the beginning.
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ... For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 3:14, 16-17).
Praise God! The worst things are never the last things.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the future you have with Him in heaven.
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You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ... Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 2:1, 3
A Soviet cosmonaut returned to Earth from outer space on December 29, 1987 after 326 days in orbit. He was surprisingly in good health which isn't always the case in these types of record-breaking expeditions.
Just five years earlier, two cosmonauts touched down after 211 days in space. Thereafter, they suffered from dizziness, high pulse rates, and heart palpitations. For over a week, they couldn't walk. And after 30 days, they will still undergoing physical therapy for atrophied muscles and weakened hearts.
At zero gravity in space, the body's muscles begin to deteriorate because there is no resistance as there is when gravity is present on Earth. To counteract this problem, the Soviets developed and prescribed a rigorous exercise program for the cosmonauts.
They invented "penguin suits"--running suits laced with elastic bands--that resist every move the cosmonauts make so that they have to exert more strength when exercising. This regimen, used today, helps those traveling in space to avoid the difficulties earlier cosmonauts faced.
As believers, we so often long for days without difficulty and hardships. But God knows better. The easier our life is, the weaker our spiritual fiber becomes. It is by exerting our strength through difficult times that we can grow and withstand whatever life throws our way.
So let us "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the rigorous life exercises you face. Pray that He will use them to strengthen you for what's ahead.
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In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. --Ephesians 1:7-8
Senator Mark Hatfield once recounted the following historical story:
"James Garfield was a lay preacher and principal of his denominational college. They say he was ambidextrous and could simultaneously write Greek with one hand and Latin with the other.
"In 1880, he was elected president of the United States, but after only six months in office, he was shot in the back with a revolver. He never lost consciousness. At the hospital, the doctor probed the wound with his little finger to seek the bullet. He couldn't find it, so he tried a silver-tipped probe. Still he couldn't locate the bullet.
"They took Garfield back to Washington, D.C. Despite the summer heat, they tried to keep him comfortable. He was growing very weak. Teams of doctors tried to locate the bullet, probing the wound over and over.
"In desperation, they asked Alexander Graham Bell, who was working on a little device called the telephone, to see if he could locate the metal inside the president's body. He came, he sought, and he too failed.
"The president hung on through July, through August, but in September he finally died--not from the wound but from infection. The repeated probing, which the physicians thought would help the man, eventually killed him."
The same is true with people who dwell too long on their sin and refuse to release it to God. Satan creeps into their lives and takes control. Just like an infection, their sin eventually takes over their being.
But Jesus said of his sacrifice on the cross, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28).
Because of His sacrifice, the infection of sin can be stopped. Release your sin to the Savior, and find complete forgiveness in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Recognize and release your sin before the Lord today in prayer.
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[Jesus said:] "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." --Acts 1:8
In his book, Pastoral Renewal, Charles Simpson wrote:
"I met a young man not long ago who dives for exotic fish for aquariums. He said one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark.
"He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet.
"That also happens to some Christians. I've seen the cutest little six-inch Christians who swim around in a little puddle. But if you put them into a larger arena--into the whole creation--only then can they become great."
Jesus commanded all believers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything [he has] commanded" (Matthew 28:19-20).
There is no room to grow inside the walls of a Sunday School classroom, church building, or your own home. We have been called to go outside of those walls and reach out to the lost world that needs to know Jesus.
Get involved in doing missions and evangelism in your neighborhood, city, or state through your church, local seniors group, or Bible study class. If you are physically unable to get involved, become a prayer warrior for the cause of Christ. Your prayers are needed both on and off the mission field.
Get out of the puddle you've been swimming in, and take your faith to a larger arena--the world.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would open the doors for you to reach out to those who are lost in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
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What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. --Philippians 3:8
In a publication put out by Wycliffe Bible Translators called, In Other Words, a story was published about Sadie Sieker, a lady who served for many years as a house-parent for missionaries' children in the Philippines.
Sadie loved books. She would gladly loan out some on occasion, but there were others that she treasured and kept tucked away in a footlocker under her bed.
One night, when all had gone to bed and everything was quiet, Sadie heard a faint gnawing sound. She searched her room for the source of the sound, but then suddenly realized it was come from her footlocker underneath her bed.
When she opened it, she found only a huge pile of dust. All the precious books she had kept hidden away for herself had been lost to a band of termites. Sadie learned a valuable lesson that night--what we give away, we keep. What we hoard, we lose.
Matthew 6:19-21 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus exhorts us not to value possessions or keep them selfishly locked away. If your heart is focused on possessions, money, security, friendships, or something else, the Lord will take it all away. He wants your full attention, offerings, and all of your possessions.
Jesus' words strike at the very heart of human selfishness. We are all selfish by nature, so we must daily seek to give all that we have and our lives (see Luke 17:33, John 12:25) to Him, so He can fully use us for His glory and receive His blessings.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Through prayer, seek to commit yourself and your things to the Lord for His use.
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I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:14
On July 4, 1952, a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. On the fog-covered morning, she intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast.
Florence wasn't a rookie when it came to long-distance swimming. She had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. But the water was numbing cold that morning and the fog was so thick she could hardly see two feet in front of her. Several times, sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire from the boats in her party.
She swam for more than fifteen hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer coaxed her to swim on since they were so close to land, but all Florence saw ahead was the thick fog. She quit only half a mile from her goal.
Later she said, "I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land, I might have made it."
Florence didn't fail because of fear, exhaustion, or the cold water. It was the fog.
We often fail too--not because we're afraid or tired--but because we lose sight of the goal. This is surely why Paul wanted to remind believers to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [you] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
Two months after her failed attempt at swimming the length of the channel, Florence waded into the water off the same beach on Catalina Island, swam the full distance, and set a new speed record--all because she could clearly see her goal.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to clearly present you with the goals He wants you to strive toward. Pray that He would make your path clear in fulfilling His call in your life.
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Jesus said..."I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. --John 11:25-26
In his book, A Portrait of My Father, Peter Law writes:
"Imagine you are on a holiday, and you have an apartment overlooking the sand and surf. Sitting on the table in your room is a fishbowl, and inside the bowl is a small goldfish.
"Each day you swim and sun-bake and enjoy soaking up the delights of vacationing. Before long, however, you begin to feel sorry for little Goldie who is all alone in his bowl while you go out having fun in the sun.
"To make up for this injustice, you promise Goldie a little of the action. 'Tomorrow,' you tell the goldfish, 'you will begin to enjoy life, too.'
"The next day you take a washcloth, lift the fish from the bowl, place it in the cloth, wrap it up, and put the living bundle into your pocket before leaving for the beach.
"As you reach the spot where you are accustomed to spending your day, you can feel the sun's heat beating down upon your back. Excitedly you take your gilled companion from your pocket, lay out the washcloth on the sand, place the fish on the cloth, stand back, and say, 'Now this is the life, Goldie; live it up!'
"Can anything be more ridiculous or more foolish? Being in the sun on the hot beach is no environment for a goldfish--or any fish! It will die there, not live. It was never intended to be in that environment. For people, a relationship with God as Father is the only correct environment for life."
As a believer in this life, a relationship with Jesus is the air we need to spiritually survive. There is enjoyment and fulfillment in a daily relationship with Him through prayer and Bible study. Without these things, we will spiritually suffocate and die.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy He gives through your relationship with Him.
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Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. --1 Chronicles 16:34
Most people recognize the names of Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective, and his famous sidekick, Dr. Watson. Holmes, created by author Sir Arthur Conan Coyle, was the most famous literary character of the 19th and 20th centuries and made his first published appearance in 1887.
Holmes was known for his keen prowess and intense observation skills. At one point in The Adventure of the Naval Treaty, Holmes is studying a rose. Watson narrates as follows:
"He walked past the couch to an open window and held up the drooping stalk of a moss rose, looking down at the dainty blend of crimson and green. It was a new phase of his character to me, for I had never before seen him show an interest in natural objects.
"There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion. ...Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are really necessary for our existence in the first instance.
"But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its color are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."
What other "extras" should you be observing and thanking God for this year? How has God been good to you in the last few days or weeks? And what have you done to thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness demonstrated in your life?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Today, take some time to thank Him for the "extra" blessings in your life--whether it be health, family, friendships, or something else.
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This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. --1 John 3:19-20
In their book, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey wrote:
"Amputees often experience some sensation of a phantom limb. Somewhere, locked in their brains, a memory lingers of the nonexistent hand or leg. Invisible toes curl, imaginary hands grasp things, a 'leg' feels so sturdy a patient may try to stand on it.
"For a few, the experience includes pain. Doctors watch helplessly, for the part of the body screaming for attention does not exist.
"Phantom limb pain provides wonderful insight into the phenomenon of false guilt. Christians can be obsessed by the memory of some sin committed years ago. It never leaves them, crippling their ministry, their devotional life, their relationships with others.
"They live in fear that someone will discover their past. They work overtime trying to prove to God they're truly repentant. They erect barriers against the enveloping, loving grace of God."
Believers must learn to take hold of the truth found in 1 John 3:19-20. The Message puts it this way: "Let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves."
Even as a believer, the phantom pain of past sins, guilt, and self-criticism may still haunt you. And it may cause you to become overly righteous in your attempts to please God. But you are privileged as a child of God to receive unconditional forgiveness and experience His intense love for you.
Don't let guilt cripple your spiritual life. Give it over to God who forgives you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would remove the phantom guilt from your heart, and accept the reality of His forgiveness and love.
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Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. --Psalm 119:105
Bob Mumford gives a great analogy on how you can discover God's will in his book, Take Another Look at Guidance. He says that one particular harbor in Italy can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between very dangerous rocks and shoals. Numerous ships have sunk over the years because the passage is so hazardous.
To alleviate this danger, three lights have been mounted on three tall poles in the harbor to guide the ships safely into port. When these lights are lined up perfectly and seen as one, a ship can proceed safely up the narrow channel to its destination. But if the ship's pilot sees two or three lights, he knows he's off course and in danger.
In his book, Mumford says that God has also provided three beacons to guide us in our spiritual journey down life's narrow and often perilous path. The same rules of navigation apply to us as believers. Three lights must be lined up for us to proceed safely.
The three harbor lights of spiritual guidance are:
1. The Word of God
2. The Holy Spirit
3. Circumstances
God uses the combination of these to lead us on our journey through the often difficult passages of life.
Are you on the right path? Or have you fallen off course? When we follow this three-point navigational path along our spiritual journey, we know that God will lead us safely in His way.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to direct you along the path He wants you to take. Pray that He would reveal the three harbor lights of spiritual guidance to you each and every day as you journey through life.
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Jesus said]: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." --Matthew 23:27-28
At her launch in 1936, the Queen Mary was the largest ship to sail the oceans. She served faithfully for four decades, even through a world war, until she was retired in a Long Beach, California harbor.
After her retirement, she was transformed into a hotel and museum. During the conversion, she was given a complete facelift. Her three gigantic smokestacks were taken down to be scraped and repainted. But once on the dock, they crumbled as soon as the makeover began.
Nothing was left of the ¾-inch steel plates that had once formed the stacks. All that remained were more than thirty coats of paint, which had been applied over the 40 years she was at sea. The steel had rusted away and left the stacks without substance.
Similarly, when Jesus called the Pharisees "whitewashed tombs," He meant they had no substance. They were merely concerned with externals...how they appeared before others. Jesus said, "On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matthew 23:28).
Oh that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, would never be compared to the Pharisees! As children of the King, we must "first clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean" (Matthew 23:26).
The Scripture says God does not look at outward appearances or the things that man looks at, but instead He looks at the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). Seek daily a pure heart and your outward appearance will reflect your inner beauty and God's love.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to cleanse and purify your heart, removing anything unclean from your life. Pray that He would create in you the inner beauty of His love,shining through to a lost world.
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[Jesus said:] "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." --Mark 13:22-23
In the November 1987 issue of Reader's Digest, Betty Wein retold an old tale she heard from Elie Wiesel, a world-renowned Jewish novelist, philosopher, political activist, and Holocaust survivor:
"A just man comes to Sodom hoping to save the city. He pickets. What else can he do? He goes from street to street, from marketplace to marketplace, shouting, 'Men and women, repent. What you are doing is wrong. It will kill you; it will destroy you!'
"They laugh, but he goes on shouting, until one day, a child stops him. 'Poor stranger, don't you see it's useless?'
"'Yes,' the just man replies.
"'Then why do you go on?' the child asks.
"'I was convinced that I would change them. Now I go on shouting because I don't want them to change me.' "
To the church at Corinth, Paul said, "You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:2-3).
Even as Christians, we can easily be led astray to idols and gods of our culture by the influence of others if we're not careful.
Jesus even warned, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time" (Mark 13:22-23).
It's just as easy to compromise our faith, even a little, as it is to be influenced. Always guard your heart and mind with the truth of God's Word.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart and mind against evil influences.
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Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? --Matthew 7:1-3
Sir Percival Lowell was an author, mathematician, and the world's most distinguished astronomer during the late 1800s and early 1900s. But Lowell was best known for his speculation that canals existed on Mars.
In 1877, he heard that an esteemed Italian astronomer had seen straight lines crisscrossing the red planet's surface. As a result, Lowell spent the rest of his years squinting into the eyepiece of a giant telescope, mapping the channels and canals that he saw.
He was convinced that there was life on Mars, even an older and wiser race than humanity. As a result, his observations gained wide acceptance.
Today, we know space probes that have orbited and landed on Mars show there are no canals on the Martian surface. So how could Lowell have been mistaken?
There are two possible reasons: 1) he wanted so badly to see the canals that he convinced himself he did, and 2) we now know that he suffered from a rare eye disease that made him see the blood vessels in his own eyes. The canals he saw on Mars were nothing more than the veins in his eyeballs. Today, this disease is known as "Lowell's syndrome."
When Jesus warned that "in the same way...you will be judged" and cautioned about missing the "plank in your own eye", do you think He could have been referring to a so-called spiritual Lowell's syndrome?
Again and again, we see faults in others because we don't want to believe anything better about them. And many times we think we have a clear view of their shortcomings when in fact our vision has been distorted by the plank in our own eyes. May we never judge others, but always commit them to the Lord in prayer.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you recognize the "planks" in your own eyes before judging others and see the good He has created in them.
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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. --Hebrews 12:1-2
In the book, Is It Real When It Doesn't Work?, authors Doug Murren and Barb Shurin tell this story:
"Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local newspaper: 'Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before, and he died a very rich man.'
"Actually, it was Alfred's older brother who had died; a newspaper reporter had bungled the epitaph.
"But the account had a profound effect on Nobel. He decided he wanted to be known for something other than developing the means to kill people efficiently and for amassing a fortune in the process. So he initiated the Nobel Prize, the award for scientists and writers who foster peace.
"Nobel said, 'Every man ought to have the chance to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a new one.'"
Few things will change you as much as looking at your own life as though it were finished. What kind of legacy will you leave behind one day when you are gone from this earth?
Will your children, grandchildren, and family members remember you as one who followed obediently after the Lord each day of your life?
You and I are surrounded by people--family, friends, and acquaintances--who are watching the words we use and the things we do in this life. It's not too late to begin writing your epitaph. Strive to leave a legacy that will bring others to Jesus.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make your life a testimony of His love and grace to those around you and those you leave behind.
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This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. --1 John 3:10
John Hess-Yoder, a missionary in Laos, once told this story:
"While serving as a missionary in Laos I discovered an illustration of the kingdom of God. Before the colonialists imposed national boundaries, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas.
"Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were considered Laotians.
"On the other hand, those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses on the ground, and decorated them with Chinese-style dragons were considered Vietnamese.
"The exact location of a person's home was not what determined his or her nationality. Instead, each person belonged to the kingdom whose cultural values he or she exhibited."
It is the same with believers. We live in the world, but not of it. Instead, we are children of God's kingdom. Therefore, we are to live according to His holy standards and values in this life.
The Scripture says, "He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. ... No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:7-9).
If you are a believer, it should be easy for others to tell what makes you different from them. Just as the Laotians and Vietnamese could be easily defined according to their cultural values, we as Christians should also always be easily identified as followers of Jesus Christ and His values.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to integrate His values, morals, and biblical standards into every area of your life. Pray that you would be easily identifiable to the world as a follower of Jesus.
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You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord. --Leviticus 18:4-5
Author Timothy Munyon once wrote:
"While living in Florida, I had several friends who worked cleaning rooms at a nationally known inn located directly on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. They spent their work breaks running barefoot in the sand. The problem was the inn required all employees to wear shoes at all times while working.
"I noticed the employees responded in one of two ways.
"The majority thought the rule restricted their freedom. The rooms had shag carpeting, delightful to bare toes, and just a few steps away lay the beach. To them the rule to wear shoes was nothing more than employer harassment.
"But a minority of the employees looked at the rule differently. Sometimes late night parties would produce small pieces of broken glass. Occasionally a stickpin would be found hidden in the deep shag piles. Some knew the pain of skinning bare toes on the steel bed frame while making a bed. This minority saw the rule as protection, not restriction.
"Were God's laws written to make life miserable? Or were they written by a loving heavenly Father who cares about His children?"
Deuteronomy 11:1 says, "Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws, and his commands always."
Over and over again in Scripture, followers of Jesus are admonished to obey the commands and laws of the Lord. Many believe these "laws" are meant to restrict Christians from living a free and happy life. Others realize they are meant to provide certain boundaries for believers as a form of protection while walking with the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the laws, commands, and biblical boundaries found in His Word. Pray that He would bring them to your mind as you walk daily with Him.
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"Watch me," [Gideon] told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the LORD and for Gideon.'" --Judges 7:17-18
In Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, Stuart Briscoe wrote:
"One of my young colleagues was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man's military friends wished to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested the pastor to lead them down to the casket, stand with them for a solemn moment of remembrance, and then lead them out through the side door.
"This he proceeded to do, but unfortunately the effect was somewhat marred when he picked the wrong door. The result was that they marched with military precision into a broom closet, in full view of the mourners, and had to beat a hasty retreat covered with confusion.
"This true story illustrates a cardinal rule or two. First, if you're going to lead, make sure you know where you're going. Second, if you're going to follow, make sure that you are following someone who knows what he is doing!"
In the Bible, God chose Gideon, an Israelite judge, to lead a group of men in overtaking the Midianites. Over and over, the Lord instructed Gideon on what to do and what steps to take. Because God ordered his steps and he obediently followed, Gideon defeated the Midianites with just 300 men.
Do you know who you're following? Is it your pastor, Bible study leader, or friend? Is he or she obediently following the Lord? If you're in a leadership position, are you following the Lord faithfully and thereby leading others down the right path?
Know who you're following and where they are going. And when leading others, follow the Lord so that you will always walk through the right door.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray for those leading you in life and ask God to reveal to you the right doors you are to walk through when leading others
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[Jesus said]: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." --Matthew 5:13-16
In the December 1987 issue of Life magazine, Brad Darrach wrote:
Meryl Streep is gray with cold. In Ironweed, her new movie, she plays a ragged derelict who dies in a cheap hotel room, and for more than half an hour before the scene she has been hugging a huge bag of ice cubes in an agonizing effort to experience how it feels to be a corpse.
"Now the camera begins to turn. Jack Nicholson, her derelict lover, sobs and screams and shakes her body. But through take after take--and between takes too--Meryl just lies there like an iced mackerel. Frightened, a member of the crew whispers to the director, Hector Babenco, 'What's going on? She's not breathing!'
"Babenco gives a start. In Meryl's body there is absolutely no sign of life! He hesitates, then lets the scene proceed. Yet even after the shot is made and the set struck, Meryl continues to lie there, gray and still. Only after 10 minutes have passed does she slowly, slowly emerge from the coma-like state into which she has deliberately sunk.
"Babenco is amazed. 'Now that,' he mutters in amazement, 'is acting! That is an actress!'"
That kind of dedication amazes people! God has also called all believers to be dedicated--to be salt and light in the world--not lukewarm Christians. Jesus said, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" (Revelation 3:15).
Be completely committed in your walk with Christ every day--so committed that others will look at you and say, "Now that is a Christian!"
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to increase your commitment to the faith, so that others may see a reflection of Christ in you and they can come to know Him as a result.
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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
In his book Lost Moon, Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell tells the story of the intense competition between aerospace companies over the contracts to build the lunar and command modules for the Apollo space programs.
He tells how no one really wanted the lunar module, the "consolation prize" whose glory during the moon landings would be short-lived. Everyone wanted to build the commence module, which they believed would be the backbone of NASA for years.
As it turned out, North American Rockwell won the contract to build the coveted command module, and Grumman begrudgingly accepted the lunar contract.
In his book, Lovell notes how the lunar module actually became a lifeboat for the Apollo 13 astronauts who almost died on their now infamous journey into space. What was once thought of as the "consolation prize" ended up saving three lives!
I want to ask you today, do you ever feel like you've been given the consolation prize? Are there areas of your life where you feel like you're not getting the recognition you deserve?
In John 1:10, the Bible tell us that Jesus Himself wasn't recognized for who He was or what He would do. Like Him, we often have to wait to see the fruits of our actions or the impact they will eventually make.
But the fruit of your actions will reap a harvest. Psalm 37:3 says, "Trust in the LORD and do good." There are no conditions to this command from the Lord! Each of us should do good all the time, trusting that God will reward us for our faithfulness to Him and work everything for our good.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you trust in His faithfulness and that He will work everything for your good.
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Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. --Deuteronomy 7:9
"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents--except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up across the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies)...."
So begins Edward George Bulwer-Lytton's Paul Clifford, a novel containing what is widely considered one of the worst opening lines ever penned. So bad, in fact, that the English department at San Jose State University sponsors a whimsical competition every year challenging those who enter to write the worst novel opening possible!
Despite Bulwer-Lytton's shortcomings as an author, did you know he coined several phrases still used today? Phrases like "the almighty dollar" and "the pen is mightier than the sword." He also served as Interior Secretary of Canada, and a town in British Columbia bears his name. But unfortunately, he is most famous for that "dark and stormy night" opening line to his novel!
What about you? What legacy will you leave one day? When your family and friends think of you, what will come to mind?
The book of Deuteronomy gives us a sober warning that the consequences of our sin will affect those who come after us. But in the verse above, it also promises that God will keep His covenant of love for thousands of generations for those who love him and keep His commandments.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to enable you to leave a lasting legacy for Him.
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Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. --Matthew 28:19
The great Christian evangelist, D.L. Moody, was once asked to speak at a convention in Indianapolis.
One afternoon, he asked the convention's song leader to meet him on a street corner downtown at about 6 pm. When Ira Sankey got there, Moody had him stand on a overturned box and sing. This unusual spectacle attracted quite a crowd.
After speaking briefly, Moody persuaded most of the crowd to follow him to a nearby meeting place. They followed in droves and listened intently as Moody shared the good news of Jesus.
Too soon, the convention delegates started arriving, and Moody had to stop preaching. He said simply, "Now we must close, as the brethren of the convention wish to come and discuss the topic 'How to reach the masses'!"
So often, we think we have to have special training or special knowledge to tell others about Christ.
But like Moody, maybe all you need to do is be creative...and think of simple ways you can share Christ with others.
Maybe it's fixing dinner for your next-door neighbor. Maybe it's making a hospital or nursing home visit with a nice card or some flowers.
Whatever it is, God wants you to share His love with those around you. Don't think or talk about sharing your faith any longer...just go out and do it!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone with whom you can share His love and plan of salvation today. [/color]
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"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." --Jeremiah 29:11
In December 1914, inventor Thomas Edison's laboratory burned to the ground. Edison, who stood calmly nearby watching most of his life's work go up in flames, knew full well his insurance would only cover a fraction of the damage.
However, Edison's attitude about the fire stunned those around him. The next morning, Edison returned to look at the charred rubble and declared, "There is a great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."
Just a few weeks later, Edison produced a spectacular invention: his first phonograph.
The story of Edison's attitude is similar to how you and I should view our relationship with Jesus Christ. When we accept Him, He makes all things new. Our past mistakes are gone. Psalm 103 says "as far as the east is from the west," that's how far He has removed our transgressions from us.
God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to erase your past sins...so that you could start anew!
Prayer Challenge: Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to forgive your sins. And thank Him for the chance to start anew each and every day!
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Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. --Psalm 4:5-6
One day, as Mahatma Ghandi climbed on board a train, one of his shoes slipped off and fell to the track below.
As he bent to retrieve it, the train lurched forward and began to move. Ghandi tried to grab his shoe, but missed. He stood there for a moment watching his shoe slowly fade into the distance.
Then to the shock of everyone around him, he quietly took off his other shoe and threw it so it landed just to the side of the shoe already on the ground.
When asked why in the world he would throw away his other shoe also, Ghandi responded, "The poor man who finds the shoe lying on the track will now have a pair he can use."
Have you ever given something away that you really hadn't planned to? Maybe, like Ghandi, it was a possession. Or did you give your time, your talents, your money?
Your small sacrifices might be huge blessings for someone else. Perhaps you could drive a friend to a doctor's appointment, invite someone to lunch, or teach a Sunday School class. There are many opportunities around you where you can be a blessing to others!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for opportunities where you can be a blessing to others, and thank Him for the blessings He has given to you.
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Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. --Ephesians 6:18
When comedian Harpo Marx visited New York City many years ago, local charities bombarded him with requests to appear at their benefits.
One woman, in particular, was especially tenacious. In just two days, she called him more than a dozen times. Marx very reluctantly agreed to appear at her organization's function.
To further butter him up, she offered to personally escort him to the event. As they got ready to leave the hotel room, the phone began to ring once again. She asked him, "Don't you want to go back and answer it?"
Harpo Marx somewhat wittingly and wearily replied, "Why bother? It's undoubtedly you again!"
Aren't you glad that when you pray you never have to worry about God getting tired of hearing your requests? As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Bible says to "pray continually" and to give thanks in all circumstances.
God wants you to talk to Him. He wants to listen to what you have to say. In fact, He tells us in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
He wants to hear your prayers today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the opportunity to boldly come before His throne with your prayers today and every day.
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"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." --Psalm 103:12
When a reporter once asked former Cowboys running back Walt Garrison if he had ever seen legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry smile, he replied, "No, but I was only there nine years."
The first few years Landry coached in Dallas, he had little to smile about. The new Cowboys expansion team barely won a game and, shortly after his arrival, the country suffered a tragic blow when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
The dark cloud of Kennedy's assassination would hang over Dallas for years. It was an open wound that didn't seem to heal.
But this all changed when Landry led the Dallas Cowboys to their first Super Bowl win in 1972. The city that was once known as the city that killed JFK became the home of the Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys!
As I thought about this story, it made me wonder, do you ever feel like you have a dark cloud hanging over your life? Is there something in your past you are ashamed of...or something you just don't think you can overcome?
The enemy likes to remind you of your past and keep you under a dark cloud of guilt and regret. He wants to rob you of joy and hurt the witness you could have for Christ.
But don't let him! Romans 8:1 says, "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
As a Christian, you don't have to live under a cloud of guilt because Jesus paid the price for your mistakes and failures at Calvary. So claim this promise today. Because Jesus wants you to live in victory!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the forgiveness of your sins and praise Him that your past mistakes can't keep you from having a bright future.
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The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song. --Psalm 28:7
In American history, Abraham Lincoln is lauded for his dynamic leadership during the Civil War. He's praised for the eloquent words of his Gettysburg address. And he's immortalized as the man who freed the slaves.
Abraham Lincoln, though, is not so well known for his own private battle with severe depression or for his wonderful remedy to his personal problem: laughter.
For example, Lincoln often told the story of two women who spread rumors in Washington about Confederate President Jefferson Davis and himself.
These women had a conversation comparing the virtues and potential of the two leaders. One said to the other, "I think Davis will succeed because he's a praying man." The other relied, "But so is Lincoln."
"Yes, but when Abraham prays, the Lord will think he's joking!"
Abraham Lincoln had a terrific sense of humor...and he was able to find joy during times when there wasn't a whole lot to laugh about.
What about you? Are you able to find joy and laughter even when your circumstances seem bleak?
Nehemiah 8:10 says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Take comfort and find joy in the knowledge that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, loves you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God by singing a hymn or a chorus and ask the Lord to allow His joy to radiate in you in all circumstances.
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:13-14
You are probably familiar with the story of Paul Revere.
On the evening of April 18, 1775, he jumped on a borrowed horse and began his famous midnight ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, where he would warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British troops were marching to arrest them.
But it's what happened after midnight that makes the story interesting!
In Lexington, Revere met up with two men, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott. The men planned to ride to Concord where weapons and supplies lay hidden. But about an hour later, a British patrol arrested all three men.
Prescott and Dawes managed to slip away and several hours later the British troops freed Paul Revere...but without his borrowed horse. In reality, Paul Revere never actually completed his ultimate mission!
So often in life, our enemy, the devil, tries to keep us from doing great things for God by taking away our horse. Satan will do all he can to keep us from completing our "mission" because the last thing he wants is for us to serve God...to win the prize for which He has called us.
No matter what the devil may do to discourage you, press on! Don't let the obstacles, whether distractions, hurt feelings, or illness, stop you from doing what the Lord has called you to do!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Regardless of what you're going through today, ask God for the strength to persevere...to win the prize He has called you to.
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Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. --Isaiah 40:31
Charles M. Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts," said much of the inspiration for his comic strip came from his seemingly never-ending stream of bad luck and blunders in childhood.
Like the time a local movie theater promised the first 100 children in line a yummy chocolate bar they could enjoy during the show. Schulz eagerly joined in the queue, already tasting the tantalizing chocolate in his mouth. He waited patiently...only to discover he was number 101 in line!
It's easy to become discouraged when you eagerly wait for something and have your hopes dashed. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to be discouraged and doubt God at times like these. But oftentimes God uses our disappointments to draw us closer to Him.
When you feel let down, look up to the Father. Praise Him in the midst of your sadness. Psalm 33:18 says "the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love."
Draw closer to Him, and you will find yourself refreshed with a new hope. Don't let the enemy steal your joy, no matter what you may be going through today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: When you face seasons of disappointment, ask God to help you remember He is there for you, waiting to draw you closer to Him.
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Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. --1 Thessalonians 5:11
Each school year a fifth-grade teacher assigned her students a very special writing assignment. She asked them to write a nice sentence about each classmate.
It could be something they liked about the person or something they thought the person did well. The teacher then went line by line and put together a list for each student of all the nice words their classmates had written.
When this special teacher retired, many of her former students, who are now adults, came to her retirement party. But they carried with them more than just good fifth-grade memories. One by one, each student took out faded, well-worn sheets of paper...the treasured lists of encouragement.
One woman in her 20s told the teacher that whenever she felt down, she would open her scrapbook and read those words. A 40-something-year-old man admitted he carried his list with him in his wallet. Those positive words left a powerful, lasting impression!
Have you ever had someone say something nice that boosted your spirits or heard a kind word that made you smile?
Maybe you know someone who lives alone. Imagine how a timely phone call to see how they are would help. Perhaps writing a note to a friend who is ill might boost their spirits. There's so much you can do and say today to encourage those around you with the love of Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for those timely, positive words people have said to you, and ask Him for opportunities where you can encourage others today.
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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! --2 Corinthians 5:17
A young, enterprising store clerk convinced his boss a ten-cent sale would be a great way to reduce inventory. The boss agreed, and the sale was a tremendous success.
This gave the young man an idea: He would open his own store stocking nickel and dime merchandise! So the young man approached his boss and asked him to invest in his idea for a portion of the profits.
The boss said no. He thought the idea was ridiculous, and told the young man, "Honestly, where would you find enough merchandise to sell for a mere nickel or dime?"
The determined young clerk went ahead with his plans anyway. And eventually, F.W. Woolworth had stores all over the country!
Later, his former boss said with regret, "As far as I can figure out, every word I used to turn Woolworth down cost me about a million dollars."
Do you have something in your past you regret? Perhaps it's losing contact with someone you love or holding a grudge. Or losing a relationship. Or being unforgiving. The good news of Jesus Christ is that every day is a new day for His followers! His blood has cleansed you from all your sins and Jesus gives you the amazing opportunity to start anew every day!
That's the power of His grace!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the cleansing power of the cross to erase all your sins. And ask Him to help you with any past regrets you might have. By His grace you can start anew.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. --2 Peter 3:8
History is filled with bold predictions that completely missed the mark:
At the turn of the 20th century, car makers produced only four million automobiles because the experts believed the world would eventually run out of chauffeurs.
Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, made the bold pronouncement that radio had no future in 1894.
Mark Twain refused to invest in Alexander Graham Bell's telephone because he didn't see a use for it.
Thomas Watson, the President of IBM, once said the future world would need "maybe only five computers."
And in 1899, the director of the United States patent office told President McKinley that "everything that can be invented has already been invented."
We often try to set our own course based on what we believe the future will be instead of seeking what God has planned for us first. How often we forget that God sees the future much better than we do!
Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
When you put your trust in God and obey Him, you can rest in the assurance that He will guide and direct your steps today and tomorrow.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God for His infinite wisdom and ask Him to guide your steps today.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Monday, August 31, 2009 Forward to a Friend Free Newsletters Print
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. --Ephesians 5:1-2
Muriel McQuilklin was an amazing artist, a vivacious radio host, and a devoted wife and mother while her husband Robertson had a prosperous career as a popular Bible college president. But this all changed when Alzheimer's disease began to slowly steal Muriel's mind.
At the peak of his career...while many urged him to put his wife in a nursing home...Robertson McQuilkin left his college presidency to stay home and care for his ailing wife.
His critics couldn't believe he would walk away from "God's work," but this devoted husband shrugged them off saying simply, "There are others who can lead the Bible college, but I am the only one who can care for Muriel."
Even when she no longer knew him, Robertson lovingly cared for Muriel until she passed away in 2003, 20 years after her diagnosis.
Like McQuilkin, you may know what it's like to walk beside an ailing loved one. If not, you can probably relate to having to make some kind of sacrifice for others, be it a sacrifice of your time, your energy, or your finances (or all three!).
At times like these, Satan loves to question just why you're making that sacrifice, and what you're going to get out of it. But don't listen to him!
Remember the awesome sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on your behalf on the cross...and know that He will bless you for giving of yourself unselfishly like He did.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His wonderful sacrifice and ask Him to help you remember His precious grace when you must make sacrifices for others.
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"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." --John 13:35
Before he became the prime minister of Japan, the late Shigeru Yoshida served as an ambassador to England.
One day, he learned that a particularly annoying cabinet minister had come to London. Yoshida decided avoidance was the best policy, so he told his staff to tell the cabinet member that he was not available when he called.
Undaunted, the persistent minister kept calling. The minister finally decided to visit the embassy in person, and a polite man standing on the staircase said, unfortunately, he'd missed the ambassador again.
The cabinet member turned to leave, then turned back around in stunned recognition. He demanded, "Aren't you the Ambassador Yoshida?"
Yoshida reluctantly admitted he was, and then added, "And, sir, when you hear from Yoshida himself that Yoshida is out, you can believe it!"
More than likely, there's someone in your life you probably try to avoid. Maybe it's your nosy neighbor, the gossip at church, or the bitter man in the grocery aisle. And while your reluctance to mingle with these kinds of people can often be understood, I challenge you to try a new approach.
Instead of avoiding them, do something nice for the person who is a little hard to love. Perhaps something as simple as saying a kind word or doing something nice for them.
Jesus encouraged us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that means the annoying, overbearing ones too! You may be amazed how showing kindness and compassion to someone will change you view of them.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His love and ask Him to help you love your neighbor as yourself.
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So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. --Ecclesiastes 8:15
Paul Tournier, a well-known Christian psychiatrist, gives insight to the subject of happiness in his book, The Seasons of Life. He says:
"True happiness is always linked with deep, inner harmony. It therefore always implies an acceptance of one's age; the acceptance of no longer being a child when one has reached the age of adulthood, and the giving up of the goals of active life when one is advanced in years.
This is the age of retirement, which for some [people] can be a meaningful experience, while for others it is a cruel trial. ... Those who complain about their retirement are usually the same ones as those who used to complain about their work and longed to be set free from it!"
There's no room after retirement for a bitter, complaining spirit. So, why does it seem so many people are unhappy? Experts reported not long ago that only 20 percent of Americans are happy. The relentless message from society is that we must buy certain things or go specific places to experience happiness. If happiness is not a permanent condition in us, then there must be problems in our lives.
But, most people don't experience a lifelong state of happiness. Happiness is a choice...even if only a few moments each day. Think about the last few days...maybe you had an unexpected visitor drop by, a letter came from an old friend, or someone may have complimented you. Moments like those are the ones that make the seemingly "bad day" disappear in a flash.
Tomorrow, stop and notice the sunset, listen to the birds outside your window sing sweet songs, or drink up the peaceful serenity of a rain shower. Then, you will see the happiness that God desires for you to experience.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the sweet moments of happiness that He gives each day.
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"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." --Deuteronomy 33:12
Consumers lose millions of dollars each year due to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a person's social security number, credit card number, phone number, address, and other personal information is discovered by a thief who uses the information for his own personal gain.
As as result of this, many people have purchased paper shredders for their homes to help prevent the theft of their mail or private information from a trash can or dumpster. While this kind of theft can almost ruin a person and is a great travesty, we must be wary of having our true identity stolen.
Satan steals a person's potential in Christ by convincing them they are not worthy of God's forgiveness, grace, and love. He rips off others by using peers to influence them in negative ways or creating enormous amounts of guilt. Through fear, guilt, and shame, Satan can prevent many from discovering God's ultimate purpose for their lives.
The devil's goal is to keep you confused about your spiritual gift and purpose, trying to dilute your true identity in Christ. Remember that God loves you and you are "precious and honored" in His sight (Isaiah 43:4). You are valuable. So much so, that Christ hung on a cross for your sins. How's that for value? And you are capable of being all that God's called you to be because He has specifically gifted you to serve and honor Him (see 1 Peter 4:10).
It may cause some problems to have your personal information robbed by the common thief, but it would be even more devastating to have the sneakiest crook of all steal your identity in Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart from Satan's crooked ways. Pray that He would strengthen your identity in Him each day.
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Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. --Romans 12:4-6
Have you ever met someone who was gifted in a certain area? And you wished you could have that same talent? Maybe you've had a close relationship with someone who had a gift of teaching, or a special talent in music. A person gifted in a specific way has exceptional abilities in that particular area.
But usually regardless of how gifted that person is in one area, they are not gifted in every area of their life. No matter how good the beautician is, she must still depend on others to fix her car or hook up her cable. No matter how talented the surgeon is, he must still find others to take his family portrait or sing at his daughter's wedding.
In the church it is the same. There is a spiritual God-given gift that every believer in Christ has. And everyone is to use their gift to serve the Lord and His kingdom (see 1 Peter 4:10). Paul mentions several spiritual gifts throughout his letters including serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy (Romans 12:3-8).
Most people are born with natural talents, but only believers are blessed with spiritual gifts. Every Christian, young and old, should be using their spiritual gifts in ways to bring blessing and encouragement to others (see Philippians 2:3-4). And, most importantly, we are to use our spiritual gifts to bring honor and glory to the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you still don't know it, ask the Lord to reveal to you your spiritual gift. Ask Him to help you find a place to use your gift. Pray that He would use you to bring blessing, encouragement, and hope to others through your gift.`
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. --Psalm 119:49-50
As people live longer, there may be a progression in chronic illnesses among senior citizens. While great advancements are being made in curing cancer and heart disease, there is a condition that can be devastating to the one it affects, and his or her family and friends--Alzheimer's Disease.
The progressive nature of Alzheimer's is well known to most. A person, usually older, starts to forget the details in life. And these memory mishaps become more frequent until they reach a severe level of disability and begin to interfere with daily activities. Soon, the diseased individual fails to recognize familiar faces and places, and they lose the ability to care for themselves altogether.
God knows and has planned every day of the person who carries this horrible disease, so their gradual downward spiral is no surprise to Him. While this change is hard on family and friends, and even harder to understand, God brings comfort to those who experience Alzheimer's. And while Alzheimer's destroys the mind, God continually gives strength and hope in the spirit.
Professional support groups exist across the nation for families and patients dealing with this disease. There are many helpful and effective ways to cope with Alzheimer's for both parties today. It's important for you and your loved one to continue on in an active circle of care. We are to continually have the mind of Christ Jesus...not our own, but His. So, put the health, mind, and spirit of the one you love whom Alzheimer's affects in the hands of the Great Physician.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the grace and mercy He shows us each day regardless of the pain and suffering from this world. Ask for God's protection and watch care over those you may know who are struggling with Alzheimer's Disease or any other disease.
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He guides the humble in what is right, and teaches them his way. --Psalm 25:9
The Internet is older than you think--it's not so young anymore. More senior adults are logging in and using the Internet all the time. In the United States alone, senior adults make up one in five people who use the Internet.
Using the Internet doesn't mean you have to delve into extensive research or know a secret code to enter the World Wide Web. Most people use the Internet to send and receive e-mail, read the news and current events, and find basic information on everyday topics such as the weather, travel, sports, and online shopping. There are even some senior adults who have joined online communities to meet and make new friends which, in turn, open opportunities to attend luncheons and talk on the phone with new companions.
There are still personal benefits for seniors to embrace in using the Internet--entertainment, money management, hobbies, family and friends, and grandkids, grandkids, grandkids! It is an easy way to stay in touch with the special people in your life.
If you have never used a computer or the Internet before, there are computer classes in almost every town or community. You can first check with your local library or public school to find classes nearby. And there's really nothing to be skeptical about when using the computer besides remembering to use caution when giving out personal information as you would "offline."
There are also some beneficial ways to enhance your spiritual growth through online Bible study tools and daily devotionals. Even as senior adults, God wants us to move forward with our lives, learn new things, and seek new ways to build relationships with others and with Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the new ways available for you to connect with other believers and with the people you love.
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Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. --Leviticus 19:32
Honor should be given to senior citizens--period. It's in the Bible. Older men and women with years of experience and wisdom must be treated with respect. So, why does this matter to you since you're already a senior citizen?
It needs to be passed down to the younger generations. Children, teenagers, and even some young adults today are being raised without knowledge and practice of this valuable rule. It is your responsibility to share this with your already grown children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren because it's in the Bible.
"Never speak sharply to an older man, but please with him respectfully just as though he were your own father. ... Treat the older women as mothers" (1 Timothy 5:1-2, TLB). How many young people do you know who truly speak to older adults with the utmost respect? There aren't many in today's society. There's no respect for parents, government authority, school educators, much less the elderly.
And while there are exceptions, as a senior adult, you must leave behind the legacy of respect for older generations. Many young people don't realize the value in the wisdom and experience that a senior adult can give. "The glory of young men is their strength; of old men, their experience" (Proverbs 20:29, TLB).
If senior adults begin instilling these values into the younger generations, the respect you deserve will not be lost. In Psalm 71, the Bible records a senior citizen's prayer. "And now that I am old and gray, don't forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all Your mighty miracles" (Psalm 71:18, TLB). As men and women of age, there is much for you to teach the younger generations--don't delay!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you a young person whom you can mentor and share godly wisdom and experience.
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Praise be to the Lord; to God our Savior, who daily bears our burden. --Psalm 68:19
Depression is a serious mental health issue that affects people of all ages, both male and female. Sadly, concurrent medical conditions can actually compromise the recognition of depression in older adults. Some of the illnesses related to late-life depression are not only many forms of cancer, but Parkinson's disease, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's dementia.
Do you or someone you know experience these types of symptoms? Here are some things to look for: recent significant weight change, change in sleeping patterns, loss of energy, isolation, overwhelming feelings of sadness, unexplained physical symptoms, inappropriate feelings of guilt, and feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.
Beware that these problems are not just part of the normal aging process for older adults. Medical help is needed if you or your loved one is experiencing four or more of the symptoms above. But, whether you are experiencing clinical or chronic depression, or just the occasional bout of depression, there is hope in God's Word.
Every person experiences depression at one point or another in his or her life. In Psalm 107:10-11, the Bible records the prisoners "sat in darkness and deepest gloom, miserable prisoners in chains." Have you ever felt this way? To relieve their pain, they cried out to the Lord and "He saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains" (Psalm 107:13-14, NLT).
There is hope in the Lord to break free from the bondage of depression. In the Bible, Satan is compared to a thief who is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy you (John 10:10). But, Christ came to give you everlasting (John 5:24) and abundant (John 10:10) life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises of freedom from the bonds of depression. Ask him to take away the feelings of depression and fill you with joy and hope.
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This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. --Psalm 118:24
Have you ever taken time out of your day just to stop and literally smell the flowers in your garden, listen to the birds singing, or relax long enough to feel the cool breeze outside? If you truly take the time to do things like this each day, you'll be amazed at how renewed--emotionally and mentally--you'll begin to feel.
When your joy and passion for life have been depleted, take action! Everyone goes through seasons of discontentment and gloom, and there are many reasons for its cause. It could be a stressed relationship, work problems, frustration or difficulties in a relationship with your children, personal criticism, or illness.
When trying times creep up on us, our joy seems to dissipate. You've probably heard the story of Jonah. He said about life: "It would be better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:8). Despite Jonah's difficulties, even spending some time in the belly of a whale, God brought Him out of his unhappiness and restored his joy.
When your joy seems to have disappeared, seek solitude and silence with God. A hectic lifestyle is never a good solution for finding joy that has been lost. "Be still before the Lord" (Zechariah 2:13), and refresh your spirit through Him. Think about God's many blessings in your life, especially the people you love and the people who love you. When you're feeling like Satan has taken away your happiness, remember the declaration in Psalm 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you an opportunity where you can get away and be alone with Him. Thank Him for the joy and blessings in your life that can only be found in Him.
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Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
--Colossians 3:12
In 1935, on a winter night, Fiorello LaGuardia, the mayor of New York City, showed up at night court in the poorest part of the city. He let the judge go for the evening and he took over the bench.
A woman in torn clothing, charged with stealing a loaf of bread, was brought to stand before LaGuardia. She told LaGuardia that her son-in-law had deserted her extremely sick daughter, and that her grandchildren were starving. The shopkeeper refused to drop the charges, however, saying she needed to be punished.
LaGuardia sighed, turned to the old woman, and said, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail."
As soon as he pronounced the sentence, however, LaGuardia took a $10 bill out of his pocket and threw it into a hat. And he said: "Here's the $10 fine, which I now remit. Furthermore, I'm going to fine each person 50 cents in this courtroom for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The next day, a New York newspaper reported that $47.50 was turned over to the grandmother who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren.
Today, give encouragement or show kindness to someone who wouldn't expect it from anyone else. Christ came to give life and show mercy to those less fortunate and those who are sinners--not the high and mighty. Restore the joy in your life by giving of your time and energy to those who don't have the blessings that you do.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone who is less fortunate than you, so you can extend to him or her the same kindness that Christ first showed you.
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But if a widow [or widower] has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. --1 Timothy 5:4
For some senior adults, moving toward dependency happens quickly as the result of an illness, a fall, an accident with long-term effects, and more. But, most seniors creep toward dependency at first unnoticed, then realized, and finally understanding and willingly.
Changes that continue to happen because of aging cause a senior citizen to finally understand: "I can't do this by myself anymore. I need someone to help me out." Depending on the individual, some may be eager and willing to accept the help of another, while others find it hard to admit what is happening.
The caregiver should be one who agrees to become responsible for one who decides to take on dependency. In the fifth commandment found in Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you," the rationale in God's plan is that family members are to look after one another.
Parents are to care for their children; and then in reciprocation, the adult children are to care for their parents. The most God-honoring care giving will come from the wisdom found in the fifth commandment. If you are at the point where you would like to begin making plans for someone to take care of you one day, then consider sitting down with a family member to discuss the next steps.
Be aware of the situation and how much time will need to be spent between the two of you. Work out a plan, involving more than one family member, if possible, and recognize that there will be some difficult times. Decide whether or not you want to remain in your own home, or if you need to go where it will be more convenient for your family.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask for God's will, wisdom, and guidance to be revealed in this situation. Pray that God would work out the details in His own way and in His time.
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In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. - Psalm 71:1
When things come up in my life, oftentimes my first instinct is to take action and correct whatever may be wrong. This is true for most men. It's a natural male tendency to want to fix what's broken. I'm sure some of the ladies reading this can relate to this tendency as well.
The problem is that my first instinct isn't necessarily my best course of action. An impulsive reaction to a situation can sometimes make it much worse. Instead of seeking the Lord and asking for guidance, we may rely on our wealth, our reputation, or our own know-how to get a job done. But often this can lead to negative results.
Consider Jonah. His first instinct was to run. In fact, when God called Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, he went as far in the opposite direction as possible. And it was only due to his eventual acceptance of God's will that an entire city was spared the Lord's fury. Jonah knew he had a difficult task set before him, but he fled from God instead of seeking shelter from God.
How different the story would have been if Jonah had simply taken refuge in the Lord from the beginning! Jonah could have spared himself a lot of misery and shame by finding refuge in the Lord.
How much of our own anguish has been caused by an unwillingness to submit to God? Sometimes we would rather stand in the cold alone than experience warmth and safety in the sanctuary of the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for refuge today by granting you strength and peace of mind.
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Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water." Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. - Numbers 20:8, 11
Do you ever hear without listening? Maybe you've heard the words that were spoken to you, but failed to understand their meaning. A very simple example of this would be turning on a foreign language TV or radio station. You can listen all day long, but you'll never hear the intended message!
When God speaks to us, it's very important that we not only hear His voice but to listen to what He's telling us. In the verses above, you see a clear command from God: "Speak to that rock." Yet what does Moses do? He strikes the rock. Twice! Talk about missing the message. And as a result of this failure to really hear God's command, Moses wasn't allowed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Now, maybe Moses was confused. After all, in Exodus 17:6, God did command Moses to strike a rock to receive water for the people. Which is why it is so important that we listen carefully to what God is telling us.
It's worth noting that while Moses failed to follow the Lord's command explicitly, God was still faithful to His commitment. He still poured out water from the rock. God is always faithful to His word. You and I need to focus on listening to His word as we hear to His voice.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you will be able to listen to God's voice...and that you clearly understand His command to you in every situation in life.
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Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. - Matthew 4:1
All of us battle temptation on a daily basis. The enemy is relentless in his attacks, which is why you and I must always be vigilant in staying connected to the Lord every day. But no matter how committed we are to our relationship with God, we will still come under fire.
The key to our victory is in our response. When you feel overwhelmed by temptation, how do you respond? Thankfully, God has provided us the perfect example for overcoming temptation by allowing His own Son to be tempted.
Christ's temptation is recorded in the fourth chapters of both Matthew and Luke. The key to focus on is Jesus' response when tempted by Satan. In both Gospels, Jesus responds to temptation by quoting Scripture. In fact, Jesus is tempted three times and each time He quotes from Deuteronomy!
Now Jesus probably had more Scripture memorized than you or I do, and at our age it may not be so easy to add a whole lot more. But notice that Jesus responds with verses that apply to the specific temptation. We all know our sin patterns and we know what temptations we struggle with. That's why it's so important to commit one or two verses to memory that address your individual weaknesses.
For instance, if you struggle with a lot of negative emotions, it might be beneficial to memorize Galatians 5:22-23, which lists the fruit of the Spirit. Or if you battle an unhealthy relationship with money, remember 1 Timothy 6:10. It will remind you of the consequences when putting wealth ahead of the Lord.
If you just can't seem to commit a verse to memory, write it down and tuck it somewhere that will be helpful when you are tempted. Keep it in your Bible, your wallet, in your car, or taped to your bathroom mirror.
Nothing rebuffs Satan like the Word of God. Remember it is our sword--the only form of attack we have against the enemy.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Repeat the Lord's Prayer today especially focusing on "Lead us not into temptation." Pray this for yourself and for those you love.
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
Have you ever heard the phrase "addition by subtraction"? You often hear it used by sports analysts when an athlete leaves a team. Take the Texas Rangers, for example.
In 2000, they signed Alex Rodriguez, or "A-Rod," to the biggest contract in sports history. He was one of the best shortstops in the game! Yet the Rangers finished last in their division three years in a row.
After trading A-Rod to the New York Yankees three years later, the Rangers finished the 2004 season only three games out of first place in their division! This is a good example of addition by subtraction.
In the same way, God often removes things from our lives that we consider very important. But in the end, we see that by removing that thing, we are better off.
In today's verse, we see that Jacob lost something that was extremely important to him: his ability to run! That's right. Jacob's pattern was simple, he would deceive and then he would run away. He ran from Esau after stealing his birthright and he later ran from Laban, taking all his possessions with him.
However, after the Lord injured his hip, Jacob was forced to confront his biggest fear. He had to face Esau. And much like the Prodigal Son, Jacob was welcomed with open arms by Esau. By subtracting his ability to flee, God added back Jacob's brother.
The Lord may be removing dependencies in your own life. What you may be missing, though, really may be God's provision through these times.
How is the Lord taking care of you even while stripping away things you thought you needed? I want to encourage you to look for the addition that results from God's subtraction.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you how He is using a recent loss for good..
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1
Superstitions exist in all facets of life. From black cats, to indoor umbrellas, even believers who have been walking with the Lord for decades can allow false beliefs to seep into their daily routines.
The world considers this harmless, entertainment even. But consider what it says to God when you speak with a psychic or allow superstitions to hinder your daily activities. What you are telling God is that you do not trust Him enough to take care of your needs. But the Lord clearly instructs us in Proverbs 3:5 not to rely on our own knowledge or the knowledge of others. Instead you are to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."
Superstitions happen when we give meaning to the meaningless. Sometimes we all need to be reminded that trusting God to lead you means that breaking mirrors, or stepping on cracks, or walking under ladders holds no meaning.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would reveal to you anything in your life that may be creating a separation between you and Him.
"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8
I read about a man not long ago who started a mission organization at the age of 65. He does a lot of pastoral training around the globe, including several training seminars in China each year.
During his most recent trip to China, the man was teaching a group of pastors when they were interrupted by Chinese officials. He was detained and held for questioning, his visa was suspended, and his passport was confiscated.
After eight hours of questioning, he was released and allowed to leave the country. His future access to China is unknown right now, but he is pressing on. Less than two weeks after this he was en route to Romania to continue his work!
Friends, our Lord has commanded us to take His message to the ends of the earth. Not all of us can go to China,but there's no excuse for not being involved in missionary work on some level. Chances are your church sponsors mission trips or missionary families or both. Find out what you can do to get involved in those areas. Or you could look online for any number of independent mission groups who could use your support.
Support doesn't have to mean going or even giving financially. Prayers are just as important as dollars, and countless people in the field have seen great provision through the support of prayer warriors at home.
And don't forget that the mission field includes your neighborhood or place of work! If you can't go to China, you still can go next door.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would present you with an opportunity to be directly involved with missionary efforts.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This passage in 2 Timothy gives us four distinct uses of Scripture in our lives. These uses can be applied to ourselves, to friends and family, to small groups, or to whole congregations. Let's take a look at each a little more in depth.
1) Teaching - As you study God's Word, you will come to know more about His character. God teaches us directly through His Spirit when we read the Bible. We teach each other in small groups, and we are taught as a body when we attend church services.
2) Rebuking - God's Word informs us about sin and how He wants us to live. We are commanded to share this knowledge with those around us. The act of rebuking, which is very different from judging, is a positive, loving act according to the Word.
3) Correcting - While rebuking is a confrontation of sin, correcting is more about instructing fellow believers in right ways of living, attitude, and thinking. Not in an area where they have been sinful, but where they are in error.
4) Training - Not just training, but "training in righteousness." This implies guiding new believers in God's ways. Training is not just for new believers. You and I need to continue training others as well as being trained in the Word. It is an ongoing process.
The net result of these four principles is that "the man (or woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
If you follow these instructions, as Paul required of Timothy, then you will be fully capable of meeting the challenges that arise in your life. In addition, you will become a valuable friend and neighbor by helping others become equipped as well!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Father would allow you to put these principles into action today.
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Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. - James 4:17
Have you ever been in a situation and known the right thing to do, but just didn't do it? If so, you're not alone! Most of us can probably relate to this scenario.
The Scriptures clearly show us what actions are sin. But how do we know when inaction becomes a sin? Well, we all know the difference between right and wrong. And it's not enough to just avoid doing sin. We are commanded to pursue righteousness and justice.
You've heard the term "half-truth" before. Half-truths are telling the truth without telling the whole truth. Thus you can omit certain information without actually lying. But this is precisely what James is talking about. Some people say that a half-truth is actually a half-lie. I think they're on to something.
There are many times in our lives when we're faced with difficult situations. But we do not have the luxury of burying our heads in the sand or looking the other way and pretending we don't see what's before us. Friend, you and I must do what is right, even when no one is looking, and even when it might cost us something!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
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But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. - Philippians 3:13
One of the easiest traps to fall into in life is holding a grudge against someone who's wronged you. If you've been wounded, it's often difficult to forgive!
In elementary schools, you'll often hear teachers chiding their students, "Eyes forward!" if they aren't paying attention in class. In the same way, Paul encourages us in today's verse to look ahead. He reminds us not to focus...not to dwell on...what has already passed.
In friendships or marriages, it can be hard to keep our eyes forward when you see the same behavior repeat itself. However, "forgetting what is behind" is the right thing to do. Even after 30, 40, or 50 years in a relationship, we must practice forgiveness and ask God to help us forget past wrongs.
You and I have two choices in life: We can either live with our eyes looking back and a tight grip on all the wrongs that have been done to us...or we can accept the challenge to forgive, forget, and share the time we have left with those to whom we are closest.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you identify and forgive any longstanding personal wounds and live with "eyes forward."
:angel:
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:2
Today's verse is fascinating. Because according to the writer of Hebrews, you and I have the chance to entertain angels when we open our homes up to strangers!
But more than opening yourself up to entertaining angels, being hospitable and serving others is a tangible way you can show the love of Christ to those who don't know Him. In fact, Christ commanded that we should love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matt. 22:39).
As you get older, serving and entertaining does become more difficult. But there are still ways you can love your neighbor without exhausting yourself. For instance, doing little things like letting someone merge into your lane in traffic or simply talking to someone who appears lonely. It doesn't take much energy to show someone you love and care about them!
Today, think about ways you can serve and be hospitable towards others. And remember, you just might be serving an angel!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you creative ways to serve and entertain others who may not know Him.
:angel:
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. - Titus 2:2
Few passages in Scripture apply to older men exclusively. Which is why I'm so grateful the Lord gave us today's verse!
After listing the attributes of a qualified elder in the church, Paul instructs Titus on the character of mature men in general. He first lists three qualities: temperance, dignity, and self-control. Then, he follows that with three areas in which senior men should be grounded: faith, love, and endurance.
All of these qualities work in concert with each other. Temperance indicates a level of restraint. You should practice moderation. If you cannot exercise this quality, you'll certainly risk undignified behavior. It could even result in public embarrassment and loss of respect. Such actions do not indicate self-control.
Older men should also strive to be "sound in faith, in love and in endurance." James 1 tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. If you are grounded in your faith, then a natural side-effect should be spiritual endurance. Paul also reiterates the importance of love. We are always to be acting from a position of love.
Men, look at these qualities. Examine them as a checklist. How are you doing in each of these areas? Where could you use a little more work? In what area do you have consistent success? Tomorrow, I'll turn my attention and focus on the Paul's characteristics for older women.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for strength in the area you are most lacking. Then thank Him for success in the area where you are most unwavering!
:angel:
Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. - Titus 2:3
Today, I'm going to focus on Paul's instructions to the older women. Paul lays out his characteristics for senior women in three statements.
First, women are to be reverent in their behavior. I believe this reverence is meant to extend not only to reverence to God, but to the men of the Church as well. If the men are living as they are commanded, then they are worthy of respect. However, as with most of God's commands, this is not conditional. Even if those around you are not holding up their end, you must still act in a manner pleasing to the Lord.
Second, godly women are not to be "slanderers or addicted to much wine." Gossip is often a sin associated with women. This may not be altogether fair, but here Paul is specific in directing this at the older women. He also instructs them not to be excessive drinkers. When he uses the term "addicted," it's really the image of a slave. You should not be enslaved to drinking.
Finally, the women are called to teach what is good. Paul views the role of older women mentoring younger women as very important. In fact, he goes on to further instruct the more mature women in detail how to teach the younger wives proper behavior. Women, God is calling you to be an example to the young women in your lives.
I encourage you to examine any of the areas above where you may be struggling. As an example to the young women around you, what are you teaching them through your actions? Also, consider areas where God has given you much success through His grace.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you the area in which you need the most improvement. Thank Him for providing victory in the area where you have the most success!
:angel:
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. --Psalm 28:7
Author Norman Cousins told of being hospitalized with a rare, crippling disease in his book, The Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient. When Cousins was diagnosed as incurable, he decided to check out of the hospital. He was fully aware of the harmful effects that negative emotions can have on the body, but Cousins reasoned that the reverse was true and decided to do something about it.
Once he was home, he determined to take action against the disease that was spreading through his body. He borrowed a movie projector and prescribed his own treatment.
Each day, he watched Marx Brothers films and old "Candid Camera" reruns. It wasn't long before Cousins realized that ten minutes of laughter provided two hours of pain-free sleep. Amazingly, his incurable disease was eventually reversed. His victory appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine and afterward, he received more than 3,000 letters from appreciative physicians throughout the world.
God does not expect us to be serious Christians all the time. We're expected to lighten up and have some fun. Even Jesus had fun: playing with children, attending a wedding party, and socializing with everyday people. The Christian life may seem like a somber and boring journey, but it's not supposed to be that way.
Unfortunately, non-believers often view Christians as a "no-fun" crowd, but we know that the life of the believer is full of joy--joy that can only be found in Christ. When the negativity of the world darkens your day, praise Jesus for the fulfillment, purpose, and happiness we have in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy you have in Jesus as a Christian. Pray that God would daily fill you with laughter and happiness through the Holy Spirit when the world gets you down.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Monday, October 5, 2009
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." --1 Samuel 3:10
Noted English architect, Sir Christopher Wren, was supervising the construction of a magnificent cathedral in London. During the construction, a local journalist thought it would be an interesting read to interview some of the workers and write a story on it's progress.
He chose three and individually asked them this question, "What are you doing?"
The first man replied, "I'm cutting stone for ten shillings a day."
The next man answered, "I'm putting in ten hours a day on this job."
Finally, the third exclaimed, "I'm helping Sir Christopher Wren construct one of London's greatest cathedrals."
Life is all about perspective. Do you hold a negative view of life, or a positive one? It is so easy to think negatively about the bad things going on around us and the difficulties we face day to day. But when you put your purpose into perspective, then this Christian life makes sense. When you keep a positive focus on your purpose in life, then the things that bring you down will seem to disappear.
God put each one of us here for a specific reason. Whether it is ministering to others, teaching His Word, providing encouragement and comfort, or something else, God gave you a gift for fulfilling the purpose He's laid before you. Samuel answered the call of God faithfully and he became the spokesman for God's Word to all of Israel.
Listen for God's call and answer it. Respond faithfully and He will reward you for your obedience to Him. Each morning, wake up with a fresh, positive outlook on life and your day-to-day challenges will be easy to conquer.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would continually keep your heart and mind sensitive to the Spirit's calling. Ask the Lord to clearly reveal His purpose for your life.
:angel:
Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" --Mark 1:14-15
There was once a ranger in the Yellowstone National Park that led a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the various flowers and animals in the park, that he ignored the messages coming through his two-way radio.
They soon became distracting while he was talking, so he just switched his radio off. But as the group neared the tower at the top of the mountain, they were met by a nearly breathless lookout. He asked why the ranger hadn't responded to any of the messages on his radio.
A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were frantically trying to warn them of the danger that followed. When we ignore the message God sends, we put ourselves, our loved ones, and those around us in danger. It is so important to keep constant communication with the Lord.
Are there those around you who don't know of the danger that lies ahead if they aren't believers in Jesus? Do they know that Satan stalks them day and night looking to devour them? As believers, it is our responsibility to make sure others know of the most important message in the world--the saving knowledge of Jesus!
The message is clear and should be passed along with urgency. Warn those you love of what awaits them if they don't answer the call of Jesus. Open the lines of communication and seek to be a witness to others toward the path of righteousness.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open the right opportunities for you to share Christ with those in your life that aren't believers. Pray that He will give you the words to say and the answers to give as you share the message of hope and truth.
:angel:
But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. --1 John 2:5-6
Noted Bible scholar, James M. Gray, once told a story of impact in his life to underscore the importance of reading the Scriptures for personal growth. When he was a young Bible teacher, he became deeply impressed by the peace and spiritual maturity of a friend he spoke with often.
Gray wanted the same stability as his friend, so he asked what the secret of his confidence and positive outlook toward Scripture was. The man said, "It all started through reading Ephesians."
Having read through Ephesians many times, Gray was surprised by his response since he had never experienced the same strength he saw in his friend. After noticing Gray's puzzled look, the man said, "On one occasion, when I was on a short vacation, I took a pocket edition of Ephesians with me. One afternoon, I laid down outside and read all six chapters."
Gray's friend continued, "My interest was so aroused that I read the entire epistle again. In fact, I did not finally lay it down until I had gone through it some 15 times. When I arose to go into the house, I was in possession of Ephesians; or better yet, it was in possession of me. I had the feeling that I had been lifted up to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus--a feeling that was new to me."
His friend's testimony encouraged Gray to master the Scripture himself. He began to saturate his mind and heart with the Word of God so he could freely and effectively communicate it to others and stand strong in his own faith. Do you have a hold on the Scriptures like Gray's friend? Or better yet, does it have a hold on you?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would speak to you clearly as you study His Word--book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse
:angel:
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. --1 Corinthians 12:27
At a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack Lipton, a psychologist at Union College, and R. Scott Builione, a graduate student at Columbia University, presented their findings on how members of the various sections of 11 major symphony orchestras perceived each other .
The percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stiff, and non-athletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose "loud" as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical.
These were interesting findings! How could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music with such widely different personalities and perceptions? The answer is very simple: regardless of how these musicians view each other, they discard their feelings and biases to follow the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play the most beautiful music.
The Scripture says, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
No matter where you serve--in a soup kitchen, in a Bible study, as a minister, as a prayer warrior, as an usher, or in another area--the body can't function properly without your help! You are an important part of the body of Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for each member of the Body of believers who come together to serve Him and others. Ask the Lord to make you a blessing in the Body and use you significantly as a member for His glory.
:angel:
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. --Psalm 51:17
Will Rogers was most definitely known for his laughter, but he was also known for his character and compassion. One day, he was entertaining at the Milton H. Berry Institute in Los Angeles, a hospital that specialized in rehabilitating polio victims, people with broken backs, and those with other extreme physical handicaps.
As expected, Rogers had everyone laughing, even those patients who were in very bad condition. But he suddenly left the platform and headed straight for the restroom. Milton Berry followed to take him a towel. When he opened the door, he saw Rogers leaning against the wall sobbing. He quietly closed the door and left.
In a few minutes, Rogers was back on the platform, and continued on as happy as before. In The Integrity Crisis, Warren Wiersbe said, "If you want to learn what a person is really like, ask three questions: What makes him laugh? What makes him angry? What makes him weep? These are fairly good tests of character..."
Many times, people preach, teach, and share Jesus in anger. But what we truly need is brokenness for those who are hurting, lost, and without Jesus. It is that kind of anguish that Jesus showed when He removed all those who were selling and trading in the temple, and then went out and wept over the city.
It's easier to get angry over sin than it is to weep over it. While sin is wrong, we should cry out for those sinners who are hurting and hopeless. Choose today to be broken and compassionate toward those who do not know the love of Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help break you so that you can minister to those who are lost and broken. Pray that He would give you the strength and compassion needed to reach others in their times of need
:angel:
October 12, 2009
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. --2 Peter 3:13
A Christian railroad engineer was speaking to a group of his coworkers about heaven. He went into a lengthy description saying:
"I can't begin to tell you what the Lord Jesus Christ means to me. In Him, I have a hope that is precious and life everlasting. Let me explain. Many years ago, as each night I neared the end of my run, I would always let out a long blast with the whistle just as I'd come around the last curve.
"Then I'd look up at the familiar little cottage on top of the hill. My mother and father would be standing in the doorway waving to me. After I had passed, they'd go back inside and say, 'Thank God, Benny is home safe again tonight.'
"They are gone now, and no one is there to welcome me anymore. But someday when I have finished my 'earthly run' and I draw near to heaven's gate, I believe I'll see my precious mother and dad waiting there for me. And the one will turn to the other and say, 'Thank God, Benny is home safe at last.'"
We will see those loved ones, those believers who went home ahead of us, at the gates to welcome us home when we draw near. It will be a joyous time of celebration with our Lord and the ones we love! Today there are those in your life who have not yet experienced salvation through Jesus.
Have you exhausted all efforts to bring them to Jesus? Share with them what heaven means to you and tell them of your desire to welcome them home one day to eternity.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that others will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as you seek to show them the promise, hope, and joy of spending eternity with Jesus.
:angel:
Octiber 13, 2009
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. --Psalm 27:14
In the 17th century during the Thirty Years' War, German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. As they stayed in a small village inn one night, afraid and homeless, his wife broke down and sobbed openly in despair.
To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture promises about God's provision. Then, going out to the garden to be alone, he too broke down and openly wept. He felt he had come to the darkest hour in his life. But soon afterward, Gerhardt felt his burden lift and a refreshing sense of the Lord's presence.
Taking a pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many in despair:
"Give to the winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.
Through waves and clouds and storms He gently clears the way.
Wait thou His time, so shall the night soon end in joyous day."
Oftentimes, our darkest hours are the times when God makes His presence known most clearly. He brings us to what feels like the lowest points in our lives and uses our sufferings, so that we will finally see that He is our only source of strength. When we see this displayed, as in the life of Pastor Gerhardt, we experience a refreshed hope in Jesus.
Are you going through a time of despair right now? "Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Give yourself completely over to Him, wait for His perfect timing, and you'll once again know the breath of fresh air you've been waiting for--His presence.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: During times of tribulation, pray that God would move in your soul, and show you His glory when it feels like darkness has filled your days. :angel:
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. --1 Timothy 1:12
In the early 1900s, a policeman walking his beat in Chicago observed a man standing before a mission. His hat was in his hand, and the officer thought he was acting strange. Thinking the man might be drunk or ill, the policeman approached him to find out what was going on. He noticed that his eyes were closed, so he nudged him and said, "What's the matter? Are you sick?"
The man looked up, smiled, and said, "No, sir. My name is Billy Sunday. I was converted right here in this mission. I never pass this way without taking the opportunity, if possible, to stand quietly for a moment and whisper a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord."
The officer understood and smiled back at Billy Sunday. Giving the evangelist a hearty handshake, the policeman warmly said, "Put 'er there, Bill! I've heard a lot about you! Keep right on with your prayer, and I'll see that no one bothers you."
In his letter to Timothy, Paul reflected on the sinner he once was by saying, "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:13-14).
Jesus came into the world to save sinners like you and me. It is important that we stop often to remember the sacrifice He made on the cross and thank Him for appointing us as ministers of His Gospel.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the salvation you have through Jesus Christ and for calling you to share the truth of His Word. Pray that He would empower and strengthen you daily to be a faithful follower. :angel:
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. --Ephesians 5:19-20
Walking through an open market one day, a mother and her five-year-old daughter browsed through the items available on each table. As the little girl stopped to stare at a large pile of oranges on one table, the generous vendor selling the oranges took one from the stack and gave it to her.
The mother asked her daughter, "What do you say to the nice man for giving you a gift?"
The little girl stared at the orange again, then tossed it toward the vendor and said, "Peel it!"
Thankfulness is something we learn over time and grow into regardless our age. What might be considered innocent and harmless coming from a five-year-old child would certainly be considered rude and ungrateful coming from an older child or adult. However, it's easy to fall into the trap of responding as that little girl did to God's blessings by thinking, "This is nice and all, but I'd like a little more."
An attitude of gratitude toward God's gifts is a mark of spiritual maturity in a believer's life. In Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus, he challenged them to follow Christ, which included "giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
This holiday season practice thankfulness to God, instead of complaining about what you don't have, instead of bemoaning the unfairness of life, or instead of expecting and desiring more than what you already have. God has provided all your needs and as His child, it's His desire to bless you with enough to sustain you. Be thankful for what you have!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you a thankful heart no matter the circumstances. Pray that He would help you see the blessings in all the gifts you receive--both big and small.
:angel:
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. --1 Thessalonians 5:18
In his autobiography, Clarence Edward Macartney, a noted author, wrote a story about two men who were walking through a field when they noticed an enraged bull. Almost immediately, they began running toward the nearest fence. The angry bull followed in hot pursuit, but it was soon apparent that they couldn't outrun the bull.
Terrified, one of the men shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life."
His companion yelled, "But you must! The bull is catching up to us."
"All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know. My father used to repeat it at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'
This humorous story really suggests a valuable truth: Always give thanks no matter the situation. Paul and Silas faced trouble with the authorities in Macedonia when they drove an evil spirit out of a young slave girl who could no longer make money for her owners through her psychic powers. As they were attacked, stripped, beaten, and thrown in jail, they never faltered in their faith.
Scripture says that at "about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose" (Acts 16:25-26).
No matter how severe the trials and tribulations we go through in life, believers should always give thanks in everything.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would empower you to praise Him, thank Him, and triumph through every life situation--both good and bad--that comes your way.
:angel:
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. --Psalm 28:7
Billy Bray, the great Methodist evangelist, was saved from a terrible life of drunkenness and sin. After his conversion, he experienced one trouble after another, but he never ceased praising and praying to the Lord.
He came to a place in his life where all he had to eat was a dish of very small potatoes, which a friend had given him. Billy bowed his head to offer thanks when he suddenly thought to himself: How can you thank God for such small potatoes? But out loud, Billy replied, "Go away, Satan--when I was serving you, I had no potatoes at all!"
The Bible tells us that Joseph experienced difficulties as well. He was forced into slavery and put in prison for a crime he didn't commit. But in the midst of it all, He honored God, praised Him, and was thankful for the path God had taken him down. Scripture says, "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor" (Genesis 39:20-21). As a result of his trials, the Lord raised Joseph up to rule over the land of Egypt under Pharaoh.
Life's struggles can be difficult at times. And when it seems that there is no money left for food, no cure for the illness, and no one else who cares, our sovereign God is in control and taking care of you each and every day. Psalm 42:11 says to "put your hope in God" and praise Him because He's "Savior and God." In all things, we are to praise the Lord--even for the small potatoes!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: When facing trials, ask God to show you the blessings in the small things He's given you. Ask Him to increase your hope and trust in Him and thank Him for supplying all your needs.
:angel:
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess His name. --Hebrews 13:15
Throughout all of history, many cultures, nations, and people groups have set aside one time or another to express their thankfulness for various things in life. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day originated with the Pilgrims. While facing extreme hardship, the loss of loved ones, meager supplies, life-threatening illnesses, and severe weather conditions, they still believed it was important to acknowledge their blessings in the midst of their circumstances.
The Pilgrims chose to celebrate God's blessings by sharing a meal with the Native Americans who helped them survive the brutal conditions. How much more would it take for us today, considering all the gifts we currently have, for us to truly give thanks to God for what we have--without a hint of complaining?
It seems that many people have lost the spirit of the original celebration that took place between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. How often do we catch ourselves complaining that our Thanksgiving Day has been spoiled by dreary weather, bad food, or an annoying cold? We should make every day of the year one of thanksgiving--whatever our circumstances!
Billy Graham once wrote, "Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible. Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you an attitude of gratitude. Ask Him to fill you with thankfulness year round for the things with which He's blessed you.
:angel:
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. --Hebrews 13:16
One of the most popular syndicated newspaper columns of our time is "Dear Abby," the well-known advice column. It was started in 1956 by Abigail Van Buren, the original author. Today it is written by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who continues to offer advice and guidance to people who write in. Several years ago, a "Dear Abby" column, written by Jeanne, included this Thanksgiving Prayer written years before by her mother:
O Heavenly Father:
We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service.
That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.
This prayer parallels the clear teaching of Scripture. Our thanksgiving to God should always be accompanied by remembering those in need and giving praise to the Lord. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name." In addition, we are to remember and serve the hungry, sick, poor, friendless, and imprisoned people in our world.
We are to put actions behind our gratitude to God by serving others. Just being thankful isn't enough. We must share the blessings God has given us with others, and through this God will be pleased. Learn to be thankful for God's many blessings--no matter their significance or value--and remember to think of others who have less than you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you serve others as a way of thanking Him for His many blessings in your life. Pray that the Lord would open up opportunities for you to share and serve others.
:angel:
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." --Mark 12:28-31
A mother and daughter were spending their last moments together at the airport. As they hugged, the mother said, "I love you, and I wish you enough."
To which the daughter replied, "Mom, your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too."
As the daughter boarded the plane, the mother walked to a nearby window, ready to cry. A man noticed the woman but didn't want to intrude. Thankfully, she volunteered, "Have you ever said goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have," replied the man. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?"
The mother responded, "I'm old and she lives far away. I have challenges ahead of me and the reality is that her next trip back will be for my funeral."
The man said, "I heard you say 'I wish you enough.' What does that mean?"
Before walking away, she smiled and tearfully said, "It's a wish that has been handed down to others for generations, so that they might have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them:
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get through the final goodbye."
It has been said that it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, and an entire life to forget them. Remember the people you love and take some time today to tell them how much you care!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for loving you enough to give you salvation and for those in your life whom He has blessed you with.
:angel:
Senior Living - October 23
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." --Luke 15:22-24
On such a great day for celebration as this, every chair was filled except one—the chair next to the robe-covered prodigal. The chair belonged to the elder brother—the "good boy" who minded his own business, lived by the rules, and stayed clear of trouble. He was on his way home after a hard day of chores on the land and he was unaware that the fuss had to do with a surprise homecoming of his younger brother.
As far as the eldest figured, he didn't think he'd ever lay eyes on his brother again. In fact, that his younger brother even had the nerve to come back home brought up some deeply negative feelings. The prodigal had asked his dad for his inheritance and took off without leaving a trace!
How could his dad even consider throwing a welcome-home party for the prodigal? The eldest brother was bitter and resentful for his father's actions and for his younger brother's wasted living. In this famous Bible story of the prodigal son, there's an underlying question we can all ask: How can a blessed person become so ungrateful? The eldest brother was performance-driven, possessions-blinded, and relationally distant.
Many people often miss their share of the happiness because they haven't stopped to enjoy it. What standard do you use to determine your blessings? The younger brother learned that poverty came out of his poor decisions, but the older brother didn't take time to discover his father's heart. If we are unable to share in the joy of the Father's heart, then something is wrong. The prodigal-like people flock to Jesus because they are truly thankful for what He's given them—salvation, hope, and a future.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Stop and thank the Lord for His blessings. Pray that God would help you discover His heart for people who are in need.
:angel:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6
In her classic autobiography, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of the time she and her sister went through Nazi inspections at a death camp. They were forced to suffer the humiliation of taking off their clothes. Corrie stood in line feeling forsaken, defiled, and desperate for answers. Suddenly she remembered that when He hung on the cross, Jesus too was naked.
During that seemingly degrading moment, Corrie was struck with a great sense of awe and worship to God. In her amazement of His holiness, she leaned forward and whispered to her sister, "Betsie, they took His clothes, too."
Betsie gasped and said, "Oh, Corrie, I never thanked Him for that."
Thanksgiving does not require any re-payment, but instead requires recognition of what our Savior has already done for us. Some people are appreciative by nature and others aren't. It is the latter who especially need God's power to express thanksgiving. Thankfulness is the opposite of selfishness. The selfish person believes they deserve what comes to them, but the unselfish person realizes that everything is a gift from God.
During this season, survey your own life and make a list of things for which you are thankful. Maybe it is the small favor a friend did for you, the house you live in, a loved one who phoned to see how you are, a Bible study group you're active in, the ability to walk, or the opportunity to worship freely each week in God's house. Take some time to thank the Lord for His blessings and at least one person who has blessed your life this year.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the gift of life, salvation through Jesus Christ, His Word by which you are to live, His constant comfort and love, His provision, and the eternal life we have with Him.
:angel:
Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. --Psalm 102:1-7
For most, this time of the year is the happiest. For others, it is one of the loneliest. There are three needs of people who are disappointed by loneliness: to love others, to be loved by others, and to be understood. Many times life's circumstances cause the loneliness: someone moves, life gets busy, or death or divorce separates us.
Jesus knew loneliness when He was on earth, and He understands your loneliness today. He never married or knew the intimacy of a mate. Jesus experienced loneliness in the desert of temptation as He went head-to-head with the devil. And He was even rejected and abandoned by the people in His life that were supposed to be tried and true.
Ultimately, Christ experienced loneliness and abandonment on the cross when He cried out to His Father, "Why have You forsaken Me?" The good news is that when Jesus came, died on the cross for you, and rose again on the third day, He promised you would never be lonely again. Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).
A psalmist said, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). In Him, you can fulfill the three things everyone needs to avoid loneliness. Jesus loves you unconditionally, desires your to be loved by you, and understands what you're going through!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord that He would relieve your loneliness this season, or the lonliness of someone you love.
:angel:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6
At the end of the 17th century, August H. Francke, a German preacher, founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of the city of Halle. At one point , he desperately needed funds to carry on his work. A destitute Christian widow suddenly showed up at his door begging for a ducat--a gold coin.
He politely and regretfully told her he couldn't help because of his financial situation. The disappointed woman began to weep. Having sympathy for her, Francke asked her to wait while he went into his room to pray. After seeking God's wisdom, he felt the Holy Spirit leading him to change his mind and give her the money. Trusting the Lord to meet all his needs, he gave the widow the money.
Just two mornings later, He received a thank-you letter from her. She expressed that because of his generosity and kindness, she had been praying that the Lord would shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day, the German preacher received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady in town, and two more from a friend in Sweden. Just when he thought the abundant blessings from God had subsided, he received word that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of a nearby prince.
Francke wept in gratitude to the Lord. In sacrificially providing for the destitute widow, he had been richly blessed by God. This holiday season, give sacrificially to others who may not have much. If you can relate to the needy widow, then pray that God would provide for all your needs--all the while giving Him thanks.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to provide for your needs this season and bless the lives of those who are desperate for help. Pray that He would help you give sacrificially to others with a thankful heart.
:angel:
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" --Matthew 25:37-40
Once there were two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University. Their funds reached an all-time low, so they got the bright idea to solicit Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski, who was touring the U.S., for a piano recital. They decided they would devote the profits to their board and tuition.
The pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The fearless students worked hard to promote and stage the concert, but wound up only raising $1,600. After the concert, the two students presented the artist with their earnings along with a promissory note for $400 explaining they would earn the amount as soon as possible and send it to him.
Paderewski said, "No, I'm sorry, but that won't do." He tore the note to shreds, returned the money to them, and continued, "Take out of this $1,600 all of your expenses, keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me have the rest."
Years went by and Paderewski became the premier of Poland. As war came upon the world, Paderewski strived to feed thousands of his starving Polish countrymen. Paderewski knew there was only one man in the world that could help his people. He called upon him, and tons of food began to flow into Poland for distribution.
After the people were fed, Paderewski traveled to Paris to thank his friend, Herbert Hoover, for the relief sent. Mr. Hoover replied, "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski. Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and I was in a hole."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to give you the opportunity to serve others in need this season. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you and for taking care of all your needs.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Friday, October 30, 2009
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. --Galatians 5:22-23
Two golfers stepped to the first tee on a local golf course. The elder of the two men was kind, while the younger was prideful and impatient. On the first and second holes, the young man made bad shots and began shouting at the caddie: "Keep your eyes peeled. I'm not here to do your job!"
Every bad shot thereafter seemed to be the caddie's fault. After the first nine holes, the young man angrily discharged the caddie and carried his own bag. He said to his older companion, "I don't like him. Thank goodness he's gone!"
The older man said, "Several years ago, a kid from Yonkers, William, came here and was taken on as a caddie. He was a sweet-natured boy and everybody liked him. He had a club foot, but that didn't affect his job. A doctor and member of the club became interested in William and took him south on a long trip.
"When they returned, William went back to caddying. The doctor, however, gave up golf for health reasons and died a few months later. I later played with William one morning and he gathered flowers all along the way. I asked him, 'Who's the girl?' And he replied, 'I haven't any girl, sir. They're for my friend, the doctor. Twice a week I take flowers to his grave.' You see, the doctor took William down south to operate on his foot. He helped the boy, and William never forgot his kindness."
The younger man said, "Now that's a caddie worth having. What happened to him?"
The older man said, "He carried your bag today for the first nine holes."
This holiday and every day throughout the year, show the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life by being kind to others.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your kindness would spill over into the lives of others.
:angel:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. --1 Chronicles 16:34
A father and mother of a young man killed in the military approached the pastor of their church one day. They told him they wanted to give a monetary gift in remembrance of their son. The pastor said in response, "That's a wonderful gesture on your part. Is it alright if I share this with the congregation on Sunday?"
They agreed, and the next Sunday the pastor told the congregation of the gift given in memory of the deceased soldier. On the way home from church, another couple was driving down the highway when the man said to his wife, "Why don't we give a gift because of our son?"
His wife said, "Our son didn't die in battle! He's still alive!"
Her husband replied, "That's exactly my point! That's all the more reason we ought to give in thanks to God."
It's interesting that we most often give gifts to God in memorial rather than in appreciation. But it should be the exact opposite! We should give to the Lord consistently in our tithes and offerings from what He's blessed us with. And we should daily thank the Lord for providing our needs in both hard and plentiful times.
It's the same way in our prayer lives. We tend to pray the most when troubles come our way, not when we are being blessed. Remember to give thanks to the Lord through praise and prayer each day. And determine to give back to the Lord in obedience what He has given to you!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Give thanks to the Lord for the blessings He's given you. Pray that He would make you a faithful steward and cheerful giver.
:angel:
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. --Psalm 91:4
Sundar Singh, an Indian evangelist, wrote about a treacherous forest fire that swept through the Himalayas where he was traveling. Many men were trying their best to fight the fire, but there was one group that stood staring up at the flaming branches of one tree.
They watched as a mother bird flew frantically in circles above the treetop. She was chirping an alarm and warning to her nest full of babies. As the flames reached her nest and it began to burn, she didn't fly away. Instead she swooped down and covered her fledglings with her wings to protect them. However, in a matter of seconds she and her nestlings were consumed by the fire.
The men standing below were awe-stricken. Singh then used the opportunity to share with them: "We have witnessed a truly marvelous thing. God created that bird with such love and devotion that she gave her life trying to protect her young. ...That is the love that brought Him down from heaven to become man. That is the love that made Him suffer a painful death for our sake."
What a stirring, vivid portrayal of Christ's love for us. How often have you stood in awe and amazement as you think of the cross where Jesus gave His life for you? Where the fire of holy judgment burned down upon Him? It was on Calvary that Jesus willingly suffered, gave His life for us, and "bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness..." (1 Peter 2:24). And it is "by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for dying in your place and forgiving you of your sins. Show Him every day how grateful you are for what He did on the cross by living for him.
:angel:
Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. --Psalm 30:4
A young father sat cradling his infant born just three weeks before as a tornado ripped through Will County, Illinois. When the fierce winds had died down and peace was restored, the man's house was gone—and so was his baby. According to the news reports, however, the father discovered his child in a field near his house. Surprisingly, the baby was alive and well—and so was his family.
One reporter stopped by to cover the scene. She asked the young father if he was angry that he had lost everything he owned. The man replied, "No, I just thank God I have my baby and my family. Some people don't even have that. Nothing else is important."
Many times, it takes a tragedy to happen to remind us of what really matters in life. When things are going well for us, we can easily shift our focus to what we own. We can become obsessed and preoccupied with so many nonessential, unimportant material items—cars, houses, furniture, clothes, accessories, media equipment, and other trivialities. But when life is reduced to the essentials, our focus is brought back to the most important things and we realize that life itself is enough reason to praise God.
This season, you may not have many material items to claim for yourself, but remember what is most important. If you have your life and the lives of the people you love, what more could you ask for? Praise God for today and the people He's give you to share it with. When you think of all the "essentials" in your life, stop to thank Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for loving you, for your family and friends, and for the gift of life. Pray that He would help you live each day in light of this truth.
:angel:
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. --Psalm 107:21
While he was visiting his wife at a residence for Alzheimer's patients, retired pastor Browning Ware described what happened as he and close friends of theirs prepared to leave. He said: "We shared hugs all around and held hands in prayer. So much to be grateful for! I thanked God for family, for friends, and for His radical love that liberates us even when caught within life's clawing circumstances."
This season, as we pause to thank God for all the ways He has blessed us, it's also good to remember that our greatest gift is His unfailing love for us. So many times our thankfulness is associated with our health and financial security. We parallel God's blessings with freedom from pain, sorrow, and disappointment. But through faith, we learn that God's love for us expressed in Jesus can calm our hearts and minds even in the most trying situations.
During the reign of Darius in the Old Testament, a decree went out that anyone who prayed to any god or man during a period of 30 days, except to the king, would be thrown in the lions' den. Immediately, when the prophet Daniel heard of the decree, he "went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God..." (Daniel 6:10).
When life seems overwhelming and troubles come your way, you can cry out to the Lord. Psalm 118:28 says, "You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you." Give thanks to Him in every situation and you will find deliverance from distress. It is God's unconditional love that sets you free from life's circumstances.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His unfailing love and mercy upon you as a believer.
:angel:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. --John 14:27
All of us experience undue stress. Stress is that subtle, yet building, pressure that robs us of our well-being, peaceful state of mind, and sometimes our health. How many times have you thought to yourself, "I've got too much to do and too little time to do it!"?
Stress affects us all, although it may seem that some have developed immunity to it. In reality they have simply learned how to handle it successfully. It should be our goal to learn to control the stress we face. If we don't, then our bodies are likely to experience changes. Stress affects the brain, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, your sleep habits, your immune system, and most importantly, your spiritual life.
Everyone feels the pressures of life, whether they want to or not. But you don't have to live life as though you've been hit by an 18-wheeler when you lay your head on your pillow every night. To rid your life of stress, claim the promises of Scripture. The Bible says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
In addition, you'll want to refrain from telling yourself you shouldn't be relaxing when you finally get the chance to do so. Size down your responsibilities and just say no when you begin to feel an incredible amount of stress. Create some quiet time--possibly even in a very quiet place--to read Scripture, pray, get alone with God, and write out your feelings. And most importantly, plan some quality for yourself--alone.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are feeling extreme stress in your life, ask God to help you relieve it and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.
:angel:
Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you--better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. --Proverbs 27:10
C.S. Lewis made many friends when he was a student at Oxford University--long before he became a world famous author. Many of them became lifelong friends and authors like himself. Many times Lewis and his friends would get together to discuss and read to each other their works in progress.
As a result, the sessions strengthened their friendships and their writings as well. Nevill Coghill and Owen Barfield were part of the group. Two men were beginning to establish themselves as authors but were not nearly as profound or successful as their friend, C.S. Lewis. Lewis wrote his books more quickly than the other two and more of his works were showing up on bestseller lists in countries around the world.
Lewis' success could have meant the end of his friendships with the other two authors. But the more his books gained popularity, the more Lewis seemed to value his friends. According to Owen Barfield, not once did Lewis cause the others to feel inferior to him. He didn't allow his success to corrupt and destroy the long-standing relationships he had made years earlier.
Like Lewis, many of us would agree that friends strengthen our character, enrich our lives, and keep us grounded. Friends multiply our joy and separate our grief. But more often than not, we can't seem to find the time to sustain friendships amidst our hectic schedules and list of activities. Make time today to nurture old friendships and develop new ones. If our lives are to be fulfilled, then our friendship with others must be a priority.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would create the time and opportunities to strengthen your longstanding friendships and develop new ones.
:angel:
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. --Psalm 32:5
As a senior adult, it is easy to brood a great deal about your past and the things you did wrong in life. And it may even seem harder to rid yourself of the guilt over past sins. Rightly so, those suffering from disabling conditions or illnesses spend a lot of time recollecting the past in general.
As we age and face physical limitations, there is a natural desire to make peace with our past. You may think it is necessary for you to seek forgiveness or make amends for your misdeeds. But it's hard to simply erase those things and memories from our minds. The power of past sins overrides our attempts to distract ourselves and move on.
In this situation, you must first confess your sin or sins to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness. If you have wronged someone in the past, consider trying to reconcile with him or her. If they are unavailable or have already passed on, then put the sin to rest in your heart and mind by giving it over to the Lord.
You may not realize it, but achieved forgiveness can often be just the thing to release the guilt you've been carrying for many years. If reconciliation is impossible, then you may seek to find comfort through confessing your sins to a close friend or another believer. There is great wisdom in our Christian heritage, and when guilt is aged and imbedded deep within someone, we may not experience relief in our daily private prayers. We can find freedom in sharing our remorse with another through whom the Holy Spirit can work to heal our past wounds.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are dealing with the guilt of past sins, ask God for forgiveness.
:angel:
Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
--Hosea 10:12
There's a story about a young mother who died giving birth to her third child. No one in the family was willing to take care of the three little girls, except their great-grandmother who came forward without hesitation. When she took them into her home, she was 83 years old. By God's grace, she lived another 16 years before passing on at the age of 99—long enough to parent each of the young girls into their teenage years and early 20s.
This is an amazing and inspiring example of the reality of retirement. After retirement, there is more to life than golf, easy chairs, your favorite daily television shows, and boredom. People today are living longer than ever before and it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more people over the age of 65 than those who are under the age of 18.
Almost two million people retire every year, leaving many people free to perform acts of kindness for others. Contributing to their long lives is good health, financial stability, and life experiences. As a result, many senior adults are ready and looking for challenging and meaningful pursuits in their older age.
You may not be in a situation like the one mentioned above, but there are many things you can do as a Christian senior adult. You are called to always be a prayer warrior for the people in your life (Ephesians 6:18), and retirement provides more time for this as well as volunteering your time in your church or neighborhood. Decide that you are going to be a blessing to others who need it. When you begin to creatively use your time, God will bring blessing into your life (Hosea 10:12).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would make you a blessing in someone's life today through giving of your time, your talents, and your prayers.
:angel:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. --1 Corinthians 10:31
Most Christians are ready and willing to serve in some sort of ministry full time after retirement, using their talents and abilities to bring glory to the Lord. Usually, senior adults begin participating more in church activities, witnessing to those who don't know Christ, giving more to their favorite ministries, and helping those who are less fortunate.
It may seem as though the ways to serve the Lord are limited, but in fact during retirement God provides even more ways to serve Him. There are many ways believers can be involved in serving the Lord, if they will just look at the talents with which God has blessed them.
A good example of using a special talent is for those of you who know how to cook. It may seem ridiculous, but look at the possibilities of ministering to other people through this avenue. You can prepare food for church fundraisers, the bereaved and hurting, shut-ins, and others who are going through a difficult time in their lives. There are some church groups that sponsor an evening meal for the needy every week.
In Matthew 25:40, Christ said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Some may think that food preparation is insignificant, or that it is not as important as other ministries within the church. But in fact, it requires talent, time, dedication, and a willing servant to put in the hard work. Any task that is inspired by God is not too difficult or too trivial to perform. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to reveal to you what He would have you do for His kingdom. Don't be afraid to branch out and try whatever He lays on your heart.
:angel:
If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God. --Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Several years ago, the Houston Chronicle published a tragic story that happened at Yosemite National Park. On October 22, 1999, sixty-year-old Jan Davis and four other parachutists banded together to protest a law. The law banned the extreme sport of parachuting off the top of the 3,200-foot El Capitan. Obviously, it was too dangerous to allow.
The protest Davis and the others participated in was created to show that the jumps could be executed safely. The first three protestors completed their jumps successfully and floated safely to the ground. Davis, an experienced paratrooper with 70 similar jumps and 3,000 sky dives under her belt, was the last to go, but her parachute never opened.
Despite her experience, she didn't escape death. She didn't adhere to the warnings of the law. As Christians, we often react to the laws of God the same way these protestors approached the government's law. God set apart certain guidelines and rules in His Word to protect us and lead us in the right direction, but we consistently protest them by trying to prove we can safely navigate through life on our own.
Unfortunately for believers, it is more often than not in the midst of our protests against His law that we discover the harsh truth in a way that might have been easier. If only we would just listen to the crystal clear voice of the Holy Spirit when making decisions and taking steps through life, we could avoid potential danger. By breaking the laws of God, it is inevitable we will either cause harm or ultimately destroy ourselves in the process.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray for strength as you seek to obey God's laws. Daily put into practice the guidelines He has laid out in His Word and you'll be surprised how generously He will reward you for your obedience.
:angel:
These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD. --Zechariah 8:16-17
In September 1999, NASA experienced difficulty in communication and learned a hard lesson. The Mars Climate Orbiter had been traveling to the planet for ten months and scientists were more than excited that it was finally reaching a point that would allow it to complete its mission of being a weather satellite on Mars.
However, the $125 million project destructed just 37 miles above the Martian surface in late September. The failure occurred because of miscommunication between NASA and the Orbiter. It crashed because of a mix-up in the use of English and metric units—something relatively simple in the daily dealings of NASA.
The satellite was originally supposed to be hovering 93 miles above the surface, but the system measurements were wrong and it forced the Orbiter down to 37 miles. This one minor detail completely destroyed millions of dollars invested and years of work in completing the mission. Do you think if they had clearly spoken the truth, their mission would have been successful?
Clear communication is essential for success in business, relationships, and even a Mars satellite. In your social life, church life, or conversation with others, make it a point to speak the truth in Christ's love. In our mission as believers to show others the way to salvation, it is important that we always keep our mouths clean, hearts pure, and minds focused on what pleases the Lord. Make a choice to clearly communicate godliness, truth, and integrity to everyone who crosses your path.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you communicate His love in the appropriate manner to those who come into your life. Pray each morning before your day begins that you would speak the truth in all conversations you have with others.
:angel:
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. --Colossians 2:8-9
When the Titanic sank in April of 1912, there was a great amount of chivalry exerted despite the desperate situation. Out of honor and respect for the men who courageously declared, "Women and children first," an organization was formed called The Christian Boys' and Men's Titanic Society just a few years ago.
The men of this organization gather once a year in April for a dinner in San Antonio, Texas and in Washington, D.C. Both of these events take place on the dates of the iceberg collision and the actual sinking of the Titanic. During the dinners, men and boys are encouraged to be godly, courageous, protectors of their families, and to practice the old fashioned chivalry displayed on that tragic day when the Titanic sank.
As Christian men and women, we should join these men in reinstating the exercise of chivalry in our country. Chivalry is the medieval system, principles, and customs of knighthood. Borrowed from the French, the English word "chivalry" was first recorded at the beginning of the 14th century and is found in works as "a body of armored mounted warriors serving a lord." The qualities found in a knight would have been bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry.
As believers in Christ, we must not fall to the deception of our culture that chivalry is completely dead. We are warriors for Christ in this battered world and our primary duty is to serve the Lord. Today, begin practicing the system of kindness toward those you come in contact with, godliness to those around you who are non-believers, and an upright witness to the world for the glory of Christ who lives within us.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to instill in your heart the age-old idea of chivalry so that you may be a witness for Him and bring Him honor.
:angel:
And he [the LORD] passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. --Exodus 34:6-7
There was a pastor who experienced one of the most unusual reactions from a church member during the benediction of the service one Sunday morning. A lady who was sitting on the back row pulled a gun on the pastor during the closing prayer claiming he hadn't preached from the book of Revelation that morning like she needed.
The older lady said that a sermon from the eschatological book was very important in the feud she was having with another church member. This story is true, and happened only a few years ago.
Anger is not a sin, when managed correctly and in the way God intends. Even Jesus became angry when he entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there (Matthew 21:12). But, He had good reason, for what the moneychangers were doing was dishonoring to the Lord (Matthew 21:13).
God doesn't say, "Thou shall NOT be angry." He created the emotion. But, anger is one of the most intense emotions a person can have, and it is one of those that can easily fly out of control. Poorly managed, it can lead to irrational decisions and actions, and even hurt those you love.
Ask yourself, "When I get angry—do I act positively or react negatively?" If you react, then there is a problem in your control of the emotion. We are to become angry, managed in a healthy way, when we see things that are displeasing to the Lord. When you see your anger begin to turn to destruction—stop! Give it to Jesus and learn to handle it in a way that is pleasing to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you keep your anger controlled and positive, seeking only to honor Him in all that you do.
:angel:
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. --1 Peter 5:6-7
In the book, A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen use an illustration to talk about answered prayer.
The story goes that Pastor John Ramsey was used to receiving a rose boutonniere to wear on his jacket each Sunday. After services one day, a little boy came up to him and asked if he could have the rose he was wearing.
Ramsey knew it would go in the trash when he got home, so he gladly offered it to the boy and asked why he wanted it.
The boy replied, "I'm going to give it to my granny. My parents divorced last year. I was living with my mom, but she got married again and wanted me to live with my dad. I lived with him for a while, but he said I couldn't stay, so he sent me to live with my grandmother. She is so good to me--she cooks, takes care of me, and loves me--so I want to give her the rose."
Pastor Ramsey stood staring at the boy with tears in his eyes. He pointed to the large vase full of fresh flowers sitting at the altar and said, "Take those to your granny because she deserves the very best. That little flower isn't enough."
The boy's eyes lit up and he shouted, "What a good day! I asked for one flower, but got a beautiful bouquet instead!"
When we come to God with our prayers, we aren't much different than the pastor and boy in this illustration. Oftentimes, we don't notice that when we bring our pain or hurt to the Lord seeking a small remedy, He points us to a greater solution and comfort and asks us to take that instead.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the answered prayer that you so often take for granted.
:angel:
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. --Psalm 71:18
Old age is one of the most rewarding periods of life. And more so for those who have found the absolute joy in a loving and personal relationship with the Father through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The "sunset years" can better be known as the "golden years."
In his book, The Best is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville wrote:
"I feel so sorry for folks who don't like to grow old...I revel in my years. They enrich me...I would not exchange...the abiding rest of soul, the measure of wisdom I have gained from the sweet and bitter and perplexing experiences of life; nor the confirmed faith I now have in the...love of God, for all the bright and uncertain hopes and tumultuous joys of youth. These are the best years of my life...The way grows brighter; the birds sing sweeter; the winds blow softer; the sun shines more radiantly than ever before. I suppose 'my outward man' is perishing, but 'my inward man' is being joyously renewed day by day."
The strength and beauty of youth is meant to be more physical and is temporal. But, God determined the strength and beauty of growing in age to be spiritual and to last for eternity.
In Joshua 14, we see that Caleb inherited the land of Hebron because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly. "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out" (Joshua 14:10-11).
God gives strength spiritually to those who wholeheartedly follow after Him. Make a commitment today to enjoy the "golden years" of your life and the days God has given you, so that you can make a dramatic difference in this generation for Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you make the most of your days for His glory.
:angel:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. --Galatians 2:20
Albert Einstein, the great physicist, was traveling from Princeton on a train, when the conductor came down the aisle punching the tickets of each passenger. Once he came to Einstein, the scientist reached in his own pocket to find his ticket, but nothing was there.
He searched in the seats around him, on the floor, in his briefcase, and in every one of his pockets, but couldn't find it.
The conductor responded, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it."
Einstein nodded, and as the conductor continued to make his way down the aisle, he looked back to find the physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat.
Of course, the conductor ran back and said, "Dr. Einstein, don't worry. I know who you are. It's no problem. You don't need to show your ticket. I'm sure you bought one."
Einstein looked at him knowingly and said, "Sir, I too know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going."
Do you know for sure where you are headed? Have you made every effort to know where those you love including family, friends, and acquaintances, are going after this life? If you think they might not be with you in heaven one day, begin by sharing the Gospel of Christ with them. When you leave this earth, it's not as important that others know who you were as an individual, but rather who Christ was in you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to point you to those in your life who need to know about Him. Pray that Christ would help you live your life so that others can remember you after you are gone as "the one who lived every day for Jesus."
:angel:
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. --Psalm 30:12
There was once a talented young man who needed one more course to graduate college, so he relentlessly pursued his professor in hopes that he would grant him an independent study course in writing. The student expressed that he would be eternally grateful if the professor would just follow through with this one request — even though it involved extra work on the teacher's part.
Finally, the college dean agreed to the idea, but it proved to be a headache for the professor. The student skipped appointments, missed deadlines, and rejected the professor's evaluations of his writing. The young man even turned in the last assignment just hours before graduation. After all the strings that were pulled for him, you'd think the student would have been a little more grateful to the professor. But he never expressed one word of thanks!
Most of us don't ever want to be that kind of selfish, ungrateful person. Instead, it should be our goal to follow after the example of David. When David was caught up in trouble, he called out to the Lord for help (see Psalm 28:1-2). And after God delivered him from those trying times, David gave Him the thanks He deserved (see Psalm 28:6-7). In fact, all throughout the book of Psalms, David's heart and attitude of gratitude is very evident.
Do you have an ungrateful response to the Lord's graciousness? Do you beg for mercy and deliverance, only to forget what the Lord did for you once you're free from tribulation? Or do you strive to be like David who unceasingly expressed his thanks to God for His goodness?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you if there is someone whose kindness you've taken for granted. Pray that the Lord would reveal to you how you can show that person gratitude today. And thank God for His goodness and mercy.
:angel:
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. --Matthew 5:12
Are you ever like the child who at the end of the day kneels by his bedside and prays, "God, thank you for not letting Mom find the candy wrappers in my pocket. And I'm glad I was able to have all the chocolate I could eat at Johnny's house today. Oh, and I can't forget to thank you for not letting Dad miss the nails I took from his workbench. Amen..."?
This attitude can characterize us as Christians sometimes. In Matthew 5:12, the Lord challenges us to look toward our hope and reward in heaven. Instead of putting emphasis on material wealth, social status, or success, Christ tells us that genuine happiness, contentment, and prosperity begin first in the heart.
There are several ways we can say "thank you" to the Lord in a meaningful and sincere way. Thank Him for the difficulties in life that have caused you to recognize your spiritual needs, to mourn over sin, and to submit to His authority. Thank Him for the joys and sorrows that have encouraged you to hunger and thirst after righteousness, to have compassion and mercy on others, to be pure in heart and holy in your lifestyle, and to be a peacemaker. Thank Him for all the things that have helped you to develop a willingness to follow His plan for your well-being.
This is God's idea and plan for true thanksgiving.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you learn what being thankful is truly about. Ask Him to develop an attitude of gratitude in your heart 365 days a year. And pray that He would help you to realize that Thanksgiving is not just a day, but a way of life.
:angel:
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. --James 5:16
Annette Cole, writer in residence at Western Baptist College, told of her daughter in a recent article. She bought a ring with a cross and rose on it over ten years ago to give to her daughter who had denounced her faith and rushed in to sin.
The Bible asks, "What fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
So, how do believing parents have healthy relationships with their unsaved family members? No parent can possibly blame themselves for the incredible hurt and pain a loved one must go through because of their sin.
Accepting the fact that your relationship will be shallow with someone you love who is lost is difficult. Our lives may be the only Bible they ever read. From our actions may come the only way people will ever see Jesus Christ. Finally, out of our mouths may come the only kind and loving words they will truly ever hear.
As Christians, we want to constantly quote Scripture or share godly wisdom with those who are lost, but they've probably heard it numerous times. The most you can do is to commit them to the Lord and pray daily for them. Do not let their sinful lifestyle invade your life and home, though. Instead, continue to love and pray for them, and offer a listening ear when needed.
A wrong word or action may seem like it can break a fragile relationship with one who does not want to associate with you and God's way of living. But, do not cease communication. Be the example of God's love and grace in their lives that will set the example.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God's will be done in your relationship with the loved ones in your life who don't know Him. Ask Him each and every day to bring them back safely into His arms.
:angel:
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. --1 John 4:4
There is a story of one Christian man, a deacon and very involved in his church, who was sitting in traffic and late for work. His car was plastered with bumper stickers that read, "Honk if you love Jesus!" and "Jesus is my hero!"
He had already sat through three red lights, and the lady in front of him was talking on her cell phone and trying to apply mascara all at the same time. When the light turned green, she wasn't paying attention, and continued to sit at a stand still, holding up traffic.
The man began honking, shouting from inside his car, and shaking his fists at the lady to move on. Finally, after traffic began to creep forward, the man noticed red and blue flashing lights behind him. As he pulled over and rolled down his window to greet the officer, he said, "What did I do wrong? I'm late for work, and you're holding me up!"
The officer responded, "Sir, is this your car?"
The puzzled man growled back, "Yes! Who else do you think it belongs to?"
The policeman replied, "Well, when I saw the bumper stickers on the back of your car and the way you were acting back there, I thought the car must be stolen!"
It's easy for us to become frustrated and impatient with the world. But, many of us often come too close to tarnishing our witness for Jesus because of our words and deeds. Decide to put on the full armor of God each morning in prayer and God's Word, so others will see Jesus in you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help make you a shining witness of His love, kindness, and gentle spirit each day as you interact with those who don't know Him.
:angel:
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. --Matthew 5:23-24
On a television magazine show not too long ago, there was an incredible story of forgiveness. A family of six was camping out, sleeping in tents in a public park. In the middle of the night, a man cut a hole in the tent and carried away their 7-year-old daughter.
Immediately, the mother began to pray for the kidnapper and made a commitment to forgive. A year later he called and the family learned what the mother knew in her heart all along—the child was dead.
The mother said, "Forgiveness is hard work, but it is the only thing that will set you free."
Unwillingness to forgive allows bitterness to creep in to our hearts and plant roots. Hebrews 12:15 says, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Bitterness can spread to those around us, and if it is left to harden in the heart, it is almost seemingly impossible to remove. Scripture is clear about wiping away the offenses in our life, and doing it quickly.
If you feel like someone owes you something or if there is something standing in the way of you not thanking God every day for the blessings you have, bitterness can begin to set in. All you need is a few cleaning tools to scrub away the stains of bitterness—compassion and forgiveness.
If you harbor bitter feelings toward someone in your life—a family member, a church leader, or a friend—then immediately approach that person and learn to forgive them. Make a commitment, today, to begin the spring spiritual cleaning in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to daily clean out the grime of bitterness in your heart in order that you may reflect an accurate image of Christ to those around you.
:angel:
...God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5
Timothy Blackburn, author of The History of the Future: A Commentary on Revelation and Matthew 24, told the story of when he was a young child falling asleep in the car on the way home from church.
Blackburn said that he would sleep in the back of his family's 1959 Chevrolet, as they traveled many miles from the church where his dad served as pastor. He remembers sometimes waking just enough to feel his dad gently pick him up and carry him to his bed. Other times, he would actually be awake, but would pretend to sleep so he could get a free lift. And occasionally, he wouldn't wake at all until the next day, discovering that he'd been carefully tucked in his bed.
He said: "He cradled my head in his arm to support it. What a comforting feeling that was! I felt secure and protected; there were no worries. The problems of the day didn't matter. I knew my dad was protecting me at that moment. I did not worry about school the next day—I was in my father's arms."
At any age, we want to feel safe. And thankfully, we have a heavenly Father to comfort us. Through each step we take in life, He gently guides and directs us, even carrying us along some of the way. We are safe and sound in His arms, and no one can snatch us out of His hands (John 10:27-30).
Even as senior adults, we are never walking alone, and God is the first to rescue us when our hearts are broken and we don't know where to turn. What a loving Father we have!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for carrying you when times were rough in the past and ask Him to help you feel safe and secure in the days ahead.
:angel:
Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. --1 John 2:6
The "mother" of the Salvation Army was Catherine Booth. Campbell Morgan said, "Wherever Catherine Booth went, humanity went to hear her. Princes and peeresses merged with paupers and prostitutes."
One particular night, Mrs. Booth and Mr. Morgan happened to be in the same meeting. A large crowd of "publicans and sinners" was also there. Many came to Christ that night because of her message. After the meeting, Booth and Morgan went to a glamorous home to be entertained. The lady of the manor said, "Mrs. Booth, that meeting was dreadful, wasn't it?"
Mrs. Booth replied, "What do you mean?"
The lady responded, "When you were speaking, I was looking at those people opposite of me. Their faces were so terrible, many of them. I don't think I shall sleep tonight!"
Mrs. Booth asked, "Don't you know them?"
The hostess replied, "Certainly not!"
Mrs. Booth said, "Well that's interesting...I didn't bring them with me from London; they are your neighbors!"
In Matthew 19:19, Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This New Testament command originated in the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself." God gave these instructions to show His people how they were to treat others and live in a community of peace with one another.
It may be hard to love some people—even those who may be in your church circle of friends—but we love the Lord by showing our love to others. When we love others with God's love, even the unlovable, He's able to transform lives and hearts.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you love others just as He would. Thank God for His abounding love for you, so that you may share it with others.
:angel:
do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. --Romans 7:15-18
There's a story of a wealthy man who went duck hunting with his hired help. They traveled in a horse and carriage, and along their way a rim came off one of the wheels. As the hired hand hammered it back on, he accidentally hit his finger. With that, he let go with a few bad words, but then quickly fell to his knees asking God's forgiveness.
The man prayed, "Lord, it's so difficult at times to live the Christian life."
The man's boss responded to his prayer, "I know you're a Christian, but tell me why you struggle. I'm an atheist and I don't have problems like that."
The employee didn't know what to say. All of a sudden, two ducks flew overhead. The wealthy man raised his gun and two shots rang out in the air. He shouted to his hired help, "Leave the dead one and go after that wounded bird!"
His employee pointed at the duck that was fluttering and struggling desperately to escape and said, "Boss, I've got an answer for you now. You said that my Christianity isn't any good because I have to struggle. I'm like that wounded duck struggling to get away from the devil. But, you're the dead duck, Boss!"
The Apostle Paul struggled just as we do in the Christian life. Battling the devil in this spiritual war is merely evidence of God working in your life. As a child of God, you've been forgiven of your sin, so Satan has to work even harder to get you to fail. But don't despair because God has empowered you with the Holy Spirit so that you may have victory over sin through salvation in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your heart would be set on Jesus and that the struggle in your life would drive you to your knees in prayer to Him.
:angel:
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. --Psalm 119:11
Noted Bible teacher E. Schuyler English told about a Bible distributor, Michael Billester, who visited a small town in Poland shortly before Word War II. Billester gave a Bible to a villager, who was converted after reading it. The new believer then passed the book on to others. This cycle of conversions and sharing of faith continued until 200 people had become believers through that one Bible!
When Billester returned to Poland in 1940, this group of Christians met together for a worship service where he was to preach the Word of God. It was usually his custom to ask for testimonies, but this time Billester suggested that several in the congregation stand and recite verses of Scripture.
One man stood and said, "Perhaps we have misunderstood your request. Do you mean verses or chapters?"
These Polish villagers had not memorized a few select verses of the Bible, but instead whole chapters and books. Thirteen people knew Matthew, Luke, and half of Genesis. And another person had committed the entire book of Psalms to memory. That single copy of the Bible given by Billester to the one new believer had certainly done its work.
In this story, transformed lives bore witness to the power of the Word of God. Are you passionate about learning and memorizing God's Word? Are you sharing what you know with those who do not know Jesus? 1 John 2:5 says, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him." Determine today to hide the Word of God in your heart and pass along its truth to those you come in contact with each day.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open your heart to His Word so that you can hold tightly to its truth. Pray that He would give you opportunities to share the Bible with others.
:angel: :) :angel:
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. --John 1:14
One of the great monarchs of Persia was known well as a champion of the common people. To relate to their needs and problems, he would mingle with them in various disguises.
On one particular occasion, he went as a poor citizen to the public baths. In a tiny cellar, he sat down beside the man who tended the furnace. He talked to the lonely man, and at dinnertime he ate some of his plain food. In the weeks that followed, the monarch visited the poor citizen and grew to love him dearly.
One day, the shah revealed his true identity to the man. He expected to hear a request for some expensive gift or money, but instead the poor man simply sat in silence, gazing at the monarch in awe and astonishment.
After a long period of silence, the poor man finally said respectfully, "You left your palace to sit with me in this dark place, to eat of my coarse bread, and to care whether my heart is glad or sad. You may give rich presents to others, but you have given yourself to me. Please, Your Majesty, never withdraw the priceless gift of your friendship."
You can rejoice that God came to earth as man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and was resurrected three days later so that you could have salvation and forgiveness through Him and a personal relationship with Him. Are you walking with Him daily? Are you completely sold out in your relationship with Him? Jesus broke down the wall of sin that divided you and God, so that you may have the priceless gift of His friendship and love.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His sacrifice upon the cross. Pray that your relationship with Him would flourish into an intimate friendship and love relationship.
:) :angel: :) :angel:
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5
There is a story of a rich industrialist who walked past a fisherman one day. He was irritated to find the man sitting lazily beside his boat instead of out at sea. The rich man asked, "Why aren't you out there fishing?"
The fisherman replied, "Because I've caught enough fish for today."
The rich man asked, "Why don't you catch more fish than you need? There's still more work to be done."
The fisherman responded with, "What would I do with them once I caught them?"
"You could buy a better boat so you could go deeper into the sea and catch more fish," the rich man impatiently replied. "You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make even more money. Eventually, you'd have a fleet of boats, people to do the work for you, and be rich like me."
After quietly contemplating, the fisherman asked, "Then what would I do?"
"You could sit down and enjoy life like I am," the industrialist said.
Looking placidly out to sea, the fisherman replied, "What do you think I'm doing now?"
The Apostle Paul said to the church in Philippi, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13).
Whatever situations come your way—good or bad—find your strength in the Lord and learn to rely on Him for provision. It's often hard to have faith that He will provide in times of need, but rejoice in what He has given you thus far in your current situation, and trust completely in His timing.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make you content in life whatever circumstances come your way.
:angel: :angel: ;) :angel: :angel:
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. --2 Corinthians 5:6-8
In his book, The Best Is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of an elderly woman who lived in southwest Scotland. She wanted very much to see the city of Edinburgh, but was afraid to take the train because it had to go through a long tunnel to get there.
Things came up and she was forced to travel to Scotland's capital. Filled with fear and anxiety, the trip began and she became more anxious as the train sped along the tracks. Before the train reached the long tunnel, the older woman, exhausted with worry, fell fast asleep. When she awoke, she was already in the city.
Of this story, Durbanville commented, "It is even so with the dying saint. He closes his eyes on earth, passes into what he thinks of as the tunnel of death, and opens them immediately in the celestial land."
Your earthly body is nothing more than a temporary home. Moving day is coming for everyone. You'll never know when the moving truck will pull up to your "house," with its crumbling foundation, failed heating system, and cracked windows, load up what's left inside, and take it away to your new home.
The Scripture says, "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:14). As moving day approaches, it is important to realize in this analogy that death for the believer is not a dreaded parting—it is a glorious homecoming.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you peace as you prepare to leave your earthly home. Thank God for the upcoming homecoming reunion that will take place when you are reunited with the ones you love and most importantly—the Lord Jesus Christ. :angel:
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. --Luke 2:11
When Pope Julius I declared December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today? And when Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in American in 1832, who would have ever thought that decorations would become as glamorous as they are today?
Even before these two events that shaped what Christmas means today for most, there was a bright, special star that lit the dark night thousands of years ago letting the world know that Jesus the King was born. Usually, we don't celebrate historical figures as children, but in the case of Christ, it is appropriate.
When Christ was born, shepherds came to honor Him, wise men from the East brought Him gifts, and the earth rejoiced at His birth. These people who came to worship Him had no idea what Christ would accomplish as an adult. But they were right in traveling to worship the King because His birth was the most remarkable event in human history. Wise men and women today worship not only the Child of Bethlehem, but the Christ of Calvary.
As we approach the holiday season again, we are faced with yet another opportunity to pause in the midst of all the excitement, decorations, and commercialization, to consider again the origin of Christmas--the One whose birth we celebrate. Let's not forget the true meaning of why we celebrate during this time of year. Celebrate the baby Jesus and trust Him as Savior today.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending His Son that glorious night to be born of a virgin, live a perfect life, die on the cross for your sins, and rise from the dead three days later to give you eternal life through Him.
:angel:
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." --Luke 2:13-14
In the year 1809, the international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria and blood was flowing freely. Nobody was thinking about babies, but rather people were concerned with the wars and tyranny that existed. However, the world was overlooking some very significant births during that time.
That year many notable people were born: William Gladstone, destined to become one of England's finest statesmen; Alfred Tennyson, born to an obscure minister and his wife, greatly affect the world of literacy; Oliver Wendell Holmes, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Edgar Allan Poe, who began his eventful, yet tragic, life in Boston; Charles Robert Darwin, born to a physician and his wife; and Abraham Lincoln, born in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.
If journalism and news broadcasts had existed in 1809, these words might have been heard: "The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today." But in reality, history was being shaped in the cradles of Europe and America. Similarly when Jesus was born, taxation was the big news. But a young Jewish virgin woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior.
Even today, sometimes the biggest news is the latest product to buy at Christmas, the best vacation spot during the holidays, or the idolizing of icons that have become great symbols over the years during the season. You must remember that the greatest news of all was the birth of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection years later. Jesus is the greatest news you could share with anyone this season.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the chance to share the Good News of His Son this season with friends, family, and acquaintances who don't know Him as their Savior.
:angel: :angel: :) :angel: :angel:
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. --1 Timothy 1:15
On the museum wall of the concentration camp at Dachau is a large and moving photograph of a mother and her little girl standing in line for the gas chamber. The child, who is walking in front of her mother, does not know where she's going. The mother, following behind, looks knowingly but is helpless to stop the tragedy.
In her helplessness, she performs the only act of love left to her. She places her hands over the child's eyes so she will at least not see the horror to come. When people come to the museum, most don't whisk by this photo hurriedly. Instead, they pause and almost feel the pain. Deep inside, they say to themselves, "O God, don't let that be all there is."
Hopelessness and helplessness are all that remain. God provided a way out by sending His Son to earth as a child so that He could one day save the sins of mankind through Christ's shed blood on the cross. The apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."
If our greatest need had been information, then God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, then God would have sent us a scientist or engineer. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist or financial advisor. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But instead of all of these things, God knew our greatest need was forgiveness, so He sent us a Savior.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending Jesus to save you from helplessness and hopelessness in this life. Praise Him for giving you joy and peace that passes all understanding.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009 Email Facebook Twitter Print
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. --John 3:16-18
Paul Harvey once told the story of a family who kept the same tradition each Christmas Eve--the mother and children would go to the church service, and the father would stay home to read the paper. When the family returned home from church, they would all gather to open their presents.
The father no longer believed in the stories of God coming as a baby in a manger. As the family left for church one particular Christmas, the father opened the evening paper and settled in by the fireplace. Suddenly, he heard tapping on the window. A bird kept flying against the glass trying to get out of the snow and into the warmth of his home .
Feeling sorry for the bird, the man went outside hoping to bring it in. When he got closer to the scared creature, it flew against the window even harder. The more the man tried to capture the bird, the more it continued to fly into window. He yelled out in frustration, "Stupid bird! Can't you understand that I'm trying to help? If only you understood, you wouldn't fly away. If only I could become a bird, and get you to understand."
Just then the church bells rang, and the father fell to his knees, began crying, and said, "Oh God, I didn't understand."
God's Son came in human form that we might understand from where we came, for what reason we were separated, and how we can be restored to God. Christmas isn't about empty promises of material gifts, holiday icons, or seasonal sights and sounds. It is about a fulfilled promise of a restored relationship between God and humankind.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith in Him, forgive you of your sins, restore you to a right relationship with Him, and give you joy this season.
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Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:11-13
Most people think of St. Nick as a jolly, bearded man who rides around in a sleigh delivering gifts to all good boys and girls. But, he is more than just a children's Christmas legend—he was a genuine man of God. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in Patara about 270 A.D., and was still very young when they died and left him a fortune. However, he was a humble young man and secretly gave of his wealth to the poor.
Nicholas eventually forsook his wealth to answer the call to ministry, and was soon chosen as bishop of Myra. He was destined to lead the church through the worst tribulation in history. In 303 A.D., during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, Christians were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods. But Nicholas and thousands more refused to denounce that Jesus Christ is Lord, so they were dragged to prison where they were savagely tortured, beaten senseless, or brutally murdered.
However, their persecution couldn't stamp out Christianity. Instead it spread. After years of imprisonment, they were freed by decree of the new Emperor Constantine. Saint Nicholas was welcomed into his city once again by the people. Although the bishop was beaten, he was not broken. Through the prayers and witness of this faithful soldier, many found salvation in Jesus.
St. Nick's fame still carries faint reminders of this ancient man of God—the red color of his bishop's robes, his lectures to children about good behavior, and his secret gifts of food and money to those in need. Yet if he were alive today, this saint would humbly deflect attention from himself as he did centuries ago, and point people to his Master. Shouldn't you do the same this holiday season?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you point others to Him. Pray that your faith would be unshakable and that you would relentlessly pursue and confess Christ at all costs.
:angel: :D :angel:
Thursday, December 17, 2009 Email Facebook Twitter Print
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." --Luke 2:25-32
Just as Simeon was lingering and waiting for the first appearance of the Messiah more than two thousand years ago—we too linger and wait for the second coming of Jesus today.
The Lord whom we exalt at Christmas is not just a baby in a manger or a character in a child's storybook. He is far more. The first time He came, He was veiled in the form of a child. The next time He comes, which will be soon, He will come as the Risen Messiah and Savior of the world. And it will be made known to the entire world who He truly is.
The first time He came, a star marked His arrival. The next time He comes, the clouds will roll up like a scroll, the stars will fall out of the sky, and He Himself will light the heavens. The first time He came, wise men and shepherds brought Him gifts. The second time He comes, He will bring rewards for His own.
The first time He came, there was no room for Him at the inn. The next time He comes, the whole world will not be able to contain His glory. The first time He came, only a few were there to welcome Him into the world. The next time He comes, every eye shall see Him, every knee shall bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The first time He came as a baby, but soon He will come as Sovereign King and Lord. Are you ready for Him to come again?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would prepare your heart and mind for His second coming. Ask the Lord to bring to mind those in your life who need to know Him personally as Lord and Savior, and make an effort to share Christ with them today.
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A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? --Proverbs 18:14
During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.
The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn't be coming home for Christmas...ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, "Mother, what have you done?"
Her mother replied, "You're so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas."
The new widow said, "Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these."
Many people have overwhelming problems which make it hard to get excited about the holidays whether they be financial difficulties, physical ailments, loneliness, or emotional pain from the loss of a loved one. Christmas is certainly not about the presents, lights, and decorations, but it is surely a time when we can lean on the goodness of God and rejoice in Christ's birth.
Try serving someone else this season and God will bless you (see Acts 20:35). Jesus came to this earth to serve others and to give His life for you (see Mark 10:45). Among all of the other difficulties this time of year, that is reason to celebrate!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Amidst difficulties this season, praise God and thank Him for His many blessings and salvation.[/color]
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The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." --Luke 1:28-31
One Baltimore church congregation found the answer to their financial difficulties hanging on the wall of their church building. It had been "hiding" there for more than 25 years, but someone finally recognized the valuable piece of art hanging on a wall in the chapel. It was a valuable woodblock print by Albrecht Durer, dated back to 1493, depicting the angel of the Lord telling Mary she would give birth to God's Son.
Some of the church members couldn't believe they had been unaware of the old masterpiece and its tremendous value. They asked, "If it were real, why would it be here?"
What about you? Are you overlooking the value of the same event pictured on that woodblock print? Jesus isn't hiding. The fact that He came to earth in human form is clearly announced in the Bible. It is reflected in art, our hymnbooks, and the written works of saints and scholars. Yet we still neglect the significance of Christ's birth.
This season, determine that you are not going to get so wrapped up in activities and programs-- such as shopping, parties, cooking, and more-- that you miss the valuable worth of knowing exactly who that Baby was and sharing the story with those in your life. Let's not miss out on the genuine worship of Jesus during this season. Take some time to go before Him in prayer and worship singing songs of praise. He came to save us from our sins and give us eternal life—that is reason to give Him the worship He deserves!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you avoid getting wrapped up in unnecessary activities this season that will take away from praising Him. Give glory to Jesus for being your "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
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Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." --Matthew 1:19-20
Joseph was a young, Middle-Easterner who was looking forward to the day when he and his betrothed, Mary, could live as husband and wife. It didn't matter much that he was poor because the two of them shared a deep love for each other and an undying devotion to God. Joseph was perfectly content with spending his days making wood products for the people of his village.
But there came a day when devastating news shattered his future—Mary was pregnant. He knew he wasn't the father, but considering how things were handled in his day, he handled the situation gallantly. He never deserted her because he knew that she faced a prospect worse than his own embarrassment—public humiliation and disgrace.
As a result, Joseph devised a plan to deal with the issue privately. He decided to end things with her quietly. But before he could put his plan into action, a messenger from the Lord told him this baby in her womb wasn't bad news. In fact, it would bring forth the best news the world had ever known. His betrothed would give birth to the Messiah—the "child through the Holy Spirit" (v. 18).
The angel instructed Joseph to go ahead with his marriage to Mary and call the baby "Jesus." And that's exactly what he did. He followed the Lord's command with no questions asked and therefore, Joseph became a real man of God. He was fair, devoted, compassionate, and obedient to the Lord. No matter your age, you can find an example of a man of God in Joseph the carpenter.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to build in you the character, love, faithfulness, and devotion that Joseph displayed in his life. Pray that when circumstances come your way, you will handle the situation gallantly and justly.
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Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. --Luke 1:35-39
Imagine this—a young girl, betrothed to a reputable man, finds herself pregnant and the father is not her beloved. Two thousand years ago, this potential scandal could have cost her a reputation and maybe even her life. However, Mary was called out by the Lord. Probably no older than 15 years of age, she certainly had no job and no intentions of becoming a mother just yet. But God entrusted her with a great responsibility.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to her and assigned her this task, she didn't respond as most would by saying, "But I can't take on that responsibility, Lord. I am about to get married. I just want to enjoy time with my husband right now. Please pass this assignment off to someone else! I don't want you to call me to do this!"
No, instead Mary willingly obeyed the Lord and submitted to His will for her life. Many people confuse Mary's status—some put her on the same pedestal as Jesus and some even worship her as they would the Lord. But Mary was simply the woman God called to bear the Messiah and the woman who was willing to carry out the task He laid before her.
As believers, we must learn the meaning of surrender. When God places a call on your life, there is no room for questions or hesitation. Is God calling you to some specific task? Are you willing to surrender all to obey Him? You must simply say, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Take with you the very valuable lessons of surrender, compassion, obedience, and love displayed in the Christmas story.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you His will for your life, and pray that He would help you to be a man or woman that is completely surrendered and obedient to Him.
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Thursday, December 24, 2009
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. --Matthew 16:27
A little girl needed an operation and was terrified of the thought. Her parents promised to give her something she had wanted for a long time as encouragement—her very own kitten. The operation was a success, but as the anesthesia wore off, the little girl mumbled, "This sure is a lousy way to get a cat!"
Believers who go through hardships while serving the Lord will never feel the way that little girl did when they look back on the trials they overcame. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." It's true—when you live a lifestyle of holiness, you will be mocked and perhaps even cursed.
However, Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). As a result of our faithfulness to follow Christ at all costs, Christ assured us that when He returns to earth, "he will reward each person according to what he has done" (Matthew 16:27).
The apostle Paul said to "consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2) because "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). You should rejoice in the fact that we "participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:13).
When you endure hardships and trials in this life, count it a privilege and blessing to be identified with the Savior. Suffering for Him will bring a sure and eternal reward free of any regrets.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to give you joy when you suffer through hardships in the Christian life.
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My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle... --Job 7:6
Where are we going so fast? Scientific measurements indicate that we are moving even when we are standing still. Continental land masses sit on enormous slabs of rock that slide very slowly at the rate of 1 to 8 inches per year. In addition, America is gradually moving westward, away from Europe, at the rate of 3 inches per year.
Consider this: our Milky Way galaxy is hurtling through space at 375 miles per second or 1.3 million miles per hour. And within our own galaxy, the sun and its solar system are zooming along at 12.4 miles per second toward the star Vega in the constellation Lyra.
If you were to lie on your back in a quiet park on a cloudless day, you may feel as though all time and movement have stopped under the warm rays of the sun. And when you're walking down the street, you don't notice the earth spinning beneath your feet. But the scientist and the Christian know otherwise. Just as we are hurtling through the heavens at unimaginable speeds according to science, so too are we moving from here to eternity.
Our days and opportunities to live for the Lord and share Him with others pass so quickly that we cannot afford to waste any more time. It is important that we remember our days are numbered and life is but "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Time is God's gift to you, so worship Him, live for Him, and bring others to the saving knowledge of His grace and forgiveness in the days you have left. Live dynamically for Christ today because tomorrow may not come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you live without desperation or futility as you travel quickly from your earthly home to your heavenly home.
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Monday, December 28, 2009
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. --1 John 4:11-12
Space shuttles are propelled out of the earth's atmosphere by a fuel mixture producing millions of pounds of thrust and exertion. Indianapolis race cars travel at speeds averaging more than 200 mph, and they are powered by a highly volatile fuel concoction. So, what fuels you as a believer in Jesus Christ?
The indwelling Holy Spirit motivates you to perform Christ-like deeds of compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and self-sacrifice. The apostle John wrote, "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:12-13).
It's like the mother who asked her young son to clean her shoes. He worked on them diligently until they were spotless, shiny, and scuff-free. To show her appreciation for his hard work, she gave him a dollar. As she went to put her shoes on, she felt something wadded up in the toe of one. It was her dollar and attached to it was a note that read, "Here's yur doller, mom. I done it fer luv."
Fueled and motivated by the Holy Spirit living in you, you too can serve others in the love of Christ. The Scripture says, "We love because he first loved us. ...And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:19, 21). This coming year, be motivated to serve others and give of yourself to them as Christ did for you on the cross so long ago.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to move your heart and feet in service for Him. Pray that He would empower you with the sacrificial love of Christ, so that you may bless someone's life by your service to them.
:angel:
December 29, 2009 Email Facebook Twitter Print
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. --Philippians 3:14, 17
The 16th-century Venetian artist, Titian, portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads in his painting, "An Allegory of Prudence." One head featured a youth facing the future, another represented a mature man eyeing the present, and the last head portrayed a wise old man gazing back at the past.
Over their heads, Titian wrote a Latin phrase that translates, "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future." Oftentimes our past failures and fear of repeating them again torment us. But we need to remember the kind of wisdom Titian displayed in his painting, so we can avoid the kind of anxiety that keeps us from enjoying life to the fullest right now.
The apostle Paul was able to forget his past and look forward to his future. He said, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I d forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).
While his memory wasn't completely erased of past faults, he knew that God had forgiven him and he was free from any guilt or pride that had been bottled up inside. As you live in daily fellowship with the Lord, trials only make you more like the Savior. Don't let your past cloud your present and future. Determine this year to have one driving passion—to know Christ more intimately than ever before.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray and rededicate your life to Christ following Paul's example. Ask Jesus to enable you to live fully in the present, gain wisdom from the past, and face the future with courage.
:angel:
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. --Joshua 1:9
Each year at this time, thousands of them stand in the cold in Times Square, New York. No big event beckons them. No ballgame is being played. No rock concert is getting underway. It's simply a huge, lighted ball that drops from a tall building. And within a few seconds, hardly worth fighting traffic and crowd pushing for, it descends marking a new year.
Why has this nonevent turned into a huge, money-making holiday? Most other holidays celebrate a reputable person, famous birthdays, document signings, or a noted event. But New Year's Eve only celebrates the passage of time—something that most of us would rather not recognize. We make a huge deal out of it because it signals the end of an old era and the start of a new one.
The old year's problems, heartaches, and struggles seem to vanish and become a faded memory when we think of getting the chance of a new year and a new start. It must have been the same way for the Israelites when they stood with Joshua looking forward to a new era ahead of them. They had wandered for 40 years in the desert, and finally they could see land flowing with milk and honey ahead. Better yet, they had God's promise that He would never leave or forsake them.
As you stand with your back to the old year and look forward to the new one, you can have hope in the promises of God. You will certainly face both trying and joyful times ahead, but you can rest assure that He "will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). That promise is enough to celebrate the new year ahead!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you courage, strength, and faith in Him to face the days ahead. Thank Him for being faithful and for never leaving your side.
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December 31, 2009
You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those persecute you. --Matthew 5:43-44
Before his days as president, Abraham Lincoln was an attorney. He was approached once by a middle-class man who passionately insisted on suing an impoverished man who owed him $2.50. Lincoln quickly recognized the ridiculous nature of the situation and tried to discourage him. But the man was set on revenge and wanted to make his debtor pay.
Finally, when Lincoln realized that the man would stop at nothing to punish the other, he reluctantly agreed to take the case. When he did, he asked the man for a legal fee of $10, which the man immediately paid. Soon thereafter, Lincoln secretly gave half the money to the defendant, who willingly confessed the debt and paid the $2.50 in full!
Even more amazing than Lincoln's ingenious settlement was that the vengeful plaintiff was satisfied with the arrangement and walked away a very happy man!
Very often, when someone wrongs us, it's natural to want to seek revenge. In fact, the world encourages us to feel this way! But God's way is drastically different.
Had the irate man reacted like Christ, he wouldn't have worried about the debt, but he probably would have bought the poor defendant a meal or helped out his starving family! God's way of dealing with an enemy is completely different from the idea of "don't get mad — get even."
Today, if someone does you wrong, try to consider their situation... ask God to help you forgive them...and seek ways that you can minister to them. You never know how God will use your reaction to touch their life for Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to fill your heart with love for those who do you wrong. Pray that He would help you share God's grace and mercy with them, so that they may come to know Jesus as you do.
:angel:
January 1, 2010
At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. --Daniel 6:4
A young Christian professional interviewed for a position in a thriving business once, and brought with him a top-notch resume. In it, he listed many references, including his pastor, his Bible study teacher, and a church deacon.
Unbeknownst to the young man, the business owner was also a Christian. After he had studied the resume, he said, "Young man, I appreciate these recommendations from people in your church. However, what I would really like is a word of recommendation from people who know you during the week as well."
Oftentimes, the way people live their lives on Sunday is very different when compared to the way they live their lives the rest of the week. Often people act differently at church than they do out in the real world. But the truth is, the biblical truth we hear on Sunday should also be practiced throughout the week! Worship should be a way of life...not a weekly event.
Daniel was a perfect example of someone who was consistent in his relationship with both God and man. In fact, even his enemies couldn't find any fault with him!
As a follower of Christ, does your life look differently during the week than it does at church on Sunday? The old adage is true: "Actions speak louder than words." Determine to live a consistent Christian life on Sunday and every other day of the week!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you walk consistently with Him throughout the week...and pray that your life would be a constant reminder to those around you of Christ, the One you serve.
:angel:
January 4, 2010 Email Facebook Twitter Print
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17
There's a story that tells of General Robert E. Lee, a devoted follower of Jesus, who visited a church in Washington, D.C. soon after the Civil War ended. During the time of communion in the service, he knelt beside a black man. A friend of his later said to him, "How could you do something like that?"
Lee humbly replied, "My friend, all ground is level beneath the cross."
Prejudice, bitterness, anger, and hatred are uprooted in front of the powerful cross of Calvary on which Jesus died. Christians should be the one group of people who harbor none of these things in their hearts. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, regardless of our race, nationality, or social status. Jesus offers salvation to all people!
It's easy to lose sight of this sometimes. But when we show partiality, we fail to realize that the Lord loves all people and desires for all to come to know Him as their Savior. Christians are no better than any other group of people. The only difference is that we have been saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus...we are the recipients of God's amazing grace and forgiveness.
Seek to see all people as God sees them—with love and compassion. Have you ever put yourself on a pedestal because you can call yourself a Christian? Or do you kneel before the Lord in humility each day and thank Him for dying on the cross for your sins, so that you—a sinner—could have eternal life with Him?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for forgiveness if you have let prejudice, bitterness, and anger fill your heart. And pray that He would fill your heart with His love and compassion.
January 5, 2010
You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those persecute you. --Matthew 5:43-44
Before his days as president, Abraham Lincoln was an attorney. He was approached once by a middle-class man who passionately insisted on suing an impoverished man who owed him $2.50. Lincoln quickly recognized the ridiculous nature of the situation and tried to discourage him. But the man was set on revenge and wanted to make his debtor pay.
Finally, when Lincoln realized that the man would stop at nothing to punish the other, he reluctantly agreed to take the case. When he did, he asked the man for a legal fee of $10, which the man immediately paid. Soon thereafter, Lincoln secretly gave half the money to the defendant, who willingly confessed the debt and paid the $2.50 in full!
Even more amazing than Lincoln's ingenious settlement was that the vengeful plaintiff was satisfied with the arrangement and walked away a very happy man!
Very often, when someone wrongs us, it's natural to want to seek revenge. In fact, the world encourages us to feel this way! But God's way is drastically different.
Had the irate man reacted like Christ, he wouldn't have worried about the debt, but he probably would have bought the poor defendant a meal or helped out his starving family! God's way of dealing with an enemy is completely different from the idea of "don't get mad — get even."
Today, if someone does you wrong, try to consider their situation... ask God to help you forgive them...and seek ways that you can minister to them. You never know how God will use your reaction to touch their life for Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to fill your heart with love for those who do you wrong. Pray that He would help you share God's grace and mercy with them, so that they may come to know Jesus as you do.
Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. --2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Richard Baxter, a 17th-century preacher from Kidderminster, England, was known for his passionate ministry style. He saw himself as a dying man ministering to dying people, so he always spoke as if he were preaching his last sermon and his audience was hearing their last message.
In addition to his dynamic style of preaching, Baxter spent every Monday and Tuesday instructing the children of his church. On Wednesdays, he went from house to house to make sure the needs of his church's widows, aged, and sick were met. And during the rest of the week, he prepared his sermons and wrote books.
As a result of Baxter's ministry, the town of Kidderminster was completely transformed. The small village that had once been a place full of sexual immorality, violence, and sin, eventually became a town where almost every household honored the Lord. Baxter's zeal for ministering to others and bringing them to Jesus reaped a great spiritual harvest.
Are you doing everything you can to minister to the needs of those in your family, neighborhood, circle of friends, and church? Are you a daily witness and servant to those with whom you share life?
As believers in Christ, we have a ministry...even if we don't work for a church! Today, determine to proclaim the truth of God's love in word and action...as if you were a dying man or woman of God ministering to dying people!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open up opportunities for you to minister to others who are lost and hurting. Pray that He would give you a great passion for serving others and bringing them to Him.
:angel:
January 7, 2010
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. --James 4:7
Shortly after the Civil War, General William T. Sherman's army was scheduled to march in a victory parade in [City Name, State].
The night before the parade, Sherman called General Oliver Howard to his room and said, "General, you were at the head of one of the divisions that marched with me through Georgia, and you should rightfully ride at the head of your division in the parade tomorrow. However, I've been asked to let the general who preceded you in command represent the division."
General Howard replied, "With all due respect, sir, I think I am entitled to represent my division, since I led them to victory."
Sherman said, "Yes, you are. But I know you're a Christian, and I was wondering if you would yield your rights for the sake of peace."
Quickly, Howard responded, "Of course I'll yield."
"All right," General Sherman said, "I will arrange so, and I want you to report to me in the morning at 9:00 a.m. You will be riding with me at the head of the parade."
General Howard's willingness to yield his position to his commander led to an even greater position of honor. Just the same, God blesses those who are completely submitted to Him. Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a submissive spirit, so that you can fully be used by Him.
:angel:
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" --Luke 12:22-24
Worry. At one time or another, all of us have done it. But J. Arthur Rank says there is a practical way to handle this problem. When he doesn't have enough faith to overcome his worries immediately, he writes down the problem and puts it aside.
Then, a week or so later, he reviews the things he wrote down and usually finds that most of his worries have already passed and are no longer a concern! Rank concludes that much of his distresses are a waste of energy. When he follows the format above, he says God always steps in when he's not looking and directs things along paths he could never have seen before.
Scripture tells about the time Jesus stopped at the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha was worried about all the preparations not being completed, but Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to everything He had to say (see Luke 10:38-42). When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary, He rebuked her worrying and complaining by explaining that Mary had the right idea.
There are many things we can worry about: our families, our finances, our health, and so on. But the Bible tells us not to worry about anything! The next time you are tempted to worry, remember the words of Peter, "cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would take away your spirit of worry and anxiety.
:angel:
January 11, 2010
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. --Psalm 46:1
In 1873, Horatio G. Spafford, a Christian lawyer from Chicago, sent his wife and four daughters on an ocean liner bound for Le Havre, France. But in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the steamship collided with another sea vessel and sank within twelve minutes.
Miraculously, Spafford's wife was rescued and taken to Le Havre with the other handful of survivors. When she arrived, she sent a message to her husband in Chicag "Saved—alone."
Immediately, Stafford sailed for Europe to be with his grief-stricken wife. As his ship passed the approximate location where his daughters drowned, he penned these words in the midst of his sorrow: "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea-billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul.'"
Scripture says our Lord is "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). If you are struggling through a difficult time in life, you can find comfort in the arms of God. Or, if there is a person in your life who is going through a tough time, seek to encourage them as the Lord has encouraged you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would use the difficulties in your life to help you encourage others who may be going through hard times.
:angel:
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. --Colossians 4:6
There was a woman once who developed a very serious throat condition. And as a result, her doctor prescribed medication and no talking for six months! She thought this would be almost impossible with a husband and six children, but she obeyed the doctor's orders.
For the next six months, when she needed the attention of her children, she blew a whistle...her instructions became written memos...and questions and answers were written down on pads of paper she had placed around the house.
After six months, the doctor finally allowed her to talk again. Interestingly enough, her first comments were very revealing. She said her children had become calmer and quieter, and as a result she said, "I don't think I'll ever shout again like I used to."
When asked about the notes, she replied, "You'd be surprised how many hastily written notes I crumpled up and threw in the trash before I gave them to anyone to read. Seeing my own harsh words that I would've spoken had an effect on me that I don't think I'll ever forget."
Many things come out of our mouths before we realize it—gossip, praise, slander, lying, and so on. The Scripture says, "No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. ...My brothers [and sisters], this should not be" (James 3:8-10).
Today, make a conscious effort to think about what you say. Determine to listen before speaking, to evaluate the words you use, and ensure your speech doesn't hurt others (see Titus 2:6-8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God will help you think about what you say today...so that only good things come out of your mouth.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
Many years ago in London, a talented young man began preparing for the ministry. He had surrendered his life to Christ and wanted so badly to be used by the Lord. He was a brilliant student and completed his seminary studies with honors.
Prior to his ordination as a minister, he was required to preach a sermon before a select group of clergymen. The intensity of the situation made him nervous—especially when he saw his lovely fiancée sitting in the audience. In his anxiety, he lost his train of thought as he preached...which resulted in the board not approving him for ordination.
The rejection was a bitter disappointment, and his grief increased when his fiancée broke off their engagement because he had performed so poorly. After these two events, he fought depression for quiet some time. Several weeks later, He poured out his complaint before God, and was reminded of God's promise in Romans 8:28..."in all things God works for the good of those who love him...." It was then that he experienced an incredible peace in his soul.
When the chance to preach happened again, the young man delivered a powerful sermon to the examining board and he was ordained to the ministry. Since this time, the dynamic preaching of G. Campbell Morgan has impacted thousands of people. This infamous expositor authored several Bible commentaries and 60 books on theology. Morgan left a legacy that still stirs hearts today—and the crisis he went through and overcame with God's help played a huge part.
Failure can often cause us to question the calling God has placed on our lives. But many times we can't see the big picture. Friend, whether you can see it or not, God is working in your life—but sometimes He works behind the scenes.
If you are a believer and have experienced failure, don't give up! God can use that failure to produce success and blessing in your life according to the promises in His Word.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to turn your failures into triumphs, and thank Him for the promises of His Word. [/color]
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. --Ephesians 6:11
According to scientists, Arctic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals. In order to capture their meals, the bears often have to resort to sinister tactics.
For example, a polar bear will actually swim underwater and make a tiny scratching sound on the underside of the ice next to a seal's feeding hole. When an unsuspecting and hungry seal hears this sound, he instinctively dives in for a quick bite to eat...only to become a quick dinner for the polar bear!
If you think about it, this cunning method of hunting is very similar to the way Satan works to entrap us in our Christian walk. So many times we instinctively respond to that familiar "scratching sound," only to become a victim of his evil schemes.
Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that the "thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
As believers, we are the prime targets to satisfy Satan's insatiable and deadly appetite. But the sooner we realize that we have a very real enemy who's looking to devour us, the better able we'll be to avoid becoming a quick meal for the devil.
Be self-controlled, alert, walking in the Holy Spirit, in His Word, and always in prayer, because Scripture says Satan "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). As you walk daily with Christ, be on the lookout!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you resist the many temptations this world has to offer. Pray He would help you submit to Him completely, and pray that He would provide a shield around your life to protect you from the devil's schemes.
:angel:
January 15, 2010
At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" ...But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." --Mark 5:30, 32-34
During the 1890's, a small newspaper reported that Julia Ward Howe, a woman dedicated to helping free slaves, asked a United States senator to help liberate a black man who was in a dangerous situation.
The politician said, "Madam, I'm so busy with plans for the benefit of the whole race that I have no time to help individuals!"
Angry by his lack of compassion and sympathy, Howe quickly replied, "I'm so glad our Lord never displayed such a calloused attitude!"
In our busy lives, we must never forget our service to others in the name of Jesus. Timothy was a true servant of the Lord. Paul said of him, "I hope...to send Timothy to you soon...I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because...he has served with me in the work of the gospel" (Philippians 2:19-22).
People like Timothy, the apostle Paul, and Christ's disciples worked to spread the Gospel of Jesus and serve others as Christ did. Are you serving the Lord and others consistently? It is your responsibility as a believer to always put aside the busyness of life, position, and social status to serve others in the name of Jesus. When you learn to have an obedient and servant heart for Him, He'll accomplish great things through your life, things you may not have thought possible.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you opportunities to serve others in His name.
:angel:
Monday, January 18, 2010
Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. --James 4:8-10
Many years ago, J. Wilbur Chapman, an American evangelist and pastor, wrote the following about the impact of prayer in his life:
"At one of our missions in England the audience was exceedingly small, but I received a note saying that an American missionary was going to beseech the Lord on behalf of our work. The man was known as 'Praying Hyde.' Almost immediately the tide changed. Crowds began to pack the hall, and many accepted Christ as their Savior.
"Meeting Mr. Hyde later, I said, 'Brother, I want you to pray for me personally.' He came to my room, turned the key in the door, and dropped to his knees. He waited five minutes without a single syllable coming form his lips. I felt hot tears as they began running down my face. Although he had said nothing, I knew I was in the presence of God. Then with upturned face and with eyes streaming, he said, 'O God!' and was still again.
"When he seemed to sense that he was in full communion with the Lord, there came from the depths of his heart petitions such as I had never heard. I rose from my knees to know what real prayer was!"
Jesus warned us not to pray like hypocrites who "love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. ...But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:5-6).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Today, go into a room by yourself and spend some time alone in the presence of the Lord in prayer without any distractions. Ask for His Holy Spirit to move, and then wait and listen for His still, small voice.
:angel:
January 19, 2010
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. --Acts 1:8
A young woman excited about her salvation developed a deep desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. She felt called to missions, so she asked her pastor where she might go to serve to be most effective. He told her to come back the following day and he would have an answer for her then.
The next day, when she returned to his office, the pastor was waiting for her with an answer. He handed her a folded slip of paper and said, "I'm suggesting that you begin with someone who needs Christ right now more than anyone else in the entire world."
The young woman quickly left the pastor's office, eager to find out where her mission field was. She carefully opened the note and was surprised to discover two words: "Your father."
She had been so passionate about reaching the lost in foreign lands that she had neglected to share the Gospel with someone so close to home.
Are there people in your life who don't know Jesus? Maybe it's a parent, a sibling, a grandchild, a close friend, an acquaintance, one of your children, or even your spouse. Many people make the mistake of thinking the only mission field is overseas.
But God has called you to share the Good News of His Word right where you are—in your city, neighborhood, and among your circle of friends. If you know someone who is living with no hope and without a relationship with Jesus, then take the time today to share truth that will change their lives forever.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal people in your life that need to know the Lord so you can share Christ with them. Pray that He would open up the right opportunity at the right time for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives through you.
:angel:
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. --John 1:11
In The King's Business magazine, there was a story published once that told of a Christian fisherman who decided to spend the night on his boat. In the middle of the night, he heard a loud splash...and knew right away that the man in the yacht next to him had fallen in as a result of his heavy drinking. So he jumped into the cold water to save him.
With great effort, the fisherman pulled the man back onto his yacht and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to help bring him back to life. After successfully rendering aid, he put the man back in his bed and swam back to his own boat.
The next morning, the fisherman returned to the yacht to see how the man was doing. But surprisingly, the man ungratefully replied, "It's none of your business!"
The fisherman reminded him that he had rescued him and saved his life the night before. But instead of showing gratitude, the man openly cursed and threatened him.
As the Christian man rowed away, tears filled his eyes and he prayed, "When I think of how men have treated You, Lord, I'm filled with sorrow. Now I can begin to understand just a little how You must feel when others reject You."
When you are persecuted by others because of your faith in Christ, think of the rejection that Jesus faced so that you could have forgiveness of your sins and eternal life through Him. Continue to profess His name and remember what He did on the cross...because great is your reward when you persevere in the midst of trials.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank the Lord for the sacrifice He made for you in the midst of persecution and rejection. Pray that He would give you strength so that His name may be glorified through it all.
:angel:
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. --Romans 12:20-21
There is a story of a Christian lady who owned two prized chickens. One day, they got out of their cage and wandered into the garden of an ill-tempered neighbor. When the neighbor realized the hens were loose in his yard, he caught them, wrung their necks, and threw them back over the fence hoping that would teach his neighbor a lesson.
Obviously, the woman was upset when she discovered her neighbor had killed her chickens, but she didn't retaliate by rushing to his house to yell at him. Instead, she took the two deceased birds, dressed them, and made some chicken pot pies. She then carried one of the pies over to the man who had committed the crime.
Her children, expecting an angry scene among the two, hid behind a bush in the man's yard to see his reaction. But when the Christian lady apologized for not being more careful about keeping her chickens penned up, they saw he was left speechless! That chicken pie he held in his hands, along with the apology, filled him with embarrassment and shame.
You see, the woman wasn't trying to get even. She wasn't returning evil for evil. All she wanted to do was show her neighbor the meaning of true Christian love. And her actions could have been the catalyst to bring him to faith in Christ. What a challenge this is for you and me today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you wisdom to do the right thing when conflicts arise between you and others. Pray that He would help you demonstrate the love of Christ so it would point others toward Jesus.
:angel:
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. --John 15:13
There was a baby girl in the hospital who was critically injured and had lost a large amount of blood. She urgently needed a transfusion, but the doctors couldn't find anyone with her rare blood type—except her 7-year-old brother.
The doctor took the young boy into his office, sat him down, and said, "Your sister is very sick. Unless we can help her, she's going to leave us and go to heaven. Will you give your blood to your baby sister so she can live?"
The young boy turned pale and his eyes filled with fear, but after a short period he whispered to the doctor, "Yes, I will."
At that, the physician smiled reassuringly and said, "Thank you. I knew you would."
The transfusion took place, and the 7-year-old seemed very nervous as he watched the blood from his body flow through the tube to his sister. The doctor said, "Don't worry, son. It will all be over before long." At that moment, big tears welled up in the little boy's eyes.
"Will I die soon? Will it be quick?" he asked the doctor.
It was obvious that this brave young boy thought he was giving up his own life so that his baby sister could live! What a beautiful picture of sacrifice and love.
In the very same way, Christ willingly gave His blood to save us from our sins. Yet it's easy to lose sight of this...to become so accustomed to hearing the story that we forget the magnitude of what His death really accomplished for you and me.
The fact is, Christ's death and resurrection is the greatest news we can ever receive! And we should live each day in praise and thanks to the Savior who gave His life for us.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life He made available when He shed His precious blood on the cross for you...and commit to live a life that reflects your gratitude.
:angel:
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. --Luke 6:33
R.L. Sharpe related the following story:
"When I was just a lad, my father called me to go with him to old Mr. Trussel's blacksmith shop. He had left a rake and a hoe to be repaired, and when we got there, they were fixed like new. Father handed him some money for the work, but Mr. Trussel refused to take it. 'No', he said, 'there's no charge for that little job.'
"My father kept insisting, but I shall never forget that great man's reply. 'Ed,' he said, can't you let a Christian do something now and then—just to stretch his soul?'
"That short but effective sermon set me to thinking. I since have found the great joy and quiet happiness that come from doing little things for Jesus, and in the process I'm 'stretching my soul.'"
This really is Christianity in action! Scripture says that one of the fruits of the Spirit is kindness (see Galatians 5:22). And Proverbs 19:22 says, "What a man desires is unfailing love...." Our world is submerged in so much hate that it is oftentimes easy for believers to catch some of it. But kindness is key in the Christian life.
The Bible says that all believers should "add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).
Just as Christ first loved you and showed you the kindness you truly didn't deserve, so should we display the loving kindness of Christ to all people.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the chance today to be kind to someone who may or may not deserve it.
:angel:
January 26, 2010
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. --Psalm 119:71
Farmers in southern Alabama were accustomed to planting one crop every year—cotton. They would simply plow as much ground as they could and plant their crop. Year after year, they made their living by growing cotton.
Then one year, the dreaded boll weevil devastated the whole region. The next year, the farmers mortgaged their homes and planted cotton again, hoping for a better harvest. But as the cotton began to grow, the insects returned and completely destroyed the crop—wiping out most of the farms that grew cotton.
The next year, the few farmers who survived decided to plant a different crop in hopes of regaining their livelihoods—peanuts. The new crop proved to be so hardy and the market so ravenous that it enabled the farmers to pay off all their debts from the two previous years of failed crops.
Every season thereafter, the farmers planted peanuts...and they prospered greatly. And eventually, the farmers spent some of their new wealth to erect a monument to the boll weevil in the town square! They figured if it hadn't been for the pesky insect, then they never would have planted the prosperous peanut crops.
As believers, we have the assurance of knowing that God can use the "boll weevils" in our lives for something good. In fact, Romans 8:28 says, "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
No matter what trials may come knocking on your door unexpectedly, know God is in control and working behind the scenes for your ultimate good!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being in control of all the situations in your life—good and bad. And ask Him for the patience you need to wait for the light after the darkness of your trials.
:angel:
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" --Luke 4:4
There's a story about an old man who lived in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning, the grandfather would sit at the kitchen table and read from his worn-out Bible. Wanting to be just like his grandfather, the young boy would imitate him by reading his own Bible.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandfather, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don't understand it. When I do understand it, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"
The grandfather simply replied, "Son, take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but the water leaked out of the basket before he could get back to the house. The grandfather sent him back three more times and told him to move faster each time. Every time, the frustrated boy returned with an empty basket.
Finally, out of breath, the young boy said to his grandfather, "See...it's useless!"
The old man said, "Look at the basket. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it's now clean. Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand it or remember everything you read, but when you do, it will change you from the inside out."
As believers in Christ in a fallen world, you and I must saturate our hearts and minds with the Word of God every day. Just like the young boy above, it may seem that we can't retain or comprehend everything we read. But remember that God uses His Word to change us from the inside out!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Make a commitment to the Lord to study His Word faithfully each day. And pray that He will use the Scripture to cleanse you and make you more like Jesus.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Thursday, January 28, 2010
"I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile." - Job 9:27
We all know the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." This is actually more than just a cliché. Health studies actually show that smiling and laughter really are very good for the body.
When you laugh, you increase your natural defenses against tumors, disease, and viruses. Laughter also lowers the blood pressure, increases oxygen in the blood, and promotes healing. What a gift God has given us that such a simple act can have such a positive effect not only our disposition but on our physical health.
You may have also noticed how smiles and laughter can be infectious. A smile can spread from one person to the next. Think of how you can bless a number of people simply by wearing a smile on your face.
In Luke 6:21, Jesus blesses, "you who weep now, for you will laugh." He's speaking of our time in Heaven when there will be no more tears. If God is planning to replace our tears with laughter, maybe we should get a head start. I encourage you to try to laugh more today. It may help you feel a lot better.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to remove any sorrow from your heart today. Pray for healing laughter in its place.
:angel:
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:34
One day, a young, new preacher was walking with an older, seasoned preacher in a garden. Feeling uncertain about God's plan for his life, the younger man asked the older man for some direction.
The veteran preacher picked a rosebud from a nearby bush and asked the younger man to open it without tearing any petals. The young man wondered what a rosebud could possibly have to do with knowing God's will for his life and ministry, but attempted to open the rosebud anyway.
It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this task was. Noticing his difficulty, the older and wiser preacher said:
"It is only a tiny rosebud...a flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so sweetly, then in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud, the flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine?
So, I'll trust in Him for leading each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for guidance each step of the Pilgrim's way.
The pathway that lies before me only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments just as He unfolds the rose."
No matter what age you are, it can be frustrating to figure out God's will at times. But we serve a God who knows how many hairs are on our heads...and His plan for your life is perfect! Instead of worrying about what tomorrow or the next day holds, take one day at a time and trust in the Savior for His faithful guidance.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you focus on today, not tomorrow. And ask Him to give you wisdom as He reveals His plan for your life one day at a time.
:angel:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. --Galatians 5:22-23
One evening, an older Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a terrible battle inside every person. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside of us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, pride, and superiority."
His grandson asked, "What is the other wolf?"
The elderly man said, "It is good—peace, joy, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."
The man's young grandson thought for a moment and then asked, "Which wolf wins?"
The wise Cherokee man replied, "The one you feed the most."
Whether he knew it or not, this wise man could have been relating the battle between good and evil that Paul talked about in God's Word.
Too often, you and I tend to let some characteristics of the "bad wolf" take over the good—even as believers in Jesus. In order to fully grow in our relationship with the Lord, we must feed the "good wolf" to live out the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
The Bible says, "your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5), thereby affecting your thoughts, words, and actions. Make a conscious effort today to display Christ's attitude to every one with whom you come in contact.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you feed the "good wolf" today. Pray that He would make you more like Christ in attitude, actions, and spirit. :angel:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 3:14-15
There is a story of four ministers who were discussing various Bible versions and which ones they liked best. One liked the King James Version because of its eloquent literary style. Another one preferred the Revised Version of 1881 because it provided the most literal translation of Hebrew and Greek.
The third minister felt that the New King James Version was the most readable and easiest to understand of all. But the fourth minister didn't say a thing. Finally, one of them asked for his opinion on which version of the Bible he liked best.
The man replied, "I like my mother's translation the best."
The others were shocked by his answer, and one of them asked, "Did your mother translate the Bible into her own version?"
"Yes, sort of," the man replied. "She translated it into her life, and it was the most convincing version I've ever seen."
If you are a believer, people are watching your life. And quite frankly, your life is the only Bible some people will ever read!
In order for our lives to serve as godly examples for others, you and I must act out God's Word every single day. You can be certain that your children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are watching how you live your life as a Christian. Are you a living example of God's Word to those around you?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would be a living example of God's Word so that you can point others to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to direct your words and actions so you can be a godly influence—no matter the circumstance.
:angel:
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. --2 Corinthians 1:5
The Chicago Tribune published a story once about 15-year-old Douglas Maurer. He had suffered from a high fever and flu-like symptoms for several days, so finally his mother took him to the hospital. It was there that Douglas was diagnosed with leukemia.
The doctors explained the disease to Douglas and said he would have to undergo intense chemotherapy for the next three years. They told him about the side effects that would follow...baldness and a bloated body...and Douglas became very depressed.
To lift his spirits, Douglas' aunt called a local floral shop to send him a flower arrangement. She told the clerk it was for her teenage nephew who had leukemia.
When the beautiful flowers arrived at the hospital, Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card attached that said: "Douglas—I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I'm 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley." For the first time since his diagnosis, Douglas' face lit up.
Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with sophisticated medical equipment and technology. He was being treated by some of the best doctors and nurses around. But it was a simple sales clerk in a flower shop that took the time to care. She was the one person who gave Douglas hope to carry on.
Is there someone in your life suffering from some sort of affliction who needs comfort? If so, seek to show them love, compassion, and encouragement. You could be the one person who can make a difference in the life of another who is suffering without hope.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would help you to bring comfort and encouragement to someone who needs it more than ever today.
:angel:
Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. --Psalm 86:2
A group of botanists went on an expedition into a remote area in the Alps to search for new species of flowers. As one of the scientists looked through his binoculars, he saw a rare, beautiful species growing at the bottom of a deep ravine.
To reach it, though, someone small would have to be lowered into the gorge. The scientist noticed a local young boy standing nearby and asked him if he would help them retrieve the flower. He told the boy a rope would be tied around his waist and the men would then lower him to the floor of the canyon.
The boy was excited about the new adventure and quickly agreed. But as he peered into the chasm while the rope was being tied to his waist, he shouted, "Wait! I'll be right back." He ran off and returned shortly with another man.
The boy said to the head botanist, "I'll go over the cliff now and get the flower for you. But this man must hold on to the rope that will lower me down. He's my dad!"
The Bible says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man" (Psalm 118:8). This teaches us that we should never put our complete faith in man—and this includes your pastor, Bible study teacher, or closest loved one. Put your hope and trust only in the Lord, for He'll never fail you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to hold on to the "rope" tied to your waist. Trust that your Father above will keep you safe no matter what.
:angel:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. --Romans 5:3-4
A man named Parnell Bailey toured an orange grove once where an irrigation pump had broken. The season was dry and some of the trees were dying because they lacked water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly.
He said, "These trees could go without rain for another two weeks. When they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now, my trees have the deepest roots in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at greater depths."
The story above is a good picture of how suffering can produce the "roots" we as believers need to survive and thrive in any season of life.
But to grow these roots, you and I must plant ourselves in God's Word to find comfort and strength when battling difficulties in life.
Being thrown into the "furnace of affliction" is a test of faith, as it forces us to rely solely on the Lord. Isaiah 48:10 says, "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."
Whatever trial you may be facing today—be it illness, loneliness, financial difficulty, or family struggles—remember to stay rooted in the Lord. Then you can say as the psalmist did: "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life" (Psalm 119:50).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith when you are faced with affliction. Pray that He would comfort you with His Word in times of suffering.
:angel:
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. --1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Despite what our culture tells us, worldly success is temporary...and it will never bring about complete satisfaction. The number of people who have come to ruin after experiencing the world's idea of fame and fortune is astonishing. Here are just a few:
Multimillionaire George Vanderbilt killed himself by jumping from a hotel window.
Lester Hunt, two-time governor of Wyoming and soon-to-be U.S. Senator, ended his own life.
Actress Marilyn Monroe, writer Ernest Hemingway, and athlete Tony Lazzeri represent a group of popular people who were dissatisfied and took their own lives.
Solomon warned those who strived for success without God: "The hopes of the wicked come to nothing" (Proverbs 10:28). According to biblical accounts, God didn't generally use successful and popular people to accomplish His work. Instead, he used everyday people like Paul, Nehemiah, Rahab, Mary, Jonah, Joshua...and the list goes on.
What's wonderful is God doesn't require us to be "big shots" to make an impact for Him. The fact is He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom even today. And the greatest success you'll ever achieve will come one day when you meet Him in heaven!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Submit yourself to the will of the Lord and ask Him to use you for the work of His kingdom.
:angel:
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. --2 Thessalonians 3:3
A prominent Christian leader was recently traveling by plane. He noticed that a professional-looking man was sitting two seats over. The man was looking over a list and periodically bowing his head as if he were praying.
Guessing the man was a believer, the minister leaned over and said, "Looks to me like you're praying. I believe in prayer too."
The man looked up and replied, "Yeah...but I have a specific assignment. I worship Satan, and I'm praying for the downfall of Christian pastors and ministers on my list."
The minister immediately said, "Well, that would include me. Is my name on that list?"
The confessed Satanist replied, "No...not yet."
Many people don't realize...or they deny the fact...that spiritual warfare is real in our world today. But it's true! There is an unseen battle being waged between the powers of heaven and hell every minute of every day.
Here is a list of ways you can prepare yourself for battle according to Scripture:
Know your enemy (1 Peter 5:8).
Keep yourself in the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39).
Be strong in Christ (Eph. 6:10]).
Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).
Be active in Christian witness and service (Matthew 28:19-20).
Be quick to make right your wrong relationships (Eph. 4:26).
Put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20).
Be in constant prayer (Eph. 6:18).
Praise the Lord always (Col. 3:16).
Be sure you are always alert and dressed for battle, and remember you are never alone!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you use the verses above to prepare you for spiritual battle today...and every day.
:angel:
This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." --Zechariah 7:9
In 1935, Fiorello LaGuardia, the mayor of New York, arrived at night court in the poorest ward of the city. He dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench. Brought before him was a disheveled older woman charged with stealing a loaf of bread.
She defended herself saying, "My daughter's husband has left her. She is sick, and her children are starving."
The shopkeeper from which she stole refused to drop the charges saying, "It's a bad neighborhood, your honor, and she's got to be punished to teach other people a lesson."
LaGuardia pronounced to the woman, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Your sentence is a ten-dollar fine or ten days in jail."
However, he immediately pulled from his pocket a ten dollar bill, threw it into his hat, and said, "Here's payment for the ten-dollar fine. Furthermore, I'm going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The following day, a newspaper reported that $47.50 had been collected from a red-faced storekeeper, 70 petty criminals, and a few New York policemen!
As Christians, it should always be our goal to show mercy to those in need. Jesus once said that those who show mercy to the others will receive mercy in return (see Matt. 5:7).
It may be that you can visit a lonely friend, take baked goods to someone less fortunate, or pick up groceries for a neighbor in need. God was once merciful to you (Eph. 2:4-5), so begin showing the same compassion to others (1 Pet. 2:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a merciful heart, so that you can minister to those who are in need of compassion.
:angel:
Friday, February 12, 2010
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. --Romans 12:2
A school teacher was approached by a small investment group, and was easily swayed by their elaborate, but risky, new business plan. So swayed, in fact, that she invested her entire life savings into the venture!
Within months, her investment disappeared into thin air and it seemed as though her future dreams were shattered. So she decided to visit the Better Business Bureau.
The official who greeted her listened to her story and then asked, "Why on earth didn't you come to us before you made the investment? Didn't you know about the Better Business Bureau?"
"Yes, I did know about you," the teacher sadly replied, "but I didn't come because I was afraid you'd tell me not to make the investment."
As believers, you and I must always consult the Lord first when making life decisions...even when you're afraid of where He might lead you!
To discover God's will and experience His blessings, you must:
Submit yourself completely to God and His will (James 4:7).
Renew your mind daily through the consistent study of His Word (Rom. 12:2).
Consistently remain in prayer to God (Rom. 12:12, Phil. 4:6, Col. 4:2).
Be willing to wait patiently on the Lord (Psalm 27:14, 37:7, 38:15, 130:5).
In your walk with God, daily surrender to Him and practice the simple steps to submission above. He will make his will clear to you as you face big and small decisions in life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would give you a more submissive heart, one that completely trusts in His will. Then make a commitment to follow Him daily so that He can fulfill His purposes in your life.
:angel:
February 15, 2010
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. --Matthew 6:19-21
Clovis Chappell wrote in his book of sermons, Feminine Faces:
"When Pompeii was being excavated, there was found a body that had been embalmed by the ashes of Vesuvius.
"It was that of a woman. Her feet were turned toward the city gate, but her face was turned backward toward something that lay just beyond her outstretched hands.
"The prize for which those frozen fingers were reaching was a bag of pearls. Maybe she herself had dropped them as she was fleeing for her life. Maybe she had found them where they had been dropped by another.
"But, be that as it may, though death was hard at her heels, and life was beckoning to her beyond the city gates, she could not shake off their spell. She had turned to pick them up, with death as her reward."
As believers, it's important to ask ourselves, Where is my treasure? Is it here on earth or is it in heaven?
So often, it's easy for us to focus on the things on earth we think are most important. But God's Word reminds us that what we so often care most about are things that will be gone tomorrow!
Today, I want to challenge you to be on guard against placing value on the things that won't last. Instead, pray that the Lord would help you place value on things that will last...like your relationship with Christ and your service for Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray as the psalmist did: "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word" (Psalm 119:37).
:angel:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. --Romans 15:5-6
In May 1987, National Geographic included a feature article about the arctic wolf. Author L. David Mech described how a seven-member pack of these wolves had targeted several musk-oxen calves who were guarded by eleven adults.
As the wolves approached their prey, the musk-oxen adults bunched together in an unbreakable semicircle with their dangerous rear hooves facing out. In this position, the calves remained safe during the long standoff with the enemy.
But suddenly, a single ox broke rank, and the herd scattered into nervous little groups. A fight broke out and the adults finally fled in panic, leaving the helpless calves to the mercy of their predators. Unfortunately, not a single musk-oxen calf survived the incident.
In much the same way, Paul warned us in Acts 20 that wolves would come to attack God's flock. How true this is in the church today!
We must remember that the "wolves" will have a much harder time penetrating and destroying the church when there is an unbreakable unity among us as believers. It's so true that even when one of us falls away, we are easy prey for the enemy to attack and devastate.
Jesus prayed specifically that you and I might be unified in Him. He prayed: "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you strength to stand strong against the attacks of Satan on the church. Pledge to unite with other believers so that the world can see Jesus in you and His name may be glorified.
:angel:
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. --2 Corinthians 9:7
When you go to the doctor for your annual checkup, he or she usually takes your temperature, checks your blood pressure, and pokes and prods in places to make sure everything checks out OK. The doctor will ask, "Does this hurt? How about here?"
If you cry out or admit that you are experiencing discomfort in a particular area, one of two things has happened:
The doctor has pushed too hard in that area without the proper sensitivity, or
There is something truly wrong lying beneath the surface.
In much the same way, believers often cry out in discomfort when God pushes us and prods us in sensitive areas of life. And one of these areas is tithing.
When it comes to giving to God, it's not supposed to be a discomfort for believers. God's Word says we are to give cheerfully unto Him and without reluctance!
2 Corinthians 9:6 says, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." Literally, if you withhold from the Lord what He has provided you, then you will not experience His blessings in full. But if you give cheerfully and sacrificially to Him, then He will in return bless you abundantly.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Dedicate your tithes and offerings to Him, and ask Him to bless them for the furtherance of His Kingdom. :angel:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
In 1818, a boy named Louis was sitting in his father's workshop in France. His father was a harness maker and Louis loved to sit and watch his father work. One day, he said, "Father, I want to be a harness maker like you one day."
To which the father replied, "Why not start now?" He took a piece of leather, drew a design on it, and instructed his son to use the hole puncher and hammer to follow the pattern. The man set him off to work with a warning to be careful.
Young Louis was excited to begin his new job, but when he hit the hole puncher, it flew out of his hand and pierced his eye. He immediately lost his sight in it as a result. Later, sight in his other eye failed, and Louis became totally blind.
Several years later, Louis was sitting in a garden when a friend handed him a pine cone. Louis ran his fingers over the cone, and suddenly an idea came to him.
This idea eventually led to the creation of an alphabet of raised dots on paper so that others who were blind could feel and interpret what was written. As a result of his accident, Louis Braille opened up a new world for the blind!
To some, this type of tragedy would have been the thing that would have sent them into depression and isolation. But as believers, we know that all things happen for a reason—God's divine purpose and plan (see Jeremiah 29:11).
Friend, God has mapped out every day and detail of our existence. When tragedy strikes, don't be alarmed. Know that God is in control (Psalm 47:8) and that all things work together for His glory and your good.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His promises of hope and a future, even when tragedy strikes.
:angel:
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. --James 4:14
Imagine if you were to check your bank account one morning only to find a direct deposit for $86,400. And it goes on for weeks!
Each morning you find a new deposit for this amount...but soon realize that your balance is not carried over to the next day. Instead, it is deleted each evening and the next morning you begin again with a new balance of $86,400.
What would you do when you finally realized your account balance would be deleted each evening if you didn't use it all that day? Of course...you'd withdraw the balance left over each day!
You and I have such a bank account called time. Each day we are credited with 86,400 seconds. And every night that which we have not used is deleted from our account. However, our time accounts do not allow overdrafts, loans, or savings options.
We must invest our time wisely in this life. According to one time management study, the average person spends two years making phone calls to people who are not at home, six months waiting for traffic lights to turn green, and another eight months reading junk mail!
Have you evaluated the way you use your time lately? Are you using it wisely to glorify the Lord? Psalm 39:6 says, "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fr he bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it."
Our time on this earth is brief. God wants us to use every minute of our lives to serve and honor Him. Determine to use your time wisely to advance the cause of Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would show you how to spend your time wisely and to keep you from wasting precious opportunities to further His Kingdom.
:angel:
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. --James 4:7
Iron Eyes Cody, a Native American actor, once repeated an old Indian legend to Guideposts magazine.
One time, as a youth was traveling alone to prepare for manhood, he noticed a mountain peak capped with snow. So he set off to climb it. And when he reached the top, he could see for miles.
At the top of the mountain, the youth looked down to find a rattlesnake at his feet. The snake said, "I'm about to die. It's too cold up here for me. There's no food and I'm starving. Take me down to the valley."
The youth replied, "No...I know your kind. If I pick you up, you will bite and kill me."
But the snake promised, "I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, I won't harm you."
The youth resisted at first, but finally picked up the persuasive snake and carried it down to the valley below. There he gently laid it on the grass when suddenly the snake coiled and leapt, biting him on the leg and crippling the boy.
As the snake slithered away, he said, "You knew what I was when you picked me up."
Just as magnets are attracted to one another, so the Christian is drawn to sin through temptation. If you know the things that cause you to surrender to temptation and follow through with sin, then avoid and eliminate them in your life. When tempted, lean on Christ for strength to resist.
Paul said, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). To avoid being harmed by Satan's venomous bite, recognize His ways so you can be prepared to confront and resist the temptation with which he persuades you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to strengthen you, so that you will have the power of the Holy Spirit to resist the attacks of temptation from Satan.
:angel:
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. --Romans 13:14
As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate bridge was built across a large canyon in the West.
The builder wanted to test the bridge, so he loaded a train with extra cars and equipment to double its normal load. Then he drove the train to the middle of the bridge, where it sat for an entire day.
One worker asked, "Are you trying to break this bridge?"
The builder replied, "No. I'm trying to prove that the bridge won't break."
Just the same, the temptations Jesus faced weren't designed to see if He would sin, but to prove that He couldn't.
Jesus fought the devil by the power of God's Word. And as believers, you and I will be attacked by Satan our entire lives. So we must always be prepared, like Jesus was, to never to give in to temptation!
In Billy Graham's Christian Workers Workbook, he lists several facts about temptation you can count on:
Temptation is common for believers (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Temptation is of the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).
Temptation itself is not a sin, but succumbing to it is. (James 1:14-15).
God does not lead you into temptation (James 1:13).
God allows Satan to tempt you, so that you can face it, overcome it, and be stronger as a result (Job 1:6-12, 1 John 2:14).
All temptation can be resisted (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When you are tempted, remember that Jesus has been there before (Hebrews 4:15).
Remember that Satan will always attack you where you are most vulnerable. So, daily submit yourself to God through prayer and the study of His Word, surrender your mind, will, and emotions to Him, and clothe yourself with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18) and the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the strength to walk away when temptation arises.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
--2 Corinthians 4:18
There are several historical monuments in the US that look like they have withstood the test of time. One such place is Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
But up close, maintenance crews have found cracks running through the granite faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. While the monument isn't in immediate danger of disintegrating, experts say that without a facelift it will soon begin to crumble.
Mount Rushmore, just like every other earthly thing, is temporary. Human beings especially can see how temporary life is by the effects of aging. A person who was once young and energetic gradually ages and his or her body begins to wear down.
The aging process is a part of the cycle of life, but it can be very disheartening to the person experiencing it. For believers, we can look forward to renewed bodies in heaven.
The apostle Paul said, "And we eagerly await a Savior... the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:20-21).
The body we exist in now is just a temporary, crumbling structure. It may be that your body has suffered much disease, heartache, and injury. Perhaps you have grown weary and become saddened by the slow decline of your physical being.
Take heart, my friend, because one day we will live with prefect, heavenly bodies in eternity with Jesus where there will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promise of a new body in heaven one day with no pain or disease. Ask that He would give you comfort and peace in your temporary dwelling place until you meet Him in heaven.
:angel:
February 25, 2010
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. --Deuteronomy 11:18-21
In life, most people are always building something up--a solid family foundation, a good reputation, a successful career, our relationships, and so on. But some of these things can vanish quickly due to financial loss, natural disasters, gossip, and other unforeseen difficulties.
Daniel Webster, a statesman, lawyer, and orator (1782-1852), once said:
"If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men's immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles...we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity."
One of the greatest achievements you and I can accomplish in this life is passing on a legacy of faith to our children and grandchildren. Many things can be destroyed in this life, but a legacy of faith will live on for generations.
In Proverbs 22:6, Solomon wrote, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Let us be the ones who sow the seeds of love, truth, and righteousness in the hearts of the next generation, so they can advance the Kingdom of Christ in the years to come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would make you the kind of godly man or woman needed to impact the lives of the next generation. Ask Him to provide opportunities for you to minister, encourage, and train up your own family in His Word and ways.
:angel:
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. --Psalm 31:19
Allen Gardiner was a faithful missionary and martyr during the 19th century. He joined the Naval College in England at a young age and accepted Christ during his career in the Navy. Soon after, Gardiner accepted God's call to take the Good News of Jesus to tribes in Africa and South America.
In 1850, Gardiner and six other men attempted to trek through southern Argentina in hopes of reaching the Yagan Indians. Despite the many physical difficulties and hardships he faced throughout his journey, he said, "While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me."
However, in 1851 at the age of 57, Gardiner died tragically of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. His body was later found along with his diary that contained accounts of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness.
In his last journal entry, illustrated by shaken handwriting, he wrote: "I am not hungry or thirsty in spite of five days without eating. ...I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God."
In the apostle Paul's time of hardship, the Lord said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). When you are experiencing difficulties in this life, rest in God's goodness and rejoice in your trials, so that you may fully experience His power in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God for His goodness in both good and bad times. Thank Him for being sufficient in your weakness and in control of your circumstances.
:angel:
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. --Lamentations 3:31-33
Warren Wiersbe once relayed the story of a grieving woman traveling by train. She recognized fellow passenger F.B. Meyer, a famous preacher and evangelist, and went to share her burden with him.
For many years she had cared for her crippled daughter who brought her great joy in life. However, her daughter had recently died and she was miserable. Each day, she felt more alone with only an empty house to come home to after work.
Meyer listened carefully to her story and then said, "When you get home...say aloud, 'Jesus, I know You are here!' and be ready to greet Him. ...Tell Him what has happened during the day...just as you would have told your daughter. At night stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, 'Jesus, I know You are here!'"
Several months later, Meyer ran into the same woman again, but this time he didn't recognize her. Her face radiated with joy instead of misery. She said, "I did as you told me and it has made all the difference in my life, and now I feel I know Him."
If you have lost a loved one, it is natural to have feelings of loneliness. But you can find comfort and love in the presence of Jesus. Express your sorrow freely before the Lord and He will turn your grief into joy (see John 16:20). Simply draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Call out to Jesus and talk to Him openly in times of grief. Ask Him to comfort you and eventually turn your sorrow to peace and joy.
:angel:
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ...We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. --2 Corinthians 5:6, 8-9
A widely respected man known as "Uncle Johnson" passed away at 120 years of age. He was well known for his cheerful outlook on life during his advanced years.
One day before his death, while working and singing praises in his garden, his pastor, who was walking by, looked over the fence and said, "Hello Uncle Johnson! You seem very happy today."
The old man looked up and replied, "Yes, I was just thinking that if the crumbs of joy that fall from the Master's table in this world are so good, what will the great loaf in glory be like? I tell you...there will be enough for everyone and some to spare up there."
On this earth, believers only get a glimpse of God's glory, power, and blessings. But we have hope in eternity and can look forward to enjoying a feast of blessings some day when we live with Jesus!
In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 says, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling."
Each passing day on this earth is a new chance to be even more excited about what's to come. As believers, we shouldn't fear death because it is only a passageway into the glory of heaven. Live each day with joy and yearning as you move closer to the day when the Savior will be waiting to welcome you home!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that each day you live would be for His glory. And pray for the salvation of those remaining here on earth who don't know Jesus.
:angel:
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. --Proverbs 17:17
Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play Major League Baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he faced severe ridicule from the crowds, opposing teams, and officials.
During one game in Boston, the jeers and racial slurs reached the ultimate climax. In the middle of this turmoil, fellow teammate Pee Wee Reese, a Southern white man, called a timeout.
Reese walked from his position at shortstop to second base where Robinson stood. He put his arm around Robinson's shoulder and stood next to him for a long while. Finally, the crowd grew quiet.
This gesture spoke louder than words. Robinson later said that Reese's friendship literally saved his career. Reese sacrificed his own reputation and status to save Robinson from prolonged anguish.
Is there someone in your life who needs a faithful, Christian companion like you? Do you have a friend that you could sacrifice for and stand beside during hard times? John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
Perhaps you are that person in need. Maybe you are feeling alone at this point in your life. As a believer, you will never be alone because "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).
His name is Jesus. And He sacrificed His life for you so that you would not have to experience the anguish and pain of eternity apart from God. Lean on Him when no one else is there.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for making the ultimate sacrifice for you. Ask Him to bring to mind a friend in your life that you can support and encourage. Pray that He would be there to comfort you when you are all alone.
:angel:
Jesus said], "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." --Acts 1:8
In his book, The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, Dr. George Sweeting tells the story of John Currier, a man who was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1949. Sweeting tells how Currier was transferred to work on a prison farm near Nashville, Tennessee after his conviction.
After working on that farm for nearly 20 years, Currier's sentence was cut short and he was set free. But the letter informing Currier of his freedom got lost in the mail...and he ended up serving an extra ten years of his sentence not knowing he was really a free man.
In his book, Dr. Sweeting finished the story about John Currier with a question: "Would it matter to you if someone sent you an important message--the most important in your life--and year after year the urgent message was never delivered?"
He made a very powerful point. As believers, we have an important message of good news to deliver to those who have never experienced freedom and salvation through Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 43:12, the Lord declared, "You are my witnesses...that I am God."
Are you doing everything you can to make sure people who are shackled by sin receive the message that they are indeed free? Maybe you personally know people who have never heard of the freedom they can have through Jesus. Determine to deliver this message of hope to all who are still imprisoned by sin.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open doors for you to share His message of salvation with others, and give you the right words when the opportunities arise.
:angel:
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! --Psalm 68:19 (NKJV)
One morning, R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was met by another believer who asked how he was doing.
Chapman replied enthusiastically, "I'm so burdened this morning!"
But his happy countenance and pleasant demeanor contradicted his words completely. So the puzzled questioner asked again, "Are you sure you're really burdened, Mr. Chapman?"
"Of course!" he replied. "But it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude! I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He daily loads us with benefits!"
The blessings of God are abundantly given to all those who follow Him obediently. They are not simply the benefits or rewards of godly living, but precious gifts from the Father above. His blessings are not a measure of who we are and what we've done for Him, but of who He is and what He's done for us.
Psalm 103:2-5 says, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Blessings are experienced in different ways: provision, protection, and so on. And the most important blessing of all is the salvation we experience through Jesus Christ. As believers, you and I must daily reflect over past blessings we've received, be thankful for present blessings--health, family, friends, and more--and look forward to future blessings from God.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His personal blessings when you follow Him in obedience, and ask that He would make you a blessing to someone else.
:angel:
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17
There's a story about a proud young man who came to the great philosopher Socrates seeking knowledge and wisdom.
Socrates immediately recognized that this young man was indeed pompous and arrogant. But the philosopher led the boy through the streets and into the sea until they were both chest deep in water.
Then Socrates asked him, "What do you want?"
"Wisdom and knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile.
Socrates pushed the young man under the water and let him up thirty seconds later. He asked him again, "What do you want?"
"Wisdom and knowledge," the young man choked out.
Again, Socrates shoved his head back under water and let him up forty seconds later. By this time the young man was gasping for air, and Socrates asked him, "Now tell me...what do you want, young man?"
Socrates and the young man went through a third round of this scenario. Finally, Socrates asked the young man what he wanted, and the boy screeched, "Air! I need air!"
The wise Socrates then said to him, "When you want wisdom and knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have it!"
Fortunately for believers, the Bible says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt..." (James 1:5-6).
If you need wisdom to discern truth, for financial confidence, or to determine God's will for your life, then just ask in faith. Wisdom is given freely by God, and we can find His superior plan through the Bible and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for wisdom today, and rest assured that He will give it to you.
:angel:
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. --Proverbs 22:6
Many years ago, a small Jewish boy asked his father, "Why must we surrender our Jewish faith and start to attend Lutheran services here in Germany?"
The boy's father replied, "Son, we must abandon our faith so that people will accept us and support our business adventures!"
That young boy held on to his disappointment and bitterness for the rest of his life because his family abandoned their faith. His faith in both his father and religion were crushed.
When this boy left Germany, he went to England to study where he formed unique philosophies for his own life. From those theories, he wrote a book that changed the world: The Communist Manifesto.
That boy was Karl Marx. For 70 years, billions of people fell under the spell of his Marxist ideology. The hypocritical influence of that little boy's father produced tragic consequences.
If the young people of our world do not receive godly faith and training from older believers, then they will develop distorted perspectives as well.
As a believer, you and I have the responsibility of spiritually parenting others to follow Christ, serve Him faithfully, and do great things for His Kingdom.
Paul referred to Titus as "my true son in our common faith" (Titus 1:4) and Timothy as "my true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2). Though they were not flesh and blood, they bonded together as family and Paul raised them up to follow the Lord.
If you know a young person who needs a faith-filled believer in his or her life, then pray with and for them, and seek to teach them a love for Scripture, a commitment to Jesus Christ, and to fellowship and worship with the church.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring a young person into your life who you can spiritually mentor and parent.
:angel:
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives... --2 Peter 3:11
In the 1800s, an American tourist stopped by the home of Polish rabbi Chofetz Chaim. The tourist was surprised to find a simple dwelling place filled only with books, a table, and a bench.
The tourist asked the rabbi, "Where is all your furniture?" To which the rabbi replied, "Where is yours?"
The puzzled American said, "Mine? But I'm only a visitor here. I'm only passing through."
To which the wise Chaim replied, "And I am simply a visitor here on this earth. I'm only passing through."
Scripture talks about heaven in three different ways: the celestial and magnificent universe (Psalm 19:1), the great expanse of space surrounding the earth or its atmosphere (Genesis 1:8), and the sought-after home of God (Hebrews 4:14).
Heaven is a reality for believers. The fact that we will one day live forever in the presence of God Almighty is a fundamental doctrine of our faith. However, the Bible gives several other glimpses into what this heavenly dwelling place will be like.
Heaven is a place prepared for believers where we will spend eternity with God (John 14:1-3). In heaven, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:1-7). It will be in heaven that we will be like Christ and will recognize one another (1 John 3:2).
Today, I want to challenge you to live in the light of eternity as if you're just passing through this old earth.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you live a holy and godly lifestyle every day of your life. Pray that you would live each day with eternity set in your heart and mind.
:angel:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6-7
Many top corporate executives relieve stress in the most unusual ways. A survey was done several years ago that showed very surprising results. One odd way that these business professionals relieve stress is by throwing plates against the wall!
For the believer, we don't have to throw plates against the wall--although at times we may want to!
The Bible says you can relieve stress through prayer and thanksgiving. These two combined help you realize "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" and in turn "guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
Your natural human desire is to first experience anxiety and stress when it seems that your needs and desires are not being met. It's hard to "not be anxious about anything" in these kinds of situations.
However, when you acknowledge your complete dependence upon God and submit to His leadership--in all stressful situations--then you'll be gratefully surprised to find that your anxiety disappears every time!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for providing you with incredible peace in stressful situations. Pray that He would take control of all anxiety that tries to invade your heart and mind, replace it with peace, and lead you in the right direction (Psalm 139:23-24).
:angel:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. --Ephesians 4:29
Jean Nidetch was a 214-pound woman who badly wanted to lose weight. In her desperation, she went to the New York City Department of Health, where Dr. Norman Jolliffe gave her a diet to follow.
But after two months of weight loss, Jean was still discouraged knowing she had 50 more pounds to go. So she invited six overweight friends into her home to share the diet and talk about ways they could help each other stay on it.
Today, almost 50 years later, over one million members attend 25,000 Weight Watchers meetings in 24 countries each week. Nidetch tells an interesting story about how she has helped millions take control of their lives.
When she was a teenager, she used to walk through a park where she saw toddlers sitting on the swings with no one to push them while their mothers gossiped nearby.
Nidetch said, "I'd give him a push. ...Pretty soon he's pumping, doing it himself. That's what my role in life is—I'm there to give others a push."
Are there people in your life who need that extra push? In Ephesians 4:29, the Apostle Paul encourages us to say things that will build up and encourage those around us—not tear others down.
Not only can your kind words encourage another believer, they can also be a testimony of your faith and joy in Christ Jesus to someone who is lost without Him. Think of someone in your life who may be living under a heavy emotional load, or someone who is weary of life's problems and struggles.
Whoever God lays on your heart, determine today to give them that extra push they need!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the opportunity to encourage someone who needs it and offer kind words to those around you.
:angel:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. --Galatians 5:22-25
There's a story about a farmer who planted two fruit trees on opposite sides of his property. One tree hid the unsightly view of an old landfill, while the other tree provided shade near a cool mountain stream. As the two trees grew, both began to flower and produce fruit.
The farmer gathered fruit from the tree that hid the landfill near his house first, and noticed that each piece was a little deformed. But the fruit still looked edible, so he took a bite only to discover it was extremely bitter.
He threw the rotten fruit away and picked up some fruit from the tree planted by the stream. As he bit into it, he discovered that it was sweet and delicious.
The fruit from the two trees was greatly affected by the nutrition of the root. Just the same, we as believers have a choice regarding the kind of fruit that is produced in our lives.
If we plant ourselves in the soil of fleshly pursuits and sinful nature, then we will naturally produce rotten and bitter fruit. But if we plant ourselves in the soil of Jesus Christ, then we will bear the sweet fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. ...He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."
Where you're rooted influences what kind of fruit your life will bear. So plant yourself in Jesus Christ so that you can produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would manifest the fruit of the Spirit, and commit to root yourself in Christ Jesus.
:angel:
Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.' Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies." --Genesis 27:6-10
Rebekah was a woman of faith in her youth. She was chaste, beautiful, courteous, helpful, industrious, hospitable, and trustworthy. As the chosen bride of Isaac, God rewarded her faithfulness with a monogamous marriage and twins, Esau and Jacob.
But because of Rebekah's weakness in faith, she later brought about rivalry, deceit, and contention in her home because of a lack of respect for her husband's leadership and favoritism among her sons.
Rebekah took into her own hands the future of her sons and manipulated the situation of birthright and blessing given by Isaac to the eldest. Even if her motive was pure, her actions were wrong. In the end, she paid the price by living out the rest of her life in separation from both of her sons and in a broken relationship with her husband.
Although we may not recognize this as often as other sins, manipulation is rooted in pride and selfishness. It involves viewing others as objects, not individuals, and seeks to limit situations through control. The direct tools of manipulation are position, power, deception, and distortion.
Scripture is full of examples dealing with manipulation. Just as Rebekah manipulated Isaac, so did Sarah manipulate Abraham, her husband, and her servant, Hagar, so that she could control what God had already promised. In every instance, manipulation brought about sorrow rather than joy.
Anytime a believer loses trust in God and begins focusing on self, then the possibility of manipulation exists. Never take matters into your own hands or attempt to control the outcome. Instead, examine your own heart and determine that you will trust in God no matter what to do the right thing in every situation.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to keep your focus on Him and root your faith in trusting Him alone through everything in life.
:angel:
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. --Romans 12:12
Dr. Paul W. Brand was a noted surgeon and expert on leprosy. He traveled once to London by plane and then took a long train from there to his final destination.
As he was getting ready for bed that night, he took off his shoes and suddenly discovered there was no feeling in his heel. To almost anyone else, this would have meant nothing. But Dr. Brand knew that this numbness was a symptom of leprosy.
Brand found a pin, pricked his heel, but felt no pain. He pushed the pin in deeper until blood showed, but still he felt nothing. All night the surgeon imagined his life as a leper—an outcast separated from humanity and his family.
But the next morning, he jabbed his heel with the pin...and yelled out in pain!
Dr. Brand realized that he had numbed a nerve in his heel during the long train ride, and wasn't suffering from leprosy. From then on, whenever he suffered any kind of pain, physically or emotionally, he thanked God.
Pain is a part of the God-given consequence to humankind for falling into sin (Genesis 3:16-17). Everyone is subject to pain. However, the New Testament focuses on pain's partnership with joy.
It was Christ who endured a horrific suffering and pain through His death on the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).
When you suffer in this life, remember that one day, "there shall be no more...pain" (Revelations 21:4), and until then we should rejoice in the Lord for He walks with us through our most painful hours (Isaiah 41:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy that comes from affliction in this life.
:angel:
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:10
At a recent diving competition, an Olympic gold-medal diver was asked how he copes with the stress of competitions.
He responded by saying that he climbs to the board, takes a deep breath, and says to himself, "Even if I blow this dive, my mother will still love me." Then he goes for the gold!
As a believer, Satan can take advantage of your failures and try to weigh you down with feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem. However, the Bible tells us as believers that we are 100% accepted and loved by Jesus Christ! His grace covers all of our sins and failures.
If you are dealing with low self-esteem, then keep in mind these biblical prerequisites to a healthy self-esteem:
• Recognize your need for a Savior (Isaiah 53:6).
• Accept your worth in Jesus and know that He loves you (Eph. 1:6; Rom. 8:1).
• Press on toward God's purpose for you (Philippians 3:13-14).
• Develop a realistic view of yourself in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:3).
• Avoid comparing yourself to others (2 Corinthians 10:12).
At the beginning of each day, step up to the day's challenges, take a deep breath, and say, "Even if I blow it today, my God will still love me." And then go for God's glory!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for turning your tragedies into triumphs and for loving you even when you fail.
:angel:
And they crucified Him. --Mark 15:24
A medical doctor once gave a detailed description of what happens when someone is crucified:
"The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders again the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place.
"The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain--the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid the stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet.
"As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream. Spasmodically he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.
"Hours of this...pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.
It is now almost over--the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level--the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues--the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...finally he can allow his body to die."
The Bible records this process of death by crucifixion in just a few simple words. How often we take for granted the pain and suffering Jesus endured when He died on the cross for you and me. Let us remember this Easter the sacrifice He made.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for the price He paid for your sins through His painful death on the cross.
:angel:
Monday, March 22, 2010
[Jesus said]: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." --John 5:24
Early in Julius Caesar's political career, the people of Rome hated him so badly that he thought it best to leave his country. He sailed for the Aegean island of Rhodes, but on the way pirates attacked his ship and Caesar was captured.
The pirates demanded a ransom of 12,000 gold pieces, and Caesar's staff was sent to make the arrangements for payment. For almost 40 days, the pirates held Caesar captive.
He would jokingly tell them that he would someday capture and crucify them. The amused kidnappers dismissed his threats. But when the ransom was paid and Caesar was released, the first thing he did was gather his army together to pursue the pirates.
The prirates indeed were captured and crucified!
This was the Romans' attitude toward crucifixion. This cruel death was reserved only for the worst criminals. It was meant to show extreme contempt for the condemned. And the pain and humiliation experienced by someone crucified by the Romans was unmatched by any other.
They condemned and humiliated the person and name of Jesus thousands of years ago just as many people do today. And even though He died a lowly death, we as believers can rejoice in knowing that "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25).
Jesus died for the sins of all--including those who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross. You may know of someone today who doesn't know Jesus. Will you be the one to tell them about the forgiveness He gives? Will you be the one who points them toward eternal life through Jesus?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring someone into your life this Easter who you can share the story of His death, burial, and resurrection, and the price He paid for their sins. :angel:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. --1 Peter 1:3-5
A little boy born with Down syndrome attended his third-grade Sunday School class faithfully each week. As you can expect, the other children did not readily accept the boy because he seemed different.
The Sunday after Easter, their teacher brought in small boxes--one for each child. The children were told to go outside, find some symbols of new life, and put them in their containers. So the children ran wildly throughout the property looking for something to fill their boxes.
Once they returned to the classroom, they began to share their discoveries with the class. One by one they opened their boxes to show flowers, butterflies, leaves, and more. Each time the class would "ooh" and "ahh."
Then the child with Down syndrome opened his box to reveal nothing inside. The children exclaimed, "That's stupid! It's not fair! He didn't do the assignment right!"
The little boy exclaimed, "I did so do it! It's empty...because the tomb where Jesus laid was found empty!"
If Jesus had not risen from the dead, our faith would be foolish and fake. But He did rise from death, confirming His life and message. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our hope of life eternal beyond the grave.
Don't ever forget to include the resurrection of Christ from the dead when speaking of His death on the cross. For because He conquered sin on the cross and death through His resurrection, we can have unmistakable hope in Him for eternity.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God that you serve a risen Savior! Thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross and for defeating death so that you and I may experience eternal life with Him one day.
:angel:
For as he thinks within himself, so he is. --Proverbs 23:7
An unknown author once wrote this poem:
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't. ...
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can!
Many psychologists today base their practices on Proverbs 23:7 and maintain that positive thinking increases happiness and success in life. They teach their patients that the way they think affects their emotions, their relationships, and their ability to cope with difficulty.
With the sin in the world that causes disease, suffering, heartache, and misfortune, it's easy for anyone to have negative thoughts. But the believer must be a positive thinker!
In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul assured his friends at Philippi of his positive attitude in Christ saying, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
However, as believers we must understand that this contentment and positive outlook exists in us because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we are always to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
Those whose hearts have not been filled with the Spirit of God will find it harder to combat the mind tricks and temptations of Satan (see Matthew 15:19). Simply remember that the condition of your heart determines the condition of your thoughts.
Allow the Spirit of the Lord to consume your heart and thoughts so that you can live your life positively.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Holy Spirit would invade your heart and mind, so that you would think, speak, and act positively in life.
:angel:
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. --2 Peter 1:10-11
When Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski played before Queen Victoria in 1891, he won her approval. She exclaimed, "Mr. Paderewski, you are a genius."
To which Paderewski replied, "Perhaps, Your Majesty, but before that I was a drudge."
In the beginning, Paderewski was discouraged by his teachers from becoming a pianist. But through discipline and hours of practice each day, Paderewski launched his artistic career in 1885 and became known worldwide for his dynamic talents, abilities and infectious personality.
Just as Paderewski had to discipline himself to practice every day in order to grow in his talent, so we as believers must also discipline ourselves and take time each day to grow spiritually in the Lord.
Spiritual discipline is absolutely essential for Christian growth and development in the life of the believer. It is a process that continues on through the life of a believer, and helps him or her grow spiritually in Christ and know God's will.
The author of Hebrews encouraged believers to "show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure" and not become lazy, but "imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" (Hebrews 6:11-12).
A believer can mature in Jesus by practicing spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, witnessing, worship, service, fellowship with other believers, and other godly acts.
In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul said, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the world of truth."
If you will practice spiritual discipline each day in faith and obedience to the Lord despite the hardships that come along, then you can look forward to the abundant blessings of God (see Hebrews 12:11).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would build in you strength and determination to daily practice righteousness.
:angel:
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:13
Hospitality is the practice of welcoming, sheltering, providing for, and feeding those who come into your home--with no expectations for rewards or personal gain in return.
Hospitality is much more than exotic menus, elegant table settings and decorations, and fancy entertainment. It is sharing what you have and who you are in Jesus with the people God brings your way.
For those in Bible times, hospitality was a necessity in the harsh desert regions. It was openly rewarded when extended fully and openly punished when there was a lack thereof.
In the New Testament, Jesus modeled hospitality perfectly. He met both the physical and emotional needs of those who came to Him (Matthew 15:32-39).
New Testament writers encouraged believers to practice hospitality toward other Christians saying, "Offering hospitality to one another without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9). And elders and deacons within the church, in particular, were to extend hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2).
However, there are some exceptions. Believers are encouraged not to show hospitality t false teachers (2 John 1:10-11) or those who receive hospitality but do not work to support themselves and assist the host family (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13).
As believers, we are called to extend this gift to all who are in need. You can open up your heart and life, and minister to others in simple ways: time, food (see Psalm 104:27), money (Matthew 25:34-40), energy, creativity, and love (1 John 4:11).
If you extend your hospitality, open your home, and share your heart with someone else, your efforts will not go unnoticed (Hebrews 6:10). Allow your warm welcome to be saturated with the love of Christ, so you can easily share Him with those who enter your presence.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you ways you can practice hospitality toward those who are in need.
:angel:
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. --Ephesians 4:22-24
British actor Michael Wilding (1912-1979) was once asked if celebrities had any traits which set them apart from other human beings.
He replied, "Without a doubt. You can pick out actors by the glazed look that comes into their eyes when the conversation wanders away from themselves."
Wilding's theory is certainly true, but this self-centered trait has existed in all people since the beginning of time due to our inherently sinful nature from birth to death.
For the believer, we must understand that self-centeredness is sin. The Bible says, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24).
Our sinful nature causes us to automatically be self-focused and concerned with our own interests before those of others. But the Bible says this focus inward is from the world (1 John 2:16).
Certainly each person is a unique individual in the sight of our Creator, for He made you in His own image. But when your individuality, a gift from God, is turned inward, it becomes the source of sin, and is the obstacle which stands in the way of holiness.
The Bible says, "If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil" (James 3:14-15) and ultimately leads to destruction (Philippians 3:19).
If you recognize that self-centeredness has crept into your heart and mind, then ask for God's forgiveness, begin trusting Him with your innermost being, and throw off all worldliness. When you do this, His purposes will become the driving force in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would remove any self-centeredness from your heart. Commit to Him your focus and desires going forward in your spiritual walk with Him.
:angel:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. --Ephesians 2:13
In his book, The Supremacy of Jesus, Stephen Neill lists four ways we have access directly with God:
1. We have access to God's throne of grace (Romans 5:2; Hebrews 4:16).
2. We have access to God who is sovereign, and can approach Him as a child does a father (Ephesians 2:18; Luke 11:11-13; Romans 8:15).
3. We have access to Jesus Christ. And it's by His blood that we are confident to approach Him (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:19).
4. We have access to God by our faith and prayer (Romans 5:2; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:22).
As a believer, you have direct access to God Almighty because of the sacrifice Jesus made! How encouraging is it that you have permission to enter the presence of the Lord at any time as you walk daily through life?
We must always be thankful that God took us out of sin and shame, and made us His children. Determine to "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" to those in your life who may not know Jesus (1 Peter 2:9-10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the privilege of having immediate access to Him because of Jesus' death on the cross. Pray that you would always be a personal witness of the changes He's made in your life to the world.
:angel:
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. --Psalm 119:50
A famous evangelist told of a friend that lost his job, a sizable fortune, and his beautiful home because of a decline in his business. And to make matters worse, his loving wife died, adding more to his sorrow.
Yet in the midst of it all, he held steadfastly to his faith--what seemed to be the only thing he had left.
One day, as he was taking a walk around town in search of employment, he spotted a group of men doing stonework on a large church nearby. He stopped to watch one of the men chisel a large triangular piece of rock.
Being curious, he approached the man and asked, "Excuse me. Where are you going to put that?"
The workman replied, "Do you see that little opening up there near the spire? Well, I'm shaping this stone down here so that it will fit in up there."
As the grief-stricken man walked away, tears filled his eyes, for the Lord had spoken clearly to him through that laborer. The workman's words gave new meaning to the sorrow-filled man's troubled situation.
While not being completely filled with stories of ultimate despair, the Bible is not altogether peaceful and it doesn't completely avoid heartache. And God's Word doesn't even have all the answers to the questions behind suffering.
Yet it does share that the sovereignty of God prevails in the midst of suffering. We can find great comfort in any situation we face knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered once as well.
If you learn to focus on Jesus and follow Him faithfully during times of trouble, then He can shape you into a perfect fit while you're in the valley and eventually set you high up on the mountaintop.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring meaning and victory into times of suffering in your life.
:angel:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. --1 Peter 3:15
The renowned 19th-century English preacher Charles H. Spurgeon told a story about King Cyrus, the man who conquered Babylon and freed the Jews from captivity.
A visitor to King Cyrus' palace was admiring his garden and said it gave him much pleasure. King Cyrus responded, "Ah...but you have not so much pleasure in this garden as I have, for I have planted every tree in it myself."
Spurgeon then commented on this story, "One reason some saints will have a greater fullness of heaven than others will be that they did more for heaven than others. By God's grace they were enabled to bring more souls there."
What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind when you are gone from this earth? How many people will be in heaven because of you?
Do you want to be known as a dynamic believer in Christ who never left the pew or walked outside of the church building to share Jesus? Or do you want to be known as one who spent every day sharing Him with the lost world around you?
Nothing is more effective in drawing someone to Jesus Christ than sharing your personal testimony of faith. How did God change your life? What great and mighty things have you seen Him do as a result?
Believers should always be ready to share their faith with others and have zeal to move beyond their comfort zone to bring more souls to Jesus.
Become the kind of Christian that when you reach eternity, someone will say to you, "I'm so thankful for you. It was because of your testimony, your life, and your invitation to accept Jesus that I'm here today" (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would have a passion for sharing Jesus with those around you who are lost.
:angel:
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:11-13
In the early 1990s, author and speaker Patsy Clairmont boarded an airplane and sat next to a young man. She began a conversation with him and soon found out that he was a Marine who had been serving in Operation Desert Storm.
Throughout their conversation, he told her that he was on his way home where his family would greet him at the airport. To which Clairmont commented that he must have thought about returning home to his family many times while he was in the Middle East.
But the Marine replied, "Oh, no, ma'am. We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were."
This young man was content right where he was...despite his situation. Contentment is the full acceptance of yourself, your surroundings, your past, and your future.
As believers, we can be content because Jesus paid for our sins on the cross...giving us salvation and eternal life with Him. Knowing this should help us be perfectly satisfied with our current situations because He is sufficient to meet all of our needs (Philippians 4:19).
However, contentment is never easy to obtain! It is a learned trait. No matter your situation today, strive to rely on God in every situation and circumstance.
Realize that He is sufficient and has given you all that you need for this moment in time. As you begin to depend more on Him, you will learn to be content!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the situation He has placed you in at this point in your life and commit to rely on Him in each and every situation.
:angel:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on the cross! --Philippians 2:5-8
Booker T. Washington, the famous black educator, became the president of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881.
Shortly thereafter, he was taking a walk through town when a wealthy white woman stopped him. She didn't recognize the well-known man, so she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her.
Mr. Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and set out to work on the chore she had requested. When he finished, he carried the logs into her house and stacked them by the fireplace.
A little girl recognized Washington working outside the woman's house and later revealed his identity to her. The next morning, the embarrassed woman went to Mr. Washington's office and apologized profusely.
To which he replied, "It's perfectly all right, Madam. Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it's always a delight to do something for a friend."
A truly humble man or woman is oftentimes hard to find. But God gets great joy in blessing those believers who are selfless. Being humble is not a natural instinct. Rather it is a God-given mandate for holy living.
Jesus Christ's life is the perfect example of humility. Though He was God, Jesus sacrificed His position of honor and entered humanity as a humble Savior.
Believers should also follow the Lord and humble themselves before God and others. For the Bible says "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a spirit of humility today.
:angel:
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. --2 Corinthians 1:20
These twelve promises of God on which we can rely were listed in Our Daily Bread on January 1, 1985:
God's Presence - "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
God's Protection - "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your very great reward'" (Genesis 15:1).
God's Power - "I will strengthen you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Provision - "I will...help you; I will uphold you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Leading - "When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them" (John 10:4).
God's Purposes - "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's Rest - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
God's Cleansing - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
God's Goodness - "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11).
God's Faithfulness - "The Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own" (1 Samuel 12:22).
God's Guidance - "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (Psalm 25:9).
God's Wise Plan - "All things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
If you are an obedient and faithful child of God, then you can be certain He will keep all His promises (see 2 Peter 3:9)! There is assurance for your life and hope for whatever situation you may be facing in the promises of His Word!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises found in His Word.
:angel:
April 7, 2010
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:34
It doesn't matter if you're asleep or wide awake, there are two thieves that often try to creep into your heart and mind to rob you of your peace and joy. They are known as "yesterday" and "tomorrow." Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow because He knew we would have more than enough to handle today. He doesn't want you to dwell on past mistakes or tomorrow's potential difficulties. Even though this seems to be a simple concept, most people have difficulty in grasping it.
Before you know it, they suddenly catch a bad case of the "what ifs." What if I can't pay my bills next month? Where is my next meal going to come from? What if the medicine and treatments don't work? It can be maddening to those who are overwhelmed by the "what if" syndrome, commonly known as worry. But this only covers the thief named "tomorrow."
"Yesterday" is a completely different kind of bandit. People find themselves engulfed with the regrets of yesterday. We must realize everyone makes mistakes for "each one should carry his own load" (Galatians 6:5)--big, small, medium-sized--they are all sin in the eyes of God. He doesn't judge you any more or less, because Christ's blood covered all sins equally.
Everyone has his load of difficulties in life stemming from yesterday, actively working today, or building for tomorrow's explosion. But, as believers we must understand that the only way to free ourselves of worry and experience true peace is to have faith that God will work everything out in His time. Consider Him your heart's anti-theft system--He cleanses past mistakes and has every detail carefully planned out for your future.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you focus on today and serving Him at this very moment, rather than worrying about your past or future.
:angel:
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. --Proverbs 21:5
Everyone who plans to retire or has already retired faces a troubling question: Will I outlive my money? This is clearly a great concern and an unsettling possibility. Fears about health care and future finances run neck in neck in the race for the biggest concern among senior adults.
Today, the average person's life span has increased by 20 years since 1900, and the fastest growing age group of the U.S. population is people who are 85 years old and older. In the 1970s, Social Security provided for half a retired person's annual income, but today it counts for less than 30 percent and continues to decline.
The only way to make sure your income lasts as long as you do is through proper planning. You may have been frugal and wise with your income so you could be properly prepared when retirement came along, but now you may be feeling financially vulnerable. Don't worry--you are not alone. There are creative ways to make your money last longer for you.
Sit down with your family and discuss this issue as soon as possible. If you don't already have a professional financial advisor, you might consider working with one. Be sure to check their references before making a decision.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to place on your heart the reassurance that He will take care of you. Ask Him to reveal to you the next steps to take in preparing financially for the future. Thank Him for His provision and watch care over your life thus far.
:angel:
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. --Matthew 6:14-15
A seminary professor was teaching her students about forgiveness. She asked each of them to bring a sack of potatoes to class the next day. When they did, she asked them to select a potato for each person they refused to forgive and write the date on it beside the person's name. For a month, their assignment was to carry the sack of potatoes with them everywhere they went.
Can you imagine the load? After dragging the sacks around, each student began to recognize how much weight they were carrying spiritually as well as physically. It took a great amount of energy to pay attention to their bag and they had to make sure they didn't leave it lying around in the wrong place.
It wasn't long before the potatoes began to rot and stink. Each student realized that the best thing to do was to get rid of the sack of potatoes. You can't receive forgiveness without forgiving others first. If you decide not to forgive, then God will not forgive you either. It states this in His Word!
When you refuse to forgive and let go, you pay a price. You begin to harbor bitterness and it becomes harder to find happiness. When you forgive the sins of others against you, they are gone for good! But when you don't, what happens? You begin carrying around the bitterness and rottenness like a sack of potatoes. If the thought of carrying around that heavy load makes you uncomfortable and tired, then take action and do something about it before this day is over!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are carrying grudges or bitterness around like the sack of potatoes mentioned above, then ask God to give you the strength to forgive those in your life who have sinned against you.
:angel:
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. --Psalm 34:11
Many people come to God irreverently. We will never get very far in our relationship with the Lord unless we understand He is to be feared. One of the greatest examples of fearing the Lord can be found in the infamous book The Chronicles of Narnia.
In the book, an allegory written by C.S. Lewis, the story is told of two girls, Susan and Lucky, who prepare to meet Aslan the Lion, who represents Christ. A story mostly made up of talking animals, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver help to prepare the girls for their first visit with the lion king. "Ooh," says Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
"That you will, dearie," replied Mrs. Beaver. "And make no mistake, if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
Mr. Beaver goes on to tell the young child, who questions if he's safe, "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king, I tell you!"
The psalmist understood better than anyone what Mr. and Mrs. Beaver were trying to explain to Susan and Lucy. He wrote, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing" (Psalm 34:8-9). We aren't to live in terror of the Lord, but we must always fear Him in reverence and awe of His goodness and kingship. Our God is awesome beyond what we can imagine.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: In your prayer, praise God for who He is and worship Him with trembling hope and repentant tears.
:angel:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. --Lamentations 3:22-23
Have you ever been so overwhelmed by sorrow that you couldn't speak or move? If you have experienced this kind of sorrow, then you can understand firsthand the emotions of Jeremiah as he wrote the book of Lamentations. This book is a sobbing funeral song for the death of Jerusalem and the captivity of her people because of their sins. Each word in this book seems to be penned by someone with no hope. It is almost as if you could visualize the tears of Jeremiah falling onto every page.
Even though this book may seem to be full of destruction and desolation, there is a passage that may be familiar to you. It is the one ounce of hope that fills this barrelful of sadness. It says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). What a message of hope and renewal!
We often forget the glimmer of light and hope found in these words amidst this seemingly dark book of sorrow in the Bible. Jeremiah's soul was aching, but he knew the Lord could cure it all. There may be times when you want to sink into despair. But even in the deepest pit of sorrow, there is One who will reach in and rescue you. Then you will be able to repeat the same words Jeremiah used: "I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him'" (Lamentations 3:24).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are experiencing sorrow, ask the Lord to rescue you from the pain and sorrow. If you know someone who is going through this battle, pray for God's peace on their lives and point them to the ray of hope found in Lamentations.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. --Ecclesiastes 9:11
A newspaper headline once read, "Jockey Beats Horse over Finish Line." The jockey, indeed, crossed the finish line a length before his horse and 20 lengths before the rest of the contestants. The would-be winner was thrown out of his saddle. His horse, which had tripped, followed right behind him. The victory went to the second-place finisher--"Slip Up."
One race official said the jockey and his horse were "so far in front that only a freak accident would stop him." All of us have faced life's unexpected events. The author of Ecclesiastes said, "The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong" (Ecclesiastes 9:11). He made apparent the fact that people are not controllers of their own destiny.
You are probably already very aware of this fact, but life is completely filled with unpredictable experiences. Someone once said these events "seem like stones dropped into the gears of human ingenuity." A family survives a fire that destroys everything they own. A healthy man contracts a crippling, deadly disease. A senior citizen loses everything in a scam deal.
There are important life lessons we can learn from everyday experiences. That may sound like a general statement, but if you think about it, it becomes a powerful one. One lesson we can learn is not to trust our own strength, knowledge, or skill, but instead depend on God in all of life's day-to-day happenings. Only He knows what is going to happen from moment to moment. For us, life's race isn't over until the Lord says it is.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you trust Him for the unexpected and unpredictable events life throws your way. Pray that He would give you faith to finish the race until He comes again.
:angel:
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. --Psalm 5:3
Almost 50 years ago, A.W. Tozer said, "Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible." Tozer said this before there was internet, digital cable, palm pilots, or cell phones. While some of you may not have bought into this technology yet, you have definitely been affected and surrounded by it.
These types of technological advances are beneficial, but can also rob us of so much time. However, it's not just the modern complexities that hinder our devotional lives. Most of the time, the biggest obstacle in developing our relationships with God lies within ourselves. It's our own laziness and reluctance to stop and spend time in prayer and Bible study.
So how do you lay to rest Tozer's assumption that today's society makes devotional life impossible? First, you must admit that you have failed to spend time with God. Second, you must recognize that prayer and Bible study are absolutely essential for growth in your spiritual life. Your physical body can't live off one piece of bread a week, just as your soul can't live off the Word fed to you only on Sunday.
Develop a plan. In Psalm 5:3, we see that David set aside time every morning, before any part of his day unfolded, to spend time with the Lord. With this plan of action, you will be able to remove the complexities of the world and put first things first. Open your heart to the incredible joy and relationship that will come when you consistently devote your life to the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you beat the impossible through time spent with Him every day. If you have not been faithful in spending time with God, ask for forgiveness and rededicate a piece of your time to your relationship with Him.
:angel:
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. --1 Corinthians 1:27
A famous violinist announced he would be playing one of the world's most expensive violins in his concert. The first composition he played flawlessly. And each one after that was better than the performance before. The audience was thrilled and enamored with his perfect performance.
After bowing during the applause, the violinist suddenly picked up the priceless violin and smashed it to the floor, completely destroying it. The audience gasped and looked on with horrified expressions. That is, until the famous violinist explained he had been playing an inexpensive violin all along.
The musician then picked up the truly expensive violin and began playing it. The sound was just as beautiful as before, and most people couldn't even tell the difference between the two instruments. The lesson in this illustration is that the quality of the violin was secondary to the skill of the violinist.
This is almost like our service to the Lord. The Master can and wants to use ordinary instruments like us. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul states that God chose foolish and weak things to shame the wise and strong. And He did that so no one would "boast before Him" (1 Corinthians 1:29).
Like the cheap violin played by the violinist, we too can be instruments in the Lord's hands to bring glory to His name and blessing to those around us. It matters not if you are unable to serve as you did before, practice your talents, or put your gifts to use as often. God knows your every weakness and He still desires to use you right where He has placed you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to use you as an instrument for His glory. Pray that wherever He uses you, you will be an influence in the lives of others.
:angel:
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. --Psalm 119:18
An elderly woman was living in Scotland in the worst kind of poverty. She had tattered clothes, a weathered house, and barely enough food to fill her stomach each day. Many years earlier, her son had come to America and had not returned to his native land. He had gone to make a way for himself and to provide a good life for his mother. But since that day, she had not seen him.
One day, a friend came to visit the mother. He said, "Does your son every help you with expenses?"
Reluctantly she admitted, "No, but he writes me nice long letters and sends me interesting pictures."
The visitor wanted to speak harshly of the man, but held back and instead asked, "May I see the pictures?"
The aged mother brought them out of the drawer, and to the friend's amazement they were valuable bank notes. Through the years, she had been needlessly living in poverty. All the while she had in her possession everything she needed to live.
Many times, in our attempt to learn more about God's Word, we skim over some of the most important things that could be valuable at that time in our lives. Unless we daily spend time in the Bible, it will be to us as it was to the mother in the story above—nothing but words or pictures that we can't quite understand.
Most of us don't realize the pile of gold sitting right in front of us found in Scripture. If we will just take some time every day to meditate on the truths, we will see its value.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you the valuable truths and golden nuggets of wisdom from His Word, so that you can be wealthy in knowledge of who He is and His love for you.
:angel:
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier... --Ephesians 2:14
Many years ago, the Prince of Wales visited the capital city of India. An arduous, stately barrier had been set up to keep back the masses of people, most of them lower class, who wanted to catch a glimpse of royalty.
When the prince arrived, he shook hands with some of the political dignitaries who were presented to him. Then, looking over their heads to the crowds beyond, he said, "Take down those barriers!" They were quickly removed, and the people, regardless of social rank, had free access to the heir to the British throne.
Several years later, the Prince of Wales visited the same district again. Waiting on him, were 10,000 outcasts that waited under a banner. The banner welcomed him with these words inscribed: "The Prince of the Outcasts."
Not many of us take time out of our hectic schedules to reflect on the majesty of Jesus and what He did for us. Born into sin, we were outcasts from conception. But by the grace and forgiveness of Jesus, we have been adopted into the family of God.
So often we don't thank Him or praise Him enough for the incredible mercy he showed us on the cross. We were separated from God, we were the outcasts, sin was the barrier, and the heir to the throne came and ordered it to be taken away. As a result, we now have free access to the Son. Thank God for our "Prince of the Outcasts"—Jesus Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Take a few moments to simply thank God for sending Jesus to provide forgiveness for your sins as a sacrifice on the cross through His shed blood. Take time to worship Him through song for bridging the gap so that we can have eternal life.
:angel:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. --Galatians 3:28
A missionary who served in Calcutta said that she was profoundly influenced because of a communion service she attended during the Second World War.
The leader of that meeting was a Swedish minister. Among those present were a Chinese pastor, a Japanese teacher, a German doctor, several English citizens, and a small group of Indian believers. The missionary recalled that as she looked at that diverse company she felt a closeness to each person, especially when they partook of the bread and the cup.
The bond of Christian fellowship was real, even though some of those people were from countries engaged in a brutal war. Yes, Jesus Christ does remove the barriers of race and nationality, and He takes away the hatred that so often arises from these differences.
We live in a world, and especially a country, where diversity is great. More than the days of yesteryear, we see people of all nationalities, religions, and cultures coming to live together in one community and nation. In a time such as this, we must seek to be a witness for Jesus Christ to those who have never heard His name.
Our mission field has moved back home to the United States. While the need for evangelism abroad remains, we have a great opportunity to take Christ into our neighborhoods, communities, cities, and states like never before. People of all nations came here to live in freedom—and many of them are in need of the spiritual freedom found only in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to empower you to be the kind of minister He wants you to be to those who have come from all over the world, so that they may join the family of God. Pray that you would have a great impact on the diverse generations of today.
:angel:
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." --Matthew 10:42
Have you ever found it difficult to ask others for help? Why is it so hard for us to admit we need help? It's simple. Most of us have never had to depend on anyone else. We've always had life completely under control and we've been the ones helping others, right? We didn't think we'd ever be incapable of handling things on our own. But that's not reality. We hesitate before taking that first step to ask for help.
People need each other—especially Christians. It makes sense that God included "helping" in the list of gifts found in 1 Corinthians 12:28. There is a difference between offering help and making help available. Some people offer help and are genuinely anxious to give it. Others seem to make help available, but actually have no plans of following through with their offer.
Some people seem to be born with the gift to reach out and help others, and the rest have a lot to learn about offering help. Once you see God working through the kind of person who has the innate ability to easily help others, you'll want be that kind of person as well. You don't necessarily have to have the gift of helping others to be blessed by it. People all around us have setbacks, and they depend on the goodness of others to meet their daily needs.
When offering help to others be honest, specific, personal, a good listener, sensitive to their needs, faithful, and be sure to follow up. The Bible teaches specifically how to be a friend and helper to those who need it. Times may change. The culture is going to change. And even people may change—but more often than not their needs don't. Make a choice to help someone in need today.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you someone who needs your help.
:angel:
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.--1 Peter 2:12
In Leslie B. Flynn's book Dare to Care Like Jesus, he says:
"A Christian baroness, living in the highlands of Nairobi, Kenya, told of a young national who was employed as her houseboy. After three months, he asked the baroness to give him a letter of reference to a friendly sheik some miles away.
"The baroness, not wishing the houseboy to leave just when he had learned the routine of the household, offered to increase his pay. The lad replied that he was not leaving for higher wages. Rather, he had decided that he would become either a Christian or a Muslim. This is why he had come to work for the baroness for three months.
"He had wished to see how Christian acted. Now he wanted to work for three months for the sheik to observe the ways of the Muslims. Then he would decide. The baroness was ashamed as she recalled the many shortcomings in her dealings with the houseboy. She could only exclaim, 'Why didn't you tell me at the beginning!'"
As Christians, people are constantly watching everything we say, do, and how we react. Many times, it is our witness that determines what others will think about our faith. If you have a harsh attitude, use hurtful words, participate in questionable activities, you could hinder someone from coming to know Christ.
It is our responsibility as Christians to take the Gospel of Christ to our communities, cities, and the ends of the earth. But we are also to emulate the person of Christ in our words and deeds to those we come in contact with. Simply stated: others will know the Lord by the way live our lives.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to keep your heart, thoughts, and actions pure as you live your life in front of others. Pray that nonbelievers would constantly see Christ in you.
:angel:
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. --Hosea 10:12
There's a story about a young mother who died giving birth to her third child. No one in the family was willing to take care of the three little girls, except their great-grandmother who came forward without hesitation. When she took them into her home, she was 83 years old. By God's grace, she lived another 16 years before passing on at the age of 99-long enough to parent each of the young girls into their teenage years and early 20s.
This is an amazing and inspiring example of the reality of retirement. After retirement, there is more to life than golf, easy chairs, your favorite daily television shows, and boredom. People today are living longer than ever before and it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more people over the age of 65 than those who are under the age of 18.
Almost two million people retire every year, leaving many people freed up to perform acts of kindness for others. Contributing to their long lives is good health, financial stability, and life experiences. As a result, many senior adults are ready and looking for challenging and meaningful pursuits in their older age.
You may not be in a situation like the one mentioned above, but there are some things you can do as a Christian senior adult. You are called to always be a prayer warrior for the people in your life (Ephesians 6:18), and retirement provides more time for this type of thing as well as volunteering your time in your church or neighborhood. Decide that you are going to be a blessing to others who need it. When you begin to creatively use your time, God will bring blessing into your life (Hosea 10:12).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would make you a blessing in someone's life today through giving of your time, your talents, and your prayers.
:angel:
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. --2 Corinthians 4:17
The magazine "Wonderful Word" once ran a story about an elderly Christian Englishman. While he was working with another man under the hot summer sun, he put down his heavy load to rest. As he sat by the road, a limousine passed by. Its wealthy owner sat in the back seat, being chauffeured in luxurious ease.
His fellow worker pointed to the passing limo and said, "Do you know the occupant of that car? He is an ungodly man, but he isn't having troubles like you. You believe that everything belongs to the Lord, you trust Him, and you serve Him; yet you still have to work hard in your old age for a meager living. How can you reconcile this with the love and justice of God?"
The old man replied, "Are you testing me, sir? Couple heaven with it! Couple heaven with it!"
The poor, elderly saint of God saw life's true source of wealth, for he could look beyond his earthly condition to his eternal treasures. Scripture says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).
Life can be harsh often neglecting us of comfort or wealth. But God supplies our needs for today and gives us assurance for eternity with Him. Today, you may be living in meager surroundings just as the man above. Take your situation now and "couple it with heaven," and you'll realize there is no better hope for tomorrow.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the strength and faith to carry on until you meet Him. Ask Him to provide for you while you are here and keep joy in your heart that comes from Him.
:angel:
I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. --2 Timothy 1:3-5
Godly parents leave an unforgettable impression on their families. This is often evidenced by the love and respect they receive from their children. Take, for example, the thoughtfulness that William McKinley showed to his mother. As lawyer, congressman, Governor of Ohio, and as President of the United States, he kept in touch with her every day. When he didn't see her, he wrote or telegraphed.
In mid-October of 1897, he quietly left the White House and took a train to Canton just so he could walk to church with her again. When she became ill, he arranged to have a special train standing by at full steam, ready to take him to her bedside.
Then one night she did call for him. Immediately he wired, "Tell Mother I'll be there." Mrs. McKinley died December 12, 1897, in the arms of her 54-year-old son. Her gentle, Christian virtues helped mold the President's character.
When he was gunned down in Buffalo, New York, about four years later, he showed no bitterness toward his assassin. With Christian courage he said, "God's will be done." Before he died, he asked to hear once again the hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," which his mother had taught him.
Timothy had the godly influence of a Christian mother and grandmother. He was raised in a home with good morals and by family members who loved the Lord. As a result, he grew to be a great man of God.
Your parents may or may not have had the same Christian influence on you. As a Christian, you have been left with a great legacy that should be passed on to your children and grandchildren. The greatest gift you can leave behind to the younger generation is a legacy of faith.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would be a godly influence to your family and younger generations.
:angel:
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. --Proverbs 11:30
Years ago, an article was published that cited a number of men whose faithful witness through books and pamphlets had brought many people to the Lord. The influence of each author led to the changed life of another.
Richard Gibbs, an elderly Puritan doctor, wrote The Bruised Reed. A copy came into the hands of Richard Baxter and resulted in his conversion. Baxter later authored a volume titled Saints' Rest and Call to the Unconverted. By it many sinners were led to Jesus, including Philip Doddridge.
Doddridge became a famous preacher, hymn writer, and the president of a theological seminary. Doddridge wrote the well-circulated book, The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, which proved a rich blessing for countless people.
William Wilberforce read it, was convicted of sin, and became a Christian statesman. After being instrumental in freeing slaves, he penned Practical View of Christianity. This changed the life of Leigh Richmond.
Richmond became a world-famous writer of tracts that influenced thousands to seek the Lord. Yes, the "fruit of the righteous" is a "family tree" of converts who keep branching out to others. You also have probably greatly influenced the life of someone at one time or another. But don't stop now!
There are young men and women who still need the mentoring and wisdom of someone who has lived a great life of faith. Through your witness, you could be helping to nurture the next Annie Armstrong, Charles Spurgeon, or Billy Graham. If you are a follower of Jesus and have an intimate relationship with Him, then you have wisdom to share that could change someone's life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you an incredible influence in the life of someone else for His glory!
:angel:
April 30, 2010
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" --Matthew 25:23
One stormy night many years ago, an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk explained that because three conventions were in town, the hotel was full. "But I can't send a nice couple like you out in the rain at 1:00 a.m.," he said. "Would you be willing to sleep in my room?"
The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted. The next morning, when the man paid his bill, he said, "You're the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I'll build one for you." The clerk smiled, amused by the older man's remark.
A few years passed and one day, the clerk received a letter from the elderly man, recalling that stormy night, and asking him to come to New York for a visit. A round-trip ticket was enclosed.
When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, where stood a magnificent new building. "This is the hotel I have just built for you to manage," said the man.
"You've got to be joking," said the clerk. "Who are you?"
"My name is William Waldorf Astor," said the man. "And I'm most certainly not joking."
That hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria, and the young clerk, who became its first manager, was George C. Boldt. The Bible says, "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High..." In the end, we will be rewarded for our faithfulness to the call of Jesus Christ with a lifetime in heaven for eternity.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would be faithful and just in all you do.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Monday, May 3, 2010
She took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. --Genesis 3:6
Our world is certainly not a perfect world. You don't have to go very far or listen very long to be reminded of the evil and sin all around us.
The secular humanist has no real answer to the philosophical question of the existence of evil. Humanists believe falsely that humans are basically good in spite of all evidence to the contrary.
One chilling example is a study done by the late professor Allen Bloom, who asked his college students, "How do you identify an evil person?" His question was met with silence. Not one student could give him a determining factor of evil! Bloom said that our inability to identify and recognize evil is a sign of grave danger in our society.
Our society has become so perverse that we can't even recognize evil or wrongdoing. Since 9/11 you probably won't find very many people who would say there is no such thing as evil. But you probably couldn't find many who know what evil is or why it is so prevalent in our society.
The Bible has the answer to the problem of evil. It all goes back to Genesis 3 and our first parents, who yielded to temptation. Sin came into our world at that point, and it's something we've had to deal with since.
But, according to the Bible, we do have hope...and that hope is in Christ. Through Christ we are freed from the power of sin and evil. And because of Christ, we can live as people of purity in a twisted world.
My challenge to you today is to reflect that purity in how you live so that a world that is in the grips of evil will see the only hope...the hope of Jesus Christ.
LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT OUR WORLD WILL SEE THERE IS AN ANTIDOTE TO EVIL, JESUS CHRIST!
:angel:
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children.--Titus 2:4
There's a story of an older woman, Ms. Betty, who was known for her warm spirit and grandmotherly love toward everyone. She was the type who had numerous families over to her house for lunch after church on Sunday. She fixed the best homemade meals and seemed to fit the mold of a perfect, godly woman.
After months of praying for God to bring a new pastor along, He did. And Ms. Betty took the young pastor's wife under her wing to encourage her and model a life of service--through missions, hospitality, and other activities in the church. Before she knew it, the once-intimidated and shy preacher's wife was speaking at Bible studies and preparing mission trips for overseas.
The younger woman didn't realize it at the time, but God used Ms. Betty to plant a seed that would one day give her, along with her husband, the courage to follow Him to Brazil as missionaries. God knew that the young lady needed the influence of a servant-hearted believer like Ms. Betty to open her heart and cause her to answer God's call. Through her words and actions, Ms. Betty left a lasting impression that forever changed the pastor's wife.
How can you make a difference in the life of a young person? By simply being compassionate enough to care for them unselfishly and get involved in their lives. The Bible tells us that we can influence others through our testimony, our words (Colossians 4:6), and our teaching (Titus 2:7-8) for His glory. Don't let your wisdom and experience go to waste, for at the right time God will bless you for your faithfulness (Galatians 6:9).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to bring a young person into your life with whom you can be a mentor, encourager, influence, and friend.
:angel:
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? --Job 12:12
As people near retirement age, most begin to battle the aging process in every way possible. It may seem easy to deal with the wisdom and understanding part found in Scripture. In Psalm 92:14, it sounds fine to stay fresh and green in old age just as fruit does. But why in the world does the King James Version use the word "fat?"
Look it up. The King James Version says, "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing..." We may have to deal with a lot of things as we age, but this is a little much! You may not look any younger as the days go by, no matter how many varieties of facial creams or exercise you do. But there is one thing God's Word says you will find among senior adults...wisdom.
What could be more priceless than that? Whatever is done in life with eternal value matters. If you think about that statement, it will put all disappointing thoughts of aging to rest. You will begin to view aging in the proper perspective.
The Lord has carried you this far through trials, tribulations, joys, and pains. So no matter how frustrating this age can be at times, the Lord has assured you that He'll carry you the rest of the way through life right into heaven. Capture the wisdom and understanding that God has given you in your golden years, and use these blessings to make a difference for Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you gain a positive perspective on life. Pray that He would help you use the wisdom He's blessed you with to have an impact on the lives of others who are hurting, lost, lonely, or younger than you.
:angel:
Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." --Deuteronomy 33:12
Consumers lose millions of dollars each year due to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a person's social security number, credit card number, phone number, address, and other personal information is discovered by a thief who uses the information for his own personal gain.
As as result of this, many people have purchased paper shredders for their homes to help prevent the theft of their mail or private information from a trash can or dumpster. While this kind of theft can almost ruin a person and is a great travesty, we must be wary of having our true identity stolen.
Satan steals a person's potential in Christ by convincing them they are not worthy of God's forgiveness, grace, and love. He rips off others by using peers to influence them in negative ways or creating enormous amounts of guilt. Through fear, guilt, and shame, Satan can prevent many from discovering God's ultimate purpose for their lives.
The devil's goal is to keep you confused about your spiritual gift and purpose, trying to dilute your true identity in Christ. Remember that God loves you and you are "precious and honored" in His sight (Isaiah 43:4). You are valuable. So much so, that Christ hung on a cross for your sins. How's that for value? And you are capable of being all that God's called you to be because He has specifically gifted you to serve and honor Him (see 1 Peter 4:10).
It may cause some problems to have your personal information robbed by the common thief, but it would be even more devastating to have the sneakiest crook of all steal your identity in Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart from Satan's crooked ways. Pray that He would strengthen your identity in Him each day.
:angel:
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. --Romans 12:4-6
Have you ever met someone who was gifted in a certain area? And you wished you could have that same talent? Maybe you've had a close relationship with someone who had a gift of teaching, or a special talent in music. A person gifted in a specific way has exceptional abilities in that particular area.
But usually regardless of how gifted that person is in one area, they are not gifted in every area of their life. No matter how good the beautician is, she must still depend on others to fix her car or hook up her cable. No matter how talented the surgeon is, he must still find others to take his family portrait or sing at his daughter's wedding.
In the church it is the same. There is a spiritual God-given gift that every believer in Christ has. And everyone is to use their gift to serve the Lord and His kingdom (see 1 Peter 4:10). Paul mentions several spiritual gifts throughout his letters including serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy (Romans 12:3-8).
Most people are born with natural talents, but only believers are blessed with spiritual gifts. Every Christian, young and old, should be using their spiritual gifts in ways to bring blessing and encouragement to others (see Philippians 2:3-4). And, most importantly, we are to use our spiritual gifts to bring honor and glory to the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you still don't know it, ask the Lord to reveal to you your spiritual gift. Ask Him to help you find a place to use your gift. Pray that He would use you to bring blessing, encouragement, and hope to others through your gift.
:angel:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds. --Philippians 4:6-7
While pastoring Guttenburg United Methodist Church in Guttenburg, Iowa, Karl Goodfellow conducted an experiment with his church members regarding prayer. Pastor Goodfellow planted soybean seeds in two pie pans. He then asked them to pray over only one of the tins and leave the other to "Mother Nature."
After a few weeks, the congregation was amazed to witness the superior crop produced from the seeds that received prayer. This act of prayer became the start of a special ministry to pray for farmers by name. Today, it is called the Safety Net Prayer Chain and now has over 5,000 people praying for 50,000 farmers individually. Even though the crops are part of their prayers, warriors are praying for more than the growth of their seeds. As a result of their prayers, they have seen miraculous protection and provision take place in the lives of the farmers.
The most intimate communion with God comes only with prayer. Ask people who've faced tragedy or trial, heartbreak or grief, failure or fear, loneliness or discrimination. God says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds" (Philippians 4:6-7).
You won't believe the changes that will occur in your life when you come before God in prayer. Begin practicing prayer frequently throughout your day and see how much closer it brings you to the Lord. When you finally fall to your knees and pour out your soul to Him, you'll find yourself saying, "I can't explain it, but I feel a peace like I've never felt before."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Spend time today praying to God through praising, thanksgiving, and petitioning. Pray that you would sense His Spirit in your conversation with Him.
:angel:
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge. --1 Corinthians 1:4-5
Commissioner Frederick Booth-Tucker of the Salvation Army was preaching in Chicago when a man stepped from the crowd and yelled out, "You can talk about how Christ is dear to you; but if your wife were dead, as my wife is, and you had babies crying for their mother, you couldn't say what you are saying."
A few days later, Booth-Tucker lost his wife in a tragic train accident. Her body was returned to Chicago for the funeral.
As the service concluded, the husband took his place by the casket and said, "The other day when I was preaching in this city, a man said that if my wife were dead and my children were crying for their mother, I couldn't say Christ was sufficient. If that man is here, I tell him Christ is sufficient! My heart is crushed, bleeding, and broken. But there is a song in my heart, and Christ put it there. The Savior speaks comfort to me today."
The man was present, and on hearing that, he came down the aisle to surrender his life to the Lord.
No matter the tragedies we face—death, sickness, loneliness, hurt, persecution, and so on—Christ is sufficient in them all. Isn't it comforting to know our Lord knows our pain—literally? Isn't it reassuring to know we have a God who will be there to pick us up when we fall, carry us when we're too weak, and never leave our side through it all?
If you've experienced loss, anguish, or some other affliction, trust in the Lord to walk with you through it. And use your experience to comfort the hearts of others who are also going through affliction.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to comfort you in affliction and help you to comfort those who are experiencing the same situations.
:angel:
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. --2 Corinthians 1:20
These twelve promises of God on which we can rely were listed in Our Daily Bread on January 1, 1985:
God's Presence - "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
God's Protection - "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your very great reward'" (Genesis 15:1).
God's Power - "I will strengthen you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Provision - "I will...help you; I will uphold you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Leading - "When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them" (John 10:4).
God's Purposes - "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's Rest - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
God's Cleansing - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
God's Goodness - "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11).
God's Faithfulness - "The Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own" (1 Samuel 12:22).
God's Guidance - "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (Psalm 25:9).
God's Wise Plan - "All things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
If you are an obedient and faithful child of God, then you can be certain He will keep all His promises (see 2 Peter 3:9)! There is assurance for your life and hope for whatever situation you may be facing in the promises of His Word!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises found in His Word.
:angel:
When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over...I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. --Joshua 13:1,6
Joshua had accomplished much on the battlefield and in taking the Promised Land. Yet, at a very old age, his command from God to take all of the land had not been fulfilled. The Lord had to remind Joshua that his mission hadn't been fully achieved.
Isn't it interesting that God didn't look for a younger leader, but went straight to Joshua even in his old age? God went to the person who had accomplished much and asked him to continue on with His purpose. The Lord wasn't finished with Joshua, and he isn't through with you either.
Whether it's through volunteer work, a part-time job, or serving in a position at your church, God still has a purpose for you. He didn't say, "OK...when a man or woman reaches the age of 55, they are no longer of any use to Me."
In almost every Christian congregation or ministry, there are things not being accomplished that could be done by seniors. All that is required is a willing and able senior to step up and take the challenge God has presented to participate in various activities and ministries.
Joshua was virtually "retired" from his job. But, even in his old age, God called him out of retirement to continue on with the job he was to complete. Is God calling you in your later years to continue on in ministry for His purposes? Are you willing to take on that challenge today? God will continue with His work through His people, even those who are "well advanced in years."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you a ministry in which you can be involved. Surrender yourself, even in your later years, to fulfilling His call on your life.
:angel:
As you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. --Philippians 2:16
George Whitefield, a great evangelist, was talking to some friends one day and relating the difficulties of ministry. He explained that he was weary and was glad his work and ministry would soon be over. He stated that he was excited to depart this old earth to be with Christ.
His friends agreed with him—all except for one, Mr. Tennant. Noting his disagreement, Whitefield said, "Well, Brother Tennant, you are the oldest among us; do you not rejoice to think that your time to go Home is near?"
Tennant answered bluntly, "I have nothing to do with death. My business is to live as long as I can, and as well as I can, and serve my Savior as faithfully as I can, until He thinks it's time to call me Home."
So many people rush through life, speed through personal devotions, and pray with one eye open and glued to the clock. But, there is no excuse for you to feel life should speed by like a flash of light and you should give up. It is important to tend to your spiritual life before anything else. Now is the perfect time for you to spending time studying God's Word. You can keep a journal of daily thoughts, memorize Scripture, or use various Bible study books to provide a more in-depth study of a particular topic, book, or theme.
It's never too late to learn new things, grow spiritually, or deepen your walk with the Lord. When you begin to consistently walk with the Lord and spend time with Him, you'll begin to see other areas of your life improve.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you deepen your walk with Him until He calls you Home. Pray that He would continue to put a desire in your heart to serve Him until that day.
:angel:
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. --Deuteronomy 4:9
There are 50 million grandparents in the U.S. and they are playing an increasingly important role in American families. Although some grandparents are having little contact with their grandchildren. Some children, teenagers, or young adults are more familiar with television celebrities than they are with their own grandparents.
Things such as geographical location or busyness can always make it difficult for a family to truly be together, but your children and grandchildren have much to gain from you. "Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life" (Job 12:12, HCSB).
The Foundation for Grandparenting (www.grandparenting.org) says research indicates that the grandparent-grandchild bond is second in emotional importance to the bond between parents and children. There are many benefits for families who bring the generations together. Through close intergenerational relationships, children and grandchildren learn they are a part of something greater—history. And people who have contact with those who are older tend to think beyond their own generation.
As a senior, you represent stability, security, and heritage. You can offer unconditional love, encouragement, and support, and you are an important connection to the past. You are wealthy with wisdom and experience that can be shared with younger generations. And even if you don't have children or grandchildren, there are young people in the world today who long to be mentored by you and your generation.
The connection you make between generations will benefit both you and those who are younger. The younger generations can gain from your knowledge, and you will feel younger being in touch with their generation.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Seek wisdom from God in connecting with the younger generations and passing on a legacy of faith. Ask God to bring about a young family member or a younger person in your life to whom you can guide and mentor.
:angel:
Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. --2 Corinthians 1:4
There's a story of a lady who kept an ordinary cardboard box sitting on a bookcase in her home. The box was filled with notes, cards, and letters, offering love and encouragement at a time when her life was filled with sadness.
She was housebound for several years caring for her husband who had Alzheimer's disease. As each card arrived, it provided her and her husband with a cheerful message telling of the sender's prayers, love, and support. The words on the cards were often exactly what she needed to make it through the day.
When her husband passed away, and she moved to rebuild her life without him, she began sending cards to others who were experiencing the same kind of pain, remembering how much they helped her.
It doesn't take long to send a simple note saying, "I'm praying for you" or "You are in my thoughts today." With the technological advances of our world today, it's easy to send someone a quick e-mail of encouragement, but there is still nothing like holding a card in your hand, knowing that the sender took time to think of you and your situation.
George William Childs, American publisher who lived from 1829-1894, once said, "Do not keep the alabaster box of your love and friendship sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier. The kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you a blessing today in someone's life who may need a note of encouragement and love. Continually pray that His presence will surround those in your life who are going through difficult times.
:angel:
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. --John 15:13
A recent study of senior adults in the British Medical Journal showed that older people who spend quality time with friends live longer, happier lives than their non-social peers. Social activities reduce stress, enhance well-being, and create a sense of belonging. This includes activities such as volunteering your time, dining out with friends, or just socializing with others.
It's easy to say, "I can't go out with my friends often" or "I'm too busy to do anything." But, the connection between friends is so important that it should be a priority. If you're dealing with feelings of loneliness, isolation, or depression, an active social network of friends will help you fight them off. Plan to go out with your friends regularly from week to week. This will be a wonderful prescription for your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Some of your closest friends can be in your own family—brothers, sisters, cousins. Strengthen your family ties by staying in touch with those you love and already know. Even if your family is scattered across the country or globe, make an effort to remain in contact. Families are forever.
If you are in a situation where you don't have many friends, there are still avenues where you can to get out and meet others—senior adult clubs, volunteer organizations, social groups, and church. The more people you interact with daily, the better chance there is for you to form close friendships. As you grow older, you will lose friends for various reasons, so make it a priority to increase your social network now and you will be rewarded with a lifetime supply of great friends.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the friends you do have. And if you are in need, ask God to bring you friends with whom you can relate and develop meaningful relationships.
:angel:
Love your neighbor as yourself. --Matthew 19:19
Oftentimes it can be hard to be nice to your neighbors when their Christmas party lasts until 2:00 a.m., their dog uses your flowerbeds for a toilet, or their children use your property for a playground. When this happens, it might be hard for you to be "neighborly."
Your "neighbor" is basically anyone you come in contact with— the grocery store clerk, the person waiting behind you in line, the cable guy, or the plumber who charges extra on the weekends. We don't choose the people God brings across our paths. He usually puts people in our way to whom He wants us to show His love. Even if their culture, lifestyle, personality, or religion is different, God says these differences are exactly why we should try harder to show His love.
Even in the sticky relationships that often come with tension, we are to love others which shows our love for Him. 1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."
In today's society, people are pushy and oftentimes downright nasty in their attitudes and actions. But, even when those people have seriously annoyed or offended you, there is little excuse for treating them with disrespect. Christ walked among prostitutes, thieves, and hypocrites—yet their lives were changed by His love. As a believer, you have the power to show the same kind of transforming love to your "neighbors."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to create in your heart a love for the unlovable and to see others through His eyes. Pray for those who come across your path who are uneasy to love, that Christ may change their hearts.
:angel:
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. --John 15:2
There was a man who would stop by the garden market each spring and buy a plant or bush. He loved working in his garden caring for the plants.
One year, he bought a flowering patio tree with small purple flowers that bloomed all spring, summer, and fall. In late fall, he would carry it to the barn, put it in an empty stall, and water it once or twice a month. It was dormant and showed no signs of life in the winter.
In the spring, when he brought it back to the patio, he set it next to a window. Each day, he watched it...hoping it would show some life again soon. He took the pruning shears and shaped it, cared for it, and hoped for the best. After a few weeks, he noticed a few green leaves sprouting out of the dead branches. And a month later, almost all of the branches were covered with leaves.
If the man hadn't taken care of the tree and cut the dead branches, it wouldn't have looked so beautiful for the spring, summer, and fall. In the same way, Jesus sees the dead, unfruitful branches in us and cuts them away.
The dead branches can be relationships that control our lives, material things, attitudes, or pride in work or ministry. Only the Lord knows each person well enough to know the exact branches that need to be cut away. And the dormant times may feel like God is distant. But, He is caring for us and watching over us all the time.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for knowing you so well, that He knows exactly which branches to trim, so you can be more fruitful.
:angel:
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing... --Proverbs 10:7
Memories link us to our past and guide us through our daily lives. It's easier for some to recall names and phone numbers, while others have a more difficult time remembering these things. Normal memory loss or forgetfulness will afflict all of us at some point in our lives—whether it's due to disease, aging, or stress.
To stimulate your memory, be sure to exercise regularly. There are numerous benefits from exercise, especially memory retention. It doesn't have to be strenuous—just a mild form of aerobic exercise, such as walking for 15-20 minutes a few times a week, or moving your arms and legs around several times a day. It's a chain reaction—physical activity encourages good sleeping habits, which gives your brain the rest it needs, and in turn, helps with alertness and good memory.
It's also important to establish a routine. People benefit from having a routine dealing with daily tasks. When one task is remembered, it then triggers a series of memories. Daily tasks include things like brushing your teeth, taking medication, reading a book, and even parking the car in the same spot each time.
Your memory will also increase by organizing your personal space. You can avoid hours of searching for that "lost" item by eliminating clutter throughout your living place. Use those extra closets to organize the extra items sitting around your house and label things so you will know what's where.
While this may not seem like a devotional, God desires for us to help ourselves and He'll help us as well.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you take control of the things in your life that can help you enhance your memory skills. Thank God for the alertness and memory that you have today.
:angel:
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." --Mark 2:1-5
Many people read this story and wonder why Jesus would address the spiritual needs of this man before his physical needs. Maybe Jesus was teaching the Christians of the day something that Christians in this century need to learn again.
Good health includes the whole of us--body, mind, and spirit. There is a connection between faith and healing. Some of the first hospital visits by first-century Christians were in response to Jesus' command to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, take in the stranger, and visit the sick and imprisoned (Matthew 25:34-40).
History tells us that in the Middle Ages, priests served as physicians and in the eighteenth century, those who wanted to practice medicine, had to first gain permission from the bishop. As time went on, the connection between faith and health began to disconnect as medicine moved forward in achieving the treatments of illnesses and developed greater understanding of where disease began. With the advances, came the exclusive responsibility of physicians and hospitals to take care of the sick, and the role of spiritual caretaker fell on the church.
Today, there is a renewed interest in faith and health, and how the connection between the two impacts those who are aging. In the Handbook of Religion and Health, the authors show a link between physical health and spiritual welfare. Here are some things to consider: religious people have healthier lifestyles; senior adults with a deep, personal religious faith have a strong sense of life satisfaction; and religious faith appears to protect the elderly from cancer and cardiovascular disease.
So, as a senior adult, stay connected to your church, ask for help or support from those in your church, and read your Bible and pray daily.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for life, and ask Him to renew you in mind, body, and spirit.
:angel:
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. --Proverbs 24:3-4
There may be times when you ask: How do I handle my financial needs? Do I need to plan for the days to come?
One thing all Christians need to understand is the basics of simple, commonsense financial planning using God's principles. We should always have faith and depend on God for our finances, but it doesn't mean waiting on Him to deliver manna to us each and every day.
God is our Provider, but He expects us to help ourselves as well. If you can develop some financial goals, then you'll be on the right track. Ask yourself: Where am I financially? How do I get to my destination?
In your plan, write down visible objectives and measurable goals you can work toward. Start by committing God's portion to Him first—tithes and offerings. Then, design a strategy to control and eliminate the use of credit (if applicable). And last, you'll want to determine in your heart and mind that you will be content in the goals God has for you financially.
It is wise to seek Christian counsel in the financial decisions you make. But, everyone has an opinion, and only you and God know your needs best. If you need someone to help you with you financial goals, then look within your own church for someone you trust that can give godly advice. If needed, they may even help you balance your checkbook, prepare your finances for the future, and help you pay your bills.
It is never too late to get started with a financial plan for your life. There are people in your life who want to help you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Seek wisdom from God in planning your finances for the future. Ask Him to lead you in developing a plan—even through the guidance of a fellow believer.
:angel:
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? --Mark 8:36
Around 200 years ago, the tomb of the great conqueror, Charlemagne, was opened. The workmen were shocked by what they saw.
His body, sitting upright, was clothed in the most elaborate kingly garments, with a scepter in his bony hand. And on his knees lay the Holy Scriptures, with a lifeless, bony finger pointing to Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Amazing, right? So often, people place more emphasis on what is gained in this world, how successful one becomes, or how much is achieved, rather than focusing on their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.
Martin Luther once said, "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
What are you holding onto today? It may be someone or something, but remember that material things we hold on to in life will eventually pass away. Nothing that we ever gain in this world will last. Only two things shall endure forever: the Word of God, and the souls of the men and women who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be" (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).
What are you investing in right now?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help focus your heart and mind on the things above and witnessing to those around you who are lost.
:angel:
Friday, May 28, 2010
But seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. --Matthew 6:33
Our Daily Bread published a story about a missionary, Hudson Taylor, who wrote in his journal about his trust in God's faithfulness to provide. It said:
"Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."
You may be concerned whether or not you are going to have enough to live for the next year, month, or even week, but God promises to take care of all of our needs. His provision was sufficient in Genesis 22:1-14 for Abraham.
God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abraham surely was tormented by the Lord's request, but he obeyed God and took his son to the altar anyway. Tied up and bound on the altar, as Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, God provided a ram in the thicket. And Abraham called the place, The Lord will Provide.
Abraham was obedient to God, and in return He provided. If you are wondering whether or not God will provide all your needs—rest assured. "Don't worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist more than food and clothing? ... And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? ... Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (Matthew 6:25,30,32; NLT).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for providing all your needs and begin to put your complete trust in Him from this day forward.
:angel:
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven... --Matthew 5:12
There was a woman diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. So, as she was getting the last days of her life "in order," she contacted her pastor to come to her house in order to discuss certain issues regarding her final wishes.
After their discussion of what she wanted for her funeral service, she said to the pastor, "There's one more thing that's very important. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor looked bewildered at the woman, and she quickly responded, "Does that surprise you?"
The pastor said, "Honestly, I am a little puzzled by your request."
To which the woman replied, "In my many years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the main course dishes were being cleared, someone would lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew something better was coming...like rich chocolate cake or a deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful! So, I want people to see me in the casket with a fork in my hand and when they ask, 'What's with the fork?' then I want you to tell them, 'Keep your fork...the best is yet to come.'"
As believers, we don't usually envy people who've died, unless we know where they're going. Christians never say goodbye for the last time. That's the joy of being a born-again believer...we will see the ones we love again and we will meet Christ Jesus for the first time. Challenge yourself to be an everyday witness to those around you who are lost, so they will also have the chance to experience what is to come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for salvation and that death is not the end for Christians, but just the beginning.
:angel:
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. --Proverbs 18:24
There was a "Ziggy" cartoon recently that pictured the short, pudgy guy sitting alone in a boat. He was drifting on the water toward a tunnel with a sign above it that read, "Tunnel of Meaningful Relationships."
Loneliness plagues so many people in our society. Surprisingly, a study by the American Council of Life Insurance revealed that the loneliest group of people in America is college students. Then come those who are divorced, welfare recipients, single mothers, rural students, housewives, and the elderly.
Chuck Swindoll, noted author and preacher, pointed out how lonely people can be from an ad posted in a Kansas newspaper. It read: "I will listen to you talk for 30 minutes without comment for $5.00."
The person who placed the ad wasn't joking either...because there were those who actually answered the ad. It was only a matter of time before the person who placed it was getting 10 to 20 calls a day. The sharp pain of loneliness was so intense that some were willing to do anything just for 30 minutes of companionship with someone else.
Life may seem lonely for you, but there is a friend we have that sticks closer than a brother—Jesus. Lean on Him in your darkest hours. Jesus experienced loneliness on the cross. While He was perfect as God, He also experienced the same things we do as human beings. And even though Christ felt abandonment on the cross, God was there the entire time, seeing Him through it all.
If you are lonely, know that Jesus is constantly holding your hand as you walk through life. You will never be lonely with Him by your side.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to take away your loneliness, and thank God for His constant presence in your life.
:angel:
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. --Psalm 92:14
There was a couple who had been married for over 50 years. One day, the wife said to her husband, "Things really have changed. You used to sit close to me."
The husband said, "I can take care of that," and he moved closer to her on the couch.
The wife continued, "And you used to hold me tight."
He gave her a big hug and said, "How's that?"
The wife finally said, "Do you remember when you used to nudge my neck and nibble on my ears?"
The husband jumped up from his cozy seat and left the room. "Where are you going?" she said.
"To get my teeth!" the husband shouted back.
So many people dread old age because it is associated with loneliness, physical deterioration, and a retreat from inactivity. But once a senior, there's no need to lose that excitement in your life. And there's no need to spend all your time reminiscing about days past.
Just to sit and think is no way to grow old. God doesn't expect us to cease to live before we die. History tells us there are so many people who have made great contributions to society after the age of 65--after retirement!
Here are some seniors who did remarkable things in their old age:
· At age 73, Galileo made his greatest discovery, the pendulum clock.
· At age 69, Hudson Taylor was still working on the mission field, opening up new territories in Indochina.
· And at age 85, Caleb took on the great giants (Joshua 14:10-15).
We are never to retire from spiritual activity. God would not keep you here on this earth, if His purpose for you were fulfilled. So, get out there and continue serving Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you His continued purpose for your life.
:angel:
You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. --Acts 22:15
Many years ago, a new preacher moved to a large city. One day, he rode the bus from his home to the downtown area. After taking his seat, he noticed the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much in change.
He thought about it and finally told himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it."
Then he thought, "Oh, it's only a quarter. Who would even notice? Besides, the bus company will never miss it. Just accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet."
When the bus came to his stop, the preacher paused at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "You gave me too much change."
The driver smiled and replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I've been thinking lately about going to your church. I wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday."
When the preacher stepped off the bus, he grabbed hold of the nearest light pole. As tears filled his eyes, he prayed, "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I almost sold your Son for a quarter."
Just as John was sent to testify to others about Christ, so are believers to be a witness "so that...all men might believe" (John 1:7). Your life is the only Bible some people will ever read. People are always watching to see how you live. Be on guard and remember that you bear the name of Jesus on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you walk upright with Him every day, so that others will come to know Jesus as a result of your life and testimony.
:angel:
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. --Isaiah 64:8
During the Great Depression, a good man lost his job, used up all his savings, and forfeited his home. His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his wife just weeks later. The only thing he had left was his faith, and it had been weakened.
One day, the man walked about looking for work when he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a church building. One of the men skillfully chiseled a triangular piece of rock that didn't seem to fit in the formation they were creating. So the man shouted to the artist, "Where are you going to put that?"
The man pointed toward the top of the building and said, "See that opening up there near the spire? That's where it goes. I'm shaping it down here so it will fit up there."
Tears filled the poor man's eyes as he walked away. The worker's words rang clear and spoke deeply to his heart giving new meaning to his difficult situation.
You may be reading this and going through a difficult time yourself right now. It may be something even too troubling to talk to anyone about. But you can know for certain "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Each blow of the hammer and chisel in your life may hurt.
But have faith. These difficulties are only temporary! Sometimes the most painful blows bring about the greatest inner strength. Keep praying and believing that the Master is shaping you down here so you will be fit up there.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to turn your tragedy into triumph, and strengthen your spirit when life painfully hammers you from all sides.
:angel:
Monday, June 7, 2010
Get rid all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. --Ephesians 4:31-32
Isn't it amazing how often we kick the devil out of our lives, only to let him leave his bags behind? Think about it. Maybe you once made up with a friend or family member after an ugly fight, but you were still resentful and angry. Well, you let the devil leave his bags!
Perhaps you once said, "I forgive you," but you couldn't seem to forget what had happened and have peace in that relationship. So you let the devil leave his bags.
At one point in time, perhaps you decided to release past hurts and disappointments caused by loved ones, yet you forgot to dig up the bitterness in your heart that had taken root. You let the devil leave his bags.
When even one small piece of the devil's baggage is left behind in your heart and life, you continue to be captive in his embrace. If you want him out of your life, then make sure he takes his bags with him when he goes.
Instead of holding on to old stuff, the Bible encourages you to escape the trap of Satan who has taken you captive (see 2 Timothy 2:26). If you stay rooted in prayer, faith, and God's Word, then you can fully release any baggage in your life that belongs to Satan and live in the peace of God.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you have let Satan keep his bags and hold captive some area in your life where you don't have peace, then pray and release that baggage to God and experience joy and freedom from the grasp of the devil.
:angel:
In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. --Proverbs 21:20
Over 30 years ago, Ron England of Los Angeles, California, bet his brother he could save a million pennies. Twenty thousand rolls of pennies, 13 boxes, a full garage, and 30 years later, England won that bet.
As a result, he now has $10,000 in pennies, and that's the good news. The bad news is that England couldn't find anyone to take his 3.5 tons of accumulated copper without costing him a "pretty penny," so to speak. Now, England is stuck with a million pennies.
Saving your money is a good thing, although you might not want to use the approach mentioned above. The bottom line is that in our country, most people actually spend more each month than they earn. Some people can operate under these circumstances because of their wealth. But this is not true for most of us.
Proverbs 21:20 says that a wise man or woman saves, but a fool gets paid and spends everything he or she has. Or a wise person keeps his or her valuables safe in their home, but a fool puts everything out in the yard to sell.
Whether your income is large or small, it's wise to save a portion. That rainy day will probably come when you need it most in for a car repair, doctor visit, or something else.
Be prepared for what may come so that you can have "stores of choice food and oil" in your house when the need arises.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for taking care of you in your time of need. Dedicate to Him your tithes and offerings, and ask Him to bless the money you save for a "rainy day."
:angel:
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
One afternoon, a teenage girl joined her mother in the kitchen. The young lady began explaining to her mom everything that was wrong with her life—she had failed an algebra test, her boyfriend broke up with her, and she just found out her best friend would be moving away soon.
All the while, the mother was baking a cake as the young girl talked. Finally, the girl's mother interrupted to ask if she wanted a snack. The daughter replied, "Absolutely! I love your cakes!"
"Here...have some cooking oil," her mother offered.
"Yuck!" the girl responded. "That's gross."
"Well, how about a couple of raw eggs?" asked the mother.
"Gross, mom!" was the girl's response.
"How about a cup of flour or a teaspoon of baking soda?" the mother then offered.
"Mom, those are all disgusting!" the girl said. "I don't want those things for snacks."
After a long pause, her mother finally said, "Dear, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"
God works the same way in the lives of believers. Not everything in life is a piece of cake. Sometimes tragedy or hardship strikes and leaves you wondering, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God do this to me?" Many times we wonder why He would even let us go through such difficulties.
However, what we oftentimes don't realize is that when God puts all these things in His order, they always work for good! We must simply trust Him that each of life's events, combined by His hands, will turn out to be something deliciously wonderful!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the good and bad "ingredients" He allows to come into your life. Thank Him for working all things together for your good and His glory.
:angel:
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for...the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." --1 Samuel 16:7
A man was strolling down the beach when he came upon a cave. He ventured inside and stumbled upon a canvas bag filled with many hardened clay balls. It looked as if someone had rolled the clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but the man took the bag anyway and headed out of the cave.
As he strolled along the beach, he threw the clay balls, one-by-one, into the ocean as far as he could. He continued this for some time until he accidentally dropped one on the ground and it cracked open on a rock. To his amazement, a precious stone was hidden inside!
The man began breaking open the remaining 20 clay balls left in his bag and found similar treasures in each one. Then it struck him. He had just thrown more than 50 clay balls into the ocean. He could have had thousands of dollars more in treasure, but he threw them all away because they didn't look to be of much value.
This is the same way we treat people sometimes. We look at the rough exterior and decide it doesn't look like much, so we discount them and toss them aside. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful, stylish, well-known, or wealthy.
As believers, we must take time to get to know people, regardless of appearance. If we do this, then the clay will begin to break away revealing a brilliant gem inside. May we never find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in unattractive bits of clay. May we always see others as Jesus does.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal the beauty inside others and show you those people the way He sees them.
:angel:
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. --Psalm 19:12-13
Time-lapse photography compresses a series of events into one picture. A photo such as this was published in National Geographic once. The photo was taken from a Rocky Mountain peak during a heavy thunderstorm, and the picture captured a brilliant lightning display that had taken place throughout.
The time-lapse technique created a fascinating, spider-like web out of the individual bolts. They all looked interconnected, but you could definitely see each bolt as it was in its uniqueness.
In such a way, our sin presents itself before the eyes of God. Where we see only isolated or individual acts, God sees the overall web of sin. What may seem insignificant—even sporadic—to us and passes with hardly a notice creates a much more dramatic display from God's panoramic view.
The psalmist wrote, "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression."
Sin is truly deceptive (Heb. 3:13), divisive (Isa. 59:1-2), and deadly (Rom. 6:23). And it is destructive to the believer if not recognized (John 8:24).
Sin is sin—no matter how big, small, or sporadic it may seem. We must constantly remain pure and holy before the Lord, asking Him to forgive our transgression every day—those that we know and those that we don't. Thank God He sent his Son, Jesus, to cover those sins by His death on the cross so that we might have freedom through salvation in Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you aware of every sin in your life, so that you can strive to rid yourself of it by the blood of Jesus Christ and live holy before Him. Thank Him for salvation and forgiveness of sins through His death on the cross.
:angel:
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. --Psalm 31:9
Author Edgar Jackson describes grief:
"Grief is the silent, knife-like terror and sadness that comes a hundred times a day, when you start to speak to someone who is no longer there.
"Grief is the emptiness that comes when you eat alone after eating with another for many years.
"Grief is teaching yourself to go to bed without saying good night to the one who has died.
"Grief is the helpless wishing that things were different when you know they are not and never will be again.
"Grief is a whole cluster of adjustments, apprehensions, and uncertainties that strike life in its forward progress and make it difficult to redirect the energies of life."
Few things are as painful as grief--especially when having to adjust to the loss of a spouse. Even though we all know that death will one day come to each one of us, we still can never be prepared enough to deal with the sense of loss and intense sadness that comes when death takes a loved one.
If you are dealing with grief, then you can find healing in a grief recovery group through your local church, senior center, or hospital. There are others out there who have dealt with grief and mended from the loss of a loved one before. Begin searching for that person with whom you can share your thoughts, feelings, and tears.
Finally and above all, seek healing in the arms of the Lord and His Word. It's only natural to ask Him "Why?" and "How come?" when someone we love passes away. But He is the ultimate Healer of our hearts and sovereign in His timing.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you strength to take steps forward toward healing if you are experiencing grief. Pray that He would give you someone to share with in your journey.
:angel:
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. --John 1:10
Actor Cary Grant once told a story of how he was walking along a street when he met a man whose eyes locked with his. The man immediately got excited and said, "Wait a minute, you're...you're...I know who you are. Don't tell me! Uh...Rock Hud...no, you're..."
Grant thought he'd help the man out, so he finished the man's sentence: "Cary Grant."
The fellow responded, "No, that's not it! You're..."
Cary Grant was clearly trying to identify himself to the man by plainly giving his name, but the fellow had someone else on his mind. The man couldn't accept who Grant was even though he clearly offered his identity.
John said of Jesus: "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." Even when Jesus identified Himself as the Son of God—the Messiah—the response was not a welcomed recognition. Instead, it led Jesus to the cross on which He was crucified for the sins of man.
Today, people are being fed the various identities of Jesus by religious experts, false prophets, and church historians—who at times skew the spiritual perceptions of even believers. The world does not recognize or know Jesus, and they are feeding anyone who will listen to their so-called definitions of who He is.
However, the Word of God plainly states who Jesus is. As believers, it is our responsibility to share with the lost world the truth and identity of Jesus Christ. Determine today to make the name and personhood of our Savior famous!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make solid your knowledge of who Jesus is so that you can give firm answers to those who do not know Him. Pray that God would empower you to make His name famous in all that you say and do, so that you can make an impact.
:angel:
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. --1 Thessalonians 2:6-8
From 1986 to 1990, Frank Reed was held hostage in a Lebanon cell. For months at a time, he was blindfolded, living in complete darkness, and chained to a wall, kept in absolute silence.
Reed was beaten, made ill, and tormented, but he felt the most hopeless because it seemed that no one cared. He said in an interview with Time magazine, "Nothing I did mattered to anyone. I began to realize how withering it is to exist with not a single expression of caring around [me].... I learned one overriding fact: caring is a powerful force. If no one cares, you are truly alone."
Christians are never truly alone because we are fortunate to have God's gracious watch care over our lives, as well as that of the Church. This type of caring can provide the strength needed for a believer to endure anything.
Do you know someone who feels as though no one cares for them? Can you think of a few people right now who are living in loneliness? We have been called as believers to minister to those who are lonely. And in turn, we never have to be lonely because there are other believers who will care for us.
Remember the promise of Jesus: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open the doors of opportunity for you to pour out love, care, and concern for someone who needs it, just as Jesus did.
:angel:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. --Colossians 3:12
A man waiting in between flights at an airport went to a store and bought a small package of cookies. He then sat down in the waiting area to read his newspaper. Gradually, he became aware of a rustling noise next to him. From behind his paper, he was shocked to see a neatly dressed woman helping herself to his cookies sitting in the next seat.
Not wanting to cause problems or make a scene out of the situation, the man leaned over and took a cookie himself from the package. A couple of minutes passed and then came more rustling. The woman was helping herself to another cookie!
By this time, the man was so angry he had a good mind to tell her off for digging in his things. Then, as if to add insult to injury, the woman broke the last cookie into two pieces, pushed half across to the man, ate the other half, and left.
Still fuming when his flight was announced, the man opened his briefcase to get his ticket. And to his embarrassment, there he found his package of unopened cookies!
How wrong our assumptions can be sometimes. Christ has called us to demonstrate kindness and love toward others in all situations--even those such as the one mentioned above.
"'Let...the wise man boast...that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
If the Lord delights in kindness, so should we. In any situation, remember to take hold of and possess the qualities of kindness and brotherly love that our Lord demonstrates so you can be an effective witness to others (see 2 Peter 1:5-8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to remind you to practice kindness toward others and to be an effective witness in all situations.
:angel:
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. --Psalm 68:19
In the Philippines, the driver of a carabao wagon was on his way to the market when he came upon an older man carrying a very heavy load. The younger fellow took compassion on the older man and invited him to ride in the wagon. Gratefully, the old man accepted.
After a few minutes, the driver turned to see how the man was doing, but to his surprise he found the older man still straining under the heavy weight of his load in the bed of his wagon. He had not taken the burden off his shoulders.
Christ offers rest to all who will trust in Him completely. How simple is that? Any burdens, worries, or fears can be handed over to Jesus. However, so many times we refuse to give up our heavy loads and, as a result, constantly strain underneath the weight of it.
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).
Scripture also teaches us to help carry the burdens and ease the loads of our brothers and sisters in Christ (see Galatians 6:2). If you know someone who is carrying weighty burdens, then show him or her compassion and help bear the weight by praying with and ministering to that person.
If it's you that's carrying a heavy load of burdens today, then hand them over to Jesus and fully accept the rest that He offers. Don't let Satan add more weight to your pack. Simply trust Jesus and give it to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to take away the burdens that are weighing you down today. Pray that He would empower you to help remove the burdens from others' lives as well.
:angel:
The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. --Isaiah 26:7
For many years, The Wide World of Sports television program broadcast the "agony of defeat" by showing a painful ending to an attempted ski jump. The skier was in good form as he headed down the jump, but for no apparent reason, he tumbled head over heels off the side of the jump and bounced off the supporting structure.
What viewers didn't know was that the skier chose to fall. He explained later that he started going too fast down the ramp. Midway down, he realized that if he completed the jump, he would land beyond the safe landing area, which could have been fatal. Because of his change in direction, he only suffered a headache from the tumble.
To change one's course in life can be a dramatic and sometimes painful experience. And no matter your age, life will always bring about changes in your path. But sometimes a change of course is better than a fatal landing in the end.
For the believer, Scripture says "the path of the righteous is level" (Isaiah 26:7). The Bible lists numerous verses on following in the footsteps of the Lord and His righteousness.
Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." And Psalm 37:23:24 states "If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand."
When it happens, change may come as a shock to you, and it may be perceived as defeat to others. But if you are following the course the Lord has called you to, then you will ultimately experience victory.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guide your steps in the way of righteousness--even if it involves a change of direction.
:angel:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. --Romans 5:3-4
The Bible exhorts over and over again to be filled with godly virtues and the Holy Spirit. But what does this mean exactly? How do we know if we are full of goodness when we are full of sin, for example?
Think for a moment about a sponge. Let's say you pushed down with your finger ever so slightly on a sponge and water came running out. You could immediately assume that water filled the interior pockets of the sponge, right?
The same is true of people in general. You can tell what fills a person on the inside by what comes out under pressure and in every other situation. As believers, we should always fill our hearts and minds with goodness, godly virtues, and the Holy Spirit.
Paul said, "I myself am convinced...that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again..." (Romans 15:14-15).
If someone were to push a pressure point in your life, what would come spilling out? Would it be filth and ungodly characteristics or holiness and goodness?
Always be filled with the Holy Spirit and demonstrate godly virtues in every situation. Be prepared for the Lord to test your heart from time to time (see Proverbs 17:3). "...We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for demonstrating His love and holiness to you, so that you can be a witness to others. Pray that He would fill you with goodness and saturate your heart and mind with His Word, so that your life will pour out godliness to others--even when the pressure is on.
:angel:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. --Hebrews 13:8
When American author Lloyd C. Douglas was a university student, he lived in a boarding house. Downstairs on the first floor was a retired music teacher who lived in a small apartment.
Every morning, Douglas claimed they went through the same ritual. He would come down the steps, open the old man's door, and ask, "Well, what's the news?"
The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his wheelchair, and say, "That's Middle C! It was Middle C yesterday; it will be Middle C tomorrow; it will be Middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat, the piano across the hall is out of tune, but my friend, that is Middle C!"
The old man had discovered one thing in his life upon which he could always depend--Middle C. For Christians, the one constant and absolute in this life, of which there is no shadow of changing, is Jesus Christ.
The Bible says that "because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ... We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:17, 19). God sent His Son to die on the cross so that we might have eternal life with Him. He made a promise, and He kept it.
Because of this, we can rest assured that God will never change. He is ever-present when trouble comes barreling in. He is all-powerful to do exactly as He has promised. And He is all-knowing, and we should never worry because He is in control. He is the same "yesterday and today and forever."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being the constant reality in your life. :angel:
Jesus said]: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ... If they persecute me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. --John 15:18-20
What is a Christian? In the Letter to Diognetus, dating back to the second century, an anonymous writer described Christians:
"Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs; ...they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect. ... They live in both Greek and foreign cities....They follow local customs in clothing, food, and the other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship.
"They live in their own native lands, but as aliens. ... They marry and have children...but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives.
"They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. ... They are mocked and blessed in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others.
"When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews...and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility."
If you are a believer, the Bible commands you "...not [to] conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2). And you can expect the world to hate you as a result (see 1 John 3:13). Continue to be sanctified by the truth of God's Word and be in the world but not of it (see John 2:15).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would empower you to always be set apart, even when the world hates you, so that others can see the difference Jesus has made in your life.
:angel:
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. --Deuteronomy 6:6-9
In her novel about Maine, The Country of the Pointed Firs, Sara Orne Jewett describes the journey of a woman on the road to the home of a retired sea captain named Elijah Tilley. When she arrived, the woman noticed many wooden stakes scattered randomly all about the property. Each stake was painted white and trimmed in yellow, just like the captain's house.
Curious about the wooden stakes, the woman asked Captain Tilley what they all meant. He explained that when he first plowed the ground, his plow snagged on many large rocks just beneath the surface. As a result, he set out stakes where the rocks lay so that he could avoid them when plowing in the future.
In some sense, this is what God has done with the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament. The Lord has said to us, "These are the trouble spots in life. My commandments are stakes by which you can recognize these troublesome spots. Avoid these trouble spots, and you won't snag your plow."
Many people today deem the Ten Commandments insignificant because of claims that they were written only for the people of God during that time period.
But 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man [or woman] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (emphasis added).
Take some time to study each of the 10 commandments, and teach them to your family and those you love (see Matthew 5:19). Then apply them to your own life, so you can avoid the trouble spots when you're plowing the field.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for giving us His commandments so that we can avoid getting snagged along life's path. Pray that He would remind you daily to follow each one in your walk with Him.
:angel:
When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. --1 Corinthians 14:26
Several years ago, the world watched as three gray whales, icebound off Point Barrow, Alaska, floated battered, bruised, and bloody, gasping for breath at a hole in the ice. Their only hope was to somehow be transported five miles past the ice to the open sea.
Rescuers began cutting a string of breathing holes about twenty yards apart in the six-inch-thick ice. It took some time, but for eight days, the rescuers coaxed the whales from one hole to the next, mile after mile. Each hole allowed them the chance to breath all along the way.
During the five-mile journey, one of the three whales vanished and could only be presumed dead. But finally, with the help of Russian icebreakers, the whales Putu and Siku swam to freedom in the open sea.
Just the same, worship can be considered as a string of breathing holes the Lord provides His people. We often become battered and bruised in a world frozen over with greed, selfishness, and hatred. But worship allows us to rise up for air.
Church gives us that place to breathe again and to be loved and encouraged by other believers until that day when the Lord forever shatters the ice cap.
If you are able to attend church, take advantage of worshipping with others who may be going through some of the same struggles you are. If you are unable to attend, then take advantage of the technology today that allows us to experience church services each week via radio, TV,and event the internet!
Either way, when it seems that you can't make it another 20 yards, you can find a breath of fresh air in worshipping the Lord with other believers.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the opportunity you have to worship Him with other Christians. Pray that He would provide various opportunities for you to worship with others so that you can be loved and encouraged in your walk with Christ.
:angel:
Jesus said]: "...I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." --John 14:16-17
Rolf Zettersten once wrote in Focus on the Family magazine:
"A good friend in North Carolina bought a new car with a voice-warning system. ... At first Edwin was amused to hear the soft female voice gently remind him that his seat belt wasn't fastened. ... Edwin affectionately called this voice the 'little woman.'
"He soon discovered his little woman was programmed to warn him about his gasoline. 'Your fuel level is low,' she said one time in her sweet voice. ... He figured he still had enough to go another fifty miles, so he kept on driving. But a few minutes later, her voice interrupted again with the same warning.
"And so it went over and over. Although he knew it was the same recording, Edwin thought her voice sounded harsher each time. Finally, he stopped his car and crawled under the dashboard. After a quick search, he found the appropriate wires and gave them a good yank.
"He was still smiling to himself a few minutes later when his car began sputtering and coughing. He ran out of gas! Somewhere inside the dashboard, Edwin was sure he could hear the little woman laughing."
Believers must learn that the little voice inside, the Holy Spirit, even if ignored or disconnected, tells them exactly what they need to know. Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).
The Lord has given us His Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and warn us of what's ahead. Listen to that still, small voice in your heart and be obedient to the Spirit's calling.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for instilling in you His Holy Spirit to guide and direct your life. Ask God to make your heart sensitive to the Spirit's leading.
:angel:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. --Ephesians 4:29
John Todd, a nineteenth-century clergyman, received a letter from his seriously ill, kind-hearted aunt, who raised him herself after his parents died when he was a child. She asked if death meant the end of everything, or if she could hope for something beyond. Todd responded:
"It is now 35 years since I, as a boy of six, was left quite alone in the world. You sent me word you would give me a home and be a kind mother to me. I have never forgotten the day I made the long journey to your house. I can still recall my disappointment when, instead of coming for me yourself, you sent your servant, Caesar, to fetch me.
"I remember my tears and anxiety as, perched high on your horse and clinging tight to Caesar, I rode off to my new home. Night fell before we finished the journey, and I became lonely and afraid. 'Do you think she'll go to bed before we get there?' I asked Caesar.
"'Oh no!' he said reassuringly, 'She'll stay up for you. When we get out o' these woods, you'll see her candle shinin' in the window.'
"Presently we did ride out into the clearing, and there, sure enough, was your candle. I remember you were waiting at the door, that you put your arms close about me--a tired and bewildered boy....
"Some day soon God will send for you, to take you to a new home. Don't fear the summons, the strange journey, or the messenger of death. God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for me so many years ago. At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome awaiting, and you will be safe in God's care."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the hope of eternal life with Him as a believer.
:angel:
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. --Proverbs 4:23-27
A former police officer once told of the tactics of roving bands of thieves. The group of thieves would enter a store in a unit. One or two of them would separate themselves from the group, and the others would start a loud commotion in another section of the store.
This grabbed the attention of the clerks and customers. And as all eyes were upon the disturbance, the accomplices would fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, and leave before anyone suspected anything.
Hours--sometimes even days--later the victimized merchant would realize things were missing from the store and call the police. Too late--they'd already been deceived and robbed.
This effective strategy is often used by Satan as well. Believers are seduced into paying attention to the distractions, while evil agents ransack our lives and ultimately leave us confused, lost, and devastated. So what does the Bible say about this? Always be on guard!
Paul warned believers several times about this scenario:
· "...I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).
· "...Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil" (Romans 16:19).
· "So be on your guard!" (Acts 20:31).
· "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Don't be distracted by Satan and his roving band of demons. Instead, "be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart and mind, so that you won't be seduced and deceived by Satan.
:angel:
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.. --1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Charles Osgood, well-known CBS radio newsman, once told the story of two ladies who lived in a convalescent center. Each had suffered horrible, incapacitating strokes. One lady's stroke left her left side completely restricted. And the other's right side was severely damaged and paralyzed.
Both of these ladies had once been accomplished pianists in the past. But after their strokes, they both gave up hope of ever playing again.
But because of their love for music and the piano, the director of the center sat them both down at the piano and encouraged them to play solo pieces together. Over time and with some practice, they began to play beautiful pieces together in perfect harmony and a lasting friendship developed as a result.
What an amazing picture of how the church of Jesus Christ can work together! One member cannot do everything alone. Instead, it takes two or more of God's people working together in harmony to accomplish His will in bringing the world to faith in Christ.
The Scripture says, "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:29-31).
It may be that God has called you to one specific job within His church. Or maybe He's asked you to do something extraordinary within the Body of Christ. Whether you are a greeter, Sunday school teacher, or visitor of those who are sick, do it all for the glory of God as a precious member of His church!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the many members of the Body of Christ. Pray that He would make you effective in ministering to others wherever He's called you to serve.
:angel:
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. --Colossians 3:17
In Loving God, Charles Colson tells the story of Telemachus, a fourth-century Christian and monk. Telemachus lived in a remote village and spent most of his time tending his garden and praying.
One day, God told him to go to Rome. The monk responded obediently and set out on foot. Weeks later, he arrived at the city's gates to witness a great festival taking place. He followed the crowd through the streets toward the Colosseum.
Inside, he saw the gladiators stand before the emperor and say, "We who are about to die salute you."
Telemachus realized they were going to fight to the death for the entertainment of the crowd, so he cried out, "In the name of Christ, stop!"
As the games began, Telemachus pushed through the crowds, climbed over the wall, and dropped to the arena floor screaming over and over, "In the name of Christ, stop!" The crowd thought this was part of the show, so they began laughing. When they realized it wasn't, their laughter turned to angry shouts.
Suddenly, one of the gladiators plunged his sword into the body of Telemachus. He fell to the sand and his last words were, "In the name of Christ, stop!" Then, a hush fell over the Colosseum and one man in the upper rows stood up and walked out. Soon, others began to follow and in silence everyone left the Colosseum.
On that day in B.C. 391, the last battle to the death between gladiators in the Roman Colosseum was fought. It was all because one tiny voice that could hardly be heard above the uproar spoke the truth in God's name.
Won't you be that small voice in the darkness and commotion of our culture today?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that others might be sensitive to hear the message of truth spoken by you in God's name.
:angel:
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. --Psalm 40:10
Peter Cartwright was a nineteenth-century, circuit-riding Methodist preacher. But more importantly, he was known for being uncompromising in his faith.
One Sunday morning, as he was preparing to preach, he was told that President Andrew Jackson was in the congregation. Some of the elders warned him not to say anything out of line or there would be trouble.
So when Cartwright stood to preach, he said, "I understand that Andrew Jackson is here today. I have been requested to be guarded in my remarks. Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn't repent."
The congregation was shocked by Cartwright's bold sermon and wondered how the President would respond. However, after the service, President Jackson walked by to shake hands with Cartwright and said, "Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world."
As Christians, we are not called to be "guarded" when it comes to sharing the Gospel message with the world. Instead, we are to be bold and outspoken in proclaiming the truth.
In Psalm, King David wrote, "I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD" (Psalm 40:9).
Scripture says that we are a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of Him who called [we] out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).
The world needs more Christians who will be uncompromising in their faith. Will you be that kind of Christian--just as Peter Cartwright was? Won't you be bold enough to declare the faithfulness and salvation of God today (Psalm 40:10)?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the opportunities to boldly share your faith. Ask Him to give you the right words at that time that will bring others to Christ.
:angel:
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. --1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Winston Churchill, the great preacher of yesteryear, planned his own funeral that took place at Saint Paul's Cathedral. Included in the service were many great hymns of the church and the eloquent Anglican liturgy.
At his direction, a bugler, stationed high in the dome of the cathedral, was to play "Taps" after the benediction signaling that the day is over. Then immediately afterward, Churchill instructed another bugler, positioned at the other end, to play the tune "Reveille"--"It's time to get up. It's time to get up. It's time to get up in the morning!"
This was Churchill's testimony to all--though it was the end of his time on earth, it was a time of joy for he was getting up to go home to be with the Lord. At the end of history, the last note for all believers will not be "Taps," but instead "Reveille."
Believers can have hope for the day when death comes. When you take your last breath, know that your soul will go to be with Jesus in heaven and will one day be reunited with a new body when He returns. Death is not the end for the believer, it is just the beginning.
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ... For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 3:14, 16-17).
Praise God! The worst things are never the last things.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the future you have with Him in heaven.
:angel:
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ... Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 2:1, 3
A Soviet cosmonaut returned to Earth from outer space on December 29, 1987 after 326 days in orbit. He was surprisingly in good health which isn't always the case in these types of record-breaking expeditions.
Just five years earlier, two cosmonauts touched down after 211 days in space. Thereafter, they suffered from dizziness, high pulse rates, and heart palpitations. For over a week, they couldn't walk. And after 30 days, they will still undergoing physical therapy for atrophied muscles and weakened hearts.
At zero gravity in space, the body's muscles begin to deteriorate because there is no resistance as there is when gravity is present on Earth. To counteract this problem, the Soviets developed and prescribed a rigorous exercise program for the cosmonauts.
They invented "penguin suits"--running suits laced with elastic bands--that resist every move the cosmonauts make so that they have to exert more strength when exercising. This regimen, used today, helps those traveling in space to avoid the difficulties earlier cosmonauts faced.
As believers, we so often long for days without difficulty and hardships. But God knows better. The easier our life is, the weaker our spiritual fiber becomes. It is by exerting our strength through difficult times that we can grow and withstand whatever life throws our way.
So let us "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the rigorous life exercises you face. Pray that He will use them to strengthen you for what's ahead.
:angel:
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. --Ephesians 1:7-8
Senator Mark Hatfield once recounted the following historical story:
"James Garfield was a lay preacher and principal of his denominational college. They say he was ambidextrous and could simultaneously write Greek with one hand and Latin with the other.
"In 1880, he was elected president of the United States, but after only six months in office, he was shot in the back with a revolver. He never lost consciousness. At the hospital, the doctor probed the wound with his little finger to seek the bullet. He couldn't find it, so he tried a silver-tipped probe. Still he couldn't locate the bullet.
"They took Garfield back to Washington, D.C. Despite the summer heat, they tried to keep him comfortable. He was growing very weak. Teams of doctors tried to locate the bullet, probing the wound over and over.
"In desperation, they asked Alexander Graham Bell, who was working on a little device called the telephone, to see if he could locate the metal inside the president's body. He came, he sought, and he too failed.
"The president hung on through July, through August, but in September he finally died—not from the wound but from infection. The repeated probing, which the physicians thought would help the man, eventually killed him."
The same is true with people who dwell too long on their sin and refuse to release it to God. Satan creeps into their lives and takes control. Just like an infection, their sin eventually takes over their being.
But Jesus said of his sacrifice on the cross, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28).
Because of His sacrifice, the infection of sin can be stopped. Release your sin to the Savior, and find complete forgiveness in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Recognize and release your sin before the Lord today in prayer.
:angel:
Jesus said:] "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." --Acts 1:8
In his book, Pastoral Renewal, Charles Simpson wrote:
"I met a young man not long ago who dives for exotic fish for aquariums. He said one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark.
"He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet.
"That also happens to some Christians. I've seen the cutest little six-inch Christians who swim around in a little puddle. But if you put them into a larger arena--into the whole creation--only then can they become great."
Jesus commanded all believers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything [he has] commanded" (Matthew 28:19-20).
There is no room to grow inside the walls of a Sunday School classroom, church building, or your own home. We have been called to go outside of those walls and reach out to the lost world that needs to know Jesus.
Get involved in doing missions and evangelism in your neighborhood, city, or state through your church, local seniors group, or Bible study class. If you are physically unable to get involved, become a prayer warrior for the cause of Christ. Your prayers are needed both on and off the mission field.
Get out of the puddle you've been swimming in, and take your faith to a larger arena--the world.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would open the doors for you to reach out to those who are lost in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
:angel:
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. --Philippians 3:8
In a publication put out by Wycliffe Bible Translators called, In Other Words, a story was published about Sadie Sieker, a lady who served for many years as a house-parent for missionaries' children in the Philippines.
Sadie loved books. She would gladly loan out some on occasion, but there were others that she treasured and kept tucked away in a footlocker under her bed.
One night, when all had gone to bed and everything was quiet, Sadie heard a faint gnawing sound. She searched her room for the source of the sound, but then suddenly realized it was come from her footlocker underneath her bed.
When she opened it, she found only a huge pile of dust. All the precious books she had kept hidden away for herself had been lost to a band of termites. Sadie learned a valuable lesson that night--what we give away, we keep. What we hoard, we lose.
Matthew 6:19-21 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus exhorts us not to value possessions or keep them selfishly locked away. If your heart is focused on possessions, money, security, friendships, or something else, the Lord will take it all away. He wants your full attention, offerings, and all of your possessions.
Jesus' words strike at the very heart of human selfishness. We are all selfish by nature, so we must daily seek to give all that we have and our lives (see Luke 17:33, John 12:25) to Him, so He can fully use us for His glory and receive His blessings.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Through prayer, seek to commit yourself and your things to the Lord for His use.
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I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:14
On July 4, 1952, a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. On the fog-covered morning, she intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast.
Florence wasn't a rookie when it came to long-distance swimming. She had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. But the water was numbing cold that morning and the fog was so thick she could hardly see two feet in front of her. Several times, sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire from the boats in her party.
She swam for more than fifteen hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer coaxed her to swim on since they were so close to land, but all Florence saw ahead was the thick fog. She quit only half a mile from her goal.
Later she said, "I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land, I might have made it."
Florence didn't fail because of fear, exhaustion, or the cold water. It was the fog.
We often fail too--not because we're afraid or tired--but because we lose sight of the goal. This is surely why Paul wanted to remind believers to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [you] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
Two months after her failed attempt at swimming the length of the channel, Florence waded into the water off the same beach on Catalina Island, swam the full distance, and set a new speed record--all because she could clearly see her goal.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to clearly present you with the goals He wants you to strive toward. Pray that He would make your path clear in fulfilling His call in your life.
:angel:
Jesus said..."I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. --John 11:25-26
In his book, A Portrait of My Father, Peter Law writes:
"Imagine you are on a holiday, and you have an apartment overlooking the sand and surf. Sitting on the table in your room is a fishbowl, and inside the bowl is a small goldfish.
"Each day you swim and sun-bake and enjoy soaking up the delights of vacationing. Before long, however, you begin to feel sorry for little Goldie who is all alone in his bowl while you go out having fun in the sun.
"To make up for this injustice, you promise Goldie a little of the action. 'Tomorrow,' you tell the goldfish, 'you will begin to enjoy life, too.'
"The next day you take a washcloth, lift the fish from the bowl, place it in the cloth, wrap it up, and put the living bundle into your pocket before leaving for the beach.
"As you reach the spot where you are accustomed to spending your day, you can feel the sun's heat beating down upon your back. Excitedly you take your gilled companion from your pocket, lay out the washcloth on the sand, place the fish on the cloth, stand back, and say, 'Now this is the life, Goldie; live it up!'
"Can anything be more ridiculous or more foolish? Being in the sun on the hot beach is no environment for a goldfish--or any fish! It will die there, not live. It was never intended to be in that environment. For people, a relationship with God as Father is the only correct environment for life."
As a believer in this life, a relationship with Jesus is the air we need to spiritually survive. There is enjoyment and fulfillment in a daily relationship with Him through prayer and Bible study. Without these things, we will spiritually suffocate and die.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy He gives through your relationship with Him.
:angel:
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. --1 Chronicles 16:34
Most people recognize the names of Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective, and his famous sidekick, Dr. Watson. Holmes, created by author Sir Arthur Conan Coyle, was the most famous literary character of the 19th and 20th centuries and made his first published appearance in 1887.
Holmes was known for his keen prowess and intense observation skills. At one point in The Adventure of the Naval Treaty, Holmes is studying a rose. Watson narrates as follows:
"He walked past the couch to an open window and held up the drooping stalk of a moss rose, looking down at the dainty blend of crimson and green. It was a new phase of his character to me, for I had never before seen him show an interest in natural objects.
"There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion. ...Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are really necessary for our existence in the first instance.
"But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its color are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."
What other "extras" should you be observing and thanking God for this year? How has God been good to you in the last few days or weeks? And what have you done to thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness demonstrated in your life?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Today, take some time to thank Him for the "extra" blessings in your life--whether it be health, family, friendships, or something else.
:angel:
This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. --1 John 3:19-20
In their book, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey wrote:
"Amputees often experience some sensation of a phantom limb. Somewhere, locked in their brains, a memory lingers of the nonexistent hand or leg. Invisible toes curl, imaginary hands grasp things, a 'leg' feels so sturdy a patient may try to stand on it.
"For a few, the experience includes pain. Doctors watch helplessly, for the part of the body screaming for attention does not exist.
"Phantom limb pain provides wonderful insight into the phenomenon of false guilt. Christians can be obsessed by the memory of some sin committed years ago. It never leaves them, crippling their ministry, their devotional life, their relationships with others.
"They live in fear that someone will discover their past. They work overtime trying to prove to God they're truly repentant. They erect barriers against the enveloping, loving grace of God."
Believers must learn to take hold of the truth found in 1 John 3:19-20. The Message puts it this way: "Let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves."
Even as a believer, the phantom pain of past sins, guilt, and self-criticism may still haunt you. And it may cause you to become overly righteous in your attempts to please God. But you are privileged as a child of God to receive unconditional forgiveness and experience His intense love for you.
Don't let guilt cripple your spiritual life. Give it over to God who forgives you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would remove the phantom guilt from your heart, and accept the reality of His forgiveness and love.
:angel:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. --Psalm 119:105
Bob Mumford gives a great analogy on how you can discover God's will in his book, Take Another Look at Guidance. He says that one particular harbor in Italy can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between very dangerous rocks and shoals. Numerous ships have sunk over the years because the passage is so hazardous.
To alleviate this danger, three lights have been mounted on three tall poles in the harbor to guide the ships safely into port. When these lights are lined up perfectly and seen as one, a ship can proceed safely up the narrow channel to its destination. But if the ship's pilot sees two or three lights, he knows he's off course and in danger.
In his book, Mumford says that God has also provided three beacons to guide us in our spiritual journey down life's narrow and often perilous path. The same rules of navigation apply to us as believers. Three lights must be lined up for us to proceed safely.
The three harbor lights of spiritual guidance are:
1. The Word of God
2. The Holy Spirit
3. Circumstances
God uses the combination of these to lead us on our journey through the often difficult passages of life.
Are you on the right path? Or have you fallen off course? When we follow this three-point navigational path along our spiritual journey, we know that God will lead us safely in His way.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to direct you along the path He wants you to take. Pray that He would reveal the three harbor lights of spiritual guidance to you each and every day as you journey through life.
:angel:
Jesus said]: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." --Matthew 23:27-28
At her launch in 1936, the Queen Mary was the largest ship to sail the oceans. She served faithfully for four decades, even through a world war, until she was retired in a Long Beach, California harbor.
After her retirement, she was transformed into a hotel and museum. During the conversion, she was given a complete facelift. Her three gigantic smokestacks were taken down to be scraped and repainted. But once on the dock, they crumbled as soon as the makeover began.
Nothing was left of the ¾-inch steel plates that had once formed the stacks. All that remained were more than thirty coats of paint, which had been applied over the 40 years she was at sea. The steel had rusted away and left the stacks without substance.
Similarly, when Jesus called the Pharisees "whitewashed tombs," He meant they had no substance. They were merely concerned with externals...how they appeared before others. Jesus said, "On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matthew 23:28).
Oh that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, would never be compared to the Pharisees! As children of the King, we must "first clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean" (Matthew 23:26).
The Scripture says God does not look at outward appearances or the things that man looks at, but instead He looks at the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). Seek daily a pure heart and your outward appearance will reflect your inner beauty and God's love.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to cleanse and purify your heart, removing anything unclean from your life. Pray that He would create in you the inner beauty of His love,shining through to a lost world.
:angel:
Jesus said:] "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." --Mark 13:22-23
In the November 1987 issue of Reader's Digest, Betty Wein retold an old tale she heard from Elie Wiesel, a world-renowned Jewish novelist, philosopher, political activist, and Holocaust survivor:
"A just man comes to Sodom hoping to save the city. He pickets. What else can he do? He goes from street to street, from marketplace to marketplace, shouting, 'Men and women, repent. What you are doing is wrong. It will kill you; it will destroy you!'
"They laugh, but he goes on shouting, until one day, a child stops him. 'Poor stranger, don't you see it's useless?'
"'Yes,' the just man replies.
"'Then why do you go on?' the child asks.
"'I was convinced that I would change them. Now I go on shouting because I don't want them to change me.' "
To the church at Corinth, Paul said, "You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:2-3).
Even as Christians, we can easily be led astray to idols and gods of our culture by the influence of others if we're not careful.
Jesus even warned, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time" (Mark 13:22-23).
It's just as easy to compromise our faith, even a little, as it is to be influenced. Always guard your heart and mind with the truth of God's Word.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart and mind against evil influences.
:angel:
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? --Matthew 7:1-3
Sir Percival Lowell was an author, mathematician, and the world's most distinguished astronomer during the late 1800s and early 1900s. But Lowell was best known for his speculation that canals existed on Mars.
In 1877, he heard that an esteemed Italian astronomer had seen straight lines crisscrossing the red planet's surface. As a result, Lowell spent the rest of his years squinting into the eyepiece of a giant telescope, mapping the channels and canals that he saw.
He was convinced that there was life on Mars, even an older and wiser race than humanity. As a result, his observations gained wide acceptance.
Today, we know space probes that have orbited and landed on Mars show there are no canals on the Martian surface. So how could Lowell have been mistaken?
There are two possible reasons: 1) he wanted so badly to see the canals that he convinced himself he did, and 2) we now know that he suffered from a rare eye disease that made him see the blood vessels in his own eyes. The canals he saw on Mars were nothing more than the veins in his eyeballs. Today, this disease is known as "Lowell's syndrome."
When Jesus warned that "in the same way...you will be judged" and cautioned about missing the "plank in your own eye", do you think He could have been referring to a so-called spiritual Lowell's syndrome?
Again and again, we see faults in others because we don't want to believe anything better about them. And many times we think we have a clear view of their shortcomings when in fact our vision has been distorted by the plank in our own eyes. May we never judge others, but always commit them to the Lord in prayer.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you recognize the "planks" in your own eyes before judging others and see the good He has created in them.
:angel:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. --Hebrews 12:1-2
In the book, Is It Real When It Doesn't Work?, authors Doug Murren and Barb Shurin tell this story:
Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local newspaper: 'Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before, and he died a very rich man.'
"Actually, it was Alfred's older brother who had died; a newspaper reporter had bungled the epitaph.
"But the account had a profound effect on Nobel. He decided he wanted to be known for something other than developing the means to kill people efficiently and for amassing a fortune in the process. So he initiated the Nobel Prize, the award for scientists and writers who foster peace.
"Nobel said, 'Every man ought to have the chance to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a new one.'"
Few things will change you as much as looking at your own life as though it were finished. What kind of legacy will you leave behind one day when you are gone from this earth?
Will your children, grandchildren, and family members remember you as one who followed obediently after the Lord each day of your life?
You and I are surrounded by people—family, friends, and acquaintances—who are watching the words we use and the things we do in this life. It's not too late to begin writing your epitaph. Strive to leave a legacy that will bring others to Jesus.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make your life a testimony of His love and grace to those around you and those you leave behind.
:angel:
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. --1 John 3:10
John Hess-Yoder, a missionary in Laos, once told this story:
"While serving as a missionary in Laos I discovered an illustration of the kingdom of God. Before the colonialists imposed national boundaries, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas.
"Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were considered Laotians.
"On the other hand, those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses on the ground, and decorated them with Chinese-style dragons were considered Vietnamese.
"The exact location of a person's home was not what determined his or her nationality. Instead, each person belonged to the kingdom whose cultural values he or she exhibited."
It is the same with believers. We live in the world, but not of it. Instead, we are children of God's kingdom. Therefore, we are to live according to His holy standards and values in this life.
The Scripture says, "He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. ... No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:7-9).
If you are a believer, it should be easy for others to tell what makes you different from them. Just as the Laotians and Vietnamese could be easily defined according to their cultural values, we as Christians should also always be easily identified as followers of Jesus Christ and His values.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to integrate His values, morals, and biblical standards into every area of your life. Pray that you would be easily identifiable to the world as a follower of Jesus.
:angel:
You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord. --Leviticus 18:4-5
Author Timothy Munyon once wrote:
"While living in Florida, I had several friends who worked cleaning rooms at a nationally known inn located directly on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. They spent their work breaks running barefoot in the sand. The problem was the inn required all employees to wear shoes at all times while working.
"I noticed the employees responded in one of two ways.
"The majority thought the rule restricted their freedom. The rooms had shag carpeting, delightful to bare toes, and just a few steps away lay the beach. To them the rule to wear shoes was nothing more than employer harassment.
"But a minority of the employees looked at the rule differently. Sometimes late night parties would produce small pieces of broken glass. Occasionally a stickpin would be found hidden in the deep shag piles. Some knew the pain of skinning bare toes on the steel bed frame while making a bed. This minority saw the rule as protection, not restriction.
"Were God's laws written to make life miserable? Or were they written by a loving heavenly Father who cares about His children?"
Deuteronomy 11:1 says, "Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws, and his commands always."
Over and over again in Scripture, followers of Jesus are admonished to obey the commands and laws of the Lord. Many believe these "laws" are meant to restrict Christians from living a free and happy life. Others realize they are meant to provide certain boundaries for believers as a form of protection while walking with the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the laws, commands, and biblical boundaries found in His Word. Pray that He would bring them to your mind as you walk daily with Him.
:angel:
Watch me," [Gideon] told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the LORD and for Gideon.'" --Judges 7:17-18
In Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, Stuart Briscoe wrote:
"One of my young colleagues was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man's military friends wished to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested the pastor to lead them down to the casket, stand with them for a solemn moment of remembrance, and then lead them out through the side door.
"This he proceeded to do, but unfortunately the effect was somewhat marred when he picked the wrong door. The result was that they marched with military precision into a broom closet, in full view of the mourners, and had to beat a hasty retreat covered with confusion.
"This true story illustrates a cardinal rule or two. First, if you're going to lead, make sure you know where you're going. Second, if you're going to follow, make sure that you are following someone who knows what he is doing!"
In the Bible, God chose Gideon, an Israelite judge, to lead a group of men in overtaking the Midianites. Over and over, the Lord instructed Gideon on what to do and what steps to take. Because God ordered his steps and he obediently followed, Gideon defeated the Midianites with just 300 men.
Do you know who you're following? Is it your pastor, Bible study leader, or friend? Is he or she obediently following the Lord? If you're in a leadership position, are you following the Lord faithfully and thereby leading others down the right path?
Know who you're following and where they are going. And when leading others, follow the Lord so that you will always walk through the right door.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray for those leading you in life and ask God to reveal to you the right doors you are to walk through when leading others.
:angel:
Jesus said]: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." --Matthew 5:13-16
In the December 1987 issue of Life magazine, Brad Darrach wrote:
Meryl Streep is gray with cold. In Ironweed, her new movie, she plays a ragged derelict who dies in a cheap hotel room, and for more than half an hour before the scene she has been hugging a huge bag of ice cubes in an agonizing effort to experience how it feels to be a corpse.
"Now the camera begins to turn. Jack Nicholson, her derelict lover, sobs and screams and shakes her body. But through take after take--and between takes too--Meryl just lies there like an iced mackerel. Frightened, a member of the crew whispers to the director, Hector Babenco, 'What's going on? She's not breathing!'
"Babenco gives a start. In Meryl's body there is absolutely no sign of life! He hesitates, then lets the scene proceed. Yet even after the shot is made and the set struck, Meryl continues to lie there, gray and still. Only after 10 minutes have passed does she slowly, slowly emerge from the coma-like state into which she has deliberately sunk.
"Babenco is amazed. 'Now that,' he mutters in amazement, 'is acting! That is an actress!'"
That kind of dedication amazes people! God has also called all believers to be dedicated--to be salt and light in the world--not lukewarm Christians. Jesus said, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" (Revelation 3:15).
Be completely committed in your walk with Christ every day--so committed that others will look at you and say, "Now that is a Christian!"
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to increase your commitment to the faith, so that others may see a reflection of Christ in you and they can come to know Him as a result.
:angel:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
In his book Lost Moon, Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell tells the story of the intense competition between aerospace companies over the contracts to build the lunar and command modules for the Apollo space programs.
He tells how no one really wanted the lunar module, the "consolation prize" whose glory during the moon landings would be short-lived. Everyone wanted to build the commence module, which they believed would be the backbone of NASA for years.
As it turned out, North American Rockwell won the contract to build the coveted command module, and Grumman begrudgingly accepted the lunar contract.
In his book, Lovell notes how the lunar module actually became a lifeboat for the Apollo 13 astronauts who almost died on their now infamous journey into space. What was once thought of as the "consolation prize" ended up saving three lives!
I want to ask you today, do you ever feel like you've been given the consolation prize? Are there areas of your life where you feel like you're not getting the recognition you deserve?
In John 1:10, the Bible tell us that Jesus Himself wasn't recognized for who He was or what He would do. Like Him, we often have to wait to see the fruits of our actions or the impact they will eventually make.
But the fruit of your actions will reap a harvest. Psalm 37:3 says, "Trust in the LORD and do good." There are no conditions to this command from the Lord! Each of us should do good all the time, trusting that God will reward us for our faithfulness to Him and work everything for our good.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you trust in His faithfulness and that He will work everything for your good.
:angel:
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. --Deuteronomy 7:9
"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents--except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up across the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies)...."
So begins Edward George Bulwer-Lytton's Paul Clifford, a novel containing what is widely considered one of the worst opening lines ever penned. So bad, in fact, that the English department at San Jose State University sponsors a whimsical competition every year challenging those who enter to write the worst novel opening possible!
Despite Bulwer-Lytton's shortcomings as an author, did you know he coined several phrases still used today? Phrases like "the almighty dollar" and "the pen is mightier than the sword." He also served as Interior Secretary of Canada, and a town in British Columbia bears his name. But unfortunately, he is most famous for that "dark and stormy night" opening line to his novel!
What about you? What legacy will you leave one day? When your family and friends think of you, what will come to mind?
The book of Deuteronomy gives us a sober warning that the consequences of our sin will affect those who come after us. But in the verse above, it also promises that God will keep His covenant of love for thousands of generations for those who love him and keep His commandments.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to enable you to leave a lasting legacy for Him.
:angel:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. --Matthew 28:19
The great Christian evangelist, D.L. Moody, was once asked to speak at a convention in Indianapolis.
One afternoon, he asked the convention's song leader to meet him on a street corner downtown at about 6 pm. When Ira Sankey got there, Moody had him stand on a overturned box and sing. This unusual spectacle attracted quite a crowd.
After speaking briefly, Moody persuaded most of the crowd to follow him to a nearby meeting place. They followed in droves and listened intently as Moody shared the good news of Jesus.
Too soon, the convention delegates started arriving, and Moody had to stop preaching. He said simply, "Now we must close, as the brethren of the convention wish to come and discuss the topic 'How to reach the masses'!"
So often, we think we have to have special training or special knowledge to tell others about Christ.
But like Moody, maybe all you need to do is be creative...and think of simple ways you can share Christ with others.
Maybe it's fixing dinner for your next-door neighbor. Maybe it's making a hospital or nursing home visit with a nice card or some flowers.
Whatever it is, God wants you to share His love with those around you. Don't think or talk about sharing your faith any longer...just go out and do it!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone with whom you can share His love and plan of salvation today.
:angel:
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." --Jeremiah 29:11
In December 1914, inventor Thomas Edison's laboratory burned to the ground. Edison, who stood calmly nearby watching most of his life's work go up in flames, knew full well his insurance would only cover a fraction of the damage.
However, Edison's attitude about the fire stunned those around him. The next morning, Edison returned to look at the charred rubble and declared, "There is a great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."
Just a few weeks later, Edison produced a spectacular invention: his first phonograph.
The story of Edison's attitude is similar to how you and I should view our relationship with Jesus Christ. When we accept Him, He makes all things new. Our past mistakes are gone. Psalm 103 says "as far as the east is from the west," that's how far He has removed our transgressions from us.
God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to erase your past sins...so that you could start anew!
Prayer Challenge: Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to forgive your sins. And thank Him for the chance to start anew each and every day!
:angel:
Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. --Psalm 4:5-6
One day, as Mahatma Ghandi climbed on board a train, one of his shoes slipped off and fell to the track below.
As he bent to retrieve it, the train lurched forward and began to move. Ghandi tried to grab his shoe, but missed. He stood there for a moment watching his shoe slowly fade into the distance.
Then to the shock of everyone around him, he quietly took off his other shoe and threw it so it landed just to the side of the shoe already on the ground.
When asked why in the world he would throw away his other shoe also, Ghandi responded, "The poor man who finds the shoe lying on the track will now have a pair he can use."
Have you ever given something away that you really hadn't planned to? Maybe, like Ghandi, it was a possession. Or did you give your time, your talents, your money?
Your small sacrifices might be huge blessings for someone else. Perhaps you could drive a friend to a doctor's appointment, invite someone to lunch, or teach a Sunday School class. There are many opportunities around you where you can be a blessing to others!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for opportunities where you can be a blessing to others, and thank Him for the blessings He has given to you.
:angel:
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. --Ephesians 6:18
When comedian Harpo Marx visited New York City many years ago, local charities bombarded him with requests to appear at their benefits.
One woman, in particular, was especially tenacious. In just two days, she called him more than a dozen times. Marx very reluctantly agreed to appear at her organization's function.
To further butter him up, she offered to personally escort him to the event. As they got ready to leave the hotel room, the phone began to ring once again. She asked him, "Don't you want to go back and answer it?"
Harpo Marx somewhat wittingly and wearily replied, "Why bother? It's undoubtedly you again!"
Aren't you glad that when you pray you never have to worry about God getting tired of hearing your requests? As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Bible says to "pray continually" and to give thanks in all circumstances.
God wants you to talk to Him. He wants to listen to what you have to say. In fact, He tells us in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
He wants to hear your prayers today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the opportunity to boldly come before His throne with your prayers today and every day.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." --Psalm 103:12
When a reporter once asked former Cowboys running back Walt Garrison if he had ever seen legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry smile, he replied, "No, but I was only there nine years."
The first few years Landry coached in Dallas, he had little to smile about. The new Cowboys expansion team barely won a game and, shortly after his arrival, the country suffered a tragic blow when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
The dark cloud of Kennedy's assassination would hang over Dallas for years. It was an open wound that didn't seem to heal.
But this all changed when Landry led the Dallas Cowboys to their first Super Bowl win in 1972. The city that was once known as the city that killed JFK became the home of the Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys!
As I thought about this story, it made me wonder, do you ever feel like you have a dark cloud hanging over your life? Is there something in your past you are ashamed of...or something you just don't think you can overcome?
The enemy likes to remind you of your past and keep you under a dark cloud of guilt and regret. He wants to rob you of joy and hurt the witness you could have for Christ.
But don't let him! Romans 8:1 says, "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
As a Christian, you don't have to live under a cloud of guilt because Jesus paid the price for your mistakes and failures at Calvary. So claim this promise today. Because Jesus wants you to live in victory!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the forgiveness of your sins and praise Him that your past mistakes can't keep you from having a bright future.
:angel:
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song. --Psalm 28:7
In American history, Abraham Lincoln is lauded for his dynamic leadership during the Civil War. He's praised for the eloquent words of his Gettysburg address. And he's immortalized as the man who freed the slaves.
Abraham Lincoln, though, is not so well known for his own private battle with severe depression or for his wonderful remedy to his personal problem: laughter.
For example, Lincoln often told the story of two women who spread rumors in Washington about Confederate President Jefferson Davis and himself.
These women had a conversation comparing the virtues and potential of the two leaders. One said to the other, "I think Davis will succeed because he's a praying man." The other relied, "But so is Lincoln."
"Yes, but when Abraham prays, the Lord will think he's joking!"
Abraham Lincoln had a terrific sense of humor...and he was able to find joy during times when there wasn't a whole lot to laugh about.
What about you? Are you able to find joy and laughter even when your circumstances seem bleak?
Nehemiah 8:10 says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Take comfort and find joy in the knowledge that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, loves you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God by singing a hymn or a chorus and ask the Lord to allow His joy to radiate in you in all circumstances.
:angel:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:13-14
You are probably familiar with the story of Paul Revere.
On the evening of April 18, 1775, he jumped on a borrowed horse and began his famous midnight ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, where he would warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British troops were marching to arrest them.
But it's what happened after midnight that makes the story interesting!
In Lexington, Revere met up with two men, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott. The men planned to ride to Concord where weapons and supplies lay hidden. But about an hour later, a British patrol arrested all three men.
Prescott and Dawes managed to slip away and several hours later the British troops freed Paul Revere...but without his borrowed horse. In reality, Paul Revere never actually completed his ultimate mission!
So often in life, our enemy, the devil, tries to keep us from doing great things for God by taking away our horse. Satan will do all he can to keep us from completing our "mission" because the last thing he wants is for us to serve God...to win the prize for which He has called us.
No matter what the devil may do to discourage you, press on! Don't let the obstacles, whether distractions, hurt feelings, or illness, stop you from doing what the Lord has called you to do!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Regardless of what you're going through today, ask God for the strength to persevere...to win the prize He has called you to.
:angel:
Monday, August 16, 2010
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. --Isaiah 40:31
Charles M. Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts," said much of the inspiration for his comic strip came from his seemingly never-ending stream of bad luck and blunders in childhood.
Like the time a local movie theater promised the first 100 children in line a yummy chocolate bar they could enjoy during the show. Schulz eagerly joined in the queue, already tasting the tantalizing chocolate in his mouth. He waited patiently...only to discover he was number 101 in line!
It's easy to become discouraged when you eagerly wait for something and have your hopes dashed. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to be discouraged and doubt God at times like these. But oftentimes God uses our disappointments to draw us closer to Him.
When you feel let down, look up to the Father. Praise Him in the midst of your sadness. Psalm 33:18 says "the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love."
Draw closer to Him, and you will find yourself refreshed with a new hope. Don't let the enemy steal your joy, no matter what you may be going through today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: When you face seasons of disappointment, ask God to help you remember He is there for you, waiting to draw you closer to Him.
:angel:
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. --1 Thessalonians 5:11
Each school year a fifth-grade teacher assigned her students a very special writing assignment. She asked them to write a nice sentence about each classmate.
It could be something they liked about the person or something they thought the person did well. The teacher then went line by line and put together a list for each student of all the nice words their classmates had written.
When this special teacher retired, many of her former students, who are now adults, came to her retirement party. But they carried with them more than just good fifth-grade memories. One by one, each student took out faded, well-worn sheets of paper...the treasured lists of encouragement.
One woman in her 20s told the teacher that whenever she felt down, she would open her scrapbook and read those words. A 40-something-year-old man admitted he carried his list with him in his wallet. Those positive words left a powerful, lasting impression!
Have you ever had someone say something nice that boosted your spirits or heard a kind word that made you smile?
Maybe you know someone who lives alone. Imagine how a timely phone call to see how they are would help. Perhaps writing a note to a friend who is ill might boost their spirits. There's so much you can do and say today to encourage those around you with the love of Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for those timely, positive words people have said to you, and ask Him for opportunities where you can encourage others today.
:angel:
In all my years of life, I've found there is one thing the Evil One loves to steal from God's children. That one thing is real and lasting peace.
But what if I told you that there is a way to experience peace no matter what your circumstances are? What if there was a way to know real peace regardless of the storms raging around you?
Well, there is a way!
You can experience true peace when you walk in intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ every day.
This is the peace Jesus talks about in John 14:27:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
God wants you to live in perfect peace! Yet most of us don't live that way because we allow Satan to steal that peace. And the way he does that is by distracting us from walking with Christ.
That's one reason why we have made our Daily Living Devotionals from Senior Living Ministries such a high priority. While it may sound simple, our daily devotionals are being used by God to help seniors across our country... and even around the world... to find that daily peace.
I love the fact that we can reach thousands of seniors each day in such a direct and meaningful way. .
Together, we can continue to show seniors how to find God's peace... give guidance on how to conquer discouragement... provide insights on prayer... and so much more!
In Christ,
:angel:
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. --Psalm 86:15
In 1859, a prominent French banker named Jean-Henri Dunant set off to see Napoleon about a financial transaction.
Running late, however, he found himself on a hilltop watching in horror as Napoleon's troops engaged in a brutal battle with the Austrians below. The images Dunant saw of the young dying soldiers and the wounded crying out in pain seared into his mind.
Then the next day, he saw a similar scene in a small, neighboring town. After a battle, terrified refugees were huddled together...and the wounded and dead lay everywhere. And as a result, Dunant decided to postpone his trip to visit Napoleon to stay and comfort the wounded solders and care for the frightened citizens.
This experience ignited a passion in the heart of Jean-Henri Dunant, and he started a crusade to help those in need. His efforts eventually won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, and the organization he founded, the American Red Cross, continues to help millions around the world today.
Like Jean-Henri Dunant, you've probably seen something that touched your heart and made you think differently. You've probably seen someone in need and wanted to help.
Unlike Dunant, however, you may not know what you can do to help those in need. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Anything you do for others in the name of Jesus, whether it's as simple as donating canned goods to your local food bank, supporting a local charity with a financial gift, or going on a short-term mission trip, is blessed in the eyes of God.
This should challenge each of us to go out of our way to help those in need! I hope you'll take time today and every day to show the love and compassion of Christ to someone who needs it.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for opportunities where you can show compassion to others, and thank Him for the kindness He has shown you.
:angel:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. --John 3:16
It all began with a single red paper clip.
Kyle McDonald of Montreal, Quebec wanted to see if he could eventually barter for a house in less than a year starting with only a red paper clip.
So first, he went online and traded the red paper clip for a pen that looked like a fish. That fish pen soon became a homemade doorknob...that became a camping stove...then a generator...and so on.
Near the end of his year-long trading spree, McDonald bartered a rare snow globe for a movie role. Then the small town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, offered to trade McDonald a three-bedroom house for the movie role, which they planned to auction off.
McDonald agreed and achieved his goal. From a mere red paper clip, he gained a house!
Have you ever thought about how valuable you are? You're so valuable, so priceless, that God made the ultimate trade for you! John 3:16 says He gave his only Son so that you could spend eternity with Him! You mean that much to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the worth He sees in you and praise Him for His gift of eternal life.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Friday, August 20, 2010
I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. --Acts 20:24
Dick Hoyt and his son, Rick, have completed countless races together, including the Boston Marathon and the grueling Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.
While these are impressive feats, it's almost unbelievable when you consider that Rick suffers from cerebral palsy and is a quadriplegic!
During their triathlons, Dick pulls his son in a special boat. He cycles with Rick seated on the front of the bike, and then runs with his son in a special wheelchair.
Dick wasn't particularly athletic when his son, who couldn't speak, wanted to take part in a five-kilometer benefit race as a young boy. But after seeing his son's unbridled joy during the race, Dick decided the two should do more together. Today, Team Hoyt regularly finishes in the top quarter of the races they enter.
What drives this loving father to work so hard? He knows that his son Rick doesn't feel handicapped when they race together.
Isn't this a beautiful picture of God's love and concern for you and me? When we're weak, God is strong. He's there to push us, pull us, and even carry us through obstacles we cannot conquer on our own.
That's why we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37)!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His fatherly love and that He is always there to push, pull, and carry you in any situation.
:angel:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! --2 Corinthians 5:17
A young, enterprising store clerk convinced his boss a ten-cent sale would be a great way to reduce inventory. The boss agreed, and the sale was a tremendous success.
This gave the young man an idea: He would open his own store stocking nickel and dime merchandise! So the young man approached his boss and asked him to invest in his idea for a portion of the profits.
The boss said no. He thought the idea was ridiculous, and told the young man, "Honestly, where would you find enough merchandise to sell for a mere nickel or dime?"
The determined young clerk went ahead with his plans anyway. And eventually, F.W. Woolworth had stores all over the country!
Later, his former boss said with regret, "As far as I can figure out, every word I used to turn Woolworth down cost me about a million dollars."
Do you have something in your past you regret? Perhaps it's losing contact with someone you love or holding a grudge. Or losing a relationship. Or being unforgiving. The good news of Jesus Christ is that every day is a new day for His followers! His blood has cleansed you from all your sins and Jesus gives you the amazing opportunity to start anew every day!
That's the power of His grace!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the cleansing power of the cross to erase all your sins. And ask Him to help you with any past regrets you might have. By His grace you can start anew.
:angel:
"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." --Matthew 17:20
There once was an Episcopal bishop in Ohio who stood in his pulpit and declared that flying through the air was both impossible and against the will of God.
It seems, though, that Bishop Wright's sons, Orville and Wilbur, didn't think much of their father's pronouncement...they invented the airplane anyway!
Have you ever felt strongly that something was impossible? Philippians 4:13 says "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." It doesn't say some things. It says all things.
Most would have said it was impossible for Sarah to have Isaac in her 90s. That it was impossible for Jonah to survive three days in the belly of a fish only to be spat out exactly where he was supposed to be.
And that Jesus' death and resurrection was impossible...only for Him to die and rise again so that you might have a relationship with God!
If you have an obstacle in your life you aren't sure you can overcome, don't be discouraged. Take heart because God can do the impossible! Trust in this promise today.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God that through Him all things are possible and ask for His power to do the impossible in your life today!
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. --Psalm 20:7
While serving in World War I as a merchant marine, British actor Herbert Marshall was required to wear a foul-smelling life jacket.
He hated wearing the putrid preserver, and at the close of the war, contemptuously tossed the repulsive object overboard in celebration. He then watched in horror as the long-tormenting object sank like a rock!
Like Herbert Marshall, you and I often put our security in things that really won't save us. Things like material possessions, finances, and job status...even things like our own good works.
In Jeremiah 17:5, God warns us, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD." But two verses later He says, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."
So I want to ask you an honest question today: Who (or what) do you put your confidence in? If your trust isn't in Jesus Christ, you're holding onto a life preserver that will sink when you need it the most!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God that He is trustworthy, and ask Him to help you fully put your trust and confidence in Him.
:angel:
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. --Proverbs 28:1
In 1996, Reverend Joe Wright, pastor of a large church in Wichita, Kansas, bravely stepped to the microphone of the Kansas House of Representatives to open a session in prayer.
But it wasn't the generic prayer to which the congressmen were accustomed. In part, he said:
"We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism....
"In the name of choice, we have killed the unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed the abortionists....
"We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment."
He then asked for wisdom and forgiveness and closed the prayer in Jesus' name.
As you can imagine, Wright's prayer caused quite an uproar. But he stood strong...and said he wouldn't apologize for stating what was true.
In today's secular and Godless culture, we need more people like Reverend Wright to take a bold stand for Jesus...people who aren't afraid of declaring and defending the truth of God as revealed in His Word.
Are you one of those people? When was the last time you took a stand for Christ? Maybe it wasn't in front of a room full of congressmen, but perhaps in a personal conversation with an unbelieving friend.
Today, I want to challenge you to memorize the verse at the beginning of this devotional, and live it out in your daily life.
As a believer, you have the truth on your side! So you can be as bold as a lion as you live the Christian life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you be bold and strong in your witness for Him.
:angel:
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:10
Pablo Picasso painted thousands of pictures in his lifetime. And as his fame as an artist grew, so did the number of forgeries of his work.
One day, a fellow artist brought the famous painter one of his supposed works of art.
"A fake!" Picasso exclaimed.
Not long afterwards, the friend returned with two more paintings for the master to inspect. "Forgeries!" he told the artist again. The dumbfounded artist sputtered, "I saw you paint this last one with my own eyes!"
Picasso shrugged, "Sometimes I paint fakes."
In your life as a Christian, do you ever feel that you're just "painting a fake"? Do you ever feel more like a forgery than a person who's actually been transformed by the awesome power of Jesus?
Truly becoming who God the Creator intends you to be starts with knowing Him, and knowing what He desires for you. And the best way you can do this is to spend time with God every day, reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer.
I want to challenge you not to settle for what you think Christlikeness looks like. Instead strive to be like Christ by spending time with Him every day!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you more and more like Christ today...and every day.
:angel:
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. --2 Peter 3:8
History is filled with bold predictions that completely missed the mark:
At the turn of the 20th century, car makers produced only four million automobiles because the experts believed the world would eventually run out of chauffeurs.
Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, made the bold pronouncement that radio had no future in 1894.
Mark Twain refused to invest in Alexander Graham Bell's telephone because he didn't see a use for it.
Thomas Watson, the President of IBM, once said the future world would need "maybe only five computers."
And in 1899, the director of the United States patent office told President McKinley that "everything that can be invented has already been invented."
We often try to set our own course based on what we believe the future will be instead of seeking what God has planned for us first. How often we forget that God sees the future much better than we do!
Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
When you put your trust in God and obey Him, you can rest in the assurance that He will guide and direct your steps today and tomorrow.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God for His infinite wisdom and ask Him to guide your steps today.
:angel:
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. --Ephesians 5:1-2
Muriel McQuilklin was an amazing artist, a vivacious radio host, and a devoted wife and mother while her husband Robertson had a prosperous career as a popular Bible college president. But this all changed when Alzheimer's disease began to slowly steal Muriel's mind.
At the peak of his career...while many urged him to put his wife in a nursing home...Robertson McQuilkin left his college presidency to stay home and care for his ailing wife.
His critics couldn't believe he would walk away from "God's work," but this devoted husband shrugged them off saying simply, "There are others who can lead the Bible college, but I am the only one who can care for Muriel."
Even when she no longer knew him, Robertson lovingly cared for Muriel until she passed away in 2003, 20 years after her diagnosis.
Like McQuilkin, you may know what it's like to walk beside an ailing loved one. If not, you can probably relate to having to make some kind of sacrifice for others, be it a sacrifice of your time, your energy, or your finances (or all three!).
At times like these, Satan loves to question just why you're making that sacrifice, and what you're going to get out of it. But don't listen to him!
Remember the awesome sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on your behalf on the cross...and know that He will bless you for giving of yourself unselfishly like He did.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His wonderful sacrifice and ask Him to help you remember His precious grace when you must make sacrifices for others.
:angel:
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." --John 13:35
Before he became the prime minister of Japan, the late Shigeru Yoshida served as an ambassador to England.
One day, he learned that a particularly annoying cabinet minister had come to London. Yoshida decided avoidance was the best policy, so he told his staff to tell the cabinet member that he was not available when he called.
Undaunted, the persistent minister kept calling. The minister finally decided to visit the embassy in person, and a polite man standing on the staircase said, unfortunately, he'd missed the ambassador again.
The cabinet member turned to leave, then turned back around in stunned recognition. He demanded, "Aren't you the Ambassador Yoshida?"
Yoshida reluctantly admitted he was, and then added, "And, sir, when you hear from Yoshida himself that Yoshida is out, you can believe it!"
More than likely, there's someone in your life you probably try to avoid. Maybe it's your nosy neighbor, the gossip at church, or the bitter man in the grocery aisle. And while your reluctance to mingle with these kinds of people can often be understood, I challenge you to try a new approach.
Instead of avoiding them, do something nice for the person who is a little hard to love. Perhaps something as simple as saying a kind word or doing something nice for them.
Jesus encouraged us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that means the annoying, overbearing ones too! You may be amazed how showing kindness and compassion to someone will change your view of them.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His love and ask Him to help you love your neighbor as yourself.
:angel:
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. --Ecclesiastes 8:15
Paul Tournier, a well-known Christian psychiatrist, gives insight to the subject of happiness in his book, The Seasons of Life. He says:
"True happiness is always linked with deep, inner harmony. It therefore always implies an acceptance of one's age; the acceptance of no longer being a child when one has reached the age of adulthood, and the giving up of the goals of active life when one is advanced in years.
This is the age of retirement, which for some [people] can be a meaningful experience, while for others it is a cruel trial. ... Those who complain about their retirement are usually the same ones as those who used to complain about their work and longed to be set free from it!"
There's no room after retirement for a bitter, complaining spirit. So, why does it seem so many people are unhappy? Experts reported not long ago that only 20 percent of Americans are happy. The relentless message from society is that we must buy certain things or go specific places to experience happiness. If happiness is not a permanent condition in us, then there must be problems in our lives.
But, most people don't experience a lifelong state of happiness. Happiness is a choice...even if only a few moments each day. Think about the last few days...maybe you had an unexpected visitor drop by, a letter came from an old friend, or someone may have complimented you. Moments like those are the ones that make the seemingly "bad day" disappear in a flash.
Tomorrow, stop and notice the sunset, listen to the birds outside your window sing sweet songs, or drink up the peaceful serenity of a rain shower. Then, you will see the happiness that God desires for you to experience.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the sweet moments of happiness that He gives each day.
:angel:
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." --Deuteronomy 33:12
Consumers lose millions of dollars each year due to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a person's social security number, credit card number, phone number, address, and other personal information is discovered by a thief who uses the information for his own personal gain.
As as result of this, many people have purchased paper shredders for their homes to help prevent the theft of their mail or private information from a trash can or dumpster. While this kind of theft can almost ruin a person and is a great travesty, we must be wary of having our true identity stolen.
Satan steals a person's potential in Christ by convincing them they are not worthy of God's forgiveness, grace, and love. He rips off others by using peers to influence them in negative ways or creating enormous amounts of guilt. Through fear, guilt, and shame, Satan can prevent many from discovering God's ultimate purpose for their lives.
The devil's goal is to keep you confused about your spiritual gift and purpose, trying to dilute your true identity in Christ. Remember that God loves you and you are "precious and honored" in His sight (Isaiah 43:4). You are valuable. So much so, that Christ hung on a cross for your sins. How's that for value? And you are capable of being all that God's called you to be because He has specifically gifted you to serve and honor Him (see 1 Peter 4:10).
It may cause some problems to have your personal information robbed by the common thief, but it would be even more devastating to have the sneakiest crook of all steal your identity in Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart from Satan's crooked ways. Pray that He would strengthen your identity in Him each day.
:angel:
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. --Romans 12:4-6
Have you ever met someone who was gifted in a certain area? And you wished you could have that same talent? Maybe you've had a close relationship with someone who had a gift of teaching, or a special talent in music. A person gifted in a specific way has exceptional abilities in that particular area.
But usually regardless of how gifted that person is in one area, they are not gifted in every area of their life. No matter how good the beautician is, she must still depend on others to fix her car or hook up her cable. No matter how talented the surgeon is, he must still find others to take his family portrait or sing at his daughter's wedding.
In the church it is the same. There is a spiritual God-given gift that every believer in Christ has. And everyone is to use their gift to serve the Lord and His kingdom (see 1 Peter 4:10). Paul mentions several spiritual gifts throughout his letters including serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy (Romans 12:3-8).
Most people are born with natural talents, but only believers are blessed with spiritual gifts. Every Christian, young and old, should be using their spiritual gifts in ways to bring blessing and encouragement to others (see Philippians 2:3-4). And, most importantly, we are to use our spiritual gifts to bring honor and glory to the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you still don't know it, ask the Lord to reveal to you your spiritual gift. Ask Him to help you find a place to use your gift. Pray that He would use you to bring blessing, encouragement, and hope to others through your gift.
:angel:
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. --Psalm 119:49-50
As people live longer, there may be a progression in chronic illnesses among senior citizens. While great advancements are being made in curing cancer and heart disease, there is a condition that can be devastating to the one it affects, and his or her family and friends--Alzheimer's Disease.
The progressive nature of Alzheimer's is well known to most. A person, usually older, starts to forget the details in life. And these memory mishaps become more frequent until they reach a severe level of disability and begin to interfere with daily activities. Soon, the diseased individual fails to recognize familiar faces and places, and they lose the ability to care for themselves altogether.
God knows and has planned every day of the person who carries this horrible disease, so their gradual downward spiral is no surprise to Him. While this change is hard on family and friends, and even harder to understand, God brings comfort to those who experience Alzheimer's. And while Alzheimer's destroys the mind, God continually gives strength and hope in the spirit.
Professional support groups exist across the nation for families and patients dealing with this disease. There are many helpful and effective ways to cope with Alzheimer's for both parties today. It's important for you and your loved one to continue on in an active circle of care. We are to continually have the mind of Christ Jesus...not our own, but His. So, put the health, mind, and spirit of the one you love whom Alzheimer's affects in the hands of the Great Physician.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the grace and mercy He shows us each day regardless of the pain and suffering from this world. Ask for God's protection and watch care over those you may know who are struggling with Alzheimer's Disease or any other disease.
:angel:
He guides the humble in what is right, and teaches them his way. --Psalm 25:9
The Internet is older than you think--it's not so young anymore. More senior adults are logging in and using the Internet all the time. In the United States alone, senior adults make up one in five people who use the Internet.
Using the Internet doesn't mean you have to delve into extensive research or know a secret code to enter the World Wide Web. Most people use the Internet to send and receive e-mail, read the news and current events, and find basic information on everyday topics such as the weather, travel, sports, and online shopping. There are even some senior adults who have joined online communities to meet and make new friends which, in turn, open opportunities to attend luncheons and talk on the phone with new companions.
There are still personal benefits for seniors to embrace in using the Internet--entertainment, money management, hobbies, family and friends, and grandkids, grandkids, grandkids! It is an easy way to stay in touch with the special people in your life.
If you have never used a computer or the Internet before, there are computer classes in almost every town or community. You can first check with your local library or public school to find classes nearby. And there's really nothing to be skeptical about when using the computer besides remembering to use caution when giving out personal information as you would "offline."
There are also some beneficial ways to enhance your spiritual growth through online Bible study tools and daily devotionals. Even as senior adults, God wants us to move forward with our lives, learn new things, and seek new ways to build relationships with others and with Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the new ways available for you to connect with other believers and with the people you love.
:angel:
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. --Leviticus 19:32
Honor should be given to senior citizens--period. It's in the Bible. Older men and women with years of experience and wisdom must be treated with respect. So, why does this matter to you since you're already a senior citizen?
It needs to be passed down to the younger generations. Children, teenagers, and even some young adults today are being raised without knowledge and practice of this valuable rule. It is your responsibility to share this with your already grown children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren because it's in the Bible.
"Never speak sharply to an older man, but please with him respectfully just as though he were your own father. ... Treat the older women as mothers" (1 Timothy 5:1-2, TLB). How many young people do you know who truly speak to older adults with the utmost respect? There aren't many in today's society. There's no respect for parents, government authority, school educators, much less the elderly.
And while there are exceptions, as a senior adult, you must leave behind the legacy of respect for older generations. Many young people don't realize the value in the wisdom and experience that a senior adult can give. "The glory of young men is their strength; of old men, their experience" (Proverbs 20:29, TLB).
If senior adults begin instilling these values into the younger generations, the respect you deserve will not be lost. In Psalm 71, the Bible records a senior citizen's prayer. "And now that I am old and gray, don't forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all Your mighty miracles" (Psalm 71:18, TLB). As men and women of age, there is much for you to teach the younger generations--don't delay!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you a young person whom you can mentor and share godly wisdom and experience.
:angel:
Friday, September 10, 2010
Praise be to the Lord; to God our Savior, who daily bears our burden. --Psalm 68:19
Depression is a serious mental health issue that affects people of all ages, both male and female. Sadly, concurrent medical conditions can actually compromise the recognition of depression in older adults. Some of the illnesses related to late-life depression are not only many forms of cancer, but Parkinson's disease, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's dementia.
Do you or someone you know experience these types of symptoms? Here are some things to look for: recent significant weight change, change in sleeping patterns, loss of energy, isolation, overwhelming feelings of sadness, unexplained physical symptoms, inappropriate feelings of guilt, and feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.
Beware that these problems are not just part of the normal aging process for older adults. Medical help is needed if you or your loved one is experiencing four or more of the symptoms above. But, whether you are experiencing clinical or chronic depression, or just the occasional bout of depression, there is hope in God's Word.
Every person experiences depression at one point or another in his or her life. In Psalm 107:10-11, the Bible records the prisoners "sat in darkness and deepest gloom, miserable prisoners in chains." Have you ever felt this way? To relieve their pain, they cried out to the Lord and "He saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains" (Psalm 107:13-14, NLT).
There is hope in the Lord to break free from the bondage of depression. In the Bible, Satan is compared to a thief who is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy you (John 10:10). But, Christ came to give you everlasting (John 5:24) and abundant (John 10:10) life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises of freedom from the bonds of depression. Ask him to take away the feelings of depression and fill you with joy and hope.
:angel:
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. --Psalm 118:24
Have you ever taken time out of your day just to stop and literally smell the flowers in your garden, listen to the birds singing, or relax long enough to feel the cool breeze outside? If you truly take the time to do things like this each day, you'll be amazed at how renewed--emotionally and mentally--you'll begin to feel.
When your joy and passion for life have been depleted, take action! Everyone goes through seasons of discontentment and gloom, and there are many reasons for its cause. It could be a stressed relationship, work problems, frustration or difficulties in a relationship with your children, personal criticism, or illness.
When trying times creep up on us, our joy seems to dissipate. You've probably heard the story of Jonah. He said about life: "It would be better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:8). Despite Jonah's difficulties, even spending some time in the belly of a whale, God brought Him out of his unhappiness and restored his joy.
When your joy seems to have disappeared, seek solitude and silence with God. A hectic lifestyle is never a good solution for finding joy that has been lost. "Be still before the Lord" (Zechariah 2:13), and refresh your spirit through Him. Think about God's many blessings in your life, especially the people you love and the people who love you. When you're feeling like Satan has taken away your happiness, remember the declaration in Psalm 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you an opportunity where you can get away and be alone with Him. Thank Him for the joy and blessings in your life that can only be found in Him.
:angel:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
--Colossians 3:12
In 1935, on a winter night, Fiorello LaGuardia, the mayor of New York City, showed up at night court in the poorest part of the city. He let the judge go for the evening and he took over the bench.
A woman in torn clothing, charged with stealing a loaf of bread, was brought to stand before LaGuardia. She told LaGuardia that her son-in-law had deserted her extremely sick daughter, and that her grandchildren were starving. The shopkeeper refused to drop the charges, however, saying she needed to be punished.
LaGuardia sighed, turned to the old woman, and said, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail."
As soon as he pronounced the sentence, however, LaGuardia took a $10 bill out of his pocket and threw it into a hat. And he said: "Here's the $10 fine, which I now remit. Furthermore, I'm going to fine each person 50 cents in this courtroom for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The next day, a New York newspaper reported that $47.50 was turned over to the grandmother who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren.
Today, give encouragement or show kindness to someone who wouldn't expect it from anyone else. Christ came to give life and show mercy to those less fortunate and those who are sinners--not the high and mighty. Restore the joy in your life by giving of your time and energy to those who don't have the blessings that you do.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone who is less fortunate than you, so you can extend to him or her the same kindness that Christ first showed you.
:angel:
But if a widow [or widower] has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. --1 Timothy 5:4
For some senior adults, moving toward dependency happens quickly as the result of an illness, a fall, an accident with long-term effects, and more. But, most seniors creep toward dependency at first unnoticed, then realized, and finally understanding and willingly.
Changes that continue to happen because of aging cause a senior citizen to finally understand: "I can't do this by myself anymore. I need someone to help me out." Depending on the individual, some may be eager and willing to accept the help of another, while others find it hard to admit what is happening.
The caregiver should be one who agrees to become responsible for one who decides to take on dependency. In the fifth commandment found in Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you," the rationale in God's plan is that family members are to look after one another.
Parents are to care for their children; and then in reciprocation, the adult children are to care for their parents. The most God-honoring care giving will come from the wisdom found in the fifth commandment. If you are at the point where you would like to begin making plans for someone to take care of you one day, then consider sitting down with a family member to discuss the next steps.
Be aware of the situation and how much time will need to be spent between the two of you. Work out a plan, involving more than one family member, if possible, and recognize that there will be some difficult times. Decide whether or not you want to remain in your own home, or if you need to go where it will be more convenient for your family.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask for God's will, wisdom, and guidance to be revealed in this situation. Pray that God would work out the details in His own way and in His time.
:angel:
In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. - Psalm 71:1
When things come up in my life, oftentimes my first instinct is to take action and correct whatever may be wrong. This is true for most men. It's a natural male tendency to want to fix what's broken. I'm sure some of the ladies reading this can relate to this tendency as well.
The problem is that my first instinct isn't necessarily my best course of action. An impulsive reaction to a situation can sometimes make it much worse. Instead of seeking the Lord and asking for guidance, we may rely on our wealth, our reputation, or our own know-how to get a job done. But often this can lead to negative results.
Consider Jonah. His first instinct was to run. In fact, when God called Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, he went as far in the opposite direction as possible. And it was only due to his eventual acceptance of God's will that an entire city was spared the Lord's fury. Jonah knew he had a difficult task set before him, but he fled from God instead of seeking shelter from God.
How different the story would have been if Jonah had simply taken refuge in the Lord from the beginning! Jonah could have spared himself a lot of misery and shame by finding refuge in the Lord.
How much of our own anguish has been caused by an unwillingness to submit to God? Sometimes we would rather stand in the cold alone than experience warmth and safety in the sanctuary of the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for refuge today by granting you strength and peace of mind.
:angel:
"Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water." Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. - Numbers 20:8, 11
Do you ever hear without listening? Maybe you've heard the words that were spoken to you, but failed to understand their meaning. A very simple example of this would be turning on a foreign language TV or radio station. You can listen all day long, but you'll never hear the intended message!
When God speaks to us, it's very important that we not only hear His voice but to listen to what He's telling us. In the verses above, you see a clear command from God: "Speak to that rock." Yet what does Moses do? He strikes the rock. Twice! Talk about missing the message. And as a result of this failure to really hear God's command, Moses wasn't allowed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Now, maybe Moses was confused. After all, in Exodus 17:6, God did command Moses to strike a rock to receive water for the people. Which is why it is so important that we listen carefully to what God is telling us.
It's worth noting that while Moses failed to follow the Lord's command explicitly, God was still faithful to His commitment. He still poured out water from the rock. God is always faithful to His word. You and I need to focus on listening to His word as we hear to His voice.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you will be able to listen to God's voice...and that you clearly understand His command to you in every situation in life.
:angel:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. - Matthew 4:1
All of us battle temptation on a daily basis. The enemy is relentless in his attacks, which is why you and I must always be vigilant in staying connected to the Lord every day. But no matter how committed we are to our relationship with God, we will still come under fire.
The key to our victory is in our response. When you feel overwhelmed by temptation, how do you respond? Thankfully, God has provided us the perfect example for overcoming temptation by allowing His own Son to be tempted.
Christ's temptation is recorded in the fourth chapters of both Matthew and Luke. The key to focus on is Jesus' response when tempted by Satan. In both Gospels, Jesus responds to temptation by quoting Scripture. In fact, Jesus is tempted three times and each time He quotes from Deuteronomy!
Now Jesus probably had more Scripture memorized than you or I do, and at our age it may not be so easy to add a whole lot more. But notice that Jesus responds with verses that apply to the specific temptation. We all know our sin patterns and we know what temptations we struggle with. That's why it's so important to commit one or two verses to memory that address your individual weaknesses.
For instance, if you struggle with a lot of negative emotions, it might be beneficial to memorize Galatians 5:22-23, which lists the fruit of the Spirit. Or if you battle an unhealthy relationship with money, remember 1 Timothy 6:10. It will remind you of the consequences when putting wealth ahead of the Lord.
If you just can't seem to commit a verse to memory, write it down and tuck it somewhere that will be helpful when you are tempted. Keep it in your Bible, your wallet, in your car, or taped to your bathroom mirror.
Nothing rebuffs Satan like the Word of God. Remember it is our sword--the only form of attack we have against the enemy.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Repeat the Lord's Prayer today especially focusing on "Lead us not into temptation." Pray this for yourself and for those you love.
:angel:
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
Have you ever heard the phrase "addition by subtraction"? You often hear it used by sports analysts when an athlete leaves a team. Take the Texas Rangers, for example.
In 2000, they signed Alex Rodriguez, or "A-Rod," to the biggest contract in sports history. He was one of the best shortstops in the game! Yet the Rangers finished last in their division three years in a row.
After trading A-Rod to the New York Yankees three years later, the Rangers finished the 2004 season only three games out of first place in their division! This is a good example of addition by subtraction.
In the same way, God often removes things from our lives that we consider very important. But in the end, we see that by removing that thing, we are better off.
In today's verse, we see that Jacob lost something that was extremely important to him: his ability to run! That's right. Jacob's pattern was simple, he would deceive and then he would run away. He ran from Esau after stealing his birthright and he later ran from Laban, taking all his possessions with him.
However, after the Lord injured his hip, Jacob was forced to confront his biggest fear. He had to face Esau. And much like the Prodigal Son, Jacob was welcomed with open arms by Esau. By subtracting his ability to flee, God added back Jacob's brother.
The Lord may be removing dependencies in your own life. What you may be missing, though, really may be God's provision through these times.
How is the Lord taking care of you even while stripping away things you thought you needed? I want to encourage you to look for the addition that results from God's subtraction.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you how He is using a recent loss for good..
:angel:
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1
Superstitions exist in all facets of life. From black cats, to indoor umbrellas, even believers who have been walking with the Lord for decades can allow false beliefs to seep into their daily routines.
The world considers this harmless, entertainment even. But consider what it says to God when you speak with a psychic or allow superstitions to hinder your daily activities. What you are telling God is that you do not trust Him enough to take care of your needs. But the Lord clearly instructs us in Proverbs 3:5 not to rely on our own knowledge or the knowledge of others. Instead you are to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."
Superstitions happen when we give meaning to the meaningless. Sometimes we all need to be reminded that trusting God to lead you means that breaking mirrors, or stepping on cracks, or walking under ladders holds no meaning.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would reveal to you anything in your life that may be creating a separation between you and Him.
:angel:
"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8
I read about a man not long ago who started a mission organization at the age of 65. He does a lot of pastoral training around the globe, including several training seminars in China each year.
During his most recent trip to China, the man was teaching a group of pastors when they were interrupted by Chinese officials. He was detained and held for questioning, his visa was suspended, and his passport was confiscated.
After eight hours of questioning, he was released and allowed to leave the country. His future access to China is unknown right now, but he is pressing on. Less than two weeks after this he was en route to Romania to continue his work!
Friends, our Lord has commanded us to take His message to the ends of the earth. Not all of us can go to China,but there's no excuse for not being involved in missionary work on some level. Chances are your church sponsors mission trips or missionary families or both. Find out what you can do to get involved in those areas. Or you could look online for any number of independent mission groups who could use your support.
Support doesn't have to mean going or even giving financially. Prayers are just as important as dollars, and countless people in the field have seen great provision through the support of prayer warriors at home.
And don't forget that the mission field includes your neighborhood or place of work! If you can't go to China, you still can go next door.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would present you with an opportunity to be directly involved with missionary efforts.
:angel:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This passage in 2 Timothy gives us four distinct uses of Scripture in our lives. These uses can be applied to ourselves, to friends and family, to small groups, or to whole congregations. Let's take a look at each a little more in depth.
1) Teaching - As you study God's Word, you will come to know more about His character. God teaches us directly through His Spirit when we read the Bible. We teach each other in small groups, and we are taught as a body when we attend church services.
2) Rebuking - God's Word informs us about sin and how He wants us to live. We are commanded to share this knowledge with those around us. The act of rebuking, which is very different from judging, is a positive, loving act according to the Word.
3) Correcting - While rebuking is a confrontation of sin, correcting is more about instructing fellow believers in right ways of living, attitude, and thinking. Not in an area where they have been sinful, but where they are in error.
4) Training - Not just training, but "training in righteousness." This implies guiding new believers in God's ways. Training is not just for new believers. You and I need to continue training others as well as being trained in the Word. It is an ongoing process.
The net result of these four principles is that "the man (or woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
If you follow these instructions, as Paul required of Timothy, then you will be fully capable of meeting the challenges that arise in your life. In addition, you will become a valuable friend and neighbor by helping others become equipped as well!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Father would allow you to put these principles into action today.
:angel:
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. - James 4:17
Have you ever been in a situation and known the right thing to do, but just didn't do it? If so, you're not alone! Most of us can probably relate to this scenario.
The Scriptures clearly show us what actions are sin. But how do we know when inaction becomes a sin? Well, we all know the difference between right and wrong. And it's not enough to just avoid doing sin. We are commanded to pursue righteousness and justice.
You've heard the term "half-truth" before. Half-truths are telling the truth without telling the whole truth. Thus you can omit certain information without actually lying. But this is precisely what James is talking about. Some people say that a half-truth is actually a half-lie. I think they're on to something.
There are many times in our lives when we're faced with difficult situations. But we do not have the luxury of burying our heads in the sand or looking the other way and pretending we don't see what's before us. Friend, you and I must do what is right, even when no one is looking, and even when it might cost us something!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
:angel:
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. - Philippians 3:13
One of the easiest traps to fall into in life is holding a grudge against someone who's wronged you. If you've been wounded, it's often difficult to forgive!
In elementary schools, you'll often hear teachers chiding their students, "Eyes forward!" if they aren't paying attention in class. In the same way, Paul encourages us in today's verse to look ahead. He reminds us not to focus...not to dwell on...what has already passed.
In friendships or marriages, it can be hard to keep our eyes forward when you see the same behavior repeat itself. However, "forgetting what is behind" is the right thing to do. Even after 30, 40, or 50 years in a relationship, we must practice forgiveness and ask God to help us forget past wrongs.
You and I have two choices in life: We can either live with our eyes looking back and a tight grip on all the wrongs that have been done to us...or we can accept the challenge to forgive, forget, and share the time we have left with those to whom we are closest.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you identify and forgive any longstanding personal wounds and live with "eyes forward."
:angel:
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:2
Today's verse is fascinating. Because according to the writer of Hebrews, you and I have the chance to entertain angels when we open our homes up to strangers!
But more than opening yourself up to entertaining angels, being hospitable and serving others is a tangible way you can show the love of Christ to those who don't know Him. In fact, Christ commanded that we should love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matt. 22:39).
As you get older, serving and entertaining does become more difficult. But there are still ways you can love your neighbor without exhausting yourself. For instance, doing little things like letting someone merge into your lane in traffic or simply talking to someone who appears lonely. It doesn't take much energy to show someone you love and care about them!
Today, think about ways you can serve and be hospitable towards others. And remember, you just might be serving an angel!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you creative ways to serve and entertain others who may not know Him.
:angel:
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. - Titus 2:2
Few passages in Scripture apply to older men exclusively. Which is why I'm so grateful the Lord gave us today's verse!
After listing the attributes of a qualified elder in the church, Paul instructs Titus on the character of mature men in general. He first lists three qualities: temperance, dignity, and self-control. Then, he follows that with three areas in which senior men should be grounded: faith, love, and endurance.
All of these qualities work in concert with each other. Temperance indicates a level of restraint. You should practice moderation. If you cannot exercise this quality, you'll certainly risk undignified behavior. It could even result in public embarrassment and loss of respect. Such actions do not indicate self-control.
Older men should also strive to be "sound in faith, in love and in endurance." James 1 tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. If you are grounded in your faith, then a natural side-effect should be spiritual endurance. Paul also reiterates the importance of love. We are always to be acting from a position of love.
Men, look at these qualities. Examine them as a checklist. How are you doing in each of these areas? Where could you use a little more work? In what area do you have consistent success? Tomorrow, I'll turn my attention and focus on the Paul's characteristics for older women.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for strength in the area you are most lacking. Then thank Him for success in the area where you are most unwavering!
:angel:
Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. - Titus 2:3
Today, I'm going to focus on Paul's instructions to the older women. Paul lays out his characteristics for senior women in three statements.
First, women are to be reverent in their behavior. I believe this reverence is meant to extend not only to reverence to God, but to the men of the Church as well. If the men are living as they are commanded, then they are worthy of respect. However, as with most of God's commands, this is not conditional. Even if those around you are not holding up their end, you must still act in a manner pleasing to the Lord.
Second, godly women are not to be "slanderers or addicted to much wine." Gossip is often a sin associated with women. This may not be altogether fair, but here Paul is specific in directing this at the older women. He also instructs them not to be excessive drinkers. When he uses the term "addicted," it's really the image of a slave. You should not be enslaved to drinking.
Finally, the women are called to teach what is good. Paul views the role of older women mentoring younger women as very important. In fact, he goes on to further instruct the more mature women in detail how to teach the younger wives proper behavior. Women, God is calling you to be an example to the young women in your lives.
I encourage you to examine any of the areas above where you may be struggling. As an example to the young women around you, what are you teaching them through your actions? Also, consider areas where God has given you much success through His grace.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you the area in which you need the most improvement. Thank Him for providing victory in the area where you have the most success!
:angel:
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. --Psalm 28:7
Author Norman Cousins told of being hospitalized with a rare, crippling disease in his book, The Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient. When Cousins was diagnosed as incurable, he decided to check out of the hospital. He was fully aware of the harmful effects that negative emotions can have on the body, but Cousins reasoned that the reverse was true and decided to do something about it.
Once he was home, he determined to take action against the disease that was spreading through his body. He borrowed a movie projector and prescribed his own treatment.
Each day, he watched Marx Brothers films and old "Candid Camera" reruns. It wasn't long before Cousins realized that ten minutes of laughter provided two hours of pain-free sleep. Amazingly, his incurable disease was eventually reversed. His victory appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine and afterward, he received more than 3,000 letters from appreciative physicians throughout the world.
God does not expect us to be serious Christians all the time. We're expected to lighten up and have some fun. Even Jesus had fun: playing with children, attending a wedding party, and socializing with everyday people. The Christian life may seem like a somber and boring journey, but it's not supposed to be that way.
Unfortunately, non-believers often view Christians as a "no-fun" crowd, but we know that the life of the believer is full of joy—joy that can only be found in Christ. When the negativity of the world darkens your day, praise Jesus for the fulfillment, purpose, and happiness we have in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy you have in Jesus as a Christian. Pray that God would daily fill you with laughter and happiness through the Holy Spirit when the world gets you down.
:angel:
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." --1 Samuel 3:10
Noted English architect, Sir Christopher Wren, was supervising the construction of a magnificent cathedral in London. During the construction, a local journalist thought it would be an interesting read to interview some of the workers and write a story on it's progress.
He chose three and individually asked them this question, "What are you doing?"
The first man replied, "I'm cutting stone for ten shillings a day."
The next man answered, "I'm putting in ten hours a day on this job."
Finally, the third exclaimed, "I'm helping Sir Christopher Wren construct one of London's greatest cathedrals."
Life is all about perspective. Do you hold a negative view of life, or a positive one? It is so easy to think negatively about the bad things going on around us and the difficulties we face day to day. But when you put your purpose into perspective, then this Christian life makes sense. When you keep a positive focus on your purpose in life, then the things that bring you down will seem to disappear.
God put each one of us here for a specific reason. Whether it is ministering to others, teaching His Word, providing encouragement and comfort, or something else, God gave you a gift for fulfilling the purpose He's laid before you. Samuel answered the call of God faithfully and he became the spokesman for God's Word to all of Israel.
Listen for God's call and answer it. Respond faithfully and He will reward you for your obedience to Him. Each morning, wake up with a fresh, positive outlook on life and your day-to-day challenges will be easy to conquer.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would continually keep your heart and mind sensitive to the Spirit's calling. Ask the Lord to clearly reveal His purpose for your life.
:angel:
Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" --Mark 1:14-15
There was once a ranger in the Yellowstone National Park that led a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the various flowers and animals in the park, that he ignored the messages coming through his two-way radio.
They soon became distracting while he was talking, so he just switched his radio off. But as the group neared the tower at the top of the mountain, they were met by a nearly breathless lookout. He asked why the ranger hadn't responded to any of the messages on his radio.
A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were frantically trying to warn them of the danger that followed. When we ignore the message God sends, we put ourselves, our loved ones, and those around us in danger. It is so important to keep constant communication with the Lord.
Are there those around you who don't know of the danger that lies ahead if they aren't believers in Jesus? Do they know that Satan stalks them day and night looking to devour them? As believers, it is our responsibility to make sure others know of the most important message in the world--the saving knowledge of Jesus!
The message is clear and should be passed along with urgency. Warn those you love of what awaits them if they don't answer the call of Jesus. Open the lines of communication and seek to be a witness to others toward the path of righteousness.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open the right opportunities for you to share Christ with those in your life that aren't believers. Pray that He will give you the words to say and the answers to give as you share the message of hope and truth.
:angel:
But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. --1 John 2:5-6
Noted Bible scholar, James M. Gray, once told a story of impact in his life to underscore the importance of reading the Scriptures for personal growth. When he was a young Bible teacher, he became deeply impressed by the peace and spiritual maturity of a friend he spoke with often.
Gray wanted the same stability as his friend, so he asked what the secret of his confidence and positive outlook toward Scripture was. The man said, "It all started through reading Ephesians."
Having read through Ephesians many times, Gray was surprised by his response since he had never experienced the same strength he saw in his friend. After noticing Gray's puzzled look, the man said, "On one occasion, when I was on a short vacation, I took a pocket edition of Ephesians with me. One afternoon, I laid down outside and read all six chapters."
Gray's friend continued, "My interest was so aroused that I read the entire epistle again. In fact, I did not finally lay it down until I had gone through it some 15 times. When I arose to go into the house, I was in possession of Ephesians; or better yet, it was in possession of me. I had the feeling that I had been lifted up to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus--a feeling that was new to me."
His friend's testimony encouraged Gray to master the Scripture himself. He began to saturate his mind and heart with the Word of God so he could freely and effectively communicate it to others and stand strong in his own faith. Do you have a hold on the Scriptures like Gray's friend? Or better yet, does it have a hold on you?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would speak to you clearly as you study His Word--book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse.
:angel:
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. --1 Corinthians 12:27
At a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack Lipton, a psychologist at Union College, and R. Scott Builione, a graduate student at Columbia University, presented their findings on how members of the various sections of 11 major symphony orchestras perceived each other .
The percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stiff, and non-athletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose "loud" as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical.
These were interesting findings! How could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music with such widely different personalities and perceptions? The answer is very simple: regardless of how these musicians view each other, they discard their feelings and biases to follow the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play the most beautiful music.
The Scripture says, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
No matter where you serve--in a soup kitchen, in a Bible study, as a minister, as a prayer warrior, as an usher, or in another area--the body can't function properly without your help! You are an important part of the body of Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for each member of the Body of believers who come together to serve Him and others. Ask the Lord to make you a blessing in the Body and use you significantly as a member for His glory.
:angel:
Monday, October 11, 2010
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. --Psalm 51:17
Will Rogers was most definitely known for his laughter, but he was also known for his character and compassion. One day, he was entertaining at the Milton H. Berry Institute in Los Angeles, a hospital that specialized in rehabilitating polio victims, people with broken backs, and those with other extreme physical handicaps.
As expected, Rogers had everyone laughing, even those patients who were in very bad condition. But he suddenly left the platform and headed straight for the restroom. Milton Berry followed to take him a towel. When he opened the door, he saw Rogers leaning against the wall sobbing. He quietly closed the door and left.
In a few minutes, Rogers was back on the platform, and continued on as happy as before. In The Integrity Crisis, Warren Wiersbe said, "If you want to learn what a person is really like, ask three questions: What makes him laugh? What makes him angry? What makes him weep? These are fairly good tests of character..."
Many times, people preach, teach, and share Jesus in anger. But what we truly need is brokenness for those who are hurting, lost, and without Jesus. It is that kind of anguish that Jesus showed when He removed all those who were selling and trading in the temple, and then went out and wept over the city.
It's easier to get angry over sin than it is to weep over it. While sin is wrong, we should cry out for those sinners who are hurting and hopeless. Choose today to be broken and compassionate toward those who do not know the love of Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help break you so that you can minister to those who are lost and broken. Pray that He would give you the strength and compassion needed to reach others in their times of need.
:angel:
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. --2 Peter 3:13
A Christian railroad engineer was speaking to a group of his coworkers about heaven. He went into a lengthy description saying:
"I can't begin to tell you what the Lord Jesus Christ means to me. In Him, I have a hope that is precious and life everlasting. Let me explain. Many years ago, as each night I neared the end of my run, I would always let out a long blast with the whistle just as I'd come around the last curve.
"Then I'd look up at the familiar little cottage on top of the hill. My mother and father would be standing in the doorway waving to me. After I had passed, they'd go back inside and say, 'Thank God, Benny is home safe again tonight.'
"They are gone now, and no one is there to welcome me anymore. But someday when I have finished my 'earthly run' and I draw near to heaven's gate, I believe I'll see my precious mother and dad waiting there for me. And the one will turn to the other and say, 'Thank God, Benny is home safe at last.'"
We will see those loved ones, those believers who went home ahead of us, at the gates to welcome us home when we draw near. It will be a joyous time of celebration with our Lord and the ones we love! Today there are those in your life who have not yet experienced salvation through Jesus.
Have you exhausted all efforts to bring them to Jesus? Share with them what heaven means to you and tell them of your desire to welcome them home one day to eternity.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that others will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as you seek to show them the promise, hope, and joy of spending eternity with Jesus.
:angel:
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. --Psalm 27:14
In the 17th century during the Thirty Years' War, German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. As they stayed in a small village inn one night, afraid and homeless, his wife broke down and sobbed openly in despair.
To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture promises about God's provision. Then, going out to the garden to be alone, he too broke down and openly wept. He felt he had come to the darkest hour in his life. But soon afterward, Gerhardt felt his burden lift and a refreshing sense of the Lord's presence.
Taking a pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many in despair:
"Give to the winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.
Through waves and clouds and storms He gently clears the way.
Wait thou His time, so shall the night soon end in joyous day."
Oftentimes, our darkest hours are the times when God makes His presence known most clearly. He brings us to what feels like the lowest points in our lives and uses our sufferings, so that we will finally see that He is our only source of strength. When we see this displayed, as in the life of Pastor Gerhardt, we experience a refreshed hope in Jesus.
Are you going through a time of despair right now? "Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Give yourself completely over to Him, wait for His perfect timing, and you'll once again know the breath of fresh air you've been waiting for—His presence.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: During times of tribulation, pray that God would move in your soul, and show you His glory when it feels like darkness has filled your days.
:angel:
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. --1 Timothy 1:12
In the early 1900s, a policeman walking his beat in Chicago observed a man standing before a mission. His hat was in his hand, and the officer thought he was acting strange. Thinking the man might be drunk or ill, the policeman approached him to find out what was going on. He noticed that his eyes were closed, so he nudged him and said, "What's the matter? Are you sick?"
The man looked up, smiled, and said, "No, sir. My name is Billy Sunday. I was converted right here in this mission. I never pass this way without taking the opportunity, if possible, to stand quietly for a moment and whisper a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord."
The officer understood and smiled back at Billy Sunday. Giving the evangelist a hearty handshake, the policeman warmly said, "Put 'er there, Bill! I've heard a lot about you! Keep right on with your prayer, and I'll see that no one bothers you."
In his letter to Timothy, Paul reflected on the sinner he once was by saying, "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:13-14).
Jesus came into the world to save sinners like you and me. It is important that we stop often to remember the sacrifice He made on the cross and thank Him for appointing us as ministers of His Gospel.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the salvation you have through Jesus Christ and for calling you to share the truth of His Word. Pray that He would empower and strengthen you daily to be a faithful follower. :angel:
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. --Ephesians 5:19-20
Walking through an open market one day, a mother and her five-year-old daughter browsed through the items available on each table. As the little girl stopped to stare at a large pile of oranges on one table, the generous vendor selling the oranges took one from the stack and gave it to her.
The mother asked her daughter, "What do you say to the nice man for giving you a gift?"
The little girl stared at the orange again, then tossed it toward the vendor and said, "Peel it!"
Thankfulness is something we learn over time and grow into regardless our age. What might be considered innocent and harmless coming from a five-year-old child would certainly be considered rude and ungrateful coming from an older child or adult. However, it's easy to fall into the trap of responding as that little girl did to God's blessings by thinking, "This is nice and all, but I'd like a little more."
An attitude of gratitude toward God's gifts is a mark of spiritual maturity in a believer's life. In Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus, he challenged them to follow Christ, which included "giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
This holiday season practice thankfulness to God, instead of complaining about what you don't have, instead of bemoaning the unfairness of life, or instead of expecting and desiring more than what you already have. God has provided all your needs and as His child, it's His desire to bless you with enough to sustain you. Be thankful for what you have!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you a thankful heart no matter the circumstances. Pray that He would help you see the blessings in all the gifts you receive--both big and small. :angel:
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. --1 Thessalonians 5:18
In his autobiography, Clarence Edward Macartney, a noted author, wrote a story about two men who were walking through a field when they noticed an enraged bull. Almost immediately, they began running toward the nearest fence. The angry bull followed in hot pursuit, but it was soon apparent that they couldn't outrun the bull.
Terrified, one of the men shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life."
His companion yelled, "But you must! The bull is catching up to us."
"All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know. My father used to repeat it at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'
This humorous story really suggests a valuable truth: Always give thanks no matter the situation. Paul and Silas faced trouble with the authorities in Macedonia when they drove an evil spirit out of a young slave girl who could no longer make money for her owners through her psychic powers. As they were attacked, stripped, beaten, and thrown in jail, they never faltered in their faith.
Scripture says that at "about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose" (Acts 16:25-26).
No matter how severe the trials and tribulations we go through in life, believers should always give thanks in everything.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would empower you to praise Him, thank Him, and triumph through every life situation--both good and bad--that comes your way. :angel:
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. --Psalm 28:7
Billy Bray, the great Methodist evangelist, was saved from a terrible life of drunkenness and sin. After his conversion, he experienced one trouble after another, but he never ceased praising and praying to the Lord.
He came to a place in his life where all he had to eat was a dish of very small potatoes, which a friend had given him. Billy bowed his head to offer thanks when he suddenly thought to himself: How can you thank God for such small potatoes? But out loud, Billy replied, "Go away, Satan--when I was serving you, I had no potatoes at all!"
The Bible tells us that Joseph experienced difficulties as well. He was forced into slavery and put in prison for a crime he didn't commit. But in the midst of it all, He honored God, praised Him, and was thankful for the path God had taken him down. Scripture says, "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor" (Genesis 39:20-21). As a result of his trials, the Lord raised Joseph up to rule over the land of Egypt under Pharaoh.
Life's struggles can be difficult at times. And when it seems that there is no money left for food, no cure for the illness, and no one else who cares, our sovereign God is in control and taking care of you each and every day. Psalm 42:11 says to "put your hope in God" and praise Him because He's "Savior and God." In all things, we are to praise the Lord--even for the small potatoes!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: When facing trials, ask God to show you the blessings in the small things He's given you. Ask Him to increase your hope and trust in Him and thank Him for supplying all your needs. :angel:
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess His name. --Hebrews 13:15
Throughout all of history, many cultures, nations, and people groups have set aside one time or another to express their thankfulness for various things in life. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day originated with the Pilgrims. While facing extreme hardship, the loss of loved ones, meager supplies, life-threatening illnesses, and severe weather conditions, they still believed it was important to acknowledge their blessings in the midst of their circumstances.
The Pilgrims chose to celebrate God's blessings by sharing a meal with the Native Americans who helped them survive the brutal conditions. How much more would it take for us today, considering all the gifts we currently have, for us to truly give thanks to God for what we have--without a hint of complaining?
It seems that many people have lost the spirit of the original celebration that took place between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. How often do we catch ourselves complaining that our Thanksgiving Day has been spoiled by dreary weather, bad food, or an annoying cold? We should make every day of the year one of thanksgiving--whatever our circumstances!
Billy Graham once wrote, "Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible. Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you an attitude of gratitude. Ask Him to fill you with thankfulness year round for the things with which He's blessed you.
:angel:
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. --Hebrews 13:16
One of the most popular syndicated newspaper columns of our time is "Dear Abby," the well-known advice column. It was started in 1956 by Abigail Van Buren, the original author. Today it is written by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who continues to offer advice and guidance to people who write in. Several years ago, a "Dear Abby" column, written by Jeanne, included this Thanksgiving Prayer written years before by her mother:
O Heavenly Father:
We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service.
That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.
This prayer parallels the clear teaching of Scripture. Our thanksgiving to God should always be accompanied by remembering those in need and giving praise to the Lord. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name." In addition, we are to remember and serve the hungry, sick, poor, friendless, and imprisoned people in our world.
We are to put actions behind our gratitude to God by serving others. Just being thankful isn't enough. We must share the blessings God has given us with others, and through this God will be pleased. Learn to be thankful for God's many blessings—no matter their significance or value—and remember to think of others who have less than you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you serve others as a way of thanking Him for His many blessings in your life. Pray that the Lord would open up opportunities for you to share and serve others.
:angel:
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." --Mark 12:28-31
A mother and daughter were spending their last moments together at the airport. As they hugged, the mother said, "I love you, and I wish you enough."
To which the daughter replied, "Mom, your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too."
As the daughter boarded the plane, the mother walked to a nearby window, ready to cry. A man noticed the woman but didn't want to intrude. Thankfully, she volunteered, "Have you ever said goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have," replied the man. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?"
The mother responded, "I'm old and she lives far away. I have challenges ahead of me and the reality is that her next trip back will be for my funeral."
The man said, "I heard you say 'I wish you enough.' What does that mean?"
Before walking away, she smiled and tearfully said, "It's a wish that has been handed down to others for generations, so that they might have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them:
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get through the final goodbye."
It has been said that it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, and an entire life to forget them. Remember the people you love and take some time today to tell them how much you care!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for loving you enough to give you salvation and for those in your life whom He has blessed you with. :angel:
Monday, October 25, 2010
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." --Luke 15:22-24
On such a great day for celebration as this, every chair was filled except one—the chair next to the robe-covered prodigal. The chair belonged to the elder brother—the "good boy" who minded his own business, lived by the rules, and stayed clear of trouble. He was on his way home after a hard day of chores on the land and he was unaware that the fuss had to do with a surprise homecoming of his younger brother.
As far as the eldest figured, he didn't think he'd ever lay eyes on his brother again. In fact, that his younger brother even had the nerve to come back home brought up some deeply negative feelings. The prodigal had asked his dad for his inheritance and took off without leaving a trace!
How could his dad even consider throwing a welcome-home party for the prodigal? The eldest brother was bitter and resentful for his father's actions and for his younger brother's wasted living. In this famous Bible story of the prodigal son, there's an underlying question we can all ask: How can a blessed person become so ungrateful? The eldest brother was performance-driven, possessions-blinded, and relationally distant.
Many people often miss their share of the happiness because they haven't stopped to enjoy it. What standard do you use to determine your blessings? The younger brother learned that poverty came out of his poor decisions, but the older brother didn't take time to discover his father's heart. If we are unable to share in the joy of the Father's heart, then something is wrong. The prodigal-like people flock to Jesus because they are truly thankful for what He's given them—salvation, hope, and a future.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Stop and thank the Lord for His blessings. Pray that God would help you discover His heart for people who are in need.
:angel:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6
In her classic autobiography, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of the time she and her sister went through Nazi inspections at a death camp. They were forced to suffer the humiliation of taking off their clothes. Corrie stood in line feeling forsaken, defiled, and desperate for answers. Suddenly she remembered that when He hung on the cross, Jesus too was naked.
During that seemingly degrading moment, Corrie was struck with a great sense of awe and worship to God. In her amazement of His holiness, she leaned forward and whispered to her sister, "Betsie, they took His clothes, too."
Betsie gasped and said, "Oh, Corrie, I never thanked Him for that."
Thanksgiving does not require any re-payment, but instead requires recognition of what our Savior has already done for us. Some people are appreciative by nature and others aren't. It is the latter who especially need God's power to express thanksgiving. Thankfulness is the opposite of selfishness. The selfish person believes they deserve what comes to them, but the unselfish person realizes that everything is a gift from God.
During this season, survey your own life and make a list of things for which you are thankful. Maybe it is the small favor a friend did for you, the house you live in, a loved one who phoned to see how you are, a Bible study group you're active in, the ability to walk, or the opportunity to worship freely each week in God's house. Take some time to thank the Lord for His blessings and at least one person who has blessed your life this year.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the gift of life, salvation through Jesus Christ, His Word by which you are to live, His constant comfort and love, His provision, and the eternal life we have with Him.
:angel:
Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. --Psalm 102:1-7
For most, this time of the year is the happiest. For others, it is one of the loneliest. There are three needs of people who are disappointed by loneliness: to love others, to be loved by others, and to be understood. Many times life's circumstances cause the loneliness: someone moves, life gets busy, or death or divorce separates us.
Jesus knew loneliness when He was on earth, and He understands your loneliness today. He never married or knew the intimacy of a mate. Jesus experienced loneliness in the desert of temptation as He went head-to-head with the devil. And He was even rejected and abandoned by the people in His life that were supposed to be tried and true.
Ultimately, Christ experienced loneliness and abandonment on the cross when He cried out to His Father, "Why have You forsaken Me?" The good news is that when Jesus came, died on the cross for you, and rose again on the third day, He promised you would never be lonely again. Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).
A psalmist said, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). In Him, you can fulfill the three things everyone needs to avoid loneliness. Jesus loves you unconditionally, desires your to be loved by you, and understands what you're going through!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord that He would relieve your loneliness this season, or the lonliness of someone you love. :angel:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6
At the end of the 17th century, August H. Francke, a German preacher, founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of the city of Halle. At one point , he desperately needed funds to carry on his work. A destitute Christian widow suddenly showed up at his door begging for a ducat--a gold coin.
He politely and regretfully told her he couldn't help because of his financial situation. The disappointed woman began to weep. Having sympathy for her, Francke asked her to wait while he went into his room to pray. After seeking God's wisdom, he felt the Holy Spirit leading him to change his mind and give her the money. Trusting the Lord to meet all his needs, he gave the widow the money.
Just two mornings later, He received a thank-you letter from her. She expressed that because of his generosity and kindness, she had been praying that the Lord would shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day, the German preacher received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady in town, and two more from a friend in Sweden. Just when he thought the abundant blessings from God had subsided, he received word that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of a nearby prince.
Francke wept in gratitude to the Lord. In sacrificially providing for the destitute widow, he had been richly blessed by God. This holiday season, give sacrificially to others who may not have much. If you can relate to the needy widow, then pray that God would provide for all your needs--all the while giving Him thanks.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to provide for your needs this season and bless the lives of those who are desperate for help. Pray that He would help you give sacrificially to others with a thankful heart. :angel:
Friday, October 29, 2010
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" --Matthew 25:37-40
Once there were two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University. Their funds reached an all-time low, so they got the bright idea to solicit Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski, who was touring the U.S., for a piano recital. They decided they would devote the profits to their board and tuition.
The pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The fearless students worked hard to promote and stage the concert, but wound up only raising $1,600. After the concert, the two students presented the artist with their earnings along with a promissory note for $400 explaining they would earn the amount as soon as possible and send it to him.
Paderewski said, "No, I'm sorry, but that won't do." He tore the note to shreds, returned the money to them, and continued, "Take out of this $1,600 all of your expenses, keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me have the rest."
Years went by and Paderewski became the premier of Poland. As war came upon the world, Paderewski strived to feed thousands of his starving Polish countrymen. Paderewski knew there was only one man in the world that could help his people. He called upon him, and tons of food began to flow into Poland for distribution.
After the people were fed, Paderewski traveled to Paris to thank his friend, Herbert Hoover, for the relief sent. Mr. Hoover replied, "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski. Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and I was in a hole."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to give you the opportunity to serve others in need this season. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you and for taking care of all your needs. :angel:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. --Galatians 5:22-23
Two golfers stepped to the first tee on a local golf course. The elder of the two men was kind, while the younger was prideful and impatient. On the first and second holes, the young man made bad shots and began shouting at the caddie: "Keep your eyes peeled. I'm not here to do your job!"
Every bad shot thereafter seemed to be the caddie's fault. After the first nine holes, the young man angrily discharged the caddie and carried his own bag. He said to his older companion, "I don't like him. Thank goodness he's gone!"
The older man said, "Several years ago, a kid from Yonkers, William, came here and was taken on as a caddie. He was a sweet-natured boy and everybody liked him. He had a club foot, but that didn't affect his job. A doctor and member of the club became interested in William and took him south on a long trip.
"When they returned, William went back to caddying. The doctor, however, gave up golf for health reasons and died a few months later. I later played with William one morning and he gathered flowers all along the way. I asked him, 'Who's the girl?' And he replied, 'I haven't any girl, sir. They're for my friend, the doctor. Twice a week I take flowers to his grave.' You see, the doctor took William down south to operate on his foot. He helped the boy, and William never forgot his kindness."
The younger man said, "Now that's a caddie worth having. What happened to him?"
The older man said, "He carried your bag today for the first nine holes."
This holiday and every day throughout the year, show the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life by being kind to others.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your kindness would spill over into the lives of others.
:angel:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. --1 Chronicles 16:34
A father and mother of a young man killed in the military approached the pastor of their church one day. They told him they wanted to give a monetary gift in remembrance of their son. The pastor said in response, "That's a wonderful gesture on your part. Is it alright if I share this with the congregation on Sunday?"
They agreed, and the next Sunday the pastor told the congregation of the gift given in memory of the deceased soldier. On the way home from church, another couple was driving down the highway when the man said to his wife, "Why don't we give a gift because of our son?"
His wife said, "Our son didn't die in battle! He's still alive!"
Her husband replied, "That's exactly my point! That's all the more reason we ought to give in thanks to God."
It's interesting that we most often give gifts to God in memorial rather than in appreciation. But it should be the exact opposite! We should give to the Lord consistently in our tithes and offerings from what He's blessed us with. And we should daily thank the Lord for providing our needs in both hard and plentiful times.
It's the same way in our prayer lives. We tend to pray the most when troubles come our way, not when we are being blessed. Remember to give thanks to the Lord through praise and prayer each day. And determine to give back to the Lord in obedience what He has given to you!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Give thanks to the Lord for the blessings He's given you. Pray that He would make you a faithful steward and cheerful giver.
:angel:
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. --Psalm 91:4
Sundar Singh, an Indian evangelist, wrote about a treacherous forest fire that swept through the Himalayas where he was traveling. Many men were trying their best to fight the fire, but there was one group that stood staring up at the flaming branches of one tree.
They watched as a mother bird flew frantically in circles above the treetop. She was chirping an alarm and warning to her nest full of babies. As the flames reached her nest and it began to burn, she didn't fly away. Instead she swooped down and covered her fledglings with her wings to protect them. However, in a matter of seconds she and her nestlings were consumed by the fire.
The men standing below were awe-stricken. Singh then used the opportunity to share with them: "We have witnessed a truly marvelous thing. God created that bird with such love and devotion that she gave her life trying to protect her young. ...That is the love that brought Him down from heaven to become man. That is the love that made Him suffer a painful death for our sake."
What a stirring, vivid portrayal of Christ's love for us. How often have you stood in awe and amazement as you think of the cross where Jesus gave His life for you? Where the fire of holy judgment burned down upon Him? It was on Calvary that Jesus willingly suffered, gave His life for us, and "bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness..." (1 Peter 2:24). And it is "by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for dying in your place and forgiving you of your sins. Show Him every day how grateful you are for what He did on the cross by living for him. :angel:
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. --Psalm 30:4
A young father sat cradling his infant born just three weeks before as a tornado ripped through Will County, Illinois. When the fierce winds had died down and peace was restored, the man's house was gone—and so was his baby. According to the news reports, however, the father discovered his child in a field near his house. Surprisingly, the baby was alive and well—and so was his family.
One reporter stopped by to cover the scene. She asked the young father if he was angry that he had lost everything he owned. The man replied, "No, I just thank God I have my baby and my family. Some people don't even have that. Nothing else is important."
Many times, it takes a tragedy to happen to remind us of what really matters in life. When things are going well for us, we can easily shift our focus to what we own. We can become obsessed and preoccupied with so many nonessential, unimportant material items—cars, houses, furniture, clothes, accessories, media equipment, and other trivialities. But when life is reduced to the essentials, our focus is brought back to the most important things and we realize that life itself is enough reason to praise God.
This season, you may not have many material items to claim for yourself, but remember what is most important. If you have your life and the lives of the people you love, what more could you ask for? Praise God for today and the people He's give you to share it with. When you think of all the "essentials" in your life, stop to thank Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for loving you, for your family and friends, and for the gift of life. Pray that He would help you live each day in light of this truth.
:angel:
November 5, 2010
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. --Psalm 107:21
While he was visiting his wife at a residence for Alzheimer's patients, retired pastor Browning Ware described what happened as he and close friends of theirs prepared to leave. He said: "We shared hugs all around and held hands in prayer. So much to be grateful for! I thanked God for family, for friends, and for His radical love that liberates us even when caught within life's clawing circumstances."
This season, as we pause to thank God for all the ways He has blessed us, it's also good to remember that our greatest gift is His unfailing love for us. So many times our thankfulness is associated with our health and financial security. We parallel God's blessings with freedom from pain, sorrow, and disappointment. But through faith, we learn that God's love for us expressed in Jesus can calm our hearts and minds even in the most trying situations.
During the reign of Darius in the Old Testament, a decree went out that anyone who prayed to any god or man during a period of 30 days, except to the king, would be thrown in the lions' den. Immediately, when the prophet Daniel heard of the decree, he "went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God..." (Daniel 6:10).
When life seems overwhelming and troubles come your way, you can cry out to the Lord. Psalm 118:28 says, "You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you." Give thanks to Him in every situation and you will find deliverance from distress. It is God's unconditional love that sets you free from life's circumstances.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His unfailing love and mercy upon you as a believer. :angel:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. --John 14:27
All of us experience undue stress. Stress is that subtle, yet building, pressure that robs us of our well-being, peaceful state of mind, and sometimes our health. How many times have you thought to yourself, "I've got too much to do and too little time to do it!"?
Stress affects us all, although it may seem that some have developed immunity to it. In reality they have simply learned how to handle it successfully. It should be our goal to learn to control the stress we face. If we don't, then our bodies are likely to experience changes. Stress affects the brain, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, your sleep habits, your immune system, and most importantly, your spiritual life.
Everyone feels the pressures of life, whether they want to or not. But you don't have to live life as though you've been hit by an 18-wheeler when you lay your head on your pillow every night. To rid your life of stress, claim the promises of Scripture. The Bible says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
In addition, you'll want to refrain from telling yourself you shouldn't be relaxing when you finally get the chance to do so. Size down your responsibilities and just say no when you begin to feel an incredible amount of stress. Create some quiet time--possibly even in a very quiet place--to read Scripture, pray, get alone with God, and write out your feelings. And most importantly, plan some quality for yourself--alone.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are feeling extreme stress in your life, ask God to help you relieve it and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. :angel:
November 9, 2010
Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you--better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. --Proverbs 27:10
C.S. Lewis made many friends when he was a student at Oxford University--long before he became a world famous author. Many of them became lifelong friends and authors like himself. Many times Lewis and his friends would get together to discuss and read to each other their works in progress.
As a result, the sessions strengthened their friendships and their writings as well. Nevill Coghill and Owen Barfield were part of the group. Two men were beginning to establish themselves as authors but were not nearly as profound or successful as their friend, C.S. Lewis. Lewis wrote his books more quickly than the other two and more of his works were showing up on bestseller lists in countries around the world.
Lewis' success could have meant the end of his friendships with the other two authors. But the more his books gained popularity, the more Lewis seemed to value his friends. According to Owen Barfield, not once did Lewis cause the others to feel inferior to him. He didn't allow his success to corrupt and destroy the long-standing relationships he had made years earlier.
Like Lewis, many of us would agree that friends strengthen our character, enrich our lives, and keep us grounded. Friends multiply our joy and separate our grief. But more often than not, we can't seem to find the time to sustain friendships amidst our hectic schedules and list of activities. Make time today to nurture old friendships and develop new ones. If our lives are to be fulfilled, then our friendship with others must be a priority.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would create the time and opportunities to strengthen your longstanding friendships and develop new ones. :angel:
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. --Psalm 32:5
As a senior adult, it is easy to brood a great deal about your past and the things you did wrong in life. And it may even seem harder to rid yourself of the guilt over past sins. Rightly so, those suffering from disabling conditions or illnesses spend a lot of time recollecting the past in general.
As we age and face physical limitations, there is a natural desire to make peace with our past. You may think it is necessary for you to seek forgiveness or make amends for your misdeeds. But it's hard to simply erase those things and memories from our minds. The power of past sins overrides our attempts to distract ourselves and move on.
In this situation, you must first confess your sin or sins to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness. If you have wronged someone in the past, consider trying to reconcile with him or her. If they are unavailable or have already passed on, then put the sin to rest in your heart and mind by giving it over to the Lord.
You may not realize it, but achieved forgiveness can often be just the thing to release the guilt you've been carrying for many years. If reconciliation is impossible, then you may seek to find comfort through confessing your sins to a close friend or another believer. There is great wisdom in our Christian heritage, and when guilt is aged and imbedded deep within someone, we may not experience relief in our daily private prayers. We can find freedom in sharing our remorse with another through whom the Holy Spirit can work to heal our past wounds.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are dealing with the guilt of past sins, ask God for forgiveness.
:angel:
Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
--Hosea 10:12
There's a story about a young mother who died giving birth to her third child. No one in the family was willing to take care of the three little girls, except their great-grandmother who came forward without hesitation. When she took them into her home, she was 83 years old. By God's grace, she lived another 16 years before passing on at the age of 99—long enough to parent each of the young girls into their teenage years and early 20s.
This is an amazing and inspiring example of the reality of retirement. After retirement, there is more to life than golf, easy chairs, your favorite daily television shows, and boredom. People today are living longer than ever before and it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more people over the age of 65 than those who are under the age of 18.
Almost two million people retire every year, leaving many people free to perform acts of kindness for others. Contributing to their long lives is good health, financial stability, and life experiences. As a result, many senior adults are ready and looking for challenging and meaningful pursuits in their older age.
You may not be in a situation like the one mentioned above, but there are many things you can do as a Christian senior adult. You are called to always be a prayer warrior for the people in your life (Ephesians 6:18), and retirement provides more time for this as well as volunteering your time in your church or neighborhood. Decide that you are going to be a blessing to others who need it. When you begin to creatively use your time, God will bring blessing into your life (Hosea 10:12).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would make you a blessing in someone's life today through giving of your time, your talents, and your prayers. :angel:
November 12, 2010
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. --1 Corinthians 10:31
Most Christians are ready and willing to serve in some sort of ministry full time after retirement, using their talents and abilities to bring glory to the Lord. Usually, senior adults begin participating more in church activities, witnessing to those who don't know Christ, giving more to their favorite ministries, and helping those who are less fortunate.
It may seem as though the ways to serve the Lord are limited, but in fact during retirement God provides even more ways to serve Him. There are many ways believers can be involved in serving the Lord, if they will just look at the talents with which God has blessed them.
A good example of using a special talent is for those of you who know how to cook. It may seem ridiculous, but look at the possibilities of ministering to other people through this avenue. You can prepare food for church fundraisers, the bereaved and hurting, shut-ins, and others who are going through a difficult time in their lives. There are some church groups that sponsor an evening meal for the needy every week.
In Matthew 25:40, Christ said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Some may think that food preparation is insignificant, or that it is not as important as other ministries within the church. But in fact, it requires talent, time, dedication, and a willing servant to put in the hard work. Any task that is inspired by God is not too difficult or too trivial to perform. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to reveal to you what He would have you do for His kingdom. Don't be afraid to branch out and try whatever He lays on your heart. :angel:
November 15, 2010
If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God. --Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Several years ago, the Houston Chronicle published a tragic story that happened at Yosemite National Park. On October 22, 1999, sixty-year-old Jan Davis and four other parachutists banded together to protest a law. The law banned the extreme sport of parachuting off the top of the 3,200-foot El Capitan. Obviously, it was too dangerous to allow.
The protest Davis and the others participated in was created to show that the jumps could be executed safely. The first three protestors completed their jumps successfully and floated safely to the ground. Davis, an experienced paratrooper with 70 similar jumps and 3,000 sky dives under her belt, was the last to go, but her parachute never opened.
Despite her experience, she didn't escape death. She didn't adhere to the warnings of the law. As Christians, we often react to the laws of God the same way these protestors approached the government's law. God set apart certain guidelines and rules in His Word to protect us and lead us in the right direction, but we consistently protest them by trying to prove we can safely navigate through life on our own.
Unfortunately for believers, it is more often than not in the midst of our protests against His law that we discover the harsh truth in a way that might have been easier. If only we would just listen to the crystal clear voice of the Holy Spirit when making decisions and taking steps through life, we could avoid potential danger. By breaking the laws of God, it is inevitable we will either cause harm or ultimately destroy ourselves in the process.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray for strength as you seek to obey God's laws. Daily put into practice the guidelines He has laid out in His Word and you'll be surprised how generously He will reward you for your obedience. :angel:
"These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD. --Zechariah 8:16-17
In September 1999, NASA experienced difficulty in communication and learned a hard lesson. The Mars Climate Orbiter had been traveling to the planet for ten months and scientists were more than excited that it was finally reaching a point that would allow it to complete its mission of being a weather satellite on Mars.
However, the $125 million project destructed just 37 miles above the Martian surface in late September. The failure occurred because of miscommunication between NASA and the Orbiter. It crashed because of a mix-up in the use of English and metric units—something relatively simple in the daily dealings of NASA.
The satellite was originally supposed to be hovering 93 miles above the surface, but the system measurements were wrong and it forced the Orbiter down to 37 miles. This one minor detail completely destroyed millions of dollars invested and years of work in completing the mission. Do you think if they had clearly spoken the truth, their mission would have been successful?
Clear communication is essential for success in business, relationships, and even a Mars satellite. In your social life, church life, or conversation with others, make it a point to speak the truth in Christ's love. In our mission as believers to show others the way to salvation, it is important that we always keep our mouths clean, hearts pure, and minds focused on what pleases the Lord. Make a choice to clearly communicate godliness, truth, and integrity to everyone who crosses your path.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you communicate His love in the appropriate manner to those who come into your life. Pray each morning before your day begins that you would speak the truth in all conversations you have with others. :angel:
November 17, 2010
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. --Colossians 2:8-9
When the Titanic sank in April of 1912, there was a great amount of chivalry exerted despite the desperate situation. Out of honor and respect for the men who courageously declared, "Women and children first," an organization was formed called The Christian Boys' and Men's Titanic Society just a few years ago.
The men of this organization gather once a year in April for a dinner in San Antonio, Texas and in Washington, D.C. Both of these events take place on the dates of the iceberg collision and the actual sinking of the Titanic. During the dinners, men and boys are encouraged to be godly, courageous, protectors of their families, and to practice the old fashioned chivalry displayed on that tragic day when the Titanic sank.
As Christian men and women, we should join these men in reinstating the exercise of chivalry in our country. Chivalry is the medieval system, principles, and customs of knighthood. Borrowed from the French, the English word "chivalry" was first recorded at the beginning of the 14th century and is found in works as "a body of armored mounted warriors serving a lord." The qualities found in a knight would have been bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry.
As believers in Christ, we must not fall to the deception of our culture that chivalry is completely dead. We are warriors for Christ in this battered world and our primary duty is to serve the Lord. Today, begin practicing the system of kindness toward those you come in contact with, godliness to those around you who are non-believers, and an upright witness to the world for the glory of Christ who lives within us.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to instill in your heart the age-old idea of chivalry so that you may be a witness for Him and bring Him honor. :angel:
And he [the LORD] passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. --Exodus 34:6-7
There was a pastor who experienced one of the most unusual reactions from a church member during the benediction of the service one Sunday morning. A lady who was sitting on the back row pulled a gun on the pastor during the closing prayer claiming he hadn't preached from the book of Revelation that morning like she needed.
The older lady said that a sermon from the eschatological book was very important in the feud she was having with another church member. This story is true, and happened only a few years ago.
Anger is not a sin, when managed correctly and in the way God intends. Even Jesus became angry when he entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there (Matthew 21:12). But, He had good reason, for what the moneychangers were doing was dishonoring to the Lord (Matthew 21:13).
God doesn't say, "Thou shall NOT be angry." He created the emotion. But, anger is one of the most intense emotions a person can have, and it is one of those that can easily fly out of control. Poorly managed, it can lead to irrational decisions and actions, and even hurt those you love.
Ask yourself, "When I get angry—do I act positively or react negatively?" If you react, then there is a problem in your control of the emotion. We are to become angry, managed in a healthy way, when we see things that are displeasing to the Lord. When you see your anger begin to turn to destruction—stop! Give it to Jesus and learn to handle it in a way that is pleasing to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you keep your anger controlled and positive, seeking only to honor Him in all that you do.
:angel:
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. --1 Peter 5:6-7
In the book, A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen use an illustration to talk about answered prayer.
The story goes that Pastor John Ramsey was used to receiving a rose boutonniere to wear on his jacket each Sunday. After services one day, a little boy came up to him and asked if he could have the rose he was wearing.
Ramsey knew it would go in the trash when he got home, so he gladly offered it to the boy and asked why he wanted it.
The boy replied, "I'm going to give it to my granny. My parents divorced last year. I was living with my mom, but she got married again and wanted me to live with my dad. I lived with him for a while, but he said I couldn't stay, so he sent me to live with my grandmother. She is so good to me—she cooks, takes care of me, and loves me—so I want to give her the rose."
Pastor Ramsey stood staring at the boy with tears in his eyes. He pointed to the large vase full of fresh flowers sitting at the altar and said, "Take those to your granny because she deserves the very best. That little flower isn't enough."
The boy's eyes lit up and he shouted, "What a good day! I asked for one flower, but got a beautiful bouquet instead!"
When we come to God with our prayers, we aren't much different than the pastor and boy in this illustration. Oftentimes, we don't notice that when we bring our pain or hurt to the Lord seeking a small remedy, He points us to a greater solution and comfort and asks us to take that instead.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the answered prayer that you so often take for granted.
:angel:
November 22, 2010
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. --Psalm 71:18
Old age is one of the most rewarding periods of life. And more so for those who have found the absolute joy in a loving and personal relationship with the Father through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The "sunset years" can better be known as the "golden years."
In his book, The Best is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville wrote:
"I feel so sorry for folks who don't like to grow old...I revel in my years. They enrich me...I would not exchange...the abiding rest of soul, the measure of wisdom I have gained from the sweet and bitter and perplexing experiences of life; nor the confirmed faith I now have in the...love of God, for all the bright and uncertain hopes and tumultuous joys of youth. These are the best years of my life...The way grows brighter; the birds sing sweeter; the winds blow softer; the sun shines more radiantly than ever before. I suppose 'my outward man' is perishing, but 'my inward man' is being joyously renewed day by day."
The strength and beauty of youth is meant to be more physical and is temporal. But, God determined the strength and beauty of growing in age to be spiritual and to last for eternity.
In Joshua 14, we see that Caleb inherited the land of Hebron because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly. "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out" (Joshua 14:10-11).
God gives strength spiritually to those who wholeheartedly follow after Him. Make a commitment today to enjoy the "golden years" of your life and the days God has given you, so that you can make a dramatic difference in this generation for Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you make the most of your days for His glory.
:angel:
November 23, 2010
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. --Galatians 2:20
Albert Einstein, the great physicist, was traveling from Princeton on a train, when the conductor came down the aisle punching the tickets of each passenger. Once he came to Einstein, the scientist reached in his own pocket to find his ticket, but nothing was there.
He searched in the seats around him, on the floor, in his briefcase, and in every one of his pockets, but couldn't find it.
The conductor responded, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it."
Einstein nodded, and as the conductor continued to make his way down the aisle, he looked back to find the physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat.
Of course, the conductor ran back and said, "Dr. Einstein, don't worry. I know who you are. It's no problem. You don't need to show your ticket. I'm sure you bought one."
Einstein looked at him knowingly and said, "Sir, I too know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going."
Do you know for sure where you are headed? Have you made every effort to know where those you love including family, friends, and acquaintances, are going after this life? If you think they might not be with you in heaven one day, begin by sharing the Gospel of Christ with them. When you leave this earth, it's not as important that others know who you were as an individual, but rather who Christ was in you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to point you to those in your life who need to know about Him. Pray that Christ would help you live your life so that others can remember you after you are gone as "the one who lived every day for Jesus."
:angel:
November 24, 2010
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. --Psalm 30:12
There was once a talented young man who needed one more course to graduate college, so he relentlessly pursued his professor in hopes that he would grant him an independent study course in writing. The student expressed that he would be eternally grateful if the professor would just follow through with this one request — even though it involved extra work on the teacher's part.
Finally, the college dean agreed to the idea, but it proved to be a headache for the professor. The student skipped appointments, missed deadlines, and rejected the professor's evaluations of his writing. The young man even turned in the last assignment just hours before graduation. After all the strings that were pulled for him, you'd think the student would have been a little more grateful to the professor. But he never expressed one word of thanks!
Most of us don't ever want to be that kind of selfish, ungrateful person. Instead, it should be our goal to follow after the example of David. When David was caught up in trouble, he called out to the Lord for help (see Psalm 28:1-2). And after God delivered him from those trying times, David gave Him the thanks He deserved (see Psalm 28:6-7). In fact, all throughout the book of Psalms, David's heart and attitude of gratitude is very evident.
Do you have an ungrateful response to the Lord's graciousness? Do you beg for mercy and deliverance, only to forget what the Lord did for you once you're free from tribulation? Or do you strive to be like David who unceasingly expressed his thanks to God for His goodness?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you if there is someone whose kindness you've taken for granted. Pray that the Lord would reveal to you how you can show that person gratitude today. And thank God for His goodness and mercy.
:angel:
November 25, 2010
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. --Matthew 5:12
Are you ever like the child who at the end of the day kneels by his bedside and prays, "God, thank you for not letting Mom find the candy wrappers in my pocket. And I'm glad I was able to have all the chocolate I could eat at Johnny's house today. Oh, and I can't forget to thank you for not letting Dad miss the nails I took from his workbench. Amen..."?
This attitude can characterize us as Christians sometimes. In Matthew 5:12, the Lord challenges us to look toward our hope and reward in heaven. Instead of putting emphasis on material wealth, social status, or success, Christ tells us that genuine happiness, contentment, and prosperity begin first in the heart.
There are several ways we can say "thank you" to the Lord in a meaningful and sincere way. Thank Him for the difficulties in life that have caused you to recognize your spiritual needs, to mourn over sin, and to submit to His authority. Thank Him for the joys and sorrows that have encouraged you to hunger and thirst after righteousness, to have compassion and mercy on others, to be pure in heart and holy in your lifestyle, and to be a peacemaker. Thank Him for all the things that have helped you to develop a willingness to follow His plan for your well-being.
This is God's idea and plan for true thanksgiving.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you learn what being thankful is truly about. Ask Him to develop an attitude of gratitude in your heart 365 days a year. And pray that He would help you to realize that Thanksgiving is not just a day, but a way of life.
:angel:
November 26, 2010
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. --James 5:16
Annette Cole, writer in residence at Western Baptist College, told of her daughter in a recent article. She bought a ring with a cross and rose on it over ten years ago to give to her daughter who had denounced her faith and rushed in to sin.
The Bible asks, "What fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
So, how do believing parents have healthy relationships with their unsaved family members? No parent can possibly blame themselves for the incredible hurt and pain a loved one must go through because of their sin.
Accepting the fact that your relationship will be shallow with someone you love who is lost is difficult. Our lives may be the only Bible they ever read. From our actions may come the only way people will ever see Jesus Christ. Finally, out of our mouths may come the only kind and loving words they will truly ever hear.
As Christians, we want to constantly quote Scripture or share godly wisdom with those who are lost, but they've probably heard it numerous times. The most you can do is to commit them to the Lord and pray daily for them. Do not let their sinful lifestyle invade your life and home, though. Instead, continue to love and pray for them, and offer a listening ear when needed.
A wrong word or action may seem like it can break a fragile relationship with one who does not want to associate with you and God's way of living. But, do not cease communication. Be the example of God's love and grace in their lives that will set the example.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God's will be done in your relationship with the loved ones in your life who don't know Him. Ask Him each and every day to bring them back safely into His arms.
:angel:
November 29, 2010
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. --1 John 4:4
There is a story of one Christian man, a deacon and very involved in his church, who was sitting in traffic and late for work. His car was plastered with bumper stickers that read, "Honk if you love Jesus!" and "Jesus is my hero!"
He had already sat through three red lights, and the lady in front of him was talking on her cell phone and trying to apply mascara all at the same time. When the light turned green, she wasn't paying attention, and continued to sit at a stand still, holding up traffic.
The man began honking, shouting from inside his car, and shaking his fists at the lady to move on. Finally, after traffic began to creep forward, the man noticed red and blue flashing lights behind him. As he pulled over and rolled down his window to greet the officer, he said, "What did I do wrong? I'm late for work, and you're holding me up!"
The officer responded, "Sir, is this your car?"
The puzzled man growled back, "Yes! Who else do you think it belongs to?"
The policeman replied, "Well, when I saw the bumper stickers on the back of your car and the way you were acting back there, I thought the car must be stolen!"
It's easy for us to become frustrated and impatient with the world. But, many of us often come too close to tarnishing our witness for Jesus because of our words and deeds. Decide to put on the full armor of God each morning in prayer and God's Word, so others will see Jesus in you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help make you a shining witness of His love, kindness, and gentle spirit each day as you interact with those who don't know Him.
:angel:
November 30, 2010
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. --Matthew 5:23-24
On a television magazine show not too long ago, there was an incredible story of forgiveness. A family of six was camping out, sleeping in tents in a public park. In the middle of the night, a man cut a hole in the tent and carried away their 7-year-old daughter.
Immediately, the mother began to pray for the kidnapper and made a commitment to forgive. A year later he called and the family learned what the mother knew in her heart all along—the child was dead.
The mother said, "Forgiveness is hard work, but it is the only thing that will set you free."
Unwillingness to forgive allows bitterness to creep in to our hearts and plant roots. Hebrews 12:15 says, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Bitterness can spread to those around us, and if it is left to harden in the heart, it is almost seemingly impossible to remove. Scripture is clear about wiping away the offenses in our life, and doing it quickly.
If you feel like someone owes you something or if there is something standing in the way of you not thanking God every day for the blessings you have, bitterness can begin to set in. All you need is a few cleaning tools to scrub away the stains of bitterness—compassion and forgiveness.
If you harbor bitter feelings toward someone in your life—a family member, a church leader, or a friend—then immediately approach that person and learn to forgive them. Make a commitment, today, to begin the spring spiritual cleaning in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to daily clean out the grime of bitterness in your heart in order that you may reflect an accurate image of Christ to those around you.
:angel:
December 1, 2010
...God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5
Timothy Blackburn, author of The History of the Future: A Commentary on Revelation and Matthew 24, told the story of when he was a young child falling asleep in the car on the way home from church.
Blackburn said that he would sleep in the back of his family's 1959 Chevrolet, as they traveled many miles from the church where his dad served as pastor. He remembers sometimes waking just enough to feel his dad gently pick him up and carry him to his bed. Other times, he would actually be awake, but would pretend to sleep so he could get a free lift. And occasionally, he wouldn't wake at all until the next day, discovering that he'd been carefully tucked in his bed.
He said: "He cradled my head in his arm to support it. What a comforting feeling that was! I felt secure and protected; there were no worries. The problems of the day didn't matter. I knew my dad was protecting me at that moment. I did not worry about school the next day—I was in my father's arms."
At any age, we want to feel safe. And thankfully, we have a heavenly Father to comfort us. Through each step we take in life, He gently guides and directs us, even carrying us along some of the way. We are safe and sound in His arms, and no one can snatch us out of His hands (John 10:27-30).
Even as senior adults, we are never walking alone, and God is the first to rescue us when our hearts are broken and we don't know where to turn. What a loving Father we have!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for carrying you when times were rough in the past and ask Him to help you feel safe and secure in the days ahead.
:angel:
December 2, 2010
Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. --1 John 2:6
The "mother" of the Salvation Army was Catherine Booth. Campbell Morgan said, "Wherever Catherine Booth went, humanity went to hear her. Princes and peeresses merged with paupers and prostitutes."
One particular night, Mrs. Booth and Mr. Morgan happened to be in the same meeting. A large crowd of "publicans and sinners" was also there. Many came to Christ that night because of her message. After the meeting, Booth and Morgan went to a glamorous home to be entertained. The lady of the manor said, "Mrs. Booth, that meeting was dreadful, wasn't it?"
Mrs. Booth replied, "What do you mean?"
The lady responded, "When you were speaking, I was looking at those people opposite of me. Their faces were so terrible, many of them. I don't think I shall sleep tonight!"
Mrs. Booth asked, "Don't you know them?"
The hostess replied, "Certainly not!"
Mrs. Booth said, "Well that's interesting...I didn't bring them with me from London; they are your neighbors!"
In Matthew 19:19, Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This New Testament command originated in the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself." God gave these instructions to show His people how they were to treat others and live in a community of peace with one another.
It may be hard to love some people—even those who may be in your church circle of friends—but we love the Lord by showing our love to others. When we love others with God's love, even the unlovable, He's able to transform lives and hearts.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you love others just as He would. Thank God for His abounding love for you, so that you may share it with others.
:angel:
December 3, 2010
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. --Romans 7:15-18
There's a story of a wealthy man who went duck hunting with his hired help. They traveled in a horse and carriage, and along their way a rim came off one of the wheels. As the hired hand hammered it back on, he accidentally hit his finger. With that, he let go with a few bad words, but then quickly fell to his knees asking God's forgiveness.
The man prayed, "Lord, it's so difficult at times to live the Christian life."
The man's boss responded to his prayer, "I know you're a Christian, but tell me why you struggle. I'm an atheist and I don't have problems like that."
The employee didn't know what to say. All of a sudden, two ducks flew overhead. The wealthy man raised his gun and two shots rang out in the air. He shouted to his hired help, "Leave the dead one and go after that wounded bird!"
His employee pointed at the duck that was fluttering and struggling desperately to escape and said, "Boss, I've got an answer for you now. You said that my Christianity isn't any good because I have to struggle. I'm like that wounded duck struggling to get away from the devil. But, you're the dead duck, Boss!"
The Apostle Paul struggled just as we do in the Christian life. Battling the devil in this spiritual war is merely evidence of God working in your life. As a child of God, you've been forgiven of your sin, so Satan has to work even harder to get you to fail. But don't despair because God has empowered you with the Holy Spirit so that you may have victory over sin through salvation in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your heart would be set on Jesus and that the struggle in your life would drive you to your knees in prayer to Him.
:angel:
December 6, 2010
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. --Psalm 119:11
Noted Bible teacher E. Schuyler English told about a Bible distributor, Michael Billester, who visited a small town in Poland shortly before Word War II. Billester gave a Bible to a villager, who was converted after reading it. The new believer then passed the book on to others. This cycle of conversions and sharing of faith continued until 200 people had become believers through that one Bible!
When Billester returned to Poland in 1940, this group of Christians met together for a worship service where he was to preach the Word of God. It was usually his custom to ask for testimonies, but this time Billester suggested that several in the congregation stand and recite verses of Scripture.
One man stood and said, "Perhaps we have misunderstood your request. Do you mean verses or chapters?"
These Polish villagers had not memorized a few select verses of the Bible, but instead whole chapters and books. Thirteen people knew Matthew, Luke, and half of Genesis. And another person had committed the entire book of Psalms to memory. That single copy of the Bible given by Billester to the one new believer had certainly done its work.
In this story, transformed lives bore witness to the power of the Word of God. Are you passionate about learning and memorizing God's Word? Are you sharing what you know with those who do not know Jesus? 1 John 2:5 says, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him." Determine today to hide the Word of God in your heart and pass along its truth to those you come in contact with each day.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open your heart to His Word so that you can hold tightly to its truth. Pray that He would give you opportunities to share the Bible with others.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. --John 1:14
One of the great monarchs of Persia was known well as a champion of the common people. To relate to their needs and problems, he would mingle with them in various disguises.
On one particular occasion, he went as a poor citizen to the public baths. In a tiny cellar, he sat down beside the man who tended the furnace. He talked to the lonely man, and at dinnertime he ate some of his plain food. In the weeks that followed, the monarch visited the poor citizen and grew to love him dearly.
One day, the shah revealed his true identity to the man. He expected to hear a request for some expensive gift or money, but instead the poor man simply sat in silence, gazing at the monarch in awe and astonishment.
After a long period of silence, the poor man finally said respectfully, "You left your palace to sit with me in this dark place, to eat of my coarse bread, and to care whether my heart is glad or sad. You may give rich presents to others, but you have given yourself to me. Please, Your Majesty, never withdraw the priceless gift of your friendship."
You can rejoice that God came to earth as man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and was resurrected three days later so that you could have salvation and forgiveness through Him and a personal relationship with Him. Are you walking with Him daily? Are you completely sold out in your relationship with Him? Jesus broke down the wall of sin that divided you and God, so that you may have the priceless gift of His friendship and love.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His sacrifice upon the cross. Pray that your relationship with Him would flourish into an intimate friendship and love relationship.
:angel:
December 8, 2010
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5
There is a story of a rich industrialist who walked past a fisherman one day. He was irritated to find the man sitting lazily beside his boat instead of out at sea. The rich man asked, "Why aren't you out there fishing?"
The fisherman replied, "Because I've caught enough fish for today."
The rich man asked, "Why don't you catch more fish than you need? There's still more work to be done."
The fisherman responded with, "What would I do with them once I caught them?"
"You could buy a better boat so you could go deeper into the sea and catch more fish," the rich man impatiently replied. "You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make even more money. Eventually, you'd have a fleet of boats, people to do the work for you, and be rich like me."
After quietly contemplating, the fisherman asked, "Then what would I do?"
"You could sit down and enjoy life like I am," the industrialist said.
Looking placidly out to sea, the fisherman replied, "What do you think I'm doing now?"
The Apostle Paul said to the church in Philippi, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13).
Whatever situations come your way—good or bad—find your strength in the Lord and learn to rely on Him for provision. It's often hard to have faith that He will provide in times of need, but rejoice in what He has given you thus far in your current situation, and trust completely in His timing.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make you content in life whatever circumstances come your way.
:angel:
December 9, 2010
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. --2 Corinthians 5:6-8
In his book, The Best Is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of an elderly woman who lived in southwest Scotland. She wanted very much to see the city of Edinburgh, but was afraid to take the train because it had to go through a long tunnel to get there.
Things came up and she was forced to travel to Scotland's capital. Filled with fear and anxiety, the trip began and she became more anxious as the train sped along the tracks. Before the train reached the long tunnel, the older woman, exhausted with worry, fell fast asleep. When she awoke, she was already in the city.
Of this story, Durbanville commented, "It is even so with the dying saint. He closes his eyes on earth, passes into what he thinks of as the tunnel of death, and opens them immediately in the celestial land."
Your earthly body is nothing more than a temporary home. Moving day is coming for everyone. You'll never know when the moving truck will pull up to your "house," with its crumbling foundation, failed heating system, and cracked windows, load up what's left inside, and take it away to your new home.
The Scripture says, "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:14). As moving day approaches, it is important to realize in this analogy that death for the believer is not a dreaded parting—it is a glorious homecoming.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you peace as you prepare to leave your earthly home. Thank God for the upcoming homecoming reunion that will take place when you are reunited with the ones you love and most importantly—the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
December 10, 2010
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. --Luke 2:11
When Pope Julius I declared December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today? And when Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in American in 1832, who would have ever thought that decorations would become as glamorous as they are today?
Even before these two events that shaped what Christmas means today for most, there was a bright, special star that lit the dark night thousands of years ago letting the world know that Jesus the King was born. Usually, we don't celebrate historical figures as children, but in the case of Christ, it is appropriate.
When Christ was born, shepherds came to honor Him, wise men from the East brought Him gifts, and the earth rejoiced at His birth. These people who came to worship Him had no idea what Christ would accomplish as an adult. But they were right in traveling to worship the King because His birth was the most remarkable event in human history. Wise men and women today worship not only the Child of Bethlehem, but the Christ of Calvary.
As we approach the holiday season again, we are faced with yet another opportunity to pause in the midst of all the excitement, decorations, and commercialization, to consider again the origin of Christmas--the One whose birth we celebrate. Let's not forget the true meaning of why we celebrate during this time of year. Celebrate the baby Jesus and trust Him as Savior today.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending His Son that glorious night to be born of a virgin, live a perfect life, die on the cross for your sins, and rise from the dead three days later to give you eternal life through Him.
:angel:
December 13, 2010
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." --Luke 2:13-14
In the year 1809, the international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria and blood was flowing freely. Nobody was thinking about babies, but rather people were concerned with the wars and tyranny that existed. However, the world was overlooking some very significant births during that time.
That year many notable people were born: William Gladstone, destined to become one of England's finest statesmen; Alfred Tennyson, born to an obscure minister and his wife, greatly affect the world of literacy; Oliver Wendell Holmes, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Edgar Allan Poe, who began his eventful, yet tragic, life in Boston; Charles Robert Darwin, born to a physician and his wife; and Abraham Lincoln, born in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.
If journalism and news broadcasts had existed in 1809, these words might have been heard: "The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today." But in reality, history was being shaped in the cradles of Europe and America. Similarly when Jesus was born, taxation was the big news. But a young Jewish virgin woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior.
Even today, sometimes the biggest news is the latest product to buy at Christmas, the best vacation spot during the holidays, or the idolizing of icons that have become great symbols over the years during the season. You must remember that the greatest news of all was the birth of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection years later. Jesus is the greatest news you could share with anyone this season.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the chance to share the Good News of His Son this season with friends, family, and acquaintances who don't know Him as their Savior.
:angel:
December 14, 2010
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. --1 Timothy 1:15
On the museum wall of the concentration camp at Dachau is a large and moving photograph of a mother and her little girl standing in line for the gas chamber. The child, who is walking in front of her mother, does not know where she's going. The mother, following behind, looks knowingly but is helpless to stop the tragedy.
In her helplessness, she performs the only act of love left to her. She places her hands over the child's eyes so she will at least not see the horror to come. When people come to the museum, most don't whisk by this photo hurriedly. Instead, they pause and almost feel the pain. Deep inside, they say to themselves, "O God, don't let that be all there is."
Hopelessness and helplessness are all that remain. God provided a way out by sending His Son to earth as a child so that He could one day save the sins of mankind through Christ's shed blood on the cross. The apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."
If our greatest need had been information, then God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, then God would have sent us a scientist or engineer. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist or financial advisor. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But instead of all of these things, God knew our greatest need was forgiveness, so He sent us a Savior.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending Jesus to save you from helplessness and hopelessness in this life. Praise Him for giving you joy and peace that passes all understanding.
:angel:
December 15, 2010
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. --John 3:16-18
Paul Harvey once told the story of a family who kept the same tradition each Christmas Eve—the mother and children would go to the church service, and the father would stay home to read the paper. When the family returned home from church, they would all gather to open their presents.
The father no longer believed in the stories of God coming as a baby in a manger. As the family left for church one particular Christmas, the father opened the evening paper and settled in by the fireplace. Suddenly, he heard tapping on the window. A bird kept flying against the glass trying to get out of the snow and into the warmth of his home .
Feeling sorry for the bird, the man went outside hoping to bring it in. When he got closer to the scared creature, it flew against the window even harder. The more the man tried to capture the bird, the more it continued to fly into window. He yelled out in frustration, "Stupid bird! Can't you understand that I'm trying to help? If only you understood, you wouldn't fly away. If only I could become a bird, and get you to understand."
Just then the church bells rang, and the father fell to his knees, began crying, and said, "Oh God, I didn't understand."
God's Son came in human form that we might understand from where we came, for what reason we were separated, and how we can be restored to God. Christmas isn't about empty promises of material gifts, holiday icons, or seasonal sights and sounds. It is about a fulfilled promise of a restored relationship between God and humankind.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith in Him, forgive you of your sins, restore you to a right relationship with Him, and give you joy this season.
:angel:
December 16, 2010
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:11-13
Most people think of St. Nick as a jolly, bearded man who rides around in a sleigh delivering gifts to all good boys and girls. But, he is more than just a children's Christmas legend—he was a genuine man of God. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in Patara about 270 A.D., and was still very young when they died and left him a fortune. However, he was a humble young man and secretly gave of his wealth to the poor.
Nicholas eventually forsook his wealth to answer the call to ministry, and was soon chosen as bishop of Myra. He was destined to lead the church through the worst tribulation in history. In 303 A.D., during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, Christians were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods. But Nicholas and thousands more refused to denounce that Jesus Christ is Lord, so they were dragged to prison where they were savagely tortured, beaten senseless, or brutally murdered.
However, their persecution couldn't stamp out Christianity. Instead it spread. After years of imprisonment, they were freed by decree of the new Emperor Constantine. Saint Nicholas was welcomed into his city once again by the people. Although the bishop was beaten, he was not broken. Through the prayers and witness of this faithful soldier, many found salvation in Jesus.
St. Nick's fame still carries faint reminders of this ancient man of God—the red color of his bishop's robes, his lectures to children about good behavior, and his secret gifts of food and money to those in need. Yet if he were alive today, this saint would humbly deflect attention from himself as he did centuries ago, and point people to his Master. Shouldn't you do the same this holiday season?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you point others to Him. Pray that your faith would be unshakable and that you would relentlessly pursue and confess Christ at all costs.
:angel:
December 17, 2010
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." --Luke 2:25-32
Just as Simeon was lingering and waiting for the first appearance of the Messiah more than two thousand years ago—we too linger and wait for the second coming of Jesus today.
The Lord whom we exalt at Christmas is not just a baby in a manger or a character in a child's storybook. He is far more. The first time He came, He was veiled in the form of a child. The next time He comes, which will be soon, He will come as the Risen Messiah and Savior of the world. And it will be made known to the entire world who He truly is.
The first time He came, a star marked His arrival. The next time He comes, the clouds will roll up like a scroll, the stars will fall out of the sky, and He Himself will light the heavens. The first time He came, wise men and shepherds brought Him gifts. The second time He comes, He will bring rewards for His own.
The first time He came, there was no room for Him at the inn. The next time He comes, the whole world will not be able to contain His glory. The first time He came, only a few were there to welcome Him into the world. The next time He comes, every eye shall see Him, every knee shall bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The first time He came as a baby, but soon He will come as Sovereign King and Lord. Are you ready for Him to come again?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would prepare your heart and mind for His second coming. Ask the Lord to bring to mind those in your life who need to know Him personally as Lord and Savior, and make an effort to share Christ with them today.
:angel:
December 20, 2010
A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? --Proverbs 18:14
During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.
The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn't be coming home for Christmas...ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, "Mother, what have you done?"
Her mother replied, "You're so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas."
The new widow said, "Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these."
Many people have overwhelming problems which make it hard to get excited about the holidays whether they be financial difficulties, physical ailments, loneliness, or emotional pain from the loss of a loved one. Christmas is certainly not about the presents, lights, and decorations, but it is surely a time when we can lean on the goodness of God and rejoice in Christ's birth.
Try serving someone else this season and God will bless you (see Acts 20:35). Jesus came to this earth to serve others and to give His life for you (see Mark 10:45). Among all of the other difficulties this time of year, that is reason to celebrate!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Amidst difficulties this season, praise God and thank Him for His many blessings and salvation.
:angel:
December 21, 2010
The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." --Luke 1:28-31
One Baltimore church congregation found the answer to their financial difficulties hanging on the wall of their church building. It had been "hiding" there for more than 25 years, but someone finally recognized the valuable piece of art hanging on a wall in the chapel. It was a valuable woodblock print by Albrecht Durer, dated back to 1493, depicting the angel of the Lord telling Mary she would give birth to God's Son.
Some of the church members couldn't believe they had been unaware of the old masterpiece and its tremendous value. They asked, "If it were real, why would it be here?"
What about you? Are you overlooking the value of the same event pictured on that woodblock print? Jesus isn't hiding. The fact that He came to earth in human form is clearly announced in the Bible. It is reflected in art, our hymnbooks, and the written works of saints and scholars. Yet we still neglect the significance of Christ's birth.
This season, determine that you are not going to get so wrapped up in activities and programs-- such as shopping, parties, cooking, and more-- that you miss the valuable worth of knowing exactly who that Baby was and sharing the story with those in your life. Let's not miss out on the genuine worship of Jesus during this season. Take some time to go before Him in prayer and worship singing songs of praise. He came to save us from our sins and give us eternal life—that is reason to give Him the worship He deserves!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you avoid getting wrapped up in unnecessary activities this season that will take away from praising Him. Give glory to Jesus for being your "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
:angel:
December 22, 2010
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." --Matthew 1:19-20
Joseph was a young, Middle-Easterner who was looking forward to the day when he and his betrothed, Mary, could live as husband and wife. It didn't matter much that he was poor because the two of them shared a deep love for each other and an undying devotion to God. Joseph was perfectly content with spending his days making wood products for the people of his village.
But there came a day when devastating news shattered his future—Mary was pregnant. He knew he wasn't the father, but considering how things were handled in his day, he handled the situation gallantly. He never deserted her because he knew that she faced a prospect worse than his own embarrassment—public humiliation and disgrace.
As a result, Joseph devised a plan to deal with the issue privately. He decided to end things with her quietly. But before he could put his plan into action, a messenger from the Lord told him this baby in her womb wasn't bad news. In fact, it would bring forth the best news the world had ever known. His betrothed would give birth to the Messiah—the "child through the Holy Spirit" (v. 18).
The angel instructed Joseph to go ahead with his marriage to Mary and call the baby "Jesus." And that's exactly what he did. He followed the Lord's command with no questions asked and therefore, Joseph became a real man of God. He was fair, devoted, compassionate, and obedient to the Lord. No matter your age, you can find an example of a man of God in Joseph the carpenter.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to build in you the character, love, faithfulness, and devotion that Joseph displayed in his life. Pray that when circumstances come your way, you will handle the situation gallantly and justly.
:angel:
December 23, 2010
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. --Luke 1:35-39
Imagine this—a young girl, betrothed to a reputable man, finds herself pregnant and the father is not her beloved. Two thousand years ago, this potential scandal could have cost her a reputation and maybe even her life. However, Mary was called out by the Lord. Probably no older than 15 years of age, she certainly had no job and no intentions of becoming a mother just yet. But God entrusted her with a great responsibility.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to her and assigned her this task, she didn't respond as most would by saying, "But I can't take on that responsibility, Lord. I am about to get married. I just want to enjoy time with my husband right now. Please pass this assignment off to someone else! I don't want you to call me to do this!"
No, instead Mary willingly obeyed the Lord and submitted to His will for her life. Many people confuse Mary's status—some put her on the same pedestal as Jesus and some even worship her as they would the Lord. But Mary was simply the woman God called to bear the Messiah and the woman who was willing to carry out the task He laid before her.
As believers, we must learn the meaning of surrender. When God places a call on your life, there is no room for questions or hesitation. Is God calling you to some specific task? Are you willing to surrender all to obey Him? You must simply say, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Take with you the very valuable lessons of surrender, compassion, obedience, and love displayed in the Christmas story.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you His will for your life, and pray that He would help you to be a man or woman that is completely surrendered and obedient to Him.
:angel:
December 24, 2010
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. --Matthew 16:27
A little girl needed an operation and was terrified of the thought. Her parents promised to give her something she had wanted for a long time as encouragement—her very own kitten. The operation was a success, but as the anesthesia wore off, the little girl mumbled, "This sure is a lousy way to get a cat!"
Believers who go through hardships while serving the Lord will never feel the way that little girl did when they look back on the trials they overcame. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." It's true—when you live a lifestyle of holiness, you will be mocked and perhaps even cursed.
However, Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). As a result of our faithfulness to follow Christ at all costs, Christ assured us that when He returns to earth, "he will reward each person according to what he has done" (Matthew 16:27).
The apostle Paul said to "consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2) because "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). You should rejoice in the fact that we "participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:13).
When you endure hardships and trials in this life, count it a privilege and blessing to be identified with the Savior. Suffering for Him will bring a sure and eternal reward free of any regrets.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to give you joy when you suffer through hardships in the Christian life.
:angel:
December 27, 2010
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle... --Job 7:6
Where are we going so fast? Scientific measurements indicate that we are moving even when we are standing still. Continental land masses sit on enormous slabs of rock that slide very slowly at the rate of 1 to 8 inches per year. In addition, America is gradually moving westward, away from Europe, at the rate of 3 inches per year.
Consider this: our Milky Way galaxy is hurtling through space at 375 miles per second or 1.3 million miles per hour. And within our own galaxy, the sun and its solar system are zooming along at 12.4 miles per second toward the star Vega in the constellation Lyra.
If you were to lie on your back in a quiet park on a cloudless day, you may feel as though all time and movement have stopped under the warm rays of the sun. And when you're walking down the street, you don't notice the earth spinning beneath your feet. But the scientist and the Christian know otherwise. Just as we are hurtling through the heavens at unimaginable speeds according to science, so too are we moving from here to eternity.
Our days and opportunities to live for the Lord and share Him with others pass so quickly that we cannot afford to waste any more time. It is important that we remember our days are numbered and life is but "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Time is God's gift to you, so worship Him, live for Him, and bring others to the saving knowledge of His grace and forgiveness in the days you have left. Live dynamically for Christ today because tomorrow may not come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you live without desperation or futility as you travel quickly from your earthly home to your heavenly home.
:angel:
December 28, 2010
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. --1 John 4:11-12
Space shuttles are propelled out of the earth's atmosphere by a fuel mixture producing millions of pounds of thrust and exertion. Indianapolis race cars travel at speeds averaging more than 200 mph, and they are powered by a highly volatile fuel concoction. So, what fuels you as a believer in Jesus Christ?
The indwelling Holy Spirit motivates you to perform Christ-like deeds of compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and self-sacrifice. The apostle John wrote, "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:12-13).
It's like the mother who asked her young son to clean her shoes. He worked on them diligently until they were spotless, shiny, and scuff-free. To show her appreciation for his hard work, she gave him a dollar. As she went to put her shoes on, she felt something wadded up in the toe of one. It was her dollar and attached to it was a note that read, "Here's yur doller, mom. I done it fer luv."
Fueled and motivated by the Holy Spirit living in you, you too can serve others in the love of Christ. The Scripture says, "We love because he first loved us. ...And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:19, 21). This coming year, be motivated to serve others and give of yourself to them as Christ did for you on the cross so long ago.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to move your heart and feet in service for Him. Pray that He would empower you with the sacrificial love of Christ, so that you may bless someone's life by your service to them.
:angel:
December 29, 2010
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. --Philippians 3:14, 17
The 16th-century Venetian artist, Titian, portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads in his painting, "An Allegory of Prudence." One head featured a youth facing the future, another represented a mature man eyeing the present, and the last head portrayed a wise old man gazing back at the past.
Over their heads, Titian wrote a Latin phrase that translates, "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future." Oftentimes our past failures and fear of repeating them again torment us. But we need to remember the kind of wisdom Titian displayed in his painting, so we can avoid the kind of anxiety that keeps us from enjoying life to the fullest right now.
The apostle Paul was able to forget his past and look forward to his future. He said, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I d forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).
While his memory wasn't completely erased of past faults, he knew that God had forgiven him and he was free from any guilt or pride that had been bottled up inside. As you live in daily fellowship with the Lord, trials only make you more like the Savior. Don't let your past cloud your present and future. Determine this year to have one driving passion—to know Christ more intimately than ever before.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray and rededicate your life to Christ following Paul's example. Ask Jesus to enable you to live fully in the present, gain wisdom from the past, and face the future with courage.
:angel:
December 30, 2010
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. --Joshua 1:9
Each year at this time, thousands of them stand in the cold in Times Square, New York. No big event beckons them. No ballgame is being played. No rock concert is getting underway. It's simply a huge, lighted ball that drops from a tall building. And within a few seconds, hardly worth fighting traffic and crowd pushing for, it descends marking a new year.
Why has this nonevent turned into a huge, money-making holiday? Most other holidays celebrate a reputable person, famous birthdays, document signings, or a noted event. But New Year's Eve only celebrates the passage of time—something that most of us would rather not recognize. We make a huge deal out of it because it signals the end of an old era and the start of a new one.
The old year's problems, heartaches, and struggles seem to vanish and become a faded memory when we think of getting the chance of a new year and a new start. It must have been the same way for the Israelites when they stood with Joshua looking forward to a new era ahead of them. They had wandered for 40 years in the desert, and finally they could see land flowing with milk and honey ahead. Better yet, they had God's promise that He would never leave or forsake them.
As you stand with your back to the old year and look forward to the new one, you can have hope in the promises of God. You will certainly face both trying and joyful times ahead, but you can rest assure that He "will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). That promise is enough to celebrate the new year ahead!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you courage, strength, and faith in Him to face the days ahead. Thank Him for being faithful and for never leaving your side.
:angel:
December 31, 2010
You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those persecute you. --Matthew 5:43-44
Before his days as president, Abraham Lincoln was an attorney. He was approached once by a middle-class man who passionately insisted on suing an impoverished man who owed him $2.50. Lincoln quickly recognized the ridiculous nature of the situation and tried to discourage him. But the man was set on revenge and wanted to make his debtor pay.
Finally, when Lincoln realized that the man would stop at nothing to punish the other, he reluctantly agreed to take the case. When he did, he asked the man for a legal fee of $10, which the man immediately paid. Soon thereafter, Lincoln secretly gave half the money to the defendant, who willingly confessed the debt and paid the $2.50 in full!
Even more amazing than Lincoln's ingenious settlement was that the vengeful plaintiff was satisfied with the arrangement and walked away a very happy man!
Very often, when someone wrongs us, it's natural to want to seek revenge. In fact, the world encourages us to feel this way! But God's way is drastically different.
Had the irate man reacted like Christ, he wouldn't have worried about the debt, but he probably would have bought the poor defendant a meal or helped out his starving family! God's way of dealing with an enemy is completely different from the idea of "don't get mad — get even."
Today, if someone does you wrong, try to consider their situation... ask God to help you forgive them...and seek ways that you can minister to them. You never know how God will use your reaction to touch their life for Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to fill your heart with love for those who do you wrong. Pray that He would help you share God's grace and mercy with them, so that they may come to know Jesus as you do.
:angel:
January 3, 2011
At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. --Daniel 6:4
A young Christian professional interviewed for a position in a thriving business once, and brought with him a top-notch resume. In it, he listed many references, including his pastor, his Bible study teacher, and a church deacon.
Unbeknownst to the young man, the business owner was also a Christian. After he had studied the resume, he said, "Young man, I appreciate these recommendations from people in your church. However, what I would really like is a word of recommendation from people who know you during the week as well."
Oftentimes, the way people live their lives on Sunday is very different when compared to the way they live their lives the rest of the week. Often people act differently at church than they do out in the real world. But the truth is, the biblical truth we hear on Sunday should also be practiced throughout the week! Worship should be a way of life...not a weekly event.
Daniel was a perfect example of someone who was consistent in his relationship with both God and man. In fact, even his enemies couldn't find any fault with him!
As a follower of Christ, does your life look differently during the week than it does at church on Sunday? The old adage is true: "Actions speak louder than words." Determine to live a consistent Christian life on Sunday and every other day of the week!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you walk consistently with Him throughout the week...and pray that your life would be a constant reminder to those around you of Christ, the One you serve.
:angel:
January 4, 2011
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17
There's a story that tells of General Robert E. Lee, a devoted follower of Jesus, who visited a church in Washington, D.C. soon after the Civil War ended. During the time of communion in the service, he knelt beside a black man. A friend of his later said to him, "How could you do something like that?"
Lee humbly replied, "My friend, all ground is level beneath the cross."
Prejudice, bitterness, anger, and hatred are uprooted in front of the powerful cross of Calvary on which Jesus died. Christians should be the one group of people who harbor none of these things in their hearts. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, regardless of our race, nationality, or social status. Jesus offers salvation to all people!
It's easy to lose sight of this sometimes. But when we show partiality, we fail to realize that the Lord loves all people and desires for all to come to know Him as their Savior. Christians are no better than any other group of people. The only difference is that we have been saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus...we are the recipients of God's amazing grace and forgiveness.
Seek to see all people as God sees them—with love and compassion. Have you ever put yourself on a pedestal because you can call yourself a Christian? Or do you kneel before the Lord in humility each day and thank Him for dying on the cross for your sins, so that you—a sinner—could have eternal life with Him?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for forgiveness if you have let prejudice, bitterness, and anger fill your heart. And pray that He would fill your heart with His love and compassion.
:angel:
January 5, 2011
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. --Isaiah 41:10
Snowflakes are fascinating.. They come in all different shapes and sizes. Some appear as delicate lace doilies others as shining stars. Yet they all have their similarities. Each snowflake has six points, is made up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen, and is symmetrical in shape.
But did you know that the ice that makes a snowflake collects around a particle of dust floating in the atmosphere? The tiny imperfection may be as small as 1/100,000 of a millimeter in size, but it has to exist for a snowflake to form!
In the same way, imperfections in life can often be the catalysts that cause something wonderful and beautiful to happen. A "foreign invader" that crashes into our lives—such as a terminal illness, an accident, or a heartbreak—can actually turn into a source of blessing.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."
When you encounter obstacles in life, remember that they give you, as a believer, the chance to let God make something wonderful happen. If you are struggling with a difficult situation in your life, seek the Lord and wait for Him to create from it a beautiful blessing. Because I promise...if you're looking for it...He will!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God that when hardships come, He makes something beautiful as a result! Pray that He would continue to transform your trials into blessings by surrounding you with His grace, love, and mercy.
:angel:
January 6, 2011
Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. --2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Richard Baxter, a 17th-century preacher from Kidderminster, England, was known for his passionate ministry style. He saw himself as a dying man ministering to dying people, so he always spoke as if he were preaching his last sermon and his audience was hearing their last message.
In addition to his dynamic style of preaching, Baxter spent every Monday and Tuesday instructing the children of his church. On Wednesdays, he went from house to house to make sure the needs of his church's widows, aged, and sick were met. And during the rest of the week, he prepared his sermons and wrote books.
As a result of Baxter's ministry, the town of Kidderminster was completely transformed. The small village that had once been a place full of sexual immorality, violence, and sin, eventually became a town where almost every household honored the Lord. Baxter's zeal for ministering to others and bringing them to Jesus reaped a great spiritual harvest.
Are you doing everything you can to minister to the needs of those in your family, neighborhood, circle of friends, and church? Are you a daily witness and servant to those with whom you share life?
As believers in Christ, we have a ministry...even if we don't work for a church! Today, determine to proclaim the truth of God's love in word and action...as if you were a dying man or woman of God ministering to dying people!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open up opportunities for you to minister to others who are lost and hurting. Pray that He would give you a great passion for serving others and bringing them to Him.
:angel:
January 7, 2011
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. --James 4:7
Shortly after the Civil War, General William T. Sherman's army was scheduled to march in a victory parade in [City Name, State].
The night before the parade, Sherman called General Oliver Howard to his room and said, "General, you were at the head of one of the divisions that marched with me through Georgia, and you should rightfully ride at the head of your division in the parade tomorrow. However, I've been asked to let the general who preceded you in command represent the division."
General Howard replied, "With all due respect, sir, I think I am entitled to represent my division, since I led them to victory."
Sherman said, "Yes, you are. But I know you're a Christian, and I was wondering if you would yield your rights for the sake of peace."
Quickly, Howard responded, "Of course I'll yield."
"All right," General Sherman said, "I will arrange so, and I want you to report to me in the morning at 9:00 a.m. You will be riding with me at the head of the parade."
General Howard's willingness to yield his position to his commander led to an even greater position of honor. Just the same, God blesses those who are completely submitted to Him. Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a submissive spirit, so that you can fully be used by Him.
:angel:
January 10, 2011
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" --Luke 12:22-24
Worry. At one time or another, all of us have done it. But J. Arthur Rank says there is a practical way to handle this problem. When he doesn't have enough faith to overcome his worries immediately, he writes down the problem and puts it aside.
Then, a week or so later, he reviews the things he wrote down and usually finds that most of his worries have already passed and are no longer a concern! Rank concludes that much of his distresses are a waste of energy. When he follows the format above, he says God always steps in when he's not looking and directs things along paths he could never have seen before.
Scripture tells about the time Jesus stopped at the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha was worried about all the preparations not being completed, but Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to everything He had to say (see Luke 10:38-42). When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary, He rebuked her worrying and complaining by explaining that Mary had the right idea.
There are many things we can worry about: our families, our finances, our health, and so on. But the Bible tells us not to worry about anything! The next time you are tempted to worry, remember the words of Peter, "cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would take away your spirit of worry and anxiety.
:angel:
January 11, 2011
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. --Psalm 46:1
In 1873, Horatio G. Spafford, a Christian lawyer from Chicago, sent his wife and four daughters on an ocean liner bound for Le Havre, France. But in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the steamship collided with another sea vessel and sank within twelve minutes.
Miraculously, Spafford's wife was rescued and taken to Le Havre with the other handful of survivors. When she arrived, she sent a message to her husband in Chicag "Saved—alone."
Immediately, Stafford sailed for Europe to be with his grief-stricken wife. As his ship passed the approximate location where his daughters drowned, he penned these words in the midst of his sorrow: "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea-billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul.'"
Scripture says our Lord is "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). If you are struggling through a difficult time in life, you can find comfort in the arms of God. Or, if there is a person in your life who is going through a tough time, seek to encourage them as the Lord has encouraged you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would use the difficulties in your life to help you encourage others who may be going through hard times.
:angel:
January 12, 2011
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. --Colossians 4:6
There was a woman once who developed a very serious throat condition. And as a result, her doctor prescribed medication and no talking for six months! She thought this would be almost impossible with a husband and six children, but she obeyed the doctor's orders.
For the next six months, when she needed the attention of her children, she blew a whistle...her instructions became written memos...and questions and answers were written down on pads of paper she had placed around the house.
After six months, the doctor finally allowed her to talk again. Interestingly enough, her first comments were very revealing. She said her children had become calmer and quieter, and as a result she said, "I don't think I'll ever shout again like I used to."
When asked about the notes, she replied, "You'd be surprised how many hastily written notes I crumpled up and threw in the trash before I gave them to anyone to read. Seeing my own harsh words that I would've spoken had an effect on me that I don't think I'll ever forget."
Many things come out of our mouths before we realize it—gossip, praise, slander, lying, and so on. The Scripture says, "No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. ...My brothers [and sisters], this should not be" (James 3:8-10).
Today, make a conscious effort to think about what you say. Determine to listen before speaking, to evaluate the words you use, and ensure your speech doesn't hurt others (see Titus 2:6-8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God will help you think about what you say today...so that only good things come out of your mouth.
:angel:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
Many years ago in London, a talented young man began preparing for the ministry. He had surrendered his life to Christ and wanted so badly to be used by the Lord. He was a brilliant student and completed his seminary studies with honors.
Prior to his ordination as a minister, he was required to preach a sermon before a select group of clergymen. The intensity of the situation made him nervous—especially when he saw his lovely fiancée sitting in the audience. In his anxiety, he lost his train of thought as he preached...which resulted in the board not approving him for ordination.
The rejection was a bitter disappointment, and his grief increased when his fiancée broke off their engagement because he had performed so poorly. After these two events, he fought depression for quiet some time. Several weeks later, He poured out his complaint before God, and was reminded of God's promise in Romans 8:28..."in all things God works for the good of those who love him...." It was then that he experienced an incredible peace in his soul.
When the chance to preach happened again, the young man delivered a powerful sermon to the examining board and he was ordained to the ministry. Since this time, the dynamic preaching of G. Campbell Morgan has impacted thousands of people. This infamous expositor authored several Bible commentaries and 60 books on theology. Morgan left a legacy that still stirs hearts today—and the crisis he went through and overcame with God's help played a huge part.
Failure can often cause us to question the calling God has placed on our lives. But many times we can't see the big picture. Friend, whether you can see it or not, God is working in your life—but sometimes He works behind the scenes.
If you are a believer and have experienced failure, don't give up! God can use that failure to produce success and blessing in your life according to the promises in His Word.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to turn your failures into triumphs, and thank Him for the promises of His Word.
:angel:
January 14, 2011
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. --Ephesians 6:11
According to scientists, Arctic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals. In order to capture their meals, the bears often have to resort to sinister tactics.
For example, a polar bear will actually swim underwater and make a tiny scratching sound on the underside of the ice next to a seal's feeding hole. When an unsuspecting and hungry seal hears this sound, he instinctively dives in for a quick bite to eat...only to become a quick dinner for the polar bear!
If you think about it, this cunning method of hunting is very similar to the way Satan works to entrap us in our Christian walk. So many times we instinctively respond to that familiar "scratching sound," only to become a victim of his evil schemes.
Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that the "thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
As believers, we are the prime targets to satisfy Satan's insatiable and deadly appetite. But the sooner we realize that we have a very real enemy who's looking to devour us, the better able we'll be to avoid becoming a quick meal for the devil.
Be self-controlled, alert, walking in the Holy Spirit, in His Word, and always in prayer, because Scripture says Satan "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). As you walk daily with Christ, be on the lookout!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you resist the many temptations this world has to offer. Pray He would help you submit to Him completely, and pray that He would provide a shield around your life to protect you from the devil's schemes.
:angel:
January 17, 2011
At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" ...But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." --Mark 5:30, 32-34
During the 1890's, a small newspaper reported that Julia Ward Howe, a woman dedicated to helping free slaves, asked a United States senator to help liberate a black man who was in a dangerous situation.
The politician said, "Madam, I'm so busy with plans for the benefit of the whole race that I have no time to help individuals!"
Angry by his lack of compassion and sympathy, Howe quickly replied, "I'm so glad our Lord never displayed such a calloused attitude!"
In our busy lives, we must never forget our service to others in the name of Jesus. Timothy was a true servant of the Lord. Paul said of him, "I hope...to send Timothy to you soon...I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because...he has served with me in the work of the gospel" (Philippians 2:19-22).
People like Timothy, the apostle Paul, and Christ's disciples worked to spread the Gospel of Jesus and serve others as Christ did. Are you serving the Lord and others consistently? It is your responsibility as a believer to always put aside the busyness of life, position, and social status to serve others in the name of Jesus. When you learn to have an obedient and servant heart for Him, He'll accomplish great things through your life, things you may not have thought possible.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you opportunities to serve others in His name.
:angel:
January 18, 2011
Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. --James 4:8-10
Many years ago, J. Wilbur Chapman, an American evangelist and pastor, wrote the following about the impact of prayer in his life:
"At one of our missions in England the audience was exceedingly small, but I received a note saying that an American missionary was going to beseech the Lord on behalf of our work. The man was known as 'Praying Hyde.' Almost immediately the tide changed. Crowds began to pack the hall, and many accepted Christ as their Savior.
"Meeting Mr. Hyde later, I said, 'Brother, I want you to pray for me personally.' He came to my room, turned the key in the door, and dropped to his knees. He waited five minutes without a single syllable coming form his lips. I felt hot tears as they began running down my face. Although he had said nothing, I knew I was in the presence of God. Then with upturned face and with eyes streaming, he said, 'O God!' and was still again.
"When he seemed to sense that he was in full communion with the Lord, there came from the depths of his heart petitions such as I had never heard. I rose from my knees to know what real prayer was!"
Jesus warned us not to pray like hypocrites who "love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. ...But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:5-6).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Today, go into a room by yourself and spend some time alone in the presence of the Lord in prayer without any distractions. Ask for His Holy Spirit to move, and then wait and listen for His still, small voice.
:angel:
January 19, 2011
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. --Acts 1:8
A young woman excited about her salvation developed a deep desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. She felt called to missions, so she asked her pastor where she might go to serve to be most effective. He told her to come back the following day and he would have an answer for her then.
The next day, when she returned to his office, the pastor was waiting for her with an answer. He handed her a folded slip of paper and said, "I'm suggesting that you begin with someone who needs Christ right now more than anyone else in the entire world."
The young woman quickly left the pastor's office, eager to find out where her mission field was. She carefully opened the note and was surprised to discover two words: "Your father."
She had been so passionate about reaching the lost in foreign lands that she had neglected to share the Gospel with someone so close to home.
Are there people in your life who don't know Jesus? Maybe it's a parent, a sibling, a grandchild, a close friend, an acquaintance, one of your children, or even your spouse. Many people make the mistake of thinking the only mission field is overseas.
But God has called you to share the Good News of His Word right where you are—in your city, neighborhood, and among your circle of friends. If you know someone who is living with no hope and without a relationship with Jesus, then take the time today to share truth that will change their lives forever.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal people in your life that need to know the Lord so you can share Christ with them. Pray that He would open up the right opportunity at the right time for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives through you.
:angel:
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. --John 1:11
In The King's Business magazine, there was a story published once that told of a Christian fisherman who decided to spend the night on his boat. In the middle of the night, he heard a loud splash...and knew right away that the man in the yacht next to him had fallen in as a result of his heavy drinking. So he jumped into the cold water to save him.
With great effort, the fisherman pulled the man back onto his yacht and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to help bring him back to life. After successfully rendering aid, he put the man back in his bed and swam back to his own boat.
The next morning, the fisherman returned to the yacht to see how the man was doing. But surprisingly, the man ungratefully replied, "It's none of your business!"
The fisherman reminded him that he had rescued him and saved his life the night before. But instead of showing gratitude, the man openly cursed and threatened him.
As the Christian man rowed away, tears filled his eyes and he prayed, "When I think of how men have treated You, Lord, I'm filled with sorrow. Now I can begin to understand just a little how You must feel when others reject You."
When you are persecuted by others because of your faith in Christ, think of the rejection that Jesus faced so that you could have forgiveness of your sins and eternal life through Him. Continue to profess His name and remember what He did on the cross...because great is your reward when you persevere in the midst of trials.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank the Lord for the sacrifice He made for you in the midst of persecution and rejection. Pray that He would give you strength so that His name may be glorified through it all.
:angel:
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. --Romans 12:20-21
There is a story of a Christian lady who owned two prized chickens. One day, they got out of their cage and wandered into the garden of an ill-tempered neighbor. When the neighbor realized the hens were loose in his yard, he caught them, wrung their necks, and threw them back over the fence hoping that would teach his neighbor a lesson.
Obviously, the woman was upset when she discovered her neighbor had killed her chickens, but she didn't retaliate by rushing to his house to yell at him. Instead, she took the two deceased birds, dressed them, and made some chicken pot pies. She then carried one of the pies over to the man who had committed the crime.
Her children, expecting an angry scene among the two, hid behind a bush in the man's yard to see his reaction. But when the Christian lady apologized for not being more careful about keeping her chickens penned up, they saw he was left speechless! That chicken pie he held in his hands, along with the apology, filled him with embarrassment and shame.
You see, the woman wasn't trying to get even. She wasn't returning evil for evil. All she wanted to do was show her neighbor the meaning of true Christian love. And her actions could have been the catalyst to bring him to faith in Christ. What a challenge this is for you and me today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you wisdom to do the right thing when conflicts arise between you and others. Pray that He would help you demonstrate the love of Christ so it would point others toward Jesus.
:angel:
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. --John 15:13
There was a baby girl in the hospital who was critically injured and had lost a large amount of blood. She urgently needed a transfusion, but the doctors couldn't find anyone with her rare blood type—except her 7-year-old brother.
The doctor took the young boy into his office, sat him down, and said, "Your sister is very sick. Unless we can help her, she's going to leave us and go to heaven. Will you give your blood to your baby sister so she can live?"
The young boy turned pale and his eyes filled with fear, but after a short period he whispered to the doctor, "Yes, I will."
At that, the physician smiled reassuringly and said, "Thank you. I knew you would."
The transfusion took place, and the 7-year-old seemed very nervous as he watched the blood from his body flow through the tube to his sister. The doctor said, "Don't worry, son. It will all be over before long." At that moment, big tears welled up in the little boy's eyes.
"Will I die soon? Will it be quick?" he asked the doctor.
It was obvious that this brave young boy thought he was giving up his own life so that his baby sister could live! What a beautiful picture of sacrifice and love.
In the very same way, Christ willingly gave His blood to save us from our sins. Yet it's easy to lose sight of this...to become so accustomed to hearing the story that we forget the magnitude of what His death really accomplished for you and me.
The fact is, Christ's death and resurrection is the greatest news we can ever receive! And we should live each day in praise and thanks to the Savior who gave His life for us.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life He made available when He shed His precious blood on the cross for you...and commit to live a life that reflects your gratitude.
:angel:
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. --Luke 6:33
R.L. Sharpe related the following story:
"When I was just a lad, my father called me to go with him to old Mr. Trussel's blacksmith shop. He had left a rake and a hoe to be repaired, and when we got there, they were fixed like new. Father handed him some money for the work, but Mr. Trussel refused to take it. 'No', he said, 'there's no charge for that little job.'
"My father kept insisting, but I shall never forget that great man's reply. 'Ed,' he said, can't you let a Christian do something now and then—just to stretch his soul?'
"That short but effective sermon set me to thinking. I since have found the great joy and quiet happiness that come from doing little things for Jesus, and in the process I'm 'stretching my soul.'"
This really is Christianity in action! Scripture says that one of the fruits of the Spirit is kindness (see Galatians 5:22). And Proverbs 19:22 says, "What a man desires is unfailing love...." Our world is submerged in so much hate that it is oftentimes easy for believers to catch some of it. But kindness is key in the Christian life.
The Bible says that all believers should "add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).
Just as Christ first loved you and showed you the kindness you truly didn't deserve, so should we display the loving kindness of Christ to all people.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the chance today to be kind to someone who may or may not deserve it.
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. --Psalm 119:71
Farmers in southern Alabama were accustomed to planting one crop every year—cotton. They would simply plow as much ground as they could and plant their crop. Year after year, they made their living by growing cotton.
Then one year, the dreaded boll weevil devastated the whole region. The next year, the farmers mortgaged their homes and planted cotton again, hoping for a better harvest. But as the cotton began to grow, the insects returned and completely destroyed the crop—wiping out most of the farms that grew cotton.
The next year, the few farmers who survived decided to plant a different crop in hopes of regaining their livelihoods—peanuts. The new crop proved to be so hardy and the market so ravenous that it enabled the farmers to pay off all their debts from the two previous years of failed crops.
Every season thereafter, the farmers planted peanuts...and they prospered greatly. And eventually, the farmers spent some of their new wealth to erect a monument to the boll weevil in the town square! They figured if it hadn't been for the pesky insect, then they never would have planted the prosperous peanut crops.
As believers, we have the assurance of knowing that God can use the "boll weevils" in our lives for something good. In fact, Romans 8:28 says, "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
No matter what trials may come knocking on your door unexpectedly, know God is in control and working behind the scenes for your ultimate good!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being in control of all the situations in your life—good and bad. And ask Him for the patience you need to wait for the light after the darkness of your trials.
:angel:
January 27, 2011
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" --Luke 4:4
There's a story about an old man who lived in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning, the grandfather would sit at the kitchen table and read from his worn-out Bible. Wanting to be just like his grandfather, the young boy would imitate him by reading his own Bible.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandfather, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don't understand it. When I do understand it, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"
The grandfather simply replied, "Son, take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but the water leaked out of the basket before he could get back to the house. The grandfather sent him back three more times and told him to move faster each time. Every time, the frustrated boy returned with an empty basket.
Finally, out of breath, the young boy said to his grandfather, "See...it's useless!"
The old man said, "Look at the basket. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it's now clean. Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand it or remember everything you read, but when you do, it will change you from the inside out."
As believers in Christ in a fallen world, you and I must saturate our hearts and minds with the Word of God every day. Just like the young boy above, it may seem that we can't retain or comprehend everything we read. But remember that God uses His Word to change us from the inside out!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Make a commitment to the Lord to study His Word faithfully each day. And pray that He will use the Scripture to cleanse you and make you more like Jesus.
:angel:
January 28
"I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile." - Job 9:27
We all know the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." This is actually more than just a cliché. Health studies actually show that smiling and laughter really are very good for the body.
When you laugh, you increase your natural defenses against tumors, disease, and viruses. Laughter also lowers the blood pressure, increases oxygen in the blood, and promotes healing. What a gift God has given us that such a simple act can have such a positive effect not only our disposition but on our physical health.
You may have also noticed how smiles and laughter can be infectious. A smile can spread from one person to the next. Think of how you can bless a number of people simply by wearing a smile on your face.
In Luke 6:21, Jesus blesses, "you who weep now, for you will laugh." He's speaking of our time in Heaven when there will be no more tears. If God is planning to replace our tears with laughter, maybe we should get a head start. I encourage you to try to laugh more today. It may help you feel a lot better.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to remove any sorrow from your heart today. Pray for healing laughter in its place.
:angel:
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:34
One day, a young, new preacher was walking with an older, seasoned preacher in a garden. Feeling uncertain about God's plan for his life, the younger man asked the older man for some direction.
The veteran preacher picked a rosebud from a nearby bush and asked the younger man to open it without tearing any petals. The young man wondered what a rosebud could possibly have to do with knowing God's will for his life and ministry, but attempted to open the rosebud anyway.
It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this task was. Noticing his difficulty, the older and wiser preacher said:
"It is only a tiny rosebud...a flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so sweetly, then in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud, the flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine?
So, I'll trust in Him for leading each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for guidance each step of the Pilgrim's way.
The pathway that lies before me only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments just as He unfolds the rose."
No matter what age you are, it can be frustrating to figure out God's will at times. But we serve a God who knows how many hairs are on our heads...and His plan for your life is perfect! Instead of worrying about what tomorrow or the next day holds, take one day at a time and trust in the Savior for His faithful guidance.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you focus on today, not tomorrow. And ask Him to give you wisdom as He reveals His plan for your life one day at a time.
:angel:
February 1, 2011
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. --Galatians 5:22-23
One evening, an older Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a terrible battle inside every person. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside of us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, pride, and superiority."
His grandson asked, "What is the other wolf?"
The elderly man said, "It is good—peace, joy, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."
The man's young grandson thought for a moment and then asked, "Which wolf wins?"
The wise Cherokee man replied, "The one you feed the most."
Whether he knew it or not, this wise man could have been relating the battle between good and evil that Paul talked about in God's Word.
Too often, you and I tend to let some characteristics of the "bad wolf" take over the good—even as believers in Jesus. In order to fully grow in our relationship with the Lord, we must feed the "good wolf" to live out the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
The Bible says, "your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5), thereby affecting your thoughts, words, and actions. Make a conscious effort today to display Christ's attitude to every one with whom you come in contact.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you feed the "good wolf" today. Pray that He would make you more like Christ in attitude, actions, and spirit.
:angel:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 3:14-15
There is a story of four ministers who were discussing various Bible versions and which ones they liked best. One liked the King James Version because of its eloquent literary style. Another one preferred the Revised Version of 1881 because it provided the most literal translation of Hebrew and Greek.
The third minister felt that the New King James Version was the most readable and easiest to understand of all. But the fourth minister didn't say a thing. Finally, one of them asked for his opinion on which version of the Bible he liked best.
The man replied, "I like my mother's translation the best."
The others were shocked by his answer, and one of them asked, "Did your mother translate the Bible into her own version?"
"Yes, sort of," the man replied. "She translated it into her life, and it was the most convincing version I've ever seen."
If you are a believer, people are watching your life. And quite frankly, your life is the only Bible some people will ever read!
In order for our lives to serve as godly examples for others, you and I must act out God's Word every single day. You can be certain that your children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are watching how you live your life as a Christian. Are you a living example of God's Word to those around you?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would be a living example of God's Word so that you can point others to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to direct your words and actions so you can be a godly influence—no matter the circumstance.
:angel:
February 3, 2011
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. --2 Corinthians 1:5
The Chicago Tribune published a story once about 15-year-old Douglas Maurer. He had suffered from a high fever and flu-like symptoms for several days, so finally his mother took him to the hospital. It was there that Douglas was diagnosed with leukemia.
The doctors explained the disease to Douglas and said he would have to undergo intense chemotherapy for the next three years. They told him about the side effects that would follow...baldness and a bloated body...and Douglas became very depressed.
To lift his spirits, Douglas' aunt called a local floral shop to send him a flower arrangement. She told the clerk it was for her teenage nephew who had leukemia.
When the beautiful flowers arrived at the hospital, Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card attached that said: "Douglas—I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I'm 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley." For the first time since his diagnosis, Douglas' face lit up.
Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with sophisticated medical equipment and technology. He was being treated by some of the best doctors and nurses around. But it was a simple sales clerk in a flower shop that took the time to care. She was the one person who gave Douglas hope to carry on.
Is there someone in your life suffering from some sort of affliction who needs comfort? If so, seek to show them love, compassion, and encouragement. You could be the one person who can make a difference in the life of another who is suffering without hope.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would help you to bring comfort and encouragement to someone who needs it more than ever today.
:angel:
February 4, 2011
Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. --Psalm 86:2
A group of botanists went on an expedition into a remote area in the Alps to search for new species of flowers. As one of the scientists looked through his binoculars, he saw a rare, beautiful species growing at the bottom of a deep ravine.
To reach it, though, someone small would have to be lowered into the gorge. The scientist noticed a local young boy standing nearby and asked him if he would help them retrieve the flower. He told the boy a rope would be tied around his waist and the men would then lower him to the floor of the canyon.
The boy was excited about the new adventure and quickly agreed. But as he peered into the chasm while the rope was being tied to his waist, he shouted, "Wait! I'll be right back." He ran off and returned shortly with another man.
The boy said to the head botanist, "I'll go over the cliff now and get the flower for you. But this man must hold on to the rope that will lower me down. He's my dad!"
The Bible says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man" (Psalm 118:8). This teaches us that we should never put our complete faith in man—and this includes your pastor, Bible study teacher, or closest loved one. Put your hope and trust only in the Lord, for He'll never fail you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to hold on to the "rope" tied to your waist. Trust that your Father above will keep you safe no matter what.
:angel:
February 7, 2011
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. --Romans 5:3-4
A man named Parnell Bailey toured an orange grove once where an irrigation pump had broken. The season was dry and some of the trees were dying because they lacked water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly.
He said, "These trees could go without rain for another two weeks. When they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now, my trees have the deepest roots in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at greater depths."
The story above is a good picture of how suffering can produce the "roots" we as believers need to survive and thrive in any season of life.
But to grow these roots, you and I must plant ourselves in God's Word to find comfort and strength when battling difficulties in life.
Being thrown into the "furnace of affliction" is a test of faith, as it forces us to rely solely on the Lord. Isaiah 48:10 says, "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."
Whatever trial you may be facing today—be it illness, loneliness, financial difficulty, or family struggles—remember to stay rooted in the Lord. Then you can say as the psalmist did: "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life" (Psalm 119:50).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith when you are faced with affliction. Pray that He would comfort you with His Word in times of suffering.
:angel:
February 8, 2011
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. --1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Despite what our culture tells us, worldly success is temporary...and it will never bring about complete satisfaction. The number of people who have come to ruin after experiencing the world's idea of fame and fortune is astonishing. Here are just a few:
Multimillionaire George Vanderbilt killed himself by jumping from a hotel window.
Lester Hunt, two-time governor of Wyoming and soon-to-be U.S. Senator, ended his own life.
Actress Marilyn Monroe, writer Ernest Hemingway, and athlete Tony Lazzeri represent a group of popular people who were dissatisfied and took their own lives.
Solomon warned those who strived for success without God: "The hopes of the wicked come to nothing" (Proverbs 10:28). According to biblical accounts, God didn't generally use successful and popular people to accomplish His work. Instead, he used everyday people like Paul, Nehemiah, Rahab, Mary, Jonah, Joshua...and the list goes on.
What's wonderful is God doesn't require us to be "big shots" to make an impact for Him. The fact is He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom even today. And the greatest success you'll ever achieve will come one day when you meet Him in heaven!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Submit yourself to the will of the Lord and ask Him to use you for the work of His kingdom
:angel:
February 9, 2011
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. --2 Thessalonians 3:3
A prominent Christian leader was recently traveling by plane. He noticed that a professional-looking man was sitting two seats over. The man was looking over a list and periodically bowing his head as if he were praying.
Guessing the man was a believer, the minister leaned over and said, "Looks to me like you're praying. I believe in prayer too."
The man looked up and replied, "Yeah...but I have a specific assignment. I worship Satan, and I'm praying for the downfall of Christian pastors and ministers on my list."
The minister immediately said, "Well, that would include me. Is my name on that list?"
The confessed Satanist replied, "No...not yet."
Many people don't realize...or they deny the fact...that spiritual warfare is real in our world today. But it's true! There is an unseen battle being waged between the powers of heaven and hell every minute of every day.
Here is a list of ways you can prepare yourself for battle according to Scripture:
Know your enemy (1 Peter 5:8).
Keep yourself in the love of God (Rom. 8:38-39).
Be strong in Christ (Eph. 6:10]).
Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).
Be active in Christian witness and service (Matthew 28:19-20).
Be quick to make right your wrong relationships (Eph. 4:26).
Put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-20).
Be in constant prayer (Eph. 6:18).
Praise the Lord always (Col. 3:16).
Be sure you are always alert and dressed for battle, and remember you are never alone!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you use the verses above to prepare you for spiritual battle today...and every day.
:angel:
February 10, 2011
This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." --Zechariah 7:9
In 1935, Fiorello LaGuardia, the mayor of New York, arrived at night court in the poorest ward of the city. He dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench. Brought before him was a disheveled older woman charged with stealing a loaf of bread.
She defended herself saying, "My daughter's husband has left her. She is sick, and her children are starving."
The shopkeeper from which she stole refused to drop the charges saying, "It's a bad neighborhood, your honor, and she's got to be punished to teach other people a lesson."
LaGuardia pronounced to the woman, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Your sentence is a ten-dollar fine or ten days in jail."
However, he immediately pulled from his pocket a ten dollar bill, threw it into his hat, and said, "Here's payment for the ten-dollar fine. Furthermore, I'm going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The following day, a newspaper reported that $47.50 had been collected from a red-faced storekeeper, 70 petty criminals, and a few New York policemen!
As Christians, it should always be our goal to show mercy to those in need. Jesus once said that those who show mercy to the others will receive mercy in return (see Matt. 5:7).
It may be that you can visit a lonely friend, take baked goods to someone less fortunate, or pick up groceries for a neighbor in need. God was once merciful to you (Eph. 2:4-5), so begin showing the same compassion to others (1 Pet. 2:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a merciful heart, so that you can minister to those who are in need of compassion.
:angel:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
As you most likely remember, President Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr. in 1981, and he was hospitalized for several weeks afterwards.
Even though Reagan was the nation's chief executive, his hospitalization impacted the nation's activity very little. The government kept going.
On the other hand, when a group of garbage collectors went on strike in Philadelphia, the city was in a mess. Not only was the city a disaster area, but the pile of rotting trash soon became a health hazard. The strike nearly paralyzed the city for three weeks.
Who would you say is more important—the President or a garbage collector?
In the body of Christ, no one part is more important than another. The seemingly insignificant ones are needed just as much as the significant ones.
Paul reminded us that "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!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable..." (1 Cor. 12:21-22).
God has given you a spiritual gift given to you by the Holy Spirit to use for His kingdom. Your gift may be encouraging those who are hurting, nurturing the sick, praying for all believers, or teaching people God's Word.
Whatever your gift is, whether it may seem important or unimportant, remember that the body of Christ "is a unit, though it is made up of many parts...they form one body" (1 Cor. 12:12), and "God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be" (1 Cor. 12:18).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you the gift He's given you so that you can use it fully for His honor.
:angel:
February 14, 2011
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. --Romans 12:2
A school teacher was approached by a small investment group, and was easily swayed by their elaborate, but risky, new business plan. So swayed, in fact, that she invested her entire life savings into the venture!
Within months, her investment disappeared into thin air and it seemed as though her future dreams were shattered. So she decided to visit the Better Business Bureau.
The official who greeted her listened to her story and then asked, "Why on earth didn't you come to us before you made the investment? Didn't you know about the Better Business Bureau?"
"Yes, I did know about you," the teacher sadly replied, "but I didn't come because I was afraid you'd tell me not to make the investment."
As believers, you and I must always consult the Lord first when making life decisions...even when you're afraid of where He might lead you!
To discover God's will and experience His blessings, you must:
Submit yourself completely to God and His will (James 4:7).
Renew your mind daily through the consistent study of His Word (Rom. 12:2).
Consistently remain in prayer to God (Rom. 12:12, Phil. 4:6, Col. 4:2).
Be willing to wait patiently on the Lord (Psalm 27:14, 37:7, 38:15, 130:5).
In your walk with God, daily surrender to Him and practice the simple steps to submission above. He will make his will clear to you as you face big and small decisions in life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would give you a more submissive heart, one that completely trusts in His will. Then make a commitment to follow Him daily so that He can fulfill His purposes in your life.
:angel:
February 15, 2011
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. --Matthew 6:19-21
Clovis Chappell wrote in his book of sermons, Feminine Faces:
"When Pompeii was being excavated, there was found a body that had been embalmed by the ashes of Vesuvius.
"It was that of a woman. Her feet were turned toward the city gate, but her face was turned backward toward something that lay just beyond her outstretched hands.
"The prize for which those frozen fingers were reaching was a bag of pearls. Maybe she herself had dropped them as she was fleeing for her life. Maybe she had found them where they had been dropped by another.
"But, be that as it may, though death was hard at her heels, and life was beckoning to her beyond the city gates, she could not shake off their spell. She had turned to pick them up, with death as her reward."
As believers, it's important to ask ourselves, Where is my treasure? Is it here on earth or is it in heaven?
So often, it's easy for us to focus on the things on earth we think are most important. But God's Word reminds us that what we so often care most about are things that will be gone tomorrow!
Today, I want to challenge you to be on guard against placing value on the things that won't last. Instead, pray that the Lord would help you place value on things that will last...like your relationship with Christ and your service for Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray as the psalmist did: "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word" (Psalm 119:37).
:angel:
February 16, 2011
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. --Romans 15:5-6
In May 1987, National Geographic included a feature article about the arctic wolf. Author L. David Mech described how a seven-member pack of these wolves had targeted several musk-oxen calves who were guarded by eleven adults.
As the wolves approached their prey, the musk-oxen adults bunched together in an unbreakable semicircle with their dangerous rear hooves facing out. In this position, the calves remained safe during the long standoff with the enemy.
But suddenly, a single ox broke rank, and the herd scattered into nervous little groups. A fight broke out and the adults finally fled in panic, leaving the helpless calves to the mercy of their predators. Unfortunately, not a single musk-oxen calf survived the incident.
In much the same way, Paul warned us in Acts 20 that wolves would come to attack God's flock. How true this is in the church today!
We must remember that the "wolves" will have a much harder time penetrating and destroying the church when there is an unbreakable unity among us as believers. It's so true that even when one of us falls away, we are easy prey for the enemy to attack and devastate.
Jesus prayed specifically that you and I might be unified in Him. He prayed: "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you strength to stand strong against the attacks of Satan on the church. Pledge to unite with other believers so that the world can see Jesus in you and His name may be glorified.
:angel:
February 17, 2011
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. --2 Corinthians 9:7
When you go to the doctor for your annual checkup, he or she usually takes your temperature, checks your blood pressure, and pokes and prods in places to make sure everything checks out OK. The doctor will ask, "Does this hurt? How about here?"
If you cry out or admit that you are experiencing discomfort in a particular area, one of two things has happened:
The doctor has pushed too hard in that area without the proper sensitivity, or
There is something truly wrong lying beneath the surface.
In much the same way, believers often cry out in discomfort when God pushes us and prods us in sensitive areas of life. And one of these areas is tithing.
When it comes to giving to God, it's not supposed to be a discomfort for believers. God's Word says we are to give cheerfully unto Him and without reluctance!
2 Corinthians 9:6 says, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." Literally, if you withhold from the Lord what He has provided you, then you will not experience His blessings in full. But if you give cheerfully and sacrificially to Him, then He will in return bless you abundantly.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Dedicate your tithes and offerings to Him, and ask Him to bless them for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
:angel:
February 18, 2011
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
In 1818, a boy named Louis was sitting in his father's workshop in France. His father was a harness maker and Louis loved to sit and watch his father work. One day, he said, "Father, I want to be a harness maker like you one day."
To which the father replied, "Why not start now?" He took a piece of leather, drew a design on it, and instructed his son to use the hole puncher and hammer to follow the pattern. The man set him off to work with a warning to be careful.
Young Louis was excited to begin his new job, but when he hit the hole puncher, it flew out of his hand and pierced his eye. He immediately lost his sight in it as a result. Later, sight in his other eye failed, and Louis became totally blind.
Several years later, Louis was sitting in a garden when a friend handed him a pine cone. Louis ran his fingers over the cone, and suddenly an idea came to him.
This idea eventually led to the creation of an alphabet of raised dots on paper so that others who were blind could feel and interpret what was written. As a result of his accident, Louis Braille opened up a new world for the blind!
To some, this type of tragedy would have been the thing that would have sent them into depression and isolation. But as believers, we know that all things happen for a reason—God's divine purpose and plan (see Jeremiah 29:11).
Friend, God has mapped out every day and detail of our existence. When tragedy strikes, don't be alarmed. Know that God is in control (Psalm 47:8) and that all things work together for His glory and your good.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His promises of hope and a future, even when tragedy strikes.
:angel:
February 21, 2011
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. --James 4:14
Imagine if you were to check your bank account one morning only to find a direct deposit for $86,400. And it goes on for weeks!
Each morning you find a new deposit for this amount...but soon realize that your balance is not carried over to the next day. Instead, it is deleted each evening and the next morning you begin again with a new balance of $86,400.
What would you do when you finally realized your account balance would be deleted each evening if you didn't use it all that day? Of course...you'd withdraw the balance left over each day!
You and I have such a bank account called time. Each day we are credited with 86,400 seconds. And every night that which we have not used is deleted from our account. However, our time accounts do not allow overdrafts, loans, or savings options.
We must invest our time wisely in this life. According to one time management study, the average person spends two years making phone calls to people who are not at home, six months waiting for traffic lights to turn green, and another eight months reading junk mail!
Have you evaluated the way you use your time lately? Are you using it wisely to glorify the Lord? Psalm 39:6 says, "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fr he bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it."
Our time on this earth is brief. God wants us to use every minute of our lives to serve and honor Him. Determine to use your time wisely to advance the cause of Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would show you how to spend your time wisely and to keep you from wasting precious opportunities to further His Kingdom.
:angel:
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. --James 4:7
Iron Eyes Cody, a Native American actor, once repeated an old Indian legend to Guideposts magazine.
One time, as a youth was traveling alone to prepare for manhood, he noticed a mountain peak capped with snow. So he set off to climb it. And when he reached the top, he could see for miles.
At the top of the mountain, the youth looked down to find a rattlesnake at his feet. The snake said, "I'm about to die. It's too cold up here for me. There's no food and I'm starving. Take me down to the valley."
The youth replied, "No...I know your kind. If I pick you up, you will bite and kill me."
But the snake promised, "I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, I won't harm you."
The youth resisted at first, but finally picked up the persuasive snake and carried it down to the valley below. There he gently laid it on the grass when suddenly the snake coiled and leapt, biting him on the leg and crippling the boy.
As the snake slithered away, he said, "You knew what I was when you picked me up."
Just as magnets are attracted to one another, so the Christian is drawn to sin through temptation. If you know the things that cause you to surrender to temptation and follow through with sin, then avoid and eliminate them in your life. When tempted, lean on Christ for strength to resist.
Paul said, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). To avoid being harmed by Satan's venomous bite, recognize His ways so you can be prepared to confront and resist the temptation with which he persuades you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to strengthen you, so that you will have the power of the Holy Spirit to resist the attacks of temptation from Satan.
:angel:
February 23, 2011
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. --Romans 13:14
As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate bridge was built across a large canyon in the West.
The builder wanted to test the bridge, so he loaded a train with extra cars and equipment to double its normal load. Then he drove the train to the middle of the bridge, where it sat for an entire day.
One worker asked, "Are you trying to break this bridge?"
The builder replied, "No. I'm trying to prove that the bridge won't break."
Just the same, the temptations Jesus faced weren't designed to see if He would sin, but to prove that He couldn't.
Jesus fought the devil by the power of God's Word. And as believers, you and I will be attacked by Satan our entire lives. So we must always be prepared, like Jesus was, to never to give in to temptation!
In Billy Graham's Christian Workers Workbook, he lists several facts about temptation you can count on:
Temptation is common for believers (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Temptation is of the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).
Temptation itself is not a sin, but succumbing to it is. (James 1:14-15).
God does not lead you into temptation (James 1:13).
God allows Satan to tempt you, so that you can face it, overcome it, and be stronger as a result (Job 1:6-12, 1 John 2:14).
All temptation can be resisted (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When you are tempted, remember that Jesus has been there before (Hebrews 4:15).
Remember that Satan will always attack you where you are most vulnerable. So, daily submit yourself to God through prayer and the study of His Word, surrender your mind, will, and emotions to Him, and clothe yourself with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18) and the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the strength to walk away when temptation arises.
:angel:
February 24, 2011
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
--2 Corinthians 4:18
There are several historical monuments in the US that look like they have withstood the test of time. One such place is Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
But up close, maintenance crews have found cracks running through the granite faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. While the monument isn't in immediate danger of disintegrating, experts say that without a facelift it will soon begin to crumble.
Mount Rushmore, just like every other earthly thing, is temporary. Human beings especially can see how temporary life is by the effects of aging. A person who was once young and energetic gradually ages and his or her body begins to wear down.
The aging process is a part of the cycle of life, but it can be very disheartening to the person experiencing it. For believers, we can look forward to renewed bodies in heaven.
The apostle Paul said, "And we eagerly await a Savior... the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:20-21).
The body we exist in now is just a temporary, crumbling structure. It may be that your body has suffered much disease, heartache, and injury. Perhaps you have grown weary and become saddened by the slow decline of your physical being.
Take heart, my friend, because one day we will live with prefect, heavenly bodies in eternity with Jesus where there will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promise of a new body in heaven one day with no pain or disease. Ask that He would give you comfort and peace in your temporary dwelling place until you meet Him in heaven.
:angel:
February 25, 2011
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. --Deuteronomy 11:18-21
In life, most people are always building something up--a solid family foundation, a good reputation, a successful career, our relationships, and so on. But some of these things can vanish quickly due to financial loss, natural disasters, gossip, and other unforeseen difficulties.
Daniel Webster, a statesman, lawyer, and orator (1782-1852), once said:
"If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men's immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles...we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity."
One of the greatest achievements you and I can accomplish in this life is passing on a legacy of faith to our children and grandchildren. Many things can be destroyed in this life, but a legacy of faith will live on for generations.
In Proverbs 22:6, Solomon wrote, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Let us be the ones who sow the seeds of love, truth, and righteousness in the hearts of the next generation, so they can advance the Kingdom of Christ in the years to come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would make you the kind of godly man or woman needed to impact the lives of the next generation. Ask Him to provide opportunities for you to minister, encourage, and train up your own family in His Word and ways.
:angel:
February 28, 2011
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. --Psalm 31:19
Allen Gardiner was a faithful missionary and martyr during the 19th century. He joined the Naval College in England at a young age and accepted Christ during his career in the Navy. Soon after, Gardiner accepted God's call to take the Good News of Jesus to tribes in Africa and South America.
In 1850, Gardiner and six other men attempted to trek through southern Argentina in hopes of reaching the Yagan Indians. Despite the many physical difficulties and hardships he faced throughout his journey, he said, "While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me."
However, in 1851 at the age of 57, Gardiner died tragically of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. His body was later found along with his diary that contained accounts of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness.
In his last journal entry, illustrated by shaken handwriting, he wrote: "I am not hungry or thirsty in spite of five days without eating. ...I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God."
In the apostle Paul's time of hardship, the Lord said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). When you are experiencing difficulties in this life, rest in God's goodness and rejoice in your trials, so that you may fully experience His power in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God for His goodness in both good and bad times. Thank Him for being sufficient in your weakness and in control of your circumstances.
:angel:
March 1, 2011
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. --Lamentations 3:31-33
Warren Wiersbe once relayed the story of a grieving woman traveling by train. She recognized fellow passenger F.B. Meyer, a famous preacher and evangelist, and went to share her burden with him.
For many years she had cared for her crippled daughter who brought her great joy in life. However, her daughter had recently died and she was miserable. Each day, she felt more alone with only an empty house to come home to after work.
Meyer listened carefully to her story and then said, "When you get home...say aloud, 'Jesus, I know You are here!' and be ready to greet Him. ...Tell Him what has happened during the day...just as you would have told your daughter. At night stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, 'Jesus, I know You are here!'"
Several months later, Meyer ran into the same woman again, but this time he didn't recognize her. Her face radiated with joy instead of misery. She said, "I did as you told me and it has made all the difference in my life, and now I feel I know Him."
If you have lost a loved one, it is natural to have feelings of loneliness. But you can find comfort and love in the presence of Jesus. Express your sorrow freely before the Lord and He will turn your grief into joy (see John 16:20). Simply draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Call out to Jesus and talk to Him openly in times of grief. Ask Him to comfort you and eventually turn your sorrow to peace and joy.
March 2, 2011
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ...We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. --2 Corinthians 5:6, 8-9
A widely respected man known as "Uncle Johnson" passed away at 120 years of age. He was well known for his cheerful outlook on life during his advanced years.
One day before his death, while working and singing praises in his garden, his pastor, who was walking by, looked over the fence and said, "Hello Uncle Johnson! You seem very happy today."
The old man looked up and replied, "Yes, I was just thinking that if the crumbs of joy that fall from the Master's table in this world are so good, what will the great loaf in glory be like? I tell you...there will be enough for everyone and some to spare up there."
On this earth, believers only get a glimpse of God's glory, power, and blessings. But we have hope in eternity and can look forward to enjoying a feast of blessings some day when we live with Jesus!
In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 says, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling."
Each passing day on this earth is a new chance to be even more excited about what's to come. As believers, we shouldn't fear death because it is only a passageway into the glory of heaven. Live each day with joy and yearning as you move closer to the day when the Savior will be waiting to welcome you home!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that each day you live would be for His glory. And pray for the salvation of those remaining here on earth who don't know Jesus.
:angel:
March 3, 2011
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. --Proverbs 17:17
Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play Major League Baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he faced severe ridicule from the crowds, opposing teams, and officials.
During one game in Boston, the jeers and racial slurs reached the ultimate climax. In the middle of this turmoil, fellow teammate Pee Wee Reese, a Southern white man, called a timeout.
Reese walked from his position at shortstop to second base where Robinson stood. He put his arm around Robinson's shoulder and stood next to him for a long while. Finally, the crowd grew quiet.
This gesture spoke louder than words. Robinson later said that Reese's friendship literally saved his career. Reese sacrificed his own reputation and status to save Robinson from prolonged anguish.
Is there someone in your life who needs a faithful, Christian companion like you? Do you have a friend that you could sacrifice for and stand beside during hard times? John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
Perhaps you are that person in need. Maybe you are feeling alone at this point in your life. As a believer, you will never be alone because "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).
His name is Jesus. And He sacrificed His life for you so that you would not have to experience the anguish and pain of eternity apart from God. Lean on Him when no one else is there.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for making the ultimate sacrifice for you. Ask Him to bring to mind a friend in your life that you can support and encourage. Pray that He would be there to comfort you when you are all alone.
:angel:
[Jesus said], "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." --Acts 1:8
In his book, The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, Dr. George Sweeting tells the story of John Currier, a man who was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1949. Sweeting tells how Currier was transferred to work on a prison farm near Nashville, Tennessee after his conviction.
After working on that farm for nearly 20 years, Currier's sentence was cut short and he was set free. But the letter informing Currier of his freedom got lost in the mail...and he ended up serving an extra ten years of his sentence not knowing he was really a free man.
In his book, Dr. Sweeting finished the story about John Currier with a question: "Would it matter to you if someone sent you an important message--the most important in your life--and year after year the urgent message was never delivered?"
He made a very powerful point. As believers, we have an important message of good news to deliver to those who have never experienced freedom and salvation through Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 43:12, the Lord declared, "You are my witnesses...that I am God."
Are you doing everything you can to make sure people who are shackled by sin receive the message that they are indeed free? Maybe you personally know people who have never heard of the freedom they can have through Jesus. Determine to deliver this message of hope to all who are still imprisoned by sin.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open doors for you to share His message of salvation with others, and give you the right words when the opportunities arise.
:angel:
March 7, 2011
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! --Psalm 68:19 (NKJV)
One morning, R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was met by another believer who asked how he was doing.
Chapman replied enthusiastically, "I'm so burdened this morning!"
But his happy countenance and pleasant demeanor contradicted his words completely. So the puzzled questioner asked again, "Are you sure you're really burdened, Mr. Chapman?"
"Of course!" he replied. "But it's a wonderful burden—it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude! I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He daily loads us with benefits!"
The blessings of God are abundantly given to all those who follow Him obediently. They are not simply the benefits or rewards of godly living, but precious gifts from the Father above. His blessings are not a measure of who we are and what we've done for Him, but of who He is and what He's done for us.
Psalm 103:2-5 says, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Blessings are experienced in different ways: provision, protection, and so on. And the most important blessing of all is the salvation we experience through Jesus Christ. As believers, you and I must daily reflect over past blessings we've received, be thankful for present blessings—health, family, friends, and more—and look forward to future blessings from God.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His personal blessings when you follow Him in obedience, and ask that He would make you a blessing to someone else.
:angel:
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17
There's a story about a proud young man who came to the great philosopher Socrates seeking knowledge and wisdom.
Socrates immediately recognized that this young man was indeed pompous and arrogant. But the philosopher led the boy through the streets and into the sea until they were both chest deep in water.
Then Socrates asked him, "What do you want?"
"Wisdom and knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile.
Socrates pushed the young man under the water and let him up thirty seconds later. He asked him again, "What do you want?"
"Wisdom and knowledge," the young man choked out.
Again, Socrates shoved his head back under water and let him up forty seconds later. By this time the young man was gasping for air, and Socrates asked him, "Now tell me...what do you want, young man?"
Socrates and the young man went through a third round of this scenario. Finally, Socrates asked the young man what he wanted, and the boy screeched, "Air! I need air!"
The wise Socrates then said to him, "When you want wisdom and knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have it!"
Fortunately for believers, the Bible says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt..." (James 1:5-6).
If you need wisdom to discern truth, for financial confidence, or to determine God's will for your life, then just ask in faith. Wisdom is given freely by God, and we can find His superior plan through the Bible and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for wisdom today, and rest assured that He will give it to you.
:angel:
March 9, 2011
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. --Proverbs 22:6
Many years ago, a small Jewish boy asked his father, "Why must we surrender our Jewish faith and start to attend Lutheran services here in Germany?"
The boy's father replied, "Son, we must abandon our faith so that people will accept us and support our business adventures!"
That young boy held on to his disappointment and bitterness for the rest of his life because his family abandoned their faith. His faith in both his father and religion were crushed.
When this boy left Germany, he went to England to study where he formed unique philosophies for his own life. From those theories, he wrote a book that changed the world: The Communist Manifesto.
That boy was Karl Marx. For 70 years, billions of people fell under the spell of his Marxist ideology. The hypocritical influence of that little boy's father produced tragic consequences.
If the young people of our world do not receive godly faith and training from older believers, then they will develop distorted perspectives as well.
As a believer, you and I have the responsibility of spiritually parenting others to follow Christ, serve Him faithfully, and do great things for His Kingdom.
Paul referred to Titus as "my true son in our common faith" (Titus 1:4) and Timothy as "my true son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2). Though they were not flesh and blood, they bonded together as family and Paul raised them up to follow the Lord.
If you know a young person who needs a faith-filled believer in his or her life, then pray with and for them, and seek to teach them a love for Scripture, a commitment to Jesus Christ, and to fellowship and worship with the church.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring a young person into your life who you can spiritually mentor and parent.
:angel:
March 10, 2011
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives... --2 Peter 3:11
In the 1800s, an American tourist stopped by the home of Polish rabbi Chofetz Chaim. The tourist was surprised to find a simple dwelling place filled only with books, a table, and a bench.
The tourist asked the rabbi, "Where is all your furniture?" To which the rabbi replied, "Where is yours?"
The puzzled American said, "Mine? But I'm only a visitor here. I'm only passing through."
To which the wise Chaim replied, "And I am simply a visitor here on this earth. I'm only passing through."
Scripture talks about heaven in three different ways: the celestial and magnificent universe (Psalm 19:1), the great expanse of space surrounding the earth or its atmosphere (Genesis 1:8), and the sought-after home of God (Hebrews 4:14).
Heaven is a reality for believers. The fact that we will one day live forever in the presence of God Almighty is a fundamental doctrine of our faith. However, the Bible gives several other glimpses into what this heavenly dwelling place will be like.
Heaven is a place prepared for believers where we will spend eternity with God (John 14:1-3). In heaven, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:1-7). It will be in heaven that we will be like Christ and will recognize one another (1 John 3:2).
Today, I want to challenge you to live in the light of eternity as if you're just passing through this old earth.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you live a holy and godly lifestyle every day of your life. Pray that you would live each day with eternity set in your heart and mind.
:angel:
March 11, 2011
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6-7
Many top corporate executives relieve stress in the most unusual ways. A survey was done several years ago that showed very surprising results. One odd way that these business professionals relieve stress is by throwing plates against the wall!
For the believer, we don't have to throw plates against the wall--although at times we may want to!
The Bible says you can relieve stress through prayer and thanksgiving. These two combined help you realize "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" and in turn "guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
Your natural human desire is to first experience anxiety and stress when it seems that your needs and desires are not being met. It's hard to "not be anxious about anything" in these kinds of situations.
However, when you acknowledge your complete dependence upon God and submit to His leadership--in all stressful situations--then you'll be gratefully surprised to find that your anxiety disappears every time!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for providing you with incredible peace in stressful situations. Pray that He would take control of all anxiety that tries to invade your heart and mind, replace it with peace, and lead you in the right direction (Psalm 139:23-24).
:angel:
March 14, 2011
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. --Ephesians 4:29
Jean Nidetch was a 214-pound woman who badly wanted to lose weight. In her desperation, she went to the New York City Department of Health, where Dr. Norman Jolliffe gave her a diet to follow.
But after two months of weight loss, Jean was still discouraged knowing she had 50 more pounds to go. So she invited six overweight friends into her home to share the diet and talk about ways they could help each other stay on it.
Today, almost 50 years later, over one million members attend 25,000 Weight Watchers meetings in 24 countries each week. Nidetch tells an interesting story about how she has helped millions take control of their lives.
When she was a teenager, she used to walk through a park where she saw toddlers sitting on the swings with no one to push them while their mothers gossiped nearby.
Nidetch said, "I'd give him a push. ...Pretty soon he's pumping, doing it himself. That's what my role in life is—I'm there to give others a push."
Are there people in your life who need that extra push? In Ephesians 4:29, the Apostle Paul encourages us to say things that will build up and encourage those around us—not tear others down.
Not only can your kind words encourage another believer, they can also be a testimony of your faith and joy in Christ Jesus to someone who is lost without Him. Think of someone in your life who may be living under a heavy emotional load, or someone who is weary of life's problems and struggles.
Whoever God lays on your heart, determine today to give them that extra push they need!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the opportunity to encourage someone who needs it and offer kind words to those around you.
:angel:
March 15, 2011
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. --Galatians 5:22-25
There's a story about a farmer who planted two fruit trees on opposite sides of his property. One tree hid the unsightly view of an old landfill, while the other tree provided shade near a cool mountain stream. As the two trees grew, both began to flower and produce fruit.
The farmer gathered fruit from the tree that hid the landfill near his house first, and noticed that each piece was a little deformed. But the fruit still looked edible, so he took a bite only to discover it was extremely bitter.
He threw the rotten fruit away and picked up some fruit from the tree planted by the stream. As he bit into it, he discovered that it was sweet and delicious.
The fruit from the two trees was greatly affected by the nutrition of the root. Just the same, we as believers have a choice regarding the kind of fruit that is produced in our lives.
If we plant ourselves in the soil of fleshly pursuits and sinful nature, then we will naturally produce rotten and bitter fruit. But if we plant ourselves in the soil of Jesus Christ, then we will bear the sweet fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. ...He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."
Where you're rooted influences what kind of fruit your life will bear. So plant yourself in Jesus Christ so that you can produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would manifest the fruit of the Spirit, and commit to root yourself in Christ Jesus.
:angel:
March 16, 2011
Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.' Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies." --Genesis 27:6-10
Rebekah was a woman of faith in her youth. She was chaste, beautiful, courteous, helpful, industrious, hospitable, and trustworthy. As the chosen bride of Isaac, God rewarded her faithfulness with a monogamous marriage and twins, Esau and Jacob.
But because of Rebekah's weakness in faith, she later brought about rivalry, deceit, and contention in her home because of a lack of respect for her husband's leadership and favoritism among her sons.
Rebekah took into her own hands the future of her sons and manipulated the situation of birthright and blessing given by Isaac to the eldest. Even if her motive was pure, her actions were wrong. In the end, she paid the price by living out the rest of her life in separation from both of her sons and in a broken relationship with her husband.
Although we may not recognize this as often as other sins, manipulation is rooted in pride and selfishness. It involves viewing others as objects, not individuals, and seeks to limit situations through control. The direct tools of manipulation are position, power, deception, and distortion.
Scripture is full of examples dealing with manipulation. Just as Rebekah manipulated Isaac, so did Sarah manipulate Abraham, her husband, and her servant, Hagar, so that she could control what God had already promised. In every instance, manipulation brought about sorrow rather than joy.
Anytime a believer loses trust in God and begins focusing on self, then the possibility of manipulation exists. Never take matters into your own hands or attempt to control the outcome. Instead, examine your own heart and determine that you will trust in God no matter what to do the right thing in every situation.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to keep your focus on Him and root your faith in trusting Him alone through everything in life.
:angel:
March 17, 2011
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. --Romans 12:12
Dr. Paul W. Brand was a noted surgeon and expert on leprosy. He traveled once to London by plane and then took a long train from there to his final destination.
As he was getting ready for bed that night, he took off his shoes and suddenly discovered there was no feeling in his heel. To almost anyone else, this would have meant nothing. But Dr. Brand knew that this numbness was a symptom of leprosy.
Brand found a pin, pricked his heel, but felt no pain. He pushed the pin in deeper until blood showed, but still he felt nothing. All night the surgeon imagined his life as a leper—an outcast separated from humanity and his family.
But the next morning, he jabbed his heel with the pin...and yelled out in pain!
Dr. Brand realized that he had numbed a nerve in his heel during the long train ride, and wasn't suffering from leprosy. From then on, whenever he suffered any kind of pain, physically or emotionally, he thanked God.
Pain is a part of the God-given consequence to humankind for falling into sin (Genesis 3:16-17). Everyone is subject to pain. However, the New Testament focuses on pain's partnership with joy.
It was Christ who endured a horrific suffering and pain through His death on the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).
When you suffer in this life, remember that one day, "there shall be no more...pain" (Revelations 21:4), and until then we should rejoice in the Lord for He walks with us through our most painful hours (Isaiah 41:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy that comes from affliction in this life.
:angel:
March 18, 2011
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:10
At a recent diving competition, an Olympic gold-medal diver was asked how he copes with the stress of competitions.
He responded by saying that he climbs to the board, takes a deep breath, and says to himself, "Even if I blow this dive, my mother will still love me." Then he goes for the gold!
As a believer, Satan can take advantage of your failures and try to weigh you down with feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem. However, the Bible tells us as believers that we are 100% accepted and loved by Jesus Christ! His grace covers all of our sins and failures.
If you are dealing with low self-esteem, then keep in mind these biblical prerequisites to a healthy self-esteem:
• Recognize your need for a Savior (Isaiah 53:6).
• Accept your worth in Jesus and know that He loves you (Eph. 1:6; Rom. 8:1).
• Press on toward God's purpose for you (Philippians 3:13-14).
• Develop a realistic view of yourself in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:3).
• Avoid comparing yourself to others (2 Corinthians 10:12).
At the beginning of each day, step up to the day's challenges, take a deep breath, and say, "Even if I blow it today, my God will still love me." And then go for God's glory!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for turning your tragedies into triumphs and for loving you even when you fail.
:angel:
March 21, 2011
And they crucified Him. --Mark 15:24
A medical doctor once gave a detailed description of what happens when someone is crucified:
"The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders again the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place.
"The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain--the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid the stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet.
"As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream. Spasmodically he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.
"Hours of this...pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.
It is now almost over--the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level--the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues--the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...finally he can allow his body to die."
The Bible records this process of death by crucifixion in just a few simple words. How often we take for granted the pain and suffering Jesus endured when He died on the cross for you and me. Let us remember this Easter the sacrifice He made.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for the price He paid for your sins through His painful death on the cross.
:angel:
March 22, 2011
[Jesus said]: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." --John 5:24
Early in Julius Caesar's political career, the people of Rome hated him so badly that he thought it best to leave his country. He sailed for the Aegean island of Rhodes, but on the way pirates attacked his ship and Caesar was captured.
The pirates demanded a ransom of 12,000 gold pieces, and Caesar's staff was sent to make the arrangements for payment. For almost 40 days, the pirates held Caesar captive.
He would jokingly tell them that he would someday capture and crucify them. The amused kidnappers dismissed his threats. But when the ransom was paid and Caesar was released, the first thing he did was gather his army together to pursue the pirates.
The prirates indeed were captured and crucified!
This was the Romans' attitude toward crucifixion. This cruel death was reserved only for the worst criminals. It was meant to show extreme contempt for the condemned. And the pain and humiliation experienced by someone crucified by the Romans was unmatched by any other.
They condemned and humiliated the person and name of Jesus thousands of years ago just as many people do today. And even though He died a lowly death, we as believers can rejoice in knowing that "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25).
Jesus died for the sins of all--including those who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross. You may know of someone today who doesn't know Jesus. Will you be the one to tell them about the forgiveness He gives? Will you be the one who points them toward eternal life through Jesus?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring someone into your life this Easter who you can share the story of His death, burial, and resurrection, and the price He paid for their sins.
:angel:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. --1 Peter 1:3-5
A little boy born with Down syndrome attended his third-grade Sunday School class faithfully each week. As you can expect, the other children did not readily accept the boy because he seemed different.
The Sunday after Easter, their teacher brought in small boxes--one for each child. The children were told to go outside, find some symbols of new life, and put them in their containers. So the children ran wildly throughout the property looking for something to fill their boxes.
Once they returned to the classroom, they began to share their discoveries with the class. One by one they opened their boxes to show flowers, butterflies, leaves, and more. Each time the class would "ooh" and "ahh."
Then the child with Down syndrome opened his box to reveal nothing inside. The children exclaimed, "That's stupid! It's not fair! He didn't do the assignment right!"
The little boy exclaimed, "I did so do it! It's empty...because the tomb where Jesus laid was found empty!"
If Jesus had not risen from the dead, our faith would be foolish and fake. But He did rise from death, confirming His life and message. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our hope of life eternal beyond the grave.
Don't ever forget to include the resurrection of Christ from the dead when speaking of His death on the cross. For because He conquered sin on the cross and death through His resurrection, we can have unmistakable hope in Him for eternity.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God that you serve a risen Savior! Thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross and for defeating death so that you and I may experience eternal life with Him one day.
:angel:
March 24, 2011
For as he thinks within himself, so he is. --Proverbs 23:7
An unknown author once wrote this poem:
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't. ...
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can!
Many psychologists today base their practices on Proverbs 23:7 and maintain that positive thinking increases happiness and success in life. They teach their patients that the way they think affects their emotions, their relationships, and their ability to cope with difficulty.
With the sin in the world that causes disease, suffering, heartache, and misfortune, it's easy for anyone to have negative thoughts. But the believer must be a positive thinker!
In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul assured his friends at Philippi of his positive attitude in Christ saying, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
However, as believers we must understand that this contentment and positive outlook exists in us because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we are always to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
Those whose hearts have not been filled with the Spirit of God will find it harder to combat the mind tricks and temptations of Satan (see Matthew 15:19). Simply remember that the condition of your heart determines the condition of your thoughts.
Allow the Spirit of the Lord to consume your heart and thoughts so that you can live your life positively.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Holy Spirit would invade your heart and mind, so that you would think, speak, and act positively in life.
:angel:
March 25, 2011
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. --2 Peter 1:10-11
When Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski played before Queen Victoria in 1891, he won her approval. She exclaimed, "Mr. Paderewski, you are a genius."
To which Paderewski replied, "Perhaps, Your Majesty, but before that I was a drudge."
In the beginning, Paderewski was discouraged by his teachers from becoming a pianist. But through discipline and hours of practice each day, Paderewski launched his artistic career in 1885 and became known worldwide for his dynamic talents, abilities and infectious personality.
Just as Paderewski had to discipline himself to practice every day in order to grow in his talent, so we as believers must also discipline ourselves and take time each day to grow spiritually in the Lord.
Spiritual discipline is absolutely essential for Christian growth and development in the life of the believer. It is a process that continues on through the life of a believer, and helps him or her grow spiritually in Christ and know God's will.
The author of Hebrews encouraged believers to "show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure" and not become lazy, but "imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" (Hebrews 6:11-12).
A believer can mature in Jesus by practicing spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, witnessing, worship, service, fellowship with other believers, and other godly acts.
In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul said, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the world of truth."
If you will practice spiritual discipline each day in faith and obedience to the Lord despite the hardships that come along, then you can look forward to the abundant blessings of God (see Hebrews 12:11).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would build in you strength and determination to daily practice righteousness.
:angel:
March 28, 2011
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:13
Hospitality is the practice of welcoming, sheltering, providing for, and feeding those who come into your home—with no expectations for rewards or personal gain in return.
Hospitality is much more than exotic menus, elegant table settings and decorations, and fancy entertainment. It is sharing what you have and who you are in Jesus with the people God brings your way.
For those in Bible times, hospitality was a necessity in the harsh desert regions. It was openly rewarded when extended fully and openly punished when there was a lack thereof.
In the New Testament, Jesus modeled hospitality perfectly. He met both the physical and emotional needs of those who came to Him (Matthew 15:32-39).
New Testament writers encouraged believers to practice hospitality toward other Christians saying, "Offering hospitality to one another without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9). And elders and deacons within the church, in particular, were to extend hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2).
However, there are some exceptions. Believers are encouraged not to show hospitality t false teachers (2 John 1:10-11) or those who receive hospitality but do not work to support themselves and assist the host family (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13).
As believers, we are called to extend this gift to all who are in need. You can open up your heart and life, and minister to others in simple ways: time, food (see Psalm 104:27), money (Matthew 25:34-40), energy, creativity, and love (1 John 4:11).
If you extend your hospitality, open your home, and share your heart with someone else, your efforts will not go unnoticed (Hebrews 6:10). Allow your warm welcome to be saturated with the love of Christ, so you can easily share Him with those who enter your presence.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you ways you can practice hospitality toward those who are in need.
:angel:
March 29, 2011
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. --Ephesians 4:22-24
British actor Michael Wilding (1912-1979) was once asked if celebrities had any traits which set them apart from other human beings.
He replied, "Without a doubt. You can pick out actors by the glazed look that comes into their eyes when the conversation wanders away from themselves."
Wilding's theory is certainly true, but this self-centered trait has existed in all people since the beginning of time due to our inherently sinful nature from birth to death.
For the believer, we must understand that self-centeredness is sin. The Bible says, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24).
Our sinful nature causes us to automatically be self-focused and concerned with our own interests before those of others. But the Bible says this focus inward is from the world (1 John 2:16).
Certainly each person is a unique individual in the sight of our Creator, for He made you in His own image. But when your individuality, a gift from God, is turned inward, it becomes the source of sin, and is the obstacle which stands in the way of holiness.
The Bible says, "If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil" (James 3:14-15) and ultimately leads to destruction (Philippians 3:19).
If you recognize that self-centeredness has crept into your heart and mind, then ask for God's forgiveness, begin trusting Him with your innermost being, and throw off all worldliness. When you do this, His purposes will become the driving force in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would remove any self-centeredness from your heart. Commit to Him your focus and desires going forward in your spiritual walk with Him.
:angel:
March 30, 2011
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. --Ephesians 2:13
In his book, The Supremacy of Jesus, Stephen Neill lists four ways we have access directly with God:
1. We have access to God's throne of grace (Romans 5:2; Hebrews 4:16).
2. We have access to God who is sovereign, and can approach Him as a child does a father (Ephesians 2:18; Luke 11:11-13; Romans 8:15).
3. We have access to Jesus Christ. And it's by His blood that we are confident to approach Him (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:19).
4. We have access to God by our faith and prayer (Romans 5:2; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:22).
As a believer, you have direct access to God Almighty because of the sacrifice Jesus made! How encouraging is it that you have permission to enter the presence of the Lord at any time as you walk daily through life?
We must always be thankful that God took us out of sin and shame, and made us His children. Determine to "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" to those in your life who may not know Jesus (1 Peter 2:9-10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the privilege of having immediate access to Him because of Jesus' death on the cross. Pray that you would always be a personal witness of the changes He's made in your life to the world
:angel:
March 31, 2011
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. --Psalm 119:50
A famous evangelist told of a friend that lost his job, a sizable fortune, and his beautiful home because of a decline in his business. And to make matters worse, his loving wife died, adding more to his sorrow.
Yet in the midst of it all, he held steadfastly to his faith--what seemed to be the only thing he had left.
One day, as he was taking a walk around town in search of employment, he spotted a group of men doing stonework on a large church nearby. He stopped to watch one of the men chisel a large triangular piece of rock.
Being curious, he approached the man and asked, "Excuse me. Where are you going to put that?"
The workman replied, "Do you see that little opening up there near the spire? Well, I'm shaping this stone down here so that it will fit in up there."
As the grief-stricken man walked away, tears filled his eyes, for the Lord had spoken clearly to him through that laborer. The workman's words gave new meaning to the sorrow-filled man's troubled situation.
While not being completely filled with stories of ultimate despair, the Bible is not altogether peaceful and it doesn't completely avoid heartache. And God's Word doesn't even have all the answers to the questions behind suffering.
Yet it does share that the sovereignty of God prevails in the midst of suffering. We can find great comfort in any situation we face knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered once as well.
If you learn to focus on Jesus and follow Him faithfully during times of trouble, then He can shape you into a perfect fit while you're in the valley and eventually set you high up on the mountaintop.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to bring meaning and victory into times of suffering in your life.
:angel:
April 1, 2011
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. --1 Peter 3:15
The renowned 19th-century English preacher Charles H. Spurgeon told a story about King Cyrus, the man who conquered Babylon and freed the Jews from captivity.
A visitor to King Cyrus' palace was admiring his garden and said it gave him much pleasure. King Cyrus responded, "Ah...but you have not so much pleasure in this garden as I have, for I have planted every tree in it myself."
Spurgeon then commented on this story, "One reason some saints will have a greater fullness of heaven than others will be that they did more for heaven than others. By God's grace they were enabled to bring more souls there."
What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind when you are gone from this earth? How many people will be in heaven because of you?
Do you want to be known as a dynamic believer in Christ who never left the pew or walked outside of the church building to share Jesus? Or do you want to be known as one who spent every day sharing Him with the lost world around you?
Nothing is more effective in drawing someone to Jesus Christ than sharing your personal testimony of faith. How did God change your life? What great and mighty things have you seen Him do as a result?
Believers should always be ready to share their faith with others and have zeal to move beyond their comfort zone to bring more souls to Jesus.
Become the kind of Christian that when you reach eternity, someone will say to you, "I'm so thankful for you. It was because of your testimony, your life, and your invitation to accept Jesus that I'm here today" (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would have a passion for sharing Jesus with those around you who are lost.
:angel:
April 4, 2011
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:11-13
In the early 1990s, author and speaker Patsy Clairmont boarded an airplane and sat next to a young man. She began a conversation with him and soon found out that he was a Marine who had been serving in Operation Desert Storm.
Throughout their conversation, he told her that he was on his way home where his family would greet him at the airport. To which Clairmont commented that he must have thought about returning home to his family many times while he was in the Middle East.
But the Marine replied, "Oh, no, ma'am. We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were."
This young man was content right where he was...despite his situation. Contentment is the full acceptance of yourself, your surroundings, your past, and your future.
As believers, we can be content because Jesus paid for our sins on the cross...giving us salvation and eternal life with Him. Knowing this should help us be perfectly satisfied with our current situations because He is sufficient to meet all of our needs (Philippians 4:19).
However, contentment is never easy to obtain! It is a learned trait. No matter your situation today, strive to rely on God in every situation and circumstance.
Realize that He is sufficient and has given you all that you need for this moment in time. As you begin to depend more on Him, you will learn to be content!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the situation He has placed you in at this point in your life and commit to rely on Him in each and every situation.
:angel:
April 5, 2011
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on the cross! --Philippians 2:5-8
Booker T. Washington, the famous black educator, became the president of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881.
Shortly thereafter, he was taking a walk through town when a wealthy white woman stopped him. She didn't recognize the well-known man, so she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her.
Mr. Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and set out to work on the chore she had requested. When he finished, he carried the logs into her house and stacked them by the fireplace.
A little girl recognized Washington working outside the woman's house and later revealed his identity to her. The next morning, the embarrassed woman went to Mr. Washington's office and apologized profusely.
To which he replied, "It's perfectly all right, Madam. Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it's always a delight to do something for a friend."
A truly humble man or woman is oftentimes hard to find. But God gets great joy in blessing those believers who are selfless. Being humble is not a natural instinct. Rather it is a God-given mandate for holy living.
Jesus Christ's life is the perfect example of humility. Though He was God, Jesus sacrificed His position of honor and entered humanity as a humble Savior.
Believers should also follow the Lord and humble themselves before God and others. For the Bible says "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a spirit of humility today.
:angel:
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. --2 Corinthians 1:20
These twelve promises of God on which we can rely were listed in Our Daily Bread on January 1, 1985:
God's Presence - "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
God's Protection - "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your very great reward'" (Genesis 15:1).
God's Power - "I will strengthen you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Provision - "I will...help you; I will uphold you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Leading - "When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them" (John 10:4).
God's Purposes - "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's Rest - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
God's Cleansing - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
God's Goodness - "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11).
God's Faithfulness - "The Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own" (1 Samuel 12:22).
God's Guidance - "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (Psalm 25:9).
God's Wise Plan - "All things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
If you are an obedient and faithful child of God, then you can be certain He will keep all His promises (see 2 Peter 3:9)! There is assurance for your life and hope for whatever situation you may be facing in the promises of His Word!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises found in His Word.
:angel:
April 7, 2011
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:34
It doesn't matter if you're asleep or wide awake, there are two thieves that often try to creep into your heart and mind to rob you of your peace and joy. They are known as "yesterday" and "tomorrow." Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow because He knew we would have more than enough to handle today. He doesn't want you to dwell on past mistakes or tomorrow's potential difficulties. Even though this seems to be a simple concept, most people have difficulty in grasping it.
Before you know it, they suddenly catch a bad case of the "what ifs." What if I can't pay my bills next month? Where is my next meal going to come from? What if the medicine and treatments don't work? It can be maddening to those who are overwhelmed by the "what if" syndrome, commonly known as worry. But this only covers the thief named "tomorrow."
"Yesterday" is a completely different kind of bandit. People find themselves engulfed with the regrets of yesterday. We must realize everyone makes mistakes for "each one should carry his own load" (Galatians 6:5)--big, small, medium-sized--they are all sin in the eyes of God. He doesn't judge you any more or less, because Christ's blood covered all sins equally.
Everyone has his load of difficulties in life stemming from yesterday, actively working today, or building for tomorrow's explosion. But, as believers we must understand that the only way to free ourselves of worry and experience true peace is to have faith that God will work everything out in His time. Consider Him your heart's anti-theft system--He cleanses past mistakes and has every detail carefully planned out for your future.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you focus on today and serving Him at this very moment, rather than worrying about your past or future.
:angel:
April 8, 2011
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. --Proverbs 21:5
Everyone who plans to retire or has already retired faces a troubling question: Will I outlive my money? This is clearly a great concern and an unsettling possibility. Fears about health care and future finances run neck in neck in the race for the biggest concern among senior adults.
Today, the average person's life span has increased by 20 years since 1900, and the fastest growing age group of the U.S. population is people who are 85 years old and older. In the 1970s, Social Security provided for half a retired person's annual income, but today it counts for less than 30 percent and continues to decline.
The only way to make sure your income lasts as long as you do is through proper planning. You may have been frugal and wise with your income so you could be properly prepared when retirement came along, but now you may be feeling financially vulnerable. Don't worry--you are not alone. There are creative ways to make your money last longer for you.
Sit down with your family and discuss this issue as soon as possible. If you don't already have a professional financial advisor, you might consider working with one. Be sure to check their references before making a decision.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to place on your heart the reassurance that He will take care of you. Ask Him to reveal to you the next steps to take in preparing financially for the future. Thank Him for His provision and watch care over your life thus far.
:angel:
April 11, 2011
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. --Matthew 6:14-15
A seminary professor was teaching her students about forgiveness. She asked each of them to bring a sack of potatoes to class the next day. When they did, she asked them to select a potato for each person they refused to forgive and write the date on it beside the person's name. For a month, their assignment was to carry the sack of potatoes with them everywhere they went.
Can you imagine the load? After dragging the sacks around, each student began to recognize how much weight they were carrying spiritually as well as physically. It took a great amount of energy to pay attention to their bag and they had to make sure they didn't leave it lying around in the wrong place.
It wasn't long before the potatoes began to rot and stink. Each student realized that the best thing to do was to get rid of the sack of potatoes. You can't receive forgiveness without forgiving others first. If you decide not to forgive, then God will not forgive you either. It states this in His Word!
When you refuse to forgive and let go, you pay a price. You begin to harbor bitterness and it becomes harder to find happiness. When you forgive the sins of others against you, they are gone for good! But when you don't, what happens? You begin carrying around the bitterness and rottenness like a sack of potatoes. If the thought of carrying around that heavy load makes you uncomfortable and tired, then take action and do something about it before this day is over!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are carrying grudges or bitterness around like the sack of potatoes mentioned above, then ask God to give you the strength to forgive those in your life who have sinned against you.
:angel:
April 12, 2011
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. --Psalm 34:11
Many people come to God irreverently. We will never get very far in our relationship with the Lord unless we understand He is to be feared. One of the greatest examples of fearing the Lord can be found in the infamous book The Chronicles of Narnia.
In the book, an allegory written by C.S. Lewis, the story is told of two girls, Susan and Lucky, who prepare to meet Aslan the Lion, who represents Christ. A story mostly made up of talking animals, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver help to prepare the girls for their first visit with the lion king. "Ooh," says Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
"That you will, dearie," replied Mrs. Beaver. "And make no mistake, if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
Mr. Beaver goes on to tell the young child, who questions if he's safe, "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king, I tell you!"
The psalmist understood better than anyone what Mr. and Mrs. Beaver were trying to explain to Susan and Lucy. He wrote, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing" (Psalm 34:8-9). We aren't to live in terror of the Lord, but we must always fear Him in reverence and awe of His goodness and kingship. Our God is awesome beyond what we can imagine.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: In your prayer, praise God for who He is and worship Him with trembling hope and repentant tears.
:angel:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. --Lamentations 3:22-23
Have you ever been so overwhelmed by sorrow that you couldn't speak or move? If you have experienced this kind of sorrow, then you can understand firsthand the emotions of Jeremiah as he wrote the book of Lamentations. This book is a sobbing funeral song for the death of Jerusalem and the captivity of her people because of their sins. Each word in this book seems to be penned by someone with no hope. It is almost as if you could visualize the tears of Jeremiah falling onto every page.
Even though this book may seem to be full of destruction and desolation, there is a passage that may be familiar to you. It is the one ounce of hope that fills this barrelful of sadness. It says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). What a message of hope and renewal!
We often forget the glimmer of light and hope found in these words amidst this seemingly dark book of sorrow in the Bible. Jeremiah's soul was aching, but he knew the Lord could cure it all. There may be times when you want to sink into despair. But even in the deepest pit of sorrow, there is One who will reach in and rescue you. Then you will be able to repeat the same words Jeremiah used: "I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him'" (Lamentations 3:24).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are experiencing sorrow, ask the Lord to rescue you from the pain and sorrow. If you know someone who is going through this battle, pray for God's peace on their lives and point them to the ray of hope found in Lamentations.
:angel:
April 14, 2011
I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. --Ecclesiastes 9:11
A newspaper headline once read, "Jockey Beats Horse over Finish Line." The jockey, indeed, crossed the finish line a length before his horse and 20 lengths before the rest of the contestants. The would-be winner was thrown out of his saddle. His horse, which had tripped, followed right behind him. The victory went to the second-place finisher--"Slip Up."
One race official said the jockey and his horse were "so far in front that only a freak accident would stop him." All of us have faced life's unexpected events. The author of Ecclesiastes said, "The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong" (Ecclesiastes 9:11). He made apparent the fact that people are not controllers of their own destiny.
You are probably already very aware of this fact, but life is completely filled with unpredictable experiences. Someone once said these events "seem like stones dropped into the gears of human ingenuity." A family survives a fire that destroys everything they own. A healthy man contracts a crippling, deadly disease. A senior citizen loses everything in a scam deal.
There are important life lessons we can learn from everyday experiences. That may sound like a general statement, but if you think about it, it becomes a powerful one. One lesson we can learn is not to trust our own strength, knowledge, or skill, but instead depend on God in all of life's day-to-day happenings. Only He knows what is going to happen from moment to moment. For us, life's race isn't over until the Lord says it is.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you trust Him for the unexpected and unpredictable events life throws your way. Pray that He would give you faith to finish the race until He comes again.
:angel:
April 15, 2011
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. --Psalm 5:3
Almost 50 years ago, A.W. Tozer said, "Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible." Tozer said this before there was internet, digital cable, palm pilots, or cell phones. While some of you may not have bought into this technology yet, you have definitely been affected and surrounded by it.
These types of technological advances are beneficial, but can also rob us of so much time. However, it's not just the modern complexities that hinder our devotional lives. Most of the time, the biggest obstacle in developing our relationships with God lies within ourselves. It's our own laziness and reluctance to stop and spend time in prayer and Bible study.
So how do you lay to rest Tozer's assumption that today's society makes devotional life impossible? First, you must admit that you have failed to spend time with God. Second, you must recognize that prayer and Bible study are absolutely essential for growth in your spiritual life. Your physical body can't live off one piece of bread a week, just as your soul can't live off the Word fed to you only on Sunday.
Develop a plan. In Psalm 5:3, we see that David set aside time every morning, before any part of his day unfolded, to spend time with the Lord. With this plan of action, you will be able to remove the complexities of the world and put first things first. Open your heart to the incredible joy and relationship that will come when you consistently devote your life to the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you beat the impossible through time spent with Him every day. If you have not been faithful in spending time with God, ask for forgiveness and rededicate a piece of your time to your relationship with Him.
April 18, 2011
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. --1 Corinthians 1:27
A famous violinist announced he would be playing one of the world's most expensive violins in his concert. The first composition he played flawlessly. And each one after that was better than the performance before. The audience was thrilled and enamored with his perfect performance.
After bowing during the applause, the violinist suddenly picked up the priceless violin and smashed it to the floor, completely destroying it. The audience gasped and looked on with horrified expressions. That is, until the famous violinist explained he had been playing an inexpensive violin all along.
The musician then picked up the truly expensive violin and began playing it. The sound was just as beautiful as before, and most people couldn't even tell the difference between the two instruments. The lesson in this illustration is that the quality of the violin was secondary to the skill of the violinist.
This is almost like our service to the Lord. The Master can and wants to use ordinary instruments like us. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul states that God chose foolish and weak things to shame the wise and strong. And He did that so no one would "boast before Him" (1 Corinthians 1:29).
Like the cheap violin played by the violinist, we too can be instruments in the Lord's hands to bring glory to His name and blessing to those around us. It matters not if you are unable to serve as you did before, practice your talents, or put your gifts to use as often. God knows your every weakness and He still desires to use you right where He has placed you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to use you as an instrument for His glory. Pray that wherever He uses you, you will be an influence in the lives of others.
:angel:
April 19, 2011
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. --Psalm 119:18
An elderly woman was living in Scotland in the worst kind of poverty. She had tattered clothes, a weathered house, and barely enough food to fill her stomach each day. Many years earlier, her son had come to America and had not returned to his native land. He had gone to make a way for himself and to provide a good life for his mother. But since that day, she had not seen him.
One day, a friend came to visit the mother. He said, "Does your son every help you with expenses?"
Reluctantly she admitted, "No, but he writes me nice long letters and sends me interesting pictures."
The visitor wanted to speak harshly of the man, but held back and instead asked, "May I see the pictures?"
The aged mother brought them out of the drawer, and to the friend's amazement they were valuable bank notes. Through the years, she had been needlessly living in poverty. All the while she had in her possession everything she needed to live.
Many times, in our attempt to learn more about God's Word, we skim over some of the most important things that could be valuable at that time in our lives. Unless we daily spend time in the Bible, it will be to us as it was to the mother in the story above—nothing but words or pictures that we can't quite understand.
Most of us don't realize the pile of gold sitting right in front of us found in Scripture. If we will just take some time every day to meditate on the truths, we will see its value.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you the valuable truths and golden nuggets of wisdom from His Word, so that you can be wealthy in knowledge of who He is and His love for you.
:angel:
April 20, 2011
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier... --Ephesians 2:14
Many years ago, the Prince of Wales visited the capital city of India. An arduous, stately barrier had been set up to keep back the masses of people, most of them lower class, who wanted to catch a glimpse of royalty.
When the prince arrived, he shook hands with some of the political dignitaries who were presented to him. Then, looking over their heads to the crowds beyond, he said, "Take down those barriers!" They were quickly removed, and the people, regardless of social rank, had free access to the heir to the British throne.
Several years later, the Prince of Wales visited the same district again. Waiting on him, were 10,000 outcasts that waited under a banner. The banner welcomed him with these words inscribed: "The Prince of the Outcasts."
Not many of us take time out of our hectic schedules to reflect on the majesty of Jesus and what He did for us. Born into sin, we were outcasts from conception. But by the grace and forgiveness of Jesus, we have been adopted into the family of God.
So often we don't thank Him or praise Him enough for the incredible mercy he showed us on the cross. We were separated from God, we were the outcasts, sin was the barrier, and the heir to the throne came and ordered it to be taken away. As a result, we now have free access to the Son. Thank God for our "Prince of the Outcasts"—Jesus Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Take a few moments to simply thank God for sending Jesus to provide forgiveness for your sins as a sacrifice on the cross through His shed blood. Take time to worship Him through song for bridging the gap so that we can have eternal life.
:angel:
April 21, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. --Galatians 3:28
A missionary who served in Calcutta said that she was profoundly influenced because of a communion service she attended during the Second World War.
The leader of that meeting was a Swedish minister. Among those present were a Chinese pastor, a Japanese teacher, a German doctor, several English citizens, and a small group of Indian believers. The missionary recalled that as she looked at that diverse company she felt a closeness to each person, especially when they partook of the bread and the cup.
The bond of Christian fellowship was real, even though some of those people were from countries engaged in a brutal war. Yes, Jesus Christ does remove the barriers of race and nationality, and He takes away the hatred that so often arises from these differences.
We live in a world, and especially a country, where diversity is great. More than the days of yesteryear, we see people of all nationalities, religions, and cultures coming to live together in one community and nation. In a time such as this, we must seek to be a witness for Jesus Christ to those who have never heard His name.
Our mission field has moved back home to the United States. While the need for evangelism abroad remains, we have a great opportunity to take Christ into our neighborhoods, communities, cities, and states like never before. People of all nations came here to live in freedom—and many of them are in need of the spiritual freedom found only in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to empower you to be the kind of minister He wants you to be to those who have come from all over the world, so that they may join the family of God. Pray that you would have a great impact on the diverse generations of today.
:angel:
April 22, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." --Matthew 10:42
Have you ever found it difficult to ask others for help? Why is it so hard for us to admit we need help? It's simple. Most of us have never had to depend on anyone else. We've always had life completely under control and we've been the ones helping others, right? We didn't think we'd ever be incapable of handling things on our own. But that's not reality. We hesitate before taking that first step to ask for help.
People need each other—especially Christians. It makes sense that God included "helping" in the list of gifts found in 1 Corinthians 12:28. There is a difference between offering help and making help available. Some people offer help and are genuinely anxious to give it. Others seem to make help available, but actually have no plans of following through with their offer.
Some people seem to be born with the gift to reach out and help others, and the rest have a lot to learn about offering help. Once you see God working through the kind of person who has the innate ability to easily help others, you'll want be that kind of person as well. You don't necessarily have to have the gift of helping others to be blessed by it. People all around us have setbacks, and they depend on the goodness of others to meet their daily needs.
When offering help to others be honest, specific, personal, a good listener, sensitive to their needs, faithful, and be sure to follow up. The Bible teaches specifically how to be a friend and helper to those who need it. Times may change. The culture is going to change. And even people may change—but more often than not their needs don't. Make a choice to help someone in need today.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you someone who needs your help.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.--1 Peter 2:12
In Leslie B. Flynn's book Dare to Care Like Jesus, he says:
"A Christian baroness, living in the highlands of Nairobi, Kenya, told of a young national who was employed as her houseboy. After three months, he asked the baroness to give him a letter of reference to a friendly sheik some miles away.
"The baroness, not wishing the houseboy to leave just when he had learned the routine of the household, offered to increase his pay. The lad replied that he was not leaving for higher wages. Rather, he had decided that he would become either a Christian or a Muslim. This is why he had come to work for the baroness for three months.
"He had wished to see how Christian acted. Now he wanted to work for three months for the sheik to observe the ways of the Muslims. Then he would decide. The baroness was ashamed as she recalled the many shortcomings in her dealings with the houseboy. She could only exclaim, 'Why didn't you tell me at the beginning!'"
As Christians, people are constantly watching everything we say, do, and how we react. Many times, it is our witness that determines what others will think about our faith. If you have a harsh attitude, use hurtful words, participate in questionable activities, you could hinder someone from coming to know Christ.
It is our responsibility as Christians to take the Gospel of Christ to our communities, cities, and the ends of the earth. But we are also to emulate the person of Christ in our words and deeds to those we come in contact with. Simply stated: others will know the Lord by the way live our lives.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to keep your heart, thoughts, and actions pure as you live your life in front of others. Pray that nonbelievers would constantly see Christ in you.
:angel:
April 26, 2011
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. --Hosea 10:12
There's a story about a young mother who died giving birth to her third child. No one in the family was willing to take care of the three little girls, except their great-grandmother who came forward without hesitation. When she took them into her home, she was 83 years old. By God's grace, she lived another 16 years before passing on at the age of 99-long enough to parent each of the young girls into their teenage years and early 20s.
This is an amazing and inspiring example of the reality of retirement. After retirement, there is more to life than golf, easy chairs, your favorite daily television shows, and boredom. People today are living longer than ever before and it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more people over the age of 65 than those who are under the age of 18.
Almost two million people retire every year, leaving many people freed up to perform acts of kindness for others. Contributing to their long lives is good health, financial stability, and life experiences. As a result, many senior adults are ready and looking for challenging and meaningful pursuits in their older age.
You may not be in a situation like the one mentioned above, but there are some things you can do as a Christian senior adult. You are called to always be a prayer warrior for the people in your life (Ephesians 6:18), and retirement provides more time for this type of thing as well as volunteering your time in your church or neighborhood. Decide that you are going to be a blessing to others who need it. When you begin to creatively use your time, God will bring blessing into your life (Hosea 10:12).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would make you a blessing in someone's life today through giving of your time, your talents, and your prayers.
:angel:
April 27, 2011
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. --2 Corinthians 4:17
The magazine "Wonderful Word" once ran a story about an elderly Christian Englishman. While he was working with another man under the hot summer sun, he put down his heavy load to rest. As he sat by the road, a limousine passed by. Its wealthy owner sat in the back seat, being chauffeured in luxurious ease.
His fellow worker pointed to the passing limo and said, "Do you know the occupant of that car? He is an ungodly man, but he isn't having troubles like you. You believe that everything belongs to the Lord, you trust Him, and you serve Him; yet you still have to work hard in your old age for a meager living. How can you reconcile this with the love and justice of God?"
The old man replied, "Are you testing me, sir? Couple heaven with it! Couple heaven with it!"
The poor, elderly saint of God saw life's true source of wealth, for he could look beyond his earthly condition to his eternal treasures. Scripture says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).
Life can be harsh often neglecting us of comfort or wealth. But God supplies our needs for today and gives us assurance for eternity with Him. Today, you may be living in meager surroundings just as the man above. Take your situation now and "couple it with heaven," and you'll realize there is no better hope for tomorrow.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the strength and faith to carry on until you meet Him. Ask Him to provide for you while you are here and keep joy in your heart that comes from Him.
:angel:
April 28, 2011
I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. --2 Timothy 1:3-5
Godly parents leave an unforgettable impression on their families. This is often evidenced by the love and respect they receive from their children. Take, for example, the thoughtfulness that William McKinley showed to his mother. As lawyer, congressman, Governor of Ohio, and as President of the United States, he kept in touch with her every day. When he didn't see her, he wrote or telegraphed.
In mid-October of 1897, he quietly left the White House and took a train to Canton just so he could walk to church with her again. When she became ill, he arranged to have a special train standing by at full steam, ready to take him to her bedside.
Then one night she did call for him. Immediately he wired, "Tell Mother I'll be there." Mrs. McKinley died December 12, 1897, in the arms of her 54-year-old son. Her gentle, Christian virtues helped mold the President's character.
When he was gunned down in Buffalo, New York, about four years later, he showed no bitterness toward his assassin. With Christian courage he said, "God's will be done." Before he died, he asked to hear once again the hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," which his mother had taught him.
Timothy had the godly influence of a Christian mother and grandmother. He was raised in a home with good morals and by family members who loved the Lord. As a result, he grew to be a great man of God.
Your parents may or may not have had the same Christian influence on you. As a Christian, you have been left with a great legacy that should be passed on to your children and grandchildren. The greatest gift you can leave behind to the younger generation is a legacy of faith.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would be a godly influence to your family and younger generations.
:angel:
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. --Proverbs 11:30
Years ago, an article was published that cited a number of men whose faithful witness through books and pamphlets had brought many people to the Lord. The influence of each author led to the changed life of another.
Richard Gibbs, an elderly Puritan doctor, wrote The Bruised Reed. A copy came into the hands of Richard Baxter and resulted in his conversion. Baxter later authored a volume titled Saints' Rest and Call to the Unconverted. By it many sinners were led to Jesus, including Philip Doddridge.
Doddridge became a famous preacher, hymn writer, and the president of a theological seminary. Doddridge wrote the well-circulated book, The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, which proved a rich blessing for countless people.
William Wilberforce read it, was convicted of sin, and became a Christian statesman. After being instrumental in freeing slaves, he penned Practical View of Christianity. This changed the life of Leigh Richmond.
Richmond became a world-famous writer of tracts that influenced thousands to seek the Lord. Yes, the "fruit of the righteous" is a "family tree" of converts who keep branching out to others. You also have probably greatly influenced the life of someone at one time or another. But don't stop now!
There are young men and women who still need the mentoring and wisdom of someone who has lived a great life of faith. Through your witness, you could be helping to nurture the next Annie Armstrong, Charles Spurgeon, or Billy Graham. If you are a follower of Jesus and have an intimate relationship with Him, then you have wisdom to share that could change someone's life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you an incredible influence in the life of someone else for His glory!
May 02, 2011
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" --Matthew 25:23
One stormy night many years ago, an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk explained that because three conventions were in town, the hotel was full. "But I can't send a nice couple like you out in the rain at 1:00 a.m.," he said. "Would you be willing to sleep in my room?"
The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted. The next morning, when the man paid his bill, he said, "You're the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I'll build one for you." The clerk smiled, amused by the older man's remark.
A few years passed and one day, the clerk received a letter from the elderly man, recalling that stormy night, and asking him to come to New York for a visit. A round-trip ticket was enclosed.
When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, where stood a magnificent new building. "This is the hotel I have just built for you to manage," said the man.
"You've got to be joking," said the clerk. "Who are you?"
"My name is William Waldorf Astor," said the man. "And I'm most certainly not joking."
That hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria, and the young clerk, who became its first manager, was George C. Boldt. The Bible says, "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High..." In the end, we will be rewarded for our faithfulness to the call of Jesus Christ with a lifetime in heaven for eternity.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you would be faithful and just in all you do.
:angel:
May 03, 2011
She took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. --Genesis 3:6
Our world is certainly not a perfect world. You don't have to go very far or listen very long to be reminded of the evil and sin all around us.
The secular humanist has no real answer to the philosophical question of the existence of evil. Humanists believe falsely that humans are basically good in spite of all evidence to the contrary.
One chilling example is a study done by the late professor Allen Bloom, who asked his college students, "How do you identify an evil person?" His question was met with silence. Not one student could give him a determining factor of evil! Bloom said that our inability to identify and recognize evil is a sign of grave danger in our society.
Our society has become so perverse that we can't even recognize evil or wrongdoing. Since 9/11 you probably won't find very many people who would say there is no such thing as evil. But you probably couldn't find many who know what evil is or why it is so prevalent in our society.
The Bible has the answer to the problem of evil. It all goes back to Genesis 3 and our first parents, who yielded to temptation. Sin came into our world at that point, and it's something we've had to deal with since.
But, according to the Bible, we do have hope...and that hope is in Christ. Through Christ we are freed from the power of sin and evil. And because of Christ, we can live as people of purity in a twisted world.
My challenge to you today is to reflect that purity in how you live so that a world that is in the grips of evil will see the only hope...the hope of Jesus Christ.
LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT OUR WORLD WILL SEE THERE IS AN ANTIDOTE TO EVIL, JESUS CHRIST!
:angel:
May 04, 2011
Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children.--Titus 2:4
There's a story of an older woman, Ms. Betty, who was known for her warm spirit and grandmotherly love toward everyone. She was the type who had numerous families over to her house for lunch after church on Sunday. She fixed the best homemade meals and seemed to fit the mold of a perfect, godly woman.
After months of praying for God to bring a new pastor along, He did. And Ms. Betty took the young pastor's wife under her wing to encourage her and model a life of service—through missions, hospitality, and other activities in the church. Before she knew it, the once-intimidated and shy preacher's wife was speaking at Bible studies and preparing mission trips for overseas.
The younger woman didn't realize it at the time, but God used Ms. Betty to plant a seed that would one day give her, along with her husband, the courage to follow Him to Brazil as missionaries. God knew that the young lady needed the influence of a servant-hearted believer like Ms. Betty to open her heart and cause her to answer God's call. Through her words and actions, Ms. Betty left a lasting impression that forever changed the pastor's wife.
How can you make a difference in the life of a young person? By simply being compassionate enough to care for them unselfishly and get involved in their lives. The Bible tells us that we can influence others through our testimony, our words (Colossians 4:6), and our teaching (Titus 2:7-8) for His glory. Don't let your wisdom and experience go to waste, for at the right time God will bless you for your faithfulness (Galatians 6:9).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to bring a young person into your life with whom you can be a mentor, encourager, influence, and friend.
:angel:
May 05, 2011
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? --Job 12:12
As people near retirement age, most begin to battle the aging process in every way possible. It may seem easy to deal with the wisdom and understanding part found in Scripture. In Psalm 92:14, it sounds fine to stay fresh and green in old age just as fruit does. But why in the world does the King James Version use the word "fat?"
Look it up. The King James Version says, "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing..." We may have to deal with a lot of things as we age, but this is a little much! You may not look any younger as the days go by, no matter how many varieties of facial creams or exercise you do. But there is one thing God's Word says you will find among senior adults...wisdom.
What could be more priceless than that? Whatever is done in life with eternal value matters. If you think about that statement, it will put all disappointing thoughts of aging to rest. You will begin to view aging in the proper perspective.
The Lord has carried you this far through trials, tribulations, joys, and pains. So no matter how frustrating this age can be at times, the Lord has assured you that He'll carry you the rest of the way through life right into heaven. Capture the wisdom and understanding that God has given you in your golden years, and use these blessings to make a difference for Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you gain a positive perspective on life. Pray that He would help you use the wisdom He's blessed you with to have an impact on the lives of others who are hurting, lost, lonely, or younger than you.
:angel:
May 06, 2011
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." --Deuteronomy 33:12
Consumers lose millions of dollars each year due to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a person's social security number, credit card number, phone number, address, and other personal information is discovered by a thief who uses the information for his own personal gain.
As a result of this, many people have purchased paper shredders for their homes to help prevent the theft of their mail or private information from a trash can or dumpster. While this kind of theft can almost ruin a person and is a great travesty, we must be wary of having our true identity stolen.
Satan steals a person's potential in Christ by convincing them they are not worthy of God's forgiveness, grace, and love. He rips off others by using peers to influence them in negative ways or creating enormous amounts of guilt. Through fear, guilt, and shame, Satan can prevent many from discovering God's ultimate purpose for their lives.
The devil's goal is to keep you confused about your spiritual gift and purpose, trying to dilute your true identity in Christ. Remember that God loves you and you are "precious and honored" in His sight (Isaiah 43:4). You are valuable. So much so, that Christ hung on a cross for your sins. How's that for value? And you are capable of being all that God's called you to be because He has specifically gifted you to serve and honor Him (see 1 Peter 4:10).
It may cause some problems to have your personal information robbed by the common thief, but it would be even more devastating to have the sneakiest crook of all steal your identity in Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart from Satan's crooked ways. Pray that He would strengthen your identity in Him each day.
:angel:
May 09, 2011
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. --Romans 12:4-6
Have you ever met someone who was gifted in a certain area? And you wished you could have that same talent? Maybe you've had a close relationship with someone who had a gift of teaching, or a special talent in music. A person gifted in a specific way has exceptional abilities in that particular area.
But usually regardless of how gifted that person is in one area, they are not gifted in every area of their life. No matter how good the beautician is, she must still depend on others to fix her car or hook up her cable. No matter how talented the surgeon is, he must still find others to take his family portrait or sing at his daughter's wedding.
In the church it is the same. There is a spiritual God-given gift that every believer in Christ has. And everyone is to use their gift to serve the Lord and His kingdom (see 1 Peter 4:10). Paul mentions several spiritual gifts throughout his letters including serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy (Romans 12:3-8).
Most people are born with natural talents, but only believers are blessed with spiritual gifts. Every Christian, young and old, should be using their spiritual gifts in ways to bring blessing and encouragement to others (see Philippians 2:3-4). And, most importantly, we are to use our spiritual gifts to bring honor and glory to the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you still don't know it, ask the Lord to reveal to you your spiritual gift. Ask Him to help you find a place to use your gift. Pray that He would use you to bring blessing, encouragement, and hope to others through your gift.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds. --Philippians 4:6-7
While pastoring Guttenburg United Methodist Church in Guttenburg, Iowa, Karl Goodfellow conducted an experiment with his church members regarding prayer. Pastor Goodfellow planted soybean seeds in two pie pans. He then asked them to pray over only one of the tins and leave the other to "Mother Nature."
After a few weeks, the congregation was amazed to witness the superior crop produced from the seeds that received prayer. This act of prayer became the start of a special ministry to pray for farmers by name. Today, it is called the Safety Net Prayer Chain and now has over 5,000 people praying for 50,000 farmers individually. Even though the crops are part of their prayers, warriors are praying for more than the growth of their seeds. As a result of their prayers, they have seen miraculous protection and provision take place in the lives of the farmers.
The most intimate communion with God comes only with prayer. Ask people who've faced tragedy or trial, heartbreak or grief, failure or fear, loneliness or discrimination. God says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds" (Philippians 4:6-7).
You won't believe the changes that will occur in your life when you come before God in prayer. Begin practicing prayer frequently throughout your day and see how much closer it brings you to the Lord. When you finally fall to your knees and pour out your soul to Him, you'll find yourself saying, "I can't explain it, but I feel a peace like I've never felt before."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Spend time today praying to God through praising, thanksgiving, and petitioning. Pray that you would sense His Spirit in your conversation with Him.
:angel:
May 11, 2011
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge. --1 Corinthians 1:4-5
Commissioner Frederick Booth-Tucker of the Salvation Army was preaching in Chicago when a man stepped from the crowd and yelled out, "You can talk about how Christ is dear to you; but if your wife were dead, as my wife is, and you had babies crying for their mother, you couldn't say what you are saying."
A few days later, Booth-Tucker lost his wife in a tragic train accident. Her body was returned to Chicago for the funeral.
As the service concluded, the husband took his place by the casket and said, "The other day when I was preaching in this city, a man said that if my wife were dead and my children were crying for their mother, I couldn't say Christ was sufficient. If that man is here, I tell him Christ is sufficient! My heart is crushed, bleeding, and broken. But there is a song in my heart, and Christ put it there. The Savior speaks comfort to me today."
The man was present, and on hearing that, he came down the aisle to surrender his life to the Lord.
No matter the tragedies we face—death, sickness, loneliness, hurt, persecution, and so on—Christ is sufficient in them all. Isn't it comforting to know our Lord knows our pain—literally? Isn't it reassuring to know we have a God who will be there to pick us up when we fall, carry us when we're too weak, and never leave our side through it all?
If you've experienced loss, anguish, or some other affliction, trust in the Lord to walk with you through it. And use your experience to comfort the hearts of others who are also going through affliction.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to comfort you in affliction and help you to comfort those who are experiencing the same situations.
:angel:
May 12, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
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. --2 Corinthians 1:20
These twelve promises of God on which we can rely were listed in Our Daily Bread on January 1, 1985:
God's Presence - "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
God's Protection - "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your very great reward'" (Genesis 15:1).
God's Power - "I will strengthen you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Provision - "I will...help you; I will uphold you..." (Isaiah 41:10).
God's Leading - "When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them" (John 10:4).
God's Purposes - "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's Rest - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
God's Cleansing - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
God's Goodness - "No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalm 84:11).
God's Faithfulness - "The Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own" (1 Samuel 12:22).
God's Guidance - "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (Psalm 25:9).
God's Wise Plan - "All things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
If you are an obedient and faithful child of God, then you can be certain He will keep all His promises (see 2 Peter 3:9)! There is assurance for your life and hope for whatever situation you may be facing in the promises of His Word!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises found in His Word.
:angel:
May 13, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over...I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. --Joshua 13:1,6
Joshua had accomplished much on the battlefield and in taking the Promised Land. Yet, at a very old age, his command from God to take all of the land had not been fulfilled. The Lord had to remind Joshua that his mission hadn't been fully achieved.
Isn't it interesting that God didn't look for a younger leader, but went straight to Joshua even in his old age? God went to the person who had accomplished much and asked him to continue on with His purpose. The Lord wasn't finished with Joshua, and he isn't through with you either.
Whether it's through volunteer work, a part-time job, or serving in a position at your church, God still has a purpose for you. He didn't say, "OK...when a man or woman reaches the age of 55, they are no longer of any use to Me."
In almost every Christian congregation or ministry, there are things not being accomplished that could be done by seniors. All that is required is a willing and able senior to step up and take the challenge God has presented to participate in various activities and ministries.
Joshua was virtually "retired" from his job. But, even in his old age, God called him out of retirement to continue on with the job he was to complete. Is God calling you in your later years to continue on in ministry for His purposes? Are you willing to take on that challenge today? God will continue with His work through His people, even those who are "well advanced in years."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you a ministry in which you can be involved. Surrender yourself, even in your later years, to fulfilling His call on your life.
:angel:
May 16, 2011
As you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. --Philippians 2:16
George Whitefield, a great evangelist, was talking to some friends one day and relating the difficulties of ministry. He explained that he was weary and was glad his work and ministry would soon be over. He stated that he was excited to depart this old earth to be with Christ.
His friends agreed with him—all except for one, Mr. Tennant. Noting his disagreement, Whitefield said, "Well, Brother Tennant, you are the oldest among us; do you not rejoice to think that your time to go Home is near?"
Tennant answered bluntly, "I have nothing to do with death. My business is to live as long as I can, and as well as I can, and serve my Savior as faithfully as I can, until He thinks it's time to call me Home."
So many people rush through life, speed through personal devotions, and pray with one eye open and glued to the clock. But, there is no excuse for you to feel life should speed by like a flash of light and you should give up. It is important to tend to your spiritual life before anything else. Now is the perfect time for you to spending time studying God's Word. You can keep a journal of daily thoughts, memorize Scripture, or use various Bible study books to provide a more in-depth study of a particular topic, book, or theme.
It's never too late to learn new things, grow spiritually, or deepen your walk with the Lord. When you begin to consistently walk with the Lord and spend time with Him, you'll begin to see other areas of your life improve.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you deepen your walk with Him until He calls you Home. Pray that He would continue to put a desire in your heart to serve Him until that day.
:angel:
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. --Deuteronomy 4:9
There are 50 million grandparents in the U.S. and they are playing an increasingly important role in American families. Although some grandparents are having little contact with their grandchildren. Some children, teenagers, or young adults are more familiar with television celebrities than they are with their own grandparents.
Things such as geographical location or busyness can always make it difficult for a family to truly be together, but your children and grandchildren have much to gain from you. "Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life" (Job 12:12, HCSB).
The Foundation for Grandparenting (www.grandparenting.org) says research indicates that the grandparent-grandchild bond is second in emotional importance to the bond between parents and children. There are many benefits for families who bring the generations together. Through close intergenerational relationships, children and grandchildren learn they are a part of something greater—history. And people who have contact with those who are older tend to think beyond their own generation.
As a senior, you represent stability, security, and heritage. You can offer unconditional love, encouragement, and support, and you are an important connection to the past. You are wealthy with wisdom and experience that can be shared with younger generations. And even if you don't have children or grandchildren, there are young people in the world today who long to be mentored by you and your generation.
The connection you make between generations will benefit both you and those who are younger. The younger generations can gain from your knowledge, and you will feel younger being in touch with their generation.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Seek wisdom from God in connecting with the younger generations and passing on a legacy of faith. Ask God to bring about a young family member or a younger person in your life to whom you can guide and mentor.
:angel:
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. --Proverbs 24:3-4
There may be times when you ask: How do I handle my financial needs? Do I need to plan for the days to come?
One thing all Christians need to understand is the basics of simple, commonsense financial planning using God's principles. We should always have faith and depend on God for our finances, but it doesn't mean waiting on Him to deliver manna to us each and every day.
God is our Provider, but He expects us to help ourselves as well. If you can develop some financial goals, then you'll be on the right track. Ask yourself: Where am I financially? How do I get to my destination?
In your plan, write down visible objectives and measurable goals you can work toward. Start by committing God's portion to Him first—tithes and offerings. Then, design a strategy to control and eliminate the use of credit (if applicable). And last, you'll want to determine in your heart and mind that you will be content in the goals God has for you financially.
It is wise to seek Christian counsel in the financial decisions you make. But, everyone has an opinion, and only you and God know your needs best. If you need someone to help you with you financial goals, then look within your own church for someone you trust that can give godly advice. If needed, they may even help you balance your checkbook, prepare your finances for the future, and help you pay your bills.
It is never too late to get started with a financial plan for your life. There are people in your life who want to help you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Seek wisdom from God in planning your finances for the future. Ask Him to lead you in developing a plan—even through the guidance of a fellow believer.
:angel:
Friday, May 27, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? --Mark 8:36
Around 200 years ago, the tomb of the great conqueror, Charlemagne, was opened. The workmen were shocked by what they saw.
His body, sitting upright, was clothed in the most elaborate kingly garments, with a scepter in his bony hand. And on his knees lay the Holy Scriptures, with a lifeless, bony finger pointing to Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Amazing, right? So often, people place more emphasis on what is gained in this world, how successful one becomes, or how much is achieved, rather than focusing on their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.
Martin Luther once said, "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
What are you holding onto today? It may be someone or something, but remember that material things we hold on to in life will eventually pass away. Nothing that we ever gain in this world will last. Only two things shall endure forever: the Word of God, and the souls of the men and women who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be" (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).
What are you investing in right now?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help focus your heart and mind on the things above and witnessing to those around you who are lost.
:angel:
May 30, 2011
But seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. --Matthew 6:33
Our Daily Bread published a story about a missionary, Hudson Taylor, who wrote in his journal about his trust in God's faithfulness to provide. It said:
"Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."
You may be concerned whether or not you are going to have enough to live for the next year, month, or even week, but God promises to take care of all of our needs. His provision was sufficient in Genesis 22:1-14 for Abraham.
God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abraham surely was tormented by the Lord's request, but he obeyed God and took his son to the altar anyway. Tied up and bound on the altar, as Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, God provided a ram in the thicket. And Abraham called the place, The Lord will Provide.
Abraham was obedient to God, and in return He provided. If you are wondering whether or not God will provide all your needs—rest assured. "Don't worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist more than food and clothing? ... And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? ... Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (Matthew 6:25,30,32; NLT).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for providing all your needs and begin to put your complete trust in Him from this day forward.
:angel:
May 31, 2011
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven... --Matthew 5:12
There was a woman diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. So, as she was getting the last days of her life "in order," she contacted her pastor to come to her house in order to discuss certain issues regarding her final wishes.
After their discussion of what she wanted for her funeral service, she said to the pastor, "There's one more thing that's very important. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor looked bewildered at the woman, and she quickly responded, "Does that surprise you?"
The pastor said, "Honestly, I am a little puzzled by your request."
To which the woman replied, "In my many years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the main course dishes were being cleared, someone would lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew something better was coming...like rich chocolate cake or a deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful! So, I want people to see me in the casket with a fork in my hand and when they ask, 'What's with the fork?' then I want you to tell them, 'Keep your fork...the best is yet to come.'"
As believers, we don't usually envy people who've died, unless we know where they're going. Christians never say goodbye for the last time. That's the joy of being a born-again believer...we will see the ones we love again and we will meet Christ Jesus for the first time. Challenge yourself to be an everyday witness to those around you who are lost, so they will also have the chance to experience what is to come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for salvation and that death is not the end for Christians, but just the beginning.
:angel:
June 01, 2011
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. --Proverbs 18:24
There was a "Ziggy" cartoon recently that pictured the short, pudgy guy sitting alone in a boat. He was drifting on the water toward a tunnel with a sign above it that read, "Tunnel of Meaningful Relationships."
Loneliness plagues so many people in our society. Surprisingly, a study by the American Council of Life Insurance revealed that the loneliest group of people in America is college students. Then come those who are divorced, welfare recipients, single mothers, rural students, housewives, and the elderly.
Chuck Swindoll, noted author and preacher, pointed out how lonely people can be from an ad posted in a Kansas newspaper. It read: "I will listen to you talk for 30 minutes without comment for $5.00."
The person who placed the ad wasn't joking either...because there were those who actually answered the ad. It was only a matter of time before the person who placed it was getting 10 to 20 calls a day. The sharp pain of loneliness was so intense that some were willing to do anything just for 30 minutes of companionship with someone else.
Life may seem lonely for you, but there is a friend we have that sticks closer than a brother—Jesus. Lean on Him in your darkest hours. Jesus experienced loneliness on the cross. While He was perfect as God, He also experienced the same things we do as human beings. And even though Christ felt abandonment on the cross, God was there the entire time, seeing Him through it all.
If you are lonely, know that Jesus is constantly holding your hand as you walk through life. You will never be lonely with Him by your side.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to take away your loneliness, and thank God for His constant presence in your life.
:angel:
June 02, 2011
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. --Psalm 92:14
There was a couple who had been married for over 50 years. One day, the wife said to her husband, "Things really have changed. You used to sit close to me."
The husband said, "I can take care of that," and he moved closer to her on the couch.
The wife continued, "And you used to hold me tight."
He gave her a big hug and said, "How's that?"
The wife finally said, "Do you remember when you used to nudge my neck and nibble on my ears?"
The husband jumped up from his cozy seat and left the room. "Where are you going?" she said.
"To get my teeth!" the husband shouted back.
So many people dread old age because it is associated with loneliness, physical deterioration, and a retreat from inactivity. But once a senior, there's no need to lose that excitement in your life. And there's no need to spend all your time reminiscing about days past.
Just to sit and think is no way to grow old. God doesn't expect us to cease to live before we die. History tells us there are so many people who have made great contributions to society after the age of 65--after retirement!
Here are some seniors who did remarkable things in their old age:
· At age 73, Galileo made his greatest discovery, the pendulum clock.
· At age 69, Hudson Taylor was still working on the mission field, opening up new territories in Indochina.
· And at age 85, Caleb took on the great giants (Joshua 14:10-15).
We are never to retire from spiritual activity. God would not keep you here on this earth, if His purpose for you were fulfilled. So, get out there and continue serving Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal to you His continued purpose for your life.
:angel:
June 03, 2011
You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. --Acts 22:15
Many years ago, a new preacher moved to a large city. One day, he rode the bus from his home to the downtown area. After taking his seat, he noticed the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much in change.
He thought about it and finally told himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it."
Then he thought, "Oh, it's only a quarter. Who would even notice? Besides, the bus company will never miss it. Just accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet."
When the bus came to his stop, the preacher paused at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "You gave me too much change."
The driver smiled and replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I've been thinking lately about going to your church. I wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday."
When the preacher stepped off the bus, he grabbed hold of the nearest light pole. As tears filled his eyes, he prayed, "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I almost sold your Son for a quarter."
Just as John was sent to testify to others about Christ, so are believers to be a witness "so that...all men might believe" (John 1:7). Your life is the only Bible some people will ever read. People are always watching to see how you live. Be on guard and remember that you bear the name of Jesus on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you walk upright with Him every day, so that others will come to know Jesus as a result of your life and testimony.
:angel:
June 06, 2011
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. --Isaiah 64:8
During the Great Depression, a good man lost his job, used up all his savings, and forfeited his home. His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his wife just weeks later. The only thing he had left was his faith, and it had been weakened.
One day, the man walked about looking for work when he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a church building. One of the men skillfully chiseled a triangular piece of rock that didn't seem to fit in the formation they were creating. So the man shouted to the artist, "Where are you going to put that?"
The man pointed toward the top of the building and said, "See that opening up there near the spire? That's where it goes. I'm shaping it down here so it will fit up there."
Tears filled the poor man's eyes as he walked away. The worker's words rang clear and spoke deeply to his heart giving new meaning to his difficult situation.
You may be reading this and going through a difficult time yourself right now. It may be something even too troubling to talk to anyone about. But you can know for certain "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Each blow of the hammer and chisel in your life may hurt.
But have faith. These difficulties are only temporary! Sometimes the most painful blows bring about the greatest inner strength. Keep praying and believing that the Master is shaping you down here so you will be fit up there.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to turn your tragedy into triumph, and strengthen your spirit when life painfully hammers you from all sides.
:angel:
June 07, 2011
Get rid all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. --Ephesians 4:31-32
Isn't it amazing how often we kick the devil out of our lives, only to let him leave his bags behind? Think about it. Maybe you once made up with a friend or family member after an ugly fight, but you were still resentful and angry. Well, you let the devil leave his bags!
Perhaps you once said, "I forgive you," but you couldn't seem to forget what had happened and have peace in that relationship. So you let the devil leave his bags.
At one point in time, perhaps you decided to release past hurts and disappointments caused by loved ones, yet you forgot to dig up the bitterness in your heart that had taken root. You let the devil leave his bags.
When even one small piece of the devil's baggage is left behind in your heart and life, you continue to be captive in his embrace. If you want him out of your life, then make sure he takes his bags with him when he goes.
Instead of holding on to old stuff, the Bible encourages you to escape the trap of Satan who has taken you captive (see 2 Timothy 2:26). If you stay rooted in prayer, faith, and God's Word, then you can fully release any baggage in your life that belongs to Satan and live in the peace of God.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you have let Satan keep his bags and hold captive some area in your life where you don't have peace, then pray and release that baggage to God and experience joy and freedom from the grasp of the devil.
:angel:
In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. --Proverbs 21:20
Over 30 years ago, Ron England of Los Angeles, California, bet his brother he could save a million pennies. Twenty thousand rolls of pennies, 13 boxes, a full garage, and 30 years later, England won that bet.
As a result, he now has $10,000 in pennies, and that's the good news. The bad news is that England couldn't find anyone to take his 3.5 tons of accumulated copper without costing him a "pretty penny," so to speak. Now, England is stuck with a million pennies.
Saving your money is a good thing, although you might not want to use the approach mentioned above. The bottom line is that in our country, most people actually spend more each month than they earn. Some people can operate under these circumstances because of their wealth. But this is not true for most of us.
Proverbs 21:20 says that a wise man or woman saves, but a fool gets paid and spends everything he or she has. Or a wise person keeps his or her valuables safe in their home, but a fool puts everything out in the yard to sell.
Whether your income is large or small, it's wise to save a portion. That rainy day will probably come when you need it most in for a car repair, doctor visit, or something else.
Be prepared for what may come so that you can have "stores of choice food and oil" in your house when the need arises.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for taking care of you in your time of need. Dedicate to Him your tithes and offerings, and ask Him to bless the money you save for a "rainy day."
:angel:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
One afternoon, a teenage girl joined her mother in the kitchen. The young lady began explaining to her mom everything that was wrong with her life—she had failed an algebra test, her boyfriend broke up with her, and she just found out her best friend would be moving away soon.
All the while, the mother was baking a cake as the young girl talked. Finally, the girl's mother interrupted to ask if she wanted a snack. The daughter replied, "Absolutely! I love your cakes!"
"Here...have some cooking oil," her mother offered.
"Yuck!" the girl responded. "That's gross."
"Well, how about a couple of raw eggs?" asked the mother.
"Gross, mom!" was the girl's response.
"How about a cup of flour or a teaspoon of baking soda?" the mother then offered.
"Mom, those are all disgusting!" the girl said. "I don't want those things for snacks."
After a long pause, her mother finally said, "Dear, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"
God works the same way in the lives of believers. Not everything in life is a piece of cake. Sometimes tragedy or hardship strikes and leaves you wondering, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God do this to me?" Many times we wonder why He would even let us go through such difficulties.
However, what we oftentimes don't realize is that when God puts all these things in His order, they always work for good! We must simply trust Him that each of life's events, combined by His hands, will turn out to be something deliciously wonderful!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the good and bad "ingredients" He allows to come into your life. Thank Him for working all things together for your good and His glory.
:angel:
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for...the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." --1 Samuel 16:7
A man was strolling down the beach when he came upon a cave. He ventured inside and stumbled upon a canvas bag filled with many hardened clay balls. It looked as if someone had rolled the clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but the man took the bag anyway and headed out of the cave.
As he strolled along the beach, he threw the clay balls, one-by-one, into the ocean as far as he could. He continued this for some time until he accidentally dropped one on the ground and it cracked open on a rock. To his amazement, a precious stone was hidden inside!
The man began breaking open the remaining 20 clay balls left in his bag and found similar treasures in each one. Then it struck him. He had just thrown more than 50 clay balls into the ocean. He could have had thousands of dollars more in treasure, but he threw them all away because they didn't look to be of much value.
This is the same way we treat people sometimes. We look at the rough exterior and decide it doesn't look like much, so we discount them and toss them aside. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful, stylish, well-known, or wealthy.
As believers, we must take time to get to know people, regardless of appearance. If we do this, then the clay will begin to break away revealing a brilliant gem inside. May we never find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in unattractive bits of clay. May we always see others as Jesus does.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal the beauty inside others and show you those people the way He sees them.
:angel:
June 13, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. --Psalm 19:12-13
Time-lapse photography compresses a series of events into one picture. A photo such as this was published in National Geographic once. The photo was taken from a Rocky Mountain peak during a heavy thunderstorm, and the picture captured a brilliant lightning display that had taken place throughout.
The time-lapse technique created a fascinating, spider-like web out of the individual bolts. They all looked interconnected, but you could definitely see each bolt as it was in its uniqueness.
In such a way, our sin presents itself before the eyes of God. Where we see only isolated or individual acts, God sees the overall web of sin. What may seem insignificant—even sporadic—to us and passes with hardly a notice creates a much more dramatic display from God's panoramic view.
The psalmist wrote, "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression."
Sin is truly deceptive (Heb. 3:13), divisive (Isa. 59:1-2), and deadly (Rom. 6:23). And it is destructive to the believer if not recognized (John 8:24).
Sin is sin—no matter how big, small, or sporadic it may seem. We must constantly remain pure and holy before the Lord, asking Him to forgive our transgression every day—those that we know and those that we don't. Thank God He sent his Son, Jesus, to cover those sins by His death on the cross so that we might have freedom through salvation in Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you aware of every sin in your life, so that you can strive to rid yourself of it by the blood of Jesus Christ and live holy before Him. Thank Him for salvation and forgiveness of sins through His death on the cross.
:angel:
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. --Psalm 31:9
Author Edgar Jackson describes grief:
"Grief is the silent, knife-like terror and sadness that comes a hundred times a day, when you start to speak to someone who is no longer there.
"Grief is the emptiness that comes when you eat alone after eating with another for many years.
"Grief is teaching yourself to go to bed without saying good night to the one who has died.
"Grief is the helpless wishing that things were different when you know they are not and never will be again.
"Grief is a whole cluster of adjustments, apprehensions, and uncertainties that strike life in its forward progress and make it difficult to redirect the energies of life."
Few things are as painful as grief—especially when having to adjust to the loss of a spouse. Even though we all know that death will one day come to each one of us, we still can never be prepared enough to deal with the sense of loss and intense sadness that comes when death takes a loved one.
If you are dealing with grief, then you can find healing in a grief recovery group through your local church, senior center, or hospital. There are others out there who have dealt with grief and mended from the loss of a loved one before. Begin searching for that person with whom you can share your thoughts, feelings, and tears.
Finally and above all, seek healing in the arms of the Lord and His Word. It's only natural to ask Him "Why?" and "How come?" when someone we love passes away. But He is the ultimate Healer of our hearts and sovereign in His timing.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you strength to take steps forward toward healing if you are experiencing grief. Pray that He would give you someone to share with in your journey.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. --John 1:10
Actor Cary Grant once told a story of how he was walking along a street when he met a man whose eyes locked with his. The man immediately got excited and said, "Wait a minute, you're...you're...I know who you are. Don't tell me! Uh...Rock Hud...no, you're..."
Grant thought he'd help the man out, so he finished the man's sentence: "Cary Grant."
The fellow responded, "No, that's not it! You're..."
Cary Grant was clearly trying to identify himself to the man by plainly giving his name, but the fellow had someone else on his mind. The man couldn't accept who Grant was even though he clearly offered his identity.
John said of Jesus: "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." Even when Jesus identified Himself as the Son of God—the Messiah—the response was not a welcomed recognition. Instead, it led Jesus to the cross on which He was crucified for the sins of man.
Today, people are being fed the various identities of Jesus by religious experts, false prophets, and church historians—who at times skew the spiritual perceptions of even believers. The world does not recognize or know Jesus, and they are feeding anyone who will listen to their so-called definitions of who He is.
However, the Word of God plainly states who Jesus is. As believers, it is our responsibility to share with the lost world the truth and identity of Jesus Christ. Determine today to make the name and personhood of our Savior famous!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make solid your knowledge of who Jesus is so that you can give firm answers to those who do not know Him. Pray that God would empower you to make His name famous in all that you say and do, so that you can make an impact
:angel:
June 16, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. --1 Thessalonians 2:6-8
From 1986 to 1990, Frank Reed was held hostage in a Lebanon cell. For months at a time, he was blindfolded, living in complete darkness, and chained to a wall, kept in absolute silence.
Reed was beaten, made ill, and tormented, but he felt the most hopeless because it seemed that no one cared. He said in an interview with Time magazine, "Nothing I did mattered to anyone. I began to realize how withering it is to exist with not a single expression of caring around [me].... I learned one overriding fact: caring is a powerful force. If no one cares, you are truly alone."
Christians are never truly alone because we are fortunate to have God's gracious watch care over our lives, as well as that of the Church. This type of caring can provide the strength needed for a believer to endure anything.
Do you know someone who feels as though no one cares for them? Can you think of a few people right now who are living in loneliness? We have been called as believers to minister to those who are lonely. And in turn, we never have to be lonely because there are other believers who will care for us.
Remember the promise of Jesus: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open the doors of opportunity for you to pour out love, care, and concern for someone who needs it, just as Jesus did.
:angel:
June 17, 2011
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. --Colossians 3:12
A man waiting in between flights at an airport went to a store and bought a small package of cookies. He then sat down in the waiting area to read his newspaper. Gradually, he became aware of a rustling noise next to him. From behind his paper, he was shocked to see a neatly dressed woman helping herself to his cookies sitting in the next seat.
Not wanting to cause problems or make a scene out of the situation, the man leaned over and took a cookie himself from the package. A couple of minutes passed and then came more rustling. The woman was helping herself to another cookie!
By this time, the man was so angry he had a good mind to tell her off for digging in his things. Then, as if to add insult to injury, the woman broke the last cookie into two pieces, pushed half across to the man, ate the other half, and left.
Still fuming when his flight was announced, the man opened his briefcase to get his ticket. And to his embarrassment, there he found his package of unopened cookies!
How wrong our assumptions can be sometimes. Christ has called us to demonstrate kindness and love toward others in all situations—even those such as the one mentioned above.
"'Let...the wise man boast...that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
If the Lord delights in kindness, so should we. In any situation, remember to take hold of and possess the qualities of kindness and brotherly love that our Lord demonstrates so you can be an effective witness to others (see 2 Peter 1:5-8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to remind you to practice kindness toward others and to be an effective witness in all situations.
:angel:
June 20, 2011
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. --Psalm 68:19
In the Philippines, the driver of a carabao wagon was on his way to the market when he came upon an older man carrying a very heavy load. The younger fellow took compassion on the older man and invited him to ride in the wagon. Gratefully, the old man accepted.
After a few minutes, the driver turned to see how the man was doing, but to his surprise he found the older man still straining under the heavy weight of his load in the bed of his wagon. He had not taken the burden off his shoulders.
Christ offers rest to all who will trust in Him completely. How simple is that? Any burdens, worries, or fears can be handed over to Jesus. However, so many times we refuse to give up our heavy loads and, as a result, constantly strain underneath the weight of it.
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).
Scripture also teaches us to help carry the burdens and ease the loads of our brothers and sisters in Christ (see Galatians 6:2). If you know someone who is carrying weighty burdens, then show him or her compassion and help bear the weight by praying with and ministering to that person.
If it's you that's carrying a heavy load of burdens today, then hand them over to Jesus and fully accept the rest that He offers. Don't let Satan add more weight to your pack. Simply trust Jesus and give it to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to take away the burdens that are weighing you down today. Pray that He would empower you to help remove the burdens from others' lives as well.
:angel:
June 21, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. --Isaiah 26:7
For many years, The Wide World of Sports television program broadcast the "agony of defeat" by showing a painful ending to an attempted ski jump. The skier was in good form as he headed down the jump, but for no apparent reason, he tumbled head over heels off the side of the jump and bounced off the supporting structure.
What viewers didn't know was that the skier chose to fall. He explained later that he started going too fast down the ramp. Midway down, he realized that if he completed the jump, he would land beyond the safe landing area, which could have been fatal. Because of his change in direction, he only suffered a headache from the tumble.
To change one's course in life can be a dramatic and sometimes painful experience. And no matter your age, life will always bring about changes in your path. But sometimes a change of course is better than a fatal landing in the end.
For the believer, Scripture says "the path of the righteous is level" (Isaiah 26:7). The Bible lists numerous verses on following in the footsteps of the Lord and His righteousness.
Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." And Psalm 37:23:24 states "If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand."
When it happens, change may come as a shock to you, and it may be perceived as defeat to others. But if you are following the course the Lord has called you to, then you will ultimately experience victory.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guide your steps in the way of righteousness—even if it involves a change of direction.
:angel:
June 22, 2011
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. --Romans 5:3-4
The Bible exhorts over and over again to be filled with godly virtues and the Holy Spirit. But what does this mean exactly? How do we know if we are full of goodness when we are full of sin, for example?
Think for a moment about a sponge. Let's say you pushed down with your finger ever so slightly on a sponge and water came running out. You could immediately assume that water filled the interior pockets of the sponge, right?
The same is true of people in general. You can tell what fills a person on the inside by what comes out under pressure and in every other situation. As believers, we should always fill our hearts and minds with goodness, godly virtues, and the Holy Spirit.
Paul said, "I myself am convinced...that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again..." (Romans 15:14-15).
If someone were to push a pressure point in your life, what would come spilling out? Would it be filth and ungodly characteristics or holiness and goodness?
Always be filled with the Holy Spirit and demonstrate godly virtues in every situation. Be prepared for the Lord to test your heart from time to time (see Proverbs 17:3). "...We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for demonstrating His love and holiness to you, so that you can be a witness to others. Pray that He would fill you with goodness and saturate your heart and mind with His Word, so that your life will pour out godliness to others—even when the pressure is on.
:angel:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. --Hebrews 13:8
When American author Lloyd C. Douglas was a university student, he lived in a boarding house. Downstairs on the first floor was a retired music teacher who lived in a small apartment.
Every morning, Douglas claimed they went through the same ritual. He would come down the steps, open the old man's door, and ask, "Well, what's the news?"
The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his wheelchair, and say, "That's Middle C! It was Middle C yesterday; it will be Middle C tomorrow; it will be Middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat, the piano across the hall is out of tune, but my friend, that is Middle C!"
The old man had discovered one thing in his life upon which he could always depend—Middle C. For Christians, the one constant and absolute in this life, of which there is no shadow of changing, is Jesus Christ.
The Bible says that "because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ... We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:17, 19). God sent His Son to die on the cross so that we might have eternal life with Him. He made a promise, and He kept it.
Because of this, we can rest assured that God will never change. He is ever-present when trouble comes barreling in. He is all-powerful to do exactly as He has promised. And He is all-knowing, and we should never worry because He is in control. He is the same "yesterday and today and forever."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being the constant reality in your life.
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Daily Living for Seniors
[Jesus said]: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ... If they persecute me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. --John 15:18-20
What is a Christian? In the Letter to Diognetus, dating back to the second century, an anonymous writer described Christians:
"Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs; ...they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect. ... They live in both Greek and foreign cities....They follow local customs in clothing, food, and the other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship.
"They live in their own native lands, but as aliens. ... They marry and have children...but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives.
"They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. ... They are mocked and blessed in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others.
"When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews...and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility."
If you are a believer, the Bible commands you "...not [to] conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2). And you can expect the world to hate you as a result (see 1 John 3:13). Continue to be sanctified by the truth of God's Word and be in the world but not of it (see John 2:15).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would empower you to always be set apart, even when the world hates you, so that others can see the difference Jesus has made in your life.
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June 27, 2011
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. --Deuteronomy 6:6-9
In her novel about Maine, The Country of the Pointed Firs, Sara Orne Jewett describes the journey of a woman on the road to the home of a retired sea captain named Elijah Tilley. When she arrived, the woman noticed many wooden stakes scattered randomly all about the property. Each stake was painted white and trimmed in yellow, just like the captain's house.
Curious about the wooden stakes, the woman asked Captain Tilley what they all meant. He explained that when he first plowed the ground, his plow snagged on many large rocks just beneath the surface. As a result, he set out stakes where the rocks lay so that he could avoid them when plowing in the future.
In some sense, this is what God has done with the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament. The Lord has said to us, "These are the trouble spots in life. My commandments are stakes by which you can recognize these troublesome spots. Avoid these trouble spots, and you won't snag your plow."
Many people today deem the Ten Commandments insignificant because of claims that they were written only for the people of God during that time period.
But 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man [or woman] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (emphasis added).
Take some time to study each of the 10 commandments, and teach them to your family and those you love (see Matthew 5:19). Then apply them to your own life, so you can avoid the trouble spots when you're plowing the field.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for giving us His commandments so that we can avoid getting snagged along life's path. Pray that He would remind you daily to follow each one in your walk with Him.
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June 28, 2011
...When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. --1 Corinthians 14:26
Several years ago, the world watched as three gray whales, icebound off Point Barrow, Alaska, floated battered, bruised, and bloody, gasping for breath at a hole in the ice. Their only hope was to somehow be transported five miles past the ice to the open sea.
Rescuers began cutting a string of breathing holes about twenty yards apart in the six-inch-thick ice. It took some time, but for eight days, the rescuers coaxed the whales from one hole to the next, mile after mile. Each hole allowed them the chance to breath all along the way.
During the five-mile journey, one of the three whales vanished and could only be presumed dead. But finally, with the help of Russian icebreakers, the whales Putu and Siku swam to freedom in the open sea.
Just the same, worship can be considered as a string of breathing holes the Lord provides His people. We often become battered and bruised in a world frozen over with greed, selfishness, and hatred. But worship allows us to rise up for air.
Church gives us that place to breathe again and to be loved and encouraged by other believers until that day when the Lord forever shatters the ice cap.
If you are able to attend church, take advantage of worshipping with others who may be going through some of the same struggles you are. If you are unable to attend, then take advantage of the technology today that allows us to experience church services each week via radio, TV,and event the internet!
Either way, when it seems that you can't make it another 20 yards, you can find a breath of fresh air in worshipping the Lord with other believers.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the opportunity you have to worship Him with other Christians. Pray that He would provide various opportunities for you to worship with others so that you can be loved and encouraged in your walk with Christ.
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[Jesus said]: "...I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." --John 14:16-17
Rolf Zettersten once wrote in Focus on the Family magazine:
"A good friend in North Carolina bought a new car with a voice-warning system. ... At first Edwin was amused to hear the soft female voice gently remind him that his seat belt wasn't fastened. ... Edwin affectionately called this voice the 'little woman.'
"He soon discovered his little woman was programmed to warn him about his gasoline. 'Your fuel level is low,' she said one time in her sweet voice. ... He figured he still had enough to go another fifty miles, so he kept on driving. But a few minutes later, her voice interrupted again with the same warning.
"And so it went over and over. Although he knew it was the same recording, Edwin thought her voice sounded harsher each time. Finally, he stopped his car and crawled under the dashboard. After a quick search, he found the appropriate wires and gave them a good yank.
"He was still smiling to himself a few minutes later when his car began sputtering and coughing. He ran out of gas! Somewhere inside the dashboard, Edwin was sure he could hear the little woman laughing."
Believers must learn that the little voice inside, the Holy Spirit, even if ignored or disconnected, tells them exactly what they need to know. Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).
The Lord has given us His Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and warn us of what's ahead. Listen to that still, small voice in your heart and be obedient to the Spirit's calling.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for instilling in you His Holy Spirit to guide and direct your life. Ask God to make your heart sensitive to the Spirit's leading.
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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. --Ephesians 4:29
John Todd, a nineteenth-century clergyman, received a letter from his seriously ill, kind-hearted aunt, who raised him herself after his parents died when he was a child. She asked if death meant the end of everything, or if she could hope for something beyond. Todd responded:
"It is now 35 years since I, as a boy of six, was left quite alone in the world. You sent me word you would give me a home and be a kind mother to me. I have never forgotten the day I made the long journey to your house. I can still recall my disappointment when, instead of coming for me yourself, you sent your servant, Caesar, to fetch me.
"I remember my tears and anxiety as, perched high on your horse and clinging tight to Caesar, I rode off to my new home. Night fell before we finished the journey, and I became lonely and afraid. 'Do you think she'll go to bed before we get there?' I asked Caesar.
"'Oh no!' he said reassuringly, 'She'll stay up for you. When we get out o' these woods, you'll see her candle shinin' in the window.'
"Presently we did ride out into the clearing, and there, sure enough, was your candle. I remember you were waiting at the door, that you put your arms close about me—a tired and bewildered boy....
"Some day soon God will send for you, to take you to a new home. Don't fear the summons, the strange journey, or the messenger of death. God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for me so many years ago. At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome awaiting, and you will be safe in God's care."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the hope of eternal life with Him as a believer.
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July 01, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. --Proverbs 4:23-27
A former police officer once told of the tactics of roving bands of thieves. The group of thieves would enter a store in a unit. One or two of them would separate themselves from the group, and the others would start a loud commotion in another section of the store.
This grabbed the attention of the clerks and customers. And as all eyes were upon the disturbance, the accomplices would fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, and leave before anyone suspected anything.
Hours—sometimes even days—later the victimized merchant would realize things were missing from the store and call the police. Too late—they'd already been deceived and robbed.
This effective strategy is often used by Satan as well. Believers are seduced into paying attention to the distractions, while evil agents ransack our lives and ultimately leave us confused, lost, and devastated. So what does the Bible say about this? Always be on guard!
Paul warned believers several times about this scenario:
· "...I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).
· "...Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil" (Romans 16:19).
· "So be on your guard!" (Acts 20:31).
· "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Don't be distracted by Satan and his roving band of demons. Instead, "be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart and mind, so that you won't be seduced and deceived by Satan.
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July 4
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.. --1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Charles Osgood, well-known CBS radio newsman, once told the story of two ladies who lived in a convalescent center. Each had suffered horrible, incapacitating strokes. One lady's stroke left her left side completely restricted. And the other's right side was severely damaged and paralyzed.
Both of these ladies had once been accomplished pianists in the past. But after their strokes, they both gave up hope of ever playing again.
But because of their love for music and the piano, the director of the center sat them both down at the piano and encouraged them to play solo pieces together. Over time and with some practice, they began to play beautiful pieces together in perfect harmony and a lasting friendship developed as a result.
What an amazing picture of how the church of Jesus Christ can work together! One member cannot do everything alone. Instead, it takes two or more of God's people working together in harmony to accomplish His will in bringing the world to faith in Christ.
The Scripture says, "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:29-31).
It may be that God has called you to one specific job within His church. Or maybe He's asked you to do something extraordinary within the Body of Christ. Whether you are a greeter, Sunday school teacher, or visitor of those who are sick, do it all for the glory of God as a precious member of His church!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the many members of the Body of Christ. Pray that He would make you effective in ministering to others wherever He's called you to serve.
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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. --Colossians 3:17
In Loving God, Charles Colson tells the story of Telemachus, a fourth-century Christian and monk. Telemachus lived in a remote village and spent most of his time tending his garden and praying.
One day, God told him to go to Rome. The monk responded obediently and set out on foot. Weeks later, he arrived at the city's gates to witness a great festival taking place. He followed the crowd through the streets toward the Colosseum.
Inside, he saw the gladiators stand before the emperor and say, "We who are about to die salute you."
Telemachus realized they were going to fight to the death for the entertainment of the crowd, so he cried out, "In the name of Christ, stop!"
As the games began, Telemachus pushed through the crowds, climbed over the wall, and dropped to the arena floor screaming over and over, "In the name of Christ, stop!" The crowd thought this was part of the show, so they began laughing. When they realized it wasn't, their laughter turned to angry shouts.
Suddenly, one of the gladiators plunged his sword into the body of Telemachus. He fell to the sand and his last words were, "In the name of Christ, stop!" Then, a hush fell over the Colosseum and one man in the upper rows stood up and walked out. Soon, others began to follow and in silence everyone left the Colosseum.
On that day in B.C. 391, the last battle to the death between gladiators in the Roman Colosseum was fought. It was all because one tiny voice that could hardly be heard above the uproar spoke the truth in God's name.
Won't you be that small voice in the darkness and commotion of our culture today?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that others might be sensitive to hear the message of truth spoken by you in God's name.
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July 06, 2011
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. --Psalm 40:10
Peter Cartwright was a nineteenth-century, circuit-riding Methodist preacher. But more importantly, he was known for being uncompromising in his faith.
One Sunday morning, as he was preparing to preach, he was told that President Andrew Jackson was in the congregation. Some of the elders warned him not to say anything out of line or there would be trouble.
So when Cartwright stood to preach, he said, "I understand that Andrew Jackson is here today. I have been requested to be guarded in my remarks. Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn't repent."
The congregation was shocked by Cartwright's bold sermon and wondered how the President would respond. However, after the service, President Jackson walked by to shake hands with Cartwright and said, "Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world."
As Christians, we are not called to be "guarded" when it comes to sharing the Gospel message with the world. Instead, we are to be bold and outspoken in proclaiming the truth.
In Psalm, King David wrote, "I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD" (Psalm 40:9).
Scripture says that we are a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).
The world needs more Christians who will be uncompromising in their faith. Will you be that kind of Christian—just as Peter Cartwright was? Won't you be bold enough to declare the faithfulness and salvation of God today (Psalm 40:10)?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the opportunities to boldly share your faith. Ask Him to give you the right words at that time that will bring others to Christ.
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As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins ... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. --Ephesians 2:1, 4-5
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial is astounding for its simplicity and meaning. Etched carefully in the black granite wall are the names of 58,156 Americans who died in that gruesome war. And since its opening in 1982, the striking monument has stirred deep, and sometimes painful, emotions in many people.
Some visitors walk the length of the memorial slowly and reverently, but without a pause. Others stop before certain names to linger where they recognize the name of a son, sweetheart, or fellow soldier. They wipe away their tears and remember the legacy those lost lives left behind.
For Robert Bedker, Willard Craig, and Darrall Lausch—three Vietnam veterans—a trip to visit the memorial must be especially moving because each man can walk up to the long ebony wall and find their own names carved in the stone. Because of data coding errors, each of them was incorrectly listed as killed in action upon the monument.
Dead, but truly and completely alive—this is a perfect description of every believer in Jesus Christ. Just as Christ suffered death of the flesh and was made alive by the Spirit, so are we as Christians made alive in the Holy Spirit (see 1 Peter 3:18). And we are called to die to ourselves every day and walk in the Spirit of Jesus.
Every day we should thank God for raising us up from the mire and muck to live in glory with Him. Because of the death of Jesus on the cross, we can rest peacefully knowing that we will be alive forever with Him in heaven one day. Praise God!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for making you alive in the Spirit as a believer. Pray that He would help you die to yourself and your sins every day, so that you can be more like Him.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. --1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Winston Churchill, the great preacher of yesteryear, planned his own funeral that took place at Saint Paul's Cathedral. Included in the service were many great hymns of the church and the eloquent Anglican liturgy.
At his direction, a bugler, stationed high in the dome of the cathedral, was to play "Taps" after the benediction signaling that the day is over. Then immediately afterward, Churchill instructed another bugler, positioned at the other end, to play the tune "Reveille"—"It's time to get up. It's time to get up. It's time to get up in the morning!"
This was Churchill's testimony to all—though it was the end of his time on earth, it was a time of joy for he was getting up to go home to be with the Lord. At the end of history, the last note for all believers will not be "Taps," but instead "Reveille."
Believers can have hope for the day when death comes. When you take your last breath, know that your soul will go to be with Jesus in heaven and will one day be reunited with a new body when He returns. Death is not the end for the believer, it is just the beginning.
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ... For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 3:14, 16-17).
Praise God! The worst things are never the last things.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the future you have with Him in heaven.
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You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ... Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 2:1, 3
A Soviet cosmonaut returned to Earth from outer space on December 29, 1987 after 326 days in orbit. He was surprisingly in good health which isn't always the case in these types of record-breaking expeditions.
Just five years earlier, two cosmonauts touched down after 211 days in space. Thereafter, they suffered from dizziness, high pulse rates, and heart palpitations. For over a week, they couldn't walk. And after 30 days, they will still undergoing physical therapy for atrophied muscles and weakened hearts.
At zero gravity in space, the body's muscles begin to deteriorate because there is no resistance as there is when gravity is present on Earth. To counteract this problem, the Soviets developed and prescribed a rigorous exercise program for the cosmonauts.
They invented "penguin suits"—running suits laced with elastic bands—that resist every move the cosmonauts make so that they have to exert more strength when exercising. This regimen, used today, helps those traveling in space to avoid the difficulties earlier cosmonauts faced.
As believers, we so often long for days without difficulty and hardships. But God knows better. The easier our life is, the weaker our spiritual fiber becomes. It is by exerting our strength through difficult times that we can grow and withstand whatever life throws our way.
So let us "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the rigorous life exercises you face. Pray that He will use them to strengthen you for what's ahead.
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Daily Living for Seniors
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. --Ephesians 1:7-8
Senator Mark Hatfield once recounted the following historical story:
"James Garfield was a lay preacher and principal of his denominational college. They say he was ambidextrous and could simultaneously write Greek with one hand and Latin with the other.
"In 1880, he was elected president of the United States, but after only six months in office, he was shot in the back with a revolver. He never lost consciousness. At the hospital, the doctor probed the wound with his little finger to seek the bullet. He couldn't find it, so he tried a silver-tipped probe. Still he couldn't locate the bullet.
"They took Garfield back to Washington, D.C. Despite the summer heat, they tried to keep him comfortable. He was growing very weak. Teams of doctors tried to locate the bullet, probing the wound over and over.
"In desperation, they asked Alexander Graham Bell, who was working on a little device called the telephone, to see if he could locate the metal inside the president's body. He came, he sought, and he too failed.
"The president hung on through July, through August, but in September he finally died—not from the wound but from infection. The repeated probing, which the physicians thought would help the man, eventually killed him."
The same is true with people who dwell too long on their sin and refuse to release it to God. Satan creeps into their lives and takes control. Just like an infection, their sin eventually takes over their being.
But Jesus said of his sacrifice on the cross, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28).
Because of His sacrifice, the infection of sin can be stopped. Release your sin to the Savior, and find complete forgiveness in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Recognize and release your sin before the Lord today in prayer.
:angel:
July 13, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
[Jesus said:] "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." --Acts 1:8
In his book, Pastoral Renewal, Charles Simpson wrote:
"I met a young man not long ago who dives for exotic fish for aquariums. He said one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark.
"He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet.
"That also happens to some Christians. I've seen the cutest little six-inch Christians who swim around in a little puddle. But if you put them into a larger arena--into the whole creation--only then can they become great."
Jesus commanded all believers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything [he has] commanded" (Matthew 28:19-20).
There is no room to grow inside the walls of a Sunday School classroom, church building, or your own home. We have been called to go outside of those walls and reach out to the lost world that needs to know Jesus.
Get involved in doing missions and evangelism in your neighborhood, city, or state through your church, local seniors group, or Bible study class. If you are physically unable to get involved, become a prayer warrior for the cause of Christ. Your prayers are needed both on and off the mission field.
Get out of the puddle you've been swimming in, and take your faith to a larger arena--the world.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would open the doors for you to reach out to those who are lost in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
:angel:
July 14, 2011
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. --Philippians 3:8
In a publication put out by Wycliffe Bible Translators called, In Other Words, a story was published about Sadie Sieker, a lady who served for many years as a house-parent for missionaries' children in the Philippines.
Sadie loved books. She would gladly loan out some on occasion, but there were others that she treasured and kept tucked away in a footlocker under her bed.
One night, when all had gone to bed and everything was quiet, Sadie heard a faint gnawing sound. She searched her room for the source of the sound, but then suddenly realized it was come from her footlocker underneath her bed.
When she opened it, she found only a huge pile of dust. All the precious books she had kept hidden away for herself had been lost to a band of termites. Sadie learned a valuable lesson that night--what we give away, we keep. What we hoard, we lose.
Matthew 6:19-21 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus exhorts us not to value possessions or keep them selfishly locked away. If your heart is focused on possessions, money, security, friendships, or something else, the Lord will take it all away. He wants your full attention, offerings, and all of your possessions.
Jesus' words strike at the very heart of human selfishness. We are all selfish by nature, so we must daily seek to give all that we have and our lives (see Luke 17:33, John 12:25) to Him, so He can fully use us for His glory and receive His blessings.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Through prayer, seek to commit yourself and your things to the Lord for His use.
:angel:
July 15, 2011
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:14
On July 4, 1952, a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. On the fog-covered morning, she intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast.
Florence wasn't a rookie when it came to long-distance swimming. She had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. But the water was numbing cold that morning and the fog was so thick she could hardly see two feet in front of her. Several times, sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire from the boats in her party.
She swam for more than fifteen hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer coaxed her to swim on since they were so close to land, but all Florence saw ahead was the thick fog. She quit only half a mile from her goal.
Later she said, "I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land, I might have made it."
Florence didn't fail because of fear, exhaustion, or the cold water. It was the fog.
We often fail too--not because we're afraid or tired--but because we lose sight of the goal. This is surely why Paul wanted to remind believers to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [you] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
Two months after her failed attempt at swimming the length of the channel, Florence waded into the water off the same beach on Catalina Island, swam the full distance, and set a new speed record--all because she could clearly see her goal.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to clearly present you with the goals He wants you to strive toward. Pray that He would make your path clear in fulfilling His call in your life.
:angel:
July 18, 2011
Jesus said..."I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. --John 11:25-26
In his book, A Portrait of My Father, Peter Law writes:
"Imagine you are on a holiday, and you have an apartment overlooking the sand and surf. Sitting on the table in your room is a fishbowl, and inside the bowl is a small goldfish.
"Each day you swim and sun-bake and enjoy soaking up the delights of vacationing. Before long, however, you begin to feel sorry for little Goldie who is all alone in his bowl while you go out having fun in the sun.
"To make up for this injustice, you promise Goldie a little of the action. 'Tomorrow,' you tell the goldfish, 'you will begin to enjoy life, too.'
"The next day you take a washcloth, lift the fish from the bowl, place it in the cloth, wrap it up, and put the living bundle into your pocket before leaving for the beach.
"As you reach the spot where you are accustomed to spending your day, you can feel the sun's heat beating down upon your back. Excitedly you take your gilled companion from your pocket, lay out the washcloth on the sand, place the fish on the cloth, stand back, and say, 'Now this is the life, Goldie; live it up!'
"Can anything be more ridiculous or more foolish? Being in the sun on the hot beach is no environment for a goldfish—or any fish! It will die there, not live. It was never intended to be in that environment. For people, a relationship with God as Father is the only correct environment for life."
As a believer in this life, a relationship with Jesus is the air we need to spiritually survive. There is enjoyment and fulfillment in a daily relationship with Him through prayer and Bible study. Without these things, we will spiritually suffocate and die.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy He gives through your relationship with Him.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. --1 Chronicles 16:34
Most people recognize the names of Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective, and his famous sidekick, Dr. Watson. Holmes, created by author Sir Arthur Conan Coyle, was the most famous literary character of the 19th and 20th centuries and made his first published appearance in 1887.
Holmes was known for his keen prowess and intense observation skills. At one point in The Adventure of the Naval Treaty, Holmes is studying a rose. Watson narrates as follows:
"He walked past the couch to an open window and held up the drooping stalk of a moss rose, looking down at the dainty blend of crimson and green. It was a new phase of his character to me, for I had never before seen him show an interest in natural objects.
"There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion. ...Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are really necessary for our existence in the first instance.
"But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its color are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."
What other "extras" should you be observing and thanking God for this year? How has God been good to you in the last few days or weeks? And what have you done to thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness demonstrated in your life?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Today, take some time to thank Him for the "extra" blessings in your life—whether it be health, family, friendships, or something else.
:angel:
July 20, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. --1 John 3:19-20
In their book, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey wrote:
"Amputees often experience some sensation of a phantom limb. Somewhere, locked in their brains, a memory lingers of the nonexistent hand or leg. Invisible toes curl, imaginary hands grasp things, a 'leg' feels so sturdy a patient may try to stand on it.
"For a few, the experience includes pain. Doctors watch helplessly, for the part of the body screaming for attention does not exist.
"Phantom limb pain provides wonderful insight into the phenomenon of false guilt. Christians can be obsessed by the memory of some sin committed years ago. It never leaves them, crippling their ministry, their devotional life, their relationships with others.
"They live in fear that someone will discover their past. They work overtime trying to prove to God they're truly repentant. They erect barriers against the enveloping, loving grace of God."
Believers must learn to take hold of the truth found in 1 John 3:19-20. The Message puts it this way: "Let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves."
Even as a believer, the phantom pain of past sins, guilt, and self-criticism may still haunt you. And it may cause you to become overly righteous in your attempts to please God. But you are privileged as a child of God to receive unconditional forgiveness and experience His intense love for you.
Don't let guilt cripple your spiritual life. Give it over to God who forgives you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would remove the phantom guilt from your heart, and accept the reality of His forgiveness and love.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. --Psalm 119:105
Bob Mumford gives a great analogy on how you can discover God's will in his book, Take Another Look at Guidance. He says that one particular harbor in Italy can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between very dangerous rocks and shoals. Numerous ships have sunk over the years because the passage is so hazardous.
To alleviate this danger, three lights have been mounted on three tall poles in the harbor to guide the ships safely into port. When these lights are lined up perfectly and seen as one, a ship can proceed safely up the narrow channel to its destination. But if the ship's pilot sees two or three lights, he knows he's off course and in danger.
In his book, Mumford says that God has also provided three beacons to guide us in our spiritual journey down life's narrow and often perilous path. The same rules of navigation apply to us as believers. Three lights must be lined up for us to proceed safely.
The three harbor lights of spiritual guidance are:
1. The Word of God
2. The Holy Spirit
3. Circumstances
God uses the combination of these to lead us on our journey through the often difficult passages of life.
Are you on the right path? Or have you fallen off course? When we follow this three-point navigational path along our spiritual journey, we know that God will lead us safely in His way.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to direct you along the path He wants you to take. Pray that He would reveal the three harbor lights of spiritual guidance to you each and every day as you journey through life.
:angel:
July 22, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
[Jesus said]: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." --Matthew 23:27-28
At her launch in 1936, the Queen Mary was the largest ship to sail the oceans. She served faithfully for four decades, even through a world war, until she was retired in a Long Beach, California harbor.
After her retirement, she was transformed into a hotel and museum. During the conversion, she was given a complete facelift. Her three gigantic smokestacks were taken down to be scraped and repainted. But once on the dock, they crumbled as soon as the makeover began.
Nothing was left of the ¾-inch steel plates that had once formed the stacks. All that remained were more than thirty coats of paint, which had been applied over the 40 years she was at sea. The steel had rusted away and left the stacks without substance.
Similarly, when Jesus called the Pharisees "whitewashed tombs," He meant they had no substance. They were merely concerned with externals...how they appeared before others. Jesus said, "On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matthew 23:28).
Oh that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, would never be compared to the Pharisees! As children of the King, we must "first clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean" (Matthew 23:26).
The Scripture says God does not look at outward appearances or the things that man looks at, but instead He looks at the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). Seek daily a pure heart and your outward appearance will reflect your inner beauty and God's love.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to cleanse and purify your heart, removing anything unclean from your life. Pray that He would create in you the inner beauty of His love,shining through to a lost world
:angel:
July 25, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
[Jesus said:] "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." --Mark 13:22-23
In the November 1987 issue of Reader's Digest, Betty Wein retold an old tale she heard from Elie Wiesel, a world-renowned Jewish novelist, philosopher, political activist, and Holocaust survivor:
"A just man comes to Sodom hoping to save the city. He pickets. What else can he do? He goes from street to street, from marketplace to marketplace, shouting, 'Men and women, repent. What you are doing is wrong. It will kill you; it will destroy you!'
"They laugh, but he goes on shouting, until one day, a child stops him. 'Poor stranger, don't you see it's useless?'
"'Yes,' the just man replies.
"'Then why do you go on?' the child asks.
"'I was convinced that I would change them. Now I go on shouting because I don't want them to change me.' "
To the church at Corinth, Paul said, "You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:2-3).
Even as Christians, we can easily be led astray to idols and gods of our culture by the influence of others if we're not careful.
Jesus even warned, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time" (Mark 13:22-23).
It's just as easy to compromise our faith, even a little, as it is to be influenced. Always guard your heart and mind with the truth of God's Word.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart and mind against evil influences.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? --Matthew 7:1-3
Sir Percival Lowell was an author, mathematician, and the world's most distinguished astronomer during the late 1800s and early 1900s. But Lowell was best known for his speculation that canals existed on Mars.
In 1877, he heard that an esteemed Italian astronomer had seen straight lines crisscrossing the red planet's surface. As a result, Lowell spent the rest of his years squinting into the eyepiece of a giant telescope, mapping the channels and canals that he saw.
He was convinced that there was life on Mars, even an older and wiser race than humanity. As a result, his observations gained wide acceptance.
Today, we know space probes that have orbited and landed on Mars show there are no canals on the Martian surface. So how could Lowell have been mistaken?
There are two possible reasons: 1) he wanted so badly to see the canals that he convinced himself he did, and 2) we now know that he suffered from a rare eye disease that made him see the blood vessels in his own eyes. The canals he saw on Mars were nothing more than the veins in his eyeballs. Today, this disease is known as "Lowell's syndrome."
When Jesus warned that "in the same way...you will be judged" and cautioned about missing the "plank in your own eye", do you think He could have been referring to a so-called spiritual Lowell's syndrome?
Again and again, we see faults in others because we don't want to believe anything better about them. And many times we think we have a clear view of their shortcomings when in fact our vision has been distorted by the plank in our own eyes. May we never judge others, but always commit them to the Lord in prayer.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you recognize the "planks" in your own eyes before judging others and see the good He has created in them.
:angel:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. --Hebrews 12:1-2
In the book, Is It Real When It Doesn't Work?, authors Doug Murren and Barb Shurin tell this story:
Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local newspaper: 'Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before, and he died a very rich man.'
"Actually, it was Alfred's older brother who had died; a newspaper reporter had bungled the epitaph.
"But the account had a profound effect on Nobel. He decided he wanted to be known for something other than developing the means to kill people efficiently and for amassing a fortune in the process. So he initiated the Nobel Prize, the award for scientists and writers who foster peace.
"Nobel said, 'Every man ought to have the chance to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a new one.'"
Few things will change you as much as looking at your own life as though it were finished. What kind of legacy will you leave behind one day when you are gone from this earth?
Will your children, grandchildren, and family members remember you as one who followed obediently after the Lord each day of your life?
You and I are surrounded by people—family, friends, and acquaintances—who are watching the words we use and the things we do in this life. It's not too late to begin writing your epitaph. Strive to leave a legacy that will bring others to Jesus.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make your life a testimony of His love and grace to those around you and those you leave behind.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. --1 John 3:10
John Hess-Yoder, a missionary in Laos, once told this story:
"While serving as a missionary in Laos I discovered an illustration of the kingdom of God. Before the colonialists imposed national boundaries, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas.
"Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were considered Laotians.
"On the other hand, those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses on the ground, and decorated them with Chinese-style dragons were considered Vietnamese.
"The exact location of a person's home was not what determined his or her nationality. Instead, each person belonged to the kingdom whose cultural values he or she exhibited."
It is the same with believers. We live in the world, but not of it. Instead, we are children of God's kingdom. Therefore, we are to live according to His holy standards and values in this life.
The Scripture says, "He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. ... No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:7-9).
If you are a believer, it should be easy for others to tell what makes you different from them. Just as the Laotians and Vietnamese could be easily defined according to their cultural values, we as Christians should also always be easily identified as followers of Jesus Christ and His values.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to integrate His values, morals, and biblical standards into every area of your life. Pray that you would be easily identifiable to the world as a follower of Jesus.
:angel:
July 29, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord. --Leviticus 18:4-5
Author Timothy Munyon once wrote:
"While living in Florida, I had several friends who worked cleaning rooms at a nationally known inn located directly on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. They spent their work breaks running barefoot in the sand. The problem was the inn required all employees to wear shoes at all times while working.
"I noticed the employees responded in one of two ways.
"The majority thought the rule restricted their freedom. The rooms had shag carpeting, delightful to bare toes, and just a few steps away lay the beach. To them the rule to wear shoes was nothing more than employer harassment.
"But a minority of the employees looked at the rule differently. Sometimes late night parties would produce small pieces of broken glass. Occasionally a stickpin would be found hidden in the deep shag piles. Some knew the pain of skinning bare toes on the steel bed frame while making a bed. This minority saw the rule as protection, not restriction.
"Were God's laws written to make life miserable? Or were they written by a loving heavenly Father who cares about His children?"
Deuteronomy 11:1 says, "Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws, and his commands always."
Over and over again in Scripture, followers of Jesus are admonished to obey the commands and laws of the Lord. Many believe these "laws" are meant to restrict Christians from living a free and happy life. Others realize they are meant to provide certain boundaries for believers as a form of protection while walking with the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the laws, commands, and biblical boundaries found in His Word. Pray that He would bring them to your mind as you walk daily with Him.
:angel:
Watch me," [Gideon] told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the LORD and for Gideon.'" --Judges 7:17-18
In Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, Stuart Briscoe wrote:
"One of my young colleagues was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man's military friends wished to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested the pastor to lead them down to the casket, stand with them for a solemn moment of remembrance, and then lead them out through the side door.
"This he proceeded to do, but unfortunately the effect was somewhat marred when he picked the wrong door. The result was that they marched with military precision into a broom closet, in full view of the mourners, and had to beat a hasty retreat covered with confusion.
"This true story illustrates a cardinal rule or two. First, if you're going to lead, make sure you know where you're going. Second, if you're going to follow, make sure that you are following someone who knows what he is doing!"
In the Bible, God chose Gideon, an Israelite judge, to lead a group of men in overtaking the Midianites. Over and over, the Lord instructed Gideon on what to do and what steps to take. Because God ordered his steps and he obediently followed, Gideon defeated the Midianites with just 300 men.
Do you know who you're following? Is it your pastor, Bible study leader, or friend? Is he or she obediently following the Lord? If you're in a leadership position, are you following the Lord faithfully and thereby leading others down the right path?
Know who you're following and where they are going. And when leading others, follow the Lord so that you will always walk through the right door.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray for those leading you in life and ask God to reveal to you the right doors you are to walk through when leading others.
:angel:
August 02, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
[Jesus said]: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." --Matthew 5:13-16
In the December 1987 issue of Life magazine, Brad Darrach wrote:
Meryl Streep is gray with cold. In Ironweed, her new movie, she plays a ragged derelict who dies in a cheap hotel room, and for more than half an hour before the scene she has been hugging a huge bag of ice cubes in an agonizing effort to experience how it feels to be a corpse.
"Now the camera begins to turn. Jack Nicholson, her derelict lover, sobs and screams and shakes her body. But through take after take—and between takes too—Meryl just lies there like an iced mackerel. Frightened, a member of the crew whispers to the director, Hector Babenco, 'What's going on? She's not breathing!'
"Babenco gives a start. In Meryl's body there is absolutely no sign of life! He hesitates, then lets the scene proceed. Yet even after the shot is made and the set struck, Meryl continues to lie there, gray and still. Only after 10 minutes have passed does she slowly, slowly emerge from the coma-like state into which she has deliberately sunk.
"Babenco is amazed. 'Now that,' he mutters in amazement, 'is acting! That is an actress!'"
That kind of dedication amazes people! God has also called all believers to be dedicated—to be salt and light in the world—not lukewarm Christians. Jesus said, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" (Revelation 3:15).
Be completely committed in your walk with Christ every day—so committed that others will look at you and say, "Now that is a Christian!"
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to increase your commitment to the faith, so that others may see a reflection of Christ in you and they can come to know Him as a result.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
In his book Lost Moon, Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell tells the story of the intense competition between aerospace companies over the contracts to build the lunar and command modules for the Apollo space programs.
He tells how no one really wanted the lunar module, the "consolation prize" whose glory during the moon landings would be short-lived. Everyone wanted to build the commence module, which they believed would be the backbone of NASA for years.
As it turned out, North American Rockwell won the contract to build the coveted command module, and Grumman begrudgingly accepted the lunar contract.
In his book, Lovell notes how the lunar module actually became a lifeboat for the Apollo 13 astronauts who almost died on their now infamous journey into space. What was once thought of as the "consolation prize" ended up saving three lives!
I want to ask you today, do you ever feel like you've been given the consolation prize? Are there areas of your life where you feel like you're not getting the recognition you deserve?
In John 1:10, the Bible tell us that Jesus Himself wasn't recognized for who He was or what He would do. Like Him, we often have to wait to see the fruits of our actions or the impact they will eventually make.
But the fruit of your actions will reap a harvest. Psalm 37:3 says, "Trust in the LORD and do good." There are no conditions to this command from the Lord! Each of us should do good all the time, trusting that God will reward us for our faithfulness to Him and work everything for our good.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you trust in His faithfulness and that He will work everything for your good.
:angel:
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. --Deuteronomy 7:9
"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up across the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies)...."
So begins Edward George Bulwer-Lytton's Paul Clifford, a novel containing what is widely considered one of the worst opening lines ever penned. So bad, in fact, that the English department at San Jose State University sponsors a whimsical competition every year challenging those who enter to write the worst novel opening possible!
Despite Bulwer-Lytton's shortcomings as an author, did you know he coined several phrases still used today? Phrases like "the almighty dollar" and "the pen is mightier than the sword." He also served as Interior Secretary of Canada, and a town in British Columbia bears his name. But unfortunately, he is most famous for that "dark and stormy night" opening line to his novel!
What about you? What legacy will you leave one day? When your family and friends think of you, what will come to mind?
The book of Deuteronomy gives us a sober warning that the consequences of our sin will affect those who come after us. But in the verse above, it also promises that God will keep His covenant of love for thousands of generations for those who love him and keep His commandments.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to enable you to leave a lasting legacy for Him.
:angel:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. --Matthew 28:19
The great Christian evangelist, D.L. Moody, was once asked to speak at a convention in Indianapolis.
One afternoon, he asked the convention's song leader to meet him on a street corner downtown at about 6 pm. When Ira Sankey got there, Moody had him stand on a overturned box and sing. This unusual spectacle attracted quite a crowd.
After speaking briefly, Moody persuaded most of the crowd to follow him to a nearby meeting place. They followed in droves and listened intently as Moody shared the good news of Jesus.
Too soon, the convention delegates started arriving, and Moody had to stop preaching. He said simply, "Now we must close, as the brethren of the convention wish to come and discuss the topic 'How to reach the masses'!"
So often, we think we have to have special training or special knowledge to tell others about Christ.
But like Moody, maybe all you need to do is be creative...and think of simple ways you can share Christ with others.
Maybe it's fixing dinner for your next-door neighbor. Maybe it's making a hospital or nursing home visit with a nice card or some flowers.
Whatever it is, God wants you to share His love with those around you. Don't think or talk about sharing your faith any longer...just go out and do it!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone with whom you can share His love and plan of salvation today.
:angel:
August 08, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." --Jeremiah 29:11
In December 1914, inventor Thomas Edison's laboratory burned to the ground. Edison, who stood calmly nearby watching most of his life's work go up in flames, knew full well his insurance would only cover a fraction of the damage.
However, Edison's attitude about the fire stunned those around him. The next morning, Edison returned to look at the charred rubble and declared, "There is a great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."
Just a few weeks later, Edison produced a spectacular invention: his first phonograph.
The story of Edison's attitude is similar to how you and I should view our relationship with Jesus Christ. When we accept Him, He makes all things new. Our past mistakes are gone. Psalm 103 says "as far as the east is from the west," that's how far He has removed our transgressions from us.
God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to erase your past sins...so that you could start anew!
Prayer Challenge: Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to forgive your sins. And thank Him for the chance to start anew each and every day!
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. --Psalm 4:5-6
One day, as Mahatma Ghandi climbed on board a train, one of his shoes slipped off and fell to the track below.
As he bent to retrieve it, the train lurched forward and began to move. Ghandi tried to grab his shoe, but missed. He stood there for a moment watching his shoe slowly fade into the distance.
Then to the shock of everyone around him, he quietly took off his other shoe and threw it so it landed just to the side of the shoe already on the ground.
When asked why in the world he would throw away his other shoe also, Ghandi responded, "The poor man who finds the shoe lying on the track will now have a pair he can use."
Have you ever given something away that you really hadn't planned to? Maybe, like Ghandi, it was a possession. Or did you give your time, your talents, your money?
Your small sacrifices might be huge blessings for someone else. Perhaps you could drive a friend to a doctor's appointment, invite someone to lunch, or teach a Sunday School class. There are many opportunities around you where you can be a blessing to others!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for opportunities where you can be a blessing to others, and thank Him for the blessings He has given to you.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. --Ephesians 6:18
When comedian Harpo Marx visited New York City many years ago, local charities bombarded him with requests to appear at their benefits.
One woman, in particular, was especially tenacious. In just two days, she called him more than a dozen times. Marx very reluctantly agreed to appear at her organization's function.
To further butter him up, she offered to personally escort him to the event. As they got ready to leave the hotel room, the phone began to ring once again. She asked him, "Don't you want to go back and answer it?"
Harpo Marx somewhat wittingly and wearily replied, "Why bother? It's undoubtedly you again!"
Aren't you glad that when you pray you never have to worry about God getting tired of hearing your requests? As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Bible says to "pray continually" and to give thanks in all circumstances.
God wants you to talk to Him. He wants to listen to what you have to say. In fact, He tells us in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
He wants to hear your prayers today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the opportunity to boldly come before His throne with your prayers today and every day.
:angel:
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." --Psalm 103:12
When a reporter once asked former Cowboys running back Walt Garrison if he had ever seen legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry smile, he replied, "No, but I was only there nine years."
The first few years Landry coached in Dallas, he had little to smile about. The new Cowboys expansion team barely won a game and, shortly after his arrival, the country suffered a tragic blow when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
The dark cloud of Kennedy's assassination would hang over Dallas for years. It was an open wound that didn't seem to heal.
But this all changed when Landry led the Dallas Cowboys to their first Super Bowl win in 1972. The city that was once known as the city that killed JFK became the home of the Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys!
As I thought about this story, it made me wonder, do you ever feel like you have a dark cloud hanging over your life? Is there something in your past you are ashamed of...or something you just don't think you can overcome?
The enemy likes to remind you of your past and keep you under a dark cloud of guilt and regret. He wants to rob you of joy and hurt the witness you could have for Christ.
But don't let him! Romans 8:1 says, "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
As a Christian, you don't have to live under a cloud of guilt because Jesus paid the price for your mistakes and failures at Calvary. So claim this promise today. Because Jesus wants you to live in victory!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the forgiveness of your sins and praise Him that your past mistakes can't keep you from having a bright future.
:angel:
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song. --Psalm 28:7
In American history, Abraham Lincoln is lauded for his dynamic leadership during the Civil War. He's praised for the eloquent words of his Gettysburg address. And he's immortalized as the man who freed the slaves.
Abraham Lincoln, though, is not so well known for his own private battle with severe depression or for his wonderful remedy to his personal problem: laughter.
For example, Lincoln often told the story of two women who spread rumors in Washington about Confederate President Jefferson Davis and himself.
These women had a conversation comparing the virtues and potential of the two leaders. One said to the other, "I think Davis will succeed because he's a praying man." The other relied, "But so is Lincoln."
"Yes, but when Abraham prays, the Lord will think he's joking!"
Abraham Lincoln had a terrific sense of humor...and he was able to find joy during times when there wasn't a whole lot to laugh about.
What about you? Are you able to find joy and laughter even when your circumstances seem bleak?
Nehemiah 8:10 says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Take comfort and find joy in the knowledge that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, loves you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God by singing a hymn or a chorus and ask the Lord to allow His joy to radiate in you in all circumstances.
:angel:
August 15, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:13-14
You are probably familiar with the story of Paul Revere.
On the evening of April 18, 1775, he jumped on a borrowed horse and began his famous midnight ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, where he would warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British troops were marching to arrest them.
But it's what happened after midnight that makes the story interesting!
In Lexington, Revere met up with two men, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott. The men planned to ride to Concord where weapons and supplies lay hidden. But about an hour later, a British patrol arrested all three men.
Prescott and Dawes managed to slip away and several hours later the British troops freed Paul Revere...but without his borrowed horse. In reality, Paul Revere never actually completed his ultimate mission!
So often in life, our enemy, the devil, tries to keep us from doing great things for God by taking away our horse. Satan will do all he can to keep us from completing our "mission" because the last thing he wants is for us to serve God...to win the prize for which He has called us.
No matter what the devil may do to discourage you, press on! Don't let the obstacles, whether distractions, hurt feelings, or illness, stop you from doing what the Lord has called you to do!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Regardless of what you're going through today, ask God for the strength to persevere...to win the prize He has called you to.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. --Isaiah 40:31
Charles M. Schulz, the creator of "Peanuts," said much of the inspiration for his comic strip came from his seemingly never-ending stream of bad luck and blunders in childhood.
Like the time a local movie theater promised the first 100 children in line a yummy chocolate bar they could enjoy during the show. Schulz eagerly joined in the queue, already tasting the tantalizing chocolate in his mouth. He waited patiently...only to discover he was number 101 in line!
It's easy to become discouraged when you eagerly wait for something and have your hopes dashed. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to be discouraged and doubt God at times like these. But oftentimes God uses our disappointments to draw us closer to Him.
When you feel let down, look up to the Father. Praise Him in the midst of your sadness. Psalm 33:18 says "the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love."
Draw closer to Him, and you will find yourself refreshed with a new hope. Don't let the enemy steal your joy, no matter what you may be going through today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: When you face seasons of disappointment, ask God to help you remember He is there for you, waiting to draw you closer to Him.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. --1 Thessalonians 5:11
Each school year a fifth-grade teacher assigned her students a very special writing assignment. She asked them to write a nice sentence about each classmate.
It could be something they liked about the person or something they thought the person did well. The teacher then went line by line and put together a list for each student of all the nice words their classmates had written.
When this special teacher retired, many of her former students, who are now adults, came to her retirement party. But they carried with them more than just good fifth-grade memories. One by one, each student took out faded, well-worn sheets of paper...the treasured lists of encouragement.
One woman in her 20s told the teacher that whenever she felt down, she would open her scrapbook and read those words. A 40-something-year-old man admitted he carried his list with him in his wallet. Those positive words left a powerful, lasting impression!
Have you ever had someone say something nice that boosted your spirits or heard a kind word that made you smile?
Maybe you know someone who lives alone. Imagine how a timely phone call to see how they are would help. Perhaps writing a note to a friend who is ill might boost their spirits. There's so much you can do and say today to encourage those around you with the love of Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for those timely, positive words people have said to you, and ask Him for opportunities where you can encourage others today.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. --Psalm 86:15
In 1859, a prominent French banker named Jean-Henri Dunant set off to see Napoleon about a financial transaction.
Running late, however, he found himself on a hilltop watching in horror as Napoleon's troops engaged in a brutal battle with the Austrians below. The images Dunant saw of the young dying soldiers and the wounded crying out in pain seared into his mind.
Then the next day, he saw a similar scene in a small, neighboring town. After a battle, terrified refugees were huddled together...and the wounded and dead lay everywhere. And as a result, Dunant decided to postpone his trip to visit Napoleon to stay and comfort the wounded solders and care for the frightened citizens.
This experience ignited a passion in the heart of Jean-Henri Dunant, and he started a crusade to help those in need. His efforts eventually won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, and the organization he founded, the American Red Cross, continues to help millions around the world today.
Like Jean-Henri Dunant, you've probably seen something that touched your heart and made you think differently. You've probably seen someone in need and wanted to help.
Unlike Dunant, however, you may not know what you can do to help those in need. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Anything you do for others in the name of Jesus, whether it's as simple as donating canned goods to your local food bank, supporting a local charity with a financial gift, or going on a short-term mission trip, is blessed in the eyes of God.
This should challenge each of us to go out of our way to help those in need! I hope you'll take time today and every day to show the love and compassion of Christ to someone who needs it.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for opportunities where you can show compassion to others, and thank Him for the kindness He has shown you.
:angel:
August 19, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. --John 3:16
It all began with a single red paper clip.
Kyle McDonald of Montreal, Quebec wanted to see if he could eventually barter for a house in less than a year starting with only a red paper clip.
So first, he went online and traded the red paper clip for a pen that looked like a fish. That fish pen soon became a homemade doorknob...that became a camping stove...then a generator...and so on.
Near the end of his year-long trading spree, McDonald bartered a rare snow globe for a movie role. Then the small town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, offered to trade McDonald a three-bedroom house for the movie role, which they planned to auction off.
McDonald agreed and achieved his goal. From a mere red paper clip, he gained a house!
Have you ever thought about how valuable you are? You're so valuable, so priceless, that God made the ultimate trade for you! John 3:16 says He gave his only Son so that you could spend eternity with Him! You mean that much to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the worth He sees in you and praise Him for His gift of eternal life.
:angel:
August 22, 2011
I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. --Acts 20:24
Dick Hoyt and his son, Rick, have completed countless races together, including the Boston Marathon and the grueling Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.
While these are impressive feats, it's almost unbelievable when you consider that Rick suffers from cerebral palsy and is a quadriplegic!
During their triathlons, Dick pulls his son in a special boat. He cycles with Rick seated on the front of the bike, and then runs with his son in a special wheelchair.
Dick wasn't particularly athletic when his son, who couldn't speak, wanted to take part in a five-kilometer benefit race as a young boy. But after seeing his son's unbridled joy during the race, Dick decided the two should do more together. Today, Team Hoyt regularly finishes in the top quarter of the races they enter.
What drives this loving father to work so hard? He knows that his son Rick doesn't feel handicapped when they race together.
Isn't this a beautiful picture of God's love and concern for you and me? When we're weak, God is strong. He's there to push us, pull us, and even carry us through obstacles we cannot conquer on our own.
That's why we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37)!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His fatherly love and that He is always there to push, pull, and carry you in any situation.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! --2 Corinthians 5:17
A young, enterprising store clerk convinced his boss a ten-cent sale would be a great way to reduce inventory. The boss agreed, and the sale was a tremendous success.
This gave the young man an idea: He would open his own store stocking nickel and dime merchandise! So the young man approached his boss and asked him to invest in his idea for a portion of the profits.
The boss said no. He thought the idea was ridiculous, and told the young man, "Honestly, where would you find enough merchandise to sell for a mere nickel or dime?"
The determined young clerk went ahead with his plans anyway. And eventually, F.W. Woolworth had stores all over the country!
Later, his former boss said with regret, "As far as I can figure out, every word I used to turn Woolworth down cost me about a million dollars."
Do you have something in your past you regret? Perhaps it's losing contact with someone you love or holding a grudge. Or losing a relationship. Or being unforgiving. The good news of Jesus Christ is that every day is a new day for His followers! His blood has cleansed you from all your sins and Jesus gives you the amazing opportunity to start anew every day!
That's the power of His grace!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the cleansing power of the cross to erase all your sins. And ask Him to help you with any past regrets you might have. By His grace you can start anew.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." --Matthew 17:20
There once was an Episcopal bishop in Ohio who stood in his pulpit and declared that flying through the air was both impossible and against the will of God.
It seems, though, that Bishop Wright's sons, Orville and Wilbur, didn't think much of their father's pronouncement...they invented the airplane anyway!
Have you ever felt strongly that something was impossible? Philippians 4:13 says "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." It doesn't say some things. It says all things.
Most would have said it was impossible for Sarah to have Isaac in her 90s. That it was impossible for Jonah to survive three days in the belly of a fish only to be spat out exactly where he was supposed to be.
And that Jesus' death and resurrection was impossible...only for Him to die and rise again so that you might have a relationship with God!
If you have an obstacle in your life you aren't sure you can overcome, don't be discouraged. Take heart because God can do the impossible! Trust in this promise today.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God that through Him all things are possible and ask for His power to do the impossible in your life today!
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. --Psalm 20:7
While serving in World War I as a merchant marine, British actor Herbert Marshall was required to wear a foul-smelling life jacket.
He hated wearing the putrid preserver, and at the close of the war, contemptuously tossed the repulsive object overboard in celebration. He then watched in horror as the long-tormenting object sank like a rock!
Like Herbert Marshall, you and I often put our security in things that really won't save us. Things like material possessions, finances, and job status...even things like our own good works.
In Jeremiah 17:5, God warns us, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD." But two verses later He says, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."
So I want to ask you an honest question today: Who (or what) do you put your confidence in? If your trust isn't in Jesus Christ, you're holding onto a life preserver that will sink when you need it the most!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God that He is trustworthy, and ask Him to help you fully put your trust and confidence in Him.
:angel:
August 26, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. --Proverbs 28:1
In 1996, Reverend Joe Wright, pastor of a large church in Wichita, Kansas, bravely stepped to the microphone of the Kansas House of Representatives to open a session in prayer.
But it wasn't the generic prayer to which the congressmen were accustomed. In part, he said:
"We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism....
"In the name of choice, we have killed the unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed the abortionists....
"We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment."
He then asked for wisdom and forgiveness and closed the prayer in Jesus' name.
As you can imagine, Wright's prayer caused quite an uproar. But he stood strong...and said he wouldn't apologize for stating what was true.
In today's secular and Godless culture, we need more people like Reverend Wright to take a bold stand for Jesus...people who aren't afraid of declaring and defending the truth of God as revealed in His Word.
Are you one of those people? When was the last time you took a stand for Christ? Maybe it wasn't in front of a room full of congressmen, but perhaps in a personal conversation with an unbelieving friend.
Today, I want to challenge you to memorize the verse at the beginning of this devotional, and live it out in your daily life.
As a believer, you have the truth on your side! So you can be as bold as a lion as you live the Christian life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you be bold and strong in your witness for Him.
:angel:
August 29, 2011
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:10
Pablo Picasso painted thousands of pictures in his lifetime. And as his fame as an artist grew, so did the number of forgeries of his work.
One day, a fellow artist brought the famous painter one of his supposed works of art.
"A fake!" Picasso exclaimed.
Not long afterwards, the friend returned with two more paintings for the master to inspect. "Forgeries!" he told the artist again. The dumbfounded artist sputtered, "I saw you paint this last one with my own eyes!"
Picasso shrugged, "Sometimes I paint fakes."
In your life as a Christian, do you ever feel that you're just "painting a fake"? Do you ever feel more like a forgery than a person who's actually been transformed by the awesome power of Jesus?
Truly becoming who God the Creator intends you to be starts with knowing Him, and knowing what He desires for you. And the best way you can do this is to spend time with God every day, reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer.
I want to challenge you not to settle for what you think Christlikeness looks like. Instead strive to be like Christ by spending time with Him every day!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you more and more like Christ today...and every day.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. --2 Peter 3:8
History is filled with bold predictions that completely missed the mark:
At the turn of the 20th century, car makers produced only four million automobiles because the experts believed the world would eventually run out of chauffeurs.
Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, made the bold pronouncement that radio had no future in 1894.
Mark Twain refused to invest in Alexander Graham Bell's telephone because he didn't see a use for it.
Thomas Watson, the President of IBM, once said the future world would need "maybe only five computers."
And in 1899, the director of the United States patent office told President McKinley that "everything that can be invented has already been invented."
We often try to set our own course based on what we believe the future will be instead of seeking what God has planned for us first. How often we forget that God sees the future much better than we do!
Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
When you put your trust in God and obey Him, you can rest in the assurance that He will guide and direct your steps today and tomorrow.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God for His infinite wisdom and ask Him to guide your steps today.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. --Ephesians 5:1-2
Muriel McQuilklin was an amazing artist, a vivacious radio host, and a devoted wife and mother while her husband Robertson had a prosperous career as a popular Bible college president. But this all changed when Alzheimer's disease began to slowly steal Muriel's mind.
At the peak of his career...while many urged him to put his wife in a nursing home...Robertson McQuilkin left his college presidency to stay home and care for his ailing wife.
His critics couldn't believe he would walk away from "God's work," but this devoted husband shrugged them off saying simply, "There are others who can lead the Bible college, but I am the only one who can care for Muriel."
Even when she no longer knew him, Robertson lovingly cared for Muriel until she passed away in 2003, 20 years after her diagnosis.
Like McQuilkin, you may know what it's like to walk beside an ailing loved one. If not, you can probably relate to having to make some kind of sacrifice for others, be it a sacrifice of your time, your energy, or your finances (or all three!).
At times like these, Satan loves to question just why you're making that sacrifice, and what you're going to get out of it. But don't listen to him!
Remember the awesome sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on your behalf on the cross...and know that He will bless you for giving of yourself unselfishly like He did.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His wonderful sacrifice and ask Him to help you remember His precious grace when you must make sacrifices for others.
:angel:
September 01, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." --John 13:35
Before he became the prime minister of Japan, the late Shigeru Yoshida served as an ambassador to England.
One day, he learned that a particularly annoying cabinet minister had come to London. Yoshida decided avoidance was the best policy, so he told his staff to tell the cabinet member that he was not available when he called.
Undaunted, the persistent minister kept calling. The minister finally decided to visit the embassy in person, and a polite man standing on the staircase said, unfortunately, he'd missed the ambassador again.
The cabinet member turned to leave, then turned back around in stunned recognition. He demanded, "Aren't you the Ambassador Yoshida?"
Yoshida reluctantly admitted he was, and then added, "And, sir, when you hear from Yoshida himself that Yoshida is out, you can believe it!"
More than likely, there's someone in your life you probably try to avoid. Maybe it's your nosy neighbor, the gossip at church, or the bitter man in the grocery aisle. And while your reluctance to mingle with these kinds of people can often be understood, I challenge you to try a new approach.
Instead of avoiding them, do something nice for the person who is a little hard to love. Perhaps something as simple as saying a kind word or doing something nice for them.
Jesus encouraged us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that means the annoying, overbearing ones too! You may be amazed how showing kindness and compassion to someone will change you view of them.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His love and ask Him to help you love your neighbor as yourself.
:angel:
September 02, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. --Ecclesiastes 8:15
Paul Tournier, a well-known Christian psychiatrist, gives insight to the subject of happiness in his book, The Seasons of Life. He says:
"True happiness is always linked with deep, inner harmony. It therefore always implies an acceptance of one's age; the acceptance of no longer being a child when one has reached the age of adulthood, and the giving up of the goals of active life when one is advanced in years.
This is the age of retirement, which for some [people] can be a meaningful experience, while for others it is a cruel trial. ... Those who complain about their retirement are usually the same ones as those who used to complain about their work and longed to be set free from it!"
There's no room after retirement for a bitter, complaining spirit. So, why does it seem so many people are unhappy? Experts reported not long ago that only 20 percent of Americans are happy. The relentless message from society is that we must buy certain things or go specific places to experience happiness. If happiness is not a permanent condition in us, then there must be problems in our lives.
But, most people don't experience a lifelong state of happiness. Happiness is a choice...even if only a few moments each day. Think about the last few days...maybe you had an unexpected visitor drop by, a letter came from an old friend, or someone may have complimented you. Moments like those are the ones that make the seemingly "bad day" disappear in a flash.
Tomorrow, stop and notice the sunset, listen to the birds outside your window sing sweet songs, or drink up the peaceful serenity of a rain shower. Then, you will see the happiness that God desires for you to experience.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the sweet moments of happiness that He gives each day.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." --Deuteronomy 33:12
Consumers lose millions of dollars each year due to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a person's social security number, credit card number, phone number, address, and other personal information is discovered by a thief who uses the information for his own personal gain.
As as result of this, many people have purchased paper shredders for their homes to help prevent the theft of their mail or private information from a trash can or dumpster. While this kind of theft can almost ruin a person and is a great travesty, we must be wary of having our true identity stolen.
Satan steals a person's potential in Christ by convincing them they are not worthy of God's forgiveness, grace, and love. He rips off others by using peers to influence them in negative ways or creating enormous amounts of guilt. Through fear, guilt, and shame, Satan can prevent many from discovering God's ultimate purpose for their lives.
The devil's goal is to keep you confused about your spiritual gift and purpose, trying to dilute your true identity in Christ. Remember that God loves you and you are "precious and honored" in His sight (Isaiah 43:4). You are valuable. So much so, that Christ hung on a cross for your sins. How's that for value? And you are capable of being all that God's called you to be because He has specifically gifted you to serve and honor Him (see 1 Peter 4:10).
It may cause some problems to have your personal information robbed by the common thief, but it would be even more devastating to have the sneakiest crook of all steal your identity in Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart from Satan's crooked ways. Pray that He would strengthen your identity in Him each day.
:angel:
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. --Romans 12:4-6
Have you ever met someone who was gifted in a certain area? And you wished you could have that same talent? Maybe you've had a close relationship with someone who had a gift of teaching, or a special talent in music. A person gifted in a specific way has exceptional abilities in that particular area.
But usually regardless of how gifted that person is in one area, they are not gifted in every area of their life. No matter how good the beautician is, she must still depend on others to fix her car or hook up her cable. No matter how talented the surgeon is, he must still find others to take his family portrait or sing at his daughter's wedding.
In the church it is the same. There is a spiritual God-given gift that every believer in Christ has. And everyone is to use their gift to serve the Lord and His kingdom (see 1 Peter 4:10). Paul mentions several spiritual gifts throughout his letters including serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy (Romans 12:3-8).
Most people are born with natural talents, but only believers are blessed with spiritual gifts. Every Christian, young and old, should be using their spiritual gifts in ways to bring blessing and encouragement to others (see Philippians 2:3-4). And, most importantly, we are to use our spiritual gifts to bring honor and glory to the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you still don't know it, ask the Lord to reveal to you your spiritual gift. Ask Him to help you find a place to use your gift. Pray that He would use you to bring blessing, encouragement, and hope to others through your gift.
:angel:
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. --Psalm 119:49-50
As people live longer, there may be a progression in chronic illnesses among senior citizens. While great advancements are being made in curing cancer and heart disease, there is a condition that can be devastating to the one it affects, and his or her family and friends—Alzheimer's Disease.
The progressive nature of Alzheimer's is well known to most. A person, usually older, starts to forget the details in life. And these memory mishaps become more frequent until they reach a severe level of disability and begin to interfere with daily activities. Soon, the diseased individual fails to recognize familiar faces and places, and they lose the ability to care for themselves altogether.
God knows and has planned every day of the person who carries this horrible disease, so their gradual downward spiral is no surprise to Him. While this change is hard on family and friends, and even harder to understand, God brings comfort to those who experience Alzheimer's. And while Alzheimer's destroys the mind, God continually gives strength and hope in the spirit.
Professional support groups exist across the nation for families and patients dealing with this disease. There are many helpful and effective ways to cope with Alzheimer's for both parties today. It's important for you and your loved one to continue on in an active circle of care. We are to continually have the mind of Christ Jesus...not our own, but His. So, put the health, mind, and spirit of the one you love whom Alzheimer's affects in the hands of the Great Physician.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the grace and mercy He shows us each day regardless of the pain and suffering from this world. Ask for God's protection and watch care over those you may know who are struggling with Alzheimer's Disease or any other disease.
:angel:
He guides the humble in what is right, and teaches them his way. --Psalm 25:9
The Internet is older than you think—it's not so young anymore. More senior adults are logging in and using the Internet all the time. In the United States alone, senior adults make up one in five people who use the Internet.
Using the Internet doesn't mean you have to delve into extensive research or know a secret code to enter the World Wide Web. Most people use the Internet to send and receive e-mail, read the news and current events, and find basic information on everyday topics such as the weather, travel, sports, and online shopping. There are even some senior adults who have joined online communities to meet and make new friends which, in turn, open opportunities to attend luncheons and talk on the phone with new companions.
There are still personal benefits for seniors to embrace in using the Internet—entertainment, money management, hobbies, family and friends, and grandkids, grandkids, grandkids! It is an easy way to stay in touch with the special people in your life.
If you have never used a computer or the Internet before, there are computer classes in almost every town or community. You can first check with your local library or public school to find classes nearby. And there's really nothing to be skeptical about when using the computer besides remembering to use caution when giving out personal information as you would "offline."
There are also some beneficial ways to enhance your spiritual growth through online Bible study tools and daily devotionals. Even as senior adults, God wants us to move forward with our lives, learn new things, and seek new ways to build relationships with others and with Him!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the new ways available for you to connect with other believers and with the people you love.
:angel:
September 09, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. --Leviticus 19:32
Honor should be given to senior citizens—period. It's in the Bible. Older men and women with years of experience and wisdom must be treated with respect. So, why does this matter to you since you're already a senior citizen?
It needs to be passed down to the younger generations. Children, teenagers, and even some young adults today are being raised without knowledge and practice of this valuable rule. It is your responsibility to share this with your already grown children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren because it's in the Bible.
"Never speak sharply to an older man, but please with him respectfully just as though he were your own father. ... Treat the older women as mothers" (1 Timothy 5:1-2, TLB). How many young people do you know who truly speak to older adults with the utmost respect? There aren't many in today's society. There's no respect for parents, government authority, school educators, much less the elderly.
And while there are exceptions, as a senior adult, you must leave behind the legacy of respect for older generations. Many young people don't realize the value in the wisdom and experience that a senior adult can give. "The glory of young men is their strength; of old men, their experience" (Proverbs 20:29, TLB).
If senior adults begin instilling these values into the younger generations, the respect you deserve will not be lost. In Psalm 71, the Bible records a senior citizen's prayer. "And now that I am old and gray, don't forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all Your mighty miracles" (Psalm 71:18, TLB). As men and women of age, there is much for you to teach the younger generations—don't delay!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you a young person whom you can mentor and share godly wisdom and experience.
:angel:
September 12, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
Praise be to the Lord; to God our Savior, who daily bears our burden. --Psalm 68:19
Depression is a serious mental health issue that affects people of all ages, both male and female. Sadly, concurrent medical conditions can actually compromise the recognition of depression in older adults. Some of the illnesses related to late-life depression are not only many forms of cancer, but Parkinson's disease, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's dementia.
Do you or someone you know experience these types of symptoms? Here are some things to look for: recent significant weight change, change in sleeping patterns, loss of energy, isolation, overwhelming feelings of sadness, unexplained physical symptoms, inappropriate feelings of guilt, and feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.
Beware that these problems are not just part of the normal aging process for older adults. Medical help is needed if you or your loved one is experiencing four or more of the symptoms above. But, whether you are experiencing clinical or chronic depression, or just the occasional bout of depression, there is hope in God's Word.
Every person experiences depression at one point or another in his or her life. In Psalm 107:10-11, the Bible records the prisoners "sat in darkness and deepest gloom, miserable prisoners in chains." Have you ever felt this way? To relieve their pain, they cried out to the Lord and "He saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains" (Psalm 107:13-14, NLT).
There is hope in the Lord to break free from the bondage of depression. In the Bible, Satan is compared to a thief who is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy you (John 10:10). But, Christ came to give you everlasting (John 5:24) and abundant (John 10:10) life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises of freedom from the bonds of depression. Ask him to take away the feelings of depression and fill you with joy and hope.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. --Psalm 118:24
Have you ever taken time out of your day just to stop and literally smell the flowers in your garden, listen to the birds singing, or relax long enough to feel the cool breeze outside? If you truly take the time to do things like this each day, you'll be amazed at how renewed—emotionally and mentally—you'll begin to feel.
When your joy and passion for life have been depleted, take action! Everyone goes through seasons of discontentment and gloom, and there are many reasons for its cause. It could be a stressed relationship, work problems, frustration or difficulties in a relationship with your children, personal criticism, or illness.
When trying times creep up on us, our joy seems to dissipate. You've probably heard the story of Jonah. He said about life: "It would be better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:8). Despite Jonah's difficulties, even spending some time in the belly of a whale, God brought Him out of his unhappiness and restored his joy.
When your joy seems to have disappeared, seek solitude and silence with God. A hectic lifestyle is never a good solution for finding joy that has been lost. "Be still before the Lord" (Zechariah 2:13), and refresh your spirit through Him. Think about God's many blessings in your life, especially the people you love and the people who love you. When you're feeling like Satan has taken away your happiness, remember the declaration in Psalm 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you an opportunity where you can get away and be alone with Him. Thank Him for the joy and blessings in your life that can only be found in Him.
:angel:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
--Colossians 3:12
In 1935, on a winter night, Fiorello LaGuardia, the mayor of New York City, showed up at night court in the poorest part of the city. He let the judge go for the evening and he took over the bench.
A woman in torn clothing, charged with stealing a loaf of bread, was brought to stand before LaGuardia. She told LaGuardia that her son-in-law had deserted her extremely sick daughter, and that her grandchildren were starving. The shopkeeper refused to drop the charges, however, saying she needed to be punished.
LaGuardia sighed, turned to the old woman, and said, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail."
As soon as he pronounced the sentence, however, LaGuardia took a $10 bill out of his pocket and threw it into a hat. And he said: "Here's the $10 fine, which I now remit. Furthermore, I'm going to fine each person 50 cents in this courtroom for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The next day, a New York newspaper reported that $47.50 was turned over to the grandmother who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren.
Today, give encouragement or show kindness to someone who wouldn't expect it from anyone else. Christ came to give life and show mercy to those less fortunate and those who are sinners—not the high and mighty. Restore the joy in your life by giving of your time and energy to those who don't have the blessings that you do.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone who is less fortunate than you, so you can extend to him or her the same kindness that Christ first showed you.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
But if a widow [or widower] has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. --1 Timothy 5:4
For some senior adults, moving toward dependency happens quickly as the result of an illness, a fall, an accident with long-term effects, and more. But, most seniors creep toward dependency at first unnoticed, then realized, and finally understanding and willingly.
Changes that continue to happen because of aging cause a senior citizen to finally understand: "I can't do this by myself anymore. I need someone to help me out." Depending on the individual, some may be eager and willing to accept the help of another, while others find it hard to admit what is happening.
The caregiver should be one who agrees to become responsible for one who decides to take on dependency. In the fifth commandment found in Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you," the rationale in God's plan is that family members are to look after one another.
Parents are to care for their children; and then in reciprocation, the adult children are to care for their parents. The most God-honoring care giving will come from the wisdom found in the fifth commandment. If you are at the point where you would like to begin making plans for someone to take care of you one day, then consider sitting down with a family member to discuss the next steps.
Be aware of the situation and how much time will need to be spent between the two of you. Work out a plan, involving more than one family member, if possible, and recognize that there will be some difficult times. Decide whether or not you want to remain in your own home, or if you need to go where it will be more convenient for your family.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask for God's will, wisdom, and guidance to be revealed in this situation. Pray that God would work out the details in His own way and in His time.
:angel:
September 16, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. - Psalm 71:1
When things come up in my life, oftentimes my first instinct is to take action and correct whatever may be wrong. This is true for most men. It's a natural male tendency to want to fix what's broken. I'm sure some of the ladies reading this can relate to this tendency as well.
The problem is that my first instinct isn't necessarily my best course of action. An impulsive reaction to a situation can sometimes make it much worse. Instead of seeking the Lord and asking for guidance, we may rely on our wealth, our reputation, or our own know-how to get a job done. But often this can lead to negative results.
Consider Jonah. His first instinct was to run. In fact, when God called Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, he went as far in the opposite direction as possible. And it was only due to his eventual acceptance of God's will that an entire city was spared the Lord's fury. Jonah knew he had a difficult task set before him, but he fled from God instead of seeking shelter from God.
How different the story would have been if Jonah had simply taken refuge in the Lord from the beginning! Jonah could have spared himself a lot of misery and shame by finding refuge in the Lord.
How much of our own anguish has been caused by an unwillingness to submit to God? Sometimes we would rather stand in the cold alone than experience warmth and safety in the sanctuary of the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for refuge today by granting you strength and peace of mind.
:angel:
September 19, 2011
Daily Living for Seniors
"Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water." Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. - Numbers 20:8, 11
Do you ever hear without listening? Maybe you've heard the words that were spoken to you, but failed to understand their meaning. A very simple example of this would be turning on a foreign language TV or radio station. You can listen all day long, but you'll never hear the intended message!
When God speaks to us, it's very important that we not only hear His voice but to listen to what He's telling us. In the verses above, you see a clear command from God: "Speak to that rock." Yet what does Moses do? He strikes the rock. Twice! Talk about missing the message. And as a result of this failure to really hear God's command, Moses wasn't allowed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Now, maybe Moses was confused. After all, in Exodus 17:6, God did command Moses to strike a rock to receive water for the people. Which is why it is so important that we listen carefully to what God is telling us.
It's worth noting that while Moses failed to follow the Lord's command explicitly, God was still faithful to His commitment. He still poured out water from the rock. God is always faithful to His word. You and I need to focus on listening to His word as we hear to His voice.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that you will be able to listen to God's voice...and that you clearly understand His command to you in every situation in life.
:angel:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. - Matthew 4:1
All of us battle temptation on a daily basis. The enemy is relentless in his attacks, which is why you and I must always be vigilant in staying connected to the Lord every day. But no matter how committed we are to our relationship with God, we will still come under fire.
The key to our victory is in our response. When you feel overwhelmed by temptation, how do you respond? Thankfully, God has provided us the perfect example for overcoming temptation by allowing His own Son to be tempted.
Christ's temptation is recorded in the fourth chapters of both Matthew and Luke. The key to focus on is Jesus' response when tempted by Satan. In both Gospels, Jesus responds to temptation by quoting Scripture. In fact, Jesus is tempted three times and each time He quotes from Deuteronomy!
Now Jesus probably had more Scripture memorized than you or I do, and at our age it may not be so easy to add a whole lot more. But notice that Jesus responds with verses that apply to the specific temptation. We all know our sin patterns and we know what temptations we struggle with. That's why it's so important to commit one or two verses to memory that address your individual weaknesses.
For instance, if you struggle with a lot of negative emotions, it might be beneficial to memorize Galatians 5:22-23, which lists the fruit of the Spirit. Or if you battle an unhealthy relationship with money, remember 1 Timothy 6:10. It will remind you of the consequences when putting wealth ahead of the Lord.
If you just can't seem to commit a verse to memory, write it down and tuck it somewhere that will be helpful when you are tempted. Keep it in your Bible, your wallet, in your car, or taped to your bathroom mirror.
Nothing rebuffs Satan like the Word of God. Remember it is our sword—the only form of attack we have against the enemy.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Repeat the Lord's Prayer today especially focusing on "Lead us not into temptation." Pray this for yourself and for those you love.
:angel:
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
Have you ever heard the phrase "addition by subtraction"? You often hear it used by sports analysts when an athlete leaves a team. Take the Texas Rangers, for example.
In 2000, they signed Alex Rodriguez, or "A-Rod," to the biggest contract in sports history. He was one of the best shortstops in the game! Yet the Rangers finished last in their division three years in a row.
After trading A-Rod to the New York Yankees three years later, the Rangers finished the 2004 season only three games out of first place in their division! This is a good example of addition by subtraction.
In the same way, God often removes things from our lives that we consider very important. But in the end, we see that by removing that thing, we are better off.
In today's verse, we see that Jacob lost something that was extremely important to him: his ability to run! That's right. Jacob's pattern was simple, he would deceive and then he would run away. He ran from Esau after stealing his birthright and he later ran from Laban, taking all his possessions with him.
However, after the Lord injured his hip, Jacob was forced to confront his biggest fear. He had to face Esau. And much like the Prodigal Son, Jacob was welcomed with open arms by Esau. By subtracting his ability to flee, God added back Jacob's brother.
The Lord may be removing dependencies in your own life. What you may be missing, though, really may be God's provision through these times.
How is the Lord taking care of you even while stripping away things you thought you needed? I want to encourage you to look for the addition that results from God's subtraction.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you how He is using a recent loss for good..
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1
Superstitions exist in all facets of life. From black cats, to indoor umbrellas, even believers who have been walking with the Lord for decades can allow false beliefs to seep into their daily routines.
The world considers this harmless, entertainment even. But consider what it says to God when you speak with a psychic or allow superstitions to hinder your daily activities. What you are telling God is that you do not trust Him enough to take care of your needs. But the Lord clearly instructs us in Proverbs 3:5 not to rely on our own knowledge or the knowledge of others. Instead you are to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."
Superstitions happen when we give meaning to the meaningless. Sometimes we all need to be reminded that trusting God to lead you means that breaking mirrors, or stepping on cracks, or walking under ladders holds no meaning.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would reveal to you anything in your life that may be creating a separation between you and Him.
:angel:
"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8
I read about a man not long ago who started a mission organization at the age of 65. He does a lot of pastoral training around the globe, including several training seminars in China each year.
During his most recent trip to China, the man was teaching a group of pastors when they were interrupted by Chinese officials. He was detained and held for questioning, his visa was suspended, and his passport was confiscated.
After eight hours of questioning, he was released and allowed to leave the country. His future access to China is unknown right now, but he is pressing on. Less than two weeks after this he was en route to Romania to continue his work!
Friends, our Lord has commanded us to take His message to the ends of the earth. Not all of us can go to China,but there's no excuse for not being involved in missionary work on some level. Chances are your church sponsors mission trips or missionary families or both. Find out what you can do to get involved in those areas. Or you could look online for any number of independent mission groups who could use your support.
Support doesn't have to mean going or even giving financially. Prayers are just as important as dollars, and countless people in the field have seen great provision through the support of prayer warriors at home.
And don't forget that the mission field includes your neighborhood or place of work! If you can't go to China, you still can go next door.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would present you with an opportunity to be directly involved with missionary efforts.
:angel:
September 26, 2011 Daily Living for Seniors
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This passage in 2 Timothy gives us four distinct uses of Scripture in our lives. These uses can be applied to ourselves, to friends and family, to small groups, or to whole congregations. Let's take a look at each a little more in depth.
1) Teaching - As you study God's Word, you will come to know more about His character. God teaches us directly through His Spirit when we read the Bible. We teach each other in small groups, and we are taught as a body when we attend church services.
2) Rebuking - God's Word informs us about sin and how He wants us to live. We are commanded to share this knowledge with those around us. The act of rebuking, which is very different from judging, is a positive, loving act according to the Word.
3) Correcting - While rebuking is a confrontation of sin, correcting is more about instructing fellow believers in right ways of living, attitude, and thinking. Not in an area where they have been sinful, but where they are in error.
4) Training - Not just training, but "training in righteousness." This implies guiding new believers in God's ways. Training is not just for new believers. You and I need to continue training others as well as being trained in the Word. It is an ongoing process.
The net result of these four principles is that "the man (or woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
If you follow these instructions, as Paul required of Timothy, then you will be fully capable of meeting the challenges that arise in your life. In addition, you will become a valuable friend and neighbor by helping others become equipped as well!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Father would allow you to put these principles into action today.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. - James 4:17
Have you ever been in a situation and known the right thing to do, but just didn't do it? If so, you're not alone! Most of us can probably relate to this scenario.
The Scriptures clearly show us what actions are sin. But how do we know when inaction becomes a sin? Well, we all know the difference between right and wrong. And it's not enough to just avoid doing sin. We are commanded to pursue righteousness and justice.
You've heard the term "half-truth" before. Half-truths are telling the truth without telling the whole truth. Thus you can omit certain information without actually lying. But this is precisely what James is talking about. Some people say that a half-truth is actually a half-lie. I think they're on to something.
There are many times in our lives when we're faced with difficult situations. But we do not have the luxury of burying our heads in the sand or looking the other way and pretending we don't see what's before us. Friend, you and I must do what is right, even when no one is looking, and even when it might cost us something!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. - Philippians 3:13
One of the easiest traps to fall into in life is holding a grudge against someone who's wronged you. If you've been wounded, it's often difficult to forgive!
In elementary schools, you'll often hear teachers chiding their students, "Eyes forward!" if they aren't paying attention in class. In the same way, Paul encourages us in today's verse to look ahead. He reminds us not to focus...not to dwell on...what has already passed.
In friendships or marriages, it can be hard to keep our eyes forward when you see the same behavior repeat itself. However, "forgetting what is behind" is the right thing to do. Even after 30, 40, or 50 years in a relationship, we must practice forgiveness and ask God to help us forget past wrongs.
You and I have two choices in life: We can either live with our eyes looking back and a tight grip on all the wrongs that have been done to us...or we can accept the challenge to forgive, forget, and share the time we have left with those to whom we are closest.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you identify and forgive any longstanding personal wounds and live with "eyes forward."
:angel:
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:2
Today's verse is fascinating. Because according to the writer of Hebrews, you and I have the chance to entertain angels when we open our homes up to strangers!
But more than opening yourself up to entertaining angels, being hospitable and serving others is a tangible way you can show the love of Christ to those who don't know Him. In fact, Christ commanded that we should love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matt. 22:39).
As you get older, serving and entertaining does become more difficult. But there are still ways you can love your neighbor without exhausting yourself. For instance, doing little things like letting someone merge into your lane in traffic or simply talking to someone who appears lonely. It doesn't take much energy to show someone you love and care about them!
Today, think about ways you can serve and be hospitable towards others. And remember, you just might be serving an angel!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you creative ways to serve and entertain others who may not know Him.
:angel:
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. - Titus 2:2
Few passages in Scripture apply to older men exclusively. Which is why I'm so grateful the Lord gave us today's verse!
After listing the attributes of a qualified elder in the church, Paul instructs Titus on the character of mature men in general. He first lists three qualities: temperance, dignity, and self-control. Then, he follows that with three areas in which senior men should be grounded: faith, love, and endurance.
All of these qualities work in concert with each other. Temperance indicates a level of restraint. You should practice moderation. If you cannot exercise this quality, you'll certainly risk undignified behavior. It could even result in public embarrassment and loss of respect. Such actions do not indicate self-control.
Older men should also strive to be "sound in faith, in love and in endurance." James 1 tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. If you are grounded in your faith, then a natural side-effect should be spiritual endurance. Paul also reiterates the importance of love. We are always to be acting from a position of love.
Men, look at these qualities. Examine them as a checklist. How are you doing in each of these areas? Where could you use a little more work? In what area do you have consistent success? Tomorrow, I'll turn my attention and focus on the Paul's characteristics for older women.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for strength in the area you are most lacking. Then thank Him for success in the area where you are most unwavering!
:angel:
October 03, 2011 Daily Living for Seniors
Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. - Titus 2:3
Today, I'm going to focus on Paul's instructions to the older women. Paul lays out his characteristics for senior women in three statements.
First, women are to be reverent in their behavior. I believe this reverence is meant to extend not only to reverence to God, but to the men of the Church as well. If the men are living as they are commanded, then they are worthy of respect. However, as with most of God's commands, this is not conditional. Even if those around you are not holding up their end, you must still act in a manner pleasing to the Lord.
Second, godly women are not to be "slanderers or addicted to much wine." Gossip is often a sin associated with women. This may not be altogether fair, but here Paul is specific in directing this at the older women. He also instructs them not to be excessive drinkers. When he uses the term "addicted," it's really the image of a slave. You should not be enslaved to drinking.
Finally, the women are called to teach what is good. Paul views the role of older women mentoring younger women as very important. In fact, he goes on to further instruct the more mature women in detail how to teach the younger wives proper behavior. Women, God is calling you to be an example to the young women in your lives.
I encourage you to examine any of the areas above where you may be struggling. As an example to the young women around you, what are you teaching them through your actions? Also, consider areas where God has given you much success through His grace.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you the area in which you need the most improvement. Thank Him for providing victory in the area where you have the most success!
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. --Psalm 28:7
Author Norman Cousins told of being hospitalized with a rare, crippling disease in his book, The Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient. When Cousins was diagnosed as incurable, he decided to check out of the hospital. He was fully aware of the harmful effects that negative emotions can have on the body, but Cousins reasoned that the reverse was true and decided to do something about it.
Once he was home, he determined to take action against the disease that was spreading through his body. He borrowed a movie projector and prescribed his own treatment.
Each day, he watched Marx Brothers films and old "Candid Camera" reruns. It wasn't long before Cousins realized that ten minutes of laughter provided two hours of pain-free sleep. Amazingly, his incurable disease was eventually reversed. His victory appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine and afterward, he received more than 3,000 letters from appreciative physicians throughout the world.
God does not expect us to be serious Christians all the time. We're expected to lighten up and have some fun. Even Jesus had fun: playing with children, attending a wedding party, and socializing with everyday people. The Christian life may seem like a somber and boring journey, but it's not supposed to be that way.
Unfortunately, non-believers often view Christians as a "no-fun" crowd, but we know that the life of the believer is full of joy—joy that can only be found in Christ. When the negativity of the world darkens your day, praise Jesus for the fulfillment, purpose, and happiness we have in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the joy you have in Jesus as a Christian. Pray that God would daily fill you with laughter and happiness through the Holy Spirit when the world gets you down.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." --1 Samuel 3:10
Noted English architect, Sir Christopher Wren, was supervising the construction of a magnificent cathedral in London. During the construction, a local journalist thought it would be an interesting read to interview some of the workers and write a story on it's progress.
He chose three and individually asked them this question, "What are you doing?"
The first man replied, "I'm cutting stone for ten shillings a day."
The next man answered, "I'm putting in ten hours a day on this job."
Finally, the third exclaimed, "I'm helping Sir Christopher Wren construct one of London's greatest cathedrals."
Life is all about perspective. Do you hold a negative view of life, or a positive one? It is so easy to think negatively about the bad things going on around us and the difficulties we face day to day. But when you put your purpose into perspective, then this Christian life makes sense. When you keep a positive focus on your purpose in life, then the things that bring you down will seem to disappear.
God put each one of us here for a specific reason. Whether it is ministering to others, teaching His Word, providing encouragement and comfort, or something else, God gave you a gift for fulfilling the purpose He's laid before you. Samuel answered the call of God faithfully and he became the spokesman for God's Word to all of Israel.
Listen for God's call and answer it. Respond faithfully and He will reward you for your obedience to Him. Each morning, wake up with a fresh, positive outlook on life and your day-to-day challenges will be easy to conquer.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would continually keep your heart and mind sensitive to the Spirit's calling. Ask the Lord to clearly reveal His purpose for your life.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" --Mark 1:14-15
There was once a ranger in the Yellowstone National Park that led a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the various flowers and animals in the park, that he ignored the messages coming through his two-way radio.
They soon became distracting while he was talking, so he just switched his radio off. But as the group neared the tower at the top of the mountain, they were met by a nearly breathless lookout. He asked why the ranger hadn't responded to any of the messages on his radio.
A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were frantically trying to warn them of the danger that followed. When we ignore the message God sends, we put ourselves, our loved ones, and those around us in danger. It is so important to keep constant communication with the Lord.
Are there those around you who don't know of the danger that lies ahead if they aren't believers in Jesus? Do they know that Satan stalks them day and night looking to devour them? As believers, it is our responsibility to make sure others know of the most important message in the world—the saving knowledge of Jesus!
The message is clear and should be passed along with urgency. Warn those you love of what awaits them if they don't answer the call of Jesus. Open the lines of communication and seek to be a witness to others toward the path of righteousness.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open the right opportunities for you to share Christ with those in your life that aren't believers. Pray that He will give you the words to say and the answers to give as you share the message of hope and truth.
:angel:
But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. --1 John 2:5-6
Noted Bible scholar, James M. Gray, once told a story of impact in his life to underscore the importance of reading the Scriptures for personal growth. When he was a young Bible teacher, he became deeply impressed by the peace and spiritual maturity of a friend he spoke with often.
Gray wanted the same stability as his friend, so he asked what the secret of his confidence and positive outlook toward Scripture was. The man said, "It all started through reading Ephesians."
Having read through Ephesians many times, Gray was surprised by his response since he had never experienced the same strength he saw in his friend. After noticing Gray's puzzled look, the man said, "On one occasion, when I was on a short vacation, I took a pocket edition of Ephesians with me. One afternoon, I laid down outside and read all six chapters."
Gray's friend continued, "My interest was so aroused that I read the entire epistle again. In fact, I did not finally lay it down until I had gone through it some 15 times. When I arose to go into the house, I was in possession of Ephesians; or better yet, it was in possession of me. I had the feeling that I had been lifted up to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus—a feeling that was new to me."
His friend's testimony encouraged Gray to master the Scripture himself. He began to saturate his mind and heart with the Word of God so he could freely and effectively communicate it to others and stand strong in his own faith. Do you have a hold on the Scriptures like Gray's friend? Or better yet, does it have a hold on you?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would speak to you clearly as you study His Word—book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse.
:angel:
October 10, 2011 Daily Living for Seniors
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. --1 Corinthians 12:27
At a meeting of the American Psychological Association, Jack Lipton, a psychologist at Union College, and R. Scott Builione, a graduate student at Columbia University, presented their findings on how members of the various sections of 11 major symphony orchestras perceived each other .
The percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stiff, and non-athletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose "loud" as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical.
These were interesting findings! How could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music with such widely different personalities and perceptions? The answer is very simple: regardless of how these musicians view each other, they discard their feelings and biases to follow the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play the most beautiful music.
The Scripture says, "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
No matter where you serve—in a soup kitchen, in a Bible study, as a minister, as a prayer warrior, as an usher, or in another area—the body can't function properly without your help! You are an important part of the body of Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for each member of the Body of believers who come together to serve Him and others. Ask the Lord to make you a blessing in the Body and use you significantly as a member for His glory.
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Daily Living for Seniors
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. --Psalm 51:17
Will Rogers was most definitely known for his laughter, but he was also known for his character and compassion. One day, he was entertaining at the Milton H. Berry Institute in Los Angeles, a hospital that specialized in rehabilitating polio victims, people with broken backs, and those with other extreme physical handicaps.
As expected, Rogers had everyone laughing, even those patients who were in very bad condition. But he suddenly left the platform and headed straight for the restroom. Milton Berry followed to take him a towel. When he opened the door, he saw Rogers leaning against the wall sobbing. He quietly closed the door and left.
In a few minutes, Rogers was back on the platform, and continued on as happy as before. In The Integrity Crisis, Warren Wiersbe said, "If you want to learn what a person is really like, ask three questions: What makes him laugh? What makes him angry? What makes him weep? These are fairly good tests of character..."
Many times, people preach, teach, and share Jesus in anger. But what we truly need is brokenness for those who are hurting, lost, and without Jesus. It is that kind of anguish that Jesus showed when He removed all those who were selling and trading in the temple, and then went out and wept over the city.
It's easier to get angry over sin than it is to weep over it. While sin is wrong, we should cry out for those sinners who are hurting and hopeless. Choose today to be broken and compassionate toward those who do not know the love of Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help break you so that you can minister to those who are lost and broken. Pray that He would give you the strength and compassion needed to reach others in their times of need.
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Daily Living for Seniors
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. --2 Peter 3:13
A Christian railroad engineer was speaking to a group of his coworkers about heaven. He went into a lengthy description saying:
"I can't begin to tell you what the Lord Jesus Christ means to me. In Him, I have a hope that is precious and life everlasting. Let me explain. Many years ago, as each night I neared the end of my run, I would always let out a long blast with the whistle just as I'd come around the last curve.
"Then I'd look up at the familiar little cottage on top of the hill. My mother and father would be standing in the doorway waving to me. After I had passed, they'd go back inside and say, 'Thank God, Benny is home safe again tonight.'
"They are gone now, and no one is there to welcome me anymore. But someday when I have finished my 'earthly run' and I draw near to heaven's gate, I believe I'll see my precious mother and dad waiting there for me. And the one will turn to the other and say, 'Thank God, Benny is home safe at last.'"
We will see those loved ones, those believers who went home ahead of us, at the gates to welcome us home when we draw near. It will be a joyous time of celebration with our Lord and the ones we love! Today there are those in your life who have not yet experienced salvation through Jesus.
Have you exhausted all efforts to bring them to Jesus? Share with them what heaven means to you and tell them of your desire to welcome them home one day to eternity.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that others will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as you seek to show them the promise, hope, and joy of spending eternity with Jesus.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. --Psalm 27:14
In the 17th century during the Thirty Years' War, German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. As they stayed in a small village inn one night, afraid and homeless, his wife broke down and sobbed openly in despair.
To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture promises about God's provision. Then, going out to the garden to be alone, he too broke down and openly wept. He felt he had come to the darkest hour in his life. But soon afterward, Gerhardt felt his burden lift and a refreshing sense of the Lord's presence.
Taking a pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many in despair:
"Give to the winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.
Through waves and clouds and storms He gently clears the way.
Wait thou His time, so shall the night soon end in joyous day."
Oftentimes, our darkest hours are the times when God makes His presence known most clearly. He brings us to what feels like the lowest points in our lives and uses our sufferings, so that we will finally see that He is our only source of strength. When we see this displayed, as in the life of Pastor Gerhardt, we experience a refreshed hope in Jesus.
Are you going through a time of despair right now? "Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Give yourself completely over to Him, wait for His perfect timing, and you'll once again know the breath of fresh air you've been waiting for—His presence.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: During times of tribulation, pray that God would move in your soul, and show you His glory when it feels like darkness has filled your days.
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Daily Living for Seniors
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. --1 Timothy 1:12
In the early 1900s, a policeman walking his beat in Chicago observed a man standing before a mission. His hat was in his hand, and the officer thought he was acting strange. Thinking the man might be drunk or ill, the policeman approached him to find out what was going on. He noticed that his eyes were closed, so he nudged him and said, "What's the matter? Are you sick?"
The man looked up, smiled, and said, "No, sir. My name is Billy Sunday. I was converted right here in this mission. I never pass this way without taking the opportunity, if possible, to stand quietly for a moment and whisper a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord."
The officer understood and smiled back at Billy Sunday. Giving the evangelist a hearty handshake, the policeman warmly said, "Put 'er there, Bill! I've heard a lot about you! Keep right on with your prayer, and I'll see that no one bothers you."
In his letter to Timothy, Paul reflected on the sinner he once was by saying, "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:13-14).
Jesus came into the world to save sinners like you and me. It is important that we stop often to remember the sacrifice He made on the cross and thank Him for appointing us as ministers of His Gospel.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the salvation you have through Jesus Christ and for calling you to share the truth of His Word. Pray that He would empower and strengthen you daily to be a faithful follower.
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Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. --Ephesians 5:19-20
Walking through an open market one day, a mother and her five-year-old daughter browsed through the items available on each table. As the little girl stopped to stare at a large pile of oranges on one table, the generous vendor selling the oranges took one from the stack and gave it to her.
The mother asked her daughter, "What do you say to the nice man for giving you a gift?"
The little girl stared at the orange again, then tossed it toward the vendor and said, "Peel it!"
Thankfulness is something we learn over time and grow into regardless our age. What might be considered innocent and harmless coming from a five-year-old child would certainly be considered rude and ungrateful coming from an older child or adult. However, it's easy to fall into the trap of responding as that little girl did to God's blessings by thinking, "This is nice and all, but I'd like a little more."
An attitude of gratitude toward God's gifts is a mark of spiritual maturity in a believer's life. In Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus, he challenged them to follow Christ, which included "giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
This holiday season practice thankfulness to God, instead of complaining about what you don't have, instead of bemoaning the unfairness of life, or instead of expecting and desiring more than what you already have. God has provided all your needs and as His child, it's His desire to bless you with enough to sustain you. Be thankful for what you have!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you a thankful heart no matter the circumstances. Pray that He would help you see the blessings in all the gifts you receive—both big and small.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. --1 Thessalonians 5:18
In his autobiography, Clarence Edward Macartney, a noted author, wrote a story about two men who were walking through a field when they noticed an enraged bull. Almost immediately, they began running toward the nearest fence. The angry bull followed in hot pursuit, but it was soon apparent that they couldn't outrun the bull.
Terrified, one of the men shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life."
His companion yelled, "But you must! The bull is catching up to us."
"All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know. My father used to repeat it at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'
This humorous story really suggests a valuable truth: Always give thanks no matter the situation. Paul and Silas faced trouble with the authorities in Macedonia when they drove an evil spirit out of a young slave girl who could no longer make money for her owners through her psychic powers. As they were attacked, stripped, beaten, and thrown in jail, they never faltered in their faith.
Scripture says that at "about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose" (Acts 16:25-26).
No matter how severe the trials and tribulations we go through in life, believers should always give thanks in everything.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would empower you to praise Him, thank Him, and triumph through every life situation—both good and bad—that comes your way.
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Daily Living for Seniors
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. --Psalm 28:7
Billy Bray, the great Methodist evangelist, was saved from a terrible life of drunkenness and sin. After his conversion, he experienced one trouble after another, but he never ceased praising and praying to the Lord.
He came to a place in his life where all he had to eat was a dish of very small potatoes, which a friend had given him. Billy bowed his head to offer thanks when he suddenly thought to himself: How can you thank God for such small potatoes? But out loud, Billy replied, "Go away, Satan—when I was serving you, I had no potatoes at all!"
The Bible tells us that Joseph experienced difficulties as well. He was forced into slavery and put in prison for a crime he didn't commit. But in the midst of it all, He honored God, praised Him, and was thankful for the path God had taken him down. Scripture says, "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor" (Genesis 39:20-21). As a result of his trials, the Lord raised Joseph up to rule over the land of Egypt under Pharaoh.
Life's struggles can be difficult at times. And when it seems that there is no money left for food, no cure for the illness, and no one else who cares, our sovereign God is in control and taking care of you each and every day. Psalm 42:11 says to "put your hope in God" and praise Him because He's "Savior and God." In all things, we are to praise the Lord—even for the small potatoes!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: When facing trials, ask God to show you the blessings in the small things He's given you. Ask Him to increase your hope and trust in Him and thank Him for supplying all your needs.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name. --Hebrews 13:15
Throughout all of history, many cultures, nations, and people groups have set aside one time or another to express their thankfulness for various things in life. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day originated with the Pilgrims. While facing extreme hardship, the loss of loved ones, meager supplies, life-threatening illnesses, and severe weather conditions, they still believed it was important to acknowledge their blessings in the midst of their circumstances.
The Pilgrims chose to celebrate God's blessings by sharing a meal with the Native Americans who helped them survive the brutal conditions. How much more would it take for us today, considering all the gifts we currently have, for us to truly give thanks to God for what we have—without a hint of complaining?
It seems that many people have lost the spirit of the original celebration that took place between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. How often do we catch ourselves complaining that our Thanksgiving Day has been spoiled by dreary weather, bad food, or an annoying cold? We should make every day of the year one of thanksgiving—whatever our circumstances!
Billy Graham once wrote, "Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible. Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you an attitude of gratitude. Ask Him to fill you with thankfulness year round for the things with which He's blessed you.
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Daily Living for Seniors
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. --Hebrews 13:16
One of the most popular syndicated newspaper columns of our time is "Dear Abby," the well-known advice column. It was started in 1956 by Abigail Van Buren, the original author. Today it is written by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who continues to offer advice and guidance to people who write in. Several years ago, a "Dear Abby" column, written by Jeanne, included this Thanksgiving Prayer written years before by her mother:
O Heavenly Father:
We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service.
That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.
This prayer parallels the clear teaching of Scripture. Our thanksgiving to God should always be accompanied by remembering those in need and giving praise to the Lord. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name." In addition, we are to remember and serve the hungry, sick, poor, friendless, and imprisoned people in our world.
We are to put actions behind our gratitude to God by serving others. Just being thankful isn't enough. We must share the blessings God has given us with others, and through this God will be pleased. Learn to be thankful for God's many blessings—no matter their significance or value—and remember to think of others who have less than you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you serve others as a way of thanking Him for His many blessings in your life. Pray that the Lord would open up opportunities for you to share and serve others.
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Daily Living for Seniors
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." --Mark 12:28-31
A mother and daughter were spending their last moments together at the airport. As they hugged, the mother said, "I love you, and I wish you enough."
To which the daughter replied, "Mom, your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too."
As the daughter boarded the plane, the mother walked to a nearby window, ready to cry. A man noticed the woman but didn't want to intrude. Thankfully, she volunteered, "Have you ever said goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have," replied the man. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?"
The mother responded, "I'm old and she lives far away. I have challenges ahead of me and the reality is that her next trip back will be for my funeral."
The man said, "I heard you say 'I wish you enough.' What does that mean?"
Before walking away, she smiled and tearfully said, "It's a wish that has been handed down to others for generations, so that they might have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them:
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get through the final goodbye."
It has been said that it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, and an entire life to forget them. Remember the people you love and take some time today to tell them how much you care!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for loving you enough to give you salvation and for those in your life whom He has blessed you with.
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Daily Living for Seniors
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." --Luke 15:22-24
On such a great day for celebration as this, every chair was filled except one—the chair next to the robe-covered prodigal. The chair belonged to the elder brother—the "good boy" who minded his own business, lived by the rules, and stayed clear of trouble. He was on his way home after a hard day of chores on the land and he was unaware that the fuss had to do with a surprise homecoming of his younger brother.
As far as the eldest figured, he didn't think he'd ever lay eyes on his brother again. In fact, that his younger brother even had the nerve to come back home brought up some deeply negative feelings. The prodigal had asked his dad for his inheritance and took off without leaving a trace!
How could his dad even consider throwing a welcome-home party for the prodigal? The eldest brother was bitter and resentful for his father's actions and for his younger brother's wasted living. In this famous Bible story of the prodigal son, there's an underlying question we can all ask: How can a blessed person become so ungrateful? The eldest brother was performance-driven, possessions-blinded, and relationally distant.
Many people often miss their share of the happiness because they haven't stopped to enjoy it. What standard do you use to determine your blessings? The younger brother learned that poverty came out of his poor decisions, but the older brother didn't take time to discover his father's heart. If we are unable to share in the joy of the Father's heart, then something is wrong. The prodigal-like people flock to Jesus because they are truly thankful for what He's given them—salvation, hope, and a future.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Stop and thank the Lord for His blessings. Pray that God would help you discover His heart for people who are in need.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6
In her classic autobiography, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of the time she and her sister went through Nazi inspections at a death camp. They were forced to suffer the humiliation of taking off their clothes. Corrie stood in line feeling forsaken, defiled, and desperate for answers. Suddenly she remembered that when He hung on the cross, Jesus too was naked.
During that seemingly degrading moment, Corrie was struck with a great sense of awe and worship to God. In her amazement of His holiness, she leaned forward and whispered to her sister, "Betsie, they took His clothes, too."
Betsie gasped and said, "Oh, Corrie, I never thanked Him for that."
Thanksgiving does not require any re-payment, but instead requires recognition of what our Savior has already done for us. Some people are appreciative by nature and others aren't. It is the latter who especially need God's power to express thanksgiving. Thankfulness is the opposite of selfishness. The selfish person believes they deserve what comes to them, but the unselfish person realizes that everything is a gift from God.
During this season, survey your own life and make a list of things for which you are thankful. Maybe it is the small favor a friend did for you, the house you live in, a loved one who phoned to see how you are, a Bible study group you're active in, the ability to walk, or the opportunity to worship freely each week in God's house. Take some time to thank the Lord for His blessings and at least one person who has blessed your life this year.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the gift of life, salvation through Jesus Christ, His Word by which you are to live, His constant comfort and love, His provision, and the eternal life we have with Him.
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Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. --Psalm 102:1-7
For most, this time of the year is the happiest. For others, it is one of the loneliest. There are three needs of people who are disappointed by loneliness: to love others, to be loved by others, and to be understood. Many times life's circumstances cause the loneliness: someone moves, life gets busy, or death or divorce separates us.
Jesus knew loneliness when He was on earth, and He understands your loneliness today. He never married or knew the intimacy of a mate. Jesus experienced loneliness in the desert of temptation as He went head-to-head with the devil. And He was even rejected and abandoned by the people in His life that were supposed to be tried and true.
Ultimately, Christ experienced loneliness and abandonment on the cross when He cried out to His Father, "Why have You forsaken Me?" The good news is that when Jesus came, died on the cross for you, and rose again on the third day, He promised you would never be lonely again. Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).
A psalmist said, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). In Him, you can fulfill the three things everyone needs to avoid loneliness. Jesus loves you unconditionally, desires your to be loved by you, and understands what you're going through!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord that He would relieve your loneliness this season, or the lonliness of someone you love.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6
At the end of the 17th century, August H. Francke, a German preacher, founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of the city of Halle. At one point , he desperately needed funds to carry on his work. A destitute Christian widow suddenly showed up at his door begging for a ducat—a gold coin.
He politely and regretfully told her he couldn't help because of his financial situation. The disappointed woman began to weep. Having sympathy for her, Francke asked her to wait while he went into his room to pray. After seeking God's wisdom, he felt the Holy Spirit leading him to change his mind and give her the money. Trusting the Lord to meet all his needs, he gave the widow the money.
Just two mornings later, He received a thank-you letter from her. She expressed that because of his generosity and kindness, she had been praying that the Lord would shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day, the German preacher received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady in town, and two more from a friend in Sweden. Just when he thought the abundant blessings from God had subsided, he received word that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of a nearby prince.
Francke wept in gratitude to the Lord. In sacrificially providing for the destitute widow, he had been richly blessed by God. This holiday season, give sacrificially to others who may not have much. If you can relate to the needy widow, then pray that God would provide for all your needs—all the while giving Him thanks.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to provide for your needs this season and bless the lives of those who are desperate for help. Pray that He would help you give sacrificially to others with a thankful heart.
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Daily Living for Seniors
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" --Matthew 25:37-40
Once there were two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University. Their funds reached an all-time low, so they got the bright idea to solicit Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski, who was touring the U.S., for a piano recital. They decided they would devote the profits to their board and tuition.
The pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The fearless students worked hard to promote and stage the concert, but wound up only raising $1,600. After the concert, the two students presented the artist with their earnings along with a promissory note for $400 explaining they would earn the amount as soon as possible and send it to him.
Paderewski said, "No, I'm sorry, but that won't do." He tore the note to shreds, returned the money to them, and continued, "Take out of this $1,600 all of your expenses, keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me have the rest."
Years went by and Paderewski became the premier of Poland. As war came upon the world, Paderewski strived to feed thousands of his starving Polish countrymen. Paderewski knew there was only one man in the world that could help his people. He called upon him, and tons of food began to flow into Poland for distribution.
After the people were fed, Paderewski traveled to Paris to thank his friend, Herbert Hoover, for the relief sent. Mr. Hoover replied, "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski. Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and I was in a hole."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to give you the opportunity to serve others in need this season. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you and for taking care of all your needs.
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Daily Living for Seniors
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. --Galatians 5:22-23
Two golfers stepped to the first tee on a local golf course. The elder of the two men was kind, while the younger was prideful and impatient. On the first and second holes, the young man made bad shots and began shouting at the caddie: "Keep your eyes peeled. I'm not here to do your job!"
Every bad shot thereafter seemed to be the caddie's fault. After the first nine holes, the young man angrily discharged the caddie and carried his own bag. He said to his older companion, "I don't like him. Thank goodness he's gone!"
The older man said, "Several years ago, a kid from Yonkers, William, came here and was taken on as a caddie. He was a sweet-natured boy and everybody liked him. He had a club foot, but that didn't affect his job. A doctor and member of the club became interested in William and took him south on a long trip.
"When they returned, William went back to caddying. The doctor, however, gave up golf for health reasons and died a few months later. I later played with William one morning and he gathered flowers all along the way. I asked him, 'Who's the girl?' And he replied, 'I haven't any girl, sir. They're for my friend, the doctor. Twice a week I take flowers to his grave.' You see, the doctor took William down south to operate on his foot. He helped the boy, and William never forgot his kindness."
The younger man said, "Now that's a caddie worth having. What happened to him?"
The older man said, "He carried your bag today for the first nine holes."
This holiday and every day throughout the year, show the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life by being kind to others.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your kindness would spill over into the lives of others.
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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. --1 Chronicles 16:34
A father and mother of a young man killed in the military approached the pastor of their church one day. They told him they wanted to give a monetary gift in remembrance of their son. The pastor said in response, "That's a wonderful gesture on your part. Is it alright if I share this with the congregation on Sunday?"
They agreed, and the next Sunday the pastor told the congregation of the gift given in memory of the deceased soldier. On the way home from church, another couple was driving down the highway when the man said to his wife, "Why don't we give a gift because of our son?"
His wife said, "Our son didn't die in battle! He's still alive!"
Her husband replied, "That's exactly my point! That's all the more reason we ought to give in thanks to God."
It's interesting that we most often give gifts to God in memorial rather than in appreciation. But it should be the exact opposite! We should give to the Lord consistently in our tithes and offerings from what He's blessed us with. And we should daily thank the Lord for providing our needs in both hard and plentiful times.
It's the same way in our prayer lives. We tend to pray the most when troubles come our way, not when we are being blessed. Remember to give thanks to the Lord through praise and prayer each day. And determine to give back to the Lord in obedience what He has given to you!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Give thanks to the Lord for the blessings He's given you. Pray that He would make you a faithful steward and cheerful giver.
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Daily Living for Seniors
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. --Psalm 91:4
Sundar Singh, an Indian evangelist, wrote about a treacherous forest fire that swept through the Himalayas where he was traveling. Many men were trying their best to fight the fire, but there was one group that stood staring up at the flaming branches of one tree.
They watched as a mother bird flew frantically in circles above the treetop. She was chirping an alarm and warning to her nest full of babies. As the flames reached her nest and it began to burn, she didn't fly away. Instead she swooped down and covered her fledglings with her wings to protect them. However, in a matter of seconds she and her nestlings were consumed by the fire.
The men standing below were awe-stricken. Singh then used the opportunity to share with them: "We have witnessed a truly marvelous thing. God created that bird with such love and devotion that she gave her life trying to protect her young. ...That is the love that brought Him down from heaven to become man. That is the love that made Him suffer a painful death for our sake."
What a stirring, vivid portrayal of Christ's love for us. How often have you stood in awe and amazement as you think of the cross where Jesus gave His life for you? Where the fire of holy judgment burned down upon Him? It was on Calvary that Jesus willingly suffered, gave His life for us, and "bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness..." (1 Peter 2:24). And it is "by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for dying in your place and forgiving you of your sins. Show Him every day how grateful you are for what He did on the cross by living for him.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. --Psalm 30:4
A young father sat cradling his infant born just three weeks before as a tornado ripped through Will County, Illinois. When the fierce winds had died down and peace was restored, the man's house was gone—and so was his baby. According to the news reports, however, the father discovered his child in a field near his house. Surprisingly, the baby was alive and well—and so was his family.
One reporter stopped by to cover the scene. She asked the young father if he was angry that he had lost everything he owned. The man replied, "No, I just thank God I have my baby and my family. Some people don't even have that. Nothing else is important."
Many times, it takes a tragedy to happen to remind us of what really matters in life. When things are going well for us, we can easily shift our focus to what we own. We can become obsessed and preoccupied with so many nonessential, unimportant material items—cars, houses, furniture, clothes, accessories, media equipment, and other trivialities. But when life is reduced to the essentials, our focus is brought back to the most important things and we realize that life itself is enough reason to praise God.
This season, you may not have many material items to claim for yourself, but remember what is most important. If you have your life and the lives of the people you love, what more could you ask for? Praise God for today and the people He's give you to share it with. When you think of all the "essentials" in your life, stop to thank Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for loving you, for your family and friends, and for the gift of life. Pray that He would help you live each day in light of this truth.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. --Psalm 107:21
While he was visiting his wife at a residence for Alzheimer's patients, retired pastor Browning Ware described what happened as he and close friends of theirs prepared to leave. He said: "We shared hugs all around and held hands in prayer. So much to be grateful for! I thanked God for family, for friends, and for His radical love that liberates us even when caught within life's clawing circumstances."
This season, as we pause to thank God for all the ways He has blessed us, it's also good to remember that our greatest gift is His unfailing love for us. So many times our thankfulness is associated with our health and financial security. We parallel God's blessings with freedom from pain, sorrow, and disappointment. But through faith, we learn that God's love for us expressed in Jesus can calm our hearts and minds even in the most trying situations.
During the reign of Darius in the Old Testament, a decree went out that anyone who prayed to any god or man during a period of 30 days, except to the king, would be thrown in the lions' den. Immediately, when the prophet Daniel heard of the decree, he "went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God..." (Daniel 6:10).
When life seems overwhelming and troubles come your way, you can cry out to the Lord. Psalm 118:28 says, "You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you." Give thanks to Him in every situation and you will find deliverance from distress. It is God's unconditional love that sets you free from life's circumstances.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His unfailing love and mercy upon you as a believer.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. --Proverbs 27:10
C.S. Lewis made many friends when he was a student at Oxford University—long before he became a world famous author. Many of them became lifelong friends and authors like himself. Many times Lewis and his friends would get together to discuss and read to each other their works in progress.
As a result, the sessions strengthened their friendships and their writings as well. Nevill Coghill and Owen Barfield were part of the group. Two men were beginning to establish themselves as authors but were not nearly as profound or successful as their friend, C.S. Lewis. Lewis wrote his books more quickly than the other two and more of his works were showing up on bestseller lists in countries around the world.
Lewis' success could have meant the end of his friendships with the other two authors. But the more his books gained popularity, the more Lewis seemed to value his friends. According to Owen Barfield, not once did Lewis cause the others to feel inferior to him. He didn't allow his success to corrupt and destroy the long-standing relationships he had made years earlier.
Like Lewis, many of us would agree that friends strengthen our character, enrich our lives, and keep us grounded. Friends multiply our joy and separate our grief. But more often than not, we can't seem to find the time to sustain friendships amidst our hectic schedules and list of activities. Make time today to nurture old friendships and develop new ones. If our lives are to be fulfilled, then our friendship with others must be a priority.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would create the time and opportunities to strengthen your longstanding friendships and develop new ones.
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Daily Living for Seniors
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. --Psalm 32:5
As a senior adult, it is easy to brood a great deal about your past and the things you did wrong in life. And it may even seem harder to rid yourself of the guilt over past sins. Rightly so, those suffering from disabling conditions or illnesses spend a lot of time recollecting the past in general.
As we age and face physical limitations, there is a natural desire to make peace with our past. You may think it is necessary for you to seek forgiveness or make amends for your misdeeds. But it's hard to simply erase those things and memories from our minds. The power of past sins overrides our attempts to distract ourselves and move on.
In this situation, you must first confess your sin or sins to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness. If you have wronged someone in the past, consider trying to reconcile with him or her. If they are unavailable or have already passed on, then put the sin to rest in your heart and mind by giving it over to the Lord.
You may not realize it, but achieved forgiveness can often be just the thing to release the guilt you've been carrying for many years. If reconciliation is impossible, then you may seek to find comfort through confessing your sins to a close friend or another believer. There is great wisdom in our Christian heritage, and when guilt is aged and imbedded deep within someone, we may not experience relief in our daily private prayers. We can find freedom in sharing our remorse with another through whom the Holy Spirit can work to heal our past wounds.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are dealing with the guilt of past sins, ask God for forgiveness.
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Daily Living for Seniors
Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
--Hosea 10:12
There's a story about a young mother who died giving birth to her third child. No one in the family was willing to take care of the three little girls, except their great-grandmother who came forward without hesitation. When she took them into her home, she was 83 years old. By God's grace, she lived another 16 years before passing on at the age of 99—long enough to parent each of the young girls into their teenage years and early 20s.
This is an amazing and inspiring example of the reality of retirement. After retirement, there is more to life than golf, easy chairs, your favorite daily television shows, and boredom. People today are living longer than ever before and it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more people over the age of 65 than those who are under the age of 18.
Almost two million people retire every year, leaving many people free to perform acts of kindness for others. Contributing to their long lives is good health, financial stability, and life experiences. As a result, many senior adults are ready and looking for challenging and meaningful pursuits in their older age.
You may not be in a situation like the one mentioned above, but there are many things you can do as a Christian senior adult. You are called to always be a prayer warrior for the people in your life (Ephesians 6:18), and retirement provides more time for this as well as volunteering your time in your church or neighborhood. Decide that you are going to be a blessing to others who need it. When you begin to creatively use your time, God will bring blessing into your life (Hosea 10:12).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would make you a blessing in someone's life today through giving of your time, your talents, and your prayers.
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Daily Living for Seniors
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. --1 Corinthians 10:31
Most Christians are ready and willing to serve in some sort of ministry full time after retirement, using their talents and abilities to bring glory to the Lord. Usually, senior adults begin participating more in church activities, witnessing to those who don't know Christ, giving more to their favorite ministries, and helping those who are less fortunate.
It may seem as though the ways to serve the Lord are limited, but in fact during retirement God provides even more ways to serve Him. There are many ways believers can be involved in serving the Lord, if they will just look at the talents with which God has blessed them.
A good example of using a special talent is for those of you who know how to cook. It may seem ridiculous, but look at the possibilities of ministering to other people through this avenue. You can prepare food for church fundraisers, the bereaved and hurting, shut-ins, and others who are going through a difficult time in their lives. There are some church groups that sponsor an evening meal for the needy every week.
In Matthew 25:40, Christ said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Some may think that food preparation is insignificant, or that it is not as important as other ministries within the church. But in fact, it requires talent, time, dedication, and a willing servant to put in the hard work. Any task that is inspired by God is not too difficult or too trivial to perform. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to reveal to you what He would have you do for His kingdom. Don't be afraid to branch out and try whatever He lays on your heart.
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If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God. --Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Several years ago, the Houston Chronicle published a tragic story that happened at Yosemite National Park. On October 22, 1999, sixty-year-old Jan Davis and four other parachutists banded together to protest a law. The law banned the extreme sport of parachuting off the top of the 3,200-foot El Capitan. Obviously, it was too dangerous to allow.
The protest Davis and the others participated in was created to show that the jumps could be executed safely. The first three protestors completed their jumps successfully and floated safely to the ground. Davis, an experienced paratrooper with 70 similar jumps and 3,000 sky dives under her belt, was the last to go, but her parachute never opened.
Despite her experience, she didn't escape death. She didn't adhere to the warnings of the law. As Christians, we often react to the laws of God the same way these protestors approached the government's law. God set apart certain guidelines and rules in His Word to protect us and lead us in the right direction, but we consistently protest them by trying to prove we can safely navigate through life on our own.
Unfortunately for believers, it is more often than not in the midst of our protests against His law that we discover the harsh truth in a way that might have been easier. If only we would just listen to the crystal clear voice of the Holy Spirit when making decisions and taking steps through life, we could avoid potential danger. By breaking the laws of God, it is inevitable we will either cause harm or ultimately destroy ourselves in the process.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray for strength as you seek to obey God's laws. Daily put into practice the guidelines He has laid out in His Word and you'll be surprised how generously He will reward you for your obedience.
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And he [the LORD] passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. --Exodus 34:6-7
There was a pastor who experienced one of the most unusual reactions from a church member during the benediction of the service one Sunday morning. A lady who was sitting on the back row pulled a gun on the pastor during the closing prayer claiming he hadn't preached from the book of Revelation that morning like she needed.
The older lady said that a sermon from the eschatological book was very important in the feud she was having with another church member. This story is true, and happened only a few years ago.
Anger is not a sin, when managed correctly and in the way God intends. Even Jesus became angry when he entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there (Matthew 21:12). But, He had good reason, for what the moneychangers were doing was dishonoring to the Lord (Matthew 21:13).
God doesn't say, "Thou shall NOT be angry." He created the emotion. But, anger is one of the most intense emotions a person can have, and it is one of those that can easily fly out of control. Poorly managed, it can lead to irrational decisions and actions, and even hurt those you love.
Ask yourself, "When I get angry—do I act positively or react negatively?" If you react, then there is a problem in your control of the emotion. We are to become angry, managed in a healthy way, when we see things that are displeasing to the Lord. When you see your anger begin to turn to destruction—stop! Give it to Jesus and learn to handle it in a way that is pleasing to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you keep your anger controlled and positive, seeking only to honor Him in all that you do.
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Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. --1 Peter 5:6-7
In the book, A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen use an illustration to talk about answered prayer.
The story goes that Pastor John Ramsey was used to receiving a rose boutonniere to wear on his jacket each Sunday. After services one day, a little boy came up to him and asked if he could have the rose he was wearing.
Ramsey knew it would go in the trash when he got home, so he gladly offered it to the boy and asked why he wanted it.
The boy replied, "I'm going to give it to my granny. My parents divorced last year. I was living with my mom, but she got married again and wanted me to live with my dad. I lived with him for a while, but he said I couldn't stay, so he sent me to live with my grandmother. She is so good to me—she cooks, takes care of me, and loves me—so I want to give her the rose."
Pastor Ramsey stood staring at the boy with tears in his eyes. He pointed to the large vase full of fresh flowers sitting at the altar and said, "Take those to your granny because she deserves the very best. That little flower isn't enough."
The boy's eyes lit up and he shouted, "What a good day! I asked for one flower, but got a beautiful bouquet instead!"
When we come to God with our prayers, we aren't much different than the pastor and boy in this illustration. Oftentimes, we don't notice that when we bring our pain or hurt to the Lord seeking a small remedy, He points us to a greater solution and comfort and asks us to take that instead.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the answered prayer that you so often take for granted.
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Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. --Psalm 71:18
Old age is one of the most rewarding periods of life. And more so for those who have found the absolute joy in a loving and personal relationship with the Father through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The "sunset years" can better be known as the "golden years."
In his book, The Best is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville wrote:
"I feel so sorry for folks who don't like to grow old...I revel in my years. They enrich me...I would not exchange...the abiding rest of soul, the measure of wisdom I have gained from the sweet and bitter and perplexing experiences of life; nor the confirmed faith I now have in the...love of God, for all the bright and uncertain hopes and tumultuous joys of youth. These are the best years of my life...The way grows brighter; the birds sing sweeter; the winds blow softer; the sun shines more radiantly than ever before. I suppose 'my outward man' is perishing, but 'my inward man' is being joyously renewed day by day."
The strength and beauty of youth is meant to be more physical and is temporal. But, God determined the strength and beauty of growing in age to be spiritual and to last for eternity.
In Joshua 14, we see that Caleb inherited the land of Hebron because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly. "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out" (Joshua 14:10-11).
God gives strength spiritually to those who wholeheartedly follow after Him. Make a commitment today to enjoy the "golden years" of your life and the days God has given you, so that you can make a dramatic difference in this generation for Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you make the most of your days for His glory.
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Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1
Superstitions exist in all facets of life. From black cats, to indoor umbrellas, even believers who have been walking with the Lord for decades can allow false beliefs to seep into their daily routines.
The world considers this harmless, entertainment even. But consider what it says to God when you speak with a psychic or allow superstitions to hinder your daily activities. What you are telling God is that you do not trust Him enough to take care of your needs. But the Lord clearly instructs us in Proverbs 3:5 not to rely on our own knowledge or the knowledge of others. Instead you are to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."
Superstitions happen when we give meaning to the meaningless. Sometimes we all need to be reminded that trusting God to lead you means that breaking mirrors, or stepping on cracks, or walking under ladders holds no meaning.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would reveal to you anything in your life that may be creating a separation between you and Him.
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I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. --Galatians 2:20
Albert Einstein, the great physicist, was traveling from Princeton on a train, when the conductor came down the aisle punching the tickets of each passenger. Once he came to Einstein, the scientist reached in his own pocket to find his ticket, but nothing was there.
He searched in the seats around him, on the floor, in his briefcase, and in every one of his pockets, but couldn't find it.
The conductor responded, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it."
Einstein nodded, and as the conductor continued to make his way down the aisle, he looked back to find the physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat.
Of course, the conductor ran back and said, "Dr. Einstein, don't worry. I know who you are. It's no problem. You don't need to show your ticket. I'm sure you bought one."
Einstein looked at him knowingly and said, "Sir, I too know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going."
Do you know for sure where you are headed? Have you made every effort to know where those you love including family, friends, and acquaintances, are going after this life? If you think they might not be with you in heaven one day, begin by sharing the Gospel of Christ with them. When you leave this earth, it's not as important that others know who you were as an individual, but rather who Christ was in you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to point you to those in your life who need to know about Him. Pray that Christ would help you live your life so that others can remember you after you are gone as "the one who lived every day for Jesus."
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The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. --James 5:16
Annette Cole, writer in residence at Western Baptist College, told of her daughter in a recent article. She bought a ring with a cross and rose on it over ten years ago to give to her daughter who had denounced her faith and rushed in to sin.
The Bible asks, "What fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
So, how do believing parents have healthy relationships with their unsaved family members? No parent can possibly blame themselves for the incredible hurt and pain a loved one must go through because of their sin.
Accepting the fact that your relationship will be shallow with someone you love who is lost is difficult. Our lives may be the only Bible they ever read. From our actions may come the only way people will ever see Jesus Christ. Finally, out of our mouths may come the only kind and loving words they will truly ever hear.
As Christians, we want to constantly quote Scripture or share godly wisdom with those who are lost, but they've probably heard it numerous times. The most you can do is to commit them to the Lord and pray daily for them. Do not let their sinful lifestyle invade your life and home, though. Instead, continue to love and pray for them, and offer a listening ear when needed.
A wrong word or action may seem like it can break a fragile relationship with one who does not want to associate with you and God's way of living. But, do not cease communication. Be the example of God's love and grace in their lives that will set the example.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God's will be done in your relationship with the loved ones in your life who don't know Him. Ask Him each and every day to bring them back safely into His arms.
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You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. --1 John 4:4
There is a story of one Christian man, a deacon and very involved in his church, who was sitting in traffic and late for work. His car was plastered with bumper stickers that read, "Honk if you love Jesus!" and "Jesus is my hero!"
He had already sat through three red lights, and the lady in front of him was talking on her cell phone and trying to apply mascara all at the same time. When the light turned green, she wasn't paying attention, and continued to sit at a stand still, holding up traffic.
The man began honking, shouting from inside his car, and shaking his fists at the lady to move on. Finally, after traffic began to creep forward, the man noticed red and blue flashing lights behind him. As he pulled over and rolled down his window to greet the officer, he said, "What did I do wrong? I'm late for work, and you're holding me up!"
The officer responded, "Sir, is this your car?"
The puzzled man growled back, "Yes! Who else do you think it belongs to?"
The policeman replied, "Well, when I saw the bumper stickers on the back of your car and the way you were acting back there, I thought the car must be stolen!"
It's easy for us to become frustrated and impatient with the world. But, many of us often come too close to tarnishing our witness for Jesus because of our words and deeds. Decide to put on the full armor of God each morning in prayer and God's Word, so others will see Jesus in you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help make you a shining witness of His love, kindness, and gentle spirit each day as you interact with those who don't know Him.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6
At the end of the 17th century, August H. Francke, a German preacher, founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of the city of Halle. At one point , he desperately needed funds to carry on his work. A destitute Christian widow suddenly showed up at his door begging for a ducat—a gold coin.
He politely and regretfully told her he couldn't help because of his financial situation. The disappointed woman began to weep. Having sympathy for her, Francke asked her to wait while he went into his room to pray. After seeking God's wisdom, he felt the Holy Spirit leading him to change his mind and give her the money. Trusting the Lord to meet all his needs, he gave the widow the money.
Just two mornings later, He received a thank-you letter from her. She expressed that because of his generosity and kindness, she had been praying that the Lord would shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day, the German preacher received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady in town, and two more from a friend in Sweden. Just when he thought the abundant blessings from God had subsided, he received word that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of a nearby prince.
Francke wept in gratitude to the Lord. In sacrificially providing for the destitute widow, he had been richly blessed by God. This holiday season, give sacrificially to others who may not have much. If you can relate to the needy widow, then pray that God would provide for all your needs—all the while giving Him thanks.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to provide for your needs this season and bless the lives of those who are desperate for help. Pray that He would help you give sacrificially to others with a thankful heart.
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Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. --Matthew 5:23-24
On a television magazine show not too long ago, there was an incredible story of forgiveness. A family of six was camping out, sleeping in tents in a public park. In the middle of the night, a man cut a hole in the tent and carried away their 7-year-old daughter.
Immediately, the mother began to pray for the kidnapper and made a commitment to forgive. A year later he called and the family learned what the mother knew in her heart all along—the child was dead.
The mother said, "Forgiveness is hard work, but it is the only thing that will set you free."
Unwillingness to forgive allows bitterness to creep in to our hearts and plant roots. Hebrews 12:15 says, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Bitterness can spread to those around us, and if it is left to harden in the heart, it is almost seemingly impossible to remove. Scripture is clear about wiping away the offenses in our life, and doing it quickly.
If you feel like someone owes you something or if there is something standing in the way of you not thanking God every day for the blessings you have, bitterness can begin to set in. All you need is a few cleaning tools to scrub away the stains of bitterness—compassion and forgiveness.
If you harbor bitter feelings toward someone in your life—a family member, a church leader, or a friend—then immediately approach that person and learn to forgive them. Make a commitment, today, to begin the spring spiritual cleaning in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to daily clean out the grime of bitterness in your heart in order that you may reflect an accurate image of Christ to those around you.
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God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5
Timothy Blackburn, author of The History of the Future: A Commentary on Revelation and Matthew 24, told the story of when he was a young child falling asleep in the car on the way home from church.
Blackburn said that he would sleep in the back of his family's 1959 Chevrolet, as they traveled many miles from the church where his dad served as pastor. He remembers sometimes waking just enough to feel his dad gently pick him up and carry him to his bed. Other times, he would actually be awake, but would pretend to sleep so he could get a free lift. And occasionally, he wouldn't wake at all until the next day, discovering that he'd been carefully tucked in his bed.
He said: "He cradled my head in his arm to support it. What a comforting feeling that was! I felt secure and protected; there were no worries. The problems of the day didn't matter. I knew my dad was protecting me at that moment. I did not worry about school the next day—I was in my father's arms."
At any age, we want to feel safe. And thankfully, we have a heavenly Father to comfort us. Through each step we take in life, He gently guides and directs us, even carrying us along some of the way. We are safe and sound in His arms, and no one can snatch us out of His hands (John 10:27-30).
Even as senior adults, we are never walking alone, and God is the first to rescue us when our hearts are broken and we don't know where to turn. What a loving Father we have!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for carrying you when times were rough in the past and ask Him to help you feel safe and secure in the days ahead.
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Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. --1 John 2:6
The "mother" of the Salvation Army was Catherine Booth. Campbell Morgan said, "Wherever Catherine Booth went, humanity went to hear her. Princes and peeresses merged with paupers and prostitutes."
One particular night, Mrs. Booth and Mr. Morgan happened to be in the same meeting. A large crowd of "publicans and sinners" was also there. Many came to Christ that night because of her message. After the meeting, Booth and Morgan went to a glamorous home to be entertained. The lady of the manor said, "Mrs. Booth, that meeting was dreadful, wasn't it?"
Mrs. Booth replied, "What do you mean?"
The lady responded, "When you were speaking, I was looking at those people opposite of me. Their faces were so terrible, many of them. I don't think I shall sleep tonight!"
Mrs. Booth asked, "Don't you know them?"
The hostess replied, "Certainly not!"
Mrs. Booth said, "Well that's interesting...I didn't bring them with me from London; they are your neighbors!"
In Matthew 19:19, Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This New Testament command originated in the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself." God gave these instructions to show His people how they were to treat others and live in a community of peace with one another.
It may be hard to love some people—even those who may be in your church circle of friends—but we love the Lord by showing our love to others. When we love others with God's love, even the unlovable, He's able to transform lives and hearts.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you love others just as He would. Thank God for His abounding love for you, so that you may share it with others.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. --Romans 7:15-18
There's a story of a wealthy man who went duck hunting with his hired help. They traveled in a horse and carriage, and along their way a rim came off one of the wheels. As the hired hand hammered it back on, he accidentally hit his finger. With that, he let go with a few bad words, but then quickly fell to his knees asking God's forgiveness.
The man prayed, "Lord, it's so difficult at times to live the Christian life."
The man's boss responded to his prayer, "I know you're a Christian, but tell me why you struggle. I'm an atheist and I don't have problems like that."
The employee didn't know what to say. All of a sudden, two ducks flew overhead. The wealthy man raised his gun and two shots rang out in the air. He shouted to his hired help, "Leave the dead one and go after that wounded bird!"
His employee pointed at the duck that was fluttering and struggling desperately to escape and said, "Boss, I've got an answer for you now. You said that my Christianity isn't any good because I have to struggle. I'm like that wounded duck struggling to get away from the devil. But, you're the dead duck, Boss!"
The Apostle Paul struggled just as we do in the Christian life. Battling the devil in this spiritual war is merely evidence of God working in your life. As a child of God, you've been forgiven of your sin, so Satan has to work even harder to get you to fail. But don't despair because God has empowered you with the Holy Spirit so that you may have victory over sin through salvation in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your heart would be set on Jesus and that the struggle in your life would drive you to your knees in prayer to Him.
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I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. --Psalm 119:11
Noted Bible teacher E. Schuyler English told about a Bible distributor, Michael Billester, who visited a small town in Poland shortly before Word War II. Billester gave a Bible to a villager, who was converted after reading it. The new believer then passed the book on to others. This cycle of conversions and sharing of faith continued until 200 people had become believers through that one Bible!
When Billester returned to Poland in 1940, this group of Christians met together for a worship service where he was to preach the Word of God. It was usually his custom to ask for testimonies, but this time Billester suggested that several in the congregation stand and recite verses of Scripture.
One man stood and said, "Perhaps we have misunderstood your request. Do you mean verses or chapters?"
These Polish villagers had not memorized a few select verses of the Bible, but instead whole chapters and books. Thirteen people knew Matthew, Luke, and half of Genesis. And another person had committed the entire book of Psalms to memory. That single copy of the Bible given by Billester to the one new believer had certainly done its work.
In this story, transformed lives bore witness to the power of the Word of God. Are you passionate about learning and memorizing God's Word? Are you sharing what you know with those who do not know Jesus? 1 John 2:5 says, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him." Determine today to hide the Word of God in your heart and pass along its truth to those you come in contact with each day.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open your heart to His Word so that you can hold tightly to its truth. Pray that He would give you opportunities to share the Bible with others.
:angel:
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. --John 1:14
One of the great monarchs of Persia was known well as a champion of the common people. To relate to their needs and problems, he would mingle with them in various disguises.
On one particular occasion, he went as a poor citizen to the public baths. In a tiny cellar, he sat down beside the man who tended the furnace. He talked to the lonely man, and at dinnertime he ate some of his plain food. In the weeks that followed, the monarch visited the poor citizen and grew to love him dearly.
One day, the shah revealed his true identity to the man. He expected to hear a request for some expensive gift or money, but instead the poor man simply sat in silence, gazing at the monarch in awe and astonishment.
After a long period of silence, the poor man finally said respectfully, "You left your palace to sit with me in this dark place, to eat of my coarse bread, and to care whether my heart is glad or sad. You may give rich presents to others, but you have given yourself to me. Please, Your Majesty, never withdraw the priceless gift of your friendship."
You can rejoice that God came to earth as man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and was resurrected three days later so that you could have salvation and forgiveness through Him and a personal relationship with Him. Are you walking with Him daily? Are you completely sold out in your relationship with Him? Jesus broke down the wall of sin that divided you and God, so that you may have the priceless gift of His friendship and love.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His sacrifice upon the cross. Pray that your relationship with Him would flourish into an intimate friendship and love relationship.
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Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5
There is a story of a rich industrialist who walked past a fisherman one day. He was irritated to find the man sitting lazily beside his boat instead of out at sea. The rich man asked, "Why aren't you out there fishing?"
The fisherman replied, "Because I've caught enough fish for today."
The rich man asked, "Why don't you catch more fish than you need? There's still more work to be done."
The fisherman responded with, "What would I do with them once I caught them?"
"You could buy a better boat so you could go deeper into the sea and catch more fish," the rich man impatiently replied. "You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make even more money. Eventually, you'd have a fleet of boats, people to do the work for you, and be rich like me."
After quietly contemplating, the fisherman asked, "Then what would I do?"
"You could sit down and enjoy life like I am," the industrialist said.
Looking placidly out to sea, the fisherman replied, "What do you think I'm doing now?"
The Apostle Paul said to the church in Philippi, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13).
Whatever situations come your way—good or bad—find your strength in the Lord and learn to rely on Him for provision. It's often hard to have faith that He will provide in times of need, but rejoice in what He has given you thus far in your current situation, and trust completely in His timing.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make you content in life whatever circumstances come your way.
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Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. --2 Corinthians 5:6-8
In his book, The Best Is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of an elderly woman who lived in southwest Scotland. She wanted very much to see the city of Edinburgh, but was afraid to take the train because it had to go through a long tunnel to get there.
Things came up and she was forced to travel to Scotland's capital. Filled with fear and anxiety, the trip began and she became more anxious as the train sped along the tracks. Before the train reached the long tunnel, the older woman, exhausted with worry, fell fast asleep. When she awoke, she was already in the city.
Of this story, Durbanville commented, "It is even so with the dying saint. He closes his eyes on earth, passes into what he thinks of as the tunnel of death, and opens them immediately in the celestial land."
Your earthly body is nothing more than a temporary home. Moving day is coming for everyone. You'll never know when the moving truck will pull up to your "house," with its crumbling foundation, failed heating system, and cracked windows, load up what's left inside, and take it away to your new home.
The Scripture says, "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:14). As moving day approaches, it is important to realize in this analogy that death for the believer is not a dreaded parting—it is a glorious homecoming.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you peace as you prepare to leave your earthly home. Thank God for the upcoming homecoming reunion that will take place when you are reunited with the ones you love and most importantly—the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. --Luke 2:11
When Pope Julius I declared December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today? And when Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in American in 1832, who would have ever thought that decorations would become as glamorous as they are today?
Even before these two events that shaped what Christmas means today for most, there was a bright, special star that lit the dark night thousands of years ago letting the world know that Jesus the King was born. Usually, we don't celebrate historical figures as children, but in the case of Christ, it is appropriate.
When Christ was born, shepherds came to honor Him, wise men from the East brought Him gifts, and the earth rejoiced at His birth. These people who came to worship Him had no idea what Christ would accomplish as an adult. But they were right in traveling to worship the King because His birth was the most remarkable event in human history. Wise men and women today worship not only the Child of Bethlehem, but the Christ of Calvary.
As we approach the holiday season again, we are faced with yet another opportunity to pause in the midst of all the excitement, decorations, and commercialization, to consider again the origin of Christmas--the One whose birth we celebrate. Let's not forget the true meaning of why we celebrate during this time of year. Celebrate the baby Jesus and trust Him as Savior today.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending His Son that glorious night to be born of a virgin, live a perfect life, die on the cross for your sins, and rise from the dead three days later to give you eternal life through Him.
:angel:
Dec 13
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." --Luke 2:13-14
In the year 1809, the international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria and blood was flowing freely. Nobody was thinking about babies, but rather people were concerned with the wars and tyranny that existed. However, the world was overlooking some very significant births during that time.
That year many notable people were born: William Gladstone, destined to become one of England's finest statesmen; Alfred Tennyson, born to an obscure minister and his wife, greatly affect the world of literacy; Oliver Wendell Holmes, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Edgar Allan Poe, who began his eventful, yet tragic, life in Boston; Charles Robert Darwin, born to a physician and his wife; and Abraham Lincoln, born in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.
If journalism and news broadcasts had existed in 1809, these words might have been heard: "The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today." But in reality, history was being shaped in the cradles of Europe and America. Similarly when Jesus was born, taxation was the big news. But a young Jewish virgin woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior.
Even today, sometimes the biggest news is the latest product to buy at Christmas, the best vacation spot during the holidays, or the idolizing of icons that have become great symbols over the years during the season. You must remember that the greatest news of all was the birth of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection years later. Jesus is the greatest news you could share with anyone this season.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the chance to share the Good News of His Son this season with friends, family, and acquaintances who don't know Him as their Savior.
:angel:
Dec 14
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. --1 Timothy 1:15
On the museum wall of the concentration camp at Dachau is a large and moving photograph of a mother and her little girl standing in line for the gas chamber. The child, who is walking in front of her mother, does not know where she's going. The mother, following behind, looks knowingly but is helpless to stop the tragedy.
In her helplessness, she performs the only act of love left to her. She places her hands over the child's eyes so she will at least not see the horror to come. When people come to the museum, most don't whisk by this photo hurriedly. Instead, they pause and almost feel the pain. Deep inside, they say to themselves, "O God, don't let that be all there is."
Hopelessness and helplessness are all that remain. God provided a way out by sending His Son to earth as a child so that He could one day save the sins of mankind through Christ's shed blood on the cross. The apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."
If our greatest need had been information, then God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, then God would have sent us a scientist or engineer. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist or financial advisor. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But instead of all of these things, God knew our greatest need was forgiveness, so He sent us a Savior.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending Jesus to save you from helplessness and hopelessness in this life. Praise Him for giving you joy and peace that passes all understanding.
:angel:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. --John 3:16-18
Paul Harvey once told the story of a family who kept the same tradition each Christmas Eve—the mother and children would go to the church service, and the father would stay home to read the paper. When the family returned home from church, they would all gather to open their presents.
The father no longer believed in the stories of God coming as a baby in a manger. As the family left for church one particular Christmas, the father opened the evening paper and settled in by the fireplace. Suddenly, he heard tapping on the window. A bird kept flying against the glass trying to get out of the snow and into the warmth of his home .
Feeling sorry for the bird, the man went outside hoping to bring it in. When he got closer to the scared creature, it flew against the window even harder. The more the man tried to capture the bird, the more it continued to fly into window. He yelled out in frustration, "Stupid bird! Can't you understand that I'm trying to help? If only you understood, you wouldn't fly away. If only I could become a bird, and get you to understand."
Just then the church bells rang, and the father fell to his knees, began crying, and said, "Oh God, I didn't understand."
God's Son came in human form that we might understand from where we came, for what reason we were separated, and how we can be restored to God. Christmas isn't about empty promises of material gifts, holiday icons, or seasonal sights and sounds. It is about a fulfilled promise of a restored relationship between God and humankind.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith in Him, forgive you of your sins, restore you to a right relationship with Him, and give you joy this season.
:angel:
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:11-13
Most people think of St. Nick as a jolly, bearded man who rides around in a sleigh delivering gifts to all good boys and girls. But, he is more than just a children's Christmas legend—he was a genuine man of God. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in Patara about 270 A.D., and was still very young when they died and left him a fortune. However, he was a humble young man and secretly gave of his wealth to the poor.
Nicholas eventually forsook his wealth to answer the call to ministry, and was soon chosen as bishop of Myra. He was destined to lead the church through the worst tribulation in history. In 303 A.D., during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, Christians were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods. But Nicholas and thousands more refused to denounce that Jesus Christ is Lord, so they were dragged to prison where they were savagely tortured, beaten senseless, or brutally murdered.
However, their persecution couldn't stamp out Christianity. Instead it spread. After years of imprisonment, they were freed by decree of the new Emperor Constantine. Saint Nicholas was welcomed into his city once again by the people. Although the bishop was beaten, he was not broken. Through the prayers and witness of this faithful soldier, many found salvation in Jesus.
St. Nick's fame still carries faint reminders of this ancient man of God—the red color of his bishop's robes, his lectures to children about good behavior, and his secret gifts of food and money to those in need. Yet if he were alive today, this saint would humbly deflect attention from himself as he did centuries ago, and point people to his Master. Shouldn't you do the same this holiday season?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you point others to Him. Pray that your faith would be unshakable and that you would relentlessly pursue and confess Christ at all costs.
:angel:
Daily Living for Seniors
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." --Luke 2:25-32
Just as Simeon was lingering and waiting for the first appearance of the Messiah more than two thousand years ago—we too linger and wait for the second coming of Jesus today.
The Lord whom we exalt at Christmas is not just a baby in a manger or a character in a child's storybook. He is far more. The first time He came, He was veiled in the form of a child. The next time He comes, which will be soon, He will come as the Risen Messiah and Savior of the world. And it will be made known to the entire world who He truly is.
The first time He came, a star marked His arrival. The next time He comes, the clouds will roll up like a scroll, the stars will fall out of the sky, and He Himself will light the heavens. The first time He came, wise men and shepherds brought Him gifts. The second time He comes, He will bring rewards for His own.
The first time He came, there was no room for Him at the inn. The next time He comes, the whole world will not be able to contain His glory. The first time He came, only a few were there to welcome Him into the world. The next time He comes, every eye shall see Him, every knee shall bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The first time He came as a baby, but soon He will come as Sovereign King and Lord. Are you ready for Him to come again?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would prepare your heart and mind for His second coming. Ask the Lord to bring to mind those in your life who need to know Him personally as Lord and Savior, and make an effort to share Christ with them today.
:angel:
A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? --Proverbs 18:14
During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.
The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn't be coming home for Christmas...ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, "Mother, what have you done?"
Her mother replied, "You're so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas."
The new widow said, "Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these."
Many people have overwhelming problems which make it hard to get excited about the holidays whether they be financial difficulties, physical ailments, loneliness, or emotional pain from the loss of a loved one. Christmas is certainly not about the presents, lights, and decorations, but it is surely a time when we can lean on the goodness of God and rejoice in Christ's birth.
Try serving someone else this season and God will bless you (see Acts 20:35). Jesus came to this earth to serve others and to give His life for you (see Mark 10:45). Among all of the other difficulties this time of year, that is reason to celebrate!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Amidst difficulties this season, praise God and thank Him for His many blessings and salvation.
:angel:
The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." --Luke 1:28-31
One Baltimore church congregation found the answer to their financial difficulties hanging on the wall of their church building. It had been "hiding" there for more than 25 years, but someone finally recognized the valuable piece of art hanging on a wall in the chapel. It was a valuable woodblock print by Albrecht Durer, dated back to 1493, depicting the angel of the Lord telling Mary she would give birth to God's Son.
Some of the church members couldn't believe they had been unaware of the old masterpiece and its tremendous value. They asked, "If it were real, why would it be here?"
What about you? Are you overlooking the value of the same event pictured on that woodblock print? Jesus isn't hiding. The fact that He came to earth in human form is clearly announced in the Bible. It is reflected in art, our hymnbooks, and the written works of saints and scholars. Yet we still neglect the significance of Christ's birth.
This season, determine that you are not going to get so wrapped up in activities and programs-- such as shopping, parties, cooking, and more-- that you miss the valuable worth of knowing exactly who that Baby was and sharing the story with those in your life. Let's not miss out on the genuine worship of Jesus during this season. Take some time to go before Him in prayer and worship singing songs of praise. He came to save us from our sins and give us eternal life—that is reason to give Him the worship He deserves!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you avoid getting wrapped up in unnecessary activities this season that will take away from praising Him. Give glory to Jesus for being your "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
:angel:
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." --Matthew 1:19-20
Joseph was a young, Middle-Easterner who was looking forward to the day when he and his betrothed, Mary, could live as husband and wife. It didn't matter much that he was poor because the two of them shared a deep love for each other and an undying devotion to God. Joseph was perfectly content with spending his days making wood products for the people of his village.
But there came a day when devastating news shattered his future—Mary was pregnant. He knew he wasn't the father, but considering how things were handled in his day, he handled the situation gallantly. He never deserted her because he knew that she faced a prospect worse than his own embarrassment—public humiliation and disgrace.
As a result, Joseph devised a plan to deal with the issue privately. He decided to end things with her quietly. But before he could put his plan into action, a messenger from the Lord told him this baby in her womb wasn't bad news. In fact, it would bring forth the best news the world had ever known. His betrothed would give birth to the Messiah—the "child through the Holy Spirit" (v. 18).
The angel instructed Joseph to go ahead with his marriage to Mary and call the baby "Jesus." And that's exactly what he did. He followed the Lord's command with no questions asked and therefore, Joseph became a real man of God. He was fair, devoted, compassionate, and obedient to the Lord. No matter your age, you can find an example of a man of God in Joseph the carpenter.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to build in you the character, love, faithfulness, and devotion that Joseph displayed in his life. Pray that when circumstances come your way, you will handle the situation gallantly and justly.
:angel:
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. --Luke 1:35-39
Imagine this—a young girl, betrothed to a reputable man, finds herself pregnant and the father is not her beloved. Two thousand years ago, this potential scandal could have cost her a reputation and maybe even her life. However, Mary was called out by the Lord. Probably no older than 15 years of age, she certainly had no job and no intentions of becoming a mother just yet. But God entrusted her with a great responsibility.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to her and assigned her this task, she didn't respond as most would by saying, "But I can't take on that responsibility, Lord. I am about to get married. I just want to enjoy time with my husband right now. Please pass this assignment off to someone else! I don't want you to call me to do this!"
No, instead Mary willingly obeyed the Lord and submitted to His will for her life. Many people confuse Mary's status—some put her on the same pedestal as Jesus and some even worship her as they would the Lord. But Mary was simply the woman God called to bear the Messiah and the woman who was willing to carry out the task He laid before her.
As believers, we must learn the meaning of surrender. When God places a call on your life, there is no room for questions or hesitation. Is God calling you to some specific task? Are you willing to surrender all to obey Him? You must simply say, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Take with you the very valuable lessons of surrender, compassion, obedience, and love displayed in the Christmas story.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you His will for your life, and pray that He would help you to be a man or woman that is completely surrendered and obedient to Him.
:angel:
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. --Matthew 16:27
A little girl needed an operation and was terrified of the thought. Her parents promised to give her something she had wanted for a long time as encouragement—her very own kitten. The operation was a success, but as the anesthesia wore off, the little girl mumbled, "This sure is a lousy way to get a cat!"
Believers who go through hardships while serving the Lord will never feel the way that little girl did when they look back on the trials they overcame. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." It's true—when you live a lifestyle of holiness, you will be mocked and perhaps even cursed.
However, Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). As a result of our faithfulness to follow Christ at all costs, Christ assured us that when He returns to earth, "he will reward each person according to what he has done" (Matthew 16:27).
The apostle Paul said to "consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2) because "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). You should rejoice in the fact that we "participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:13).
When you endure hardships and trials in this life, count it a privilege and blessing to be identified with the Savior. Suffering for Him will bring a sure and eternal reward free of any regrets.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to give you joy when you suffer through hardships in the Christian life.
:angel:
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle... --Job 7:6
Where are we going so fast? Scientific measurements indicate that we are moving even when we are standing still. Continental land masses sit on enormous slabs of rock that slide very slowly at the rate of 1 to 8 inches per year. In addition, America is gradually moving westward, away from Europe, at the rate of 3 inches per year.
Consider this: our Milky Way galaxy is hurtling through space at 375 miles per second or 1.3 million miles per hour. And within our own galaxy, the sun and its solar system are zooming along at 12.4 miles per second toward the star Vega in the constellation Lyra.
If you were to lie on your back in a quiet park on a cloudless day, you may feel as though all time and movement have stopped under the warm rays of the sun. And when you're walking down the street, you don't notice the earth spinning beneath your feet. But the scientist and the Christian know otherwise. Just as we are hurtling through the heavens at unimaginable speeds according to science, so too are we moving from here to eternity.
Our days and opportunities to live for the Lord and share Him with others pass so quickly that we cannot afford to waste any more time. It is important that we remember our days are numbered and life is but "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Time is God's gift to you, so worship Him, live for Him, and bring others to the saving knowledge of His grace and forgiveness in the days you have left. Live dynamically for Christ today because tomorrow may not come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you live without desperation or futility as you travel quickly from your earthly home to your heavenly home.
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Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. --1 John 4:11-12
Space shuttles are propelled out of the earth's atmosphere by a fuel mixture producing millions of pounds of thrust and exertion. Indianapolis race cars travel at speeds averaging more than 200 mph, and they are powered by a highly volatile fuel concoction. So, what fuels you as a believer in Jesus Christ?
The indwelling Holy Spirit motivates you to perform Christ-like deeds of compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and self-sacrifice. The apostle John wrote, "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:12-13).
It's like the mother who asked her young son to clean her shoes. He worked on them diligently until they were spotless, shiny, and scuff-free. To show her appreciation for his hard work, she gave him a dollar. As she went to put her shoes on, she felt something wadded up in the toe of one. It was her dollar and attached to it was a note that read, "Here's yur doller, mom. I done it fer luv."
Fueled and motivated by the Holy Spirit living in you, you too can serve others in the love of Christ. The Scripture says, "We love because he first loved us. ...And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:19, 21). This coming year, be motivated to serve others and give of yourself to them as Christ did for you on the cross so long ago.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to move your heart and feet in service for Him. Pray that He would empower you with the sacrificial love of Christ, so that you may bless someone's life by your service to them.
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I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. --Philippians 3:14, 17
The 16th-century Venetian artist, Titian, portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads in his painting, "An Allegory of Prudence." One head featured a youth facing the future, another represented a mature man eyeing the present, and the last head portrayed a wise old man gazing back at the past.
Over their heads, Titian wrote a Latin phrase that translates, "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future." Oftentimes our past failures and fear of repeating them again torment us. But we need to remember the kind of wisdom Titian displayed in his painting, so we can avoid the kind of anxiety that keeps us from enjoying life to the fullest right now.
The apostle Paul was able to forget his past and look forward to his future. He said, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I d forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).
While his memory wasn't completely erased of past faults, he knew that God had forgiven him and he was free from any guilt or pride that had been bottled up inside. As you live in daily fellowship with the Lord, trials only make you more like the Savior. Don't let your past cloud your present and future. Determine this year to have one driving passion—to know Christ more intimately than ever before.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray and rededicate your life to Christ following Paul's example. Ask Jesus to enable you to live fully in the present, gain wisdom from the past, and face the future with courage.
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. --Joshua 1:9
Each year at this time, thousands of them stand in the cold in Times Square, New York. No big event beckons them. No ballgame is being played. No rock concert is getting underway. It's simply a huge, lighted ball that drops from a tall building. And within a few seconds, hardly worth fighting traffic and crowd pushing for, it descends marking a new year.
Why has this nonevent turned into a huge, money-making holiday? Most other holidays celebrate a reputable person, famous birthdays, document signings, or a noted event. But New Year's Eve only celebrates the passage of time—something that most of us would rather not recognize. We make a huge deal out of it because it signals the end of an old era and the start of a new one.
The old year's problems, heartaches, and struggles seem to vanish and become a faded memory when we think of getting the chance of a new year and a new start. It must have been the same way for the Israelites when they stood with Joshua looking forward to a new era ahead of them. They had wandered for 40 years in the desert, and finally they could see land flowing with milk and honey ahead. Better yet, they had God's promise that He would never leave or forsake them.
As you stand with your back to the old year and look forward to the new one, you can have hope in the promises of God. You will certainly face both trying and joyful times ahead, but you can rest assure that He "will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). That promise is enough to celebrate the new year ahead!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you courage, strength, and faith in Him to face the days ahead. Thank Him for being faithful and for never leaving your side.
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You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those persecute you. --Matthew 5:43-44
Before his days as president, Abraham Lincoln was an attorney. He was approached once by a middle-class man who passionately insisted on suing an impoverished man who owed him $2.50. Lincoln quickly recognized the ridiculous nature of the situation and tried to discourage him. But the man was set on revenge and wanted to make his debtor pay.
Finally, when Lincoln realized that the man would stop at nothing to punish the other, he reluctantly agreed to take the case. When he did, he asked the man for a legal fee of $10, which the man immediately paid. Soon thereafter, Lincoln secretly gave half the money to the defendant, who willingly confessed the debt and paid the $2.50 in full!
Even more amazing than Lincoln's ingenious settlement was that the vengeful plaintiff was satisfied with the arrangement and walked away a very happy man!
Very often, when someone wrongs us, it's natural to want to seek revenge. In fact, the world encourages us to feel this way! But God's way is drastically different.
Had the irate man reacted like Christ, he wouldn't have worried about the debt, but he probably would have bought the poor defendant a meal or helped out his starving family! God's way of dealing with an enemy is completely different from the idea of "don't get mad — get even."
Today, if someone does you wrong, try to consider their situation... ask God to help you forgive them...and seek ways that you can minister to them. You never know how God will use your reaction to touch their life for Christ!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to fill your heart with love for those who do you wrong. Pray that He would help you share God's grace and mercy with them, so that they may come to know Jesus as you do.
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At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. --Daniel 6:4
A young Christian professional interviewed for a position in a thriving business once, and brought with him a top-notch resume. In it, he listed many references, including his pastor, his Bible study teacher, and a church deacon.
Unbeknownst to the young man, the business owner was also a Christian. After he had studied the resume, he said, "Young man, I appreciate these recommendations from people in your church. However, what I would really like is a word of recommendation from people who know you during the week as well."
Oftentimes, the way people live their lives on Sunday is very different when compared to the way they live their lives the rest of the week. Often people act differently at church than they do out in the real world. But the truth is, the biblical truth we hear on Sunday should also be practiced throughout the week! Worship should be a way of life...not a weekly event.
Daniel was a perfect example of someone who was consistent in his relationship with both God and man. In fact, even his enemies couldn't find any fault with him!
As a follower of Christ, does your life look differently during the week than it does at church on Sunday? The old adage is true: "Actions speak louder than words." Determine to live a consistent Christian life on Sunday and every other day of the week!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you walk consistently with Him throughout the week...and pray that your life would be a constant reminder to those around you of Christ, the One you serve.
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But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17
There's a story that tells of General Robert E. Lee, a devoted follower of Jesus, who visited a church in Washington, D.C. soon after the Civil War ended. During the time of communion in the service, he knelt beside a black man. A friend of his later said to him, "How could you do something like that?"
Lee humbly replied, "My friend, all ground is level beneath the cross."
Prejudice, bitterness, anger, and hatred are uprooted in front of the powerful cross of Calvary on which Jesus died. Christians should be the one group of people who harbor none of these things in their hearts. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, regardless of our race, nationality, or social status. Jesus offers salvation to all people!
It's easy to lose sight of this sometimes. But when we show partiality, we fail to realize that the Lord loves all people and desires for all to come to know Him as their Savior. Christians are no better than any other group of people. The only difference is that we have been saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus...we are the recipients of God's amazing grace and forgiveness.
Seek to see all people as God sees them—with love and compassion. Have you ever put yourself on a pedestal because you can call yourself a Christian? Or do you kneel before the Lord in humility each day and thank Him for dying on the cross for your sins, so that you—a sinner—could have eternal life with Him?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for forgiveness if you have let prejudice, bitterness, and anger fill your heart. And pray that He would fill your heart with His love and compassion.
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So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. --Isaiah 41:10
Snowflakes are fascinating.. They come in all different shapes and sizes. Some appear as delicate lace doilies others as shining stars. Yet they all have their similarities. Each snowflake has six points, is made up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen, and is symmetrical in shape.
But did you know that the ice that makes a snowflake collects around a particle of dust floating in the atmosphere? The tiny imperfection may be as small as 1/100,000 of a millimeter in size, but it has to exist for a snowflake to form!
In the same way, imperfections in life can often be the catalysts that cause something wonderful and beautiful to happen. A "foreign invader" that crashes into our lives—such as a terminal illness, an accident, or a heartbreak—can actually turn into a source of blessing.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."
When you encounter obstacles in life, remember that they give you, as a believer, the chance to let God make something wonderful happen. If you are struggling with a difficult situation in your life, seek the Lord and wait for Him to create from it a beautiful blessing. Because I promise...if you're looking for it...He will!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God that when hardships come, He makes something beautiful as a result! Pray that He would continue to transform your trials into blessings by surrounding you with His grace, love, and mercy.
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Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. --2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Richard Baxter, a 17th-century preacher from Kidderminster, England, was known for his passionate ministry style. He saw himself as a dying man ministering to dying people, so he always spoke as if he were preaching his last sermon and his audience was hearing their last message.
In addition to his dynamic style of preaching, Baxter spent every Monday and Tuesday instructing the children of his church. On Wednesdays, he went from house to house to make sure the needs of his church's widows, aged, and sick were met. And during the rest of the week, he prepared his sermons and wrote books.
As a result of Baxter's ministry, the town of Kidderminster was completely transformed. The small village that had once been a place full of sexual immorality, violence, and sin, eventually became a town where almost every household honored the Lord. Baxter's zeal for ministering to others and bringing them to Jesus reaped a great spiritual harvest.
Are you doing everything you can to minister to the needs of those in your family, neighborhood, circle of friends, and church? Are you a daily witness and servant to those with whom you share life?
As believers in Christ, we have a ministry...even if we don't work for a church! Today, determine to proclaim the truth of God's love in word and action...as if you were a dying man or woman of God ministering to dying people!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open up opportunities for you to minister to others who are lost and hurting. Pray that He would give you a great passion for serving others and bringing them to Him.
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Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. --James 4:7
Shortly after the Civil War, General William T. Sherman's army was scheduled to march in a victory parade in [City Name, State].
The night before the parade, Sherman called General Oliver Howard to his room and said, "General, you were at the head of one of the divisions that marched with me through Georgia, and you should rightfully ride at the head of your division in the parade tomorrow. However, I've been asked to let the general who preceded you in command represent the division."
General Howard replied, "With all due respect, sir, I think I am entitled to represent my division, since I led them to victory."
Sherman said, "Yes, you are. But I know you're a Christian, and I was wondering if you would yield your rights for the sake of peace."
Quickly, Howard responded, "Of course I'll yield."
"All right," General Sherman said, "I will arrange so, and I want you to report to me in the morning at 9:00 a.m. You will be riding with me at the head of the parade."
General Howard's willingness to yield his position to his commander led to an even greater position of honor. Just the same, God blesses those who are completely submitted to Him. Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a submissive spirit, so that you can fully be used by Him.
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Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" --Luke 12:22-24
Worry. At one time or another, all of us have done it. But J. Arthur Rank says there is a practical way to handle this problem. When he doesn't have enough faith to overcome his worries immediately, he writes down the problem and puts it aside.
Then, a week or so later, he reviews the things he wrote down and usually finds that most of his worries have already passed and are no longer a concern! Rank concludes that much of his distresses are a waste of energy. When he follows the format above, he says God always steps in when he's not looking and directs things along paths he could never have seen before.
Scripture tells about the time Jesus stopped at the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha was worried about all the preparations not being completed, but Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to everything He had to say (see Luke 10:38-42). When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary, He rebuked her worrying and complaining by explaining that Mary had the right idea.
There are many things we can worry about: our families, our finances, our health, and so on. But the Bible tells us not to worry about anything! The next time you are tempted to worry, remember the words of Peter, "cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would take away your spirit of worry and anxiety.
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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. --Psalm 46:1
In 1873, Horatio G. Spafford, a Christian lawyer from Chicago, sent his wife and four daughters on an ocean liner bound for Le Havre, France. But in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the steamship collided with another sea vessel and sank within twelve minutes.
Miraculously, Spafford's wife was rescued and taken to Le Havre with the other handful of survivors. When she arrived, she sent a message to her husband in Chicag "Saved—alone."
Immediately, Stafford sailed for Europe to be with his grief-stricken wife. As his ship passed the approximate location where his daughters drowned, he penned these words in the midst of his sorrow: "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea-billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul.'"
Scripture says our Lord is "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). If you are struggling through a difficult time in life, you can find comfort in the arms of God. Or, if there is a person in your life who is going through a tough time, seek to encourage them as the Lord has encouraged you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would use the difficulties in your life to help you encourage others who may be going through hard times.
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Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. --Colossians 4:6
There was a woman once who developed a very serious throat condition. And as a result, her doctor prescribed medication and no talking for six months! She thought this would be almost impossible with a husband and six children, but she obeyed the doctor's orders.
For the next six months, when she needed the attention of her children, she blew a whistle...her instructions became written memos...and questions and answers were written down on pads of paper she had placed around the house.
After six months, the doctor finally allowed her to talk again. Interestingly enough, her first comments were very revealing. She said her children had become calmer and quieter, and as a result she said, "I don't think I'll ever shout again like I used to."
When asked about the notes, she replied, "You'd be surprised how many hastily written notes I crumpled up and threw in the trash before I gave them to anyone to read. Seeing my own harsh words that I would've spoken had an effect on me that I don't think I'll ever forget."
Many things come out of our mouths before we realize it—gossip, praise, slander, lying, and so on. The Scripture says, "No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. ...My brothers [and sisters], this should not be" (James 3:8-10).
Today, make a conscious effort to think about what you say. Determine to listen before speaking, to evaluate the words you use, and ensure your speech doesn't hurt others (see Titus 2:6-8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God will help you think about what you say today...so that only good things come out of your mouth.
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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
Many years ago in London, a talented young man began preparing for the ministry. He had surrendered his life to Christ and wanted so badly to be used by the Lord. He was a brilliant student and completed his seminary studies with honors.
Prior to his ordination as a minister, he was required to preach a sermon before a select group of clergymen. The intensity of the situation made him nervous—especially when he saw his lovely fiancée sitting in the audience. In his anxiety, he lost his train of thought as he preached...which resulted in the board not approving him for ordination.
The rejection was a bitter disappointment, and his grief increased when his fiancée broke off their engagement because he had performed so poorly. After these two events, he fought depression for quiet some time. Several weeks later, He poured out his complaint before God, and was reminded of God's promise in Romans 8:28..."in all things God works for the good of those who love him...." It was then that he experienced an incredible peace in his soul.
When the chance to preach happened again, the young man delivered a powerful sermon to the examining board and he was ordained to the ministry. Since this time, the dynamic preaching of G. Campbell Morgan has impacted thousands of people. This infamous expositor authored several Bible commentaries and 60 books on theology. Morgan left a legacy that still stirs hearts today—and the crisis he went through and overcame with God's help played a huge part.
Failure can often cause us to question the calling God has placed on our lives. But many times we can't see the big picture. Friend, whether you can see it or not, God is working in your life—but sometimes He works behind the scenes.
If you are a believer and have experienced failure, don't give up! God can use that failure to produce success and blessing in your life according to the promises in His Word.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to turn your failures into triumphs, and thank Him for the promises of His Word.
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Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. --Ephesians 6:11
According to scientists, Arctic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals. In order to capture their meals, the bears often have to resort to sinister tactics.
For example, a polar bear will actually swim underwater and make a tiny scratching sound on the underside of the ice next to a seal's feeding hole. When an unsuspecting and hungry seal hears this sound, he instinctively dives in for a quick bite to eat...only to become a quick dinner for the polar bear!
If you think about it, this cunning method of hunting is very similar to the way Satan works to entrap us in our Christian walk. So many times we instinctively respond to that familiar "scratching sound," only to become a victim of his evil schemes.
Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that the "thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
As believers, we are the prime targets to satisfy Satan's insatiable and deadly appetite. But the sooner we realize that we have a very real enemy who's looking to devour us, the better able we'll be to avoid becoming a quick meal for the devil.
Be self-controlled, alert, walking in the Holy Spirit, in His Word, and always in prayer, because Scripture says Satan "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). As you walk daily with Christ, be on the lookout!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you resist the many temptations this world has to offer. Pray He would help you submit to Him completely, and pray that He would provide a shield around your life to protect you from the devil's schemes.
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At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" ...But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." --Mark 5:30, 32-34
During the 1890's, a small newspaper reported that Julia Ward Howe, a woman dedicated to helping free slaves, asked a United States senator to help liberate a black man who was in a dangerous situation.
The politician said, "Madam, I'm so busy with plans for the benefit of the whole race that I have no time to help individuals!"
Angry by his lack of compassion and sympathy, Howe quickly replied, "I'm so glad our Lord never displayed such a calloused attitude!"
In our busy lives, we must never forget our service to others in the name of Jesus. Timothy was a true servant of the Lord. Paul said of him, "I hope...to send Timothy to you soon...I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because...he has served with me in the work of the gospel" (Philippians 2:19-22).
People like Timothy, the apostle Paul, and Christ's disciples worked to spread the Gospel of Jesus and serve others as Christ did. Are you serving the Lord and others consistently? It is your responsibility as a believer to always put aside the busyness of life, position, and social status to serve others in the name of Jesus. When you learn to have an obedient and servant heart for Him, He'll accomplish great things through your life, things you may not have thought possible.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you opportunities to serve others in His name.
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Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. --James 4:8-10
Many years ago, J. Wilbur Chapman, an American evangelist and pastor, wrote the following about the impact of prayer in his life:
"At one of our missions in England the audience was exceedingly small, but I received a note saying that an American missionary was going to beseech the Lord on behalf of our work. The man was known as 'Praying Hyde.' Almost immediately the tide changed. Crowds began to pack the hall, and many accepted Christ as their Savior.
"Meeting Mr. Hyde later, I said, 'Brother, I want you to pray for me personally.' He came to my room, turned the key in the door, and dropped to his knees. He waited five minutes without a single syllable coming form his lips. I felt hot tears as they began running down my face. Although he had said nothing, I knew I was in the presence of God. Then with upturned face and with eyes streaming, he said, 'O God!' and was still again.
"When he seemed to sense that he was in full communion with the Lord, there came from the depths of his heart petitions such as I had never heard. I rose from my knees to know what real prayer was!"
Jesus warned us not to pray like hypocrites who "love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. ...But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:5-6).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Today, go into a room by yourself and spend some time alone in the presence of the Lord in prayer without any distractions. Ask for His Holy Spirit to move, and then wait and listen for His still, small voice.
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But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. --Acts 1:8
A young woman excited about her salvation developed a deep desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. She felt called to missions, so she asked her pastor where she might go to serve to be most effective. He told her to come back the following day and he would have an answer for her then.
The next day, when she returned to his office, the pastor was waiting for her with an answer. He handed her a folded slip of paper and said, "I'm suggesting that you begin with someone who needs Christ right now more than anyone else in the entire world."
The young woman quickly left the pastor's office, eager to find out where her mission field was. She carefully opened the note and was surprised to discover two words: "Your father."
She had been so passionate about reaching the lost in foreign lands that she had neglected to share the Gospel with someone so close to home.
Are there people in your life who don't know Jesus? Maybe it's a parent, a sibling, a grandchild, a close friend, an acquaintance, one of your children, or even your spouse. Many people make the mistake of thinking the only mission field is overseas.
But God has called you to share the Good News of His Word right where you are—in your city, neighborhood, and among your circle of friends. If you know someone who is living with no hope and without a relationship with Jesus, then take the time today to share truth that will change their lives forever.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal people in your life that need to know the Lord so you can share Christ with them. Pray that He would open up the right opportunity at the right time for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives through you.
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He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. --John 1:11
In The King's Business magazine, there was a story published once that told of a Christian fisherman who decided to spend the night on his boat. In the middle of the night, he heard a loud splash...and knew right away that the man in the yacht next to him had fallen in as a result of his heavy drinking. So he jumped into the cold water to save him.
With great effort, the fisherman pulled the man back onto his yacht and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to help bring him back to life. After successfully rendering aid, he put the man back in his bed and swam back to his own boat.
The next morning, the fisherman returned to the yacht to see how the man was doing. But surprisingly, the man ungratefully replied, "It's none of your business!"
The fisherman reminded him that he had rescued him and saved his life the night before. But instead of showing gratitude, the man openly cursed and threatened him.
As the Christian man rowed away, tears filled his eyes and he prayed, "When I think of how men have treated You, Lord, I'm filled with sorrow. Now I can begin to understand just a little how You must feel when others reject You."
When you are persecuted by others because of your faith in Christ, think of the rejection that Jesus faced so that you could have forgiveness of your sins and eternal life through Him. Continue to profess His name and remember what He did on the cross...because great is your reward when you persevere in the midst of trials.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank the Lord for the sacrifice He made for you in the midst of persecution and rejection. Pray that He would give you strength so that His name may be glorified through it all.
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On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. --Romans 12:20-21
There is a story of a Christian lady who owned two prized chickens. One day, they got out of their cage and wandered into the garden of an ill-tempered neighbor. When the neighbor realized the hens were loose in his yard, he caught them, wrung their necks, and threw them back over the fence hoping that would teach his neighbor a lesson.
Obviously, the woman was upset when she discovered her neighbor had killed her chickens, but she didn't retaliate by rushing to his house to yell at him. Instead, she took the two deceased birds, dressed them, and made some chicken pot pies. She then carried one of the pies over to the man who had committed the crime.
Her children, expecting an angry scene among the two, hid behind a bush in the man's yard to see his reaction. But when the Christian lady apologized for not being more careful about keeping her chickens penned up, they saw he was left speechless! That chicken pie he held in his hands, along with the apology, filled him with embarrassment and shame.
You see, the woman wasn't trying to get even. She wasn't returning evil for evil. All she wanted to do was show her neighbor the meaning of true Christian love. And her actions could have been the catalyst to bring him to faith in Christ. What a challenge this is for you and me today!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you wisdom to do the right thing when conflicts arise between you and others. Pray that He would help you demonstrate the love of Christ so it would point others toward Jesus.
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Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. --John 15:13
There was a baby girl in the hospital who was critically injured and had lost a large amount of blood. She urgently needed a transfusion, but the doctors couldn't find anyone with her rare blood type—except her 7-year-old brother.
The doctor took the young boy into his office, sat him down, and said, "Your sister is very sick. Unless we can help her, she's going to leave us and go to heaven. Will you give your blood to your baby sister so she can live?"
The young boy turned pale and his eyes filled with fear, but after a short period he whispered to the doctor, "Yes, I will."
At that, the physician smiled reassuringly and said, "Thank you. I knew you would."
The transfusion took place, and the 7-year-old seemed very nervous as he watched the blood from his body flow through the tube to his sister. The doctor said, "Don't worry, son. It will all be over before long." At that moment, big tears welled up in the little boy's eyes.
"Will I die soon? Will it be quick?" he asked the doctor.
It was obvious that this brave young boy thought he was giving up his own life so that his baby sister could live! What a beautiful picture of sacrifice and love.
In the very same way, Christ willingly gave His blood to save us from our sins. Yet it's easy to lose sight of this...to become so accustomed to hearing the story that we forget the magnitude of what His death really accomplished for you and me.
The fact is, Christ's death and resurrection is the greatest news we can ever receive! And we should live each day in praise and thanks to the Savior who gave His life for us.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life He made available when He shed His precious blood on the cross for you...and commit to live a life that reflects your gratitude.
:angel:
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. --Psalm 119:71
Farmers in southern Alabama were accustomed to planting one crop every year—cotton. They would simply plow as much ground as they could and plant their crop. Year after year, they made their living by growing cotton.
Then one year, the dreaded boll weevil devastated the whole region. The next year, the farmers mortgaged their homes and planted cotton again, hoping for a better harvest. But as the cotton began to grow, the insects returned and completely destroyed the crop—wiping out most of the farms that grew cotton.
The next year, the few farmers who survived decided to plant a different crop in hopes of regaining their livelihoods—peanuts. The new crop proved to be so hardy and the market so ravenous that it enabled the farmers to pay off all their debts from the two previous years of failed crops.
Every season thereafter, the farmers planted peanuts...and they prospered greatly. And eventually, the farmers spent some of their new wealth to erect a monument to the boll weevil in the town square! They figured if it hadn't been for the pesky insect, then they never would have planted the prosperous peanut crops.
As believers, we have the assurance of knowing that God can use the "boll weevils" in our lives for something good. In fact, Romans 8:28 says, "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
No matter what trials may come knocking on your door unexpectedly, know God is in control and working behind the scenes for your ultimate good!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being in control of all the situations in your life—good and bad. And ask Him for the patience you need to wait for the light after the darkness of your trials.
:angel:
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. --Luke 6:33
R.L. Sharpe related the following story:
"When I was just a lad, my father called me to go with him to old Mr. Trussel's blacksmith shop. He had left a rake and a hoe to be repaired, and when we got there, they were fixed like new. Father handed him some money for the work, but Mr. Trussel refused to take it. 'No', he said, 'there's no charge for that little job.'
"My father kept insisting, but I shall never forget that great man's reply. 'Ed,' he said, can't you let a Christian do something now and then—just to stretch his soul?'
"That short but effective sermon set me to thinking. I since have found the great joy and quiet happiness that come from doing little things for Jesus, and in the process I'm 'stretching my soul.'"
This really is Christianity in action! Scripture says that one of the fruits of the Spirit is kindness (see Galatians 5:22). And Proverbs 19:22 says, "What a man desires is unfailing love...." Our world is submerged in so much hate that it is oftentimes easy for believers to catch some of it. But kindness is key in the Christian life.
The Bible says that all believers should "add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).
Just as Christ first loved you and showed you the kindness you truly didn't deserve, so should we display the loving kindness of Christ to all people.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the chance today to be kind to someone who may or may not deserve it.
:angel:
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" --Luke 4:4
There's a story about an old man who lived in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning, the grandfather would sit at the kitchen table and read from his worn-out Bible. Wanting to be just like his grandfather, the young boy would imitate him by reading his own Bible.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandfather, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don't understand it. When I do understand it, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"
The grandfather simply replied, "Son, take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but the water leaked out of the basket before he could get back to the house. The grandfather sent him back three more times and told him to move faster each time. Every time, the frustrated boy returned with an empty basket.
Finally, out of breath, the young boy said to his grandfather, "See...it's useless!"
The old man said, "Look at the basket. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it's now clean. Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand it or remember everything you read, but when you do, it will change you from the inside out."
As believers in Christ in a fallen world, you and I must saturate our hearts and minds with the Word of God every day. Just like the young boy above, it may seem that we can't retain or comprehend everything we read. But remember that God uses His Word to change us from the inside out!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Make a commitment to the Lord to study His Word faithfully each day. And pray that He will use the Scripture to cleanse you and make you more like Jesus.
:angel:
"I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile." - Job 9:27
We all know the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." This is actually more than just a cliché. Health studies actually show that smiling and laughter really are very good for the body.
When you laugh, you increase your natural defenses against tumors, disease, and viruses. Laughter also lowers the blood pressure, increases oxygen in the blood, and promotes healing. What a gift God has given us that such a simple act can have such a positive effect not only our disposition but on our physical health.
You may have also noticed how smiles and laughter can be infectious. A smile can spread from one person to the next. Think of how you can bless a number of people simply by wearing a smile on your face.
In Luke 6:21, Jesus blesses, "you who weep now, for you will laugh." He's speaking of our time in Heaven when there will be no more tears. If God is planning to replace our tears with laughter, maybe we should get a head start. I encourage you to try to laugh more today. It may help you feel a lot better.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to remove any sorrow from your heart today. Pray for healing laughter in its place.
:angel:
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:34
One day, a young, new preacher was walking with an older, seasoned preacher in a garden. Feeling uncertain about God's plan for his life, the younger man asked the older man for some direction.
The veteran preacher picked a rosebud from a nearby bush and asked the younger man to open it without tearing any petals. The young man wondered what a rosebud could possibly have to do with knowing God's will for his life and ministry, but attempted to open the rosebud anyway.
It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this task was. Noticing his difficulty, the older and wiser preacher said:
"It is only a tiny rosebud...a flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so sweetly, then in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud, the flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine?
So, I'll trust in Him for leading each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for guidance each step of the Pilgrim's way.
The pathway that lies before me only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments just as He unfolds the rose."
No matter what age you are, it can be frustrating to figure out God's will at times. But we serve a God who knows how many hairs are on our heads...and His plan for your life is perfect! Instead of worrying about what tomorrow or the next day holds, take one day at a time and trust in the Savior for His faithful guidance.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you focus on today, not tomorrow. And ask Him to give you wisdom as He reveals His plan for your life one day at a time.
:angel:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. --Galatians 5:22-23
One evening, an older Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a terrible battle inside every person. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside of us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, pride, and superiority."
His grandson asked, "What is the other wolf?"
The elderly man said, "It is good—peace, joy, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."
The man's young grandson thought for a moment and then asked, "Which wolf wins?"
The wise Cherokee man replied, "The one you feed the most."
Whether he knew it or not, this wise man could have been relating the battle between good and evil that Paul talked about in God's Word.
Too often, you and I tend to let some characteristics of the "bad wolf" take over the good—even as believers in Jesus. In order to fully grow in our relationship with the Lord, we must feed the "good wolf" to live out the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
The Bible says, "your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5), thereby affecting your thoughts, words, and actions. Make a conscious effort today to display Christ's attitude to every one with whom you come in contact.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you feed the "good wolf" today. Pray that He would make you more like Christ in attitude, actions, and spirit.
:angel:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 3:14-15
There is a story of four ministers who were discussing various Bible versions and which ones they liked best. One liked the King James Version because of its eloquent literary style. Another one preferred the Revised Version of 1881 because it provided the most literal translation of Hebrew and Greek.
The third minister felt that the New King James Version was the most readable and easiest to understand of all. But the fourth minister didn't say a thing. Finally, one of them asked for his opinion on which version of the Bible he liked best.
The man replied, "I like my mother's translation the best."
The others were shocked by his answer, and one of them asked, "Did your mother translate the Bible into her own version?"
"Yes, sort of," the man replied. "She translated it into her life, and it was the most convincing version I've ever seen."
If you are a believer, people are watching your life. And quite frankly, your life is the only Bible some people will ever read!
In order for our lives to serve as godly examples for others, you and I must act out God's Word every single day. You can be certain that your children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are watching how you live your life as a Christian. Are you a living example of God's Word to those around you?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would be a living example of God's Word so that you can point others to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to direct your words and actions so you can be a godly influence—no matter the circumstance.
:angel:
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. --2 Corinthians 1:5
The Chicago Tribune published a story once about 15-year-old Douglas Maurer. He had suffered from a high fever and flu-like symptoms for several days, so finally his mother took him to the hospital. It was there that Douglas was diagnosed with leukemia.
The doctors explained the disease to Douglas and said he would have to undergo intense chemotherapy for the next three years. They told him about the side effects that would follow...baldness and a bloated body...and Douglas became very depressed.
To lift his spirits, Douglas' aunt called a local floral shop to send him a flower arrangement. She told the clerk it was for her teenage nephew who had leukemia.
When the beautiful flowers arrived at the hospital, Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card attached that said: "Douglas—I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I'm 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley." For the first time since his diagnosis, Douglas' face lit up.
Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with sophisticated medical equipment and technology. He was being treated by some of the best doctors and nurses around. But it was a simple sales clerk in a flower shop that took the time to care. She was the one person who gave Douglas hope to carry on.
Is there someone in your life suffering from some sort of affliction who needs comfort? If so, seek to show them love, compassion, and encouragement. You could be the one person who can make a difference in the life of another who is suffering without hope.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would help you to bring comfort and encouragement to someone who needs it more than ever today.
:angel:
Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. --Psalm 86:2
A group of botanists went on an expedition into a remote area in the Alps to search for new species of flowers. As one of the scientists looked through his binoculars, he saw a rare, beautiful species growing at the bottom of a deep ravine.
To reach it, though, someone small would have to be lowered into the gorge. The scientist noticed a local young boy standing nearby and asked him if he would help them retrieve the flower. He told the boy a rope would be tied around his waist and the men would then lower him to the floor of the canyon.
The boy was excited about the new adventure and quickly agreed. But as he peered into the chasm while the rope was being tied to his waist, he shouted, "Wait! I'll be right back." He ran off and returned shortly with another man.
The boy said to the head botanist, "I'll go over the cliff now and get the flower for you. But this man must hold on to the rope that will lower me down. He's my dad!"
The Bible says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man" (Psalm 118:8). This teaches us that we should never put our complete faith in man—and this includes your pastor, Bible study teacher, or closest loved one. Put your hope and trust only in the Lord, for He'll never fail you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to hold on to the "rope" tied to your waist. Trust that your Father above will keep you safe no matter what.
:angel:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. --Romans 5:3-4
A man named Parnell Bailey toured an orange grove once where an irrigation pump had broken. The season was dry and some of the trees were dying because they lacked water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly.
He said, "These trees could go without rain for another two weeks. When they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now, my trees have the deepest roots in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at greater depths."
The story above is a good picture of how suffering can produce the "roots" we as believers need to survive and thrive in any season of life.
But to grow these roots, you and I must plant ourselves in God's Word to find comfort and strength when battling difficulties in life.
Being thrown into the "furnace of affliction" is a test of faith, as it forces us to rely solely on the Lord. Isaiah 48:10 says, "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."
Whatever trial you may be facing today—be it illness, loneliness, financial difficulty, or family struggles—remember to stay rooted in the Lord. Then you can say as the psalmist did: "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life" (Psalm 119:50).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith when you are faced with affliction. Pray that He would comfort you with His Word in times of suffering.
:angel:
Living in the freedom Christ has given you
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. - Galatians 4:6-7
A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma's backyard, he saw her pet duck. On an impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead.
So he panicked and hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. After lunch that day, Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn't you, Johnny?" And she whispered to him, "Remember the duck." So Johnny did the dishes.
Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, Grandma said, "I'm sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally smiled and said, "That's all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it." Again she whispered, "Remember the duck." Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing.
Finally, after several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he couldn't stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he'd killed the duck. "I know, Johnny," she said, giving him a hug. "I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I just wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.
How many Christians today have received forgiveness in Christ, but miss out on living in the freedom they have? Don't live under the impression that you still have to earn your salvation. Instead, live in the freedom that Christ has bought you!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to help you understand the freedom you have in Christ. As you grow in your freedom, shake off the yoke of slavery and experience the joy you're meant to have!
:angel:
The importance of giving substance to your faith
February 10, 2012
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:26
A young boy, on an errand for his mother, had just bought a dozen eggs. As he walked out of the store, he tripped and dropped the sack, breaking every egg he had bought. The sidewalk was a mess, and the little boy tried not to cry. So a few people gathered to see if he was okay and to tell him how sorry they were.
In the midst of all the "I'm sorry"s and everyone making sure the boy was okay, one man handed the boy a quarter. Then he turned to the group and said, "I care 25 cents worth. How much do the rest of you care?"
That little story is a strong parallel to many people today, isn't it? You see, some tend to pity Jesus and say things like, "He was such a noble teacher," and, "What a brave thing to die for what you believe." However, when it comes to actually putting their money where their mouth is, that's where their devotion stops.
The Bible says that faith is of the utmost importance. But faith itself is only proven when there are works behind it like giving your money, your time, and even your very life to Christ. So instead of just giving Jesus your words, give Him your works and add substance to your profession of faith!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to empower you to add substance to your faith by giving your money, your time, and even your very life to Christ every day!
:angel:
Having confidence in your status in Christ Jesus
February 13, 2012
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus....
Ephesians 2:6
A man had a friend who was a highly decorated Air Force officer. One day, the officer decided to give him a tour of the Air Force base. As they were approaching the front gate, he wondered to himself, "How will I get in? Will they ask me lots of questions and make me wait while they do a background check?"
But just as they arrived at the gate, a burly sergeant waved them through without hesitation, "How did we get in so quickly?" the man asked the officer. "This sticker," he replied, pointing to a decal in the corner of the car's windshield. "It lets me and any of my guests onto the base."
Because this man was with a decorated officer who had previous clearance, he could get through the gate with no difficulty. This is exactly how you and I can get into heaven. On our own, we wouldn't stand a chance trying to enter those gates. We don't deserve the right and could never earn it.
But when you trust Jesus your Savior, you become identified with Him. And if you are "in Christ Jesus," you have free access to God's favor in this life and a sure hope of entering heaven's glory!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a new appreciation for your status in Christ Jesus and that because of Him alone, you can enter heaven's joy!
:angel:
Imitating Christ's example of humility
February 14, 2012
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:5-8
It's February 15, 1921. In the operating room of the Kane Summit Hospital, a doctor is performing an appendectomy. In many ways, the events leading to the surgery are uneventful. The patient has complained of severe abdominal pain. And the diagnosis by Dr. Evan O'Neil Kane is clear: an inflamed appendix that needed to be removed.
But really, there are two remarkable novelties of this particular operation. The first is that it marked the first use of local anesthesia in major surgery. You see, Dr. Kane was a crusader against the hazards of general anesthesia, believing that local was much safer. But while many of his colleagues and patients agreed with him, he had trouble finding someone to step forward and be the first person to have an appendectomy under local anesthesia.
This brings us to the second novelty of this operation: because Dr. Kane was unable to find a volunteer for the procedure, he operated on himself!
In order to gain his patients' trust and show his care for them, Dr. Kane did the most effective thing... he became a patient himself, putting his own well-being at risk for the sake of others. And in much the same way, that's just what Jesus did. He humbled himself by taking on human form and subjecting Himself to a human death.
So as you strive to imitate Christ in everything you do, be willing to humble yourself for the sake of showing others you care for them!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you areas where you can humble yourself for the sake of showing love to others, whether it be by sacrificing what some may think of you, humbling yourself by praying for them, or giving financially to a friend in need.
:angel:
Being truthful even when it's not easy
Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned. - James 5:12
Lon Grammer claimed some impressive credentials at Yale University. He was a very popular student, playing rugby while earning a 3.9 grade-point average. But a just a month before he was to graduate with a degree in political science, Yale expelled the 25-year-old.
Yale officials say that Lon lied about his GPA and forged recommendations from nonexistent teachers to get into the school. He accepted $61,475 in scholarship money under these false pretenses, which led to his arraignment under charges of larceny. Yet in a TV interview, Lon pleaded that his actions were no worse than what happens every day when people lie on résumés.
In today's world, so many people play games with the truth for their own benefit. Some stretch it, while others like Lon fabricate it altogether. Yet God's Word couldn't be clearer: in your dealings with others, let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no. In fact, you should have such impeccable credentials as a truth-teller that others notice something different in you!
It's easy to tell the truth when it won't cost you anything. It's harder when the truth brings about difficult circumstances. But whether the result is good or bad, let your truthfulness be known to all so that you can live with a clear conscience and be a trustworthy friend.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you gain a reputation of truthfulness even if the truth makes things more difficult.
:angel:
Glorifying God in every aspect of life
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
You may be surprised to know that throughout his or her lifetime, the average American:
Spends 3 years in business meetings
Spends 13 years watching TV
Consumes 109,354 pounds of food
Makes 1,811 trips to McDonalds
Spends $6,881 in vending machines
Eats 35,138 cookies and 1,483 pounds of candy
Catches 304 colds
Spends 24 years sleeping
It's amazing to see those kinds of numbers isn't it? But what many Christians don't realize is that even in the seemingly "mundane" aspects of life like eating or sleeping, God can be honored. In fact, as you see in today's verse, you can glorify God in whatever you do!
It's easy to slip into the mindset of "sacred" versus "secular" and think, I can really only glorify God when I'm reading my Bible or singing to Him. But in reality, God doesn't just want an hour on Sunday, He wants all of you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week!
So whatever your daily routine has you doing, glorify God. If you're having lunch, use it as a time to thank God for the blessings of food. If you're meeting with friends, show them the love of Christ in how you talk and act. When you do that, you'll start to understand what it really means to glorify God with your life!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you "routine" areas of your life where you can bring glory to Him!
:angel:
The key to overcoming loneliness
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. - Psalm 25:16
Everyone, at some point in life, experiences loneliness. In his book Facing Loneliness, J. Oswald Sanders writes, "The round of pleasure or the amassing of wealth are but vain attempts to escape from the persistent ache.... The millionaire is usually a lonely man and the comedian is often more unhappy than his audience."
Sanders goes on to emphasize that being successful often fails to produce satisfaction. Then he refers to Henry Martyn, a distinguished scholar, as an example of what he is talking about. Martyn, a Cambridge University student, was honored at only 20 years of age for his achievements in mathematics. In fact, he was given the highest recognition possible in that field.
But he still felt such emptiness inside. In fact, he was quoted as saying that instead of finding fulfillment in his achievements, he had "only grasped a shadow."
After evaluating his life's goals, Martyn sailed to India as a missionary at the age of 24. When he arrived, he prayed, "Lord, let me burn out for You!" And in the next 7 years that preceded his death, he translated the New Testament into three languages!
Do you want to know what the key to overcoming loneliness is? It's living your life on a purposeful mission for God. So if you find yourself with feelings of loneliness, reach out to others with the love of Christ and watch the peace of God invade your heart!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would reveal to you areas where you can turn any loneliness into service to Him and that you would be overcome by His supernatural peace.
:angel:
The importance of sharing life lessons with others
"Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom." - Job 32:7
In the book Live and Learn and Pass It On, H. Jackson Brown, Jr., recounted some of the life lessons people of different ages said they'd learned. Here are a few he collected and the ages of the people who shared them:
Lending money to friends and relatives causes them to get amnesia. (32)
You should always put on a new bathing suit and get it wet before wearing it in public. (21)
No situation is so bad that losing your temper won't make it worse. (41)
You shouldn't leave your fork on the plate when you reheat food in the microwave. (13)
When you're too busy for friends, you're too busy. (48)
Life is like a 10-speed bicycle—most of us have gears we never use. (59)
When parents say, "It doesn't matter what we think—you are the one dating him," they hate the guy. (24)
Keep your words soft and tender because tomorrow you may have to eat them. (38)
The more mistakes you make, the smarter you get. (13)
If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven't done much today. (21)
One of the remarkable benefits of getting older is that you have many life lessons like these that you can share with others. That's exactly why in cultures around the world, gray hair is indicative of wisdom!
As you reflect upon your life, think of the life lessons that come to mind. Make a list of them so you can share them with others. When you allow your experiences to be teachable lessons for others, you'll breathe life into their relationship with God!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to bring to mind your life lessons. Make a list and share them with others who can learn from your experiences.
:angel:
How to deal with anger graciously
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. - Proverbs 15:18
Many years ago, a senior executive of the then Standard Oil Company made a wrong decision that cost the company more than $2 million. Everyone at the company knew the executive's career was likely over. And most of the executives were finding various ways of avoiding the company's president, John D. Rockefeller, lest his wrath descend on their heads.
There was one exception, however. He was Edward T. Bedford, a partner in the company who kept his appointment with Mr. Rockefeller. When he entered the office, he saw Rockefeller at his desk busily writing with a pencil on a pad of paper.
Across the top of the page was written, "Points in favor of Mr. _______." There followed a long list of the guilty executive's virtues, including a brief description of how he had helped the company make the right decision on three separate occasions that had earned many times the cost of his recent error.
It can sometimes be easy to lose your temper. That's because so often, reactions to events tend to be just that—reactions—instead of responses. But if you take how you want to react, think it through, and consider the perspectives of others, you'll be much more inclined to respond biblically than react angrily.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to reveal to you in times of anger how you can respond rather than react. Pray that He would help you see others with a biblical perspective and that you would have a forgiving spirit when dealing with conflict.
:angel:
How to give with a cheerful heart
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7
A pastor once recounted how, as a child, his mother sent him to pick a quart of raspberries. Reluctantly he dragged himself to the berry patch. His afternoon was ruined for sure. Then a thought hit him. He would surprise his mother and pick two quarts of raspberries instead of one!
Rather than drudgery, his work now became a challenge. He enjoyed picking those raspberries so much that fifty years later, that incident was still fresh in his mind.
His job hadn't changed, but his attitude did. Instead of focusing on the hard work of picking berries, he focused on how he could use his time to bless his mother. And it was this change in perspective that made his job so much easier.
Many Christians today see giving as a task or a chore that they check off a list so they don't get in trouble. Sadly, because this is their perspective, they miss out on the joy that comes by contributing to God's purposes.
But what if, instead, you thought of giving with the end goal of supporting God's work in mind? You see, when you give, you bless others and you show God's love to those who need it. Giving is not about putting a little money in the offering plate, it's about being an active part of God's work here on earth. And when you see it that way, you can't help but give cheerfully!
Prayer Challenge: Ask God to give you a Kingdom perspective when it comes to giving. Pray that when you give, you would do so with His purposes in mind and because of that, you would give cheerfully!
:angel:
Finding your true value as God's image bearer
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. - Psalm 139:14
Our five senses give us some astonishing capabilities, don't they? The human can see a candle's flame 30 miles away on a dark, clear night and smell a single drop of perfume diffused in a three-room apartment. Our tongues can taste .04 ounces of table salt in 530 quarts of water. Our sense of touch can detect a pressure that depresses the skin .00004 inches on the face or fingertips. And our ears can tell where a sound is coming from even when it arrives at one ear just .0003 seconds before its arrival at the other ear.
Yet as you grow older, perhaps you've noticed that your eyes aren't what they used to be. Maybe your nose can't quite smell roses on a beautiful spring day like it used to. And it's possible that your ears have caused you to lean in a little closer to your friends to hear them clearly when they talk!
Despite these types of problems that everyone faces as they grow older, you are fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image. And because the Bible says that "God is spirit" (John 4:24), we know that this image isn't physical; it's spiritual. That means that whatever functions you may lose, you'll never lose the image of God in your soul.
So never forget that you bear God's image, and even when your physical body fails you, your spirit—who you really are—endures forever!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that He's allowed you to bear His image. Pray that He would help you understand that your true value goes well beyond your physical body.
:angel:
The importance of praying continually
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
One Sunday in a Midwest city, a little boy was acting up during the morning worship hour at church. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew, but were quickly losing the battle. Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly down the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the foyer, the child called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
At some point in time, every Christian feels just like that little boy. They're staring in the face of an undesirable outcome and their only hope is to simply say, "Pray for me." But what if, instead of it being a last resort, prayer was the first place you went? What if being in a persistent state of faithful prayer wasn't just something you did when times got tough, but was a way of life?
This is exactly the kind of attitude the apostle Paul wrote about in today's passage. He says that the Christian life isn't just about praying when times get tough; it's about praying at all times—good and bad.
The faith that sustains you when things look the worst is the very same faith that sustains you when things are at their best. So pray continually. If things are good, thank God for His blessings in your life. If things are bad, pray that God would show you His purpose. Communication with your Creator is the key to living a life filled with God's very best!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to remind you to stay connected with Him through prayer in the good times and bad.
:angel:
Recognizing the Holy Spirit's power in your life
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8
Author Jamie Buckingham once visited a dam on the Columbia River. He noted that he'd always thought that the water spilling over the top of the dam provided the power that was generated the turbines within. What he didn't realize was that the water spilling over the top was just froth, and that deep down, turbines and generators transformed the power of tons and tons of water to electricity—quietly, without notice. What was on top was just a glimpse of a deeper power.
When it comes to walking in the Spirit of God, that's often how life is. Yes, there are those moments when you see amazing things happen by God's power. But the real power of the Spirit often lies deep within, powering the turbines of your soul to become more and more like Christ in everything you do.
It's wonderful when God comes through in a big outward way through healing or some other act. But just as miraculous is what happens deep down below when the Spirit prompts you to act selflessly or spend time reading God's word. That's the power!
So don't let the "frothy" spiritual moments become your standard for seeing God's work in your life. Remember that beneath the froth is a deeper power that can transform every aspect of who you are!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the eyes to see where His Spirit is at work in the deep places of your life.
:angel:
How to have faith in faith
Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." - Luke 18:42
A survey conducted in the 1990s by the American Academy of Family Physicians showed that 99% of doctors believe that a relationship exists between faith and physical healing.
This line of thinking was bolstered by a California study of the effect of prayer on recovery from heart problems. About two hundred heart patients were assigned to Christians who prayed for them, while an equal number, a control group, received no known prayers. Neither group knew about the prayers, yet those who received prayer developed half the complications that were experienced by those in the control group.
A similar study by the Dartmouth Medical School examined the effect of prayer on healing when the patients prayed for themselves. The death rate six months after bypass surgery was 9 percent for the general population but 5 percent for those who prayed for their own healing. And none of the deeply religious patients died during the period of the study.
Study after study shows that faith works when it comes to improving your health. Yet so often, many people downplay this relationship thinking if they can just get the physical problem fixed, everything will be okay.
As a human being, you're more than just a physical body. You have a very real and active spiritual dimension as well. So as you focus on keeping your physical body healthy, remember to also nourish your spiritual well-being!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you see yourself as more than just a physical being, and that He would help you keep your spirit healthy too!
:angel:
Accepting those who the world rejects
The king asked, "Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet." - 2 Samuel 9:3
A true story is told of a British factory worker and his wife who were excited when, after many years of trying to become pregnant, they discovered they were going to have their very first child. So this man relayed the good news of his wife's pregnancy to his fellow workers at the factory, and told them that God had answered his prayers for a child. But his coworkers made fun of him for asking God for a child.
When the baby was born, he was diagnosed with having Down's Syndrome. And as the father made his way to work for the first time after the birth, he wondered how to face his coworkers. "God, please give me wisdom," he prayed. Just as he feared, some said mockingly, "So, God gave you this child?!" The new father stood for a long time, silently asking God for help. At last he said,
"I'm certainly glad the Lord gave this child to me and not to you!"
As this man accepted his disabled son as God's gift to him, so David was pleased to show kindness to Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, despite his condition. Some may have rejected Mephibosheth because he was lame, but David's action showed that he valued him greatly.
In the very same way, our sin has mangled our appearance in the eyes of God. Yet because of His love for us in Christ, He has looked past our iniquities and accepted us unconditionally. And it's by that same grace that we show kindness and acceptance to others when the world rejects them.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you someone in your life to whom you can show the kindness and acceptance that only comes from Him!
:angel:
What makes you uncomfortable?
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. - 2 Timothy 4:3
Whenever you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, "Does this hurt?" Now if you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there's something wrong, and the doctor will say, "We'd better do some more tests!"
This is often true when pastors preach on touchy subjects, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard, which is possible. Or perhaps there's something wrong underneath the surface.
Today's Scripture is clear that there will come a time when people will stop putting up with sound doctrine. They'll want to hear what makes them feel good instead of the truth. They'll prefer living under the illusion that things are okay with them instead of discovering the truth that there is something very wrong underneath the surface.
The Bible is a tool that the Great Physician uses to poke and prod in order to identify areas of concern in our lives. So the next time you read Scripture or hear teaching that makes you uncomfortable, ask yourself if the pressure is too high, or if maybe there is something under the surface that needs to be checked out.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you discern if there are any areas of your life where you have problems under the surface. Pray that He would give you the resolve to react appropriately when the "prodding" hurts!
:angel:
The best news you'll ever hear
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:1-5
A farmer went to meet with his banker and announced that he had some bad news and some good news. "First, the bad news... I can't make my mortgage payments. And that crop loan I've taken out for the past 10 years—I can't pay that off, either. Not only that, I won't be able to pay you the couple of hundred thousand I still have outstanding on my tractors and other equipment. So I'm going to have to give up the farm and turn it all over to you for whatever you can salvage out of it."
After a few moments of silence, the banker said, "What's the good news?"
"The good news is that I'm going to keep on banking with you."
With so much bad news in the world today, it's often true that the good news you receive does very little to make you feel better. Yet the greatest news of all, that which is found in Scripture, is the one piece of Good News that can counteract any bad news you'll hear.
What is this Good News? It's the simple fact that if you're in Christ, He's saved you. He's brought you out of the depths of sin and despair and has raised you up to be alive with Him. That's fantastic news!
So whenever you feel overwhelmed by bad news, remember that Christ died for you, and in Him, you have eternal life!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the Good News that Christ has died for you and you can have eternal life through faith in Him!
:angel:
The most destructive force for relationships
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. - Proverbs 16:28
Winston Churchill quite often exemplified integrity and respect in the face of opposition. During his last year in office, he attended an official ceremony. Several rows behind him, two gentlemen began whispering, "That's Winston Churchill. They say he is getting senile. They say he should step aside and leave the running of the nation to more dynamic and capable men."
When the ceremony was over, Churchill turned to the men and said, "Gentlemen, they also say he is deaf!"
Gossip is one of the most destructive forces anyone can introduce into a relationship. That's because when someone discovers—and they likely will—that you said something bad about them in secret, it destroys the single element on which friendships are based: trust. And once trust has been abolished, many, if not most, relationships will never recover from that trauma.
So instead of gossiping about someone, make one of two choices. Either keep the matter silent, or go directly to the person and talk with them about it. While it may seem easier to talk about others behind their backs than doing either of these, gossip is much more destructive in the long run. So make the choice to preserve trust by refraining from gossip.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the strength to refrain from participating in gossip. Ask Him to bless your relationships by keeping them built on trust.
:angel:
How you can have an attitude of gratitude
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. - Colossians 3:16
It is said that on his retreat from Greece after his great military expedition, King Xerxes boarded a Phoenician ship along with a number of his troops. But they were hit by a terrible storm, and the captain told Xerxes there was no hope unless the ship's load was substantially lightened.
So King Xerxes looked at his fellow Persians on deck and said, "It is on you that my safety depends. Now let some of you show your regard for your king." So many of the men on the ship bowed to Xerxes and threw themselves overboard, sacrificing their own lives for the sake of their king.
Lightened of its load, the ship made it safely back to harbor. So Xerxes immediately ordered that a golden crown be given to the pilot for saving the king's life—just before ordering the man beheaded for causing the loss of so many Persians!
Now, thankfully, most don't go to the extreme of Xerxes. But gratitude can be a two-edged sword, can't it? People are often slow to give credit to others, yet when things go wrong, they like to point their finger and let everyone know who messed up. But when it comes to what God has done for you, the Bible says to be quick to say "thank you" to your Heavenly Father.
So give credit to God for His blessings in your life and let Him know you're grateful. When you begin to give credit where it's due, you'll learn to live with an attitude of gratitude!
Prayer Challenge
Tell God "thank you" for all the blessings in your life. Ask that He would cultivate in you a consistent attitude of gratitude toward Him and others.
:angel:
How to know you have eternal life
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. - 1 John 5:13
H. A. Ironside was once speaking with an elderly man who told him that he wanted to be sure of his salvation in Jesus Christ. So Ironside asked him, "Suppose you had a vision of an angel who told you your sins were forgiven. Would that assure you that you're going to heaven when you die? Would that be enough to rest on?"
The man replied, "Yes, I think it would. An angel would be splendid."
Ironside continued, "But suppose on your deathbed Satan came and said, 'I was that angel, transformed to deceive you.' What would you say?"
The man was speechless. So Ironside told him that God has given us something more dependable than the voice of an angel. He has given His Son, who died for our sins, and He has testified in His own Word that if we trust Him all our sins are gone. Ironside read today's passage in 1 John 5:13, and asked, "Is that not enough to rest on? It is a letter from heaven expressly to you!"
So when doubt creeps in, stand on the promises of God and remember that because of your faith in Jesus Christ, you can know you have eternal life!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to remind you constantly that in Christ, you have every assurance of eternal life.
:angel:
Leaning on Christ in the midst of loneliness
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18
A woman recognized the famous pastor F. B. Meyer one day in her neighborhood, and she ventured to share her burden with him. For years she had cared for a crippled daughter who brought great joy to her life. But the daughter had died, and the grieving mother was alone and miserable.
So Meyer told her, "When you get home and put the key in the door, say aloud, 'Jesus, I know You are here!' and be ready to greet Him directly when you open the door. And as you light the fire, tell Him what has happened during the day; if anybody has been kind, tell Him; if anybody has been unkind, tell Him, just as you would have told your daughter. At night stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, 'Jesus, I know You are here!'"
Some months later, Meyer was back in that same neighborhood and met the woman again, but he did not recognize her. Her face radiated joy instead of announcing misery. "I did as you told me," she said, "and it has made all the difference in my life, and now I feel I know Him."
You may be dealing with deep grief today. Or perhaps you're lonely and just need to know someone is there. Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), and is with you no matter what. So let Him be your best friend and cling to Him though any loneliness you face.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to remind you that Jesus is a true friend who sticks closer than a brother. Talk to Jesus like you would anyone else because He's there and will always listen.
:angel:
How to be a force for encouragement to others
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29
Old Eb was, like many of his breed, rather stingy with words. He said very little, and even when he spoke, it was rather grudgingly. But one evening he was sitting on the front steps with his wife. The long day's work, the good supper, and the peaceful sights and sounds of dusk must have softened him up a little. So he took his pipe out of his mouth and said, "When I think of what you've meant to me all these years, Judith, sometimes it's almost more than I can stand not to tell you!"
Samuel Butle may have been onto something when he said, "Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value to its scarcity." However, most of us would prefer to err on the side of giving too much praise than too little.
When others think of you, how do you think they would rate you on the amount of praise and encouragement you give them? Are you a force for encouragement in their lives? Or, do you tend to be discouraging as you interact with them?
Today's Scripture couldn't be clearer... every Christian should be a force for encouragement in the lives of others. Even in times of disagreement and rebuking, you can still speak to others in an encouraging way, letting them know that you care for them. So when it comes to your dealings with others, always be encouraging and let the love of Christ shine through you.
Prayer Challenge - Pray that God would reveal to you someone who needs a word of comfort today. Then, go encourage them with the love of Christ!
:angel:
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives... --2 Peter 3:11
In the 1800s, an American tourist stopped by the home of Polish rabbi Chofetz Chaim. The tourist was surprised to find a simple dwelling place filled only with books, a table, and a bench.
The tourist asked the rabbi, "Where is all your furniture?" To which the rabbi replied, "Where is yours?"
The puzzled American said, "Mine? But I'm only a visitor here. I'm only passing through."
To which the wise Chaim replied, "And I am simply a visitor here on this earth. I'm only passing through."
Scripture talks about heaven in three different ways: the celestial and magnificent universe (Psalm 19:1), the great expanse of space surrounding the earth or its atmosphere (Genesis 1:8), and the sought-after home of God (Hebrews 4:14).
Heaven is a reality for believers. The fact that we will one day live forever in the presence of God Almighty is a fundamental doctrine of our faith. However, the Bible gives several other glimpses into what this heavenly dwelling place will be like.
Heaven is a place prepared for believers where we will spend eternity with God (John 14:1-3). In heaven, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:1-7). It will be in heaven that we will be like Christ and will recognize one another (1 John 3:2).
Today, I want to challenge you to live in the light of eternity as if you're just passing through this old earth.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you live a holy and godly lifestyle every day of your life. Pray that you would live each day with eternity set in your heart and mind.
:angel:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6-7
Many top corporate executives relieve stress in the most unusual ways. A survey was done several years ago that showed very surprising results. One odd way that these business professionals relieve stress is by throwing plates against the wall!
For the believer, we don't have to throw plates against the wall—although at times we may want to!
The Bible says you can relieve stress through prayer and thanksgiving. These two combined help you realize "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" and in turn "guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
Your natural human desire is to first experience anxiety and stress when it seems that your needs and desires are not being met. It's hard to "not be anxious about anything" in these kinds of situations.
However, when you acknowledge your complete dependence upon God and submit to His leadership—in all stressful situations—then you'll be gratefully surprised to find that your anxiety disappears every time!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for providing you with incredible peace in stressful situations. Pray that He would take control of all anxiety that tries to invade your heart and mind, replace it with peace, and lead you in the right direction (Psalm 139:23-24).
:angel:
The importance of remembering God's provision
The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us." - 1 Samuel 7:11-12
The American painter John Sargent once painted a panel of roses that was highly praised by critics. It was a small picture, but it approached perfection. And although he was offered a high price for it on many occasions, Sargent refused to sell it.
When asked why he would never sell this painting, Sargent said he considered it his best work and was very proud of it. So whenever he was deeply discouraged and doubtful of his abilities as an artist, he would look at it and remind himself, "I painted that." Then his confidence and ability would come back to him.
In the spiritual life, it's important to set up milestones so you can remember where God has come through for you in the past. Maybe that means you start a journal so you can write down how God has blessed you, and then go back and read it. Or perhaps it means you take an old shoebox and put things in it that remind you of God's faithful provision in your life.
However you do it, God's blessings are worth being remembered so that you can move forward with full confidence in Him. So find a creative way to continually remember God's faithfulness in your life. When you do, you'll be ready to receive and recognize all the blessings He has yet to give you!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to bring to mind ways He's blessed you in the past. Reflect on them and find ways to remember them often.
:angel:
How you can avoid the trap of false teaching
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." - Matthew 7:15
Chuck Swindoll tells a story about how years ago, a man went into a fried chicken place and bought a couple of chicken dinners for himself and his date. But instead of chicken, the young woman at the counter inadvertently gave him the proceeds from the day—a whole bag of money.
After driving to their picnic site, the two sat down to enjoy their meal. But they discovered a whole lot more than chicken—over $800! So the man quickly put the money back in the bag, got in the car, and drove all the way back to the restaurant.
The manager was thrilled to death. He said, "Oh, great! I'm gonna have your picture put in the local newspaper. You're the most honest man I've ever met!" So the man quickly responded, "Oh no, don't do that!" Then he leaned closer and whispered, "You see, the woman I'm with is not my wife... she's somebody else's."
Now I'll be that you absolutely loved this man up until the last sentence. And now, you probably think he's a sleazebag! Isn't it amazing what can happen to our impressions of people once we know the full story?
In much the same way, many "spiritual leaders" today look good on the outside. But when you find out what they're really teaching, you discover they may not be all they proclaim. So be careful what you allow yourself to be taught by "pop-spirituality" and cling to the truth of Scripture!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you good discernment between what's true, biblical teaching and what is false "pop-spirituality."
:angel:
The best way to discover God's truth
"The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the LORD pasture them like lambs in a meadow?" - Hosea 4:16
Are you strong enough to face how mistaken many of your most cherished beliefs are? Well, here are a few things you may not have known:
1. Marie Antoinette never said, "Let them eat cake." This phrase was attributed to her but had actually been used by other prominent figures long before.
2. Charles Lindbergh was not the first person to fly nonstop across the Atlantic. He was the 92nd, although he was the first to do it alone.
3. The centipede doesn't have a hundred legs. It usually has 21 or 30, though some have more than 100. And the millipede certainly doesn't have a thousand legs. In fact, very few have more than 200.
4. A red flag to a bull is meaningless because bulls are colorblind.
5. The idea that people never use more than 10% of their brain is false.
6. An ostrich never buries its head in the sand. It only looks that way when it lowers its head in fear, to feed itself, or to cover its eggs for protection.
When it comes to our ideas of God, it's important that we don't have a stubborn heart and are willing to accept when we might be wrong. So instead of assuming you have the Christian life all figured out, live your life with a humble and teachable attitude and let God guide you in His truth each day!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to reveal to you areas where you have been stubborn and unteachable. Pray that He would soften your heart in these areas so that you can grow in His truth!
:angel:
How to deal with feelings of betrayal
Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. - 2 Timothy 4:9-10
No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 B.C. was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, but he favored him as a son.
According to Roman historians, Caesar first resisted the onslaught of his assassins. But when he saw Brutus among them with his dagger drawn, Caesar ceased to struggle and, pulling the top part of his robe over his face, asked the famous question, "You too, Brutus?"
Dealing with betrayal is never easy. The bitterness and anguish that betrayal creates can last for years, decades, and even a lifetime. The apostle Paul understood this well. One of his closest disciples, Demas, who traveled with him extensively, deserted him. And after his other disciples had gone to other areas to minister, Paul was left alone with the sadness of Demas' betrayal.
Maybe today you're feeling betrayed by someone you love. Well first, you should take comfort that others who have gone before you, including Jesus Himself, felt that feeling as well. But take heart also in the fact that God is a friend who sticks closer than a brother and will never leave you alone. In Christ, you'll never be betrayed!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would reassure you of His goodness and His presence in times of loneliness and betrayal. Ask that He would give you the grace to forgive others who have betrayed you.
:angel:
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:10
At a recent diving competition, an Olympic gold-medal diver was asked how he copes with the stress of competitions.
He responded by saying that he climbs to the board, takes a deep breath, and says to himself, "Even if I blow this dive, my mother will still love me." Then he goes for the gold!
As a believer, Satan can take advantage of your failures and try to weigh you down with feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem. However, the Bible tells us as believers that we are 100% accepted and loved by Jesus Christ! His grace covers all of our sins and failures.
If you are dealing with low self-esteem, then keep in mind these biblical prerequisites to a healthy self-esteem:
• Recognize your need for a Savior (Isaiah 53:6).
• Accept your worth in Jesus and know that He loves you (Eph. 1:6; Rom. 8:1).
• Press on toward God's purpose for you (Philippians 3:13-14).
• Develop a realistic view of yourself in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:3).
• Avoid comparing yourself to others (2 Corinthians 10:12).
At the beginning of each day, step up to the day's challenges, take a deep breath, and say, "Even if I blow it today, my God will still love me." And then go for God's glory!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for turning your tragedies into triumphs and for loving you even when you fail.
:angel:
Discovering real life in God's Word
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. - Psalm 119:105
Anatoly Shcharansky, a dissident Soviet Jew, kissed his wife goodbye as she left Russia for freedom in Israel. His parting words to her were, "I'll see you soon in Jerusalem." But Anatoly was detained and finally imprisoned. Their reunion in Jerusalem would not only be postponed, it might never occur.
During long years in Russian prisons and work camps, Anatoly was stripped of his personal belongings, with the exception of a miniature copy of the Psalms. Once during his imprisonment, his refusal to release the book to the authorities cost him 130 days in solitary confinement.
Finally, twelve years after parting with his wife, Anatoly was offered his freedom. In February 1986, as the world watched, Shcharansky was allowed to walk away from Russian guards toward those who would take him to Jerusalem. But in the final moments of captivity, the guards tried again to confiscate the Psalms book. So Anatoly threw himself face down in the snow and refused to walk on to freedom without it because it was those words that had kept him alive during imprisonment.
Do you love the Word of God? Do you cherish His precepts so much that you would suffer for them? God's Word is more precious than any earthly possession. So as you live your life, keep the Bible as the light to your path because in it you'll find the way to the life God wants for you!
Prayer Challenge: Pray and ask God to help you to walk the path of life with His Word as your light!
:angel:
How to avoid playing the blame game
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:3-5
There was once a manager of a minor league baseball team who was so disgusted with his center fielder's performance that he ordered him to the dugout and assumed the position himself. The first ball that came into center field took a bad hop and hit the manager in the mouth. The next one was a high fly ball, which he lost in the glare of the sun—until it bounced off his forehead.
The third was a hard line drive that he charged with outstretched arms; unfortunately, it flew between his hands and smacked his eye. Furious, he ran back to the dugout, grabbed the center fielder by the uniform, and shouted, "You've got center field so messed up that even I can't do a thing with it!"
It's easy for some people to blame others when things aren't going their way, isn't it? They try and try to figure out just what someone else did wrong to put them in their predicament, all the while the real blame should be put on themselves.
In the Christian life, God wants you to take responsibility for your own actions. It's easy to look at others and find faults with them. But remember that every time you point a finger, you have three more pointing right back at you. So examine yourself before you blame others. Be quick to confess when you might be in the wrong. A humble heart is the key to maintaining good, godly relationships with others.
Prayer Challenge: Ask God to show you areas where you've been too judgmental toward others. If you need to, confess how you've unfairly blamed them, and accept responsibility when it's yours.
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The importance of dealing with bitterness
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. - Hebrews 12:15
Underneath the ground of Belgium's Flanders Field, one of the deadliest battlefields of World War I, a very dangerous and deadly secret lies. It's so deadly, in fact, that it's caused a very big problem for the Belgian government.
You see, all across this field, artillery shells are surfacing more than 90 years after they were fired. Still unexploded, many are still very capable of killing. Some are unearthed by farmers and construction workers, while others simply work their way up through the soil. Dozens of full-time workers cannot keep up with them. And even worse, thousands of these projectiles contain poisonous gas.
It's one thing to recognize something that can cause immense damage when it's obvious. I'm sure you didn't have to tell the soldiers fighting in World War I to avoid those artillery shells at all costs! However, when things such as these lie dormant for so long, they become all the more precarious because they are an unseen danger.
In much the same way, many Christians today hold on to bitterness for years, even decades, before it finally comes up to the surface or is unearthed by a particular situation. And when that happens, it can often be damaging, and even deadly, for relationships between friends and family.
So if you have any "unearthed" bitterness in your heart, be sure you deal with it by forgiving the person it concerns and even talking with them about it. Don't let buried feelings of contempt harm your relationships with friends and family because those relationships are some of God's greatest gifts!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to reveal to you any "unearthed" bitterness, no matter how old, you might have in your heart toward another person. If you find you do carry buried resentment, forgive that person and let them know you've let it go.
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For as he thinks within himself, so he is. --Proverbs 23:7
An unknown author once wrote this poem:
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't. ...
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can!
Many psychologists today base their practices on Proverbs 23:7 and maintain that positive thinking increases happiness and success in life. They teach their patients that the way they think affects their emotions, their relationships, and their ability to cope with difficulty.
With the sin in the world that causes disease, suffering, heartache, and misfortune, it's easy for anyone to have negative thoughts. But the believer must be a positive thinker!
In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul assured his friends at Philippi of his positive attitude in Christ saying, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
However, as believers we must understand that this contentment and positive outlook exists in us because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we are always to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
Those whose hearts have not been filled with the Spirit of God will find it harder to combat the mind tricks and temptations of Satan (see Matthew 15:19). Simply remember that the condition of your heart determines the condition of your thoughts.
Allow the Spirit of the Lord to consume your heart and thoughts so that you can live your life positively.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Holy Spirit would invade your heart and mind, so that you would think, speak, and act positively in life.
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Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. --2 Peter 1:10-11
When Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski played before Queen Victoria in 1891, he won her approval. She exclaimed, "Mr. Paderewski, you are a genius."
To which Paderewski replied, "Perhaps, Your Majesty, but before that I was a drudge."
In the beginning, Paderewski was discouraged by his teachers from becoming a pianist. But through discipline and hours of practice each day, Paderewski launched his artistic career in 1885 and became known worldwide for his dynamic talents, abilities and infectious personality.
Just as Paderewski had to discipline himself to practice every day in order to grow in his talent, so we as believers must also discipline ourselves and take time each day to grow spiritually in the Lord.
Spiritual discipline is absolutely essential for Christian growth and development in the life of the believer. It is a process that continues on through the life of a believer, and helps him or her grow spiritually in Christ and know God's will.
The author of Hebrews encouraged believers to "show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure" and not become lazy, but "imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" (Hebrews 6:11-12).
A believer can mature in Jesus by practicing spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, witnessing, worship, service, fellowship with other believers, and other godly acts.
In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul said, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the world of truth."
If you will practice spiritual discipline each day in faith and obedience to the Lord despite the hardships that come along, then you can look forward to the abundant blessings of God (see Hebrews 12:11).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would build in you strength and determination to daily practice righteousness.
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How to avoid falling into bad doctrine
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. - Romans 16:17
Africa's Victoria Falls produces a cloud of mist that is often heavy enough to impair visibility. Once a man was walking the path that skirts the giant gorge, and he noticed a sign on the rim but could not make it out. Not wanting to miss whatever it might be noting, he slithered and slid through the mud out to the very brink only to read the message:
"Danger! Crumbling Edge."
As Christians, it can sometimes be easy to unwittingly miss the danger you're in until you've gone too far. This is especially true when it comes to right and wrong ideas of God. You flip through the channels on TV at night and come across a preacher whose message sounds great at the beginning. But when you really understand the kind of Gospel he's preaching, you realize it may be very different from what the Bible teaches.
Sadly, many once-faithful followers of Christ have built their house on this "crumbling edge" of mistaken faith, and their whole spiritual life has fallen out from under them because they forgot to stand on the high ground of biblical truth.
So if you find yourself tempted to walk out into the heavy mist of dangerous doctrine where things may not seem as they should, watch out for the warning signs! Stay grounded in the truth of Scripture. Recognize when what's being taught is not what the Bible teaches. When you do that, you can be sure you'll build your faith on the solid rock of good doctrine and not on the crumbling edge of bad theology.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you wisdom to discern between biblical and unbiblical teaching. And when you do hear false doctrine, flee from it and cling to the truth of the Bible!
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How to live with a heavenly perspective
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2
Former Senator Dwight W. Morrow was on a train to New York City when the conductor walked by and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Senator, may I see your ticket please?" Mr. Morrow searched and searched in vain to find the ticket he had purchased, but was unsuccessful. "I must find that ticket," he muttered.
So the conductor graciously and respectfully said, "Don't worry about it, Mr. Morrow. We know you had a ticket. Just mail it to the railroad when you find it."
"That's not what's troubling me," replied Morrow, "I need to find it to know where I'm going!"
How many believers in Christ today are just like that when it comes to their spiritual life? They know they're on a journey to their destination—heaven—but are either unaware about where they're going or choose to ignore it completely. And at the very root of their belief is a lack of understanding of the promise of heaven.
Now Scripture says that no one has ever seen what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). But you don't have to see heaven in order to grasp the promise of a glorious eternity with Jesus Christ.
So if you find yourself acting as a simple passenger on the journey of life with no real hope of heaven, fix your eyes on Jesus, knowing that if you love and trust in Him, you have the glorious promise of heaven to anticipate!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a heavenly perspective on life by reminding you of the promise of heaven and reaffirming your faith in Christ as the only way to get there!
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Why you need Biblical Community
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. - Proverbs 11:14
A severe rash prompted a man from a rural area to come to town to be examined by a local doctor. After the usual history-taking followed by a series of tests, the physician advised the patient that he would have to get rid of the dog that was evidently causing the allergic reaction. As the man was preparing to leave the office, the doctor asked him out of curiosity if he planned to sell the animal or give it away.
"Neither one," the patient replied. "I'm going to get me a second opinion. It's a lot easier to find a doctor than a good bird dog!"
It happens all the time, doesn't it? People go around asking person after person for advice until they hear the opinion that matches theirs. But the reality is that we are the worst judges of our own actions because our opinions of ourselves will always be more favorable than reality.
That's why throughout Scripture, you'll find verses like today's that stress the need to surround yourself with a biblical community who will encourage you with the truth even when you may not want to hear it!
The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. There are no "Lone Rangers" of the Christian faith. So if you don't have a community of others who know you and will help you grow in Christ, join a church Bible study or form a small group that meets weekly. The best kind of spiritual growth you'll ever experience will come when you have others who'll give you the "second opinion" you really need!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you a community of believers who will help you grow in your walk with Christ by encouraging you and giving you the "second opinions" you need!
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What's the point of pain?
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. - Colossians 1:24
The great professor and author C. S. Lewis once wrote on the subject of pain,
"We can rest contentedly in our sins and in our stupidities, and everyone who has watched gluttons shoveling down the most exquisite foods as if they did not know what they were eating, will admit that we can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
So often, Christians experience pain on seemingly intolerable levels. Yet what keeps them going through the hard times and trials of life is the fact that God is in control. In fact, God is so in control that He often will appoint suffering to His people in order to help them strengthen their dependence on Him.
Yet unfortunately today, much of the Christian message has been distorted, with many "preachers" of the Word proclaiming that God only wants us to be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. This is a dangerous message not only because it isn't biblical, but because it directly contradicts the experiences of so many faithful followers of Christ.
Pain is real. But in Christ, you have the hope that it's temporary. So if you're suffering today, deepen your dependence on God and remember that there will come a day when all pain will end and you'll be with the Lord forever!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the strength to persevere through pain and fully rely on Him through hard times.
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The only sure way to fix your mistakes
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Bette Nesmith had a good secretarial job in a bank when she ran across a problem that interested her. She needed a better way to correct the errors she made on her electric typewriter. Bette had some art experience, and she knew that artists who worked in oils just painted over their errors. So she concocted a fluid to paint over her typing errors.
Before long, all the secretaries in her building were using what she then called "Mistake Out." Bette attempted to sell the product idea to marketing agencies and various companies (including IBM), but they turned her down. However, secretaries continued to like her product, so Bette's kitchen became her first manufacturing facility and she started selling it on her own.
When she sold her enterprise, the tiny white bottles were earning $3.5 million annually on sales of $38 million. The buyer of the product later dubbed "Liquid Paper" was Gillette Company and the sale price was $47.5 million.
Bette Nesmith found great reward in acknowledging she needed help with her mistakes. Liquid Paper would have never taken off if she had been perfect. In much the same way, it's in our own weaknesses that Jesus Christ is glorified... when we rely fully on Him to cover our sins. So trust completely in His cleansing power and honor Him even in your shortcomings!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for covering your mistakes through Christ. Pray that Jesus would be glorified in your weaknesses as you rely on Him for forgiveness.
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Showing God's love by putting others first
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34
Despite his busy schedule, Abraham Lincoln often visited wounded Civil War soldiers in hospitals across the Union. On one occasion, he walked in to see a man who was near death. "Is there anything I can do for you?" asked the President.
"Please write a letter to my mother," the young man replied. Unrecognized by the soldier, the President sat down and transcribed exactly what the soldier told him to write:
"My Dearest Mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty, and I won't recover. Don't sorrow too much for me. May God bless you and Father. Kiss Mary and John for me."
The young soldier was too weak to continue, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and then added this postscript: "Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln."
Very often in life, Christians are called to do things outside of their normal roles in order to show kindness to a person in need. Maybe that means stopping your daily routine to help a friend who is in need. Or maybe it's pulling your car over to help change a tire for a complete stranger.
Don't let you role or status limit the love you show for others. The greatest love you can give is a love that's shown even when it isn't convenient. And when you do, you'll receive the remarkable blessing that comes with following Christ's example of putting others first!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you opportunities where you can step out of your daily routine to show the love of Christ to others.
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How to live out your faith in front of others
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
To curtail petty theft, Soviet authorities put up guards around the factories to search the workers when they left. At one timber works in Leningrad, the guard knew the workers in the factory very well. The first evening, out came Pyotr Petrovich with a wheelbarrow and, in the wheelbarrow, a great bulky sack with a suspicious-looking object inside.
"Tip it out," the guard said. So he did, and out came nothing but sawdust and shavings. He was allowed to put it all back again and go home. When the same thing happened every night of the week the guard became frustrated. Finally, his curiosity overcame his frustration.
"Petrovich," he said, "I know you. Tell me what you're smuggling out of here and I'll let you go."
"Wheelbarrows, my friend."
Sometimes what's most obvious in life takes time to realize, doesn't it? The very same is true as you honor God with your life so that others will know Him. You can do good works faithfully for days, weeks, and even years before people say, "Tell me what you have because I want it!"
It's then that these people are perfectly primed to hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ—that He died for them, and they can have eternal life through faith. But it first takes Christians who will live faithfully, show Christ's example, and admit when they fall short. So live each day to show God's love through your good works and watch for opportunities to share His truth!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith after living it out through good works. Pray that He would remind you that you may be the only example of Jesus others see!
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How to stay calm in the midst of stress
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. - Proverbs 15:18
A story is told about a little league coach who pulled one of his young players aside and asked him, "Do you understand what cooperation is?" The boy nodded yes.
Then the coach asked, "Do you understand that what matters is that we win together or lose together as a team?" The little boy again nodded yes.
"So," the coach continued, "when a strike is called or you're out at first, you don't argue or curse the umpire. Do you understand that?" Again, the little boy nodded.
"Good," said the coach. "Now go over there and explain it to your mother."
It happens, doesn't it? In the heat of a moment, when emotions are flying and tempers are hot, it's tempting to sometimes lose your patience and just unleash on whoever is around you. And what's really interesting is that quite often, it doesn't even matter what the issue is!
But God has a better plan for you when it comes to managing your temper. As today's verse says, people who are patient and not easily angered don't just benefit themselves; they calm others around them as well.
So when you're tempted to lose it, ask God to give you the patience to react differently. When you do, you'll notice that your overall stress level will decrease as you foster an environment of patience among those around you!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you the strength to react calmly when stress hits and to foster an environment of patience with those around you.
:angel:
How you can be fulfilled in every way
... in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Colossians 2:10
Boris Becker, the famous tennis star, was at the very top of the tennis world. Yet despite all of his success, he was on the brink of suicide. He was quoted,
"I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed. It's the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string."
You don't have to read many biographies to find this very same kind of frustration and disappointment. The famous author Jack Higgins, for example, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: "That when you get to the top, there's nothing there."
There are so many people today who believe that if they can simply do this or that, then their lives will be fulfilled. Yet they're sorely disappointed when they reach their goal and discover that the view from the top isn't as great as they thought it would be.
Maybe you thought your life at this stage would be better or more exciting than it has been. Many may have even grown cynical about life itself because they've decided it's not what it should be. The solution to this problem is to look to Christ, not the world, to fulfill you. He is the one who gives you fullness and the only remedy to any emptiness you feel inside!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to change your perspective from looking to the world for fulfillment to finding your fullness in Christ alone.
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How you can endure hardship through obedience
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? - 1 Peter 4:16-17
Arabian horses go through rigorous training in the deserts of the Middle East. The trainers require absolute obedience from the horses, and test them to see if they are completely trained.
The final test is almost beyond the endurance of any living thing. The trainer forces the horses to go without water for many days. And when he turns them loose, they, of course, start running toward the water. But just as they get to the edge, ready to plunge in and drink, the trainer blows his whistle.
These horses that have learned perfect obedience simply stop. They turn around and come pacing back to the trainer. They stand there quivering, wanting water, but they wait in perfect obedience. And when the trainer is sure that he has their obedience, he gives them a signal to go back to drink.
Now many may say this is severe, but when you are on the trackless desert of Arabia and your life is entrusted to a horse, you had better have an obedient horse. In much the same way, we must accept God's training and obey Him, even if that means we should suffer for His namesake. Obedience must come first in our lives.
So when you're tempted to find the easy way out through disobedience to God, remember to obey. Trust that He knows what's best for you and that even if it means suffering, He'll care for your every need!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the strength to obey Him even when it results in hardship.
:angel:
How you can be fulfilled in every way
... in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. - Colossians 2:10
Boris Becker, the famous tennis star, was at the very top of the tennis world. Yet despite all of his success, he was on the brink of suicide. He was quoted,
"I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed. It's the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string."
You don't have to read many biographies to find this very same kind of frustration and disappointment. The famous author Jack Higgins, for example, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: "That when you get to the top, there's nothing there."
There are so many people today who believe that if they can simply do this or that, then their lives will be fulfilled. Yet they're sorely disappointed when they reach their goal and discover that the view from the top isn't as great as they thought it would be.
Maybe you thought your life at this stage would be better or more exciting than it has been. Many may have even grown cynical about life itself because they've decided it's not what it should be. The solution to this problem is to look to Christ, not the world, to fulfill you. He is the one who gives you fullness and the only remedy to any emptiness you feel inside!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to change your perspective from looking to the world for fulfillment to finding your fullness in Christ alone.
:angel:
The impact you can make by encouraging others
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Years ago during the world lightweight boxing championship match, a Scotsman was fighting against a man from the United States who was six years younger. The Scot was the reigning champion, and the bout was being fought before a crowd of 20,000 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Soon after the match began, it was clear that the fight would be a close one. So chanting began to arise from the Scottish crowd. It was singing. It became louder and louder, with hundreds of male voices singing a strange Scottish melody!
These men were singing to encourage their champion. As he fought for his title, but even more for the respect of the Scottish people, they wanted him to know they were behind him.
As a member of the body of Christ, it's your job to encourage one another as well in the great battle of faith. When you see some who are struggling in obedience to Christ's call on their lives, and others who are on the front lines expanding the kingdom of God in places all over the world, your role is to be an encourager and cheer them on. Then, when it's your turn to step into the ring, they'll encourage you too.
Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word. Studies have proven that words of encouragement help those who are struggling. So find someone today who needs an encouraging word and help them fight their battle of faith by encouraging them!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would show you someone who you can help fight the battle of faith today with an encouraging word or note.
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How to know for sure you're in Christ
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." - John 10:27-29
The famous preacher, H. A. Ironside, once stated that salvation was like Noah inviting a pagan in his day to place his trust in God and come in to the ark. Yet some mistakenly view salvation like Noah offering to put a peg on the outside of the ark saying, "If you just hang on through the storm, you'll be saved."
It's been said, "If you can lose your salvation, you already have." That's exactly right, because the saving work of Christ simply cannot be dependent upon the work of man. If your efforts were enough to merit you good standing before a holy God, then Jesus' death and resurrection would have been for nothing at all!
In Christ, your salvation is never dependent upon you holding on to God. Rather, it depends entirely on you being securely held by and in Christ. And just as Jesus promised in today's passage, no one will ever snatch a believer out of His hand. It simply can't be done!
So many Christians today worry about their security in Christ. But Scripture couldn't be clearer: if you're truly in Christ, there's no way you can lose that. It's given to you forever and is a guarantee of your salvation. So when you find yourself worrying about your eternal destiny, remember the truth of Philippians 1:6, that He who began the good work of salvation in you will bring it to completion!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you clarity and confidence that you are His child. If you've never trusted Christ to take away your sins, do it today and be confident that you're His forever!
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How to find the courage to share your faith
And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. - Philippians 1:14
On Memorial Day weekend in 2002, a barge pilot passed out and hit a bridge span of I-40 over the Arkansas River. The accident destroyed a 600 foot span of the bridge, and 14 unsuspecting people died as their cars and 18-wheelers dove over the edge of the missing span.
Several fishermen happened to be on the river in a bass competition when they saw the bridge collapse. Realizing that the cars and trucks were still coming, one of the fishermen below the bridge reached into his boat's emergency kit for the emergency flare. Whipping the flare up into firing position, the fisherman shot up into the air.
That flare hit the windshield of the next 18-wheeler speeding down I-40 at 70 miles an hour. The shocked driver hit his brakes, and his front tires slid over the drop-off. Putting his truck into reverse, he pulled his wheels back up onto the bridge and warned the other drivers.
All it took was for one man to pick up his flare gun and fire it to save the lives of many. If it weren't for him, who knows how many more would've died in the accident? In the same way, you've been given the "flare" of the Gospel to save others. The question is, will you fire it? Live your life to share the life-saving message of Christ with others and just watch who gets saved!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the courage to share the life-saving message of Jesus Christ with those who don't know Him. And pray that He would save those who are headed over the edge into eternity apart from Him.
:angel:
How to overcome fear in your life
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18
Little 5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper one evening. So she asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup. But he didn't want to go in alone. "It's dark in there and I'm scared," he told her.
So she asked again and he persisted. Finally she said, "It's okay—Jesus will be in there with you." Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came. So he said, "Jesus, if you're in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"
Everyone has fears. And maybe today, you're like little Johnny when it comes to fear in your life. No, you may not be afraid of the pantry, but perhaps there's something that stops you in your tracks and paralyzes you with fear... like sickness... loneliness... abandonment... or death.
But Scripture couldn't be clearer. The perfect love of Jesus Christ, who loves you so much that He died for you, can drive out any fear in your life. And if you have truly entered a love relationship with Him, then you have the power in you to overcome your greatest fears!
Don't let fear hinder your life. Instead, live in victory over it by trusting in the love of Christ that lives in you to be bold and live boldly for Him!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to remind you of the depth of Christ's love for you. When you do, you'll be empowered to overcome fear as you cling to the promise that there's no safer place to be!
:angel:
How to love others with the love of Christ
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34
In Ernest Gordon's famous book Miracle on the River Kwai, he tells the story of captured soldiers who had been forced by their Japanese captors to labor on a jungle railroad. The group was extremely fragmented, but one afternoon something happened. A shovel was missing. The officer in charge became enraged. He demanded that the missing shovel be produced. When nobody in the squadron budged, the officer got his gun and threatened to kill them all on the spot.
Finally, one man stepped forward. So the officer put away his gun, picked up a shovel, and beat the man to death. When it was over, the survivors picked up the corpse and carried it with them to the second tool check. There had been a miscount at the first checkpoint—no shovel was missing.
The word spread like wildfire through the whole camp. An innocent man had been willing to die to save the others. The incident had a profound effect.... The men began to treat each other like brothers. When the victorious Allies swept in, the survivors, human skeletons, lined up in front of their captors and insisted, "No more hatred. No more killing. Now what we need is forgiveness."
It's amazing the power that sacrificial love can have. And as those who are in Christ look to the cross and see the sacrificial love that was shown there, they should also be moved to show it to others!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a new appreciation for the sacrificial love that Christ showed you when He died on the cross. Ask that He would empower you to show that kind of love to others as well!
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How to keep your body and soul in good health
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." - Mark 12:30
Recent studies have shown that people who practice their faith regularly may be getting some health benefits: A study conducted by sociologists at Purdue University found that 4 percent of those who regularly attended religious services reported poor health, compared with 9 percent of those who did not attend a house of worship. And 36 percent of weekly worshippers reported they were in excellent health, compared with 26 percent of non-attenders.
So what makes the difference? Researchers aren't sure, but they say the reason could be that people attending weekly services may be more likely to see friends who ask about their health and can recommend a doctor. But while that may be true, there's most definitely something to be said for the healing benefits of connecting with God on a regular basis.
As a Christian, it's very important to care for your physical body. In fact, the Bible is clear that your body is God's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). But one key aspect of that temple that much of modern medicine doesn't take into account is that it's not just physical, it's spiritual as well.
You're not just flesh and bone; you're also very much soul and spirit. So when it comes to your health, focus on the physical, but don't neglect your spiritual health as well. When your body and your soul are nourished appropriately, you can experience an overall health beyond what medicine can do alone!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you nourish both your body and your spirit by staying physically and spiritually healthy!
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For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier... --Ephesians 2:14
Many years ago, the Prince of Wales visited the capital city of India. An arduous, stately barrier had been set up to keep back the masses of people, most of them lower class, who wanted to catch a glimpse of royalty.
When the prince arrived, he shook hands with some of the political dignitaries who were presented to him. Then, looking over their heads to the crowds beyond, he said, "Take down those barriers!" They were quickly removed, and the people, regardless of social rank, had free access to the heir to the British throne.
Several years later, the Prince of Wales visited the same district again. Waiting on him, were 10,000 outcasts that waited under a banner. The banner welcomed him with these words inscribed: "The Prince of the Outcasts."
Not many of us take time out of our hectic schedules to reflect on the majesty of Jesus and what He did for us. Born into sin, we were outcasts from conception. But by the grace and forgiveness of Jesus, we have been adopted into the family of God.
So often we don't thank Him or praise Him enough for the incredible mercy he showed us on the cross. We were separated from God, we were the outcasts, sin was the barrier, and the heir to the throne came and ordered it to be taken away. As a result, we now have free access to the Son. Thank God for our "Prince of the Outcasts"—Jesus Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Take a few moments to simply thank God for sending Jesus to provide forgiveness for your sins as a sacrifice on the cross through His shed blood. Take time to worship Him through song for bridging the gap so that we can have eternal life.
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The impact of your actions on others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. - Romans 12:10
An old dentist recounts a story about his very busy dental office years ago. Apparently, he had one particular patient who was constantly late to his appointments. One day, this man was scheduled to come in to get a cavity filled. Before his appointment that morning, the phone at the office rang. It was the patient calling to let the dentist know he'd be about 15 minutes late. "Will that be a problem?" he asked.
"No, that won't be a problem at all," the dentist told him. "We just won't have time to give you any anesthetic."
For the first time, that man arrived early for his appointment!
It's amazing the change you see in others once they realize their actions will have a negative impact on them. So often, people are content to cause others trouble, yet when it causes them problems, they straighten up very quickly.
But the Bible says in today's passage to honor others above and beyond yourself. This means that in everything you do, consider the effects of your actions on other people. Then think, "If someone did this to me, how would it make me feel?"
As Christians, it's our duty to love others—even those who don't love us. So prefer others in your decisions and show God's love in everything you do!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you how you can prefer others in the decisions you make.
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Finding supernatural patience as you wait on God
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. - Colossians 1:9-12
Some of the greatest missionaries in the history of our faith were firmly devoted to spreading the seed of God's Word, and yet had to wait long periods before seeing the fruit of their efforts.
William Carey, for example, labored 7 years before the first Hindu convert was brought to Christ. In western Africa, it was 14 years after the first missionary came before one convert was received into the Christian church. In New Zealand, it took 9 years; and in Tahiti, it was 16 years before the first harvest of souls began.
Thomas à Kempis described that kind of patience in these words:
"He deserves not the name of patient who is only willing to suffer as much as he thinks proper, and for whom he pleases. The truly patient man asks (nothing) from whom he suffers, (whether) his superior, his equal, or his inferior... But from whomever, or how much, or how often wrong is done to him, he accepts it all as from the hand of God, and counts it gain!"
It's one thing to wait begrudgingly for God's timing. It's another to truly show supernatural patience—being joyful and anticipating God to come through in a big way. So when God calls you to wait, remember you're in good company and trust in Him with joy and eager expectation!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you supernatural patience as you wait for His perfect timing!
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Finding the Strength to Overcome Anxiety
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." - Deuteronomy 31:8
In the mid-1960s, Bill Russell was the star basketball center for the world-champion Boston Celtics. He dominated the boards, and with effortless ease, he seemed to take charge of the whole court once the game got underway. The whole team revolved around his larger-than-life presence. Sports fans watched him from a distance, respecting his command of the sport.
Then, in a radio interview, Russell made a comment that shocked many of his fans. The sports reporter asked the all-pro basketball star if he ever got nervous or anxious before a big game. Russell's answer was surprising. He said, in his typical style of blunt honesty, "Before every game, I vomit."
Shocked, the sportscaster asked what he did if they played two games the same day. The unnerved Russell replied, "I vomit twice."
All people—even the ones who seem larger than life—deal with anxiety at some point in life. And as Christians, we can either allow anxiety to cripple or even paralyze us, or we can stare anxiety in the face just like Bill Russell did and work past it.
Don't look for things to worry about. Instead, experience freedom from your worries by finding your security in Jesus Christ. With His power, you'll be able to work through your fears and overcome any anxiety you face!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the strength to overcome your anxieties and live boldly for Christ!
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Finding perfect peace in a chaotic world
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7
An art contest was held to find the perfect picture of peace. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived, and the field had been narrowed down to two paintings.
As a judge pulled the cover from first one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.
When the second painting was uncovered, the crowd gasped in surprise. A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind, and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls.
But in that tree, a little bird had built a nest. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.
Perhaps today, you've been guilty of searching for the kind of peace in the first picture. But the problem is that it just doesn't exist. But real peace—the kind in the second picture—is one that's ready and available to you when you take shelter in the arms of the Savior!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that despite your circumstances, God would give you peace that surpasses all earthly understanding.
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Where do you store your treasure?
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
George W. Truett, a well-known pastor in the mid-1900s, was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in Texas. When the meal was finished, the gracious host took Pastor Truett to a high place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area.
Pointing to the oil wells on the horizon to the north, he boasted, "Twenty-five years ago I had nothing. Now, as far as you can see, it's all mine!" Looking south at his sprawling fields of grain, he said, "That's all mine too." And then, turning east toward huge herds of cattle, he bragged, "They're all mine also." Then pointing to the west and a beautiful forest, he exclaimed, "That too is all mine."
He paused, waiting for Dr. Truett to compliment him on his great success. Truett, however, placed one hand on the man's shoulder, pointed heavenward with the other, and simply asked, "How much do you have in that direction?"
The man hung his head and confessed, "I haven't really thought of that."
There are some people who have so many material possessions. Yet on the day they meet their Creator face to face, they'll come to understand that you leave the world the same way you came in... with nothing. So whether you have a lot or a little, remember to store up your real, imperishable treasure in heaven.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you realize that whatever you have on earth is temporary and the treasures that last will be stored in heaven.
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Standing firm when you're tempted to compromise
"If you love me, keep my commands." - John 14:15
Sister Carol Anne O'Marie is a nun in Oakland, California, who writes mystery novels about an elderly nun who becomes a detective. Awhile back, Sister O'Marie was approached by a Hollywood television company who wanted to turn her novels into a television series. This was a very big production company and the offer would've made her very rich.
One of the producers told her, however, that it would help dramatically if the central character were younger, had a drinking problem, and perhaps even had an illicit love affair before she donned the habit. When the author declined to contemplate such changes because it would take the story in a way it was never intended to go, the television producer tried the ultimate argument:
"Sister, you're turning down a lot of money!"
"What would I do with it," replied the nun, who had taken a vow of poverty, "move to a nicer convent?!"
In our world today where everybody has a price and many people compromise what's right for what's beneficial, what is needed more than anything are people who will stand on principle. Yes, it's often convenient to give a little here or there, but faithful obedience speaks much louder than the convenience of compromise.
Stand firm in what you know is right, no matter the cost. Stay true to who you are and who God made you. You may miss out on temporal rewards, but you'll gain so much more in your heavenly treasure!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you areas where you need to stay firm when it may be convenient to compromise.
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The real purpose of prayer
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." - Matthew 6:6-8
As Christians, one of the great paradoxes we face is asking God for something that He already knows we need. If you've ever wrestled with that seeming contradiction, perhaps the thoughts of the 19th-century preacher R. A. Torrey can help. Among the reasons he gave for prayer are these:
Because there is a devil, and prayer is a God-appointed way to resist him (Ephesians 6:12-13, 18).
Because prayer is God's way for us to obtain what we need from Him (Luke 11:3-13; James 4:2).
Because prayer is the means God has appointed for us to find "grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
Because prayer with thanksgiving is God's way for us to obtain freedom from anxiety and to receive "the peace of God" (Philippians 4:6-7).
Besides these reasons, it should be enough that we're commanded to, "Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Yes, God is all-knowing, but He also desires our fellowship and wants us to pray to Him. He also wants us to convey our utter dependence upon Him as our creator and sustainer.
When we seek God's will in prayer, we strengthen our relationship with Him. So pray... not because you're telling God something He doesn't know, but because through prayer, you grow deeper in your connection with God.
Prayer Challenge
Spend extended time in prayer today telling God what's on your heart and allowing Him to speak into yours.
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Are you saved by faith or works?
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. - James 2:26
A story is told of the renowned artist Paul Gustave Doré, who lost his passport while traveling through Europe. So when he came to a border crossing, he explained his predicament to one of the guards. Doré hoped he would be recognized and allowed to pass because he was so famous. The guard, however, said that many people had recently attempted to cross the border by falsifying their identities.
Doré firmly insisted that he was the man he claimed to be. "Alright," said the official, "I'll give you a test, and if you pass it, we'll allow you to go through." So he handed him a pencil and a sheet of paper and told the artist to sketch several peasants standing nearby. Doré did it so quickly and skillfully that the guard was convinced he was indeed who he claimed to be.
In the Christian life, the relationship between faith and works can be a funny thing. On the one hand, when it comes to your standing before God, there's no amount of good deeds you can do to find acceptance. It's by faith alone. However, that same faith must be given substance by one's works. Just like Doré, what you do must validate who you claim to be.
So instead of seeing your works as making you holy, think of them as confirmation of the reality that you've already been made holy. And remember that while faith alone saves, the faith that saves is not alone!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would show you areas in your life where you can be diligent in validating your faith to the world through good works.
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The redeeming freedom of Christ in your life
(B)ut those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31
When A. J. Gordon was pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the sanctuary carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered nervously. Gordon inquired, "Son, where did you get those birds?"
The boy replied, "I trapped them out in the field."
"What are you going to do with them?"
"I'm going to play with them, and then I guess I'll just feed them to an old cat we have at home."
Gordon replied, "I'll give you $2 for the cage and the birds."
"Okay, it's a deal, but these birds are worthless!"
The exchange was made and the boy went away whistling, happy with his shiny coins. Gordon walked around to the back of the church property, opened the door of the small wire coop, and let the struggling creatures soar into the sky.
The next Sunday he took the empty cage into the pulpit and used it to illustrate his sermon about Christ's redemptive work. "That boy told me the birds were not songsters," said Gordon, "but when I released them and they winged their way heavenward, it seemed to me they were singing, 'Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed!'"
Apart from Christ, we're all held captive to sin with no hope of escape. But Jesus purchased us with His own blood and redeemed us from the punishment of captivity. Because of that, we can be set free in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Thank Jesus for His redemptive work in your life and for the freedom He's purchased you on the cross.
Questions for Thought
Before Christ, what did bondage to sin look like in your life?
How should life lived in freedom be different from life lived in the captivity of sin?
LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT OUR WORLD WILL SEE THERE IS AN ANTIDOTE TO EVIL, JESUS CHRIST!
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Finding God's favor through perseverance
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:14
Psychologist Martin Segilman of the University of Pennsylvania advised the MetLife insurance company to hire a special group of job applicants who, although they had failed a normal aptitude test, tested high on optimism. So the company participated and observed these workers over time.
They were shocked, then, to observe that compared with salesmen who passed the aptitude test but scored high in pessimism, this group made 21 percent more sales in their first year and 57 percent more in their second.
Explaining this phenomenon, Dr. Segilman reasoned that a pessimist is likely to interpret rejection as meaning, "I'm a failure; I'll never make a sale." Yet when optimists fail, they tell themselves, "I'm using the wrong approach," or, "That customer was in a bad mood." By blaming failure on the situation, not themselves, optimists are motivated to make that next call and experience success.
As Christians, we're also called to be optimists. When we give things our best and they don't go our way, we can safely say that it wasn't God's will and He has something better planned. So instead of expecting the worst, keep your head up and press on, knowing that God's plan is perfect and He'll always show you His favor!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you see His favor in every situation—even when it doesn't go your way!
Questions for Thought
How should living with a heavenly perspective change your outlook on everyday life?
What can you change today to help you better persevere through life's setbacks?
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Building a deep dependence on God's provision
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" - Matthew 6:26
The famous missionary Hudson Taylor knew what it meant to trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he wrote:
Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning.... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all.... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.
As Christians living in a time and area of the world characterized by unprecedented wealth, it can be easy sometimes to take our attention off the fact that everything we have comes from God. Yet the truth is that we are just as dependent upon God for the shelter over our heads and the food on our plates as the poorest person who's ever lived. We just tend to be less aware of it!
There are times, however, that you become keenly aware of your dependence on God for life. When it doesn't look like there's enough money in the bank... or when it seems like you won't be able to cover your basic expenses, you're forced into a place where you have no other choice than to trust that God is going to provide for you.
God knows your need. He knows when you're struggling to make ends meet. He knows the stress that comes with uncertainty about whether or not your expenses will be covered. So take heart. He cares for His creation and will care for you, too!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to drive you to a deeper dependence upon His faithfulness to provide for your every need.
Questions for Thought
How does living in a culture that praises 'self-made success' impact your trust in God for His provision?
How would your life be different if you completely surrendered to God's provision?
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How God can use you to do the extraordinary
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. - Acts 4:13-14
On October 2, 1840, Rev. Dan Edwards was ordained as a missionary to the Jews. He received a letter shortly after from the famous pastor, Robert Murray McCheyne, who wrote,
"Remember you are God's sword, His instrument—I trust, a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God."
Sadly, many Christians have mentally disqualified themselves from living a life of impactful ministry simply for the fact that they don't feel they possess a dynamic personality or exceptional communication abilities. But as you look down the annals of history, you see that God has used very ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Take Moses, for example, who didn't believe he could speak well enough to represent God to Israel (Exodus 4:10), yet God used him to liberate His people from slavery. Or, look at the disciples, who once held jobs that were by all accounts extremely ordinary, yet they made an eternal difference for the Kingdom simply by surrendering to God's work in their lives.
It doesn't matter who you are or what you do. What matters is the level at which you let God work through you. In Christ, you really can make an eternal difference in the lives of others. All you have to do is trust in God to use you and surrender your will to His!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to work through you to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others!
Questions for Thought
Can you think of a time when God has used you to do something well beyond your own abilities?
What can you trust God with today so that He can work through you in a powerful way?
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Responding to God's love for you
"Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them." - Jonah 2:8
God's redemptive work in the lives of His faithful people will naturally provoke worship. Author and pastor Leslie B. Flynn once told a story that illustrates this truth.
An orphaned boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to get upstairs to rescue the boy, perished in the flames. The boy's cries for help were finally answered by a man who climbed an iron drainpipe and came back down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck.
Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the child. A farmer, a teacher, and the town's wealthiest citizen all gave the reasons they felt they should be chosen to give the boy a home. But as they talked, the lad's eyes remained focused on the floor.
Then a stranger walked to the front and slowly took his hands from his pockets, revealing severe scars on them. As the crowd gasped, the boy cried out in recognition. This was the man who had saved his life. His hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the man's neck and held on for dear life. The other men silently walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone. Those marred hands had settled the issue.
In our world today, many voices are calling for our attention. Among them is the One whose nail-pierced hands remind us that He has rescued us from sin and its deadly consequences. And because of the redemption He's purchased for us with His blood, we owe our devotion to Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and thank God for the redemption you have because of Jesus Christ. Commit yourself to worshipping Him above everything else.
Questions for Thought
What are some things in your life today that compete with God for your attention?
What does Christ's redemptive work say about your worth in God's eyes?
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The key to building solid, selfless relationships
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.... - James 1:19
Albert Einstein was invited to speak at a banquet held in his honor at Swarthmore College. Hundreds of people from all over the country crowded an auditorium to hear what he had to say. When it came time for him to speak, the greatest physicist walked to the lectern, solemnly looked around, and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am very sorry, but I have nothing to say." Then he sat down.
The audience was in shock. A few seconds later, Einstein got up, walked back to the podium, and spoke again. "In case I have something to say, I will come back and say it." Six months later he wired the president of the college with the message: "Now I have something to say." Another dinner was held, and Einstein made his speech.
It's been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth for the simple reason that we should listen more often than we speak. Yet for many Christians today, relationships are breaking down for the simple reason that people are forgetting how to listen to each other.
You never hear of someone sticking his foot in his ears—only his mouth! So when it comes to interacting with others, listen before you speak. Prefer others and let them talk. Listening, not talking, is the key to keeping peace and building solid relationships that honor God!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you people with whom you can be quick to listen and slow to speak.
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The dangers of hasty decisions
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. - Proverbs 21:5
The photographer for a well-known magazine was assigned to take photos of a great forest fire. The problem was that smoke at the scene hampered him. So he frantically called his home office to hire a plane. "It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his editor.
As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway. So the reporter jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air.
"Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make three or four low, level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm going to take pictures!" said the photographer with great exasperation. "I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures!"
After a long pause the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?"
Many times, in order to make the quickest decision possible, it can be easy to sacrifice our God-given wisdom for the sake of expediency. And all too often, these hasty decisions result in negative outcomes, because when not all the facts are known, bad choices can very easily be made.
Yet the wisdom of the Psalms tells us in today's passage that diligent planning and seeking the Lord's will ultimately result in our good. So instead of making decisions too quickly, spend time praying and seeking wise counsel to make the best choices possible!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you wisdom and patience to make decisions that honor Him.
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Two stances to take toward sin in your life
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. - Proverbs 16:17
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. - Proverbs 28:13
A 1990 Subaru car commercial showed a Volvo heading toward a wall, and then, in slow motion, crashing into the wall. The point of the commercial was that the Volvo is built so sturdily, the passengers are not hurt in spite of the severe nature of the crash.
The next shot shows a Subaru heading at a high rate of speed toward a wall. At the last possible moment the driver slams on the brakes and the Subaru stops inches from crashing into the wall. The announcer then cuts in and asks what you would prefer: to live through a wreck, or not to get in a wreck in the first place?
As Christians, we should have both a proactive and a reactive stance toward getting into trouble. A proactive stance is what we do to avoid trouble. So if you struggle with anger, you proactively take steps to avoid blowing up when stress hits. A reactive stance, on the other hand, is what happens when you do sin. So if you do blow up, you react by being apologetic and asking for forgiveness.
Both of these stances are crucial when it comes to dealing with sin in your life. So stay on your guard proactively by watching out for where you're prone to sin. Also, develop a planned biblical response for when you do make a mistake that keeps your relationships with God and others fully intact!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you wisdom to avoid sin, as well as deal with sin when it happens.
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When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over...I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. --Joshua 13:1,6
Joshua had accomplished much on the battlefield and in taking the Promised Land. Yet, at a very old age, his command from God to take all of the land had not been fulfilled. The Lord had to remind Joshua that his mission hadn't been fully achieved.
Isn't it interesting that God didn't look for a younger leader, but went straight to Joshua even in his old age? God went to the person who had accomplished much and asked him to continue on with His purpose. The Lord wasn't finished with Joshua, and he isn't through with you either.
Whether it's through volunteer work, a part-time job, or serving in a position at your church, God still has a purpose for you. He didn't say, "OK...when a man or woman reaches the age of 55, they are no longer of any use to Me."
In almost every Christian congregation or ministry, there are things not being accomplished that could be done by seniors. All that is required is a willing and able senior to step up and take the challenge God has presented to participate in various activities and ministries.
Joshua was virtually "retired" from his job. But, even in his old age, God called him out of retirement to continue on with the job he was to complete. Is God calling you in your later years to continue on in ministry for His purposes? Are you willing to take on that challenge today? God will continue with His work through His people, even those who are "well advanced in years."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you a ministry in which you can be involved. Surrender yourself, even in your later years, to fulfilling His call on your life.
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The best payback you'll ever have
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. - Luke 6:35
Georges Clemenceau was twice the prime minister of France, and played a major role in the treaties that concluded WWI. At the Paris Peace Conference, Clemenceau was on his way to a meeting with President Woodrow Wilson's adviser when he was shot at by a young anarchist named Emile Cottin.
As Clemenceau's car sped away, Cottin fired at least six more shots, one of which struck Clemenceau near his heart. Clemenceau very narrowly avoided death. But after Cottin was captured and the death penalty was demanded, Clemenceau asked for leniency, recommending eight years in prison "with intensive training in a shooting gallery."
It was a little good humor at a time which could've been filled with bitterness and hatred that showed Clemenceau wasn't holding a grudge against his attacker. And while most people won't ever face someone who wants to kill them, they find it so difficult to have that same kind of attitude of forgiveness.
In life, people are going to let you down and disappoint you. They are going to say bad things about you and insult you to your face. Yet how you respond to those who treat you that way says much about your relationship with your heavenly Father. So instead of harboring bitterness, forgive and show mercy to those who wrong you. It's the best payback you can have!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you strength when others insult you. Pray He'll help you show them mercy instead of harboring bitterness.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think it's so difficult to show forgiveness and mercy to those who wrong us?
Think back to a time when you received unmerited forgiveness for something you did wrong. How did that make you feel?
:angel:
How to experience spiritual renewal
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
There's a story an American Lutheran bishop tells of visiting a parish church in California and seeing a stirring red and orange banner on the wall. "Come Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!" it declared in words printed under a picture of a fire burning. But what really attracted his attention during his Sunday sermon was a sign directly underneath the banner which said: "Fire extinguisher."
Looking down at his sermon notes, the bishop laughed as he thought to himself, "So much for this parish's commitment to spiritual renewal!"
When it comes to spiritual renewal in our lives, many Christians carry around a spiritual fire extinguisher because they're afraid of looking too "extreme" in what they believe or are afraid people will think they're crazy. But if you look at those who've followed Christ most closely in the pages of the Bible and throughout history, you'll find that while many of them were looked down upon for their faith, they were also well respected among believers and non-believers alike for sticking to their convictions.
So instead of trying to control the fire of the Holy Spirit in your life, let it burn free, moving to every area and consuming all you are as you're transformed by the renewing of your mind!
Prayer Challenge
Offer your entire self to God and allow Him to consume everything you are!
Questions for Thought
If someone were to ask those whom you interact with every day about how committed you are to God, what do you think they would say?
What are some areas of your life today in which you need to let God's fire burn away the impurities and give wholly to Him?
:angel:
Avoiding what hampers your heavenly focus
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the very first man in recorded history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. But within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed his record by 1.4 seconds. So on August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race.
As they moved into the final lap, Landy held the lead and it looked as if he would win. But as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question, "Where is Bannister?" As he turned to look, Bannister, just behind him, took the lead and won the race. Landy later told a reporter, "If I hadn't looked back, I would have won!"
As Christians, one of the most important things we can do is to focus on what really matters—God. But the problem is that very often, we become so consumed with the minutia of daily life that we allow it to take our eyes off of the ultimate prize. This causes us to become distracted, often losing ground in our walk with Christ.
But if we keep our eyes on Jesus and don't allow sin and distractions of the world to pull us aside (Hebrews 12:1), we'll maintain our heaven-focused perspective on the challenges when they arise. So don't let the small stuff take your attention away from what really matters. Keep your head forward and your eyes on the cross, and you're guaranteed victory at the finish line!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you stay focused on Him when you're tempted to let life's challenges distract you.
Questions for Thought
Can you think of some times when you've allowed earthly distractions to come between you and God?
What are some potential distractions you have in your life today you should be careful not to let hamper your heavenly focus?
:angel:
Who can you really trust?
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. - Psalm 146:3-5
In the early 15th century, the kings of both Italy and Bohemia promised safe transport and safe custody to the great pre-Reformation reformer, John Hus. Both, however, broke their promises, leading to Hus being burned at the stake in 1415.
The great British statesman Thomas Wentworth had once even carried a document signed by King Charles I which read, "Upon the word of a king you shall not suffer in life, honour, or fortune." It was not long, however, before Wentworth's death warrant was signed by the very same monarch!
If anything is sure in life, it's that there's very little that's sure in life! This is especially true when it comes to putting your faith in the rulers of the world. Yet so often, Christians are as guilty as anyone of saying, "If we can only get so-and-so elected, things will be great." History goes to show this just isn't the case.
In whom do you place your faith? Is it in the princes of the world who talk a big game and promise you anything that will get them more votes? Or, are you firmly committed in your faith to Jesus who is eminently greater than any earthly ruler? Princes will let you down, but Jesus never will!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for wisdom and discernment when it comes to politics—that you'd stay committed to Jesus, who is greater than any earthly ruler!
Questions for Thought
What are some instances when you've been guilty of trusting in man more than you trust in God?
What attitude should you have when you support a political candidate or cause that will help you stick to your convictions but avoid creating an idol?
:angel:
Love your neighbor as yourself. --Matthew 19:19
Oftentimes it can be hard to be nice to your neighbors when their Christmas party lasts until 2:00 a.m., their dog uses your flowerbeds for a toilet, or their children use your property for a playground. When this happens, it might be hard for you to be "neighborly."
Your "neighbor" is basically anyone you come in contact with— the grocery store clerk, the person waiting behind you in line, the cable guy, or the plumber who charges extra on the weekends. We don't choose the people God brings across our paths. He usually puts people in our way to whom He wants us to show His love. Even if their culture, lifestyle, personality, or religion is different, God says these differences are exactly why we should try harder to show His love.
Even in the sticky relationships that often come with tension, we are to love others which shows our love for Him. 1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."
In today's society, people are pushy and oftentimes downright nasty in their attitudes and actions. But, even when those people have seriously annoyed or offended you, there is little excuse for treating them with disrespect. Christ walked among prostitutes, thieves, and hypocrites—yet their lives were changed by His love. As a believer, you have the power to show the same kind of transforming love to your "neighbors."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to create in your heart a love for the unlovable and to see others through His eyes. Pray for those who come across your path who are uneasy to love, that Christ may change their hearts.
:angel:
Your most priceless possession
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." - Matthew 13:44
Vincent van Gogh first began to experiment with impressionist techniques during his Parisian period, the time from 1886 until 1888. The Dutch artist wrote to his sister in 1887: "Last year, I painted almost nothing but flowers to accustom myself to colors other than grey, namely pink, soft or vivid green, light blue, violet, yellow, orange, beautiful red."
In 1993, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam announced that it had authenticated a previously unknown work of the painter from the Parisian period. Purchased at a French flea market after World War II by a Swiss family and kept in their attic, Still Life (Vase With Flowers) fetched millions of dollars at auction.
Quite often, we don't see the immediate value of what we have. This is especially true when it comes to our riches in heaven. You see, what you have in Christ is much more valuable than any riches the world could throw your way. Yet many people treat their relationship with Jesus as an inconvenience or a burden they're just hanging onto in hopes of eternal life.
The most priceless possession you have is your salvation in Jesus Christ. God's great gift to you will never be surpassed in its value. So treasure it... and consider it more valuable than anything else you own!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the salvation He's offered to you in Jesus Christ. Pray that you'd continue to hold Him higher than anything else!
Questions for Thought
Have there been times in your life when you've treated the world's riches as more valuable than your relationship with God?
How can you avoid thinking of Jesus as just insurance against hell and move to a point where you're building a real relationship with Him?
:angel:
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing... --Proverbs 10:7
Memories link us to our past and guide us through our daily lives. It's easier for some to recall names and phone numbers, while others have a more difficult time remembering these things. Normal memory loss or forgetfulness will afflict all of us at some point in our lives—whether it's due to disease, aging, or stress.
To stimulate your memory, be sure to exercise regularly. There are numerous benefits from exercise, especially memory retention. It doesn't have to be strenuous—just a mild form of aerobic exercise, such as walking for 15-20 minutes a few times a week, or moving your arms and legs around several times a day. It's a chain reaction—physical activity encourages good sleeping habits, which gives your brain the rest it needs, and in turn, helps with alertness and good memory.
It's also important to establish a routine. People benefit from having a routine dealing with daily tasks. When one task is remembered, it then triggers a series of memories. Daily tasks include things like brushing your teeth, taking medication, reading a book, and even parking the car in the same spot each time.
Your memory will also increase by organizing your personal space. You can avoid hours of searching for that "lost" item by eliminating clutter throughout your living place. Use those extra closets to organize the extra items sitting around your house and label things so you will know what's where.
While this may not seem like a devotional, God desires for us to help ourselves and He'll help us as well.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you take control of the things in your life that can help you enhance your memory skills. Thank God for the alertness and memory that you have today.
:angel:
The importance of getting quiet each day
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." - Mark 6:31
Studies show noise affects human behavior. In one experiment carried out by psychologists, a student leaving a library intentionally dropped an armload of books. In 50% of the cases, a passerby stopped to help the student pick up the books.
Then the experimenters brought out a lawn mower without a muffler and started it near where a student would again intentionally drop the books. But this time, only about 10% of the people who passed by stopped to help. It was clear that the behavior changed because of the earsplitting sound of the nearby lawn mower.
In experiments in Los Angeles, researchers found that children who lived in neighborhoods near the airport could not complete certain tasks undertaken when jets were landing and taking off as easily as children who lived in quiet neighborhoods.
So what is it about quietness that makes us comfortable? No doubt, when high levels of concentration are required for a certain task, the best way to be sure you can focus well is to have peace and quiet. Yet quietness does more than help us concentrate, it gives our minds rest from a hectic world.
This is why it's important to get away for some time each day and be quiet. Use this time to focus on God and deepen your relationship with Him. You'll be much better prepared to deal with the busyness of life when you spend time recharging in a daily quiet time.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the discipline to dedicate time each day to recharging and focusing on Him.
Questions for Thought
What are some things you like to do when you unplug from the busyness of life and spend some quiet time?
How do you think spending some regular time alone every day would better enable you to deal with daily tasks?
:angel:
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. --Proverbs 24:3-4
There may be times when you ask: How do I handle my financial needs? Do I need to plan for the days to come?
One thing all Christians need to understand is the basics of simple, commonsense financial planning using God's principles. We should always have faith and depend on God for our finances, but it doesn't mean waiting on Him to deliver manna to us each and every day.
God is our Provider, but He expects us to help ourselves as well. If you can develop some financial goals, then you'll be on the right track. Ask yourself: Where am I financially? How do I get to my destination?
In your plan, write down visible objectives and measurable goals you can work toward. Start by committing God's portion to Him first—tithes and offerings. Then, design a strategy to control and eliminate the use of credit (if applicable). And last, you'll want to determine in your heart and mind that you will be content in the goals God has for you financially.
It is wise to seek Christian counsel in the financial decisions you make. But, everyone has an opinion, and only you and God know your needs best. If you need someone to help you with you financial goals, then look within your own church for someone you trust that can give godly advice. If needed, they may even help you balance your checkbook, prepare your finances for the future, and help you pay your bills.
It is never too late to get started with a financial plan for your life. There are people in your life who want to help you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Seek wisdom from God in planning your finances for the future. Ask Him to lead you in developing a plan—even through the guidance of a fellow believer.
:angel:
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? --Mark 8:36
Around 200 years ago, the tomb of the great conqueror, Charlemagne, was opened. The workmen were shocked by what they saw.
His body, sitting upright, was clothed in the most elaborate kingly garments, with a scepter in his bony hand. And on his knees lay the Holy Scriptures, with a lifeless, bony finger pointing to Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Amazing, right? So often, people place more emphasis on what is gained in this world, how successful one becomes, or how much is achieved, rather than focusing on their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.
Martin Luther once said, "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
What are you holding onto today? It may be someone or something, but remember that material things we hold on to in life will eventually pass away. Nothing that we ever gain in this world will last. Only two things shall endure forever: the Word of God, and the souls of the men and women who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be" (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).
What are you investing in right now?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help focus your heart and mind on the things above and witnessing to those around you who are lost.
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The importance of being a 'doer'
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them. - James 4:17
In the early years of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln became so angered at the inactivity of Union commander George McClellan that the President wrote his commanding general this one-sentence letter:
If you don't want to use the army, I should like to borrow it for a while.
Respectfully,
A. Lincoln
One of the most frustrating things we can experience in life is to watch people like McClellan who can make a difference stand idly by when something must be done. And at the core of this frustration is the simple belief that those who can make a difference should make a difference. Yet very often, we excuse our own inactivity because we believe our circumstances are unique.
But over and over again in Scripture, God is clear that inactivity isn't just unwise, but it's very often sinful, like in the case of today's passage. That's why it's so important not only to recognize when something must be done, but to act when you have the ability to do so. This is true in so many areas of life!
So when it comes to doing the right thing, don't just be a complainer; be a doer. When the desire to do what is right meets the opportunity to act, God can use you in a powerful way to make a real difference in the world!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the strength and courage not to be just a complainer, but to be a doer!
:angel:
he importance of taking personal responsibility
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. - 2 Corinthians 5:10
Not long ago, a young woman was attacked in a New York residential area while at least 38 neighbors watched from their windows. And during the course of the 30-minute assault, not even one person telephoned the police. The young lady sustained critical injuries and died for the simple reason that no one would pick up the phone and call for help.
Interviews conducted with the people who witnessed this terrible crime revealed that they were not totally indifferent as many had suspected. In fact, many of them were horrified when they saw what was happening. But the main reason nobody did anything was that each person thought someone else would take responsibility and get help.
Now, most people will never find themselves in such a critical situation. But how often, in the seemingly mundane events of life, do you find yourself saying, "I'll let someone else do it"? Yet all the while, everyone else is thinking the exact same thing. This kind of attitude has created a vacuum of responsibility in our society where people simply point fingers instead of doing what's right.
But on the day you stand before God, there will be no finger-pointing. You'll be judged based on what you did with Christ, and then you'll be rewarded for the works you have done in the flesh. So in this life, take responsibility for your actions and stand up for what's right when others sit and point fingers.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a strong sense of personal responsibility to do what's right when you're tempted to point fingers.
:angel:
Staying committed to your higher calling
Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. - John 12:25
The Civil War might have been averted and a peaceful emancipation of slaves achieved had there been more people like Elijah Lovejoy. After observing one lynching, Lovejoy was committed forever to fighting the awful sin of slavery. Time after time, mob action was brought against him. But neither this nor many threats and attempts on his life deterred him.
Repeated destruction of his presses didn't even stop him. He said, "If by compromise is meant that I should cease from my duty, I cannot make it. I fear God more that I fear man. Crush me if you will, but I shall die at my post."
And he did... four days later at the hands of another mob. And not one member of the mob that killed him was prosecuted or indicted or punished in any way for this murder. But one young man was deeply moved by the Lovejoy martyrdom. He had just been elected to the Illinois legislature. His name was Abraham Lincoln.
As a Christian, you have a calling that's much greater than even your own life. And while most today won't experience martyrdom, the commitment should be the same. So devote yourself to the calling of Christ above all others and you'll be blessed forever!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the strength to commit yourself to Him, no matter the cost!
:angel:
The danger of having a jealous heart
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. - Romans 12:15
The famous novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett received great recognition for his work—but not from everyone. Beckett's marriage was plagued by his wife's jealousy of his growing fame and success.
So one day in 1969, Samuel heard her answer the phone, listen for a moment, and hang up. She turned to her husband and with a disappointed tone whispered, "What a catastrophe." She had just learned that Beckett had been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature!
Jealousy comes in different forms—good and bad. There is the good, kind jealousy that we see in Exodus 20:5 where God tells the Israelites to have no other God except for Him. This is not a jealousy birthed out of insecurity. God was not jealous of other gods... He is jealous for the hearts of His people.
On the other hand, there's the bad kind of jealousy, a jealousy that is rooted in sin and shame and wishes failure on others instead of success. This is the kind of jealousy that, as Christians, we're to avoid. In fact, as we see others who are successful in life and who God blesses abundantly, we're to rejoice with them in those blessings!
Don't allow jealousy to embitter you. Instead, rejoice with those whom God blesses and in due time, He'll bless you, too!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you encourage others who are experiencing His blessings and rejoice with them. When you're blessed, they'll rejoice with you as well!
:angel:
You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. --Acts 22:15
Many years ago, a new preacher moved to a large city. One day, he rode the bus from his home to the downtown area. After taking his seat, he noticed the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much in change.
He thought about it and finally told himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it."
Then he thought, "Oh, it's only a quarter. Who would even notice? Besides, the bus company will never miss it. Just accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet."
When the bus came to his stop, the preacher paused at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "You gave me too much change."
The driver smiled and replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I've been thinking lately about going to your church. I wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday."
When the preacher stepped off the bus, he grabbed hold of the nearest light pole. As tears filled his eyes, he prayed, "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I almost sold your Son for a quarter."
Just as John was sent to testify to others about Christ, so are believers to be a witness "so that...all men might believe" (John 1:7). Your life is the only Bible some people will ever read. People are always watching to see how you live. Be on guard and remember that you bear the name of Jesus on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you walk upright with Him every day, so that others will come to know Jesus as a result of your life and testimony.
:angel:
Are you wise, or just smart?
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. - Proverbs 9:9
The famous author and inventor, Arthur C. Clarke once wrote,
For every man, education should be a process which continues all his life. We have to abandon, as swiftly as possible, the idea that schooling is something restricted to youth. How can it be, in a world where half the things a man knows at 20 are no longer true at 40—and half the things he knows at 40 hadn't been discovered when he was 20?
There's a misconception many people have today that once they're finished with formal schooling, they have nothing left they need to learn. They passed all their tests and have a diploma on the wall, yet in all their time of growing smart, they've never truly discovered what it means to grow wise.
The reality is that finishing school should actually be the beginning of a life-long learning process that never ends. It's a starting point that you've reached by becoming smart, but actual wisdom is attained through life experience. That's exactly why you have young men and women who graduated at the top of their class, yet struggle when they get out into the real world—they have to grow in wisdom.
Never, ever stop learning. Immerse yourself in the wisdom of the Word daily. Ask God to give you clarity and understanding when it comes to applying it to your life. When you do, you'll find out that there's so much more to be learned than you already know!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the discipline to continue growing in wisdom all the days of your life!
:angel:
Winning the battle over sluggishness
Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. - Proverbs 20:4
And old mountaineer and his wife were sitting in front of the fireplace one evening just passing the time. Soon, they heard what they thought were raindrops falling on the roof of their small house. So after a few minutes, the wife said, "Jed, I think it's raining. Go outside and see."
The old man continued to gaze into the fire for a brief moment, sighed, and said, "Why don't we just call in the dog and see if he's wet."
There's no doubt that, just like that farmer, there are those days when you just don't feel like doing much. But the problem with so many today is that one day turns to two, then a week, then months go by and you're still just calling in the dog to see if it's raining outside!
Now there are different reasons for being "sluggish". Some of involve your physical or emotional state. Yet all too often, sluggishness is simply an indication of laziness, which the Bible says will have a negative impact on your life.
So if you find yourself having feelings of sluggishness, first, figure out why. Is it because you're having physical problems? Are you dealing emotions, like depression, that affect your desire to be active? Or, have you perhaps just become a little lazy? Whatever it is, find ways to stay active. Not only will you be healthier, but you'll also find greater fulfillment in life!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you find ways to stay active and find greater fulfillment in life!
:angel:
The importance of nourishing friendships
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. - 1 Samuel 18:1
The world-renowned psychologist, Sigmund Freud, died at the age of 83, a bitter and disillusioned man. Though he was one of the most influential thinkers of our time, Freud had little compassion for the common person.
In 1918, he wrote, "I have found little that is good about human beings on the whole. In my experience most of them are trash, no matter whether they publicly subscribe to this or that ethical doctrine or to none at all" (Veritas Reconsidered, p. 36).
As a result of his bitterness toward humanity, Freud died friendless. Many of his loyal followers had even abandoned him, not out of psychological disagreements, but because they were disillusioned with how bitter he had become.
Apart from your relationship with Christ, your relationships with people are some of the most valuable commodities you'll ever have. Yet many, as they grow older, tend to become like Freud: bitter, angry, and cynical toward others.
But as you grow in your faith, you can be the exact opposite as the joy of the Lord overcomes your life more and more every day. So nourish your friendships and keep people close. They're some of the most important things you can have in life!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would surround you with good friends with whom you can share life and the love of Christ!
:angel:
How you can be used to impact eternity
Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. - James 5:20
In 1994, The New York Times reported that graffiti from the 1800s was discovered by workers renovating the Washington Monument. It was quite a different tone from much of the graffiti found today on walls, railcars, and street signs. Here's what it said:
Whoever is the human instrument under God in the conversion of one soul, erects a monument to his own memory more lofty and enduing [sic] than this.
The inscription was signed with the initials, BFB. No one knows who that is, but this anonymous author's words can now be seen by the thousands who visit the monument each year.
Though written so long ago, those words ring very true today... and they're at the heart of today's verse. Whoever God uses to turn people away from their sin and toward a faith relationship with Jesus Christ makes an impact on eternity!
Perhaps today, there are people in your life who you can point toward Christ. Maybe they live nearby, shop at the same store as you, or you see them in your daily routine. Whoever it is, God wants to use you to tell them about Jesus. And when you do, you can be confident that you've made an impact that will last longer than any monument ever built!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you people in your life who need to hear about Jesus. Pray that you would be open to being used by Him to impact eternity!
:angel:
The profound impact of human connection
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. - Romans 12:10
There was a woman who always went to a certain post office in her town because the postal employees there were just so friendly. One year just before Christmas, she walked in to buy a book of stamps, and the lines were particularly long.
Another customer waiting next to her in line pointed out that there was no need to wait because the post office had installed a stamp machine in the lobby. "I know," said the woman, "but that machine won't ask me about my arthritis."
So often today in our world of mass communication and high-efficiency processes, it's easy to miss the human connection that's so badly needed in our lives. And sadly, this has even become the case in many of our churches, where people get in and get out as quickly as they can in order to jump back into their busy schedules.
But what a remarkable change we would see in our world today if we slowed down a step to talk to others. Instead of rushing out of the store, what if you asked the clerk how her day was going? Instead of hurrying to meet a deadline a work, what if you stopped to wish the secretary a good morning?
A simple human connection can do amazing things in your life and in the lives of others. So as you go throughout your day, don't let busyness get in the way of the important task of connecting with others!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would remind you to slow down a bit each day and spend quality time connecting with others.
:angel:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. --Colossians 3:12
A man waiting in between flights at an airport went to a store and bought a small package of cookies. He then sat down in the waiting area to read his newspaper. Gradually, he became aware of a rustling noise next to him. From behind his paper, he was shocked to see a neatly dressed woman helping herself to his cookies sitting in the next seat.
Not wanting to cause problems or make a scene out of the situation, the man leaned over and took a cookie himself from the package. A couple of minutes passed and then came more rustling. The woman was helping herself to another cookie!
By this time, the man was so angry he had a good mind to tell her off for digging in his things. Then, as if to add insult to injury, the woman broke the last cookie into two pieces, pushed half across to the man, ate the other half, and left.
Still fuming when his flight was announced, the man opened his briefcase to get his ticket. And to his embarrassment, there he found his package of unopened cookies!
How wrong our assumptions can be sometimes. Christ has called us to demonstrate kindness and love toward others in all situations—even those such as the one mentioned above.
"'Let...the wise man boast...that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
If the Lord delights in kindness, so should we. In any situation, remember to take hold of and possess the qualities of kindness and brotherly love that our Lord demonstrates so you can be an effective witness to others (see 2 Peter 1:5-8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to remind you to practice kindness toward others and to be an effective witness in all situations.
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The destructive power of unforgiveness
"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." - Matthew 6:12
The famous writer Leo Tolstoy thought he was getting his marriage off on the right foot when he asked his fiancée Sonya to read his diaries, detailing all of his sexual indiscretions. Instead, Tolstoy's confession sowed the seeds for a marriage that would be held together by bitterness, not love. Sonya wrote in her diary, "When he kisses me I'm always thinking, 'I'm not the first woman he has loved.'"
Some of his adolescent flings she could forgive, but not his affair with a particular peasant woman who continued to work on the Tolstoy estate. Another diary entry dates from January 14, 1909. "He relishes that peasant wench with her strong female body and her sunburnt legs, she allures him just as powerfully now as she did all those years ago..."
Sonya wrote those words when this peasant woman was eighty years old. For half a century, jealousy and unforgiveness blinded her and destroyed all love for her husband.
It's difficult to truly comprehend the power of unforgiveness. Years, even decades, after a person was wronged, he or she can hold onto bitterness so tightly that it is as if it happened yesterday.
But God calls us to a higher level of forgiveness, one that understands our own brokenness before Him and forgives others because we were first forgiven. So instead of holding onto bitterness, let it go. Allow God to soften your heart and forgive others because you were first forgiven!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would reveal areas of unforgiveness in your life and give you the strength to forgive others who may have wronged you.
Questions for Thought
As you think back, are there people in your life against whom you still harbor bitterness and unforgiveness?
What would your life look like if it exemplified the forgiveness toward others that God has already shown to you?
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Exposing the misconception of meekness
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5
So often today, the Christian value of meekness is overlooked, and often times completely disregarded. Much of this attitude has come about as a result of Christians who misunderstand what meekness really is.
On this subject, the great author A. W. Tozer wrote,
"The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto."
A meek person is not one with an inferiority complex. He is quite the opposite. Meekness is a characteristic within a person which creates boldness and strength, yet at the same time causes that person to humbly understand that everything good in him comes from God, not himself.
Jesus only gave the promise to inherit the earth to one group of people: the meek. So as you live your life, be both bold and strong in your faith while also humble and quiet in your boasting. Be meek... because the reward is great!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you boldness in your faith while at the same time giving you a humble heart. Pray for meekness, and you'll inherit the earth!
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Are you living a productive life?
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. - Psalm 119:15-16
The story goes that the great entrepreneur Henry Ford once hired an efficiency expert to evaluate his company. This man came into his factories and offices to assess the efficiency level of the workers. After a few weeks, the expert made his report, which was highly favorable except for one thing.
"It's that man down the hall," said the expert. "Every time I go by his office he's just sitting there with his feet on his desk. He's wasting your money!"
Mr. Ford replied, "That man once had an idea that saved us millions of dollars. At the time, I believe his feet were planted right where they are now. He's staying put!"
In today's world, our society measures effectiveness by task completion. If you get all your tasks done in a day that were on your list, then the day was productive. But if you've fallen short of your task list, then the day was unproductive. It rarely matters what else you accomplished. You're measured on your tasks.
But think of all the great ideas that have come about very likely because someone just stopped to think. Albert Einstein... Ben Franklin... Leonardo da Vinci... all of these great minds spent significant time simply thinking!
There's nothing wrong with tasks, but don't let them run your life. Spend daily time meditating on God and His truth because that's the path to truly finding wisdom!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would release you from letting tasks overtake your life. Ask Him to speak to you as you spend quiet time meditating on Him.
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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. --Hebrews 13:8
When American author Lloyd C. Douglas was a university student, he lived in a boarding house. Downstairs on the first floor was a retired music teacher who lived in a small apartment.
Every morning, Douglas claimed they went through the same ritual. He would come down the steps, open the old man's door, and ask, "Well, what's the news?"
The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his wheelchair, and say, "That's Middle C! It was Middle C yesterday; it will be Middle C tomorrow; it will be Middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat, the piano across the hall is out of tune, but my friend, that is Middle C!"
The old man had discovered one thing in his life upon which he could always depend—Middle C. For Christians, the one constant and absolute in this life, of which there is no shadow of changing, is Jesus Christ.
The Bible says that "because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ... We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:17, 19). God sent His Son to die on the cross so that we might have eternal life with Him. He made a promise, and He kept it.
Because of this, we can rest assured that God will never change. He is ever-present when trouble comes barreling in. He is all-powerful to do exactly as He has promised. And He is all-knowing, and we should never worry because He is in control. He is the same "yesterday and today and forever."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being the constant reality in your life.
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Jesus said]: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ... If they persecute me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. --John 15:18-20
What is a Christian? In the Letter to Diognetus, dating back to the second century, an anonymous writer described Christians:
"Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs; ...they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect. ... They live in both Greek and foreign cities....They follow local customs in clothing, food, and the other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship.
"They live in their own native lands, but as aliens. ... They marry and have children...but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives.
"They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. ... They are mocked and blessed in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others.
"When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews...and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility."
If you are a believer, the Bible commands you "...not [to] conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2). And you can expect the world to hate you as a result (see 1 John 3:13). Continue to be sanctified by the truth of God's Word and be in the world but not of it (see John 2:15).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would empower you to always be set apart, even when the world hates you, so that others can see the difference Jesus has made in your life.
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How to learn Scripture with the right motives
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:11
A story is told of a village church in Kalonovka, Russia, where attendance at Sunday school picked up after the priest started handing out candy to the peasant children. One of the most faithful was a pug-nosed, pugnacious lad who recited his Scriptures with proper piety, pocketed his reward, then fled into the fields to munch on it.
The priest took a liking to the boy and persuaded him to attend church school by offering other incentives. There, the priest managed to teach the boy the four Gospels. In fact, this little boy won a special prize for learning all four by heart and reciting them nonstop in church!
Fast forward 60 years, and the boy still loved to recite Scriptures, but in a context that would horrify the old priest. For the prized pupil who memorized so much of the Bible is Nikita Khrushchev, the former Communist czar. The same little lad who nimbly mouthed God's Word as a child later declared God to be nonexistent.
Khrushchev memorized the Scripture for the rewards rather than for the meaning it had for his life. Artificial motivation will produce artificial results. So as you learn the Word of God, keep your motives pure and make it an exercise of both your heart and your mind!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to keep your motives pure when it comes to learning His Word. Pray that He would help you absorb it into your heart as well as your mind!
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Are you fully available to God?
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. - 1 John 3:16
The famous author Patsy Clairmont was sitting next to a young man on an airplane. She had already observed something remarkable about this young man... he called her "Ma'am." Concluding he was from either from the south or in the service, she decided the latter was the most likely choice.
"What branch of the service are you in?" she asked.
"The Marines. I'm just coming back from a year and a half tour in Desert Storm. My family will be meeting me at the airport."
Clairmont commented that he must have thought about returning to his family and home many times while he was in the Middle East.
"Oh, no, Ma'am," the soldier replied. "We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were."
When it comes to living out God's calling in your life, are you fully available right where you are? Or, do you play it safe, sitting on the fence and not wanting to be too committed for the fear of looking like a "fanatic"?
God's calling in your life is of the utmost importance. So just like a soldier, lay down yourself each day and be fully available to accomplish His mission for your life!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you be fully available to His calling, willing to forsake everything you have to fulfill His mission for your life.
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How you can experience a complete transformation
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:23
London businessman Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and strewn trash around the interior.
As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out all of the garbage.
"Forget about the repairs," the buyer said. "When I buy this place, I'm going to build something completely different. I don't want the building; I want the site!"
Apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ, our efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as tidying up a warehouse that's slated for the wrecking ball. You see, when you trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, the old life is over and the new life takes over (2 Corinthians 5:17).
When you come to Christ, you give God the site and allow Him to begin His renovating work in your life. So instead of trying to clean up your own life before you trust Jesus, place your faith in Him today because that's where the remodeling begins!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and tell God that you are giving Him your life. Ask Him to renovate you from top to bottom and transform your life in every way!
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Putting knowledge into action
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." - 1 Samuel 15:22
Imagine that you are the president of a company and find it necessary to travel out of the country and spend extended time abroad. So you tell your employees, "Manage things while I'm away, and I'll write you regularly. When I do, I'll instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from my trip."
So you leave and stay away for a couple of years. During that time, you write often, communicating your desires and concerns. One day you return. Walking up to the front door of the company, you quickly notice that everything is a mess—weeds are growing in the flower beds, windows are broken across the front of the building, and the secretary at the front desk is asleep!
Without hesitation, you call everyone together and ask, "What happened? Didn't you get my letters?" Your employees answer and say, "Yes! We got all your letters. Some of us have memorized them. In fact, we even get together each week and talk about them!"
It doesn't matter how much they would've read your letters. What really matters is whether or not they would've followed what you told them. In the same way, there are so many people who read the Word of God, yet they never truly do what it says.
So when it comes to the Bible, don't just read—do! Follow God's precepts for living and experience the full joy that comes with surrender and obedience.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you not just read His Word, but live it out each day!
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Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. --Proverbs 4:23-27
A former police officer once told of the tactics of roving bands of thieves. The group of thieves would enter a store in a unit. One or two of them would separate themselves from the group, and the others would start a loud commotion in another section of the store.
This grabbed the attention of the clerks and customers. And as all eyes were upon the disturbance, the accomplices would fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, and leave before anyone suspected anything.
Hours—sometimes even days—later the victimized merchant would realize things were missing from the store and call the police. Too late—they'd already been deceived and robbed.
This effective strategy is often used by Satan as well. Believers are seduced into paying attention to the distractions, while evil agents ransack our lives and ultimately leave us confused, lost, and devastated. So what does the Bible say about this? Always be on guard!
Paul warned believers several times about this scenario:
· "...I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).
· "...Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil" (Romans 16:19).
· "So be on your guard!" (Acts 20:31).
· "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Don't be distracted by Satan and his roving band of demons. Instead, "be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart and mind, so that you won't be seduced and deceived by Satan.
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How to persevere in obedience
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20
The great poet and educator, Archibald Rutledge, wrote about how he once met a man whose dog had just been killed in a forest fire. Heartbroken, the man explained to Rutledge how it happened. Because he worked outdoors, he often took his dog with him. That morning, he left the animal in a clearing and gave him a command to stay and watch his lunch bucket while he went into the forest.
His faithful friend understood, and that's exactly what he did. So when a fire started in the woods and soon spread to the spot where the dog had been left, the faithful companion didn't move. He stayed right where he was, in perfect obedience to his master's word.
When it comes to obedience to God, do you cower down when things heat up? Or do you, like that dog, endure faithfully, even if it means suffering, or even death?
In this life, the Bible never gives us the promise of an easy path. There are times when staying true to your Master will even cause you to encounter hard times. Yet through them all, we're given the simple promise that no matter what happens, God is with us.
Maybe today, you know God is asking you to follow Him in a certain way that will lead to hardship. If so, show obedience to God by following Him even if it means tough times. When you do, you can be sure that the reward you'll receive will far outweigh any inconvenience you face!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and tell God that you'll follow Him no matter where He calls you. Respond in faith by giving Him your life and surrendering to His will.
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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. --Colossians 3:17
In Loving God, Charles Colson tells the story of Telemachus, a fourth-century Christian and monk. Telemachus lived in a remote village and spent most of his time tending his garden and praying.
One day, God told him to go to Rome. The monk responded obediently and set out on foot. Weeks later, he arrived at the city's gates to witness a great festival taking place. He followed the crowd through the streets toward the Colosseum.
Inside, he saw the gladiators stand before the emperor and say, "We who are about to die salute you."
Telemachus realized they were going to fight to the death for the entertainment of the crowd, so he cried out, "In the name of Christ, stop!"
As the games began, Telemachus pushed through the crowds, climbed over the wall, and dropped to the arena floor screaming over and over, "In the name of Christ, stop!" The crowd thought this was part of the show, so they began laughing. When they realized it wasn't, their laughter turned to angry shouts.
Suddenly, one of the gladiators plunged his sword into the body of Telemachus. He fell to the sand and his last words were, "In the name of Christ, stop!" Then, a hush fell over the Colosseum and one man in the upper rows stood up and walked out. Soon, others began to follow and in silence everyone left the Colosseum.
On that day in B.C. 391, the last battle to the death between gladiators in the Roman Colosseum was fought. It was all because one tiny voice that could hardly be heard above the uproar spoke the truth in God's name.
Won't you be that small voice in the darkness and commotion of our culture today?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that others might be sensitive to hear the message of truth spoken by you in God's name.
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I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. --Psalm 40:10
Peter Cartwright was a nineteenth-century, circuit-riding Methodist preacher. But more importantly, he was known for being uncompromising in his faith.
One Sunday morning, as he was preparing to preach, he was told that President Andrew Jackson was in the congregation. Some of the elders warned him not to say anything out of line or there would be trouble.
So when Cartwright stood to preach, he said, "I understand that Andrew Jackson is here today. I have been requested to be guarded in my remarks. Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn't repent."
The congregation was shocked by Cartwright's bold sermon and wondered how the President would respond. However, after the service, President Jackson walked by to shake hands with Cartwright and said, "Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world."
As Christians, we are not called to be "guarded" when it comes to sharing the Gospel message with the world. Instead, we are to be bold and outspoken in proclaiming the truth.
In Psalm, King David wrote, "I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD" (Psalm 40:9).
Scripture says that we are a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).
The world needs more Christians who will be uncompromising in their faith. Will you be that kind of Christian—just as Peter Cartwright was? Won't you be bold enough to declare the faithfulness and salvation of God today (Psalm 40:10)?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the opportunities to boldly share your faith. Ask Him to give you the right words at that time that will bring others to Christ.
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As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins ... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. --Ephesians 2:1, 4-5
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial is astounding for its simplicity and meaning. Etched carefully in the black granite wall are the names of 58,156 Americans who died in that gruesome war. And since its opening in 1982, the striking monument has stirred deep, and sometimes painful, emotions in many people.
Some visitors walk the length of the memorial slowly and reverently, but without a pause. Others stop before certain names to linger where they recognize the name of a son, sweetheart, or fellow soldier. They wipe away their tears and remember the legacy those lost lives left behind.
For Robert Bedker, Willard Craig, and Darrall Lausch—three Vietnam veterans—a trip to visit the memorial must be especially moving because each man can walk up to the long ebony wall and find their own names carved in the stone. Because of data coding errors, each of them was incorrectly listed as killed in action upon the monument.
Dead, but truly and completely alive—this is a perfect description of every believer in Jesus Christ. Just as Christ suffered death of the flesh and was made alive by the Spirit, so are we as Christians made alive in the Holy Spirit (see 1 Peter 3:18). And we are called to die to ourselves every day and walk in the Spirit of Jesus.
Every day we should thank God for raising us up from the mire and muck to live in glory with Him. Because of the death of Jesus on the cross, we can rest peacefully knowing that we will be alive forever with Him in heaven one day. Praise God!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for making you alive in the Spirit as a believer. Pray that He would help you die to yourself and your sins every day, so that you can be more like Him.
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Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. --1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Winston Churchill, the great preacher of yesteryear, planned his own funeral that took place at Saint Paul's Cathedral. Included in the service were many great hymns of the church and the eloquent Anglican liturgy.
At his direction, a bugler, stationed high in the dome of the cathedral, was to play "Taps" after the benediction signaling that the day is over. Then immediately afterward, Churchill instructed another bugler, positioned at the other end, to play the tune "Reveille"—"It's time to get up. It's time to get up. It's time to get up in the morning!"
This was Churchill's testimony to all—though it was the end of his time on earth, it was a time of joy for he was getting up to go home to be with the Lord. At the end of history, the last note for all believers will not be "Taps," but instead "Reveille."
Believers can have hope for the day when death comes. When you take your last breath, know that your soul will go to be with Jesus in heaven and will one day be reunited with a new body when He returns. Death is not the end for the believer, it is just the beginning.
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ... For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 3:14, 16-17).
Praise God! The worst things are never the last things.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the future you have with Him in heaven.
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Keeping the main thing the main thing
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. - 1 Corinthians 3:3-5
Flight 401 was bound for Miami from New York City with a load of holiday passengers on the night of December 29, 1972. As the huge aircraft approached the Miami Airport for its landing, a light that indicates proper deployment of the landing gear failed to come on. The plane flew in a large, looping circle over the swamps of the Everglades while the cockpit crew checked out the light failure.
The flight engineer fiddled with the bulb. He tried to remove it, but it wouldn't budge. Another member of the crew tried to help out... and then another. By and by, if you can believe it, all eyes were on the little light bulb that refused to be dislodged from its socket. No one noticed that the plane was losing altitude.
Finally, it dropped right into a swamp, killing 101 people. While an experienced crew of high-priced and seasoned pilots messed around with a tiny light bulb, an entire airplane and many of its passengers were lost. The crew momentarily forgot the most basic of all rules of the air—don't forget to fly the airplane!
The same thing can happen to Christians today. In the midst of so much arguing and debating about worship styles, preaching personalities, and minor theological points, they often forget the most basic rule—reach others for Christ. So as you live your life, focus on what really matters and show the world the love of Jesus!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would show you where to compromise, where to stay firm, and most of all, how you can advance His Kingdom and make disciples.
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How God can use you to do anything
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD Almighty. - Zechariah 4:6
Here are a few interesting facts you may not have known about some very famous people:
Booker T. Washington was born into slavery.
Thomas Edison was deaf.
Abraham Lincoln was born of illiterate parents.
Lord Byron had a club foot.
Robert Louis Stevenson had tuberculosis.
Alexander Pope was a hunchback.
Admiral Nelson had only one eye.
Julius Caesar was an epileptic.
And yet despite the fact that each of these men encountered severe setbacks in life, each of them made history.
So often today, Christians like to make excuses for why they don't think God can use them. They talk about their bad health, their unfortunate background, or their lack of education and simply accept that they'll never truly make a significant impact.
Yet for every excuse or limitation that's given as a reason for God's inability to use a person, God reminds us that it's not by our might or by our power that He accomplishes His purposes; it's by His Spirit.
Do you have a handicap? Are you limited in some way? Call on the Lord. No problem is too big or too small for Him. He will make everything "work together for good" (Romans 8:28) if you turn to Him and trust in His power!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the blessings He's given you. Pray that His Spirit would work perfectly in your imperfections.
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Living beyond your circumstances through the resurrection
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." - Matthew 28:5-6
A little boy named Philip with Down Syndrome attended a third-grade Sunday school class with several eight-year-old boys and girls. Typical of that age, the children did not readily accept Philip with his differences.
On Easter Sunday, the teacher brought egg-shaped pantyhose containers for the students and told the children to go outside, find some symbol for new life, and put it in the egg-like container. Back in the classroom, they would share their new life symbols, opening the containers one by one. After running about the church property in wild confusion, the students returned to the classroom and placed the containers on the table.
Surrounded by the children, the teacher began to open them one by one. When one was opened, revealing nothing inside, the children exclaimed, "That's not fair! Somebody didn't do their assignment."
Philip spoke up, "That's mine."
"Philip, you don't ever do things right!" a student retorted. "There's nothing there!"
"I did so do it," Philip insisted. "It's empty, just like Jesus' tomb was empty!"
Silence followed. From then on, Philip became an accepted member of the class. He sadly died not long afterward from an infection most normal children would have shrugged off. At the funeral, this class of eight-year-olds marched up to the altar, not with flowers, but with their Sunday school teacher, each to lay on it an empty pantyhose egg.
Whatever challenges you face today, the resurrection of Jesus Christ can give your life hope, meaning, and purpose. So this Easter, rest in the goodness of God and the new life you've been given through Jesus' resurrection!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you live beyond your circumstances and rest in the new life you've been given through the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
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Remaining faithful through persecution
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted... - 2 Timothy 3:12
In 1857, archaeologists digging in the remains of a boarding school in Rome found a picture dating from the third century. It shows a boy standing with his hand raised and worshipping a figure on a cross that looks like a man with the head of a donkey. Scrawled below in the writing of a young person are the words, "Alexamenos worships his God."
In an adjacent room, a second inscription was also found that says, "Alexamenos is faithful." Apparently, a young man who was a Christian was being mocked by his schoolmates for his faithful witness. Yet despite the fact that they made fun of his beliefs, they couldn't deny his faithfulness as a follower of Christ.
Since the inception of our faith, those who have followed it most closely have been persecuted for their devotion. Yet despite arguing against the content of what we worship, the world can never question the genuineness of those who are truly committed to honoring God with their entire lives.
For those who are firmly committed to the cause of Christ, persecution is guaranteed. But remember that while the world may hate you for what you believe, it can never explain away your faithfulness toward Jesus Christ!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the faith He's given you. Pray that despite persecution, He would strengthen you in your belief and that the watching world would be in awe of your faithfulness.
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I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:14
On July 4, 1952, a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. On the fog-covered morning, she intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast.
Florence wasn't a rookie when it came to long-distance swimming. She had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. But the water was numbing cold that morning and the fog was so thick she could hardly see two feet in front of her. Several times, sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire from the boats in her party.
She swam for more than fifteen hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer coaxed her to swim on since they were so close to land, but all Florence saw ahead was the thick fog. She quit only half a mile from her goal.
Later she said, "I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land, I might have made it."
Florence didn't fail because of fear, exhaustion, or the cold water. It was the fog.
We often fail too—not because we're afraid or tired—but because we lose sight of the goal. This is surely why Paul wanted to remind believers to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [you] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
Two months after her failed attempt at swimming the length of the channel, Florence waded into the water off the same beach on Catalina Island, swam the full distance, and set a new speed record—all because she could clearly see her goal.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to clearly present you with the goals He wants you to strive toward. Pray that He would make your path clear in fulfilling His call in your life.
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What to do when life knocks you down
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. - Hebrews 10:36
A story is told that Andrew Jackson's boyhood friends just couldn't understand how he became a famous general and then President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent, but never succeeded like little "Andy" did.
One of Jackson's friends said, "Why, Jim Brown was not only smarter, but he could beat Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now." Another friend responded, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn't they usually say three times and you're out in wrestling?"
"Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat. Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andy would always beat him."
Picking up on that idea, it's been said, "The thing that counts is not how many times you are beat, but whether you are willing to stay that way." In life, you will face setbacks, but what really matters is whether or not you take courage and go forward in faith despite the challenges and even defeats you will encounter.
The real battle is the Lord's. So when it comes to facing life's struggles, get back up when you get hit because in Christ, your victory is already won!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the strength to get back up when life knocks you down and remind you that your victory is already won!
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Waiting Patiently for God's Perfect Timing
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. - 1 John 5:14
There was a family who had a small Scottish terrier who would go to their back door and bark and bark until someone finally got the message and let it out. One day, a handyman had come to do some work on the house while everyone else was gone. That little dog took up his station at the back door and barked incessantly all day.
When the family returned home to find the handyman finishing up, he told them about how the dog had been barking all day at the door. The homeowner told him that his neighbors had said the same thing. "The sad thing is," the owner said, "it never occurs to the little guy that all his barking is totally useless when no one's home to hear!"
The Christian prayer life can sometimes feel like that little dog, can't it? You pray and pray, and often years can go by with no answer until you begin to wonder, "Is anyone even home up there?"
But God's timing is perfect. He knows what you need and when you need it. His timing for answering prayer is never early and never late. So instead of becoming discouraged that no one is hearing your prayers, remember that God knows what's best and will always work everything out for those who love Him!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to teach you patience as you wait for His perfect timing to answer your prayers.
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What if you're wrong?
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. - Romans 12:3
For centuries, people believed that Aristotle was right when he said that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Anyone, of course, at any time, could've taken a heavy object and a light one and dropped them both from a great height to see whether or not the heavier object landed first. But no one did until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle's death.
In 1589, Galileo summoned learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then he went to the top and pushed off a ten-pound and a one-pound weight at the same time. To their amazement, both landed at the very same instant. The power of belief was so strong, however, that the professors denied their eyesight. They continued to say Aristotle was right!
Modern physics today proves Galileo was correct. Yet it's astonishing that these learned men, despite seeing reality before their eyes, would rather assume their preconceptions were correct than accept a new idea.
Very often, it's our preconceptions and prejudices that cause division among the body of Christ. Even some of the most faithful men and women are guilty of assuming their way of doing things is the right way simply because that's how it's always been done. But true humility pushes our own agendas to the side and puts God's agenda first.
So instead of leaning on what you've always thought, trust in what the Bible says is true with fresh eyes, putting your own preconceived notions aside and promoting unity among believers instead of division.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you areas where you've assumed your way is the only way. Pray that He would release you from that and be a force for unity among the body of Christ.
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Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. --Psalm 119:105
Bob Mumford gives a great analogy on how you can discover God's will in his book, Take Another Look at Guidance. He says that one particular harbor in Italy can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between very dangerous rocks and shoals. Numerous ships have sunk over the years because the passage is so hazardous.
To alleviate this danger, three lights have been mounted on three tall poles in the harbor to guide the ships safely into port. When these lights are lined up perfectly and seen as one, a ship can proceed safely up the narrow channel to its destination. But if the ship's pilot sees two or three lights, he knows he's off course and in danger.
In his book, Mumford says that God has also provided three beacons to guide us in our spiritual journey down life's narrow and often perilous path. The same rules of navigation apply to us as believers. Three lights must be lined up for us to proceed safely.
The three harbor lights of spiritual guidance are:
1. The Word of God
2. The Holy Spirit
3. Circumstances
God uses the combination of these to lead us on our journey through the often difficult passages of life.
Are you on the right path? Or have you fallen off course? When we follow this three-point navigational path along our spiritual journey, we know that God will lead us safely in His way.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to direct you along the path He wants you to take. Pray that He would reveal the three harbor lights of spiritual guidance to you each and every day as you journey through life.
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Jesus said]: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." --Matthew 23:27-28
At her launch in 1936, the Queen Mary was the largest ship to sail the oceans. She served faithfully for four decades, even through a world war, until she was retired in a Long Beach, California harbor.
After her retirement, she was transformed into a hotel and museum. During the conversion, she was given a complete facelift. Her three gigantic smokestacks were taken down to be scraped and repainted. But once on the dock, they crumbled as soon as the makeover began.
Nothing was left of the ¾-inch steel plates that had once formed the stacks. All that remained were more than thirty coats of paint, which had been applied over the 40 years she was at sea. The steel had rusted away and left the stacks without substance.
Similarly, when Jesus called the Pharisees "whitewashed tombs," He meant they had no substance. They were merely concerned with externals...how they appeared before others. Jesus said, "On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matthew 23:28).
Oh that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, would never be compared to the Pharisees! As children of the King, we must "first clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean" (Matthew 23:26).
The Scripture says God does not look at outward appearances or the things that man looks at, but instead He looks at the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). Seek daily a pure heart and your outward appearance will reflect your inner beauty and God's love.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to cleanse and purify your heart, removing anything unclean from your life. Pray that He would create in you the inner beauty of His love,shining through to a lost world.
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Avoiding the danger of overconfidence in yourself
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.... - Philippians 3:3
When it comes to overconfidence, golf legend Arnold Palmer recalls a tough lesson he once learned in a tournament:
"It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, 'Congratulations.'
"I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus. On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trap, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters.
"You don't forget a mistake like that; you just learn from it and become determined that you will never do that again. I haven't in the 30 years since."
It can be easy to act like Arnold Palmer on that day and put too much confidence in yourself for faithful obedience. But the truth is that no one has the ability alone to live the Christian life. We're just not good enough to do that!
Don't make the mistake of becoming overconfident in your ability to obey Christ. Instead, trust in Jesus to live out a life of faithful obedience through you. That's how you can honor God with your life!
Prayer Challenge
Ask Jesus to live out faithful obedience through you so that you can honor God with your life!
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Are you too easily satisfied?
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. - 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Over 2,000 years ago, a young Greek artist named Timanthes studied under a respected tutor. After several years, the teacher's efforts seemed to have paid off when Timanthes painted an exquisite work of art. Unfortunately, he became so enraptured with the painting that he spent days gazing at it.
One morning when he arrived to admire his work, he was shocked to find it blotted out with paint. Angry, Timanthes ran to his teacher, who admitted he had destroyed the painting. "I did it for your own good. That painting was slowing your progress. Start again and see if you can do better."
Timanthes took his teacher's advice and produced Sacrifice of Iphigenia, which is regarded as one of the finest paintings of antiquity. Yet he never would've painted such a masterpiece had he remained too easily satisfied with what he'd done up to that point.
When it comes to their relationship with Christ, Christians all too often remain so satisfied with where they are that they forget where they need to be going. This was the apostle Paul's point in today's passage, where he told the Corinthians they needed to move beyond the status quo and grow in their walk with Christ.
Maybe today you've found yourself so easily satisfied with how things are that you're not growing in your faith. Look ahead. God has something great in store for you if you're willing to grow in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would not let you be too easily satisfied with how you are today and help you look forward to growing in Christ!
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Fostering inclusiveness in the Body of Christ
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. - Colossians 3:11
One Sunday morning in 1865, a black man entered a prominent and fashionable church in Richmond, Virginia. When Communion was served, he walked down the aisle and knelt at the altar. A rustle of resentment swept the congregation. How dare he! After all, believers in that church used a common cup to take communion.
Then all of a sudden, a very distinguished layman stood up, walked forward to the altar, and knelt beside the black man. It was Confederate General Robert E. Lee. With General Lee setting the example, the rest of the congregation soon followed his lead and joined the two in communion.
Since the Civil Rights movement began, our nation and our culture have been become dramatically more inclusive in terms of race. People of all races learn together, eat together, ride on the bus together, and worship together. What wonderful progress our country has made!
Yet despite this overall change in attitude, racism and ethnocentrism still persist among many individuals and communities today. But God's Word tells us that in Christ, everyone has been made one. Our standing in Christ isn't determined by our skin color, our culture, or our country of origin. We're all one in Jesus!
As Christians, it's our role to be an antidote against prejudice by accepting all people of all colors into the fold of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you identify and eliminate prejudice attitudes in your life.
Questions for Thought
Over your lifetime, has God worked in your heart when it comes to your attitudes toward people of other races?
How can you help foster racial inclusiveness in our nation and our churches today?
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This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. --1 John 3:10
John Hess-Yoder, a missionary in Laos, once told this story:
"While serving as a missionary in Laos I discovered an illustration of the kingdom of God. Before the colonialists imposed national boundaries, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas.
"Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were considered Laotians.
"On the other hand, those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses on the ground, and decorated them with Chinese-style dragons were considered Vietnamese.
"The exact location of a person's home was not what determined his or her nationality. Instead, each person belonged to the kingdom whose cultural values he or she exhibited."
It is the same with believers. We live in the world, but not of it. Instead, we are children of God's kingdom. Therefore, we are to live according to His holy standards and values in this life.
The Scripture says, "He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. ... No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:7-9).
If you are a believer, it should be easy for others to tell what makes you different from them. Just as the Laotians and Vietnamese could be easily defined according to their cultural values, we as Christians should also always be easily identified as followers of Jesus Christ and His values.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to integrate His values, morals, and biblical standards into every area of your life. Pray that you would be easily identifiable to the world as a follower of Jesus.
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You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord. --Leviticus 18:4-5
Author Timothy Munyon once wrote:
"While living in Florida, I had several friends who worked cleaning rooms at a nationally known inn located directly on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. They spent their work breaks running barefoot in the sand. The problem was the inn required all employees to wear shoes at all times while working.
"I noticed the employees responded in one of two ways.
"The majority thought the rule restricted their freedom. The rooms had shag carpeting, delightful to bare toes, and just a few steps away lay the beach. To them the rule to wear shoes was nothing more than employer harassment.
"But a minority of the employees looked at the rule differently. Sometimes late night parties would produce small pieces of broken glass. Occasionally a stickpin would be found hidden in the deep shag piles. Some knew the pain of skinning bare toes on the steel bed frame while making a bed. This minority saw the rule as protection, not restriction.
"Were God's laws written to make life miserable? Or were they written by a loving heavenly Father who cares about His children?"
Deuteronomy 11:1 says, "Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws, and his commands always."
Over and over again in Scripture, followers of Jesus are admonished to obey the commands and laws of the Lord. Many believe these "laws" are meant to restrict Christians from living a free and happy life. Others realize they are meant to provide certain boundaries for believers as a form of protection while walking with the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the laws, commands, and biblical boundaries found in His Word. Pray that He would bring them to your mind as you walk daily with Him.
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How to lean on God in days of doubt
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. - Psalm 14:1
Pastor and author Ravi Zacharias shares a story from British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge about a conversation he had with Svetlana Stalin, the daughter of Josef Stalin. She spent some time with Muggeridge in his home in England while they were working together on their BBC production on the life of her father.
According to Svetlana, as her father lay in his bed during his final hours, he suddenly sat halfway up in bed, clenched his fist toward the heavens once more, and fell back upon his pillow, never to be revived.
The incredible irony of his whole life is that at one time, Josef Stalin had been a seminary student preparing for the ministry until he made a decisive break from his belief in God. This dramatic and complete reversal of conviction that resulted in his hatred for all religion is why Lenin had earlier chosen Stalin and positioned him in authority. And as Stalin lay dying, his one last gesture was a clenched fist toward God, his hard heart in defiance of God's very existence.
Every Christian, at one time or another, experiences doubt when it comes to faith. And there are two reactions you can have toward doubt: you can let it harden your heart or you can use it to build your faith even more by leaning more into God and watching Him work. So when doubt creeps in, don't shake your fist. Rely on God all the more and you'll be amazed at what He does!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would strengthen your faith in Him whenever doubt arises!
Questions for Thought
What are some times in your life when you've experienced doubt when it comes to your faith?
When you think back on God's work in your life, how does that reaffirm His existence, His goodness, and His faithfulness toward you?
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How to stand firm in the face of pressure
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58
Back in the early 1990s, it was no secret that President George H. W. Bush was not a fan of broccoli. In fact, his distaste for the vegetable was so strong that he actually banned it from Air Force One. This embroiled the entire nation in a "broccoli discussion," prompting broccoli growers to dispatch 10 tons of the vegetable free to Washington D.C.
Yet the President reiterated his distaste with gusto:
I do not like broccoli and I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli. Now look, this is the last statement I'm going to have on broccoli. There are truckloads of broccoli at this very minute descending on Washington. My family is divided. For the broccoli vote out there: Barbara loves broccoli. She has tried to make me eat it. She eats it all the time herself. So she can go out and meet the caravan of broccoli that's coming in.
Talk about not bending under pressure! In the face of so much criticism and demand to change his ways, the President took a stand and told the world he was sticking to his guns!
If only more Christians today would stand firm like this in the face of the world's pressure to compromise and relent in their own enthusiasm for the Gospel. So when you're pressured to give in and water down your faith, remember that if one man can stand firm against a vegetable, you can stand firm for Jesus Christ!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you stand firm for your faith when you feel pressured to back down.
Questions for Thought
Can you think of a time when you were pressured to compromise on what you knew was the right thing to do?
How can you be more intent on standing for your faith even when you might receive some criticism?
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The reward of good accountability
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2
Former New York Yankee great Mickey Mantle recalls that as a teenager in the minor leagues he began playing poorly. Discouraged, homesick, and feeling sorry for himself, Mantle tearfully called his father to come to take him home. When the elder Mantle arrived, Mickey expected sympathy and reassurances.
But instead, Charles Mantle jarred his strapping son by saying, "Okay, if that's all the guts you've got, you might as well come home with me right now and work in the mines." Snapped awake, Mickey Mantle stuck it out that year—and wrote his name in history as one of the greatest baseball players to ever live.
Many times, we need a good kick in the pants to help us stay focused on what's really important. This is because it's so easy to get lost in the mundane and difficulty of our current circumstances that we lose sight of the big picture—we miss the forest for the trees! And it's in those times that you need people who will gently and lovingly steer you back in the right direction toward what's really important.
Keep a group of close friends around you who love you enough to spur you on to obedience to God's calling in your life. Mickey Mantle made history because of his baseball abilities. And you can impact eternity if you'll simply have those people in your lives who will love you enough to remind you of what really matters!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for God to reveal to you people in your life who you can ask to hold you accountable when you need it.
Questions for Thought
Can you think back to a time in your life when you let fleeting circumstances lead you to a wrong decision?
How many people can you name right now who, if they saw you making a wrong decision, would love you enough to let you know?
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Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. --Deuteronomy 7:9
"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up across the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies)...."
So begins Edward George Bulwer-Lytton's Paul Clifford, a novel containing what is widely considered one of the worst opening lines ever penned. So bad, in fact, that the English department at San Jose State University sponsors a whimsical competition every year challenging those who enter to write the worst novel opening possible!
Despite Bulwer-Lytton's shortcomings as an author, did you know he coined several phrases still used today? Phrases like "the almighty dollar" and "the pen is mightier than the sword." He also served as Interior Secretary of Canada, and a town in British Columbia bears his name. But unfortunately, he is most famous for that "dark and stormy night" opening line to his novel!
What about you? What legacy will you leave one day? When your family and friends think of you, what will come to mind?
The book of Deuteronomy gives us a sober warning that the consequences of our sin will affect those who come after us. But in the verse above, it also promises that God will keep His covenant of love for thousands of generations for those who love him and keep His commandments.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to enable you to leave a lasting legacy for Him.
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Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. --Matthew 28:19
The great Christian evangelist, D.L. Moody, was once asked to speak at a convention in Indianapolis.
One afternoon, he asked the convention's song leader to meet him on a street corner downtown at about 6 pm. When Ira Sankey got there, Moody had him stand on a overturned box and sing. This unusual spectacle attracted quite a crowd.
After speaking briefly, Moody persuaded most of the crowd to follow him to a nearby meeting place. They followed in droves and listened intently as Moody shared the good news of Jesus.
Too soon, the convention delegates started arriving, and Moody had to stop preaching. He said simply, "Now we must close, as the brethren of the convention wish to come and discuss the topic 'How to reach the masses'!"
So often, we think we have to have special training or special knowledge to tell others about Christ.
But like Moody, maybe all you need to do is be creative...and think of simple ways you can share Christ with others.
Maybe it's fixing dinner for your next-door neighbor. Maybe it's making a hospital or nursing home visit with a nice card or some flowers.
Whatever it is, God wants you to share His love with those around you. Don't think or talk about sharing your faith any longer...just go out and do it!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone with whom you can share His love and plan of salvation today.
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Avoiding what hampers your heavenly focus
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the very first man in recorded history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. But within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed his record by 1.4 seconds. So on August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race.
As they moved into the final lap, Landy held the lead and it looked as if he would win. But as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question, "Where is Bannister?" As he turned to look, Bannister, just behind him, took the lead and won the race. Landy later told a reporter, "If I hadn't looked back, I would have won!"
As Christians, one of the most important things we can do is to focus on what really matters—God. But the problem is that very often, we become so consumed with the minutia of daily life that we allow it to take our eyes off of the ultimate prize. This causes us to become distracted, often losing ground in our walk with Christ.
But if we keep our eyes on Jesus and don't allow sin and distractions of the world to pull us aside (Hebrews 12:1), we'll maintain our heaven-focused perspective on the challenges when they arise. So don't let the small stuff take your attention away from what really matters. Keep your head forward and your eyes on the cross, and you're guaranteed victory at the finish line!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you stay focused on Him when you're tempted to let life's challenges distract you.
Questions for Thought
Can you think of some times when you've allowed earthly distractions to come between you and God?
What are some potential distractions you have in your life today you should be careful not to let hamper your heavenly focus?
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Who can you really trust?
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. - Psalm 146:3-5
In the early 15th century, the kings of both Italy and Bohemia promised safe transport and safe custody to the great pre-Reformation reformer, John Hus. Both, however, broke their promises, leading to Hus being burned at the stake in 1415.
The great British statesman Thomas Wentworth had once even carried a document signed by King Charles I which read, "Upon the word of a king you shall not suffer in life, honour, or fortune." It was not long, however, before Wentworth's death warrant was signed by the very same monarch!
If anything is sure in life, it's that there's very little that's sure in life! This is especially true when it comes to putting your faith in the rulers of the world. Yet so often, Christians are as guilty as anyone of saying, "If we can only get so-and-so elected, things will be great." History goes to show this just isn't the case.
In whom do you place your faith? Is it in the princes of the world who talk a big game and promise you anything that will get them more votes? Or, are you firmly committed in your faith to Jesus who is eminently greater than any earthly ruler? Princes will let you down, but Jesus never will!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for wisdom and discernment when it comes to politics—that you'd stay committed to Jesus, who is greater than any earthly ruler!
Questions for Thought
What are some instances when you've been guilty of trusting in man more than you trust in God?
What attitude should you have when you support a political candidate or cause that will help you stick to your convictions but avoid creating an idol?
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The best payback you'll ever have
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. - Luke 6:35
Georges Clemenceau was twice the prime minister of France, and played a major role in the treaties that concluded WWI. At the Paris Peace Conference, Clemenceau was on his way to a meeting with President Woodrow Wilson's adviser when he was shot at by a young anarchist named Emile Cottin.
As Clemenceau's car sped away, Cottin fired at least six more shots, one of which struck Clemenceau near his heart. Clemenceau very narrowly avoided death. But after Cottin was captured and the death penalty was demanded, Clemenceau asked for leniency, recommending eight years in prison "with intensive training in a shooting gallery."
It was a little good humor at a time which could've been filled with bitterness and hatred that showed Clemenceau wasn't holding a grudge against his attacker. And while most people won't ever face someone who wants to kill them, they find it so difficult to have that same kind of attitude of forgiveness.
In life, people are going to let you down and disappoint you. They are going to say bad things about you and insult you to your face. Yet how you respond to those who treat you that way says much about your relationship with your heavenly Father. So instead of harboring bitterness, forgive and show mercy to those who wrong you. It's the best payback you can have!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you strength when others insult you. Pray He'll help you show them mercy instead of harboring bitterness.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think it's so difficult to show forgiveness and mercy to those who wrong us?
Think back to a time when you received unmerited forgiveness for something you did wrong. How did that make you feel?
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As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." --Psalm 103:12
When a reporter once asked former Cowboys running back Walt Garrison if he had ever seen legendary Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry smile, he replied, "No, but I was only there nine years."
The first few years Landry coached in Dallas, he had little to smile about. The new Cowboys expansion team barely won a game and, shortly after his arrival, the country suffered a tragic blow when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
The dark cloud of Kennedy's assassination would hang over Dallas for years. It was an open wound that didn't seem to heal.
But this all changed when Landry led the Dallas Cowboys to their first Super Bowl win in 1972. The city that was once known as the city that killed JFK became the home of the Super Bowl champions, the Dallas Cowboys!
As I thought about this story, it made me wonder, do you ever feel like you have a dark cloud hanging over your life? Is there something in your past you are ashamed of...or something you just don't think you can overcome?
The enemy likes to remind you of your past and keep you under a dark cloud of guilt and regret. He wants to rob you of joy and hurt the witness you could have for Christ.
But don't let him! Romans 8:1 says, "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
As a Christian, you don't have to live under a cloud of guilt because Jesus paid the price for your mistakes and failures at Calvary. So claim this promise today. Because Jesus wants you to live in victory!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the forgiveness of your sins and praise Him that your past mistakes can't keep you from having a bright future.
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The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song. --Psalm 28:7
In American history, Abraham Lincoln is lauded for his dynamic leadership during the Civil War. He's praised for the eloquent words of his Gettysburg address. And he's immortalized as the man who freed the slaves.
Abraham Lincoln, though, is not so well known for his own private battle with severe depression or for his wonderful remedy to his personal problem: laughter.
For example, Lincoln often told the story of two women who spread rumors in Washington about Confederate President Jefferson Davis and himself.
These women had a conversation comparing the virtues and potential of the two leaders. One said to the other, "I think Davis will succeed because he's a praying man." The other relied, "But so is Lincoln."
"Yes, but when Abraham prays, the Lord will think he's joking!"
Abraham Lincoln had a terrific sense of humor...and he was able to find joy during times when there wasn't a whole lot to laugh about.
What about you? Are you able to find joy and laughter even when your circumstances seem bleak?
Nehemiah 8:10 says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Take comfort and find joy in the knowledge that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, loves you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God by singing a hymn or a chorus and ask the Lord to allow His joy to radiate in you in all circumstances.
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How to experience spiritual renewal
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
There's a story an American Lutheran bishop tells of visiting a parish church in California and seeing a stirring red and orange banner on the wall. "Come Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!" it declared in words printed under a picture of a fire burning. But what really attracted his attention during his Sunday sermon was a sign directly underneath the banner which said: "Fire extinguisher."
Looking down at his sermon notes, the bishop laughed as he thought to himself, "So much for this parish's commitment to spiritual renewal!"
When it comes to spiritual renewal in our lives, many Christians carry around a spiritual fire extinguisher because they're afraid of looking too "extreme" in what they believe or are afraid people will think they're crazy. But if you look at those who've followed Christ most closely in the pages of the Bible and throughout history, you'll find that while many of them were looked down upon for their faith, they were also well respected among believers and non-believers alike for sticking to their convictions.
So instead of trying to control the fire of the Holy Spirit in your life, let it burn free, moving to every area and consuming all you are as you're transformed by the renewing of your mind!
Prayer Challenge
Offer your entire self to God and allow Him to consume everything you are!
Questions for Thought
If someone were to ask those whom you interact with every day about how committed you are to God, what do you think they would say?
What are some areas of your life today in which you need to let God's fire burn away the impurities and give wholly to Him?
:angel:
Your most priceless possession
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." - Matthew 13:44
Vincent van Gogh first began to experiment with impressionist techniques during his Parisian period, the time from 1886 until 1888. The Dutch artist wrote to his sister in 1887: "Last year, I painted almost nothing but flowers to accustom myself to colors other than grey, namely pink, soft or vivid green, light blue, violet, yellow, orange, beautiful red."
In 1993, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam announced that it had authenticated a previously unknown work of the painter from the Parisian period. Purchased at a French flea market after World War II by a Swiss family and kept in their attic, Still Life (Vase With Flowers) fetched millions of dollars at auction.
Quite often, we don't see the immediate value of what we have. This is especially true when it comes to our riches in heaven. You see, what you have in Christ is much more valuable than any riches the world could throw your way. Yet many people treat their relationship with Jesus as an inconvenience or a burden they're just hanging onto in hopes of eternal life.
The most priceless possession you have is your salvation in Jesus Christ. God's great gift to you will never be surpassed in its value. So treasure it... and consider it more valuable than anything else you own!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the salvation He's offered to you in Jesus Christ. Pray that you'd continue to hold Him higher than anything else!
Questions for Thought
Have there been times in your life when you've treated the world's riches as more valuable than your relationship with God?
How can you avoid thinking of Jesus as just insurance against hell and move to a point where you're building a real relationship with Him?
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The importance of physical and mental rest
Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." - Mark 2:27
In ancient Athens, Greece, a man one day noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing games with some small children. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in a useless activity. Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the Athenian, "If you can, tell me what the unstrung bows implies."
Puzzled, the man looked at it for several minutes but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. So Aesop explained, "If you keep a bow always bent, it will eventually break. But if you let it go slack once in awhile, it will be more fit for use when you need it."
Much like that bow, people need to take time now and again to rest. God rested on the Sabbath day after creating the world. He also prescribed a Sabbath day of rest for Israel in the Old Testament. Jesus also lays out a pattern of rest for Christians now in verses like today's.
Set aside a special time every week to relax physically and renew yourself emotionally and spiritually. Even if you don't work every day, you still need time to separate yourself from the worries and anxieties of the world. When you take time to "loosen the bow" now and then, you'll be at your very best to be used for the Lord!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you be disciplined to separate yourself from the world regularly so you can be at your best!
Questions for Thought
What are some of the stresses you encounter that "bend your bow"?
What's the best time and place for you to get away at least once a week to refresh and renew your body and spirit?
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But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. --Psalm 86:15
In 1859, a prominent French banker named Jean-Henri Dunant set off to see Napoleon about a financial transaction.
Running late, however, he found himself on a hilltop watching in horror as Napoleon's troops engaged in a brutal battle with the Austrians below. The images Dunant saw of the young dying soldiers and the wounded crying out in pain seared into his mind.
Then the next day, he saw a similar scene in a small, neighboring town. After a battle, terrified refugees were huddled together...and the wounded and dead lay everywhere. And as a result, Dunant decided to postpone his trip to visit Napoleon to stay and comfort the wounded solders and care for the frightened citizens.
This experience ignited a passion in the heart of Jean-Henri Dunant, and he started a crusade to help those in need. His efforts eventually won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, and the organization he founded, the American Red Cross, continues to help millions around the world today.
Like Jean-Henri Dunant, you've probably seen something that touched your heart and made you think differently. You've probably seen someone in need and wanted to help.
Unlike Dunant, however, you may not know what you can do to help those in need. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Anything you do for others in the name of Jesus, whether it's as simple as donating canned goods to your local food bank, supporting a local charity with a financial gift, or going on a short-term mission trip, is blessed in the eyes of God.
This should challenge each of us to go out of our way to help those in need! I hope you'll take time today and every day to show the love and compassion of Christ to someone who needs it.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for opportunities where you can show compassion to others, and thank Him for the kindness He has shown you.
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. --John 3:16
It all began with a single red paper clip.
Kyle McDonald of Montreal, Quebec wanted to see if he could eventually barter for a house in less than a year starting with only a red paper clip.
So first, he went online and traded the red paper clip for a pen that looked like a fish. That fish pen soon became a homemade doorknob...that became a camping stove...then a generator...and so on.
Near the end of his year-long trading spree, McDonald bartered a rare snow globe for a movie role. Then the small town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, offered to trade McDonald a three-bedroom house for the movie role, which they planned to auction off.
McDonald agreed and achieved his goal. From a mere red paper clip, he gained a house!
Have you ever thought about how valuable you are? You're so valuable, so priceless, that God made the ultimate trade for you! John 3:16 says He gave his only Son so that you could spend eternity with Him! You mean that much to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the worth He sees in you and praise Him for His gift of eternal life.
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How to prepare yourself to face each day
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - Matthew 4:4
A story is told of a man who challenged another to an all-day wood chopping contest.
The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break. The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day. At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had.
"I don't get it," he said. "Every time I looked at you, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did."
"But you didn't notice," said the winning woodsman, "that I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest."
Very often, Christians can become a lot like that that challenger. They step out into the battle of the Christian life, trying to live by their own power, only to find that they've made it more difficult. That's because they never take time to get into God's Word and "sharpen their ax" before they actually face the Christian life.
It's easy to think that the more you "do", the more effective you'll be in the spiritual life. But instead of blowing and going so much, spend time every day reading and meditating on the Bible. Ask God to help you live life to the fullest, and be better prepared to face the day by sharpening your ax with the word of God!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you find the time to read and meditate on His word regularly.
Questions for Thought
How often do you spend time "sharpening your ax" by getting into God's Word?
What goal can you set today for reading your Bible consistently over the next month? Every day? Several times a week?
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The virtue of taking responsibility
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God." - Acts 5:1-4
Some years ago, a former American astronaut took over as head of a major airline. He was determined to make the airline's service the best in the industry. One day, as the new president walked through a particular department, he saw an employee resting his feet on a desk while the telephone on the desk rang incessantly.
"Aren't you going to answer that phone?" the boss demanded. "No, sir. This isn't my department," answered the employee nonchalantly, apparently not recognizing his new boss. "I work in maintenance."
"Not anymore you don't!" snapped the president.
Recently, author John G. Miller wrote a book called The Question Behind the Question, where he discusses the epidemic of shunning personal responsibility that's so prevalent among people today. His argument is that we'd be much more fulfilled in life if we'd simply take responsibility when we're supposed to.
This is not a new concept. In fact, as you see in today's story of Ananias, it's biblical. As Christians, we're to accept responsibility, even when things don't go the way they should. So whatever your responsibilities are in life, be quick to accept them. When you do, you'll find that while you may get blame when things go wrong, you'll receive praise when they go well!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the courage to accept responsibility even when things don't go how they should.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think it's tempting to shun responsibility when things don't go the way they should?
How can you practice maintaining responsibility even if it means accepting blame for things going wrong?
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Where to find true security
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. - John 10:28
The famous author and pastor F. B. Meyer wrote about two Germans who wanted to climb the Matterhorn. They hired three guides and began their ascent at the steepest and most slippery part. The men roped themselves together in this order: guide, traveler, guide, traveler, guide.
They had gone only a little way up the side when the last man lost his footing. He was held up temporarily by the other four because each had a toehold in the niches they had cut in the ice. But then the next man slipped, and he pulled down the two above him. The only one to stand firm was the first guide, who had driven a spike deep into the ice.
Because he held his ground, all the men beneath him regained their footing. F. B. Meyer concluded his story by drawing a spiritual application. He said, "I am like one of those men who slipped, but thank God, I am bound in a living partnership to Christ. And because He stands, I will never perish."
Because of God's great love for us, those who are in Christ are planted firmly and secure in His loving arms. So thank God today for His faithfulness to you in Christ. And if you haven't done so, trust in Jesus today to forgive your sins and place yourself securely in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Give God thanks that He's faithful to you and trust Him fully for the forgiveness of your sins!
Questions for Thought
What does your security in Jesus Christ say about how much God loves you?
Because you're firmly planted in Christ by faith in Him, what kind of confidence do you have when it comes to facing life and facing the afterlife?
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Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. --Psalm 20:7
While serving in World War I as a merchant marine, British actor Herbert Marshall was required to wear a foul-smelling life jacket.
He hated wearing the putrid preserver, and at the close of the war, contemptuously tossed the repulsive object overboard in celebration. He then watched in horror as the long-tormenting object sank like a rock!
Like Herbert Marshall, you and I often put our security in things that really won't save us. Things like material possessions, finances, and job status...even things like our own good works.
In Jeremiah 17:5, God warns us, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD." But two verses later He says, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."
So I want to ask you an honest question today: Who (or what) do you put your confidence in? If your trust isn't in Jesus Christ, you're holding onto a life preserver that will sink when you need it the most!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God that He is trustworthy, and ask Him to help you fully put your trust and confidence in Him.
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The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. --Proverbs 28:1
In 1996, Reverend Joe Wright, pastor of a large church in Wichita, Kansas, bravely stepped to the microphone of the Kansas House of Representatives to open a session in prayer.
But it wasn't the generic prayer to which the congressmen were accustomed. In part, he said:
"We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism....
"In the name of choice, we have killed the unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed the abortionists....
"We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment."
He then asked for wisdom and forgiveness and closed the prayer in Jesus' name.
As you can imagine, Wright's prayer caused quite an uproar. But he stood strong...and said he wouldn't apologize for stating what was true.
In today's secular and Godless culture, we need more people like Reverend Wright to take a bold stand for Jesus...people who aren't afraid of declaring and defending the truth of God as revealed in His Word.
Are you one of those people? When was the last time you took a stand for Christ? Maybe it wasn't in front of a room full of congressmen, but perhaps in a personal conversation with an unbelieving friend.
Today, I want to challenge you to memorize the verse at the beginning of this devotional, and live it out in your daily life.
As a believer, you have the truth on your side! So you can be as bold as a lion as you live the Christian life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you be bold and strong in your witness for Him.
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For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:10
Pablo Picasso painted thousands of pictures in his lifetime. And as his fame as an artist grew, so did the number of forgeries of his work.
One day, a fellow artist brought the famous painter one of his supposed works of art.
"A fake!" Picasso exclaimed.
Not long afterwards, the friend returned with two more paintings for the master to inspect. "Forgeries!" he told the artist again. The dumbfounded artist sputtered, "I saw you paint this last one with my own eyes!"
Picasso shrugged, "Sometimes I paint fakes."
In your life as a Christian, do you ever feel that you're just "painting a fake"? Do you ever feel more like a forgery than a person who's actually been transformed by the awesome power of Jesus?
Truly becoming who God the Creator intends you to be starts with knowing Him, and knowing what He desires for you. And the best way you can do this is to spend time with God every day, reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer.
I want to challenge you not to settle for what you think Christlikeness looks like. Instead strive to be like Christ by spending time with Him every day!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you more and more like Christ today...and every day.
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The great reward of servanthood
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. - Philippians 2:3-4
A large group of European pastors came to one of D. L. Moody's Northfield Bible Conferences in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. Following the European custom of the time, each guest put his shoes outside his room to be cleaned by the hall servants overnight. But because this was America, there were no hall servants.
Walking the halls that night, Moody saw the shoes and was determined not to embarrass his European brothers. He mentioned the need to some ministerial students who were there, but was met with only silence or excuses. So Moody returned to the dorm, gathered up the shoes, and, alone in his room, the famous evangelist began to clean and polish the shoes. Only the unexpected arrival of a friend in the midst of the work revealed the secret.
When the foreign visitors opened their doors the next morning, their shoes were shined. They never know by whom. Moody told no one, but his friend told a few people, and during the rest of the conference, different men volunteered to shine the shoes in secret.
D. L. Moody was a man with a servant's heart, which was the basis of his true greatness. And while many might consider his act of service as that of someone who was "super spiritual", all it took was humility to do what he did. In the same way, God calls us to humility each and every day—to live out the love and life of Christ to a watching world around us!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the humility it takes to show Christ's love to a watching world.
Questions for Thought
Think of a time when you truly served others with a humble heart. How did it make you feel?
What specifically can you do today to look out for others' interests and serve them with a humble heart?
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The importance of aligning yourself with God's will
Trust in the LORDwith all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6
An Australian physics professor used to illustrate the time of descent of a free-falling body by allowing a heavy ball suspended from the lecture-theater roof trusses to fall some 30 feet and be caught in a sand bucket. Each year the bucket was aligned meticulously to catch the ball—and each year students jokingly moved the bucket to one side so that the ball crashed thunderously to the floor.
Tiring of this rather stale joke, the professor traced a chalk line around the bucket. The students moved the bucket as usual, traced a chalk mark around the new position, but then rubbed it out and replaced the bucket in its original spot. "Aha!" the professor exclaimed, seeing the faint outline of the erased chalk mark. He moved the bucket over it and released the ball—which thundered to the floor as usual.
Quite often in the Christian life, it's easy to second-guess God's will. We see where He wants us, but are much more comfortable aligning ourselves with our own desires for life. And when the ball of hard times drops, it should be no surprise that it crashes to the floor!
So instead of going your own way and second-guessing God, align yourself with His will found in Scripture, trusting fully that you'll be safe in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to help you align yourself with His will and give yourself wholeheartedly to obeying it.
Questions for Thought
What are some areas of your life today where you feel you aren't aligned with God's will?
How can you align yourself with God's will in those areas and trust His way over your own?
:angel:
Where you can find real healing
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. - Psalm 103:11-12
A drunken husband snuck up the stairs quietly one evening as his wife was sleeping. He looked in the bathroom mirror and bandaged the bumps and bruises he'd received in a fight earlier that night. He doctored himself up, then proceeded to climb into bed, smiling at the thought that he'd pulled one over on his wife.
When morning came, he opened his eyes and there stood his wife. "You were drunk last night weren't you!"
"No, honey. I wasn't."
"Well, if you weren't, then who put all the Band-Aids on the bathroom mirror?"
Many people today are much like that husband. They look into the mirror of their lives, see their scars, and do the best they can to bandage themselves up, replacing "bad behavior" with "good behavior." But the reality is when they do that, they're simply putting bandages on a mirror and doing nothing to really heal the sin in their lives.
But in Christ, you have a whole hospital of spiritual healing at your disposal that takes the sin in your lives and doesn't just hide it, but separates it from you as far as the east is from the west. So instead of just trying to be a "good person" trust fully in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and experience healing in His name!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you get beyond just being a "good person" to fully trusting in the forgiveness Christ offers from sin.
Questions for Thought
What are some sins in your life you've tried to cover up just by being a "good person"?
How does it make you feel to know that your forgiveness isn't based on your performance, but on Christ's finished work on the cross?
:angel:
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. --Ecclesiastes 8:15
Paul Tournier, a well-known Christian psychiatrist, gives insight to the subject of happiness in his book, The Seasons of Life. He says:
"True happiness is always linked with deep, inner harmony. It therefore always implies an acceptance of one's age; the acceptance of no longer being a child when one has reached the age of adulthood, and the giving up of the goals of active life when one is advanced in years.
This is the age of retirement, which for some [people] can be a meaningful experience, while for others it is a cruel trial. ... Those who complain about their retirement are usually the same ones as those who used to complain about their work and longed to be set free from it!"
There's no room after retirement for a bitter, complaining spirit. So, why does it seem so many people are unhappy? Experts reported not long ago that only 20 percent of Americans are happy. The relentless message from society is that we must buy certain things or go specific places to experience happiness. If happiness is not a permanent condition in us, then there must be problems in our lives.
But, most people don't experience a lifelong state of happiness. Happiness is a choice...even if only a few moments each day. Think about the last few days...maybe you had an unexpected visitor drop by, a letter came from an old friend, or someone may have complimented you. Moments like those are the ones that make the seemingly "bad day" disappear in a flash.
:angel:
Tomorrow, stop and notice the sunset, listen to the birds outside your window sing sweet songs, or drink up the peaceful serenity of a rain shower. Then, you will see the happiness that God desires for you to experience.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the sweet moments of happiness that He gives each day.
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. --Ecclesiastes 8:15
Paul Tournier, a well-known Christian psychiatrist, gives insight to the subject of happiness in his book, The Seasons of Life. He says:
"True happiness is always linked with deep, inner harmony. It therefore always implies an acceptance of one's age; the acceptance of no longer being a child when one has reached the age of adulthood, and the giving up of the goals of active life when one is advanced in years.
This is the age of retirement, which for some [people] can be a meaningful experience, while for others it is a cruel trial. ... Those who complain about their retirement are usually the same ones as those who used to complain about their work and longed to be set free from it!"
There's no room after retirement for a bitter, complaining spirit. So, why does it seem so many people are unhappy? Experts reported not long ago that only 20 percent of Americans are happy. The relentless message from society is that we must buy certain things or go specific places to experience happiness. If happiness is not a permanent condition in us, then there must be problems in our lives.
But, most people don't experience a lifelong state of happiness. Happiness is a choice...even if only a few moments each day. Think about the last few days...maybe you had an unexpected visitor drop by, a letter came from an old friend, or someone may have complimented you. Moments like those are the ones that make the seemingly "bad day" disappear in a flash.
Tomorrow, stop and notice the sunset, listen to the birds outside your window sing sweet songs, or drink up the peaceful serenity of a rain shower. Then, you will see the happiness that God desires for you to experience.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the sweet moments of happiness that He gives each day.
:angel:
How to recognize truth in the midst of lies
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
James 1:18
One of the most elaborate hoaxes in broadcast history was an April Fool's joke played on the British Broadcasting Corporation's current affairs program Panorama, with its rather dignified host Richard Dimbleby relating a story about the annual spaghetti harvest filmed in a Swiss-Italian spaghetti orchard.
For the segment, the producers and cameramen actually flew to Switzerland and hung spaghetti on trees in an orchard. They then filmed local women climbing ladders with baskets and pulling the spaghetti off of the trees and filling their baskets full! And with guitar music added into the background, the final product was complete.
At the end of the three-minute film Richard Dimbleby said, "Now we say goodnight to this first day of April." In spite of that hint, the next morning it was surprising the number of people who didn't recognize that the spaghetti harvest was a hoax. The BBC had pulled a big one off on countless viewers across Britain!
It's amazing how when something is presented to us by a credible source, we'll often believe it without any questions. This is true when it comes to the lies of the enemy and the world, which often lure Christians into false beliefs. So don't be hoodwinked by what the world says is true. Instead, focus on what God says is true and trust fully in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you wisdom to discern His truth from the world's lies.
Questions for Thought
What are some lies the world tries to tell us that are contrary to Scripture?
How can you be more consistent in immersing yourself in God's truth so you'll be able to tell what's true and what's not?
:angel:
How do you feel about change?
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2
In his book, Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel recalls how a close friend of his was asked back to his forty-year high school reunion. For months he saved to take his wife back to the place and the people he'd left four decades before. The closer the time came for the reunion, the more excited he became.
The day came to leave. Tim recalls how, as he drove the couple to the airport, their energy was almost contagious. "I'll pick you up on Sunday evening, and you can tell me all about it," he told them. "Have a great time."
Sunday evening arrived. As this couple got off the plane, they seemed almost despondent. So Tim asked his friends, "Well, how was the reunion?"
"Tim," the man said, "it was one of the saddest experiences of my life. It wasn't what happened but what didn't happen. It has been forty years, and they haven't changed. They had simply gained weight, changed clothes, gotten jobs... but they hadn't really changed."
People choose not to change. They grow content with the status quo and live there the rest of their lives. But God has called us to grow, to break out of young, inexperienced ways of thinking, and to develop into fully devoted followers of Him. So for His sake, be willing to grow in your faith, getting a swift kick when you need it, and following Him ever more each day!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for God to give you a "swift kick" in the right direction when you need it so you can follow Him more each day.
Questions for Thought
In what areas of your life do you resist change the most?
How can you become more open to change, allowing the Lord to give you a "swift kick" in the right direction when you need it?
:angel:
How you can be set free from sin
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Romans 6:6-7
Canadian journalist Thomas Costain described the life of Raynald III, a fourteenth-century duke in what is now Belgium. Grossly overweight, Raynald was commonly called by his Latin nickname, Crassus, which means "fat."
After a violent quarrel, Raynald's younger brother Edward led a successful revolt against him. Edward captured Raynald, but decided to not kill him. Instead, he built a room around Raynald in the Nieuwkerk castle and promised him he could regain his title and property as soon as he was able to leave the room.
This would not have been difficult for most people since the room had several windows and a door of near-normal size, and none was locked or barred. The problem was Raynald's size. To regain his freedom, he needed to lose weight. But Edward knew his older brother, and each day he sent a variety of delicious foods. Instead of dieting his way out of prison, Raynald grew fatter.
Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn't released until after Edward died in battle. By then his health was so ruined he died within a year—a prisoner of his own appetite.
What is it about sin that so easily draws us in? While we read the story of Raynald and shake our heads in disbelief, we're no different when we choose sin and self-indulgence over the abundant life Christ offers. So instead of sin, choose Christ, who died for you so you could experience freedom from the chains of disobedience!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to empower you to recognize sin and overcome it every day!
Questions for Thought
What are some areas in your life that sin has drawn you in?
How can you trust Christ to overcome sin in these areas and experience the joy of freedom?
:angel:
Where to unload life's heavy burdens
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22
In his famous book, Believe and Belong, Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ:
"Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the RCA Building on Fifth Avenue. In the entrance of that building is a gigantic statue of Atlas, a beautifully-proportioned man who, with all his muscles straining, is holding the world upon his shoulders.
"There he is, the most powerfully-built man in the world, and he can barely stand up under this burden. 'Now that's one way to live,' I would point out to my companion, 'trying to carry the world on your shoulders. But now come across the street with me.'
"On the other side of Fifth Avenue is Saint Patrick's Cathedral, and there behind the high altar is a little shrine of the boy Jesus, perhaps eight or nine years old, and with no effort he is holding the world in one hand. My point was illustrated graphically. We have a choice. We can carry the world on our shoulders, or we can say, 'I give up, Lord; here's my life. I give you my world, the whole world.'"
Surrender is a difficult thing. Yet according to the Bible and countless testimonies, it's the only way to live. Maybe today you feel like Atlas, carrying the world on your shoulders. But the One who created the world is the only One who can truly bear its incredible weight. So give your worries and cares to God today, surrendering your life fully and wholeheartedly to Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and give your heavy burdens over to God and allow Him to lighten your load.
Questions for Thought
What are some heavy burdens you feel like you're carrying around today?
How specifically today could you unload those burdens onto God, trusting fully in His provision for your life?
:angel:
How to emotionally open yourself to God
Jesus wept. - John 11:35
Tears are a fundamental aspect of the human condition. Christian author Calvin Miller writes in his book, The Valiant Papers, on crying,
Crying is common in this world. It does little good to ask the reason for it. [Earth] is what one might call a weeping planet. Laughter can be heard here and there, but by and large, weeping predominates. With maturity the sound and reason for crying changes, but never does it stop. All infants do it everywhere—even in public. By adulthood most crying is done alone and in the dark. Weeping, for babies, is a sign of health and evidence that they are alive. Isn't this a chilling omen?
Not laughter but tears is the life sign. It leaves weeping and being synonyms.
Yes, weeping and being are synonymous. Yet today, crying is seen as a sign of weakness, an emotion which should be suppressed for the sake of "being strong" in front of others. It leaves us to wonder, then, as to when in our lives this becomes the case. As Miller says, crying is a sign of life among children. But somewhere along the way, this changes.
Maybe today you need to shed a few tears with God. You've let emotions build up inside of you for so long that you need to get alone with God and weep. Open your emotional self to God and be fully known as you live your life authentically before Him.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a heart of flesh, and that you'd live authentically before Him when it comes to your emotions.
Questions for Thought
When is the last time you cried?
What emotions have you built up inside of you that need to come out?
:angel:
How to recognize truth in the midst of lies
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. - James 1:18
One of the most elaborate hoaxes in broadcast history was an April Fool's joke played on the British Broadcasting Corporation's current affairs program Panorama, with its rather dignified host Richard Dimbleby relating a story about the annual spaghetti harvest filmed in a Swiss-Italian spaghetti orchard.
For the segment, the producers and cameramen actually flew to Switzerland and hung spaghetti on trees in an orchard. They then filmed local women climbing ladders with baskets and pulling the spaghetti off of the trees and filling their baskets full! And with guitar music added into the background, the final product was complete.
At the end of the three-minute film Richard Dimbleby said, "Now we say goodnight to this first day of April." In spite of that hint, the next morning it was surprising the number of people who didn't recognize that the spaghetti harvest was a hoax. The BBC had pulled a big one off on countless viewers across Britain!
It's amazing how when something is presented to us by a credible source, we'll often believe it without any questions. This is true when it comes to the lies of the enemy and the world, which often lure Christians into false beliefs. So don't be hoodwinked by what the world says is true. Instead, focus on what God says is true and trust fully in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you wisdom to discern His truth from the world's lies.
Questions for Thought
What are some lies the world tries to tell us that are contrary to Scripture?
How can you be more consistent in immersing yourself in God's truth so you'll be able to tell what's true and what's not?
:angel:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
--Colossians 3:12
In 1935, on a winter night, Fiorello LaGuardia, the mayor of New York City, showed up at night court in the poorest part of the city. He let the judge go for the evening and he took over the bench.
A woman in torn clothing, charged with stealing a loaf of bread, was brought to stand before LaGuardia. She told LaGuardia that her son-in-law had deserted her extremely sick daughter, and that her grandchildren were starving. The shopkeeper refused to drop the charges, however, saying she needed to be punished.
LaGuardia sighed, turned to the old woman, and said, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail."
As soon as he pronounced the sentence, however, LaGuardia took a $10 bill out of his pocket and threw it into a hat. And he said: "Here's the $10 fine, which I now remit. Furthermore, I'm going to fine each person 50 cents in this courtroom for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The next day, a New York newspaper reported that $47.50 was turned over to the grandmother who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren.
Today, give encouragement or show kindness to someone who wouldn't expect it from anyone else. Christ came to give life and show mercy to those less fortunate and those who are sinners—not the high and mighty. Restore the joy in your life by giving of your time and energy to those who don't have the blessings that you do.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone who is less fortunate than you, so you can extend to him or her the same kindness that Christ first showed you.
:angel:
How do you feel about change?
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. - 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
In his book, Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel recalls how a close friend of his was asked back to his forty-year high school reunion. For months he saved to take his wife back to the place and the people he'd left four decades before. The closer the time came for the reunion, the more excited he became.
The day came to leave. Tim recalls how, as he drove the couple to the airport, their energy was almost contagious. "I'll pick you up on Sunday evening, and you can tell me all about it," he told them. "Have a great time."
Sunday evening arrived. As this couple got off the plane, they seemed almost despondent. So Tim asked his friends, "Well, how was the reunion?"
"Tim," the man said, "it was one of the saddest experiences of my life. It wasn't what happened but what didn't happen. It has been forty years, and they haven't changed. They had simply gained weight, changed clothes, gotten jobs... but they hadn't really changed."
People choose not to change. They grow content with the status quo and live there the rest of their lives. But God has called us to grow, to break out of young, inexperienced ways of thinking, and to develop into fully devoted followers of Him. So for His sake, be willing to grow in your faith, getting a swift kick when you need it, and following Him ever more each day!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for God to give you a "swift kick" in the right direction when you need it so you can follow Him more each day.
Questions for Thought
In what areas of your life do you resist change the most?
How can you become more open to change, allowing the Lord to give you a "swift kick" in the right direction when you need it?
:angel:
In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. - Psalm 71:1
When things come up in my life, oftentimes my first instinct is to take action and correct whatever may be wrong. This is true for most men. It's a natural male tendency to want to fix what's broken. I'm sure some of the ladies reading this can relate to this tendency as well.
The problem is that my first instinct isn't necessarily my best course of action. An impulsive reaction to a situation can sometimes make it much worse. Instead of seeking the Lord and asking for guidance, we may rely on our wealth, our reputation, or our own know-how to get a job done. But often this can lead to negative results.
Consider Jonah. His first instinct was to run. In fact, when God called Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh, he went as far in the opposite direction as possible. And it was only due to his eventual acceptance of God's will that an entire city was spared the Lord's fury. Jonah knew he had a difficult task set before him, but he fled from God instead of seeking shelter from God.
How different the story would have been if Jonah had simply taken refuge in the Lord from the beginning! Jonah could have spared himself a lot of misery and shame by finding refuge in the Lord.
How much of our own anguish has been caused by an unwillingness to submit to God? Sometimes we would rather stand in the cold alone than experience warmth and safety in the sanctuary of the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for refuge today by granting you strength and peace of mind.
:angel:
How you can be set free from sin
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. - Romans 6:6-7
Canadian journalist Thomas Costain described the life of Raynald III, a fourteenth-century duke in what is now Belgium. Grossly overweight, Raynald was commonly called by his Latin nickname, Crassus, which means "fat."
After a violent quarrel, Raynald's younger brother Edward led a successful revolt against him. Edward captured Raynald, but decided to not kill him. Instead, he built a room around Raynald in the Nieuwkerk castle and promised him he could regain his title and property as soon as he was able to leave the room.
This would not have been difficult for most people since the room had several windows and a door of near-normal size, and none was locked or barred. The problem was Raynald's size. To regain his freedom, he needed to lose weight. But Edward knew his older brother, and each day he sent a variety of delicious foods. Instead of dieting his way out of prison, Raynald grew fatter.
Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn't released until after Edward died in battle. By then his health was so ruined he died within a year—a prisoner of his own appetite.
What is it about sin that so easily draws us in? While we read the story of Raynald and shake our heads in disbelief, we're no different when we choose sin and self-indulgence over the abundant life Christ offers. So instead of sin, choose Christ, who died for you so you could experience freedom from the chains of disobedience!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to empower you to recognize sin and overcome it every day!
Questions for Thought
What are some areas in your life that sin has drawn you in?
How can you trust Christ to overcome sin in these areas and experience the joy of freedom?
:angel:
Where to unload life's heavy burdens
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22
In his famous book, Believe and Belong, Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ:
"Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the RCA Building on Fifth Avenue. In the entrance of that building is a gigantic statue of Atlas, a beautifully-proportioned man who, with all his muscles straining, is holding the world upon his shoulders.
"There he is, the most powerfully-built man in the world, and he can barely stand up under this burden. 'Now that's one way to live,' I would point out to my companion, 'trying to carry the world on your shoulders. But now come across the street with me.'
"On the other side of Fifth Avenue is Saint Patrick's Cathedral, and there behind the high altar is a little shrine of the boy Jesus, perhaps eight or nine years old, and with no effort he is holding the world in one hand. My point was illustrated graphically. We have a choice. We can carry the world on our shoulders, or we can say, 'I give up, Lord; here's my life. I give you my world, the whole world.'"
Surrender is a difficult thing. Yet according to the Bible and countless testimonies, it's the only way to live. Maybe today you feel like Atlas, carrying the world on your shoulders. But the One who created the world is the only One who can truly bear its incredible weight. So give your worries and cares to God today, surrendering your life fully and wholeheartedly to Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and give your heavy burdens over to God and allow Him to lighten your load.
Questions for Thought
What are some heavy burdens you feel like you're carrying around today?
How specifically today could you unload those burdens onto God, trusting fully in His provision for your life?
:angel:
How to find rescue from your pain
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:1-5
A man put up a sign in his yard that read "Puppies for Sale." Among those who came to inquire was a young boy from the neighborhood. "Please, mister," he said, "I'd like to buy one of your puppies."
"Well, son, they're $25."
The boy looked crushed. "I've only got two dollars and five cents. Could I see them anyway?"
"Of course," said the man.
The lad's eyes lit up at the sight of those five little balls of fur. "That one has a bad leg," said the man. "I'm afraid she'll be crippled for life."
"Well, that's the puppy I want. Could I pay for her a little at a time?"
The man responded, "But she'll always have a limp." Smiling bravely, the boy pulled up one pant leg, revealing a brace. "I don't walk good either." Then, looking at the puppy, he continued, "I guess she'll need a lot of love and help. I sure did. It's not so easy being crippled."
"Here, take her," said the man. "I know you'll give her a good home. And just forget the money."
Because of sin in our lives, we're just like that little crippled puppy. But when Jesus looks at you, He also looks down at His nail-pierced hands and feet and says, "I'll give you a good home." It's because of those scars that He can sympathize with your pain and weakness and calls you home to be with Him forever!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that, despite the sin and shame that covers us, Jesus Christ rescued us from sin so that we could have eternal life!
Questions for Thought
How does it make you feel that Jesus rescued us from the curse of sin and brings you to eternal life?
What response should we have to Christ's invitation to live with Him forever?
:angel:
Does your life point others to Jesus?
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
A story is told of a man who would stop every morning to pick up the early edition of the newspaper at a small grocery store. One morning when he arrived at work, the man found that by mistake he had taken two newspapers instead of one. He first thought of paying the grocer the extra price the next morning. But then after a moment's consideration, he got in his car, drove back to the store, and returned the paper.
About a week later, the shop owner discovered that someone had stolen money from the grocery store. When police pinpointed the time it occurred, the grocer remembered only two people being in the store at the time—and one was the man who had returned the paper.
The grocer immediately dismissed the man as a suspect, saying, "That man is really honest. He came all the way back here just to return a newspaper he took by mistake." The police then focused their investigation on the other man, who soon made a full confession. This man's honesty made a big impression on that non-Christian storeowner.
As Christians, our walk should always resemble our talk. This is especially true in the eyes of a watching world, whose impressions and opinions of Christianity are formed based upon their interactions with Christians. So when it comes to honesty, live far above reproach, letting your good works shine in a dark world and bringing glory to God!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you live the kind of life that points others to Jesus Christ.
Questions for Thought
Up to this point, how would you say you've done at living a life that points others to Christ?
What are some areas of your life today where you can be a light to people who don't know Jesus Christ?
:angel:
How to persevere through any trial
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12
As a young man, film director Robert Flaherty spent many months in the far north looking for iron ore and cod. He found neither, but he did shoot 70,000 feet of film in his travels. Someone encouraged him to edit the film and make a documentary, which Flaherty spent weeks doing.
But just as he finished, a match from his cigarette dropped among the celluloid, consuming the entire film and burning Flaherty badly. His response to the disaster was a determination to return to the far north and make a film of Eskimo life "that people will never forget." He did just that, and the result was the classic 1922 documentary Nanook of the North.
What Robert's story can teach us today is that setbacks are going to take place in life. We're going to experience health problems. Finances won't always be as abundant as we'd like. And, relationships will be strained at times. Yet it's not those trials that define us, but how we persevere through them with hopeful, prayerful patience that God is going to do something great.
When others look at your life, they won't define you by your struggles, but how you faithfully persevered through them. So whatever you might be facing today, know that in Christ, you have everything you need to keep going forward with your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you stay true and faithful when struggles come your way.
Questions for Thought
In what areas of your life today are you experiencing trials? Are you struggling to persevere?
What does it look like for you to joyfully, prayerfully persevere through those trials?
:angel:
How to avoid being tempted to sin
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16
Picture yourself walking on a set of train tracks when a train starts coming at you from behind. If the train engineer sees you on a track, he or she will blow the whistle. But at this point, you already have a few things going against you.
First, train engineers say often it takes more than one blast to get the average person's attention. And large trains can't stop the way motor vehicles can because the average freight train has about 100 cars, weighs 12 million pounds, and takes a full mile to stop.
Not only that, but an optical illusion happens with train tracks. When you turn around and see a train coming, it looks as if it is traveling half as fast, and is two times farther away from you than it really is. For example, if it is going 60 miles per hour and is half a mile away, it looks as if it is traveling 30 mph and is one mile away.
Now it's easy to read those facts above and come to the logical conclusion that walking along train tracks is unsafe. Yet in the spiritual life, many people are content to walk along the train tracks of sin, which is much more elusive and dangerous than a train on a set of tracks!
Whatever your sin struggle is, don't walk on the tracks. Avoid the sin that could potentially entangle you by guarding yourself against temptation!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you the strength to resist sin, especially the sin in your life that is particularly tempting.
Questions for Thought
What are some sins in your life that could potentially sneak up on you if you're not looking?
How can you take action to avoid temptation to commit those sins?
:angel:
What baggage are you carrying?
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Many Christians today treat their spiritual life like motor homes. You see, the motor home has allowed us to put all the conveniences of our normal life on wheels. A camper no longer needs to contend with sleeping in a sleeping bag, cooking over a fire, or hauling water from a stream. Now he can park a fully equipped home in the midst of a few pine trees and hook up to a water line, a sewer line, and electricity.
Many people buy motor homes with the hope of seeing new places and getting out into the world. Yet when they deck it out with the same furnishings as their living room and never set foot outside of it, nothing really changes. They drive to new places, set themselves in new surroundings, but they've only carried along their old baggage!
Real life in Christ begins when we let go of the comfortable patterns of our old life and embrace a newness of life that, while it may be different, is so much better.
Maybe today you'd have to admit that you've carried your familiar old habits with you into your relationship with Christ. You're hanging onto those old habits because they're just comfortable. Don't treat your spiritual life like a motor home. Instead, make it an adventure, living each day fully dependent on God to meet your needs!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you break free from old patterns of negative behavior and live a new life in Christ.
Questions for Thought
What are some old patterns of behavior you've carried with you into your Christian life?
What would it look like for you to let go of those old behaviors and live fully dependent on God for fulfillment?
:angel:
Can you trust the mediator?
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. - 1 Timothy 2:5
A folk story is told of the bandit Jose Rivera who became notorious in several little towns in Texas for robbing banks and businesses. Finally a Texas Ranger caught up with Jose as he was taking a siesta at a local saloon.
He walked over to the sleeping bandit, tapped him on the shoulder, and asked, "Are you Jose Rivera?" The man mumbled, "No speak English." The ranger beckoned a young barkeep to help him communicate. The ensuing conversation was tedious. Finally, the ranger warned Jose Rivera that he had two choices: let him know where all the loot was hidden, or be shot dead instantly. The young man translated the ultimatum.
Jose Rivera pulled himself together and said to the young man, "Tell him to go out of the bar, turn to the right, go about a mile, and he will see a well. Near the well he will see a very tall tree. If he digs on the north side of the tree, he will find all of the money I have taken."
The young man turned to the ranger, opened his mouth, paused, and then said, "Jose Rivera says, 'Go ahead and shoot!'"
Very often, we find ourselves reliant on an intermediary to transmit a message to us. Yet the reliability of the message we receive is only as good as the mediator. But in Christ, we have a perfect mediator, who gave us the message of eternal life that came from God. So thank God today for sending Jesus as the perfect mediator that we may know Him!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that He sent Jesus Christ to be a mediator so that you can know Him!
Questions for Thought
What does it mean to you that God sent a mediator, Jesus Christ, so that you can have a relationship with Him?
How can you let others know that God has made Himself accessible through Christ?
:angel:
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:2
Today's verse is fascinating. Because according to the writer of Hebrews, you and I have the chance to entertain angels when we open our homes up to strangers!
But more than opening yourself up to entertaining angels, being hospitable and serving others is a tangible way you can show the love of Christ to those who don't know Him. In fact, Christ commanded that we should love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matt. 22:39).
As you get older, serving and entertaining does become more difficult. But there are still ways you can love your neighbor without exhausting yourself. For instance, doing little things like letting someone merge into your lane in traffic or simply talking to someone who appears lonely. It doesn't take much energy to show someone you love and care about them!
Today, think about ways you can serve and be hospitable towards others. And remember, you just might be serving an angel!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you creative ways to serve and entertain others who may not know Him.
:angel:
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. - Titus 2:2
Few passages in Scripture apply to older men exclusively. Which is why I'm so grateful the Lord gave us today's verse!
After listing the attributes of a qualified elder in the church, Paul instructs Titus on the character of mature men in general. He first lists three qualities: temperance, dignity, and self-control. Then, he follows that with three areas in which senior men should be grounded: faith, love, and endurance.
All of these qualities work in concert with each other. Temperance indicates a level of restraint. You should practice moderation. If you cannot exercise this quality, you'll certainly risk undignified behavior. It could even result in public embarrassment and loss of respect. Such actions do not indicate self-control.
Older men should also strive to be "sound in faith, in love and in endurance." James 1 tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. If you are grounded in your faith, then a natural side-effect should be spiritual endurance. Paul also reiterates the importance of love. We are always to be acting from a position of love.
Men, look at these qualities. Examine them as a checklist. How are you doing in each of these areas? Where could you use a little more work? In what area do you have consistent success? Tomorrow, I'll turn my attention and focus on the Paul's characteristics for older women.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for strength in the area you are most lacking. Then thank Him for success in the area where you are most unwavering!
:angel:
Trusting Christ when it means rejection
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. - Philippians 3:8
At his father's funeral, American track and field star Carl Lewis placed his 100-meter gold medal from the 1984 Olympics in his father's grave. "Don't worry," he told his surprised mother. "I'll get another one."
A year later, in the 100-meter final at the 1988 games, Lewis was competing against Canadian world record holder Ben Johnson. Halfway through the race, Johnson was still five feet in front. Lewis was convinced he could catch him. But at 80 meters, he was still five feet behind. "It's over," Lewis thought. As Johnson crossed the finish, he stared back at Lewis and thrust his right arm in the air, index finger extended.
Lewis was exasperated. He had noticed Johnson's bulging muscles and yellow-tinged eyes, both indications of steroid use. "I didn't have the medal, but I could still give to my father by acting with class and dignity," Lewis said later. He shook Johnson's hand and left the track.
Then came the announcement that Johnson had tested positive for anabolic steroids. He was stripped of his medal. The gold went to Lewis, a replacement for the medal he had given his father.
There are times that standing firm for what you believe will result in you losing. You might lose respect from those you want to please. You could lose a job. You may even lose friendships. But when the pressure is on, stand firm in your faith knowing that a better reward is on the way!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to help you do what's right even when it means losing something. And thank Him that a much better reward is on the way!
Questions for Thought
As you think back on your life, are there times when being a believer in Christ has cost you something?
What would your life look like today if you had no fear of rejection and lived fully for Christ?
:angel:
Keeping your focus where it belongs
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2
A pastor tells a story of how he spent a summer teaching in Mexico and took both of his children with him. To pass the time as they drove, his 13-year-old son watched for license plates. The trip to Mexico netted him plates from 24 states!
So when they started back, the son was almost halfway to having seen plates from all 50 states. And their return trip would take them through Yellowstone National Park—a license plate collector's paradise. By the morning of the second day there, he had just one more state to go: Delaware.
When the three stopped to see Yellowstone's magnificent sights, the boy wouldn't even glance at them. He preferred to run up and down the parking lots, looking at license plates. He had become so obsessed with finding that Delaware plate, it was as if his life depended on it. When they stopped near the picturesque Yellowstone Falls, he kept looking for license plates.
"Come here! You've got to see it!" the father heard. As they ran to the parking lot, they saw a blue Volkswagen bus with Delaware license plates. The family still has that picture, and even today, that picture that tells more about what they did in Yellowstone than anything else.
It's easy to become so focused on the petty things of life that you miss the big things that really matter. So don't let life's distractions keep you from focusing on God. Instead, concentrate on what really matters in life: knowing God and making Him known!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would reveal to you the things in your life that compete for His attention and ask Him to help you focus on Him over and above everything else.
Questions for Thought
What are some things in your life today that are competing for God's attention?
How can you put those things into perspective so that you don't miss God because of trivial things?
:angel:
Is knowledge enough to save?
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. - James 2:19
When General Douglas MacArthur was a young West Point student, he was asked to give a report on a section of reading about the time-space relationship later formulated by Einstein as his Theory of Relativity. The reading was incredibly complex and, being unable to comprehend it, MacArthur committed the pages to memory.
When he was called upon to give his report, he solemnly reeled off almost word for word what the book said. The instructor looked at him somewhat quizzically and asked, "Do you understand this theory?"
"No, sir." You could've heard a pin drop in the lecture hall. The student braced himself and waited. And then the slow words of the professor: "Neither do I, Mr. MacArthur. Section dismissed."
Is often easy to know something without understanding or accepting it. You can know that Jesus Christ came to earth, died for your sins, and rose again, but never really accept it for yourself. Today's passage says even demons believe the things of God, but they are certainly not saved by it!
Instead of just letting the Bible be head knowledge, know it in your heart. Meditate on God's Word so that it becomes more than what you believe, but what you truly accept!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you eyes to see and ears to hear and accept His message of salvation.
Questions for Thought
Throughout most of your life, would you say you've been more of a "knower" or an "accepter" of the things of God?
What can you do to move from simple head knowledge to a heart knowledge of the Gospel?
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The incredible value of what God's given you
However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"—the things God has prepared for those who love him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9
When the Western Union company asked the great inventor Thomas Edison to "name his price" for the ticker he had invented, Edison asked for a few days to think it over. His wife suggested he ask for $20,000, but Edison thought that was too much.
So when the time came for the meeting, the Western Union official asked Edison for his price. Edison wanted to say $20,000, but couldn't get the words out of his mouth. So the official broke the silence. "Well, how about $100,000?"
It's sometimes easy to undervalue things that haven't come to full fruition yet. Edison hadn't really seen the full potential of his world-changing invention, so he wasn't aware of its incredible value. The same is often true of salvation. You see, no living person has seen what God has prepared for those who love Him, but its true value is beyond what anyone could imagine.
As a believer, what you have in Jesus Christ is the most valuable thing in the world. Yet there are still those who take it for granted, using it as license to live as they please. But a Christian who knows its value will live every day in thankfulness to the glory of God.
Live today in light of your salvation, giving thanks to God and doing everything to bring honor to Him!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for His saving work in you and pray your life would bring glory to Him!
Questions for Thought
What are some times in your life when you might have taken God's salvation for granted?
What would it look like for you to live each day in thankfulness, bringing honor and glory to Him?
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How to emphasize the eternal in your life
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. - Philippians 3:8
Professional golfer Tommy Bolt was playing in Los Angeles and had a caddy with a reputation of constant chatter. Before they teed off, Bolt told him, "Don't say a word to me. And if I ask you something, just answer yes or no."
During the round, Bolt found the ball next to a tree, where he had to hit under a branch, over a lake and onto the green. He got down on his knees and looked through the trees and sized up the shot. "What do you think?" he asked the caddy. "Five iron?" "No," the caddy said.
"What do you mean, not a five iron?" Bolt snorted. "Watch this shot."
The caddy rolled his eyes. "Nooo, Mr. Bolt."
But Bolt hit it and the ball stopped about two feet from the hole. He turned to his caddy, handed him the five-iron and said, "Now what do you think about that? You can talk now."
"Mr. Bolt," the caddy said, "that wasn't your ball."
Quite often in life, it's easy to expend time and energy on things that are ultimately meaningless. Just like Tommy Bolt hit the wrong ball, many people also put an enormous amount of effort into shots that don't count for anything when life is over.
When it comes to how you spend your time, do things that count. Spend your energy on things that bring glory to God—growing in His Word, fellowshipping with other believers, and loving those that don't know Him.
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you when you are putting too much time and energy into things that have no eternal significance.
Questions for Thought
What are the temporal things in your life today on which you'd admit you've placed too much emphasis?
What are the things of eternal significance that you can put more time and energy into today?
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How you can avoid spiritual immaturity
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. - Ezra 7:10
In a survey conducted by the Barna Research Group, nearly 1/3 of all born-again Christians stated that all good people will go to heaven, whether they have embraced Jesus Christ or not.
Another astonishing fact found was that while 88% in a recent poll believe Jesus Christ was a real person, what they believe about Him differs sharply from Scriptural teaching. About 42% (even a quarter of the "born again" Christians) believe that while on earth, Jesus sinned just like other people. Around 61% believe the devil is just a symbol of evil, not a living being. And 54% think that if people are good enough, they will earn a place in heaven regardless of their religious beliefs.
As shocking as many of those statistics are, especially those that deal with "born-again" Christians, there's a very important inference that can be made from them: people aren't growing in their faith.
You see, many people who are raised in a "Christian" home learn the basics of the faith. Then, when they're about 10 to 12 years old, they begin coasting spiritually. And very often they coast for decades, until one day when they're 50, and they realize they have the biblical knowledge of a 10-year-old.
Don't allow yourself to coast in the spiritual life. Instead, like the prophet Ezra, grow deeper in God's Word by devoting yourself to studying and observing it every day!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you insight and discipline to study His Word regularly to avoid coasting through life spiritually.
Questions for Thought
Are there areas in your spiritual life where you've been guilty of just coasting? What are they?
What's a practical plan for you to get in God's Word regularly to avoid the problem of spiritual immaturity?
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Finding reward in life's challenges
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. - Exodus 19:5
Almost everyone has heard of Paul Revere's midnight ride to warn American patriots of advancing British soldiers during the American Revolution. But few have heard of Israel Bissel, a humble post rider on the Boston-New York route.
After the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, Bissel was ordered to raise the alarm in New Haven, Connecticut. He reached Worchester, Massachusetts, normally a day's ride, in just two hours. There, according to tradition, his horse promptly dropped dead.
Pausing only to get another mount, Bissel pressed on and by April 22, he was in New Haven—but he didn't stop there! He rode on to New York, arriving April 24, and then stayed in the saddle until he reached Philadelphia the next day. Bissel's 126-hour, 345-mile ride signaled American militia units throughout the Northeast to mobilize for war.
In the Christian life, God often calls us to challenging tasks that, while difficult, ultimately bring about good. Perhaps He challenges us to step out in faith and help mend a broken relationship. Or, maybe He calls us to step out in faith and share the message of salvation with another person. While tasks like these aren't always easy, they'll always be blessed.
So be willing to do the hard things for God so that in due time, you'll receive abundant blessings!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a heart that's willing to do great things for Him even when they seem challenging.
Questions for Thought
Are you typically eager to accept challenges in life or are you more prone to do what's safe?
How can you change your perspective to be more eager to do the hard things for God, knowing that the reward will be great?
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The importance of facing life's challenges head-on
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. - 1 Corinthians 16:13
Researcher Spencer Silver from 3M was curious about what would happen if he mixed an unusual amount of monomer into a polymer-based adhesive he was working on. The result was an adhesive that would "tack" one piece of paper to another and even re-stick, without leaving any residue on the second piece of paper.
The company had no use for the new adhesive until 3M chemist Arthur Fry began having problems in the choir loft. The slips of paper he used to mark pages in his hymnal often fluttered to the floor, leaving him frantically searching for his place. Then he remembered Silver's adhesive. Fry's better bookmark soon metamorphosed into the handy Post-it Notes that have become a fixture in offices throughout the world.
It's very often true in life that some of the greatest things are born out of challenges. Had Arthur Fry not have reached a point of frustration with his hymnal, offices all over the globe today might not be filled with those florescent little sticky notes that have now become so commonplace.
Instead of giving up when you encounter a challenge or a struggle in your life, find out what God is doing. Seek Him and ask Him what He wants to accomplish through it. Because when you have the courage to face life's challenges head-on, you never know the impact it will have!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the courage not to back down when challenges come your way.
Questions for Thought
As you look back at your life up to now, have you typically seen challenges as something to be avoided or embraced? Why is that?
What tangible steps can you take to become more resilient in the face of life's challenges?
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Appreciating the blessings of others in your life
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. - Hebrews 3:13
A story was told of a man who loved old books. He met an acquaintance who had just thrown away a Bible that had been stored in the attic of his ancestral home for generations. "I couldn't read it," the friend explained. "Somebody named Guten-something had printed it."
"Not Gutenberg!" the book lover exclaimed in horror. "That Bible was one of the first books ever printed. Why, a copy just sold for over two million dollars!" His friend was unimpressed. "Well, this one wouldn't have brought a dollar. Some fellow named Martin Luther had scribbled all over it in German."
Sometimes you don't know the value of what you have until it's gone. There are people in your life who become so commonplace... you see them every day, talk with them, but you're never truly grateful for the blessings they bring to your life. Then one day, by death or something else, they're gone, and you realize how important they really were to you.
Don't take others in your life for granted. Instead, be thankful to God for the friends and family He's given you. And let those special people in your life know you care about them while you have the time. Be diligent to express appreciation for those you have today!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you those in your life who need to hear you appreciate them.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think people tend to take others in their lives for granted?
How can you show those in your life who've blessed you with their friendship and love that you appreciate them and don't take them for granted?
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I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. --1 Timothy 1:12
In the early 1900s, a policeman walking his beat in Chicago observed a man standing before a mission. His hat was in his hand, and the officer thought he was acting strange. Thinking the man might be drunk or ill, the policeman approached him to find out what was going on. He noticed that his eyes were closed, so he nudged him and said, "What's the matter? Are you sick?"
The man looked up, smiled, and said, "No, sir. My name is Billy Sunday. I was converted right here in this mission. I never pass this way without taking the opportunity, if possible, to stand quietly for a moment and whisper a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord."
The officer understood and smiled back at Billy Sunday. Giving the evangelist a hearty handshake, the policeman warmly said, "Put 'er there, Bill! I've heard a lot about you! Keep right on with your prayer, and I'll see that no one bothers you."
In his letter to Timothy, Paul reflected on the sinner he once was by saying, "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:13-14).
Jesus came into the world to save sinners like you and me. It is important that we stop often to remember the sacrifice He made on the cross and thank Him for appointing us as ministers of His Gospel.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the salvation you have through Jesus Christ and for calling you to share the truth of His Word. Pray that He would empower and strengthen you daily to be a faithful follower.
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What is the foundation of your life?
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25
On November 25, 1895, a cornerstone of ice was laid in Leadville, Colorado—the beginning of the largest ice palace ever built in America. In an effort to bolster the town's sagging economy, the citizens staged a winter carnival. On New Year's Day of 1896, the town turned out for the grand opening.
The immense palace measured 450 x 320 feet. The towers that flanked the entrance were 90 feet high. Inside was a 16,000-square-foot skating rink. But by the end of March, the palace was melting away, along with the hopes of Leadville. You see, the tens of thousands of visitors who were anticipated to come did not, and those who did come spent very little, leaving the town's economy in shambles.
Many Christians today also build their own "ice palaces" that eventually melt away. Perhaps they've trusted in money for their security. Maybe they've become codependent with another person to the point where they trust in them for everything. Or, it's possible they've allowed their possessions—their home, their car, or their "toys"—to become their idols.
Each of these things will melt away when summer comes. Money won't last forever; people will let you down; and your possessions won't follow you to heaven! So instead of building castles of ice, build your life on the rock of Jesus Christ so that when summer comes, you'll be standing strong!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to reveal to you things you've built your life on that have no eternal significance.
Questions for Thought
What are some "ice palaces" that many people build their lives on today that eventually melt away?
How can you be diligent to keep your life founded on the rock of Jesus Christ instead of temporary things?
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How to break free from the bondage of sin
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - Hebrews 12:1
In one of his most famous sermons, Pastor J. Alistair Brown told a story of how he passed a massive oak tree as he was walking through a park one day. A vine had grown up along its trunk and had gotten taller and taller. The entire lower half of the tree was covered by the vine's creepers. The mass of tiny feelers was so thick that the tree looked as though it had innumerable birds' nests in it.
The tree was in danger. This huge, solid oak was being taken over; the life was being squeezed from it. But the gardeners in that park had seen the danger. They had taken a saw and severed the trunk of the vine—one neat cut across the middle. The tangled mass of the vine's branches still clung to the oak, but the vine was now dead. This eventually became plain as weeks passed and the creepers began to die and fall away from the tree.
Brown went on to explain that it's so easy for sin, which begins so small and seemingly insignificant, to grow until it has a strangling grip on our lives. And yet, Christ's death has cut the power of sin. Yes, the "creepers" of sin still cling and have some effect. But sin's power is severed by Christ, and gradually, sin's grip dries up and falls away.
Maybe today you find yourself entangled by sin's creeping vines. But the good news is that in Christ, you're dead to sin and alive to God! So take heart that even when sin seems to have you, you have the power of Christ in you to throw off its bondage and live in freedom!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to help you throw off sin's entangling vines and live in the freedom Christ has purchased for you!
Questions for Thought
What are some areas in your life where the vines of sin have entangled you?
How can you break free from those old ways and embrace the freedom Christ has given you?
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The reward of living for today
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. - Romans 13:11
J. Vernon McGee once attributed the secret to his longevity and ongoing strength to the fact that he took 12-14 vitamin pills a day.
One day he saw a man much older than he, and McGee bragged, "There isn't a thing I can't do today that I couldn't do when I was 16!"
The old-timer was astounded, "Really?"
"Yes," McGee replied. "It just shows what a pathetic 16-year-old I was!"
Dr. McGee was onto something that it seems people miss today. So many adults tend to look back on their past and think, "Everything was so great back then," or, "I wish I could just go back and be young for one day." What they don't realize is that there is a tendency in all people to romanticize the past and downplay the present... to see days gone by as better than today.
But God calls us all to have a much healthier outlook. He wants us to have a healthy, balanced view of the past, and look at today as a blessing.
When you're tempted to over-romanticize the past, think about all you've learned since you were very young and count your blessings today. Don't live for what's gone; live for what's here and experience the joy of renewal each day!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the perspective of living your life not in the past, but anew each and every day.
Questions for Thought
What are some stages in life that, as you look back on them, you tend to think were greater than they actually were?
What are the blessings or life lessons you have today that you didn't have when you were younger?
:angel:
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name. --Hebrews 13:15
Throughout all of history, many cultures, nations, and people groups have set aside one time or another to express their thankfulness for various things in life. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day originated with the Pilgrims. While facing extreme hardship, the loss of loved ones, meager supplies, life-threatening illnesses, and severe weather conditions, they still believed it was important to acknowledge their blessings in the midst of their circumstances.
The Pilgrims chose to celebrate God's blessings by sharing a meal with the Native Americans who helped them survive the brutal conditions. How much more would it take for us today, considering all the gifts we currently have, for us to truly give thanks to God for what we have—without a hint of complaining?
It seems that many people have lost the spirit of the original celebration that took place between the Pilgrims and Native Americans. How often do we catch ourselves complaining that our Thanksgiving Day has been spoiled by dreary weather, bad food, or an annoying cold? We should make every day of the year one of thanksgiving—whatever our circumstances!
Billy Graham once wrote, "Ingratitude is a sin, just as surely as is lying or stealing or immorality or any other sin condemned by the Bible. Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you an attitude of gratitude. Ask Him to fill you with thankfulness year round for the things with which He's blessed you.
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And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. --Hebrews 13:16
One of the most popular syndicated newspaper columns of our time is "Dear Abby," the well-known advice column. It was started in 1956 by Abigail Van Buren, the original author. Today it is written by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who continues to offer advice and guidance to people who write in. Several years ago, a "Dear Abby" column, written by Jeanne, included this Thanksgiving Prayer written years before by her mother:
O Heavenly Father:
We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service.
That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.
This prayer parallels the clear teaching of Scripture. Our thanksgiving to God should always be accompanied by remembering those in need and giving praise to the Lord. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name." In addition, we are to remember and serve the hungry, sick, poor, friendless, and imprisoned people in our world.
We are to put actions behind our gratitude to God by serving others. Just being thankful isn't enough. We must share the blessings God has given us with others, and through this God will be pleased. Learn to be thankful for God's many blessings—no matter their significance or value—and remember to think of others who have less than you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you serve others as a way of thanking Him for His many blessings in your life. Pray that the Lord would open up opportunities for you to share and serve others.
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How to get off the spiritual roller coaster
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58
As a wealthy oil tycoon lay on his deathbed, his pastor talked of God's healing power. "Pastor," he gasped, "if God heals me, I'll give the church a million dollars." The pastor gave a wry grin and said, "Yes, sir, I'm sure you would!"
Miraculously, the man was healed and within a few short weeks was out of the hospital. One day several months later, he and the pastor were chatting on the sidewalk in front of the church. "You know," the pastor laughed, "when you were in the hospital dying, you promised to give the church a million dollars if you got well. We haven't got it yet."
"Did I say that?" the tycoon asked. "I guess that goes to show how sick I really was!"
It's interesting how in times of desperation, people tend to become more spiritual, promising God this and that. Yet when those times of desperation pass, they're left with unkept promises and a waning spiritual life.
Instead of living life on a spiritual roller coaster, stay close to God in good times and in bad. Don't treat God like a cosmic Santa Claus who you turn to when you need something. See Him, rather, as a faithful friend who is always with you no matter what you're going through!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you consistency in your walk with Him in good times and in bad.
Questions for Thought
Are there times in your life when you've been on a spiritual roller coaster? What were the circumstances that prompted you to get closer to or further from God?
When times are good, how can you reaffirm your commitment to God and avoid leaning on your circumstances for joy?
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The value placed on your life
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16
Years ago, a Dutch professor took time to calculate the cost of an enemy soldier's death at different epochs in history. He estimated that during the reign of Julius Caesar, to kill an enemy soldier cost less than one dollar.
At the time of Napoleon, it had considerably inflated—to more than $2,000. At the end of the First World War, it had multiplied several times to reach the figure of some $17,000. During the Second World War, it was about $40,000. And in Vietnam, in 1970, to kill an enemy soldier cost the United States $200,000.
What is the value of a human life? At different points in human history, and even to different people, various values have been ascribed. But to God, the price was the life of His Son. And that value was not because we're worthy of it; it was given by God.
We are all sinners worthy of death and separation from God. Yet because God loved us so much, He gave those who are in Christ value and adopted us through the death of His Son, and brings us into eternal life. That's the value God has placed on us as His faithful people!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that He loved and valued you so much that He sent Jesus to die for you so that you can live forever!
Questions for Thought
How does it make you feel to know God valued you so much that He sent His only Son to die in your place?
What can you do to share this wonderful news with others?
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How to love those who ridicule you
Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." - 2 Peter 3:3-4
In 1818, Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis was born into a world of dying women. The finest hospitals lost one out of six young mothers to the scourge of "childbed fever." Back then, a doctor's daily routine began in the dissecting room where he performed autopsies. From there the doctor made his way to the hospital to examine expectant mothers without ever pausing to wash his hands.
Dr. Semmelweis was the first man in history to associate such examinations with the resultant infection and death. His own practice was to wash with a chlorine solution, and after eleven years and the delivery of 8,537 babies, he lost only 184 mothers—about one in fifty.
He spent the vigor of his life lecturing and debating with his colleagues. Once he argued, "While we talk, talk, talk, gentlemen, women are dying. I am not asking anything world shaking. I am asking you only to wash.... For God's sake, wash your hands."
Virtually no one believed him, and Semmelweis died insane at the age of 47, his colleagues laughing in his face. It wasn't until years later that hand washing became a common, life-saving practice among medical professionals.
There will come a day when all will be made known, and those who have scoffed at the gospel will see their error. But until then, stay vigilant in sharing God's message of salvation with a dying world!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the resolve to be vigilant in sharing His message of hope with a dying world.
Questions for Thought
What is a time in your life when others have scoffed at you for what you deeply believed to be true?
How can you persevere in sharing God's message of salvation, even to those who see it as "silly" or "nonsense"?
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The most fruitful way to spend your time
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. - Joshua 1:8
Charles Francis Adams, the 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today—a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father—the most wonderful day of my life!"
It's amazing how two people can see the same thing, yet not see the same thing. Charles Adams saw his day spent fishing as a wasted day—a day when he could've been much more "productive" had he been working. Yet his son saw the time investment as meaningful and loving. What a tragic difference in perspectives.
The only way to tell the difference between wasting and investing is to know one's ultimate purpose in life. For some, time spent praying and reading the Bible is time wasted, when so much more could be done.
Yet for those with the right perspective, it's time with their Heavenly Father, who longs for them to invest their time in Him. So have the right perspective. Spend your time building your relationship with God. It will be the best time you'll ever invest!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you a correct perspective with regard to your time.
Questions for Thought
What are some lies that the enemy puts into your head when you think about spending time in God's Word and praying?
How can you overcome those lies and have the right perspective that time with God is time well spent?
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"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" --Matthew 25:37-40
Once there were two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University. Their funds reached an all-time low, so they got the bright idea to solicit Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski, who was touring the U.S., for a piano recital. They decided they would devote the profits to their board and tuition.
The pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The fearless students worked hard to promote and stage the concert, but wound up only raising $1,600. After the concert, the two students presented the artist with their earnings along with a promissory note for $400 explaining they would earn the amount as soon as possible and send it to him.
Paderewski said, "No, I'm sorry, but that won't do." He tore the note to shreds, returned the money to them, and continued, "Take out of this $1,600 all of your expenses, keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me have the rest."
Years went by and Paderewski became the premier of Poland. As war came upon the world, Paderewski strived to feed thousands of his starving Polish countrymen. Paderewski knew there was only one man in the world that could help his people. He called upon him, and tons of food began to flow into Poland for distribution.
After the people were fed, Paderewski traveled to Paris to thank his friend, Herbert Hoover, for the relief sent. Mr. Hoover replied, "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski. Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and I was in a hole."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to give you the opportunity to serve others in need this season. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you and for taking care of all your needs.
:angel:
Recognizing your value in Christ
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:4-7
The greatest obstacle to being physically handicapped is often not the condition itself but the stigma society still associates with it. Carlene Mattson shared a touching story about her handicapped son, Jeff, in an interview with Focus on the Family. She said,
"Our Lord is still in the business of changing lives, but not always in the ways we expect. Several years ago, Jeff played in a special Little League for kids with disabilities. After many seasons of watching from the bleachers and rooting while his big brother played ball, Jeff's opportunity finally arrived. When he received his uniform, he couldn't wait to get home to put it on. When he raced out from his bedroom, fully suited up, he announced to me, 'Mom, now I'm a real boy!' Though his words pushed my heart to my throat, I assured him he had always been a 'real boy.'"
Very often, our society ascribes value to people based on their contribution to it. So many people who are limited in their capacity to contribute are thought of as less valuable. But the truth is we are valuable because of who we are, not because of how we look or what we accomplish.
Don't base your value on what the world says. Instead, value yourself how God values you as His child because of your faith in Christ!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the incredible value He's placed on you through your faith in Jesus Christ!
Questions for Thought
Think of some times when you've had feelings of "worthlessness." What were the circumstances that brought those feelings on?
How can you remind yourself each day of your value in God's eyes as one of His children?
:angel:
Connecting yourself with the body of Christ
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. - Romans 12:4-5
A churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. The letter read as follows:
"I've gone to church for 30 years now. In that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time, and the pastors are wasting their time."
This started a real controversy in the Letters to the Editor column. It went on for weeks until someone wrote the following clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time, my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
Quite often, people downplay the importance of church attendance simply because it doesn't give them the "spiritual high" they're looking for each and every week. But church doesn't exist to make you feel good. It exists to glorify God!
Stay in church; learn and grow with other believers. While you might not remember everything, you can be sure that if you have a willing heart, you're being transformed into Christ's likeness!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the resolve to remain connected with other believers when you're tempted to do life alone.
Questions for Thought
Have there been times when you've had feelings of isolation? What brought those feelings on?
How can staying connected to other believers encourage you in your daily walk with Christ?
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How you can impact the next generation
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. - Psalm 71:18
In a recent survey, the Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics reported that 61 percent of the high school students and 32 percent of the college students polled admitted to having cheated on an exam during the past year.
In the same survey, 33 percent of high school and 16 percent of college students said they'd stolen something in the last year. And, 16 percent of high school and 32 percent of college students said they'd lied on a resumé or job application.
Lying, cheating, and stealing are becoming an acceptable norm among many of the next generation. And while it's easy to look at young people and shake our heads at their lack of integrity, it's important to remember that they have received much of their guidance from members of the older generation—who have often placed so much emphasis on helping themselves that they haven't invested much time in those who will follow.
The good news is that it's never too late to make a difference in the lives of younger people. So help the next generation learn from your life experience by mentoring a younger person. You'll learn from them as well, and find you have much more in common than you might think!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you find a younger person to mentor so you can impart wisdom to the next generation.
Questions for Thought
Did you have a mentor growing up? If so, how did it help? If not, how might a mentor have helped you in life?
Who is a younger person in your life today with whom you could spend more time imparting wisdom?
:angel:
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. --Psalm 91:4
Sundar Singh, an Indian evangelist, wrote about a treacherous forest fire that swept through the Himalayas where he was traveling. Many men were trying their best to fight the fire, but there was one group that stood staring up at the flaming branches of one tree.
They watched as a mother bird flew frantically in circles above the treetop. She was chirping an alarm and warning to her nest full of babies. As the flames reached her nest and it began to burn, she didn't fly away. Instead she swooped down and covered her fledglings with her wings to protect them. However, in a matter of seconds she and her nestlings were consumed by the fire.
The men standing below were awe-stricken. Singh then used the opportunity to share with them: "We have witnessed a truly marvelous thing. God created that bird with such love and devotion that she gave her life trying to protect her young... That is the love that brought Him down from heaven to become man. That is the love that made Him suffer a painful death for our sake."
What a stirring, vivid portrayal of Christ's love for us. How often have you stood in awe and amazement as you think of the cross where Jesus gave His life for you? Where the fire of holy judgment burned down upon Him? It was on Calvary that Jesus willingly suffered, gave His life for us, and "bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness..." (1 Peter 2:24). And it is "by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for dying in your place and forgiving you of your sins. Show Him every day how grateful you are for what He did on the cross by living for him.
:angel:
How to have wisdom along with zeal
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. - Proverbs 1:7
The Methodist pastor, William Sangster, told the story of an eccentric church member who tried to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, the man usually did the wrong thing. While working as a barber, the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, "Are you prepared to meet your God?"
The frightened customer bolted out the door with lather on his face!
People often ask the question, "What's the right balance between Christian zeal and wisdom?" But if you think about it, that's really the wrong question to ask because it makes it seem like zeal and wisdom are in opposition to one another. A better question, then, is, "How do you have wisdom along with zeal?"
Some people are like that eccentric church member... all zeal and no wisdom. Yet there others who put aside zeal in order to be "reasonable" and "prudent." But in every situation, God wants us to take our cue from Him. So when confronted with how to have wisdom along with your Christian zeal, seek God. Pray and look to His Word for guidance. When you do, He'll show you the right path and use your zeal and wisdom in amazing ways!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you wisdom and zeal when it comes to making Him known!
Questions for Thought
Can you think of a time in your life when you had wisdom without zeal or zeal without wisdom? If you could go back and do things differently, what would you change?
As you look at your life today, do you think you need to work more on having greater wisdom or greater zeal? What can you do to increase one or the other?
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The power of reconciliation through Christ
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." - Matthew 5:23-24
Keith Hernandez was one of baseball's top players. He is a lifetime .300 hitter who has won numerous Golden Glove awards for excellence in fielding. He's won a batting championship for having the highest average, the Most Valuable Player award in his league, and even the World Series.
Yet with all his accomplishments, he has missed out on something crucially important to him—his father's acceptance and recognition that what he has accomplished is valuable. One day Keith asked his father, "Dad, I have a lifetime 300 batting average. What more do you want?"
His father replied, "But someday you're going to look back and say, 'I could have done more.'"
There's very little that can emotionally damage a man or a woman more than a wounding statement like this from a parent. Yet the sad truth is that all too often, parents make these kinds of comments without ever even realizing their ramifications.
But in Christ, it's never too late for reconciliation. Maybe you've been wronged by a family member. Or, maybe you've wronged someone else. Whatever it is, God's desire is that you would live in peace with all people by sincerely humbling yourself and finding reconciliation through Him.
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you where reconciliation with a friend or family member is needed in your life.
Questions for Thought
Who are some people in your life today with whom you need to be reconciled?
What are some tangible steps you can take to love those who've wronged you and begin the process of reconciliation?
:angel:
How to experience abundant grace through obedience
(B)ut each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:14-15
Many accidental deaths result from taking risks. That's the conclusion of an organization in Canada that is seeking to decrease accidents between cars and trains. Roger Cyr, the organization's national director, puts most of the blame for fatalities on drivers who are risk takers.
"Studies have shown that when people hear a train whistle, their minds tell them to accelerate their speed," says Cyr. "About 43 percent of the accidents occur at crossings equipped with flashing lights and bells or gates." Cyr also said that many drivers "even have the audacity to drive around or under gates."
Drivers take the risks, thinking they can beat the train and somehow miss the collision. But the consequences are often tragic, because when a car and a train collide, the train will always win.
While it's easy to look at such sad statistics and shake our heads, the truth is that many people today, even Christians, do the exact same thing with sin. They think themselves to be invincible to sin's effects, and they charge headfirst into situations that often result in them succumbing to destructive behavior.
When it comes to sin, don't take unnecessary risks. Guard yourself against falling into the destructive behavior and live your life in obedience to God through His grace!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the wisdom to avoid taking unnecessary sin risks.
Questions for Thought
What are some times in your life that, as you look back, you took unnecessary risks that caused you to fall into sin?
How can you avoid falling into those same traps in the future?.
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The key to real spiritual growth
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8
It was a simple clerical error, but it could be the most expensive typo of all time. In 1978, Prudential, the largest insurance company in the U.S., loaned $160 million to United States Lines, a shipping firm. As part of the deal, Prudential got a lien on eight ships.
In 1986, U.S. Lines went into bankruptcy proceedings and started selling off assets. Prudential said it was owed nearly $93 million, the value of the lien, from the ships' sale. Or so the insurance company thought. A close look at the lien documents disclosed that someone had omitted three little zeros, thus entitling Prudential to only $92,885 instead of $92,885,000.
The clerical error was corrected, but it cost Prudential millions in legal fees and contract negotiations, all of which could have been avoided if only the contract were correct in the first place.
In the Christian life, the little things matter. Not with regards to salvation—that's already settled if you're in Christ. But when it comes to growing in God's grace and deepening your relationship with Him, it's the small, daily acts of love that serve as steps toward a more fulfilling relationship with God.
So remember, focus on the small things. Spend nuggets of time in God's Word. Find everyday ways to show His love to others. It's those small acts that will help you grow in big ways!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you how you can grow in His grace through small, everyday acts.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think many people become frustrated and quit when trying to make dramatic changes in their spiritual lives?
What are a few small practical things you can implement in your life today that will help you grow spiritually?
:angel:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. --1 Corinthians 10:31
Most Christians are ready and willing to serve in some sort of ministry full time after retirement, using their talents and abilities to bring glory to the Lord. Usually, senior adults begin participating more in church activities, witnessing to those who don't know Christ, giving more to their favorite ministries, and helping those who are less fortunate.
It may seem as though the ways to serve the Lord are limited, but in fact during retirement God provides even more ways to serve Him. There are many ways believers can be involved in serving the Lord, if they will just look at the talents with which God has blessed them.
A good example of using a special talent is for those of you who know how to cook. It may seem ridiculous, but look at the possibilities of ministering to other people through this avenue. You can prepare food for church fundraisers, the bereaved and hurting, shut-ins, and others who are going through a difficult time in their lives. There are some church groups that sponsor an evening meal for the needy every week.
In Matthew 25:40, Christ said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Some may think that food preparation is insignificant, or that it is not as important as other ministries within the church. But in fact, it requires talent, time, dedication, and a willing servant to put in the hard work. Any task that is inspired by God is not too difficult or too trivial to perform. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to reveal to you what He would have you do for His kingdom. Don't be afraid to branch out and try whatever He lays on your heart.
:angel:
How to recognize and overcome evil
July 18, 2012
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
John was driving home late one night when he picked up a hitchhiker. As they rode along, he began to be suspicious of his passenger. John checked to see if his wallet was safe in the pocket of his coat that was on the seat between them, but it wasn't there! So he slammed on the brakes, ordered the hitchhiker out, and said, "Hand over the wallet immediately!"
The frightened hitchhiker handed over a billfold, and John drove off. When he arrived home, he started to tell his wife about the experience, but she interrupted him, saying, "Before I forget, John, do you know that you left your wallet at home this morning?"
It's human nature to jump to conclusions about others we perceive to be different than us. That's because evil has been characterized in our culture with a "this and not that" mentality. For most, evil is what happens when a terrorist attacks a crowded building, but it's not what happens when a clean-cut employee gossips about a coworker. Yet the Bible says that both are evil.
As Christians, we must come to recognize evil wherever it is. Yes, we have to see it in ruthless killings of others. But we must also learn to perceive it in our own lives as well as those around us.
Evil is evil, no matter what flavor it is. So pray that God would give you wisdom to discern what's right and what's wrong, and strive each day to overcome evil with good!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for discernment when it comes to recognizing evil in your daily life and strength to overcome it.
Questions for Thought
What are some pictures that come to mind when you hear the word evil? How have we been conditioned to think that way?
How can recognizing evil in all its forms help us to overcome it?
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How to experience the fullest life possible
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13
Thirty years ago, 33-year-old Larry Walters decided he wanted to see his neighborhood from a new perspective. He went down to the local army surplus store one morning and bought 45 used weather balloons. That afternoon he strapped himself into a lawn chair, filled the balloons with helium, and cut his tie-downs. He took along a BB gun, figuring he could shoot the balloons one at a time when he was ready to land.
Walters, who assumed the balloons would lift him about 100 feet in the air, was caught off guard when the chair soared more than 11,000 feet into the sky and into the middle of the air traffic pattern at Los Angeles International Airport. Too frightened to shoot any of the balloons, he stayed airborne for more than two hours, forcing the airport to shut down and causing long delays in flights from across the country.
Soon after he was safely grounded and cited by the police, reporters asked him, "Why did you do it?"
"Because," he said, "you can't just sit there."
Many Christians today are content with "just sitting there" and letting life happen to them. Sure, they'll go to church on Sunday and read their Bibles during the week, but they never really engage others with their faith.
Don't just sit there. Take action and do something bold for Christ. When you do, you'll experience the fullness of life God has for you!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would show you where He wants you to do something bold for His name.
Questions for Thought
When's the last time you really did something outside of your comfort zone? How did it make you feel?
What's one way you can get out of your comfort zone today and do something bold for Christ?
:angel:
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. --Colossians 2:8-9
When the Titanic sank in April of 1912, there was a great amount of chivalry exerted despite the desperate situation. Out of honor and respect for the men who courageously declared, "Women and children first," an organization was formed called The Christian Boys' and Men's Titanic Society just a few years ago.
The men of this organization gather once a year in April for a dinner in San Antonio, Texas and in Washington, D.C. Both of these events take place on the dates of the iceberg collision and the actual sinking of the Titanic. During the dinners, men and boys are encouraged to be godly, courageous, protectors of their families, and to practice the old fashioned chivalry displayed on that tragic day when the Titanic sank.
As Christian men and women, we should join these men in reinstating the exercise of chivalry in our country. Chivalry is the medieval system, principles, and customs of knighthood. Borrowed from the French, the English word "chivalry" was first recorded at the beginning of the 14th century and is found in works as "a body of armored mounted warriors serving a lord." The qualities found in a knight would have been bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry.
As believers in Christ, we must not fall to the deception of our culture that chivalry is completely dead. We are warriors for Christ in this battered world and our primary duty is to serve the Lord. Today, begin practicing the system of kindness toward those you come in contact with, godliness to those around you who are non-believers, and an upright witness to the world for the glory of Christ who lives within us.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to instill in your heart the age-old idea of chivalry so that you may be a witness for Him and bring Him honor.
:angel:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. --John 14:27
All of us experience undue stress. Stress is that subtle, yet building, pressure that robs us of our well-being, peaceful state of mind, and sometimes our health. How many times have you thought to yourself, "I've got too much to do and too little time to do it!"?
Stress affects us all, although it may seem that some have developed immunity to it. In reality they have simply learned how to handle it successfully. It should be our goal to learn to control the stress we face. If we don't, then our bodies are likely to experience changes. Stress affects the brain, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, your sleep habits, your immune system, and most importantly, your spiritual life.
Everyone feels the pressures of life, whether they want to or not. But you don't have to live life as though you've been hit by an 18-wheeler when you lay your head on your pillow every night. To rid your life of stress, claim the promises of Scripture. The Bible says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).
In addition, you'll want to refrain from telling yourself you shouldn't be relaxing when you finally get the chance to do so. Size down your responsibilities and just say no when you begin to feel an incredible amount of stress. Create some quiet time—possibly even in a very quiet place—to read Scripture, pray, get alone with God, and write out your feelings. And most importantly, plan some quality for yourself—alone.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you are feeling extreme stress in your life, ask God to help you relieve it and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.
:angel:
And he [the LORD] passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. --Exodus 34:6-7
There was a pastor who experienced one of the most unusual reactions from a church member during the benediction of the service one Sunday morning. A lady who was sitting on the back row pulled a gun on the pastor during the closing prayer claiming he hadn't preached from the book of Revelation that morning like she needed.
The older lady said that a sermon from the eschatological book was very important in the feud she was having with another church member. This story is true, and happened only a few years ago.
Anger is not a sin, when managed correctly and in the way God intends. Even Jesus became angry when he entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there (Matthew 21:12). But, He had good reason, for what the moneychangers were doing was dishonoring to the Lord (Matthew 21:13).
God doesn't say, "Thou shall NOT be angry." He created the emotion. But, anger is one of the most intense emotions a person can have, and it is one of those that can easily fly out of control. Poorly managed, it can lead to irrational decisions and actions, and even hurt those you love.
Ask yourself, "When I get angry—do I act positively or react negatively?" If you react, then there is a problem in your control of the emotion. We are to become angry, managed in a healthy way, when we see things that are displeasing to the Lord. When you see your anger begin to turn to destruction—stop! Give it to Jesus and learn to handle it in a way that is pleasing to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you keep your anger controlled and positive, seeking only to honor Him in all that you do.
:angel:
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. --Psalm 71:18
Old age is one of the most rewarding periods of life. And more so for those who have found the absolute joy in a loving and personal relationship with the Father through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. The "sunset years" can better be known as the "golden years."
In his book, The Best is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville wrote:
"I feel so sorry for folks who don't like to grow old...I revel in my years. They enrich me...I would not exchange...the abiding rest of soul, the measure of wisdom I have gained from the sweet and bitter and perplexing experiences of life; nor the confirmed faith I now have in the...love of God, for all the bright and uncertain hopes and tumultuous joys of youth. These are the best years of my life...The way grows brighter; the birds sing sweeter; the winds blow softer; the sun shines more radiantly than ever before. I suppose 'my outward man' is perishing, but 'my inward man' is being joyously renewed day by day."
The strength and beauty of youth is meant to be more physical and is temporal. But, God determined the strength and beauty of growing in age to be spiritual and to last for eternity.
In Joshua 14, we see that Caleb inherited the land of Hebron because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly. "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out" (Joshua 14:10-11).
God gives strength spiritually to those who wholeheartedly follow after Him. Make a commitment today to enjoy the "golden years" of your life and the days God has given you, so that you can make a dramatic difference in this generation for Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you make the most of your days for His glory.
:angel:
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. --1 Peter 5:6-7
In the book, A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen use an illustration to talk about answered prayer.
The story goes that Pastor John Ramsey was used to receiving a rose boutonniere to wear on his jacket each Sunday. After services one day, a little boy came up to him and asked if he could have the rose he was wearing.
Ramsey knew it would go in the trash when he got home, so he gladly offered it to the boy and asked why he wanted it.
The boy replied, "I'm going to give it to my granny. My parents divorced last year. I was living with my mom, but she got married again and wanted me to live with my dad. I lived with him for a while, but he said I couldn't stay, so he sent me to live with my grandmother. She is so good to me—she cooks, takes care of me, and loves me—so I want to give her the rose."
Pastor Ramsey stood staring at the boy with tears in his eyes. He pointed to the large vase full of fresh flowers sitting at the altar and said, "Take those to your granny because she deserves the very best. That little flower isn't enough."
The boy's eyes lit up and he shouted, "What a good day! I asked for one flower, but got a beautiful bouquet instead!"
When we come to God with our prayers, we aren't much different than the pastor and boy in this illustration. Oftentimes, we don't notice that when we bring our pain or hurt to the Lord seeking a small remedy, He points us to a greater solution and comfort and asks us to take that instead.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the answered prayer that you so often take for granted.
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O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. --Psalm 30:12
There was once a talented young man who needed one more course to graduate college, so he relentlessly pursued his professor in hopes that he would grant him an independent study course in writing. The student expressed that he would be eternally grateful if the professor would just follow through with this one request — even though it involved extra work on the teacher's part.
Finally, the college dean agreed to the idea, but it proved to be a headache for the professor. The student skipped appointments, missed deadlines, and rejected the professor's evaluations of his writing. The young man even turned in the last assignment just hours before graduation. After all the strings that were pulled for him, you'd think the student would have been a little more grateful to the professor. But he never expressed one word of thanks!
Most of us don't ever want to be that kind of selfish, ungrateful person. Instead, it should be our goal to follow after the example of David. When David was caught up in trouble, he called out to the Lord for help (see Psalm 28:1-2). And after God delivered him from those trying times, David gave Him the thanks He deserved (see Psalm 28:6-7). In fact, all throughout the book of Psalms, David's heart and attitude of gratitude is very evident.
Do you have an ungrateful response to the Lord's graciousness? Do you beg for mercy and deliverance, only to forget what the Lord did for you once you're free from tribulation? Or do you strive to be like David who unceasingly expressed his thanks to God for His goodness?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you if there is someone whose kindness you've taken for granted. Pray that the Lord would reveal to you how you can show that person gratitude today. And thank God for His goodness and mercy.
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You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. --1 John 4:4
There is a story of one Christian man, a deacon and very involved in his church, who was sitting in traffic and late for work. His car was plastered with bumper stickers that read, "Honk if you love Jesus!" and "Jesus is my hero!"
He had already sat through three red lights, and the lady in front of him was talking on her cell phone and trying to apply mascara all at the same time. When the light turned green, she wasn't paying attention, and continued to sit at a stand still, holding up traffic.
The man began honking, shouting from inside his car, and shaking his fists at the lady to move on. Finally, after traffic began to creep forward, the man noticed red and blue flashing lights behind him. As he pulled over and rolled down his window to greet the officer, he said, "What did I do wrong? I'm late for work, and you're holding me up!"
The officer responded, "Sir, is this your car?"
The puzzled man growled back, "Yes! Who else do you think it belongs to?"
The policeman replied, "Well, when I saw the bumper stickers on the back of your car and the way you were acting back there, I thought the car must be stolen!"
It's easy for us to become frustrated and impatient with the world. But, many of us often come too close to tarnishing our witness for Jesus because of our words and deeds. Decide to put on the full armor of God each morning in prayer and God's Word, so others will see Jesus in you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help make you a shining witness of His love, kindness, and gentle spirit each day as you interact with those who don't know Him.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6
At the end of the 17th century, August H. Francke, a German preacher, founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of the city of Halle. At one point , he desperately needed funds to carry on his work. A destitute Christian widow suddenly showed up at his door begging for a ducat—a gold coin.
He politely and regretfully told her he couldn't help because of his financial situation. The disappointed woman began to weep. Having sympathy for her, Francke asked her to wait while he went into his room to pray. After seeking God's wisdom, he felt the Holy Spirit leading him to change his mind and give her the money. Trusting the Lord to meet all his needs, he gave the widow the money.
Just two mornings later, He received a thank-you letter from her. She expressed that because of his generosity and kindness, she had been praying that the Lord would shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day, the German preacher received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady in town, and two more from a friend in Sweden. Just when he thought the abundant blessings from God had subsided, he received word that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of a nearby prince.
Francke wept in gratitude to the Lord. In sacrificially providing for the destitute widow, he had been richly blessed by God. This holiday season, give sacrificially to others who may not have much. If you can relate to the needy widow, then pray that God would provide for all your needs—all the while giving Him thanks.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to provide for your needs this season and bless the lives of those who are desperate for help. Pray that He would help you give sacrificially to others with a thankful heart.
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Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. --Matthew 5:23-24
On a television magazine show not too long ago, there was an incredible story of forgiveness. A family of six was camping out, sleeping in tents in a public park. In the middle of the night, a man cut a hole in the tent and carried away their 7-year-old daughter.
Immediately, the mother began to pray for the kidnapper and made a commitment to forgive. A year later he called and the family learned what the mother knew in her heart all along—the child was dead.
The mother said, "Forgiveness is hard work, but it is the only thing that will set you free."
Unwillingness to forgive allows bitterness to creep in to our hearts and plant roots. Hebrews 12:15 says, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Bitterness can spread to those around us, and if it is left to harden in the heart, it is almost seemingly impossible to remove. Scripture is clear about wiping away the offenses in our life, and doing it quickly.
If you feel like someone owes you something or if there is something standing in the way of you not thanking God every day for the blessings you have, bitterness can begin to set in. All you need is a few cleaning tools to scrub away the stains of bitterness—compassion and forgiveness.
If you harbor bitter feelings toward someone in your life—a family member, a church leader, or a friend—then immediately approach that person and learn to forgive them. Make a commitment, today, to begin the spring spiritual cleaning in your life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to daily clean out the grime of bitterness in your heart in order that you may reflect an accurate image of Christ to those around you.
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The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. --James 5:16
Annette Cole, writer in residence at Western Baptist College, told of her daughter in a recent article. She bought a ring with a cross and rose on it over ten years ago to give to her daughter who had denounced her faith and rushed in to sin.
The Bible asks, "What fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
So, how do believing parents have healthy relationships with their unsaved family members? No parent can possibly blame themselves for the incredible hurt and pain a loved one must go through because of their sin.
Accepting the fact that your relationship will be shallow with someone you love who is lost is difficult. Our lives may be the only Bible they ever read. From our actions may come the only way people will ever see Jesus Christ. Finally, out of our mouths may come the only kind and loving words they will truly ever hear.
As Christians, we want to constantly quote Scripture or share godly wisdom with those who are lost, but they've probably heard it numerous times. The most you can do is to commit them to the Lord and pray daily for them. Do not let their sinful lifestyle invade your life and home, though. Instead, continue to love and pray for them, and offer a listening ear when needed.
A wrong word or action may seem like it can break a fragile relationship with one who does not want to associate with you and God's way of living. But, do not cease communication. Be the example of God's love and grace in their lives that will set the example.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God's will be done in your relationship with the loved ones in your life who don't know Him. Ask Him each and every day to bring them back safely into His arms.
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God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5
Timothy Blackburn, author of The History of the Future: A Commentary on Revelation and Matthew 24, told the story of when he was a young child falling asleep in the car on the way home from church.
Blackburn said that he would sleep in the back of his family's 1959 Chevrolet, as they traveled many miles from the church where his dad served as pastor. He remembers sometimes waking just enough to feel his dad gently pick him up and carry him to his bed. Other times, he would actually be awake, but would pretend to sleep so he could get a free lift. And occasionally, he wouldn't wake at all until the next day, discovering that he'd been carefully tucked in his bed.
He said: "He cradled my head in his arm to support it. What a comforting feeling that was! I felt secure and protected; there were no worries. The problems of the day didn't matter. I knew my dad was protecting me at that moment. I did not worry about school the next day—I was in my father's arms."
At any age, we want to feel safe. And thankfully, we have a heavenly Father to comfort us. Through each step we take in life, He gently guides and directs us, even carrying us along some of the way. We are safe and sound in His arms, and no one can snatch us out of His hands (John 10:27-30).
Even as senior adults, we are never walking alone, and God is the first to rescue us when our hearts are broken and we don't know where to turn. What a loving Father we have!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for carrying you when times were rough in the past and ask Him to help you feel safe and secure in the days ahead.
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I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. --Romans 7:15-18
There's a story of a wealthy man who went duck hunting with his hired help. They traveled in a horse and carriage, and along their way a rim came off one of the wheels. As the hired hand hammered it back on, he accidentally hit his finger. With that, he let go with a few bad words, but then quickly fell to his knees asking God's forgiveness.
The man prayed, "Lord, it's so difficult at times to live the Christian life."
The man's boss responded to his prayer, "I know you're a Christian, but tell me why you struggle. I'm an atheist and I don't have problems like that."
The employee didn't know what to say. All of a sudden, two ducks flew overhead. The wealthy man raised his gun and two shots rang out in the air. He shouted to his hired help, "Leave the dead one and go after that wounded bird!"
His employee pointed at the duck that was fluttering and struggling desperately to escape and said, "Boss, I've got an answer for you now. You said that my Christianity isn't any good because I have to struggle. I'm like that wounded duck struggling to get away from the devil. But, you're the dead duck, Boss!"
The Apostle Paul struggled just as we do in the Christian life. Battling the devil in this spiritual war is merely evidence of God working in your life. As a child of God, you've been forgiven of your sin, so Satan has to work even harder to get you to fail. But don't despair because God has empowered you with the Holy Spirit so that you may have victory over sin through salvation in Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your heart would be set on Jesus and that the struggle in your life would drive you to your knees in prayer to Him.
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I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. --Psalm 119:11
Noted Bible teacher E. Schuyler English told about a Bible distributor, Michael Billester, who visited a small town in Poland shortly before Word War II. Billester gave a Bible to a villager, who was converted after reading it. The new believer then passed the book on to others. This cycle of conversions and sharing of faith continued until 200 people had become believers through that one Bible!
When Billester returned to Poland in 1940, this group of Christians met together for a worship service where he was to preach the Word of God. It was usually his custom to ask for testimonies, but this time Billester suggested that several in the congregation stand and recite verses of Scripture.
One man stood and said, "Perhaps we have misunderstood your request. Do you mean verses or chapters?"
These Polish villagers had not memorized a few select verses of the Bible, but instead whole chapters and books. Thirteen people knew Matthew, Luke, and half of Genesis. And another person had committed the entire book of Psalms to memory. That single copy of the Bible given by Billester to the one new believer had certainly done its work.
In this story, transformed lives bore witness to the power of the Word of God. Are you passionate about learning and memorizing God's Word? Are you sharing what you know with those who do not know Jesus? 1 John 2:5 says, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him." Determine today to hide the Word of God in your heart and pass along its truth to those you come in contact with each day.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open your heart to His Word so that you can hold tightly to its truth. Pray that He would give you opportunities to share the Bible with others.
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The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. --John 1:14
One of the great monarchs of Persia was known well as a champion of the common people. To relate to their needs and problems, he would mingle with them in various disguises.
On one particular occasion, he went as a poor citizen to the public baths. In a tiny cellar, he sat down beside the man who tended the furnace. He talked to the lonely man, and at dinnertime he ate some of his plain food. In the weeks that followed, the monarch visited the poor citizen and grew to love him dearly.
One day, the shah revealed his true identity to the man. He expected to hear a request for some expensive gift or money, but instead the poor man simply sat in silence, gazing at the monarch in awe and astonishment.
After a long period of silence, the poor man finally said respectfully, "You left your palace to sit with me in this dark place, to eat of my coarse bread, and to care whether my heart is glad or sad. You may give rich presents to others, but you have given yourself to me. Please, Your Majesty, never withdraw the priceless gift of your friendship."
You can rejoice that God came to earth as man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and was resurrected three days later so that you could have salvation and forgiveness through Him and a personal relationship with Him. Are you walking with Him daily? Are you completely sold out in your relationship with Him? Jesus broke down the wall of sin that divided you and God, so that you may have the priceless gift of His friendship and love.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His sacrifice upon the cross. Pray that your relationship with Him would flourish into an intimate friendship and love relationship.
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Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5
There is a story of a rich industrialist who walked past a fisherman one day. He was irritated to find the man sitting lazily beside his boat instead of out at sea. The rich man asked, "Why aren't you out there fishing?"
The fisherman replied, "Because I've caught enough fish for today."
The rich man asked, "Why don't you catch more fish than you need? There's still more work to be done."
The fisherman responded with, "What would I do with them once I caught them?"
"You could buy a better boat so you could go deeper into the sea and catch more fish," the rich man impatiently replied. "You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make even more money. Eventually, you'd have a fleet of boats, people to do the work for you, and be rich like me."
After quietly contemplating, the fisherman asked, "Then what would I do?"
"You could sit down and enjoy life like I am," the industrialist said.
Looking placidly out to sea, the fisherman replied, "What do you think I'm doing now?"
The Apostle Paul said to the church in Philippi, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13).
Whatever situations come your way—good or bad—find your strength in the Lord and learn to rely on Him for provision. It's often hard to have faith that He will provide in times of need, but rejoice in what He has given you thus far in your current situation, and trust completely in His timing.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to make you content in life whatever circumstances come your way.
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Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. --1 John 2:6
The "mother" of the Salvation Army was Catherine Booth. Campbell Morgan said, "Wherever Catherine Booth went, humanity went to hear her. Princes and peeresses merged with paupers and prostitutes."
One particular night, Mrs. Booth and Mr. Morgan happened to be in the same meeting. A large crowd of "publicans and sinners" was also there. Many came to Christ that night because of her message. After the meeting, Booth and Morgan went to a glamorous home to be entertained. The lady of the manor said, "Mrs. Booth, that meeting was dreadful, wasn't it?"
Mrs. Booth replied, "What do you mean?"
The lady responded, "When you were speaking, I was looking at those people opposite of me. Their faces were so terrible, many of them. I don't think I shall sleep tonight!"
Mrs. Booth asked, "Don't you know them?"
The hostess replied, "Certainly not!"
Mrs. Booth said, "Well that's interesting...I didn't bring them with me from London; they are your neighbors!"
In Matthew 19:19, Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This New Testament command originated in the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself." God gave these instructions to show His people how they were to treat others and live in a community of peace with one another.
It may be hard to love some people—even those who may be in your church circle of friends—but we love the Lord by showing our love to others. When we love others with God's love, even the unlovable, He's able to transform lives and hearts.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you love others just as He would. Thank God for His abounding love for you, so that you may share it with others.
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Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. --Luke 2:11
When Pope Julius I declared December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today? And when Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in American in 1832, who would have ever thought that decorations would become as glamorous as they are today?
Even before these two events that shaped what Christmas means today for most, there was a bright, special star that lit the dark night thousands of years ago letting the world know that Jesus the King was born. Usually, we don't celebrate historical figures as children, but in the case of Christ, it is appropriate.
When Christ was born, shepherds came to honor Him, wise men from the East brought Him gifts, and the earth rejoiced at His birth. These people who came to worship Him had no idea what Christ would accomplish as an adult. But they were right in traveling to worship the King because His birth was the most remarkable event in human history. Wise men and women today worship not only the Child of Bethlehem, but the Christ of Calvary.
As we approach the holiday season again, we are faced with yet another opportunity to pause in the midst of all the excitement, decorations, and commercialization, to consider again the origin of Christmas--the One whose birth we celebrate. Let's not forget the true meaning of why we celebrate during this time of year. Celebrate the baby Jesus and trust Him as Savior today.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending His Son that glorious night to be born of a virgin, live a perfect life, die on the cross for your sins, and rise from the dead three days later to give you eternal life through Him.
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Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." --Luke 2:13-14
In the year 1809, the international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria and blood was flowing freely. Nobody was thinking about babies, but rather people were concerned with the wars and tyranny that existed. However, the world was overlooking some very significant births during that time.
That year many notable people were born: William Gladstone, destined to become one of England's finest statesmen; Alfred Tennyson, born to an obscure minister and his wife, greatly affect the world of literacy; Oliver Wendell Holmes, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Edgar Allan Poe, who began his eventful, yet tragic, life in Boston; Charles Robert Darwin, born to a physician and his wife; and Abraham Lincoln, born in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.
If journalism and news broadcasts had existed in 1809, these words might have been heard: "The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today." But in reality, history was being shaped in the cradles of Europe and America. Similarly when Jesus was born, taxation was the big news. But a young Jewish virgin woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior.
Even today, sometimes the biggest news is the latest product to buy at Christmas, the best vacation spot during the holidays, or the idolizing of icons that have become great symbols over the years during the season. You must remember that the greatest news of all was the birth of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection years later. Jesus is the greatest news you could share with anyone this season.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you the chance to share the Good News of His Son this season with friends, family, and acquaintances who don't know Him as their Savior.
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Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. --1 Timothy 1:15
On the museum wall of the concentration camp at Dachau is a large and moving photograph of a mother and her little girl standing in line for the gas chamber. The child, who is walking in front of her mother, does not know where she's going. The mother, following behind, looks knowingly but is helpless to stop the tragedy.
In her helplessness, she performs the only act of love left to her. She places her hands over the child's eyes so she will at least not see the horror to come. When people come to the museum, most don't whisk by this photo hurriedly. Instead, they pause and almost feel the pain. Deep inside, they say to themselves, "O God, don't let that be all there is."
Hopelessness and helplessness are all that remain. God provided a way out by sending His Son to earth as a child so that He could one day save the sins of mankind through Christ's shed blood on the cross. The apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."
If our greatest need had been information, then God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, then God would have sent us a scientist or engineer. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist or financial advisor. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But instead of all of these things, God knew our greatest need was forgiveness, so He sent us a Savior.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for sending Jesus to save you from helplessness and hopelessness in this life. Praise Him for giving you joy and peace that passes all understanding.
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. --John 3:16-18
Paul Harvey once told the story of a family who kept the same tradition each Christmas Eve—the mother and children would go to the church service, and the father would stay home to read the paper. When the family returned home from church, they would all gather to open their presents.
The father no longer believed in the stories of God coming as a baby in a manger. As the family left for church one particular Christmas, the father opened the evening paper and settled in by the fireplace. Suddenly, he heard tapping on the window. A bird kept flying against the glass trying to get out of the snow and into the warmth of his home .
Feeling sorry for the bird, the man went outside hoping to bring it in. When he got closer to the scared creature, it flew against the window even harder. The more the man tried to capture the bird, the more it continued to fly into window. He yelled out in frustration, "Stupid bird! Can't you understand that I'm trying to help? If only you understood, you wouldn't fly away. If only I could become a bird, and get you to understand."
Just then the church bells rang, and the father fell to his knees, began crying, and said, "Oh God, I didn't understand."
God's Son came in human form that we might understand from where we came, for what reason we were separated, and how we can be restored to God. Christmas isn't about empty promises of material gifts, holiday icons, or seasonal sights and sounds. It is about a fulfilled promise of a restored relationship between God and humankind.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith in Him, forgive you of your sins, restore you to a right relationship with Him, and give you joy this season.
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Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. --2 Corinthians 5:6-8
In his book, The Best Is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of an elderly woman who lived in southwest Scotland. She wanted very much to see the city of Edinburgh, but was afraid to take the train because it had to go through a long tunnel to get there.
Things came up and she was forced to travel to Scotland's capital. Filled with fear and anxiety, the trip began and she became more anxious as the train sped along the tracks. Before the train reached the long tunnel, the older woman, exhausted with worry, fell fast asleep. When she awoke, she was already in the city.
Of this story, Durbanville commented, "It is even so with the dying saint. He closes his eyes on earth, passes into what he thinks of as the tunnel of death, and opens them immediately in the celestial land."
Your earthly body is nothing more than a temporary home. Moving day is coming for everyone. You'll never know when the moving truck will pull up to your "house," with its crumbling foundation, failed heating system, and cracked windows, load up what's left inside, and take it away to your new home.
The Scripture says, "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:14). As moving day approaches, it is important to realize in this analogy that death for the believer is not a dreaded parting—it is a glorious homecoming.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you peace as you prepare to leave your earthly home. Thank God for the upcoming homecoming reunion that will take place when you are reunited with the ones you love and most importantly—the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Seeing your eternity in light of the temporary
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:18
The great preacher W. B. Hinson one day received the news that he had an illness from which he would never recover. In fact, the doctor told him he had only a year at best to live. So he went to a quiet place near his home in Portland, Oregon, and looked across a serene lake toward a beautiful mountain in the distance. He recounts,
"I looked at the river in which I rejoice, and I looked at the stately trees that are always God's own poetry to my soul. And I said, 'I may not see you many more times, but mountain, I shall be alive when you are gone; and river, I shall be alive when you cease running toward the sea.'"
Just like Hinson, each and every one of us is living on borrowed time. It doesn't matter if you're 20 or 90, your days here on this earth are numbered and there will come a day when they'll be no more. So the question isn't if, but only when we'll pass from this life to the next.
But for those of us who are in Christ, we have an eternal hope that surpasses everything else. We know that, in the end, we'll be with the Lord forever, outliving creation as we experience eternity with Him. So while our passing is certain, we have a hope that it will only be the beginning of an endless, joyful existence with Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you an eternal perspective on your life, knowing that if you're in Christ, you'll experience eternity with Him.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think it's so easy to focus on the here and now and lose our eternal perspective?
How would a stronger focus on the eternal give you hope as you face challenges in this life?
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The lost art of commitment
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." - Matthew 22:37-40
In 1772, John Fawcett, the young pastor of a poor church in Hebden Bridge, England, was called to a large and influential church in London. But as the wagons were being loaded with the Fawcetts' few belongings, the people from their congregation came for a tearful farewell.
During the good-byes, Mary Fawcett cried, "John, I can't bear to leave!"
"Nor can I," he replied. "We shall remain here with our people." The wagons were unloaded, and John Fawcett spent his entire 53-year ministry in Hebden Bridge.
Sadly, this kind of commitment is almost unheard of in this day and age. That's because many people are simply looking for the next great thing rather than doing the hard work of staying committed when times get tough. This can be seen in high job turnover rates, short attention spans, and the skyrocketing divorce rates of recent years.
But the truth is that commitment to the right things brings contentment. Someone with lifelong friends will be much happier than the social butterfly who has superficial relationships. And staying devoted to serving Christ in your life will keep you more stable than following the changing philosophical winds of the world.
So commit yourself to God and to people. Not only will you remain stable in life, but you'll experience deeper joy and happiness as you weather the shifting winds of the world.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you find the right things to commit yourself to and remain committed when the winds of the world try to shift your focus.
Questions for Thought
What are some things you've remained committed to throughout your life? What have been the benefits of those commitments?
How can you stay committed to the important things like people and your faith when the world tells you to give up?
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The right way to speak truth into others' lives
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3
A mother recounts how her kids won four free goldfish at a school carnival. So she went out and bought a used 10-gallon aquarium for a mere 5 dollars. Of course, it was dirty, but the savings made the two hours of clean-up a breeze. Those four new fish looked great in their new home... at least for the first day.
But by the next day, one had died. Too bad, but three remained. Monday morning revealed a second casualty, and by Monday night a third goldfish had gone belly up. So she called in an expert, a friend who had a 30-gallon tank. It didn't take him long to discover the problem: She had washed the tank with soap, an absolute no-no. Her uninformed efforts had destroyed the very lives she was trying to protect.
All too often, in our zeal to clean up the world around us, we unfortunately use "killer soaps"—condemnation, criticism, nagging, and angry words. At the moment, it seems like we're doing the right thing, but our harsh, self-righteous treatment is more than others can bear.
So what's the answer? Well, we have to use words of love when dealing with the sin of others. We can't expect people to respond to our negative attitudes, but must affirm we love them and express a genuine concern for their well-being. That's the key to speaking truth into others' lives!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you speak the truth to others in a spirit of love and unity.
Questions for Thought
How have you seen the power of words to tear down or lift up in the past?
Who are some people in your life today to whom you can speak truth in a spirit of love and affirmation?
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Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. --Romans 12:11-13
Most people think of St. Nick as a jolly, bearded man who rides around in a sleigh delivering gifts to all good boys and girls. But, he is more than just a children's Christmas legend—he was a genuine man of God. Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in Patara about 270 A.D., and was still very young when they died and left him a fortune. However, he was a humble young man and secretly gave of his wealth to the poor.
Nicholas eventually forsook his wealth to answer the call to ministry, and was soon chosen as bishop of Myra. He was destined to lead the church through the worst tribulation in history. In 303 A.D., during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian, Christians were ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods. But Nicholas and thousands more refused to denounce that Jesus Christ is Lord, so they were dragged to prison where they were savagely tortured, beaten senseless, or brutally murdered.
However, their persecution couldn't stamp out Christianity. Instead it spread. After years of imprisonment, they were freed by decree of the new Emperor Constantine. Saint Nicholas was welcomed into his city once again by the people. Although the bishop was beaten, he was not broken. Through the prayers and witness of this faithful soldier, many found salvation in Jesus.
St. Nick's fame still carries faint reminders of this ancient man of God—the red color of his bishop's robes, his lectures to children about good behavior, and his secret gifts of food and money to those in need. Yet if he were alive today, this saint would humbly deflect attention from himself as he did centuries ago, and point people to his Master. Shouldn't you do the same this holiday season?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you point others to Him. Pray that your faith would be unshakable and that you would relentlessly pursue and confess Christ at all costs.
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The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. --Luke 1:35-39
Imagine this—a young girl, betrothed to a reputable man, finds herself pregnant and the father is not her beloved. Two thousand years ago, this potential scandal could have cost her a reputation and maybe even her life. However, Mary was called out by the Lord. Probably no older than 15 years of age, she certainly had no job and no intentions of becoming a mother just yet. But God entrusted her with a great responsibility.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to her and assigned her this task, she didn't respond as most would by saying, "But I can't take on that responsibility, Lord. I am about to get married. I just want to enjoy time with my husband right now. Please pass this assignment off to someone else! I don't want you to call me to do this!"
No, instead Mary willingly obeyed the Lord and submitted to His will for her life. Many people confuse Mary's status—some put her on the same pedestal as Jesus and some even worship her as they would the Lord. But Mary was simply the woman God called to bear the Messiah and the woman who was willing to carry out the task He laid before her.
As believers, we must learn the meaning of surrender. When God places a call on your life, there is no room for questions or hesitation. Is God calling you to some specific task? Are you willing to surrender all to obey Him? You must simply say, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Take with you the very valuable lessons of surrender, compassion, obedience, and love displayed in the Christmas story.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to show you His will for your life, and pray that He would help you to be a man or woman that is completely surrendered and obedient to Him.
:angel:
How to have victory against your spiritual enemy
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. - 1 Peter 5:8-9
One famous and effective tactic thieves often use to rob a store is to distract. They enter the store as a group. Then, one or two separate themselves from the group while the others start a loud commotion in another section of the store. This grabs the attention of the customers, as well as the store clerk.
As all eyes are turned to the disturbance, the accomplices fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, and then leave the store before anyone even suspects what happened. Hours, or even days later, the merchant realizes things are missing and calls the police. But it's too late... the thieves are long gone.
This strategy is effective for stealing—as well as for tempting! You see, the enemy loves to seduce us into paying attention to the distractions of life, all the while causing havoc unnoticed in other areas. And if this tactic is successful, we don't realize it before it's too late and sin has already taken hold of our lives!
It's crucial we check our spiritual pockets now and then to stay on-guard against Satan. It's helpful to have others in our lives who can point out weaknesses in our defense as well. When you keep watch against the enemy, you'll be better positioned to fight off temptation to sin and experience victory in your daily spiritual battles!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the soberness of mind to stay alert and identify when the enemy is trying to distract you from obedience.
Questions for Thought
Why do you believe the enemy wants to see you fail spiritually?
Who are some people you can talk with regularly about areas of spiritual vulnerability in each other's lives?
:angel:
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle... --Job 7:6
Where are we going so fast? Scientific measurements indicate that we are moving even when we are standing still. Continental land masses sit on enormous slabs of rock that slide very slowly at the rate of 1 to 8 inches per year. In addition, America is gradually moving westward, away from Europe, at the rate of 3 inches per year.
Consider this: our Milky Way galaxy is hurtling through space at 375 miles per second or 1.3 million miles per hour. And within our own galaxy, the sun and its solar system are zooming along at 12.4 miles per second toward the star Vega in the constellation Lyra.
If you were to lie on your back in a quiet park on a cloudless day, you may feel as though all time and movement have stopped under the warm rays of the sun. And when you're walking down the street, you don't notice the earth spinning beneath your feet. But the scientist and the Christian know otherwise. Just as we are hurtling through the heavens at unimaginable speeds according to science, so too are we moving from here to eternity.
Our days and opportunities to live for the Lord and share Him with others pass so quickly that we cannot afford to waste any more time. It is important that we remember our days are numbered and life is but "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Time is God's gift to you, so worship Him, live for Him, and bring others to the saving knowledge of His grace and forgiveness in the days you have left. Live dynamically for Christ today because tomorrow may not come.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you live without desperation or futility as you travel quickly from your earthly home to your heavenly home.
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Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. --1 John 4:11-12
Space shuttles are propelled out of the earth's atmosphere by a fuel mixture producing millions of pounds of thrust and exertion. Indianapolis race cars travel at speeds averaging more than 200 mph, and they are powered by a highly volatile fuel concoction. So, what fuels you as a believer in Jesus Christ?
The indwelling Holy Spirit motivates you to perform Christ-like deeds of compassion, forgiveness, mercy, and self-sacrifice. The apostle John wrote, "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:12-13).
It's like the mother who asked her young son to clean her shoes. He worked on them diligently until they were spotless, shiny, and scuff-free. To show her appreciation for his hard work, she gave him a dollar. As she went to put her shoes on, she felt something wadded up in the toe of one. It was her dollar and attached to it was a note that read, "Here's yur doller, mom. I done it fer luv."
Fueled and motivated by the Holy Spirit living in you, you too can serve others in the love of Christ. The Scripture says, "We love because he first loved us. ...And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:19, 21). This coming year, be motivated to serve others and give of yourself to them as Christ did for you on the cross so long ago.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to move your heart and feet in service for Him. Pray that He would empower you with the sacrificial love of Christ, so that you may bless someone's life by your service to them.
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I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. --Philippians 3:14, 17
The 16th-century Venetian artist, Titian, portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads in his painting, "An Allegory of Prudence." One head featured a youth facing the future, another represented a mature man eyeing the present, and the last head portrayed a wise old man gazing back at the past.
Over their heads, Titian wrote a Latin phrase that translates, "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future." Oftentimes our past failures and fear of repeating them again torment us. But we need to remember the kind of wisdom Titian displayed in his painting, so we can avoid the kind of anxiety that keeps us from enjoying life to the fullest right now.
The apostle Paul was able to forget his past and look forward to his future. He said, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I d forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).
While his memory wasn't completely erased of past faults, he knew that God had forgiven him and he was free from any guilt or pride that had been bottled up inside. As you live in daily fellowship with the Lord, trials only make you more like the Savior. Don't let your past cloud your present and future. Determine this year to have one driving passion—to know Christ more intimately than ever before.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray and rededicate your life to Christ following Paul's example. Ask Jesus to enable you to live fully in the present, gain wisdom from the past, and face the future with courage.
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. --Joshua 1:9
Each year at this time, thousands of them stand in the cold in Times Square, New York. No big event beckons them. No ballgame is being played. No rock concert is getting underway. It's simply a huge, lighted ball that drops from a tall building. And within a few seconds, hardly worth fighting traffic and crowd pushing for, it descends marking a new year.
Why has this nonevent turned into a huge, money-making holiday? Most other holidays celebrate a reputable person, famous birthdays, document signings, or a noted event. But New Year's Eve only celebrates the passage of time—something that most of us would rather not recognize. We make a huge deal out of it because it signals the end of an old era and the start of a new one.
The old year's problems, heartaches, and struggles seem to vanish and become a faded memory when we think of getting the chance of a new year and a new start. It must have been the same way for the Israelites when they stood with Joshua looking forward to a new era ahead of them. They had wandered for 40 years in the desert, and finally they could see land flowing with milk and honey ahead. Better yet, they had God's promise that He would never leave or forsake them.
As you stand with your back to the old year and look forward to the new one, you can have hope in the promises of God. You will certainly face both trying and joyful times ahead, but you can rest assure that He "will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). That promise is enough to celebrate the new year ahead!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to give you courage, strength, and faith in Him to face the days ahead. Thank Him for being faithful and for never leaving your side.
:angel:
The Kind of King You Have in Jesus
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. - Isaiah 53:3
Long ago, a wise and good king ruled in Persia. He loved his people, so he wanted to know how they lived and about the hardships they faced. To do this, he would often dress in the clothes of a working man or a beggar and go to the homes of the poor. No one whom he visited knew he was their ruler.
On one occasion, he visited a very poor man who lived in a cellar. He ate the coarse food the poor man ate. He spoke cheerful, kind words to him. Then he left. Later, he visited the poor man again and disclosed his identity by saying, "I am your king!"
The king was sure the man would surely ask for a gift or favor, but he didn't. Instead he said, "You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dark, dreary place. You ate the coarse food I ate. You brought gladness to my heart! To others you have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself!"
Just like that Persian king, the King of Glory—Jesus Christ—gave Himself to you and me. He lowered Himself to be born as a baby in dark, dreary Bethlehem. He ate the food we ate, and died on the cross in our place. Worship Him as King today and give Him thanks for giving Himself to you!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God today for sending Jesus to live like an ordinary person and that He gave His life for you.
Questions for Thought
What does it say about the value God's placed on your life that He sent King Jesus to earth for you?
How can you declare this wonderful truth to others in your life this Christmas season?
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the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17
There's a story that tells of General Robert E. Lee, a devoted follower of Jesus, who visited a church in Washington, D.C. soon after the Civil War ended. During the time of communion in the service, he knelt beside a black man. A friend of his later said to him, "How could you do something like that?"
Lee humbly replied, "My friend, all ground is level beneath the cross."
Prejudice, bitterness, anger, and hatred are uprooted in front of the powerful cross of Calvary on which Jesus died. Christians should be the one group of people who harbor none of these things in their hearts. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, regardless of our race, nationality, or social status. Jesus offers salvation to all people!
It's easy to lose sight of this sometimes. But when we show partiality, we fail to realize that the Lord loves all people and desires for all to come to know Him as their Savior. Christians are no better than any other group of people. The only difference is that we have been saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus...we are the recipients of God's amazing grace and forgiveness.
Seek to see all people as God sees them—with love and compassion. Have you ever put yourself on a pedestal because you can call yourself a Christian? Or do you kneel before the Lord in humility each day and thank Him for dying on the cross for your sins, so that you—a sinner—could have eternal life with Him?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord for forgiveness if you have let prejudice, bitterness, and anger fill your heart. And pray that He would fill your heart with His love and compassion.
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So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. --Isaiah 41:10
Snowflakes are fascinating.. They come in all different shapes and sizes. Some appear as delicate lace doilies others as shining stars. Yet they all have their similarities. Each snowflake has six points, is made up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen, and is symmetrical in shape.
But did you know that the ice that makes a snowflake collects around a particle of dust floating in the atmosphere? The tiny imperfection may be as small as 1/100,000 of a millimeter in size, but it has to exist for a snowflake to form!
In the same way, imperfections in life can often be the catalysts that cause something wonderful and beautiful to happen. A "foreign invader" that crashes into our lives—such as a terminal illness, an accident, or a heartbreak—can actually turn into a source of blessing.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."
When you encounter obstacles in life, remember that they give you, as a believer, the chance to let God make something wonderful happen. If you are struggling with a difficult situation in your life, seek the Lord and wait for Him to create from it a beautiful blessing. Because I promise...if you're looking for it...He will!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God that when hardships come, He makes something beautiful as a result! Pray that He would continue to transform your trials into blessings by surrounding you with His grace, love, and mercy.
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Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. --2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Richard Baxter, a 17th-century preacher from Kidderminster, England, was known for his passionate ministry style. He saw himself as a dying man ministering to dying people, so he always spoke as if he were preaching his last sermon and his audience was hearing their last message.
In addition to his dynamic style of preaching, Baxter spent every Monday and Tuesday instructing the children of his church. On Wednesdays, he went from house to house to make sure the needs of his church's widows, aged, and sick were met. And during the rest of the week, he prepared his sermons and wrote books.
As a result of Baxter's ministry, the town of Kidderminster was completely transformed. The small village that had once been a place full of sexual immorality, violence, and sin, eventually became a town where almost every household honored the Lord. Baxter's zeal for ministering to others and bringing them to Jesus reaped a great spiritual harvest.
Are you doing everything you can to minister to the needs of those in your family, neighborhood, circle of friends, and church? Are you a daily witness and servant to those with whom you share life?
As believers in Christ, we have a ministry...even if we don't work for a church! Today, determine to proclaim the truth of God's love in word and action...as if you were a dying man or woman of God ministering to dying people!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open up opportunities for you to minister to others who are lost and hurting. Pray that He would give you a great passion for serving others and bringing them to Him.
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Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. --James 4:7
Shortly after the Civil War, General William T. Sherman's army was scheduled to march in a victory parade in [City Name, State].
The night before the parade, Sherman called General Oliver Howard to his room and said, "General, you were at the head of one of the divisions that marched with me through Georgia, and you should rightfully ride at the head of your division in the parade tomorrow. However, I've been asked to let the general who preceded you in command represent the division."
General Howard replied, "With all due respect, sir, I think I am entitled to represent my division, since I led them to victory."
Sherman said, "Yes, you are. But I know you're a Christian, and I was wondering if you would yield your rights for the sake of peace."
Quickly, Howard responded, "Of course I'll yield."
"All right," General Sherman said, "I will arrange so, and I want you to report to me in the morning at 9:00 a.m. You will be riding with me at the head of the parade."
General Howard's willingness to yield his position to his commander led to an even greater position of honor. Just the same, God blesses those who are completely submitted to Him. Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a submissive spirit, so that you can fully be used by Him.
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How to find rescue from your pain
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:1-5
A man put up a sign in his yard that read "Puppies for Sale." Among those who came to inquire was a young boy from the neighborhood. "Please, mister," he said, "I'd like to buy one of your puppies."
"Well, son, they're $25."
The boy looked crushed. "I've only got two dollars and five cents. Could I see them anyway?"
"Of course," said the man.
The lad's eyes lit up at the sight of those five little balls of fur. "That one has a bad leg," said the man. "I'm afraid she'll be crippled for life."
"Well, that's the puppy I want. Could I pay for her a little at a time?"
The man responded, "But she'll always have a limp." Smiling bravely, the boy pulled up one pant leg, revealing a brace. "I don't walk good either." Then, looking at the puppy, he continued, "I guess she'll need a lot of love and help. I sure did. It's not so easy being crippled."
"Here, take her," said the man. "I know you'll give her a good home. And just forget the money."
Because of sin in our lives, we're just like that little crippled puppy. But when Jesus looks at you, He also looks down at His nail-pierced hands and feet and says, "I'll give you a good home." It's because of those scars that He can sympathize with your pain and weakness and calls you home to be with Him forever!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that, despite the sin and shame that covers us, Jesus Christ rescued us from sin so that we could have eternal life!
Questions for Thought
How does it make you feel that Jesus rescued us from the curse of sin and brings you to eternal life?
What response should we have to Christ's invitation to live with Him forever?
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Does your life point others to Jesus?
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
A story is told of a man who would stop every morning to pick up the early edition of the newspaper at a small grocery store. One morning when he arrived at work, the man found that by mistake he had taken two newspapers instead of one. He first thought of paying the grocer the extra price the next morning. But then after a moment's consideration, he got in his car, drove back to the store, and returned the paper.
About a week later, the shop owner discovered that someone had stolen money from the grocery store. When police pinpointed the time it occurred, the grocer remembered only two people being in the store at the time—and one was the man who had returned the paper.
The grocer immediately dismissed the man as a suspect, saying, "That man is really honest. He came all the way back here just to return a newspaper he took by mistake." The police then focused their investigation on the other man, who soon made a full confession. This man's honesty made a big impression on that non-Christian storeowner.
As Christians, our walk should always resemble our talk. This is especially true in the eyes of a watching world, whose impressions and opinions of Christianity are formed based upon their interactions with Christians. So when it comes to honesty, live far above reproach, letting your good works shine in a dark world and bringing glory to God!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you live the kind of life that points others to Jesus Christ.
Questions for Thought
Up to this point, how would you say you've done at living a life that points others to Christ?
What are some areas of your life today where you can be a light to people who don't know Jesus Christ?
:angel:
How To Persevere Through Any Trial
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12
As a young man, film director Robert Flaherty spent many months in the far north looking for iron ore and cod. He found neither, but he did shoot 70,000 feet of film in his travels. Someone encouraged him to edit the film and make a documentary, which Flaherty spent weeks doing.
But just as he finished, a match from his cigarette dropped among the celluloid, consuming the entire film and burning Flaherty badly. His response to the disaster was a determination to return to the far north and make a film of Eskimo life "that people will never forget." He did just that, and the result was the classic 1922 documentary Nanook of the North.
What Robert's story can teach us today is that setbacks are going to take place in life. We're going to experience health problems. Finances won't always be as abundant as we'd like. And, relationships will be strained at times. Yet it's not those trials that define us, but how we persevere through them with hopeful, prayerful patience that God is going to do something great.
When others look at your life, they won't define you by your struggles, but how you faithfully persevered through them. So whatever you might be facing today, know that in Christ, you have everything you need to keep going forward with your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you stay true and faithful when struggles come your way.
Questions for Thought
In what areas of your life today are you experiencing trials? Are you struggling to persevere?
What does it look like for you to joyfully, prayerfully persevere through those trials?
:angel:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28
Many years ago in London, a talented young man began preparing for the ministry. He had surrendered his life to Christ and wanted so badly to be used by the Lord. He was a brilliant student and completed his seminary studies with honors.
Prior to his ordination as a minister, he was required to preach a sermon before a select group of clergymen. The intensity of the situation made him nervous—especially when he saw his lovely fiancée sitting in the audience. In his anxiety, he lost his train of thought as he preached...which resulted in the board not approving him for ordination.
The rejection was a bitter disappointment, and his grief increased when his fiancée broke off their engagement because he had performed so poorly. After these two events, he fought depression for quiet some time. Several weeks later, He poured out his complaint before God, and was reminded of God's promise in Romans 8:28..."in all things God works for the good of those who love him...." It was then that he experienced an incredible peace in his soul.
When the chance to preach happened again, the young man delivered a powerful sermon to the examining board and he was ordained to the ministry. Since this time, the dynamic preaching of G. Campbell Morgan has impacted thousands of people. This infamous expositor authored several Bible commentaries and 60 books on theology. Morgan left a legacy that still stirs hearts today—and the crisis he went through and overcame with God's help played a huge part.
Failure can often cause us to question the calling God has placed on our lives. But many times we can't see the big picture. Friend, whether you can see it or not, God is working in your life—but sometimes He works behind the scenes.
If you are a believer and have experienced failure, don't give up! God can use that failure to produce success and blessing in your life according to the promises in His Word.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to turn your failures into triumphs, and thank Him for the promises of His Word.
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How to avoid being tempted to sin
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. - Galatians 5:16
Picture yourself walking on a set of train tracks when a train starts coming at you from behind. If the train engineer sees you on a track, he or she will blow the whistle. But at this point, you already have a few things going against you.
First, train engineers say often it takes more than one blast to get the average person's attention. And large trains can't stop the way motor vehicles can because the average freight train has about 100 cars, weighs 12 million pounds, and takes a full mile to stop.
Not only that, but an optical illusion happens with train tracks. When you turn around and see a train coming, it looks as if it is traveling half as fast, and is two times farther away from you than it really is. For example, if it is going 60 miles per hour and is half a mile away, it looks as if it is traveling 30 mph and is one mile away.
Now it's easy to read those facts above and come to the logical conclusion that walking along train tracks is unsafe. Yet in the spiritual life, many people are content to walk along the train tracks of sin, which is much more elusive and dangerous than a train on a set of tracks!
Whatever your sin struggle is, don't walk on the tracks. Avoid the sin that could potentially entangle you by guarding yourself against temptation!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you the strength to resist sin, especially the sin in your life that is particularly tempting.
Questions for Thought
What are some sins in your life that could potentially sneak up on you if you're not looking?
How can you take action to avoid temptation to commit those sins?
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What Baggage Are You Carrying?
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Many Christians today treat their spiritual life like motor homes. You see, the motor home has allowed us to put all the conveniences of our normal life on wheels. A camper no longer needs to contend with sleeping in a sleeping bag, cooking over a fire, or hauling water from a stream. Now he can park a fully equipped home in the midst of a few pine trees and hook up to a water line, a sewer line, and electricity.
Many people buy motor homes with the hope of seeing new places and getting out into the world. Yet when they deck it out with the same furnishings as their living room and never set foot outside of it, nothing really changes. They drive to new places, set themselves in new surroundings, but they've only carried along their old baggage!
Real life in Christ begins when we let go of the comfortable patterns of our old life and embrace a newness of life that, while it may be different, is so much better.
Maybe today you'd have to admit that you've carried your familiar old habits with you into your relationship with Christ. You're hanging onto those old habits because they're just comfortable. Don't treat your spiritual life like a motor home. Instead, make it an adventure, living each day fully dependent on God to meet your needs!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you break free from old patterns of negative behavior and live a new life in Christ.
Questions for Thought
What are some old patterns of behavior you've carried with you into your Christian life?
What would it look like for you to let go of those old behaviors and live fully dependent on God for fulfillment?
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Can You Trust The Mediator?
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. - 1 Timothy 2:5
A folk story is told of the bandit Jose Rivera who became notorious in several little towns in Texas for robbing banks and businesses. Finally a Texas Ranger caught up with Jose as he was taking a siesta at a local saloon.
He walked over to the sleeping bandit, tapped him on the shoulder, and asked, "Are you Jose Rivera?" The man mumbled, "No speak English." The ranger beckoned a young barkeep to help him communicate. The ensuing conversation was tedious. Finally, the ranger warned Jose Rivera that he had two choices: let him know where all the loot was hidden, or be shot dead instantly. The young man translated the ultimatum.
Jose Rivera pulled himself together and said to the young man, "Tell him to go out of the bar, turn to the right, go about a mile, and he will see a well. Near the well he will see a very tall tree. If he digs on the north side of the tree, he will find all of the money I have taken."
The young man turned to the ranger, opened his mouth, paused, and then said, "Jose Rivera says, 'Go ahead and shoot!'"
Very often, we find ourselves reliant on an intermediary to transmit a message to us. Yet the reliability of the message we receive is only as good as the mediator. But in Christ, we have a perfect mediator, who gave us the message of eternal life that came from God. So thank God today for sending Jesus as the perfect mediator that we may know Him!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that He sent Jesus Christ to be a mediator so that you can know Him!
Questions for Thought
What does it mean to you that God sent a mediator, Jesus Christ, so that you can have a relationship with Him?
How can you let others know that God has made Himself accessible through Christ?
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But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. --Acts 1:8
A young woman excited about her salvation developed a deep desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. She felt called to missions, so she asked her pastor where she might go to serve to be most effective. He told her to come back the following day and he would have an answer for her then.
The next day, when she returned to his office, the pastor was waiting for her with an answer. He handed her a folded slip of paper and said, "I'm suggesting that you begin with someone who needs Christ right now more than anyone else in the entire world."
The young woman quickly left the pastor's office, eager to find out where her mission field was. She carefully opened the note and was surprised to discover two words: "Your father."
She had been so passionate about reaching the lost in foreign lands that she had neglected to share the Gospel with someone so close to home.
Are there people in your life who don't know Jesus? Maybe it's a parent, a sibling, a grandchild, a close friend, an acquaintance, one of your children, or even your spouse. Many people make the mistake of thinking the only mission field is overseas.
But God has called you to share the Good News of His Word right where you are—in your city, neighborhood, and among your circle of friends. If you know someone who is living with no hope and without a relationship with Jesus, then take the time today to share truth that will change their lives forever.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to reveal people in your life that need to know the Lord so you can share Christ with them. Pray that He would open up the right opportunity at the right time for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives through you.
:angel:
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. --John 1:11
In The King's Business magazine, there was a story published once that told of a Christian fisherman who decided to spend the night on his boat. In the middle of the night, he heard a loud splash...and knew right away that the man in the yacht next to him had fallen in as a result of his heavy drinking. So he jumped into the cold water to save him.
With great effort, the fisherman pulled the man back onto his yacht and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to help bring him back to life. After successfully rendering aid, he put the man back in his bed and swam back to his own boat.
The next morning, the fisherman returned to the yacht to see how the man was doing. But surprisingly, the man ungratefully replied, "It's none of your business!"
The fisherman reminded him that he had rescued him and saved his life the night before. But instead of showing gratitude, the man openly cursed and threatened him.
As the Christian man rowed away, tears filled his eyes and he prayed, "When I think of how men have treated You, Lord, I'm filled with sorrow. Now I can begin to understand just a little how You must feel when others reject You."
When you are persecuted by others because of your faith in Christ, think of the rejection that Jesus faced so that you could have forgiveness of your sins and eternal life through Him. Continue to profess His name and remember what He did on the cross...because great is your reward when you persevere in the midst of trials.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank the Lord for the sacrifice He made for you in the midst of persecution and rejection. Pray that He would give you strength so that His name may be glorified through it all.
:angel:
Trusting Christ When It Means Rejection
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. - Philippians 3:8
At his father's funeral, American track and field star Carl Lewis placed his 100-meter gold medal from the 1984 Olympics in his father's grave. "Don't worry," he told his surprised mother. "I'll get another one."
A year later, in the 100-meter final at the 1988 games, Lewis was competing against Canadian world record holder Ben Johnson. Halfway through the race, Johnson was still five feet in front. Lewis was convinced he could catch him. But at 80 meters, he was still five feet behind. "It's over," Lewis thought. As Johnson crossed the finish, he stared back at Lewis and thrust his right arm in the air, index finger extended.
Lewis was exasperated. He had noticed Johnson's bulging muscles and yellow-tinged eyes, both indications of steroid use. "I didn't have the medal, but I could still give to my father by acting with class and dignity," Lewis said later. He shook Johnson's hand and left the track.
Then came the announcement that Johnson had tested positive for anabolic steroids. He was stripped of his medal. The gold went to Lewis, a replacement for the medal he had given his father.
There are times that standing firm for what you believe will result in you losing. You might lose respect from those you want to please. You could lose a job. You may even lose friendships. But when the pressure is on, stand firm in your faith knowing that a better reward is on the way!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to help you do what's right even when it means losing something. And thank Him that a much better reward is on the way!
Questions for Thought
As you think back on your life, are there times when being a believer in Christ has cost you something?
What would your life look like today if you had no fear of rejection and lived fully for Christ?
:angel:
Keeping your focus where it belongs
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2
A pastor tells a story of how he spent a summer teaching in Mexico and took both of his children with him. To pass the time as they drove, his 13-year-old son watched for license plates. The trip to Mexico netted him plates from 24 states!
So when they started back, the son was almost halfway to having seen plates from all 50 states. And their return trip would take them through Yellowstone National Park—a license plate collector's paradise. By the morning of the second day there, he had just one more state to go: Delaware.
When the three stopped to see Yellowstone's magnificent sights, the boy wouldn't even glance at them. He preferred to run up and down the parking lots, looking at license plates. He had become so obsessed with finding that Delaware plate, it was as if his life depended on it. When they stopped near the picturesque Yellowstone Falls, he kept looking for license plates.
"Come here! You've got to see it!" the father heard. As they ran to the parking lot, they saw a blue Volkswagen bus with Delaware license plates. The family still has that picture, and even today, that picture that tells more about what they did in Yellowstone than anything else.
It's easy to become so focused on the petty things of life that you miss the big things that really matter. So don't let life's distractions keep you from focusing on God. Instead, concentrate on what really matters in life: knowing God and making Him known!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would reveal to you the things in your life that compete for His attention and ask Him to help you focus on Him over and above everything else.
Questions for Thought
What are some things in your life today that are competing for God's attention?
How can you put those things into perspective so that you don't miss God because of trivial things?
:angel:
Is knowledge enough to save?
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. - James 2:19
When General Douglas MacArthur was a young West Point student, he was asked to give a report on a section of reading about the time-space relationship later formulated by Einstein as his Theory of Relativity. The reading was incredibly complex and, being unable to comprehend it, MacArthur committed the pages to memory.
When he was called upon to give his report, he solemnly reeled off almost word for word what the book said. The instructor looked at him somewhat quizzically and asked, "Do you understand this theory?"
"No, sir." You could've heard a pin drop in the lecture hall. The student braced himself and waited. And then the slow words of the professor: "Neither do I, Mr. MacArthur. Section dismissed."
Is often easy to know something without understanding or accepting it. You can know that Jesus Christ came to earth, died for your sins, and rose again, but never really accept it for yourself. Today's passage says even demons believe the things of God, but they are certainly not saved by it!
Instead of just letting the Bible be head knowledge, know it in your heart. Meditate on God's Word so that it becomes more than what you believe, but what you truly accept!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you eyes to see and ears to hear and accept His message of salvation.
:angel:
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" --Luke 4:4
There's a story about an old man who lived in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning, the grandfather would sit at the kitchen table and read from his worn-out Bible. Wanting to be just like his grandfather, the young boy would imitate him by reading his own Bible.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandfather, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don't understand it. When I do understand it, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"
The grandfather simply replied, "Son, take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but the water leaked out of the basket before he could get back to the house. The grandfather sent him back three more times and told him to move faster each time. Every time, the frustrated boy returned with an empty basket.
Finally, out of breath, the young boy said to his grandfather, "See...it's useless!"
The old man said, "Look at the basket. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it's now clean. Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand it or remember everything you read, but when you do, it will change you from the inside out."
As believers in Christ in a fallen world, you and I must saturate our hearts and minds with the Word of God every day. Just like the young boy above, it may seem that we can't retain or comprehend everything we read. But remember that God uses His Word to change us from the inside out!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Make a commitment to the Lord to study His Word faithfully each day. And pray that He will use the Scripture to cleanse you and make you more like Jesus.
:angel:
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. --Psalm 119:71
Farmers in southern Alabama were accustomed to planting one crop every year—cotton. They would simply plow as much ground as they could and plant their crop. Year after year, they made their living by growing cotton.
Then one year, the dreaded boll weevil devastated the whole region. The next year, the farmers mortgaged their homes and planted cotton again, hoping for a better harvest. But as the cotton began to grow, the insects returned and completely destroyed the crop—wiping out most of the farms that grew cotton.
The next year, the few farmers who survived decided to plant a different crop in hopes of regaining their livelihoods—peanuts. The new crop proved to be so hardy and the market so ravenous that it enabled the farmers to pay off all their debts from the two previous years of failed crops.
Every season thereafter, the farmers planted peanuts...and they prospered greatly. And eventually, the farmers spent some of their new wealth to erect a monument to the boll weevil in the town square! They figured if it hadn't been for the pesky insect, then they never would have planted the prosperous peanut crops.
As believers, we have the assurance of knowing that God can use the "boll weevils" in our lives for something good. In fact, Romans 8:28 says, "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
No matter what trials may come knocking on your door unexpectedly, know God is in control and working behind the scenes for your ultimate good!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being in control of all the situations in your life—good and bad. And ask Him for the patience you need to wait for the light after the darkness of your trials.
:angel:
The incredible value of what God's given you
However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"—the things God has prepared for those who love him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9
When the Western Union company asked the great inventor Thomas Edison to "name his price" for the ticker he had invented, Edison asked for a few days to think it over. His wife suggested he ask for $20,000, but Edison thought that was too much.
So when the time came for the meeting, the Western Union official asked Edison for his price. Edison wanted to say $20,000, but couldn't get the words out of his mouth. So the official broke the silence. "Well, how about $100,000?"
It's sometimes easy to undervalue things that haven't come to full fruition yet. Edison hadn't really seen the full potential of his world-changing invention, so he wasn't aware of its incredible value. The same is often true of salvation. You see, no living person has seen what God has prepared for those who love Him, but its true value is beyond what anyone could imagine.
As a believer, what you have in Jesus Christ is the most valuable thing in the world. Yet there are still those who take it for granted, using it as license to live as they please. But a Christian who knows its value will live every day in thankfulness to the glory of God.
Live today in light of your salvation, giving thanks to God and doing everything to bring honor to Him!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for His saving work in you and pray your life would bring glory to Him!
Questions for Thought
What are some times in your life when you might have taken God's salvation for granted?
What would it look like for you to live each day in thankfulness, bringing honor and glory to Him?
:angel:
How to emphasize the eternal in your life
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. - Philippians 3:8
Professional golfer Tommy Bolt was playing in Los Angeles and had a caddy with a reputation of constant chatter. Before they teed off, Bolt told him, "Don't say a word to me. And if I ask you something, just answer yes or no."
During the round, Bolt found the ball next to a tree, where he had to hit under a branch, over a lake and onto the green. He got down on his knees and looked through the trees and sized up the shot. "What do you think?" he asked the caddy. "Five iron?" "No," the caddy said.
"What do you mean, not a five iron?" Bolt snorted. "Watch this shot."
The caddy rolled his eyes. "Nooo, Mr. Bolt."
But Bolt hit it and the ball stopped about two feet from the hole. He turned to his caddy, handed him the five-iron and said, "Now what do you think about that? You can talk now."
"Mr. Bolt," the caddy said, "that wasn't your ball."
Quite often in life, it's easy to expend time and energy on things that are ultimately meaningless. Just like Tommy Bolt hit the wrong ball, many people also put an enormous amount of effort into shots that don't count for anything when life is over.
When it comes to how you spend your time, do things that count. Spend your energy on things that bring glory to God—growing in His Word, fellowshipping with other believers, and loving those that don't know Him.
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you when you are putting too much time and energy into things that have no eternal significance.
Questions for Thought
What are the temporal things in your life today on which you'd admit you've placed too much emphasis?
What are the things of eternal significance that you can put more time and energy into today?
:angel:
How you can avoid spiritual immaturity
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. - Ezra 7:10
In a survey conducted by the Barna Research Group, nearly 1/3 of all born-again Christians stated that all good people will go to heaven, whether they have embraced Jesus Christ or not.
Another astonishing fact found was that while 88% in a recent poll believe Jesus Christ was a real person, what they believe about Him differs sharply from Scriptural teaching. About 42% (even a quarter of the "born again" Christians) believe that while on earth, Jesus sinned just like other people. Around 61% believe the devil is just a symbol of evil, not a living being. And 54% think that if people are good enough, they will earn a place in heaven regardless of their religious beliefs.
As shocking as many of those statistics are, especially those that deal with "born-again" Christians, there's a very important inference that can be made from them: people aren't growing in their faith.
You see, many people who are raised in a "Christian" home learn the basics of the faith. Then, when they're about 10 to 12 years old, they begin coasting spiritually. And very often they coast for decades, until one day when they're 50, and they realize they have the biblical knowledge of a 10-year-old.
Don't allow yourself to coast in the spiritual life. Instead, like the prophet Ezra, grow deeper in God's Word by devoting yourself to studying and observing it every day!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you insight and discipline to study His Word regularly to avoid coasting through life spiritually.
Questions for Thought
Are there areas in your spiritual life where you've been guilty of just coasting? What are they?
What's a practical plan for you to get in God's Word regularly to avoid the problem of spiritual immaturity?
:angel:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 3:14-15
There is a story of four ministers who were discussing various Bible versions and which ones they liked best. One liked the King James Version because of its eloquent literary style. Another one preferred the Revised Version of 1881 because it provided the most literal translation of Hebrew and Greek.
The third minister felt that the New King James Version was the most readable and easiest to understand of all. But the fourth minister didn't say a thing. Finally, one of them asked for his opinion on which version of the Bible he liked best.
The man replied, "I like my mother's translation the best."
The others were shocked by his answer, and one of them asked, "Did your mother translate the Bible into her own version?"
"Yes, sort of," the man replied. "She translated it into her life, and it was the most convincing version I've ever seen."
If you are a believer, people are watching your life. And quite frankly, your life is the only Bible some people will ever read!
In order for our lives to serve as godly examples for others, you and I must act out God's Word every single day. You can be certain that your children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are watching how you live your life as a Christian. Are you a living example of God's Word to those around you?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would be a living example of God's Word so that you can point others to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to direct your words and actions so you can be a godly influence—no matter the circumstance.
:angel:
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. --2 Corinthians 1:5
The Chicago Tribune published a story once about 15-year-old Douglas Maurer. He had suffered from a high fever and flu-like symptoms for several days, so finally his mother took him to the hospital. It was there that Douglas was diagnosed with leukemia.
The doctors explained the disease to Douglas and said he would have to undergo intense chemotherapy for the next three years. They told him about the side effects that would follow...baldness and a bloated body...and Douglas became very depressed.
To lift his spirits, Douglas' aunt called a local floral shop to send him a flower arrangement. She told the clerk it was for her teenage nephew who had leukemia.
When the beautiful flowers arrived at the hospital, Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card attached that said: "Douglas—I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I'm 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley." For the first time since his diagnosis, Douglas' face lit up.
Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with sophisticated medical equipment and technology. He was being treated by some of the best doctors and nurses around. But it was a simple sales clerk in a flower shop that took the time to care. She was the one person who gave Douglas hope to carry on.
Is there someone in your life suffering from some sort of affliction who needs comfort? If so, seek to show them love, compassion, and encouragement. You could be the one person who can make a difference in the life of another who is suffering without hope.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that the Lord would help you to bring comfort and encouragement to someone who needs it more than ever today.
:angel:
Finding reward in life's challenges
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. - Exodus 19:5
Almost everyone has heard of Paul Revere's midnight ride to warn American patriots of advancing British soldiers during the American Revolution. But few have heard of Israel Bissel, a humble post rider on the Boston-New York route.
After the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, Bissel was ordered to raise the alarm in New Haven, Connecticut. He reached Worchester, Massachusetts, normally a day's ride, in just two hours. There, according to tradition, his horse promptly dropped dead.
Pausing only to get another mount, Bissel pressed on and by April 22, he was in New Haven—but he didn't stop there! He rode on to New York, arriving April 24, and then stayed in the saddle until he reached Philadelphia the next day. Bissel's 126-hour, 345-mile ride signaled American militia units throughout the Northeast to mobilize for war.
In the Christian life, God often calls us to challenging tasks that, while difficult, ultimately bring about good. Perhaps He challenges us to step out in faith and help mend a broken relationship. Or, maybe He calls us to step out in faith and share the message of salvation with another person. While tasks like these aren't always easy, they'll always be blessed.
So be willing to do the hard things for God so that in due time, you'll receive abundant blessings!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a heart that's willing to do great things for Him even when they seem challenging.
Questions for Thought
Are you typically eager to accept challenges in life or are you more prone to do what's safe?
How can you change your perspective to be more eager to do the hard things for God, knowing that the reward will be great?
:angel:
The importance of facing life's challenges head-on
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. - 1 Corinthians 16:13
Researcher Spencer Silver from 3M was curious about what would happen if he mixed an unusual amount of monomer into a polymer-based adhesive he was working on. The result was an adhesive that would "tack" one piece of paper to another and even re-stick, without leaving any residue on the second piece of paper.
The company had no use for the new adhesive until 3M chemist Arthur Fry began having problems in the choir loft. The slips of paper he used to mark pages in his hymnal often fluttered to the floor, leaving him frantically searching for his place. Then he remembered Silver's adhesive. Fry's better bookmark soon metamorphosed into the handy Post-it Notes that have become a fixture in offices throughout the world.
It's very often true in life that some of the greatest things are born out of challenges. Had Arthur Fry not have reached a point of frustration with his hymnal, offices all over the globe today might not be filled with those florescent little sticky notes that have now become so commonplace.
Instead of giving up when you encounter a challenge or a struggle in your life, find out what God is doing. Seek Him and ask Him what He wants to accomplish through it. Because when you have the courage to face life's challenges head-on, you never know the impact it will have!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the courage not to back down when challenges come your way.
Questions for Thought
As you look back at your life up to now, have you typically seen challenges as something to be avoided or embraced? Why is that?
What tangible steps can you take to become more resilient in the face of life's challenges?
:angel:
Appreciating the blessings of others in your life
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. - Hebrews 3:13
A story was told of a man who loved old books. He met an acquaintance who had just thrown away a Bible that had been stored in the attic of his ancestral home for generations. "I couldn't read it," the friend explained. "Somebody named Guten-something had printed it."
"Not Gutenberg!" the book lover exclaimed in horror. "That Bible was one of the first books ever printed. Why, a copy just sold for over two million dollars!" His friend was unimpressed. "Well, this one wouldn't have brought a dollar. Some fellow named Martin Luther had scribbled all over it in German."
Sometimes you don't know the value of what you have until it's gone. There are people in your life who become so commonplace... you see them every day, talk with them, but you're never truly grateful for the blessings they bring to your life. Then one day, by death or something else, they're gone, and you realize how important they really were to you.
Don't take others in your life for granted. Instead, be thankful to God for the friends and family He's given you. And let those special people in your life know you care about them while you have the time. Be diligent to express appreciation for those you have today!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you those in your life who need to hear you appreciate them.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think people tend to take others in their lives for granted?
How can you show those in your life who've blessed you with their friendship and love that you appreciate them and don't take them for granted?
:angel:
Living in the freedom Christ has given you
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. - Galatians 4:6-7
A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma's backyard, he saw her pet duck. On an impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead.
So he panicked and hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. After lunch that day, Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn't you, Johnny?" And she whispered to him, "Remember the duck." So Johnny did the dishes.
Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, Grandma said, "I'm sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally smiled and said, "That's all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it." Again she whispered, "Remember the duck." Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing.
Finally, after several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he couldn't stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he'd killed the duck. "I know, Johnny," she said, giving him a hug. "I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I just wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.
How many Christians today have received forgiveness in Christ, but miss out on living in the freedom they have? Don't live under the impression that you still have to earn your salvation. Instead, live in the freedom that Christ has bought you!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to help you understand the freedom you have in Christ. As you grow in your freedom, shake off the yoke of slavery and experience the joy you're meant to have!
:angel:
The importance of giving substance to your faith
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. - James 2:26
A young boy, on an errand for his mother, had just bought a dozen eggs. As he walked out of the store, he tripped and dropped the sack, breaking every egg he had bought. The sidewalk was a mess, and the little boy tried not to cry. So a few people gathered to see if he was okay and to tell him how sorry they were.
In the midst of all the "I'm sorry"s and everyone making sure the boy was okay, one man handed the boy a quarter. Then he turned to the group and said, "I care 25 cents worth. How much do the rest of you care?"
That little story is a strong parallel to many people today, isn't it? You see, some tend to pity Jesus and say things like, "He was such a noble teacher," and, "What a brave thing to die for what you believe." However, when it comes to actually putting their money where their mouth is, that's where their devotion stops.
The Bible says that faith is of the utmost importance. But faith itself is only proven when there are works behind it like giving your money, your time, and even your very life to Christ. So instead of just giving Jesus your words, give Him your works and add substance to your profession of faith!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to empower you to add substance to your faith by giving your money, your time, and even your very life to Christ every day!
:angel:
What is the foundation of your life?
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25
On November 25, 1895, a cornerstone of ice was laid in Leadville, Colorado—the beginning of the largest ice palace ever built in America. In an effort to bolster the town's sagging economy, the citizens staged a winter carnival. On New Year's Day of 1896, the town turned out for the grand opening.
The immense palace measured 450 x 320 feet. The towers that flanked the entrance were 90 feet high. Inside was a 16,000-square-foot skating rink. But by the end of March, the palace was melting away, along with the hopes of Leadville. You see, the tens of thousands of visitors who were anticipated to come did not, and those who did come spent very little, leaving the town's economy in shambles.
Many Christians today also build their own "ice palaces" that eventually melt away. Perhaps they've trusted in money for their security. Maybe they've become codependent with another person to the point where they trust in them for everything. Or, it's possible they've allowed their possessions—their home, their car, or their "toys"—to become their idols.
Each of these things will melt away when summer comes. Money won't last forever; people will let you down; and your possessions won't follow you to heaven! So instead of building castles of ice, build your life on the rock of Jesus Christ so that when summer comes, you'll be standing strong!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to reveal to you things you've built your life on that have no eternal significance.
Questions for Thought
What are some "ice palaces" that many people build their lives on today that eventually melt away?
How can you be diligent to keep your life founded on the rock of Jesus Christ instead of temporary things?
:angel:
How to break free from the bondage of sin
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - Hebrews 12:1
In one of his most famous sermons, Pastor J. Alistair Brown told a story of how he passed a massive oak tree as he was walking through a park one day. A vine had grown up along its trunk and had gotten taller and taller. The entire lower half of the tree was covered by the vine's creepers. The mass of tiny feelers was so thick that the tree looked as though it had innumerable birds' nests in it.
The tree was in danger. This huge, solid oak was being taken over; the life was being squeezed from it. But the gardeners in that park had seen the danger. They had taken a saw and severed the trunk of the vine—one neat cut across the middle. The tangled mass of the vine's branches still clung to the oak, but the vine was now dead. This eventually became plain as weeks passed and the creepers began to die and fall away from the tree.
Brown went on to explain that it's so easy for sin, which begins so small and seemingly insignificant, to grow until it has a strangling grip on our lives. And yet, Christ's death has cut the power of sin. Yes, the "creepers" of sin still cling and have some effect. But sin's power is severed by Christ, and gradually, sin's grip dries up and falls away.
Maybe today you find yourself entangled by sin's creeping vines. But the good news is that in Christ, you're dead to sin and alive to God! So take heart that even when sin seems to have you, you have the power of Christ in you to throw off its bondage and live in freedom!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to help you throw off sin's entangling vines and live in the freedom Christ has purchased for you!
Questions for Thought
What are some areas in your life where the vines of sin have entangled you?
How can you break free from those old ways and embrace the freedom Christ has given you?
:angel:
The reward of living for today
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. - Romans 13:11
J. Vernon McGee once attributed the secret to his longevity and ongoing strength to the fact that he took 12-14 vitamin pills a day.
One day he saw a man much older than he, and McGee bragged, "There isn't a thing I can't do today that I couldn't do when I was 16!"
The old-timer was astounded, "Really?"
"Yes," McGee replied. "It just shows what a pathetic 16-year-old I was!"
Dr. McGee was onto something that it seems people miss today. So many adults tend to look back on their past and think, "Everything was so great back then," or, "I wish I could just go back and be young for one day." What they don't realize is that there is a tendency in all people to romanticize the past and downplay the present... to see days gone by as better than today.
But God calls us all to have a much healthier outlook. He wants us to have a healthy, balanced view of the past, and look at today as a blessing.
When you're tempted to over-romanticize the past, think about all you've learned since you were very young and count your blessings today. Don't live for what's gone; live for what's here and experience the joy of renewal each day!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the perspective of living your life not in the past, but anew each and every day.
Questions for Thought
What are some stages in life that, as you look back on them, you tend to think were greater than they actually were?
What are the blessings or life lessons you have today that you didn't have when you were younger?
:angel:
Glorifying God in every aspect of life
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
You may be surprised to know that throughout his or her lifetime, the average American:
Spends 3 years in business meetings
Spends 13 years watching TV
Consumes 109,354 pounds of food
Makes 1,811 trips to McDonalds
Spends $6,881 in vending machines
Eats 35,138 cookies and 1,483 pounds of candy
Catches 304 colds
Spends 24 years sleeping
It's amazing to see those kinds of numbers isn't it? But what many Christians don't realize is that even in the seemingly "mundane" aspects of life like eating or sleeping, God can be honored. In fact, as you see in today's verse, you can glorify God in whatever you do!
It's easy to slip into the mindset of "sacred" versus "secular" and think, I can really only glorify God when I'm reading my Bible or singing to Him. But in reality, God doesn't just want an hour on Sunday, He wants all of you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week!
So whatever your daily routine has you doing, glorify God. If you're having lunch, use it as a time to thank God for the blessings of food. If you're meeting with friends, show them the love of Christ in how you talk and act. When you do that, you'll start to understand what it really means to glorify God with your life!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you "routine" areas of your life where you can bring glory to Him!
:angel:
The key to overcoming loneliness
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. - Psalm 25:16
Everyone, at some point in life, experiences loneliness. In his book Facing Loneliness, J. Oswald Sanders writes, "The round of pleasure or the amassing of wealth are but vain attempts to escape from the persistent ache.... The millionaire is usually a lonely man and the comedian is often more unhappy than his audience."
Sanders goes on to emphasize that being successful often fails to produce satisfaction. Then he refers to Henry Martyn, a distinguished scholar, as an example of what he is talking about. Martyn, a Cambridge University student, was honored at only 20 years of age for his achievements in mathematics. In fact, he was given the highest recognition possible in that field.
But he still felt such emptiness inside. In fact, he was quoted as saying that instead of finding fulfillment in his achievements, he had "only grasped a shadow."
After evaluating his life's goals, Martyn sailed to India as a missionary at the age of 24. When he arrived, he prayed, "Lord, let me burn out for You!" And in the next 7 years that preceded his death, he translated the New Testament into three languages!
Do you want to know what the key to overcoming loneliness is? It's living your life on a purposeful mission for God. So if you find yourself with feelings of loneliness, reach out to others with the love of Christ and watch the peace of God invade your heart!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would reveal to you areas where you can turn any loneliness into service to Him and that you would be overcome by His supernatural peace.
:angel:
How to get off the spiritual roller coaster
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58
As a wealthy oil tycoon lay on his deathbed, his pastor talked of God's healing power. "Pastor," he gasped, "if God heals me, I'll give the church a million dollars." The pastor gave a wry grin and said, "Yes, sir, I'm sure you would!"
Miraculously, the man was healed and within a few short weeks was out of the hospital. One day several months later, he and the pastor were chatting on the sidewalk in front of the church. "You know," the pastor laughed, "when you were in the hospital dying, you promised to give the church a million dollars if you got well. We haven't got it yet."
"Did I say that?" the tycoon asked. "I guess that goes to show how sick I really was!"
It's interesting how in times of desperation, people tend to become more spiritual, promising God this and that. Yet when those times of desperation pass, they're left with unkept promises and a waning spiritual life.
Instead of living life on a spiritual roller coaster, stay close to God in good times and in bad. Don't treat God like a cosmic Santa Claus who you turn to when you need something. See Him, rather, as a faithful friend who is always with you no matter what you're going through!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you consistency in your walk with Him in good times and in bad.
Questions for Thought
Are there times in your life when you've been on a spiritual roller coaster? What were the circumstances that prompted you to get closer to or further from God?
When times are good, how can you reaffirm your commitment to God and avoid leaning on your circumstances for joy?
:angel:
The value placed on your life
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16
Years ago, a Dutch professor took time to calculate the cost of an enemy soldier's death at different epochs in history. He estimated that during the reign of Julius Caesar, to kill an enemy soldier cost less than one dollar.
At the time of Napoleon, it had considerably inflated—to more than $2,000. At the end of the First World War, it had multiplied several times to reach the figure of some $17,000. During the Second World War, it was about $40,000. And in Vietnam, in 1970, to kill an enemy soldier cost the United States $200,000.
What is the value of a human life? At different points in human history, and even to different people, various values have been ascribed. But to God, the price was the life of His Son. And that value was not because we're worthy of it; it was given by God.
We are all sinners worthy of death and separation from God. Yet because God loved us so much, He gave those who are in Christ value and adopted us through the death of His Son, and brings us into eternal life. That's the value God has placed on us as His faithful people!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that He loved and valued you so much that He sent Jesus to die for you so that you can live forever!
Questions for Thought
How does it make you feel to know God valued you so much that He sent His only Son to die in your place?
What can you do to share this wonderful news with others?
:angel:
How to love those who ridicule you
Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." - 2 Peter 3:3-4
In 1818, Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis was born into a world of dying women. The finest hospitals lost one out of six young mothers to the scourge of "childbed fever." Back then, a doctor's daily routine began in the dissecting room where he performed autopsies. From there the doctor made his way to the hospital to examine expectant mothers without ever pausing to wash his hands.
Dr. Semmelweis was the first man in history to associate such examinations with the resultant infection and death. His own practice was to wash with a chlorine solution, and after eleven years and the delivery of 8,537 babies, he lost only 184 mothers—about one in fifty.
He spent the vigor of his life lecturing and debating with his colleagues. Once he argued, "While we talk, talk, talk, gentlemen, women are dying. I am not asking anything world shaking. I am asking you only to wash.... For God's sake, wash your hands."
Virtually no one believed him, and Semmelweis died insane at the age of 47, his colleagues laughing in his face. It wasn't until years later that hand washing became a common, life-saving practice among medical professionals.
There will come a day when all will be made known, and those who have scoffed at the gospel will see their error. But until then, stay vigilant in sharing God's message of salvation with a dying world!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the resolve to be vigilant in sharing His message of hope with a dying world.
Questions for Thought
What is a time in your life when others have scoffed at you for what you deeply believed to be true?
How can you persevere in sharing God's message of salvation, even to those who see it as "silly" or "nonsense"?
:angel:
Finding your true value as God's image bearer
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. - Psalm 139:14
Our five senses give us some astonishing capabilities, don't they? The human can see a candle's flame 30 miles away on a dark, clear night and smell a single drop of perfume diffused in a three-room apartment. Our tongues can taste .04 ounces of table salt in 530 quarts of water. Our sense of touch can detect a pressure that depresses the skin .00004 inches on the face or fingertips. And our ears can tell where a sound is coming from even when it arrives at one ear just .0003 seconds before its arrival at the other ear.
Yet as you grow older, perhaps you've noticed that your eyes aren't what they used to be. Maybe your nose can't quite smell roses on a beautiful spring day like it used to. And it's possible that your ears have caused you to lean in a little closer to your friends to hear them clearly when they talk!
Despite these types of problems that everyone faces as they grow older, you are fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image. And because the Bible says that "God is spirit" (John 4:24), we know that this image isn't physical; it's spiritual. That means that whatever functions you may lose, you'll never lose the image of God in your soul.
So never forget that you bear God's image, and even when your physical body fails you, your spirit—who you really are—endures forever!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that He's allowed you to bear His image. Pray that He would help you understand that your true value goes well beyond your physical body.
:angel:
The importance of praying continually
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
One Sunday in a Midwest city, a little boy was acting up during the morning worship hour at church. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew, but were quickly losing the battle. Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly down the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the foyer, the child called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
At some point in time, every Christian feels just like that little boy. They're staring in the face of an undesirable outcome and their only hope is to simply say, "Pray for me." But what if, instead of it being a last resort, prayer was the first place you went? What if being in a persistent state of faithful prayer wasn't just something you did when times got tough, but was a way of life?
This is exactly the kind of attitude the apostle Paul wrote about in today's passage. He says that the Christian life isn't just about praying when times get tough; it's about praying at all times—good and bad.
The faith that sustains you when things look the worst is the very same faith that sustains you when things are at their best. So pray continually. If things are good, thank God for His blessings in your life. If things are bad, pray that God would show you His purpose. Communication with your Creator is the key to living a life filled with God's very best!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to remind you to stay connected with Him through prayer in the good times and bad.
:angel:
The most fruitful way to spend your time
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. - Joshua 1:8
Charles Francis Adams, the 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today—a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father—the most wonderful day of my life!"
It's amazing how two people can see the same thing, yet not see the same thing. Charles Adams saw his day spent fishing as a wasted day—a day when he could've been much more "productive" had he been working. Yet his son saw the time investment as meaningful and loving. What a tragic difference in perspectives.
The only way to tell the difference between wasting and investing is to know one's ultimate purpose in life. For some, time spent praying and reading the Bible is time wasted, when so much more could be done.
Yet for those with the right perspective, it's time with their Heavenly Father, who longs for them to invest their time in Him. So have the right perspective. Spend your time building your relationship with God. It will be the best time you'll ever invest!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you a correct perspective with regard to your time.
Questions for Thought
What are some lies that the enemy puts into your head when you think about spending time in God's Word and praying?
How can you overcome those lies and have the right perspective that time with God is time well spent?
:angel:
Recognizing your value in Christ
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:4-7
The greatest obstacle to being physically handicapped is often not the condition itself but the stigma society still associates with it. Carlene Mattson shared a touching story about her handicapped son, Jeff, in an interview with Focus on the Family. She said,
"Our Lord is still in the business of changing lives, but not always in the ways we expect. Several years ago, Jeff played in a special Little League for kids with disabilities. After many seasons of watching from the bleachers and rooting while his big brother played ball, Jeff's opportunity finally arrived. When he received his uniform, he couldn't wait to get home to put it on. When he raced out from his bedroom, fully suited up, he announced to me, 'Mom, now I'm a real boy!' Though his words pushed my heart to my throat, I assured him he had always been a 'real boy.'"
Very often, our society ascribes value to people based on their contribution to it. So many people who are limited in their capacity to contribute are thought of as less valuable. But the truth is we are valuable because of who we are, not because of how we look or what we accomplish.
Don't base your value on what the world says. Instead, value yourself how God values you as His child because of your faith in Christ!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the incredible value He's placed on you through your faith in Jesus Christ!
Questions for Thought
Think of some times when you've had feelings of "worthlessness." What were the circumstances that brought those feelings on?
How can you remind yourself each day of your value in God's eyes as one of His children?
:angel:
Connecting yourself with the body of Christ
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. - Romans 12:4-5
A churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. The letter read as follows:
"I've gone to church for 30 years now. In that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time, and the pastors are wasting their time."
This started a real controversy in the Letters to the Editor column. It went on for weeks until someone wrote the following clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time, my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
Quite often, people downplay the importance of church attendance simply because it doesn't give them the "spiritual high" they're looking for each and every week. But church doesn't exist to make you feel good. It exists to glorify God!
Stay in church; learn and grow with other believers. While you might not remember everything, you can be sure that if you have a willing heart, you're being transformed into Christ's likeness!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the resolve to remain connected with other believers when you're tempted to do life alone.
Questions for Thought
Have there been times when you've had feelings of isolation? What brought those feelings on?
How can staying connected to other believers encourage you in your daily walk with Christ?
:angel:
What makes you uncomfortable?
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. - 2 Timothy 4:3
Whenever you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, "Does this hurt?" Now if you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there's something wrong, and the doctor will say, "We'd better do some more tests!"
This is often true when pastors preach on touchy subjects, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard, which is possible. Or perhaps there's something wrong underneath the surface.
Today's Scripture is clear that there will come a time when people will stop putting up with sound doctrine. They'll want to hear what makes them feel good instead of the truth. They'll prefer living under the illusion that things are okay with them instead of discovering the truth that there is something very wrong underneath the surface.
The Bible is a tool that the Great Physician uses to poke and prod in order to identify areas of concern in our lives. So the next time you read Scripture or hear teaching that makes you uncomfortable, ask yourself if the pressure is too high, or if maybe there is something under the surface that needs to be checked out.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you discern if there are any areas of your life where you have problems under the surface. Pray that He would give you the resolve to react appropriately when the "prodding" hurts!
:angel:
The best news you'll ever hear
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:1-5
A farmer went to meet with his banker and announced that he had some bad news and some good news. "First, the bad news... I can't make my mortgage payments. And that crop loan I've taken out for the past 10 years—I can't pay that off, either. Not only that, I won't be able to pay you the couple of hundred thousand I still have outstanding on my tractors and other equipment. So I'm going to have to give up the farm and turn it all over to you for whatever you can salvage out of it."
After a few moments of silence, the banker said, "What's the good news?"
"The good news is that I'm going to keep on banking with you."
With so much bad news in the world today, it's often true that the good news you receive does very little to make you feel better. Yet the greatest news of all, that which is found in Scripture, is the one piece of Good News that can counteract any bad news you'll hear.
What is this Good News? It's the simple fact that if you're in Christ, He's saved you. He's brought you out of the depths of sin and despair and has raised you up to be alive with Him. That's fantastic news!
So whenever you feel overwhelmed by bad news, remember that Christ died for you, and in Him, you have eternal life!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the Good News that Christ has died for you and you can have eternal life through faith in Him!
:angel:
How you can impact the next generation
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. - Psalm 71:18
In a recent survey, the Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics reported that 61 percent of the high school students and 32 percent of the college students polled admitted to having cheated on an exam during the past year.
In the same survey, 33 percent of high school and 16 percent of college students said they'd stolen something in the last year. And, 16 percent of high school and 32 percent of college students said they'd lied on a resumé or job application.
Lying, cheating, and stealing are becoming an acceptable norm among many of the next generation. And while it's easy to look at young people and shake our heads at their lack of integrity, it's important to remember that they have received much of their guidance from members of the older generation—who have often placed so much emphasis on helping themselves that they haven't invested much time in those who will follow.
The good news is that it's never too late to make a difference in the lives of younger people. So help the next generation learn from your life experience by mentoring a younger person. You'll learn from them as well, and find you have much more in common than you might think!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you find a younger person to mentor so you can impart wisdom to the next generation.
Questions for Thought
Did you have a mentor growing up? If so, how did it help? If not, how might a mentor have helped you in life?
Who is a younger person in your life today with whom you could spend more time imparting wisdom?
:angel:
How to have wisdom along with zeal
The fear of the LORDis the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. - Proverbs 1:7
The Methodist pastor, William Sangster, told the story of an eccentric church member who tried to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, the man usually did the wrong thing. While working as a barber, the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, "Are you prepared to meet your God?"
The frightened customer bolted out the door with lather on his face!
People often ask the question, "What's the right balance between Christian zeal and wisdom?" But if you think about it, that's really the wrong question to ask because it makes it seem like zeal and wisdom are in opposition to one another. A better question, then, is, "How do you have wisdom along with zeal?"
Some people are like that eccentric church member... all zeal and no wisdom. Yet there others who put aside zeal in order to be "reasonable" and "prudent." But in every situation, God wants us to take our cue from Him. So when confronted with how to have wisdom along with your Christian zeal, seek God. Pray and look to His Word for guidance. When you do, He'll show you the right path and use your zeal and wisdom in amazing ways!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you wisdom and zeal when it comes to making Him known!
Questions for Thought
Can you think of a time in your life when you had wisdom without zeal or zeal without wisdom? If you could go back and do things differently, what would you change?
As you look at your life today, do you think you need to work more on having greater wisdom or greater zeal? What can you do to increase one or the other?
:angel:
The Power of Reconciliation Through Christ
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." - Matthew 5:23-24
Keith Hernandez was one of baseball's top players. He is a lifetime .300 hitter who has won numerous Golden Glove awards for excellence in fielding. He's won a batting championship for having the highest average, the Most Valuable Player award in his league, and even the World Series.
Yet with all his accomplishments, he has missed out on something crucially important to him—his father's acceptance and recognition that what he has accomplished is valuable. One day Keith asked his father, "Dad, I have a lifetime 300 batting average. What more do you want?"
His father replied, "But someday you're going to look back and say, 'I could have done more.'"
There's very little that can emotionally damage a man or a woman more than a wounding statement like this from a parent. Yet the sad truth is that all too often, parents make these kinds of comments without ever even realizing their ramifications.
But in Christ, it's never too late for reconciliation. Maybe you've been wronged by a family member. Or, maybe you've wronged someone else. Whatever it is, God's desire is that you would live in peace with all people by sincerely humbling yourself and finding reconciliation through Him.
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you where reconciliation with a friend or family member is needed in your life.
Questions for Thought
Who are some people in your life today with whom you need to be reconciled?
What are some tangible steps you can take to love those who've wronged you and begin the process of reconciliation?
:angel:
Leaning on Christ in the midst of loneliness
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18
A woman recognized the famous pastor F. B. Meyer one day in her neighborhood, and she ventured to share her burden with him. For years she had cared for a crippled daughter who brought great joy to her life. But the daughter had died, and the grieving mother was alone and miserable.
So Meyer told her, "When you get home and put the key in the door, say aloud, 'Jesus, I know You are here!' and be ready to greet Him directly when you open the door. And as you light the fire, tell Him what has happened during the day; if anybody has been kind, tell Him; if anybody has been unkind, tell Him, just as you would have told your daughter. At night stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, 'Jesus, I know You are here!'"
Some months later, Meyer was back in that same neighborhood and met the woman again, but he did not recognize her. Her face radiated joy instead of announcing misery. "I did as you told me," she said, "and it has made all the difference in my life, and now I feel I know Him."
You may be dealing with deep grief today. Or perhaps you're lonely and just need to know someone is there. Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), and is with you no matter what. So let Him be your best friend and cling to Him though any loneliness you face.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to remind you that Jesus is a true friend who sticks closer than a brother. Talk to Jesus like you would anyone else because He's there and will always listen.
:angel:
How to be a force for encouragement to others
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29
Old Eb was, like many of his breed, rather stingy with words. He said very little, and even when he spoke, it was rather grudgingly. But one evening he was sitting on the front steps with his wife. The long day's work, the good supper, and the peaceful sights and sounds of dusk must have softened him up a little. So he took his pipe out of his mouth and said, "When I think of what you've meant to me all these years, Judith, sometimes it's almost more than I can stand not to tell you!"
Samuel Butle may have been onto something when he said, "Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value to its scarcity." However, most of us would prefer to err on the side of giving too much praise than too little.
When others think of you, how do you think they would rate you on the amount of praise and encouragement you give them? Are you a force for encouragement in their lives? Or, do you tend to be discouraging as you interact with them?
Today's Scripture couldn't be clearer... every Christian should be a force for encouragement in the lives of others. Even in times of disagreement and rebuking, you can still speak to others in an encouraging way, letting them know that you care for them. So when it comes to your dealings with others, always be encouraging and let the love of Christ shine through you.
Prayer Challenge - Pray that God would reveal to you someone who needs a word of comfort today. Then, go encourage them with the love of Christ!
:angel:
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives... --2 Peter 3:11
In the 1800s, an American tourist stopped by the home of Polish rabbi Chofetz Chaim. The tourist was surprised to find a simple dwelling place filled only with books, a table, and a bench.
The tourist asked the rabbi, "Where is all your furniture?" To which the rabbi replied, "Where is yours?"
The puzzled American said, "Mine? But I'm only a visitor here. I'm only passing through."
To which the wise Chaim replied, "And I am simply a visitor here on this earth. I'm only passing through."
Scripture talks about heaven in three different ways: the celestial and magnificent universe (Psalm 19:1), the great expanse of space surrounding the earth or its atmosphere (Genesis 1:8), and the sought-after home of God (Hebrews 4:14).
Heaven is a reality for believers. The fact that we will one day live forever in the presence of God Almighty is a fundamental doctrine of our faith. However, the Bible gives several other glimpses into what this heavenly dwelling place will be like.
Heaven is a place prepared for believers where we will spend eternity with God (John 14:1-3). In heaven, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:1-7). It will be in heaven that we will be like Christ and will recognize one another (1 John 3:2).
Today, I want to challenge you to live in the light of eternity as if you're just passing through this old earth.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you live a holy and godly lifestyle every day of your life. Pray that you would live each day with eternity set in your heart and mind.
:angel:
How to experience abundant grace through obedience
(B)ut each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:14-15
Many accidental deaths result from taking risks. That's the conclusion of an organization in Canada that is seeking to decrease accidents between cars and trains. Roger Cyr, the organization's national director, puts most of the blame for fatalities on drivers who are risk takers.
"Studies have shown that when people hear a train whistle, their minds tell them to accelerate their speed," says Cyr. "About 43 percent of the accidents occur at crossings equipped with flashing lights and bells or gates." Cyr also said that many drivers "even have the audacity to drive around or under gates."
Drivers take the risks, thinking they can beat the train and somehow miss the collision. But the consequences are often tragic, because when a car and a train collide, the train will always win.
While it's easy to look at such sad statistics and shake our heads, the truth is that many people today, even Christians, do the exact same thing with sin. They think themselves to be invincible to sin's effects, and they charge headfirst into situations that often result in them succumbing to destructive behavior.
When it comes to sin, don't take unnecessary risks. Guard yourself against falling into the destructive behavior and live your life in obedience to God through His grace!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the wisdom to avoid taking unnecessary sin risks.
Questions for Thought
What are some times in your life that, as you look back, you took unnecessary risks that caused you to fall into sin?
How can you avoid falling into those same traps in the future?
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The key to real spiritual growth
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8
It was a simple clerical error, but it could be the most expensive typo of all time. In 1978, Prudential, the largest insurance company in the U.S., loaned $160 million to United States Lines, a shipping firm. As part of the deal, Prudential got a lien on eight ships.
In 1986, U.S. Lines went into bankruptcy proceedings and started selling off assets. Prudential said it was owed nearly $93 million, the value of the lien, from the ships' sale. Or so the insurance company thought. A close look at the lien documents disclosed that someone had omitted three little zeros, thus entitling Prudential to only $92,885 instead of $92,885,000.
The clerical error was corrected, but it cost Prudential millions in legal fees and contract negotiations, all of which could have been avoided if only the contract were correct in the first place.
In the Christian life, the little things matter. Not with regards to salvation—that's already settled if you're in Christ. But when it comes to growing in God's grace and deepening your relationship with Him, it's the small, daily acts of love that serve as steps toward a more fulfilling relationship with God.
So remember, focus on the small things. Spend nuggets of time in God's Word. Find everyday ways to show His love to others. It's those small acts that will help you grow in big ways!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you how you can grow in His grace through small, everyday acts.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think many people become frustrated and quit when trying to make dramatic changes in their spiritual lives?
What are a few small practical things you can implement in your life today that will help you grow spiritually?
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How you can avoid the trap of false teaching
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." - Matthew 7:15
Chuck Swindoll tells a story about how years ago, a man went into a fried chicken place and bought a couple of chicken dinners for himself and his date. But instead of chicken, the young woman at the counter inadvertently gave him the proceeds from the day—a whole bag of money.
After driving to their picnic site, the two sat down to enjoy their meal. But they discovered a whole lot more than chicken—over $800! So the man quickly put the money back in the bag, got in the car, and drove all the way back to the restaurant.
The manager was thrilled to death. He said, "Oh, great! I'm gonna have your picture put in the local newspaper. You're the most honest man I've ever met!" So the man quickly responded, "Oh no, don't do that!" Then he leaned closer and whispered, "You see, the woman I'm with is not my wife... she's somebody else's."
Now I'll be that you absolutely loved this man up until the last sentence. And now, you probably think he's a sleazebag! Isn't it amazing what can happen to our impressions of people once we know the full story?
In much the same way, many "spiritual leaders" today look good on the outside. But when you find out what they're really teaching, you discover they may not be all they proclaim. So be careful what you allow yourself to be taught by "pop-spirituality" and cling to the truth of Scripture!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you good discernment between what's true, biblical teaching and what is false "pop-spirituality."
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The best way to discover God's truth
"The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the LORD pasture them like lambs in a meadow?" - Hosea 4:16
Are you strong enough to face how mistaken many of your most cherished beliefs are? Well, here are a few things you may not have known:
1. Marie Antoinette never said, "Let them eat cake." This phrase was attributed to her but had actually been used by other prominent figures long before.
2. Charles Lindbergh was not the first person to fly nonstop across the Atlantic. He was the 92nd, although he was the first to do it alone.
3. The centipede doesn't have a hundred legs. It usually has 21 or 30, though some have more than 100. And the millipede certainly doesn't have a thousand legs. In fact, very few have more than 200.
4. A red flag to a bull is meaningless because bulls are colorblind.
5. The idea that people never use more than 10% of their brain is false.
6. An ostrich never buries its head in the sand. It only looks that way when it lowers its head in fear, to feed itself, or to cover its eggs for protection.
When it comes to our ideas of God, it's important that we don't have a stubborn heart and are willing to accept when we might be wrong. So instead of assuming you have the Christian life all figured out, live your life with a humble and teachable attitude and let God guide you in His truth each day!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to reveal to you areas where you have been stubborn and unteachable. Pray that He would soften your heart in these areas so that you can grow in His truth!
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How to recognize and overcome evil
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:21
John was driving home late one night when he picked up a hitchhiker. As they rode along, he began to be suspicious of his passenger. John checked to see if his wallet was safe in the pocket of his coat that was on the seat between them, but it wasn't there! So he slammed on the brakes, ordered the hitchhiker out, and said, "Hand over the wallet immediately!"
The frightened hitchhiker handed over a billfold, and John drove off. When he arrived home, he started to tell his wife about the experience, but she interrupted him, saying, "Before I forget, John, do you know that you left your wallet at home this morning?"
It's human nature to jump to conclusions about others we perceive to be different than us. That's because evil has been characterized in our culture with a "this and not that" mentality. For most, evil is what happens when a terrorist attacks a crowded building, but it's not what happens when a clean-cut employee gossips about a coworker. Yet the Bible says that both are evil.
As Christians, we must come to recognize evil wherever it is. Yes, we have to see it in ruthless killings of others. But we must also learn to perceive it in our own lives as well as those around us.
Evil is evil, no matter what flavor it is. So pray that God would give you wisdom to discern what's right and what's wrong, and strive each day to overcome evil with good!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for discernment when it comes to recognizing evil in your daily life and strength to overcome it.
Questions for Thought
What are some pictures that come to mind when you hear the word evil? How have we been conditioned to think that way?
How can recognizing evil in all its forms help us to overcome it?
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How to experience the fullest life possible
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13
Thirty years ago, 33-year-old Larry Walters decided he wanted to see his neighborhood from a new perspective. He went down to the local army surplus store one morning and bought 45 used weather balloons. That afternoon he strapped himself into a lawn chair, filled the balloons with helium, and cut his tie-downs. He took along a BB gun, figuring he could shoot the balloons one at a time when he was ready to land.
Walters, who assumed the balloons would lift him about 100 feet in the air, was caught off guard when the chair soared more than 11,000 feet into the sky and into the middle of the air traffic pattern at Los Angeles International Airport. Too frightened to shoot any of the balloons, he stayed airborne for more than two hours, forcing the airport to shut down and causing long delays in flights from across the country.
Soon after he was safely grounded and cited by the police, reporters asked him, "Why did you do it?"
"Because," he said, "you can't just sit there."
Many Christians today are content with "just sitting there" and letting life happen to them. Sure, they'll go to church on Sunday and read their Bibles during the week, but they never really engage others with their faith.
Don't just sit there. Take action and do something bold for Christ. When you do, you'll experience the fullness of life God has for you!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would show you where He wants you to do something bold for His name.
Questions for Thought
When's the last time you really did something outside of your comfort zone? How did it make you feel?
What's one way you can get out of your comfort zone today and do something bold for Christ?
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The importance of adding action to your plans
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. - James 1:23-24
Dr. J.B. Gambrel tells an amusing story from General Stonewall Jackson's famous valley campaign. Jackson's army found itself on one side of a river when it needed to be on the other side.
After telling his engineers to plan and build a bridge so the army could cross, he called his wagon master in to tell him that it was urgent the wagon train cross the river as soon as possible. The wagon master started gathering all the logs, rocks, and fence rails he could find and built a bridge. Long before daylight, General Jackson was told by his wagon master all the wagons and artillery had crossed the river.
General Jackson asked, "Where are the engineers, and what are they doing?" The wagon master replied, "They're in their tent drawing up plans for a bridge."
There are times when perfect planning is crucial. But there are also times when quick action is more important. And it's in those times that over-planning can result in a lack of action altogether.
The church today must plan, but it must also act. And far too often, the step of action is what's missing. So instead of just talking about doing something great, do it. Take action for the Kingdom and make an impact for Jesus' name!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you where you need to add action to your plans.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think taking action is often more difficult than just making plans?
What are some plans you've made that you can begin taking action on today?
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What it means to show Jesus to the world
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. - 2 Corinthians 5:20
J. Allan Petersen tells of a little boy who was consistently late coming home from school. His parents warned him one day that he must be home on time that afternoon, but nevertheless he arrived later than ever. So his mother met him at the door and said nothing.
At dinner that night, the boy looked at his plate. He had received a slice of bread and a glass of water. Then, he looked at his father's full plate and then at his father, but his father remained silent. The boy was crushed.
The father waited for the full impact to sink in, then quietly took the boy's plate and placed it in front of himself. He took his own plate of meat and potatoes, put it in front of the boy, and smiled at his son. When that boy grew to be a man, he said, "All my life I've known what God is like by what my father did that night."
As a Christian, you may be the best picture of God others will see. And while we'll never be perfect representations of a completely holy God, we can exemplify His attributes—like grace, love, joy, and peace—in our daily lives to a watching world.
While most non-believers may not pick up a Bible, they will see God in how we conduct ourselves. So live your life to reflect Jesus to a watching world!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you clearly reflect who He is to a watching world.
Questions for Thought
Who are some people you've known over the course of your life who have reflected God's attributes in a powerful way?
Who are some people in your life today who need to see Jesus in the way you live your life?
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The importance of dealing with bitterness
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. - Hebrews 12:15
Underneath the ground of Belgium's Flanders Field, one of the deadliest battlefields of World War I, a very dangerous and deadly secret lies. It's so deadly, in fact, that it's caused a very big problem for the Belgian government.
You see, all across this field, artillery shells are surfacing more than 90 years after they were fired. Still unexploded, many are still very capable of killing. Some are unearthed by farmers and construction workers, while others simply work their way up through the soil. Dozens of full-time workers cannot keep up with them. And even worse, thousands of these projectiles contain poisonous gas.
It's one thing to recognize something that can cause immense damage when it's obvious. I'm sure you didn't have to tell the soldiers fighting in World War I to avoid those artillery shells at all costs! However, when things such as these lie dormant for so long, they become all the more precarious because they are an unseen danger.
In much the same way, many Christians today hold on to bitterness for years, even decades, before it finally comes up to the surface or is unearthed by a particular situation. And when that happens, it can often be damaging, and even deadly, for relationships between friends and family.
So if you have any "unearthed" bitterness in your heart, be sure you deal with it by forgiving the person it concerns and even talking with them about it. Don't let buried feelings of contempt harm your relationships with friends and family because those relationships are some of God's greatest gifts!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to reveal to you any "unearthed" bitterness, no matter how old, you might have in your heart toward another person. If you find you do carry buried resentment, forgive that person and let them know you've let it go.
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The blessings that are yours today
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28
There was a golfer on the pro tour years ago who was a pompous egomaniac. In his mind, he could do nothing wrong, and he always had a quick excuse for any loss. As if these faults were not enough, he was also not above hustling a few extra dollars playing amateurs in cities on the tour for $50 a hole.
One day he was approached by a man wearing dark glasses and carrying a white cane who offered to play him for $100 a hole. "Why, I can't play you," the professional protested. "You're blind, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am," replied the man. "But that's alright. I was a state champion before I went blind. I think I can beat you."
Now the pro had not been doing well lately, and he needed the money. So he told the blind man, "It's a deal. When would you like to play?"
"Any night you're ready."
It's interesting how one small factor can take a seemingly impossible situation and level the playing field. Take the Gentiles of the Old Testament, who had to essentially renounce their own heritage and become Jewish to partake of God's blessings. Yet when Christ died on the cross, He leveled the playing field and opened the door of God's blessings to all people, no matter their walk of life!
God made a way for all people by leveling the playing field. So thank Him today that all you have to do is believe, and the blessings are yours!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that the playing field is level and you have immediate access to His blessings!
Questions for Thought
What does it say about God that He's called all peoples to Himself through a faith relationship?
How can you share that great news with others?
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What it takes to stand for the truth
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. - 2 Thessalonians 2:15
In the fateful winter morning of January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger stood poised for launch. Overnight, the temperature had plummeted into the twenties. At liftoff, it was a crisp 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Huge icicles clung ominously to the launch tower.
Allan McDonald, an engineer employed by the manufacturer of the solid rocket boosters that straddled the shuttle, shuddered, but not because of the cold. Research had shown that the O-rings sealing the sections of each booster might be more likely to leak as the temperature dropped. In fact, the rings had never been tested during an actual launch below 51 degrees.
McDonald stood virtually alone as he steadfastly opposed the launch that icy morning, but he was overruled. The launch went ahead as scheduled, and 73 seconds later, six brave astronauts and one enthusiastic school teacher lost their lives when the O-rings failed.
Was Allan McDonald arrogant when he challenged the decision to launch? Was he intolerant? Any thinking person would say no. He just was unwilling to see innocent people die because others had ignored or distorted the facts. Allan McDonald knew the truth, and he stood up for it.
Far too often, Christians know what the truth is, yet they neglect to stand up for it. But just as those seven people on the Challenger were headed toward tragedy, so are those who enter an eternity apart from Jesus Christ. So stand up for truth, whatever it takes.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the strength to stand firm for the truth even when it costs you.
Questions for Thought
Who are some people who are famous for standing firm for what's right even in face of persecution?
How can you, like them, be more intent on staying true to what you believe and standing firm in your faith?
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How to overcome the enemy's intimidation
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8
In the operating room of a large hospital, a young nurse was completing her first full day of responsibilities. "You've only removed 11 sponges, doctor," she said to the surgeon. "We used 12."
"I removed them all," the doctor declared. "We'll close the incision now."
"No," the nurse objected. "We used 12 sponges."
"I'll take full responsibility," the surgeon said grimly. "Suture!"
"You can't do that!" blazed the nurse. "Think of the patient."
The surgeon smiled, lifted his foot, and showed the nurse the 12th sponge. "You'll do," he said.
It's often when the heat is on and the pressure rises that we're most tempted to compromise in doing what we know is right. But it's when we're intimidated and our backs are against the wall that God calls us to radical faithfulness to what we know is right!
The world and the enemy will try to intimidate you into compromise. But don't let them. Remain steadfast in what you believe and stay true to your godly convictions, no matter what!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the strength to stand strong in the face of the enemy's intimidation.
Questions for Thought
Think of a time you stood firm for what you knew was right in the face of pressure. How did you feel when it was over?
Where is the enemy trying to get you to compromise today? How can you practically stand firm in the face of his intimidation?
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The priceless reward of a good friend
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. - Proverbs 27:17
During World War I, a Protestant chaplain with the American troops in Italy became a friend of a local Roman Catholic priest. In time, the chaplain moved on with his unit and was killed. The priest heard of his death and asked military authorities if the chaplain could be buried in the cemetery behind his church.
Permission was granted. But the priest ran into a problem with his own Catholic Church authorities. They were sympathetic, but they said they could not approve the burial of a non-Catholic in a Catholic cemetery.
So the priest buried his friend just outside the cemetery fence. Years later, a war veteran who knew what had happened returned to Italy and visited the old priest. The first thing he did was ask to see the chaplain's grave. To his surprise, he found the grave inside the fence.
"Ah," he said, "I see you got permission to move the body."
"No," said the priest. "They told me where I couldn't bury the body. But nobody ever told me I couldn't move the fence."
A good friend is a rare commodity. Yet so many people go through life and never really connect with others on a deep level. But the good news is that it's never too late to start. Find a good friend who you can share life with because God never created you to live life alone!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to bring you godly friends who you can share life with.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think it's difficult to find good friends?
Who are some people in your life today with whom you can put more effort into building relationships?
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What's the point of pain?
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. - Colossians 1:24
The great professor and author C. S. Lewis once wrote on the subject of pain,
"We can rest contentedly in our sins and in our stupidities, and everyone who has watched gluttons shoveling down the most exquisite foods as if they did not know what they were eating, will admit that we can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
So often, Christians experience pain on seemingly intolerable levels. Yet what keeps them going through the hard times and trials of life is the fact that God is in control. In fact, God is so in control that He often will appoint suffering to His people in order to help them strengthen their dependence on Him.
Yet unfortunately today, much of the Christian message has been distorted, with many "preachers" of the Word proclaiming that God only wants us to be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. This is a dangerous message not only because it isn't biblical, but because it directly contradicts the experiences of so many faithful followers of Christ.
Pain is real. But in Christ, you have the hope that it's temporary. So if you're suffering today, deepen your dependence on God and remember that there will come a day when all pain will end and you'll be with the Lord forever!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the strength to persevere through pain and fully rely on Him through hard times.
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The best way to deal with anger
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. - Ecclesiastes 7:9
The author Jim Taylor tells a story about his longtime friend, Ralph. One morning, Ralph woke up at 5:00 a.m. to a terrible thumping noise up on his roof. Still in his pajamas and groggy from just waking up, he walked out into the backyard to investigate.
As he gazed up high, he found a woodpecker on the TV antenna pounding its little brains out on the metal pole. Ralph was so angry that he picked up a rock and threw it at the little woodpecker. The rock sailed over the house and he heard a crash as it went through his car windshield on the other side of the house.
Even angrier, he reared his leg back to give a good kick to a rock on the ground, only to remember too late that he was still barefoot!
Anger is a very interesting animal. There are times that anger, when it's controlled, can be good. Then there are those fits of uncontrolled anger that often have consequences that were never intended. That's the kind of anger that should be avoided.
When you're angry, learn to have self-control. Don't allow impulsive behavior to rule your life. Instead, make good, sensible, Spirit-led choices on how to express your feelings. When you do, you'll avoid negative consequences and live with much more joy!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help express your anger at the right time and in the right way.
Questions for Thought
What are some examples of how you've expressed anger wrongly in the past?
How would it have looked for you to express your anger properly in those situations?
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God's greatest commandment to you
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Luke 10:27
A pastor once told the story of the public library in his town that had a system called "Dial-A-Tale." With this system, anytime a young child wanted to hear a story, he could call the number and a voice would read a short story to the listening young ear. However, the number the children were to call was only one digit different from the pastor's number.
Because small fingers often make mistakes, the pastor would receive frequent calls from a child listening for a story. After several unsuccessful attempts to explain a wrong number to the small child, he felt he had only one alternative. He obtained a copy of Three Little Pigs, and set it by the phone. And whenever a child would call, he would simply read them the story.
The pastor gives us a great example of what it means to put others first before ourselves. He didn't, as you might have thought, change his telephone number to avoid the invasion of his privacy. But instead, he used the situation to give joy to others.
As Christians, part of our greatest commandment is to put others before us—considering their wellbeing first and thinking of ourselves second. So today, find ways you can consider others better than yourself, and you'll reap the rewards of obedience!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you put others first when you're tempted to think of yourself.
Questions for Thought
Think of a time when someone put you first and himself second. How did that make you feel?
How can you be more intent on considering others better than yourself in your daily life?
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The powerful influence you can have on others
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. - 2 Timothy 4:2
When Rosina Hernandez was in college, she attended a rock concert where she witnessed a young man brutally beaten. The next day she was shocked to learn that the youth had died as a result of the pounding. Yet neither she nor anyone else did anything to help him. She could never forget the young man, nor her lack of inaction.
Some years later, Rosina saw a car driving in the rain ahead of her suddenly skid and plunge into a frosty river. The car landed head down in the water with only the tail end showing. A woman appeared on the surface shouting for help and saying her husband was stuck inside.
This time Rosina waited for no one. She plunged into the water, tried unsuccessfully to open the car door, then pounded on the back window as other bystanders stood and watched. She screamed at them, begging for help and telling them there was a man dying in the car.
First one man, then another, finally came to help. Together they broke the safety glass and dragged the man out. They were just in time—a few minutes later it would have been all over.
It was one person's action that saved a life that night. And had Rosina done nothing, no one would have acted. In the same way, we as Christians must also act to save others from a Christ-less eternity by sharing the gospel. When we do, others will follow our example!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the initiative to lead out and introduce others to Christ.
Questions for Thought
Who first told you about Jesus Christ? Do you think you'd be where you are today if they hadn't?
What are the names of some people you can take initiative with this week by sharing the gospel with them?
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How to live out your faith in front of others
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
To curtail petty theft, Soviet authorities put up guards around the factories to search the workers when they left. At one timber works in Leningrad, the guard knew the workers in the factory very well. The first evening, out came Pyotr Petrovich with a wheelbarrow and, in the wheelbarrow, a great bulky sack with a suspicious-looking object inside.
"Tip it out," the guard said. So he did, and out came nothing but sawdust and shavings. He was allowed to put it all back again and go home. When the same thing happened every night of the week the guard became frustrated. Finally, his curiosity overcame his frustration.
"Petrovich," he said, "I know you. Tell me what you're smuggling out of here and I'll let you go."
"Wheelbarrows, my friend."
Sometimes what's most obvious in life takes time to realize, doesn't it? The very same is true as you honor God with your life so that others will know Him. You can do good works faithfully for days, weeks, and even years before people say, "Tell me what you have because I want it!"
It's then that these people are perfectly primed to hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ—that He died for them, and they can have eternal life through faith. But it first takes Christians who will live faithfully, show Christ's example, and admit when they fall short. So live each day to show God's love through your good works and watch for opportunities to share His truth!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith after living it out through good works. Pray that He would remind you that you may be the only example of Jesus others see!
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The most powerful motivation you can give others
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Dr. Ernest Mellor tells a story of him and his wife attending an outdoor performance by young violin students. After the concert, an instructor spoke briefly on how children as young as two, three, and four years old are taught to play violin. The first thing the children learn, he said, is a proper stance. And the second thing the children learn—even before they pick up the violin—is how to take a bow.
"If the children just play the violin and stop, people may forget to show their appreciation," the instructor said. "But when the children bow, the audience invariably applauds. And applause is the best motivator we've found to make children feel good about performing and want to do it well."
This doesn't just apply to children; adults love applause, too. Being affirmed and encouraged in any aspect of life—marriage, work, and friendship for example—makes us feel wonderful. But on the other hand, harsh criticism tears us down and results in poorer performance.
As Christians, we're commanded to encourage others whether they are our friends, our spouses, or our coworkers. So make it a point to encourage others with the love of Christ. It will be a great motivator for them, and it will reaffirm and strengthen your relationship!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you how you can specifically encourage others in your life.
Questions for Thought
What's the best word of encouragement you've ever received? How did it make you feel?
Who are some people you know that could use a word of encouragement from you today?
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How to stay sharp well into your years
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. - Romans 12:2
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was and still is generally regarded as one of the greatest justices in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court. Because of his often heated disagreements with the other justices, he gained a reputation as the "Great Dissenter."
Holmes sat on the Supreme Court until he was 91 years old. Two years later, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited him and found him immersed in reading the works of Plato. "Why are you reading Plato?" FDR asked. "You're 93 years old, and are already one of the most brilliant men to have ever lived!"
"I'm reading to improve my mind," Holmes answered.
Many older men and women fall under the impression that, at a certain age, they can stop learning. They think they know all they need to know, and there's no use getting smarter. But the truth is that, no matter your age, you should never stop learning.
Your mind is one of the most powerful tools you have to glorify God (Mark 12:30). So instead of becoming idle, keep reading God's Word regularly and meditating on His character. Give Him your body and your mind so that you'll stay sharp well into your years!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you how you can glorify Him with your mind today.
Questions for Thought
In what ways have you grown too comfortable with your level of knowledge today?
Besides reading Scripture, what are some other ways you can stay mentally active?
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Can you be sure you're saved?
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." - John 10:28-29
In his book Light for Anxious Souls, George Cutting shares the story of a farmer who lacked assurance when it came to his salvation. So he foolishly prayed that as an evidence of his acceptance, the Lord would cause exactly 10 sheep of his flock to gather in a certain shed out in the pasture.
Later that day, the farmer anxiously approached the shed and was relieved to find exactly 10 sheep inside. That gave him a temporary sense of peace, but doubt returned with the thought that it may have been just a coincidence. So a few days later, he prayed that 10 different sheep might gather in an opposite corner of the pasture. And they did!
When the farmer was asked, "Did this give you assurance?", he said, "No, nothing gave me certainty until I read the Word of God on it."
Christians often take issue with the assurance of their salvation for many reasons: they struggle with sin; they can't remember when they accepted Christ; or, they believe they might have lost their salvation at some point because of disobedience.
One pastor said, "If you can lose your salvation, you already have!" Salvation, once given, can never be revoked. So instead of worrying about whether or not you're saved, remember that it is a gift of God. And if you've trusted in Jesus Christ for forgiveness, it's yours forever!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would confirm in your heart that you're His if you've trusted Christ. If you haven't, trust Jesus today and receive that free gift of eternal life!
Questions for Thought
Think of some times when you've struggle with the assurance of your salvation. What kinds of feelings accompanied those thoughts?
What does it say about God that His free gift of eternal life can never be taken away?
:angel:
How to avoid sitting on the shelf spiritually
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14
Fritz Kreisler, the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn't able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument.
To his great dismay, the beautiful instrument had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin. But the collector said it had become his most prized possession and he would not sell it.
Disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he asked, "Could I play the instrument just once before it is consigned to silence?" Permission was granted, and he filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector's emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It's yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world and let people hear it!"
Sadly, many Christians have been consigned to silence when it comes to sharing the gospel. Yes, they'll attend church and volunteer for committees, but they are noticeably absent when it comes to taking the message of salvation to the world. Don't sit on the shelf collecting dust. Take the gospel into the world and let people hear it!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you how you can get off the shelf and take His message of hope into the world!
Questions for Thought
When was the last time you shared the gospel with a lost person?
Who are some people in your life today who need to hear God's message of salvation? When and where can you share it with them?
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Do you worship a counterfeit god?
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
During the Middle Ages, there was a popular story which circulated about Martin of Tours, the saint for whom Martin Luther was named. It was said that Satan once appeared to St. Martin in the form of Jesus Christ himself. St. Martin was ready to fall to his feet and worship this resplendent being of glory and light. Then, suddenly, he looked up into the palms of his hands and asked, "Where are the nail prints?" Just then, the apparition vanished.
In our world today, there are many counterfeit gods. No, they might not appear to you in the form of Jesus Christ, but they are often not necessarily bad. Your health, for example, can become an idol if you value it more than God. Your youth, your money, and your time are the same. None of these is inherently bad—they just make lousy gods!
Jesus is the only one who can really save. Your health didn't die for you. Neither did your youth, your money, or your time. Jesus alone will never fail you; everything else will.
Don't let counterfeit gods replace the one true God in your life. Worship Him first. There will be time to focus on everything else, but never do anything without maintaining focus on Jesus Christ, your Savior!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to reveal to you any counterfeit gods you have set up in your life.
Questions for Thought
What are some things in your life upon which you might be tempted to focus more than Jesus Christ?
What practical steps can you take to ensure you're fully focused on Jesus Christ and not on idols of the world?
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How to show courage in the face of criticism
"Be strong and courageous... for the Lordyour God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6
There is a very famous quote from former President Teddy Roosevelt that says,
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly.
"So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
This quote has been used over and over again to teach about perseverance in the face of judgment from others. But it also has a very powerful application to the Christian life because Scripture promises that in this world, we will be hated, scoffed at, and criticized for our beliefs.
Yet in the face of this resistance, we persevere, knowing that at the end of the day the credit belongs to those who strive valiantly and dare greatly even in the face of uncertainty and criticism.
That's the kind of life Jesus lived. And it's the kind of life He calls us to live, too. Don't be a critic; get into the arena and strive valiantly!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you the courage to strive valiantly even when others may criticize you.
Questions for Thought
Think of a time when you stepped out in faith and were criticized for it. How did it make you feel?
What are some ways you can strive valiantly for the faith today even in the face of criticism?
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What it really means to be free
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation." - Revelation 5:9
In his famous little book On Christian Truth, Harry Blamires suggests that we think of the human race aboard a hijacked jetliner flying through time. He writes,
"God himself directed its takeoff from the divine control-tower. The initiator of all evil, whom we call the Devil, managed to get a boarding pass. When the plane reached its cruising altitude, the Devil produced his weapons, threatened the pilot, and took control of the aircraft and all its passengers."
Thus the plane hopped on fearfully through history from airport to airport until, he writes,
"(I)t was caught on the tarmac at Jerusalem, an outpost of the Roman empire, in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, where the Son of God offered himself as sole hostage in exchange for the passengers and crew."
It was that glorious exchange that bought freedom for all of those who trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Yet at the same time, there are many who still sit on the plane, not believing it has been hijacked and refusing to accept the freedom that's been offered to them.
If you've placed your faith in Christ, you can be sure that your life has been exchanged for His. And because of that, you'll live forever with Him. So thank God for that wonderful exchange, and live your life to tell others about the freedom they can have through Christ's sacrifice for them!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that He sent Jesus to offer Himself for your freedom.
Questions for Thought
What does it say about the value God's placed on your life that He sent Jesus to exchange His life for yours?
Who are some people in your life today with whom you can share this wonderful news?
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How to keep your body and soul in good health
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." - Mark 12:30
Recent studies have shown that people who practice their faith regularly may be getting some health benefits: A study conducted by sociologists at Purdue University found that 4 percent of those who regularly attended religious services reported poor health, compared with 9 percent of those who did not attend a house of worship. And 36 percent of weekly worshippers reported they were in excellent health, compared with 26 percent of non-attenders.
So what makes the difference? Researchers aren't sure, but they say the reason could be that people attending weekly services may be more likely to see friends who ask about their health and can recommend a doctor. But while that may be true, there's most definitely something to be said for the healing benefits of connecting with God on a regular basis.
As a Christian, it's very important to care for your physical body. In fact, the Bible is clear that your body is God's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). But one key aspect of that temple that much of modern medicine doesn't take into account is that it's not just physical, it's spiritual as well.
You're not just flesh and bone; you're also very much soul and spirit. So when it comes to your health, focus on the physical, but don't neglect your spiritual health as well. When your body and your soul are nourished appropriately, you can experience an overall health beyond what medicine can do alone!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you nourish both your body and your spirit by staying physically and spiritually healthy!
:angel:
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier... --Ephesians 2:14
Many years ago, the Prince of Wales visited the capital city of India. An arduous, stately barrier had been set up to keep back the masses of people, most of them lower class, who wanted to catch a glimpse of royalty.
When the prince arrived, he shook hands with some of the political dignitaries who were presented to him. Then, looking over their heads to the crowds beyond, he said, "Take down those barriers!" They were quickly removed, and the people, regardless of social rank, had free access to the heir to the British throne.
Several years later, the Prince of Wales visited the same district again. Waiting on him, were 10,000 outcasts that waited under a banner. The banner welcomed him with these words inscribed: "The Prince of the Outcasts."
Not many of us take time out of our hectic schedules to reflect on the majesty of Jesus and what He did for us. Born into sin, we were outcasts from conception. But by the grace and forgiveness of Jesus, we have been adopted into the family of God.
So often we don't thank Him or praise Him enough for the incredible mercy he showed us on the cross. We were separated from God, we were the outcasts, sin was the barrier, and the heir to the throne came and ordered it to be taken away. As a result, we now have free access to the Son. Thank God for our "Prince of the Outcasts"—Jesus Christ.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Take a few moments to simply thank God for sending Jesus to provide forgiveness for your sins as a sacrifice on the cross through His shed blood. Take time to worship Him through song for bridging the gap so that we can have eternal life.
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The impact of your actions on others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. - Romans 12:10
An old dentist recounts a story about his very busy dental office years ago. Apparently, he had one particular patient who was constantly late to his appointments. One day, this man was scheduled to come in to get a cavity filled. Before his appointment that morning, the phone at the office rang. It was the patient calling to let the dentist know he'd be about 15 minutes late. "Will that be a problem?" he asked.
"No, that won't be a problem at all," the dentist told him. "We just won't have time to give you any anesthetic."
For the first time, that man arrived early for his appointment!
It's amazing the change you see in others once they realize their actions will have a negative impact on them. So often, people are content to cause others trouble, yet when it causes them problems, they straighten up very quickly.
But the Bible says in today's passage to honor others above and beyond yourself. This means that in everything you do, consider the effects of your actions on other people. Then think, "If someone did this to me, how would it make me feel?"
As Christians, it's our duty to love others—even those who don't love us. So prefer others in your decisions and show God's love in everything you do!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you how you can prefer others in the decisions you make.
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How To Value Those Who Labor For You
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
There's nothing quite like looking at a newborn baby. But as adorable as they are, infants do not really appreciate what parents do for them. This is because they have short memories. Their concern is not what you did for them yesterday, but what you are doing for them right now. The past is meaningless and so is the future. They live only for the present.
The very same is true of those who are spiritually immature. Many Christians have little or no appreciation for those who have come before them and poured out their very lives for them. Yet those who are mature are deeply appreciative of those who labored in the past. They recognize those who labor during the present and provide for those who will be laboring in the future.
If you're a believer in Christ, it's because someone has labored to show you His grace. If you're growing today, it's because someone is caring for you and feeding you spiritually. And long after we're gone, the gospel will still be moving forward through many others.
Ministry is quite often a thankless job. So show gratitude to those who labor for you. Pray that God would bless them and their ministries, and give to them as well. Also, pray for and give to those who will carry the banner of Christ well into the future. That's what it means to be thankful!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would bless those who have devoted their lives to the advancement of the gospel.
Questions for Thought
Who are some people you're grateful for that have been instrumental in your spiritual growth?
How can you show your thanks to them?
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Does Luck Really Exist?
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. - Proverbs 16:33
Many of the small superstitions people have today are rooted in misunderstandings of Christians years ago. Medieval theologians, for example, argued that since a ladder leaning against a wall forms a triangle, and a triangle is a symbolic reminder of the Holy Trinity, anyone who carelessly blunders through this mystical space is risking divine wrath. So people generally began to avoid walking under ladders, lest they incur punishment from God.
As this way of thinking became more common, condemned Englishmen about to be hanged were often required to walk under the ladder that stood against the gallows for convenience and clear conscience of the executioner. In those circumstances, you could say the man was certainly in for a spell of very bad luck!
While the usually harmless words good luck function today as a simple word of encouragement for someone about to face a challenge, the Bible teaches there's really no such thing as luck. In fact, as we read in today's passage, every outcome is determined by God beforehand!
Don't rely on meaningless superstition, fortune, or luck. Instead, know that every outcome in every situation is from God and trust fully in His sovereign plan to work everything out for your good!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you full confidence in His sovereign plan no matter what He determines the outcome to be.
Questions for Thought
What kinds of superstitions do you find yourself relying upon at times?
Instead of following superstition, what can you do to let God know you're relying firmly on His sovereign will?
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How to Pray Politically
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.This is good, and pleases God our Savior.... - 1 Timothy 2:1-3
A doctor, an engineer, and a politician were arguing one day about which profession of the three was older. "Well," argued the doctor, "without the role of a physician, mankind could not have survived for all these years. So I'm completely certain that mine is the oldest profession."
"No," said the engineer, "even before life began, there was complete chaos in the world. It took an engineer to create some semblance of order from this chaos. So engineering is clearly the older profession."
As the three sat and pondered on what the engineer has said, a silence filled the air for a few short moments. "But," chirped the triumphant politician, "who created the chaos?!"
In our world today, people tend to have a generally low view of politicians. That's because we're so inundated with negative campaign ads, scandals, and people who will say just about anything to get elected. But this doesn't take away one bit from our responsibility as Christians to pray for our leaders, whether we voted for them or not!
The apostle Paul wrote today's passage when there were some very ungodly leaders in power. So follow his example. Pray for our elected leaders, that they would grow in Christ and for wisdom to govern well.
Prayer Challenge
Pray for your elected leaders today—from those who serve locally to our President.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think it's hard to pray for those in power with whom we have disagreements?
How can you make it a habit to pray for political leaders?
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Where do you store your treasure?
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
George W. Truett, a well-known pastor in the mid-1900s, was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in Texas. When the meal was finished, the gracious host took Pastor Truett to a high place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area.
Pointing to the oil wells on the horizon to the north, he boasted, "Twenty-five years ago I had nothing. Now, as far as you can see, it's all mine!" Looking south at his sprawling fields of grain, he said, "That's all mine too." And then, turning east toward huge herds of cattle, he bragged, "They're all mine also." Then pointing to the west and a beautiful forest, he exclaimed, "That too is all mine."
He paused, waiting for Dr. Truett to compliment him on his great success. Truett, however, placed one hand on the man's shoulder, pointed heavenward with the other, and simply asked, "How much do you have in that direction?"
The man hung his head and confessed, "I haven't really thought of that."
There are some people who have so many material possessions. Yet on the day they meet their Creator face to face, they'll come to understand that you leave the world the same way you came in... with nothing. So whether you have a lot or a little, remember to store up your real, imperishable treasure in heaven.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you realize that whatever you have on earth is temporary and the treasures that last will be stored in heaven.
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Why You Can Fully Trust Jesus
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. - 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
Les Henson, a six-foot, six-inch senior forward on the Virginia Tech basketball team, will never forget a game he played against Florida State University in Tallahassee in 1980. With just a few seconds to go and the score tied at 77 points, Henson grabbed a rebound off the Florida State backboard just a foot from the baseline.
With every ounce of strength in him, he threw the ball overhand toward the opposite basket. He recalled later, "It was eerie—you couldn't hear a thing in the arena. Then it just swished through the hoop!" Henson's 89-foot, 3-inch basket that day went down in history as the longest field goal in college basketball. And Henson, who shoots with his left hand, had done it with a right-handed throw!
Now the interesting thing is that if Les Henson had done an interview before the game and said, "Tonight, I'm going to shoot an 89-foot basket and set the college basketball record for the longest shot," no one would've believed him. But after seeing it, it's impossible to deny it really did happen!
In much the same way, Jesus didn't just make fantastic claims, He showed others who He really is by putting action with His words. He didn't just say great things, He did great things. That's the kind of Savior you can trust!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God that Jesus wasn't just full of empty words, but put action to what He said!
Questions for Thought
Many skeptics say Jesus was simply a great teacher. How do Jesus' actions defy that way of thinking?
What does it say about why we can trust Jesus that He demonstrated His power not with just words, but with action?
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How To Experience Greatness Through Humility
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. - 1 Peter 5:6
When you look at how some of the world's greatest inventions came to be, it's amazing that many of these world-changing innovations had such humble beginnings.
Take the first electric light, for example. It was so dim that a candle was needed to provide extra light when it was turned on. One of the world's first steamboats took 32 hours to chug its way from New York City to Albany, a distance of 150 miles.
Wilbur and Orville Wright's famous first airplane flight lasted only 12 seconds. And the first automobiles traveled 2 to 4 miles per hour and broke down often. Carriages would pass them with their passengers shouting, "Get a horse!"
In fact, almost every single major shift in how the world works came not from greatness, but from humility. And in much the same way, Jesus Christ, who forever changed the world by dying for our sins, being raised again, and coming again one day as King in power and glory, entered the world in the humblest of circumstances.
Don't let your humbled circumstances today determine your outlook on life. Instead, remember Jesus, knowing that through Him, your situation today will change when He lifts you up in due time!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you encouragement through humility that He will lift you up.
Questions for Thought
How has God used your humble situations in the past to bring you to greatness?
What are your circumstances today that have humbled you? How can you give them to God and trust you'll be lifted up to greatness in due time?
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How to Soften the Hardest Heart
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. - Ezekiel 36:26
It's amazing how our own minds can deceive us even when we know something isn't true. Studies show that sugar pills, or placebos, can alleviate many symptoms if a sick person believes he is getting treatment. Current research reveals that 1 in 3 people find such medication to be helpful—even when they are told they are getting a placebo.
This illustrates that a belief can have power even when it isn't true. If some of these people honestly believe that the placebo is an effective drug, then their minds are telling them the medicine is effective. And even when they are confronted with the reality that their beliefs are false, they still hold onto them!
People all over the world today are stuck in systems of false belief about God. And the problem is that even when they're confronted about their beliefs, they hold onto them because they truly believe they're working. This is why we can't expect simple persuasion to work when it comes to bringing people to Christ—it has to be a work of the Spirit of God.
Don't be discouraged if someone you've shared Christ with hasn't responded in faith. Keep sharing, and pray that God would soften their heart to His gospel and bring them into eternal life through faith!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to soften the hearts of those around you to His Word.
Questions for Thought
Who are some people you've known whose hearts have seemed to be hardened toward the gospel? Why do you think that is?
Who are some people in your life today with whom you can share the gospel and pray they'd have ears to hear it?
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Unlocking The Power Of Prayer In Your Life
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14
William Tyndale was the first person to translate the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English, making a Bible for the common people. But in 1535, he was betrayed by a friend and taken prisoner. Yet he continued to work on his translation even during his incarceration.
Sadly, Tyndale was unable to finish his work because he was sentenced to die a heretic's death: strangulation and burning at the stake. And on October 6, 1536, he cried out his last words, "Lord, open the king of England's eyes!" and then he died. His prayer was answered within a year—albeit in an unexpected way—when the Church of England was founded under King Henry VIII.
Most people never truly understand the power their prayers can have. They may make mention of a request, forget about it, and never really appreciate when they're answered. But when we pray, God wants us to remember our prayers so that we can recognize and give glory to His faithfulness when they're answered.
Prayer has power. It has the power to impact our days, change lives, and shake the world if only those who are called by God would pray. So don't just think about praying. Pray powerfully in the Spirit and watch how God shakes the world through you!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would open your eyes to the power of prayer.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think many people neglect to pray when they're in need?
How can you make prayer a powerful part of your regular daily routine?
LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT OUR WORLD WILL SEE THERE IS AN ANTIDOTE TO EVIL, JESUS CHRIST!
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The Power of God's Word For You
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12
In his book, The Wonder of the Word of God, Robert Sumner tells about a man in Kansas City who was severely injured in an explosion. The victim's face was badly disfigured, and he lost his eyesight along with both hands. He was just a new Christian, and one of his greatest disappointments was that he could no longer read the Bible.
He heard about a lady in England who read Braille with her lips. And hoping he might be able to do the same, he sent for some books of the Bible in Braille. He was crushed, however, when he tried and discovered the nerve endings in his lips were too badly damaged to make out the raised characters on the paper.
One day, as he brought one of the Braille pages to his lips in an attempt to read, his tongue happened to touch a few of the dots, and he could feel them much better than with his lips. He could read Braille with his tongue! At the time Sumner wrote his book, the man had "read" through the entire Bible four times.
This man went to tremendous lengths to read God's Word. Yet many Christians today struggle to carve out just minutes a day to read the Bible. The Word of God is where life is found. Read it and mediate on it daily. When you do, you'll walk closer with God and hunger for Scripture like never before!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you the discipline to read His Word daily!
Questions for Thought
When's the last time you spent more than just a few minutes in God's Word? How did it make you feel?
What's the best time of day for you to carve out and make a habit of reading God's Word regularly?
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The Impact You Can Make On One Life
Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise,making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15-16
The great pastor John Wesley was returning home from a church service one night when a man approached him and demanded all his money. Wesley, however, had only a little money and some Christian literature. So the robber took all he had and began to run.
As he was leaving, Wesley called out, "Stop! I have something else for you." The surprised robber paused. "My friend," said Wesley, "you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here's something to remember: The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!" Then the thief hurried away.
Several years later, Wesley was greeting worshippers after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. He was shocked to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! "I owe it all to you," said the transformed man.
"Oh no, my friend," Wesley exclaimed, "not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!"
Had Wesley not seized the moment to share the love of Christ with this robber, who knows what would've happened to him. But because he did, the man was saved. Don't miss any opportunity to share the love of Christ with the lost. Let them know Jesus loves them because you never know the impact you'll have!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you make the most of every opportunity to share His love with others.
Questions for Thought
When is the last time you felt called to share the love of Christ with another person? Did you do it?
What are some opportunities you have in your daily routine to share the gospel?
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How you can hear God clearly
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Before a young man left for his freshman year at college, his parents gave him a Bible and assured him it would be a great help as he transitioned into his new life. Within a month, he began sending them letters asking for money. Every time he did, his parents would write back telling him to read his Bible, citing chapter and verse.
He would reply that he was reading the Bible, but he still needed money. So when he came home for a semester break, his parents told him they knew he hadn't been reading his Bible. "How?" the son asked.
"Because we tucked money by the verses we cited in our letters!"
Very often, people don't think the Bible actually speaks to their needs. But today's passage is clear that Scripture is sufficient for daily life (even if there's no money in it!). Whatever your situation, God has something to say to you through the Bible.
Read the Scriptures. Make it a habit to spend time with God in His Word because in it, you have everything you need to experience the fullness of life He wants you to have!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Word as you read it.
Questions for Thought
When do you struggle staying consistent in God's Word? Why do you think that is?
Who is one person who can hold you accountable for reading God's Word regularly?
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Staying faithful when you're persecuted
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7
Hugh Latimer, the famous early Anglican bishop, once preached before King Henry VIII. Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon and ordered Latimer to preach again the following Sunday to make up for this egregious offense. The next Sunday, the King had some choice words for Latimer before he preached:
"Do you know before whom you are this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away your life if you offend. Therefore, take heed that you speak not a word that may displease."
That Sunday, Hugh Latimer preached the exact same sermon he had preached the preceding Sunday—and with considerably more energy. Latimer didn't die that day, but he stood facing possible death all the while remaining faithful to the correct teaching of Scripture.
Most of us will never face death for remaining faithful to the Bible. Yet in the face of peer pressure or other kinds of persecution, Christians can all too easily back down from remaining faithful to God in order to appease.
We can't allow worldly pressures to dissuade us from the gospel. So stay faithful to God no matter what you face because your reward from Him will be great!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the courage to stay faithful to Him when you're pressured to waver in your faith.
Questions for Thought
Think back on the times when you've stood for your faith despite pressure to cave in. How did it make you feel that you stayed faithful?
What pressures do you face today that try to convince you to waver in your faith?
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The key to building solid, selfless relationships
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.... - James 1:19
Albert Einstein was invited to speak at a banquet held in his honor at Swarthmore College. Hundreds of people from all over the country crowded an auditorium to hear what he had to say. When it came time for him to speak, the greatest physicist walked to the lectern, solemnly looked around, and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am very sorry, but I have nothing to say." Then he sat down.
The audience was in shock. A few seconds later, Einstein got up, walked back to the podium, and spoke again. "In case I have something to say, I will come back and say it." Six months later he wired the president of the college with the message: "Now I have something to say." Another dinner was held, and Einstein made his speech.
It's been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth for the simple reason that we should listen more often than we speak. Yet for many Christians today, relationships are breaking down for the simple reason that people are forgetting how to listen to each other.
You never hear of someone sticking his foot in his ears—only his mouth! So when it comes to interacting with others, listen before you speak. Prefer others and let them talk. Listening, not talking, is the key to keeping peace and building solid relationships that honor God!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you people with whom you can be quick to listen and slow to speak.
:angel:
The dangers of hasty decisions
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. - Proverbs 21:5
The photographer for a well-known magazine was assigned to take photos of a great forest fire. The problem was that smoke at the scene hampered him. So he frantically called his home office to hire a plane. "It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his editor.
As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway. So the reporter jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air.
"Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make three or four low, level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I'm going to take pictures!" said the photographer with great exasperation. "I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures!"
After a long pause the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?"
Many times, in order to make the quickest decision possible, it can be easy to sacrifice our God-given wisdom for the sake of expediency. And all too often, these hasty decisions result in negative outcomes, because when not all the facts are known, bad choices can very easily be made.
Yet the wisdom of the Psalms tells us in today's passage that diligent planning and seeking the Lord's will ultimately result in our good. So instead of making decisions too quickly, spend time praying and seeking wise counsel to make the best choices possible!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you wisdom and patience to make decisions that honor Him.
:angel:
How To Overcome Life's Toughest Struggles
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. - 2 Chronicles 16:9
A little boy was playing in his sandbox one day. While he was playing, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sandbox. He managed to dislodge it from the dirt, and nudged the enormous rock across the sandbox using his feet.
But when he got the rock to the edge of the sandbox, he found that he couldn't roll it up and over the little wall. He shoved, pushed, and pried, but every time he thought he had made some progress, the rock tipped and then fell back into the sandbox. All this time, the boy's father watched from his living room window as the drama unfolded.
As tears of frustration filled the boy's eyes, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy's father. Gently he said, "Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?" Defeated, the boy sobbed back, "I did, Daddy."
"No, son," corrected the father kindly. "You didn't use all the strength you had because you didn't ask me." With that the father reached down, picked up the rock, and removed it from the sandbox.
Many Christians are just like that little boy—trying to overcome challenges in their own power. It's in that moment that God wants us to trust in Him. Give your struggles to God, who has the power to move the "big rocks" in your life.
Prayer Challenge
Confess to God where you've been trying to overcome your struggles on your own. Give them to Him today.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think many Christians try to overcome life's struggles in their own power?
What are some struggles today that you need to hand over to God?
:angel:
Releasing Bitterness and Embracing Grace
"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." - Luke 6:35-36
It was the week before his freshman year would begin, and Bruce Goodrich was being initiated into the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University. One night, Bruce was forced to run until he dropped—but he never got up. Bruce Goodrich died before he even entered college.
A short time after the tragedy, Bruce's father wrote this letter to the university administration:
"I would like to take this opportunity to express the appreciation of my family for the great outpouring of concern and sympathy from Texas A&M University and the college community over the loss of our son Bruce.
"I hope it will be some comfort to know that we harbor no ill will in the matter. We know our God makes no mistakes. Bruce had an appointment with his Lord and is now secure in his celestial home. When the question is asked, 'Why did this happen?', perhaps one answer will be, 'So that many will consider where they will spend eternity.'"
In a day and age when many parents' first inclination would be to call a lawyer, Bruce's parents showed grace. And while it might not have been easy to do, God gave them strength!
Maybe you've been wronged and are holding on to bitterness. If so, give it to God and show grace. In the same way you've been forgiven, you also can forgive others with the power of Christ in you!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you where you need grace to cover any bitterness you may be harboring in your heart.
Questions for Thought
How does it make you feel when others forgive you for wronging them?
What can you do today to release any bitterness you might be holding in and let God's grace flow out to others?
:angel:
The best payback you'll ever have
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. - Luke 6:35
Georges Clemenceau was twice the prime minister of France, and played a major role in the treaties that concluded WWI. At the Paris Peace Conference, Clemenceau was on his way to a meeting with President Woodrow Wilson's adviser when he was shot at by a young anarchist named Emile Cottin.
As Clemenceau's car sped away, Cottin fired at least six more shots, one of which struck Clemenceau near his heart. Clemenceau very narrowly avoided death. But after Cottin was captured and the death penalty was demanded, Clemenceau asked for leniency, recommending eight years in prison "with intensive training in a shooting gallery."
It was a little good humor at a time which could've been filled with bitterness and hatred that showed Clemenceau wasn't holding a grudge against his attacker. And while most people won't ever face someone who wants to kill them, they find it so difficult to have that same kind of attitude of forgiveness.
In life, people are going to let you down and disappoint you. They are going to say bad things about you and insult you to your face. Yet how you respond to those who treat you that way says much about your relationship with your heavenly Father. So instead of harboring bitterness, forgive and show mercy to those who wrong you. It's the best payback you can have!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you strength when others insult you. Pray He'll help you show them mercy instead of harboring bitterness.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think it's so difficult to show forgiveness and mercy to those who wrong us?
Think back to a time when you received unmerited forgiveness for something you did wrong. How did that make you feel?
:angel:
How to experience spiritual renewal
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
There's a story an American Lutheran bishop tells of visiting a parish church in California and seeing a stirring red and orange banner on the wall. "Come Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!" it declared in words printed under a picture of a fire burning. But what really attracted his attention during his Sunday sermon was a sign directly underneath the banner which said: "Fire extinguisher."
Looking down at his sermon notes, the bishop laughed as he thought to himself, "So much for this parish's commitment to spiritual renewal!"
When it comes to spiritual renewal in our lives, many Christians carry around a spiritual fire extinguisher because they're afraid of looking too "extreme" in what they believe or are afraid people will think they're crazy. But if you look at those who've followed Christ most closely in the pages of the Bible and throughout history, you'll find that while many of them were looked down upon for their faith, they were also well respected among believers and non-believers alike for sticking to their convictions.
So instead of trying to control the fire of the Holy Spirit in your life, let it burn free, moving to every area and consuming all you are as you're transformed by the renewing of your mind!
Prayer Challenge
Offer your entire self to God and allow Him to consume everything you are!
Questions for Thought
If someone were to ask those whom you interact with every day about how committed you are to God, what do you think they would say?
What are some areas of your life today in which you need to let God's fire burn away the impurities and give wholly to Him?
:angel:
Avoiding what hampers your heavenly focus
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the very first man in recorded history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. But within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed his record by 1.4 seconds. So on August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race.
As they moved into the final lap, Landy held the lead and it looked as if he would win. But as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question, "Where is Bannister?" As he turned to look, Bannister, just behind him, took the lead and won the race. Landy later told a reporter, "If I hadn't looked back, I would have won!"
As Christians, one of the most important things we can do is to focus on what really matters—God. But the problem is that very often, we become so consumed with the minutia of daily life that we allow it to take our eyes off of the ultimate prize. This causes us to become distracted, often losing ground in our walk with Christ.
But if we keep our eyes on Jesus and don't allow sin and distractions of the world to pull us aside (Hebrews 12:1), we'll maintain our heaven-focused perspective on the challenges when they arise. So don't let the small stuff take your attention away from what really matters. Keep your head forward and your eyes on the cross, and you're guaranteed victory at the finish line!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you stay focused on Him when you're tempted to let life's challenges distract you.
Questions for Thought
Can you think of some times when you've allowed earthly distractions to come between you and God?
What are some potential distractions you have in your life today you should be careful not to let hamper your heavenly focus?
:angel:
Who can you really trust?
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. - Psalm 146:3-5
In the early 15th century, the kings of both Italy and Bohemia promised safe transport and safe custody to the great pre-Reformation reformer, John Hus. Both, however, broke their promises, leading to Hus being burned at the stake in 1415.
The great British statesman Thomas Wentworth had once even carried a document signed by King Charles I which read, "Upon the word of a king you shall not suffer in life, honour, or fortune." It was not long, however, before Wentworth's death warrant was signed by the very same monarch!
If anything is sure in life, it's that there's very little that's sure in life! This is especially true when it comes to putting your faith in the rulers of the world. Yet so often, Christians are as guilty as anyone of saying, "If we can only get so-and-so elected, things will be great." History goes to show this just isn't the case.
In whom do you place your faith? Is it in the princes of the world who talk a big game and promise you anything that will get them more votes? Or, are you firmly committed in your faith to Jesus who is eminently greater than any earthly ruler? Princes will let you down, but Jesus never will!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for wisdom and discernment when it comes to politics—that you'd stay committed to Jesus, who is greater than any earthly ruler!
Questions for Thought
What are some instances when you've been guilty of trusting in man more than you trust in God?
What attitude should you have when you support a political candidate or cause that will help you stick to your convictions but avoid creating an idol?
:angel:
Love your neighbor as yourself. --Matthew 19:19
Oftentimes it can be hard to be nice to your neighbors when their Christmas party lasts until 2:00 a.m., their dog uses your flowerbeds for a toilet, or their children use your property for a playground. When this happens, it might be hard for you to be "neighborly."
Your "neighbor" is basically anyone you come in contact with— the grocery store clerk, the person waiting behind you in line, the cable guy, or the plumber who charges extra on the weekends. We don't choose the people God brings across our paths. He usually puts people in our way to whom He wants us to show His love. Even if their culture, lifestyle, personality, or religion is different, God says these differences are exactly why we should try harder to show His love.
Even in the sticky relationships that often come with tension, we are to love others which shows our love for Him. 1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."
In today's society, people are pushy and oftentimes downright nasty in their attitudes and actions. But, even when those people have seriously annoyed or offended you, there is little excuse for treating them with disrespect. Christ walked among prostitutes, thieves, and hypocrites—yet their lives were changed by His love. As a believer, you have the power to show the same kind of transforming love to your "neighbors."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to create in your heart a love for the unlovable and to see others through His eyes. Pray for those who come across your path who are uneasy to love, that Christ may change their hearts.
:angel:
Your most priceless possession
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." - Matthew 13:44
Vincent van Gogh first began to experiment with impressionist techniques during his Parisian period, the time from 1886 until 1888. The Dutch artist wrote to his sister in 1887: "Last year, I painted almost nothing but flowers to accustom myself to colors other than grey, namely pink, soft or vivid green, light blue, violet, yellow, orange, beautiful red."
In 1993, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam announced that it had authenticated a previously unknown work of the painter from the Parisian period. Purchased at a French flea market after World War II by a Swiss family and kept in their attic, Still Life (Vase With Flowers) fetched millions of dollars at auction.
Quite often, we don't see the immediate value of what we have. This is especially true when it comes to our riches in heaven. You see, what you have in Christ is much more valuable than any riches the world could throw your way. Yet many people treat their relationship with Jesus as an inconvenience or a burden they're just hanging onto in hopes of eternal life.
The most priceless possession you have is your salvation in Jesus Christ. God's great gift to you will never be surpassed in its value. So treasure it... and consider it more valuable than anything else you own!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the salvation He's offered to you in Jesus Christ. Pray that you'd continue to hold Him higher than anything else!
Questions for Thought
Have there been times in your life when you've treated the world's riches as more valuable than your relationship with God?
How can you avoid thinking of Jesus as just insurance against hell and move to a point where you're building a real relationship with Him?
:angel:
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing... --Proverbs 10:7
Memories link us to our past and guide us through our daily lives. It's easier for some to recall names and phone numbers, while others have a more difficult time remembering these things. Normal memory loss or forgetfulness will afflict all of us at some point in our lives—whether it's due to disease, aging, or stress.
To stimulate your memory, be sure to exercise regularly. There are numerous benefits from exercise, especially memory retention. It doesn't have to be strenuous—just a mild form of aerobic exercise, such as walking for 15-20 minutes a few times a week, or moving your arms and legs around several times a day. It's a chain reaction—physical activity encourages good sleeping habits, which gives your brain the rest it needs, and in turn, helps with alertness and good memory.
It's also important to establish a routine. People benefit from having a routine dealing with daily tasks. When one task is remembered, it then triggers a series of memories. Daily tasks include things like brushing your teeth, taking medication, reading a book, and even parking the car in the same spot each time.
Your memory will also increase by organizing your personal space. You can avoid hours of searching for that "lost" item by eliminating clutter throughout your living place. Use those extra closets to organize the extra items sitting around your house and label things so you will know what's where.
While this may not seem like a devotional, God desires for us to help ourselves and He'll help us as well.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help you take control of the things in your life that can help you enhance your memory skills. Thank God for the alertness and memory that you have today.
:angel:
The importance of getting quiet each day
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." - Mark 6:31
Studies show noise affects human behavior. In one experiment carried out by psychologists, a student leaving a library intentionally dropped an armload of books. In 50% of the cases, a passerby stopped to help the student pick up the books.
Then the experimenters brought out a lawn mower without a muffler and started it near where a student would again intentionally drop the books. But this time, only about 10% of the people who passed by stopped to help. It was clear that the behavior changed because of the earsplitting sound of the nearby lawn mower.
In experiments in Los Angeles, researchers found that children who lived in neighborhoods near the airport could not complete certain tasks undertaken when jets were landing and taking off as easily as children who lived in quiet neighborhoods.
So what is it about quietness that makes us comfortable? No doubt, when high levels of concentration are required for a certain task, the best way to be sure you can focus well is to have peace and quiet. Yet quietness does more than help us concentrate, it gives our minds rest from a hectic world.
This is why it's important to get away for some time each day and be quiet. Use this time to focus on God and deepen your relationship with Him. You'll be much better prepared to deal with the busyness of life when you spend time recharging in a daily quiet time.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the discipline to dedicate time each day to recharging and focusing on Him.
Questions for Thought
What are some things you like to do when you unplug from the busyness of life and spend some quiet time?
How do you think spending some regular time alone every day would better enable you to deal with daily tasks?
:angel:
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. --Proverbs 24:3-4
There may be times when you ask: How do I handle my financial needs? Do I need to plan for the days to come?
One thing all Christians need to understand is the basics of simple, commonsense financial planning using God's principles. We should always have faith and depend on God for our finances, but it doesn't mean waiting on Him to deliver manna to us each and every day.
God is our Provider, but He expects us to help ourselves as well. If you can develop some financial goals, then you'll be on the right track. Ask yourself: Where am I financially? How do I get to my destination?
In your plan, write down visible objectives and measurable goals you can work toward. Start by committing God's portion to Him first—tithes and offerings. Then, design a strategy to control and eliminate the use of credit (if applicable). And last, you'll want to determine in your heart and mind that you will be content in the goals God has for you financially.
It is wise to seek Christian counsel in the financial decisions you make. But, everyone has an opinion, and only you and God know your needs best. If you need someone to help you with you financial goals, then look within your own church for someone you trust that can give godly advice. If needed, they may even help you balance your checkbook, prepare your finances for the future, and help you pay your bills.
It is never too late to get started with a financial plan for your life. There are people in your life who want to help you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Seek wisdom from God in planning your finances for the future. Ask Him to lead you in developing a plan—even through the guidance of a fellow believer.
:angel:
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? --Mark 8:36
Around 200 years ago, the tomb of the great conqueror, Charlemagne, was opened. The workmen were shocked by what they saw.
His body, sitting upright, was clothed in the most elaborate kingly garments, with a scepter in his bony hand. And on his knees lay the Holy Scriptures, with a lifeless, bony finger pointing to Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Amazing, right? So often, people place more emphasis on what is gained in this world, how successful one becomes, or how much is achieved, rather than focusing on their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.
Martin Luther once said, "I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
What are you holding onto today? It may be someone or something, but remember that material things we hold on to in life will eventually pass away. Nothing that we ever gain in this world will last. Only two things shall endure forever: the Word of God, and the souls of the men and women who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be" (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).
What are you investing in right now?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to help focus your heart and mind on the things above and witnessing to those around you who are lost.
:angel:
The importance of being a 'doer'
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them. - James 4:17
In the early years of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln became so angered at the inactivity of Union commander George McClellan that the President wrote his commanding general this one-sentence letter:
If you don't want to use the army, I should like to borrow it for a while.
Respectfully,
A. Lincoln
One of the most frustrating things we can experience in life is to watch people like McClellan who can make a difference stand idly by when something must be done. And at the core of this frustration is the simple belief that those who can make a difference should make a difference. Yet very often, we excuse our own inactivity because we believe our circumstances are unique.
But over and over again in Scripture, God is clear that inactivity isn't just unwise, but it's very often sinful, like in the case of today's passage. That's why it's so important not only to recognize when something must be done, but to act when you have the ability to do so. This is true in so many areas of life!
So when it comes to doing the right thing, don't just be a complainer; be a doer. When the desire to do what is right meets the opportunity to act, God can use you in a powerful way to make a real difference in the world!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the strength and courage not to be just a complainer, but to be a doer!
:angel:
The importance of taking personal responsibility
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. - 2 Corinthians 5:10
Not long ago, a young woman was attacked in a New York residential area while at least 38 neighbors watched from their windows. And during the course of the 30-minute assault, not even one person telephoned the police. The young lady sustained critical injuries and died for the simple reason that no one would pick up the phone and call for help.
Interviews conducted with the people who witnessed this terrible crime revealed that they were not totally indifferent as many had suspected. In fact, many of them were horrified when they saw what was happening. But the main reason nobody did anything was that each person thought someone else would take responsibility and get help.
Now, most people will never find themselves in such a critical situation. But how often, in the seemingly mundane events of life, do you find yourself saying, "I'll let someone else do it"? Yet all the while, everyone else is thinking the exact same thing. This kind of attitude has created a vacuum of responsibility in our society where people simply point fingers instead of doing what's right.
But on the day you stand before God, there will be no finger-pointing. You'll be judged based on what you did with Christ, and then you'll be rewarded for the works you have done in the flesh. So in this life, take responsibility for your actions and stand up for what's right when others sit and point fingers.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a strong sense of personal responsibility to do what's right when you're tempted to point fingers.
:angel:
Staying committed to your higher calling
Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. - John 12:25
The Civil War might have been averted and a peaceful emancipation of slaves achieved had there been more people like Elijah Lovejoy. After observing one lynching, Lovejoy was committed forever to fighting the awful sin of slavery. Time after time, mob action was brought against him. But neither this nor many threats and attempts on his life deterred him.
Repeated destruction of his presses didn't even stop him. He said, "If by compromise is meant that I should cease from my duty, I cannot make it. I fear God more that I fear man. Crush me if you will, but I shall die at my post."
And he did... four days later at the hands of another mob. And not one member of the mob that killed him was prosecuted or indicted or punished in any way for this murder. But one young man was deeply moved by the Lovejoy martyrdom. He had just been elected to the Illinois legislature. His name was Abraham Lincoln.
As a Christian, you have a calling that's much greater than even your own life. And while most today won't experience martyrdom, the commitment should be the same. So devote yourself to the calling of Christ above all others and you'll be blessed forever!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the strength to commit yourself to Him, no matter the cost!
:angel:
The danger of having a jealous heart
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. - Romans 12:15
The famous novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett received great recognition for his work—but not from everyone. Beckett's marriage was plagued by his wife's jealousy of his growing fame and success.
So one day in 1969, Samuel heard her answer the phone, listen for a moment, and hang up. She turned to her husband and with a disappointed tone whispered, "What a catastrophe." She had just learned that Beckett had been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature!
Jealousy comes in different forms—good and bad. There is the good, kind jealousy that we see in Exodus 20:5 where God tells the Israelites to have no other God except for Him. This is not a jealousy birthed out of insecurity. God was not jealous of other gods... He is jealous for the hearts of His people.
On the other hand, there's the bad kind of jealousy, a jealousy that is rooted in sin and shame and wishes failure on others instead of success. This is the kind of jealousy that, as Christians, we're to avoid. In fact, as we see others who are successful in life and who God blesses abundantly, we're to rejoice with them in those blessings!
Don't allow jealousy to embitter you. Instead, rejoice with those whom God blesses and in due time, He'll bless you, too!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you encourage others who are experiencing His blessings and rejoice with them. When you're blessed, they'll rejoice with you as well!
:angel:
You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. --Acts 22:15
Many years ago, a new preacher moved to a large city. One day, he rode the bus from his home to the downtown area. After taking his seat, he noticed the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much in change.
He thought about it and finally told himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it."
Then he thought, "Oh, it's only a quarter. Who would even notice? Besides, the bus company will never miss it. Just accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet."
When the bus came to his stop, the preacher paused at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "You gave me too much change."
The driver smiled and replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I've been thinking lately about going to your church. I wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday."
When the preacher stepped off the bus, he grabbed hold of the nearest light pole. As tears filled his eyes, he prayed, "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I almost sold your Son for a quarter."
Just as John was sent to testify to others about Christ, so are believers to be a witness "so that...all men might believe" (John 1:7). Your life is the only Bible some people will ever read. People are always watching to see how you live. Be on guard and remember that you bear the name of Jesus on your shoulders when you call yourself "Christian."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you walk upright with Him every day, so that others will come to know Jesus as a result of your life and testimony.
:angel:
Are you wise, or just smart?
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. - Proverbs 9:9
The famous author and inventor, Arthur C. Clarke once wrote,
For every man, education should be a process which continues all his life. We have to abandon, as swiftly as possible, the idea that schooling is something restricted to youth. How can it be, in a world where half the things a man knows at 20 are no longer true at 40—and half the things he knows at 40 hadn't been discovered when he was 20?
There's a misconception many people have today that once they're finished with formal schooling, they have nothing left they need to learn. They passed all their tests and have a diploma on the wall, yet in all their time of growing smart, they've never truly discovered what it means to grow wise.
The reality is that finishing school should actually be the beginning of a life-long learning process that never ends. It's a starting point that you've reached by becoming smart, but actual wisdom is attained through life experience. That's exactly why you have young men and women who graduated at the top of their class, yet struggle when they get out into the real world—they have to grow in wisdom.
Never, ever stop learning. Immerse yourself in the wisdom of the Word daily. Ask God to give you clarity and understanding when it comes to applying it to your life. When you do, you'll find out that there's so much more to be learned than you already know!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the discipline to continue growing in wisdom all the days of your life!
:angel:
Winning the battle over sluggishness
Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. - Proverbs 20:4
And old mountaineer and his wife were sitting in front of the fireplace one evening just passing the time. Soon, they heard what they thought were raindrops falling on the roof of their small house. So after a few minutes, the wife said, "Jed, I think it's raining. Go outside and see."
The old man continued to gaze into the fire for a brief moment, sighed, and said, "Why don't we just call in the dog and see if he's wet."
There's no doubt that, just like that farmer, there are those days when you just don't feel like doing much. But the problem with so many today is that one day turns to two, then a week, then months go by and you're still just calling in the dog to see if it's raining outside!
Now there are different reasons for being "sluggish". Some of involve your physical or emotional state. Yet all too often, sluggishness is simply an indication of laziness, which the Bible says will have a negative impact on your life.
So if you find yourself having feelings of sluggishness, first, figure out why. Is it because you're having physical problems? Are you dealing emotions, like depression, that affect your desire to be active? Or, have you perhaps just become a little lazy? Whatever it is, find ways to stay active. Not only will you be healthier, but you'll also find greater fulfillment in life!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you find ways to stay active and find greater fulfillment in life!
:angel:
The importance of nourishing friendships
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. - 1 Samuel 18:1
The world-renowned psychologist, Sigmund Freud, died at the age of 83, a bitter and disillusioned man. Though he was one of the most influential thinkers of our time, Freud had little compassion for the common person.
In 1918, he wrote, "I have found little that is good about human beings on the whole. In my experience most of them are trash, no matter whether they publicly subscribe to this or that ethical doctrine or to none at all" (Veritas Reconsidered, p. 36).
As a result of his bitterness toward humanity, Freud died friendless. Many of his loyal followers had even abandoned him, not out of psychological disagreements, but because they were disillusioned with how bitter he had become.
Apart from your relationship with Christ, your relationships with people are some of the most valuable commodities you'll ever have. Yet many, as they grow older, tend to become like Freud: bitter, angry, and cynical toward others.
But as you grow in your faith, you can be the exact opposite as the joy of the Lord overcomes your life more and more every day. So nourish your friendships and keep people close. They're some of the most important things you can have in life!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would surround you with good friends with whom you can share life and the love of Christ!
:angel:
How you can be used to impact eternity
Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. - James 5:20
In 1994, The New York Times reported that graffiti from the 1800s was discovered by workers renovating the Washington Monument. It was quite a different tone from much of the graffiti found today on walls, railcars, and street signs. Here's what it said:
Whoever is the human instrument under God in the conversion of one soul, erects a monument to his own memory more lofty and enduing [sic] than this.
The inscription was signed with the initials, BFB. No one knows who that is, but this anonymous author's words can now be seen by the thousands who visit the monument each year.
Though written so long ago, those words ring very true today... and they're at the heart of today's verse. Whoever God uses to turn people away from their sin and toward a faith relationship with Jesus Christ makes an impact on eternity!
Perhaps today, there are people in your life who you can point toward Christ. Maybe they live nearby, shop at the same store as you, or you see them in your daily routine. Whoever it is, God wants to use you to tell them about Jesus. And when you do, you can be confident that you've made an impact that will last longer than any monument ever built!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you people in your life who need to hear about Jesus. Pray that you would be open to being used by Him to impact eternity!
:angel:
The profound impact of human connection
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. - Romans 12:10
There was a woman who always went to a certain post office in her town because the postal employees there were just so friendly. One year just before Christmas, she walked in to buy a book of stamps, and the lines were particularly long.
Another customer waiting next to her in line pointed out that there was no need to wait because the post office had installed a stamp machine in the lobby. "I know," said the woman, "but that machine won't ask me about my arthritis."
So often today in our world of mass communication and high-efficiency processes, it's easy to miss the human connection that's so badly needed in our lives. And sadly, this has even become the case in many of our churches, where people get in and get out as quickly as they can in order to jump back into their busy schedules.
But what a remarkable change we would see in our world today if we slowed down a step to talk to others. Instead of rushing out of the store, what if you asked the clerk how her day was going? Instead of hurrying to meet a deadline a work, what if you stopped to wish the secretary a good morning?
A simple human connection can do amazing things in your life and in the lives of others. So as you go throughout your day, don't let busyness get in the way of the important task of connecting with others!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would remind you to slow down a bit each day and spend quality time connecting with others.
:angel:
How you can build up the body of Christ
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. - Ephesians 4:16
There was a team of engineers who did an experiment in a wind tunnel to determine why geese fly in a "V" formation. In the experiment, they discovered that each goose, flapping its wings, creates an uplift for the goose that follows.
Now while this uplift may be minuscule for each goose, the result is that the whole flock gains 71% greater flying range than if they journeyed alone. So to distribute the work among the geese, the leader of the "V" will fall back periodically to let another leader take the point.
This amazing example in God's creation can show us something very important about working together. You see, when people in a group decide to each sacrifice a little for the sake of the whole, then the group is better able to accomplish its goal. But when a member wanders away, it will be detrimental to the group's task.
In the body of Christ, the same is true. Each individual Christian is called to sacrifice his- or herself for the betterment of others in the body. They serve at church on Sunday or they give to those in need not for their own good, but for the good of others. So as a Christian, remember to give yourself for the sake of others and build up the body of Christ.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would show you ways that you can humble yourself for the sake of building up the body of Christ!
:angel:
The greatest gift you could ever receive
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23
On May 2, 1962, a dramatic advertisement appeared in the San Francisco examiner that said,
I don't want my husband to die in the gas chamber for a crime he did not commit. I will therefore offer my services for 10 years as a cook, maid, or housekeeper to any leading attorney who will defend him and bring about his vindication.
One of San Francisco's greatest attorneys, Vincent Hallinan, read the ad and contacted Gladys Kidd, the desperate wife who had placed it. Her husband, Robert Lee Kidd, was about to be tried for the slaying of an elderly antique dealer. Kidd's fingerprints had been found on a bloodstained sword in the victim's shop.
During the trial, Hallinan proved that the antique dealer had not been killed by the sword, and that Kidd's fingerprints and blood on the sword got there because Kidd had once toyed with it while playfully dueling with a friend when they were both out shopping. The jury, after 11 hours, found Kidd to be not guilty. And when the trial was over, Attorney Hallinan refused Gladys Kidd's offer of 10 years servitude.
Unselfish acts like these don't happen every day. Yet even this act of generosity pales in comparison to what Christ did for you—dying to give you eternal life, knowing that you'd never be able to pay Him back. So thank God today for His wonderful free gift of salvation and live your life to offer that gift to others!
Prayer Challenge
Tell God "thank you" for sending Jesus to die so that you can have the free gift of eternal life. Pray that He would give you the courage to offer this free gift to others as well.
:angel:
The power of loving your enemies
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. - Luke 6:35
In his book, The Grace of Giving, Stephen Olford tells of a Baptist pastor during the American Revolution named Peter Miller who lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.
In the same town also lived an evil-minded man who did all he could to oppose and humiliate the pastor whenever he had the chance. One day, this man was arrested for treason and sentenced to die. So Peter Miller traveled seventy miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead for General George Washington to spare the life of the traitor.
"No, Peter," General Washington said. "I cannot grant you the life of your friend."
"My friend?" exclaimed the old preacher. "He's the bitterest enemy I have!"
"What?" cried Washington. "You've walked seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in different light. I'll grant your pardon."
Peter Miller took his long-time enemy back home to Ephrata—but now he was a friend.
So often today, Christians miss out on the blessings that can come with loving their enemies. They don't like this or that group of people because their behavior is sinful, so they treat them as outcasts. But what if instead of condemning them, we showed them who God is by loving them despite their actions?
God loved us when we were His enemies. So love others the same way and just watch how He'll change lives through you!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you "enemies" you can love today. Pray that He would transform their hearts as they see the kind of God you serve!
:angel:
Becoming great by getting out of your puddle
The LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." - Genesis 12:1-2
You might be surprised to learn that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium you put it in. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you let them loose in the ocean, they will grow to their normal length.
Sadly, this is what happens spiritually to many Christians today. They grow up in church, never get out of the "culture of Christianity", and they live their whole lives never being challenged in their faith. This leads to stunted growth... resulting in generations of Christians who never reach their full potential!
Yes, the world is filled with little six-inch Christians who swim around in their puddle. You can look at them and comment on how fine they are. But if you were to put them out into a larger arena into the broad view of a whole creation, much like God did to Abram in today's passage, they might become so much greater.
God will help us not to be confined to a little puddle out of fear or insecurity, but instead to see that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. If we will have internal integrity and relate to the larger world in the ways He has ordained, we will be able to grow and serve Him in ways we've never imagined!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to show you where you can step out of your puddle and become great for Christ!
:angel:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. --Colossians 3:12
A man waiting in between flights at an airport went to a store and bought a small package of cookies. He then sat down in the waiting area to read his newspaper. Gradually, he became aware of a rustling noise next to him. From behind his paper, he was shocked to see a neatly dressed woman helping herself to his cookies sitting in the next seat.
Not wanting to cause problems or make a scene out of the situation, the man leaned over and took a cookie himself from the package. A couple of minutes passed and then came more rustling. The woman was helping herself to another cookie!
By this time, the man was so angry he had a good mind to tell her off for digging in his things. Then, as if to add insult to injury, the woman broke the last cookie into two pieces, pushed half across to the man, ate the other half, and left.
Still fuming when his flight was announced, the man opened his briefcase to get his ticket. And to his embarrassment, there he found his package of unopened cookies!
How wrong our assumptions can be sometimes. Christ has called us to demonstrate kindness and love toward others in all situations—even those such as the one mentioned above.
"'Let...the wise man boast...that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
If the Lord delights in kindness, so should we. In any situation, remember to take hold of and possess the qualities of kindness and brotherly love that our Lord demonstrates so you can be an effective witness to others (see 2 Peter 1:5-8).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to remind you to practice kindness toward others and to be an effective witness in all situations.
:angel:
The destructive power of unforgiveness
"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." - Matthew 6:12
The famous writer Leo Tolstoy thought he was getting his marriage off on the right foot when he asked his fiancée Sonya to read his diaries, detailing all of his sexual indiscretions. Instead, Tolstoy's confession sowed the seeds for a marriage that would be held together by bitterness, not love. Sonya wrote in her diary, "When he kisses me I'm always thinking, 'I'm not the first woman he has loved.'"
Some of his adolescent flings she could forgive, but not his affair with a particular peasant woman who continued to work on the Tolstoy estate. Another diary entry dates from January 14, 1909. "He relishes that peasant wench with her strong female body and her sunburnt legs, she allures him just as powerfully now as she did all those years ago..."
Sonya wrote those words when this peasant woman was eighty years old. For half a century, jealousy and unforgiveness blinded her and destroyed all love for her husband.
It's difficult to truly comprehend the power of unforgiveness. Years, even decades, after a person was wronged, he or she can hold onto bitterness so tightly that it is as if it happened yesterday.
But God calls us to a higher level of forgiveness, one that understands our own brokenness before Him and forgives others because we were first forgiven. So instead of holding onto bitterness, let it go. Allow God to soften your heart and forgive others because you were first forgiven!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would reveal areas of unforgiveness in your life and give you the strength to forgive others who may have wronged you.
Questions for Thought
As you think back, are there people in your life against whom you still harbor bitterness and unforgiveness?
What would your life look like if it exemplified the forgiveness toward others that God has already shown to you?
:angel:
Exposing the misconception of meekness
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5
So often today, the Christian value of meekness is overlooked, and often times completely disregarded. Much of this attitude has come about as a result of Christians who misunderstand what meekness really is.
On this subject, the great author A. W. Tozer wrote,
"The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto."
A meek person is not one with an inferiority complex. He is quite the opposite. Meekness is a characteristic within a person which creates boldness and strength, yet at the same time causes that person to humbly understand that everything good in him comes from God, not himself.
Jesus only gave the promise to inherit the earth to one group of people: the meek. So as you live your life, be both bold and strong in your faith while also humble and quiet in your boasting. Be meek... because the reward is great!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you boldness in your faith while at the same time giving you a humble heart. Pray for meekness, and you'll inherit the earth!
:angel:
Are you living a productive life?
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. - Psalm 119:15-16
The story goes that the great entrepreneur Henry Ford once hired an efficiency expert to evaluate his company. This man came into his factories and offices to assess the efficiency level of the workers. After a few weeks, the expert made his report, which was highly favorable except for one thing.
"It's that man down the hall," said the expert. "Every time I go by his office he's just sitting there with his feet on his desk. He's wasting your money!"
Mr. Ford replied, "That man once had an idea that saved us millions of dollars. At the time, I believe his feet were planted right where they are now. He's staying put!"
In today's world, our society measures effectiveness by task completion. If you get all your tasks done in a day that were on your list, then the day was productive. But if you've fallen short of your task list, then the day was unproductive. It rarely matters what else you accomplished. You're measured on your tasks.
But think of all the great ideas that have come about very likely because someone just stopped to think. Albert Einstein... Ben Franklin... Leonardo da Vinci... all of these great minds spent significant time simply thinking!
There's nothing wrong with tasks, but don't let them run your life. Spend daily time meditating on God and His truth because that's the path to truly finding wisdom!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would release you from letting tasks overtake your life. Ask Him to speak to you as you spend quiet time meditating on Him.
:angel:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. --Hebrews 13:8
When American author Lloyd C. Douglas was a university student, he lived in a boarding house. Downstairs on the first floor was a retired music teacher who lived in a small apartment.
Every morning, Douglas claimed they went through the same ritual. He would come down the steps, open the old man's door, and ask, "Well, what's the news?"
The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his wheelchair, and say, "That's Middle C! It was Middle C yesterday; it will be Middle C tomorrow; it will be Middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat, the piano across the hall is out of tune, but my friend, that is Middle C!"
The old man had discovered one thing in his life upon which he could always depend—Middle C. For Christians, the one constant and absolute in this life, of which there is no shadow of changing, is Jesus Christ.
The Bible says that "because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ... We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:17, 19). God sent His Son to die on the cross so that we might have eternal life with Him. He made a promise, and He kept it.
Because of this, we can rest assured that God will never change. He is ever-present when trouble comes barreling in. He is all-powerful to do exactly as He has promised. And He is all-knowing, and we should never worry because He is in control. He is the same "yesterday and today and forever."
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for being the constant reality in your life.
:angel:
[Jesus said]: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ... If they persecute me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. --John 15:18-20
What is a Christian? In the Letter to Diognetus, dating back to the second century, an anonymous writer described Christians:
"Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs; ...they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect. ... They live in both Greek and foreign cities....They follow local customs in clothing, food, and the other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship.
"They live in their own native lands, but as aliens. ... They marry and have children...but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives.
"They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. ... They are mocked and blessed in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others.
"When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews...and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility."
If you are a believer, the Bible commands you "...not [to] conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2). And you can expect the world to hate you as a result (see 1 John 3:13). Continue to be sanctified by the truth of God's Word and be in the world but not of it (see John 2:15).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would empower you to always be set apart, even when the world hates you, so that others can see the difference Jesus has made in your life.
:angel:
How to learn Scripture with the right motives
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:11
A story is told of a village church in Kalonovka, Russia, where attendance at Sunday school picked up after the priest started handing out candy to the peasant children. One of the most faithful was a pug-nosed, pugnacious lad who recited his Scriptures with proper piety, pocketed his reward, then fled into the fields to munch on it.
The priest took a liking to the boy and persuaded him to attend church school by offering other incentives. There, the priest managed to teach the boy the four Gospels. In fact, this little boy won a special prize for learning all four by heart and reciting them nonstop in church!
Fast forward 60 years, and the boy still loved to recite Scriptures, but in a context that would horrify the old priest. For the prized pupil who memorized so much of the Bible is Nikita Khrushchev, the former Communist czar. The same little lad who nimbly mouthed God's Word as a child later declared God to be nonexistent.
Khrushchev memorized the Scripture for the rewards rather than for the meaning it had for his life. Artificial motivation will produce artificial results. So as you learn the Word of God, keep your motives pure and make it an exercise of both your heart and your mind!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to keep your motives pure when it comes to learning His Word. Pray that He would help you absorb it into your heart as well as your mind!
:angel:
Are you fully available to God?
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. - 1 John 3:16
The famous author Patsy Clairmont was sitting next to a young man on an airplane. She had already observed something remarkable about this young man... he called her "Ma'am." Concluding he was from either from the south or in the service, she decided the latter was the most likely choice.
"What branch of the service are you in?" she asked.
"The Marines. I'm just coming back from a year and a half tour in Desert Storm. My family will be meeting me at the airport."
Clairmont commented that he must have thought about returning to his family and home many times while he was in the Middle East.
"Oh, no, Ma'am," the soldier replied. "We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were."
When it comes to living out God's calling in your life, are you fully available right where you are? Or, do you play it safe, sitting on the fence and not wanting to be too committed for the fear of looking like a "fanatic"?
God's calling in your life is of the utmost importance. So just like a soldier, lay down yourself each day and be fully available to accomplish His mission for your life!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you be fully available to His calling, willing to forsake everything you have to fulfill His mission for your life.
:angel:
How you can experience a complete transformation
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5:23
London businessman Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs. Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and strewn trash around the interior.
As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out all of the garbage.
"Forget about the repairs," the buyer said. "When I buy this place, I'm going to build something completely different. I don't want the building; I want the site!"
Apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ, our efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as tidying up a warehouse that's slated for the wrecking ball. You see, when you trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, the old life is over and the new life takes over (2 Corinthians 5:17).
When you come to Christ, you give God the site and allow Him to begin His renovating work in your life. So instead of trying to clean up your own life before you trust Jesus, place your faith in Him today because that's where the remodeling begins!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and tell God that you are giving Him your life. Ask Him to renovate you from top to bottom and transform your life in every way!
:angel:
Putting knowledge into action
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." - 1 Samuel 15:22
Imagine that you are the president of a company and find it necessary to travel out of the country and spend extended time abroad. So you tell your employees, "Manage things while I'm away, and I'll write you regularly. When I do, I'll instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from my trip."
So you leave and stay away for a couple of years. During that time, you write often, communicating your desires and concerns. One day you return. Walking up to the front door of the company, you quickly notice that everything is a mess—weeds are growing in the flower beds, windows are broken across the front of the building, and the secretary at the front desk is asleep!
Without hesitation, you call everyone together and ask, "What happened? Didn't you get my letters?" Your employees answer and say, "Yes! We got all your letters. Some of us have memorized them. In fact, we even get together each week and talk about them!"
It doesn't matter how much they would've read your letters. What really matters is whether or not they would've followed what you told them. In the same way, there are so many people who read the Word of God, yet they never truly do what it says.
So when it comes to the Bible, don't just read—do! Follow God's precepts for living and experience the full joy that comes with surrender and obedience.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you not just read His Word, but live it out each day!
:angel:
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. --Proverbs 4:23-27
A former police officer once told of the tactics of roving bands of thieves. The group of thieves would enter a store in a unit. One or two of them would separate themselves from the group, and the others would start a loud commotion in another section of the store.
This grabbed the attention of the clerks and customers. And as all eyes were upon the disturbance, the accomplices would fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, and leave before anyone suspected anything.
Hours—sometimes even days—later the victimized merchant would realize things were missing from the store and call the police. Too late—they'd already been deceived and robbed.
This effective strategy is often used by Satan as well. Believers are seduced into paying attention to the distractions, while evil agents ransack our lives and ultimately leave us confused, lost, and devastated. So what does the Bible say about this? Always be on guard!
Paul warned believers several times about this scenario:
· "...I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).
· "...Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil" (Romans 16:19).
· "So be on your guard!" (Acts 20:31).
· "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Don't be distracted by Satan and his roving band of demons. Instead, "be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart and mind, so that you won't be seduced and deceived by Satan.
:angel:
How to persevere in obedience
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20
The great poet and educator, Archibald Rutledge, wrote about how he once met a man whose dog had just been killed in a forest fire. Heartbroken, the man explained to Rutledge how it happened. Because he worked outdoors, he often took his dog with him. That morning, he left the animal in a clearing and gave him a command to stay and watch his lunch bucket while he went into the forest.
His faithful friend understood, and that's exactly what he did. So when a fire started in the woods and soon spread to the spot where the dog had been left, the faithful companion didn't move. He stayed right where he was, in perfect obedience to his master's word.
When it comes to obedience to God, do you cower down when things heat up? Or do you, like that dog, endure faithfully, even if it means suffering, or even death?
In this life, the Bible never gives us the promise of an easy path. There are times when staying true to your Master will even cause you to encounter hard times. Yet through them all, we're given the simple promise that no matter what happens, God is with us.
Maybe today, you know God is asking you to follow Him in a certain way that will lead to hardship. If so, show obedience to God by following Him even if it means tough times. When you do, you can be sure that the reward you'll receive will far outweigh any inconvenience you face!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and tell God that you'll follow Him no matter where He calls you. Respond in faith by giving Him your life and surrendering to His will.
:angel:
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. --Psalm 40:10
Peter Cartwright was a nineteenth-century, circuit-riding Methodist preacher. But more importantly, he was known for being uncompromising in his faith.
One Sunday morning, as he was preparing to preach, he was told that President Andrew Jackson was in the congregation. Some of the elders warned him not to say anything out of line or there would be trouble.
So when Cartwright stood to preach, he said, "I understand that Andrew Jackson is here today. I have been requested to be guarded in my remarks. Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn't repent."
The congregation was shocked by Cartwright's bold sermon and wondered how the President would respond. However, after the service, President Jackson walked by to shake hands with Cartwright and said, "Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world."
As Christians, we are not called to be "guarded" when it comes to sharing the Gospel message with the world. Instead, we are to be bold and outspoken in proclaiming the truth.
In Psalm, King David wrote, "I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD" (Psalm 40:9).
Scripture says that we are a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).
The world needs more Christians who will be uncompromising in their faith. Will you be that kind of Christian—just as Peter Cartwright was? Won't you be bold enough to declare the faithfulness and salvation of God today (Psalm 40:10)?
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you the opportunities to boldly share your faith. Ask Him to give you the right words at that time that will bring others to Christ.
:angel:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins ... But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. --Ephesians 2:1, 4-5
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial is astounding for its simplicity and meaning. Etched carefully in the black granite wall are the names of 58,156 Americans who died in that gruesome war. And since its opening in 1982, the striking monument has stirred deep, and sometimes painful, emotions in many people.
Some visitors walk the length of the memorial slowly and reverently, but without a pause. Others stop before certain names to linger where they recognize the name of a son, sweetheart, or fellow soldier. They wipe away their tears and remember the legacy those lost lives left behind.
For Robert Bedker, Willard Craig, and Darrall Lausch—three Vietnam veterans—a trip to visit the memorial must be especially moving because each man can walk up to the long ebony wall and find their own names carved in the stone. Because of data coding errors, each of them was incorrectly listed as killed in action upon the monument.
Dead, but truly and completely alive—this is a perfect description of every believer in Jesus Christ. Just as Christ suffered death of the flesh and was made alive by the Spirit, so are we as Christians made alive in the Holy Spirit (see 1 Peter 3:18). And we are called to die to ourselves every day and walk in the Spirit of Jesus.
Every day we should thank God for raising us up from the mire and muck to live in glory with Him. Because of the death of Jesus on the cross, we can rest peacefully knowing that we will be alive forever with Him in heaven one day. Praise God!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for making you alive in the Spirit as a believer. Pray that He would help you die to yourself and your sins every day, so that you can be more like Him.
:angel:
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. --1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Winston Churchill, the great preacher of yesteryear, planned his own funeral that took place at Saint Paul's Cathedral. Included in the service were many great hymns of the church and the eloquent Anglican liturgy.
At his direction, a bugler, stationed high in the dome of the cathedral, was to play "Taps" after the benediction signaling that the day is over. Then immediately afterward, Churchill instructed another bugler, positioned at the other end, to play the tune "Reveille"—"It's time to get up. It's time to get up. It's time to get up in the morning!"
This was Churchill's testimony to all—though it was the end of his time on earth, it was a time of joy for he was getting up to go home to be with the Lord. At the end of history, the last note for all believers will not be "Taps," but instead "Reveille."
Believers can have hope for the day when death comes. When you take your last breath, know that your soul will go to be with Jesus in heaven and will one day be reunited with a new body when He returns. Death is not the end for the believer, it is just the beginning.
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ... For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 3:14, 16-17).
Praise God! The worst things are never the last things.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the future you have with Him in heaven.
:angel:
Keeping the main thing the main thing
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. - 1 Corinthians 3:3-5
Flight 401 was bound for Miami from New York City with a load of holiday passengers on the night of December 29, 1972. As the huge aircraft approached the Miami Airport for its landing, a light that indicates proper deployment of the landing gear failed to come on. The plane flew in a large, looping circle over the swamps of the Everglades while the cockpit crew checked out the light failure.
The flight engineer fiddled with the bulb. He tried to remove it, but it wouldn't budge. Another member of the crew tried to help out... and then another. By and by, if you can believe it, all eyes were on the little light bulb that refused to be dislodged from its socket. No one noticed that the plane was losing altitude.
Finally, it dropped right into a swamp, killing 101 people. While an experienced crew of high-priced and seasoned pilots messed around with a tiny light bulb, an entire airplane and many of its passengers were lost. The crew momentarily forgot the most basic of all rules of the air—don't forget to fly the airplane!
The same thing can happen to Christians today. In the midst of so much arguing and debating about worship styles, preaching personalities, and minor theological points, they often forget the most basic rule—reach others for Christ. So as you live your life, focus on what really matters and show the world the love of Jesus!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would show you where to compromise, where to stay firm, and most of all, how you can advance His Kingdom and make disciples.
:angel:
How God can use you to do anything
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD Almighty. - Zechariah 4:6
Here are a few interesting facts you may not have known about some very famous people:
Booker T. Washington was born into slavery.
Thomas Edison was deaf.
Abraham Lincoln was born of illiterate parents.
Lord Byron had a club foot.
Robert Louis Stevenson had tuberculosis.
Alexander Pope was a hunchback.
Admiral Nelson had only one eye.
Julius Caesar was an epileptic.
And yet despite the fact that each of these men encountered severe setbacks in life, each of them made history.
So often today, Christians like to make excuses for why they don't think God can use them. They talk about their bad health, their unfortunate background, or their lack of education and simply accept that they'll never truly make a significant impact.
Yet for every excuse or limitation that's given as a reason for God's inability to use a person, God reminds us that it's not by our might or by our power that He accomplishes His purposes; it's by His Spirit.
Do you have a handicap? Are you limited in some way? Call on the Lord. No problem is too big or too small for Him. He will make everything "work together for good" (Romans 8:28) if you turn to Him and trust in His power!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the blessings He's given you. Pray that His Spirit would work perfectly in your imperfections.
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Living beyond your circumstances through the resurrection
The angel said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. - Matthew 28:5-6
A little boy named Philip with Down Syndrome attended a third-grade Sunday school class with several eight-year-old boys and girls. Typical of that age, the children did not readily accept Philip with his differences.
On Easter Sunday, the teacher brought egg-shaped pantyhose containers for the students and told the children to go outside, find some symbol for new life, and put it in the egg-like container. Back in the classroom, they would share their new life symbols, opening the containers one by one. After running about the church property in wild confusion, the students returned to the classroom and placed the containers on the table.
Surrounded by the children, the teacher began to open them one by one. When one was opened, revealing nothing inside, the children exclaimed, Thats not fair! Somebody didnt do their assignment.
Philip spoke up, Thats mine.
Philip, you dont ever do things right! a student retorted. Theres nothing there!
I did so do it, Philip insisted. Its empty, just like Jesus tomb was empty!
Silence followed. From then on, Philip became an accepted member of the class. He sadly died not long afterward from an infection most normal children would have shrugged off. At the funeral, this class of eight-year-olds marched up to the altar, not with flowers, but with their Sunday school teacher, each to lay on it an empty pantyhose egg.
Whatever challenges you face today, the resurrection of Jesus Christ can give your life hope, meaning, and purpose. So this Easter, rest in the goodness of God and the new life youve been given through Jesus resurrection!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you live beyond your circumstances and rest in the new life youve been given through the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
:angel:
Remaining faithful through persecution
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted... - 2 Timothy 3:12
In 1857, archaeologists digging in the remains of a boarding school in Rome found a picture dating from the third century. It shows a boy standing with his hand raised and worshipping a figure on a cross that looks like a man with the head of a donkey. Scrawled below in the writing of a young person are the words, "Alexamenos worships his God."
In an adjacent room, a second inscription was also found that says, "Alexamenos is faithful." Apparently, a young man who was a Christian was being mocked by his schoolmates for his faithful witness. Yet despite the fact that they made fun of his beliefs, they couldn't deny his faithfulness as a follower of Christ.
Since the inception of our faith, those who have followed it most closely have been persecuted for their devotion. Yet despite arguing against the content of what we worship, the world can never question the genuineness of those who are truly committed to honoring God with their entire lives.
For those who are firmly committed to the cause of Christ, persecution is guaranteed. But remember that while the world may hate you for what you believe, it can never explain away your faithfulness toward Jesus Christ!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the faith He's given you. Pray that despite persecution, He would strengthen you in your belief and that the watching world would be in awe of your faithfulness.
:angel:
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 3:14
On July 4, 1952, a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. On the fog-covered morning, she intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast.
Florence wasn't a rookie when it came to long-distance swimming. She had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. But the water was numbing cold that morning and the fog was so thick she could hardly see two feet in front of her. Several times, sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire from the boats in her party.
She swam for more than fifteen hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer coaxed her to swim on since they were so close to land, but all Florence saw ahead was the thick fog. She quit only half a mile from her goal.
Later she said, "I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land, I might have made it."
Florence didn't fail because of fear, exhaustion, or the cold water. It was the fog.
We often fail too—not because we're afraid or tired—but because we lose sight of the goal. This is surely why Paul wanted to remind believers to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [you] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
Two months after her failed attempt at swimming the length of the channel, Florence waded into the water off the same beach on Catalina Island, swam the full distance, and set a new speed record—all because she could clearly see her goal.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to clearly present you with the goals He wants you to strive toward. Pray that He would make your path clear in fulfilling His call in your life.
:angel:
What to do when life knocks you down
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. - Hebrews 10:36
A story is told that Andrew Jackson's boyhood friends just couldn't understand how he became a famous general and then President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent, but never succeeded like little "Andy" did.
One of Jackson's friends said, "Why, Jim Brown was not only smarter, but he could beat Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now." Another friend responded, "How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn't they usually say three times and you're out in wrestling?"
"Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat. Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andy would always beat him."
Picking up on that idea, it's been said, "The thing that counts is not how many times you are beat, but whether you are willing to stay that way." In life, you will face setbacks, but what really matters is whether or not you take courage and go forward in faith despite the challenges and even defeats you will encounter.
The real battle is the Lord's. So when it comes to facing life's struggles, get back up when you get hit because in Christ, your victory is already won!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the strength to get back up when life knocks you down and remind you that your victory is already won!
:angel:
Waiting Patiently for God's Perfect Timing
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. - 1 John 5:14
There was a family who had a small Scottish terrier who would go to their back door and bark and bark until someone finally got the message and let it out. One day, a handyman had come to do some work on the house while everyone else was gone. That little dog took up his station at the back door and barked incessantly all day.
When the family returned home to find the handyman finishing up, he told them about how the dog had been barking all day at the door. The homeowner told him that his neighbors had said the same thing. "The sad thing is," the owner said, "it never occurs to the little guy that all his barking is totally useless when no one's home to hear!"
The Christian prayer life can sometimes feel like that little dog, can't it? You pray and pray, and often years can go by with no answer until you begin to wonder, "Is anyone even home up there?"
But God's timing is perfect. He knows what you need and when you need it. His timing for answering prayer is never early and never late. So instead of becoming discouraged that no one is hearing your prayers, remember that God knows what's best and will always work everything out for those who love Him!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to teach you patience as you wait for His perfect timing to answer your prayers.
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What if you're wrong?
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. - Romans 12:3
For centuries, people believed that Aristotle was right when he said that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Anyone, of course, at any time, could've taken a heavy object and a light one and dropped them both from a great height to see whether or not the heavier object landed first. But no one did until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle's death.
In 1589, Galileo summoned learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then he went to the top and pushed off a ten-pound and a one-pound weight at the same time. To their amazement, both landed at the very same instant. The power of belief was so strong, however, that the professors denied their eyesight. They continued to say Aristotle was right!
Modern physics today proves Galileo was correct. Yet it's astonishing that these learned men, despite seeing reality before their eyes, would rather assume their preconceptions were correct than accept a new idea.
Very often, it's our preconceptions and prejudices that cause division among the body of Christ. Even some of the most faithful men and women are guilty of assuming their way of doing things is the right way simply because that's how it's always been done. But true humility pushes our own agendas to the side and puts God's agenda first.
So instead of leaning on what you've always thought, trust in what the Bible says is true with fresh eyes, putting your own preconceived notions aside and promoting unity among believers instead of division.
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to show you areas where you've assumed your way is the only way. Pray that He would release you from that and be a force for unity among the body of Christ.
:angel:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. --Psalm 119:105
Bob Mumford gives a great analogy on how you can discover God's will in his book, Take Another Look at Guidance. He says that one particular harbor in Italy can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between very dangerous rocks and shoals. Numerous ships have sunk over the years because the passage is so hazardous.
To alleviate this danger, three lights have been mounted on three tall poles in the harbor to guide the ships safely into port. When these lights are lined up perfectly and seen as one, a ship can proceed safely up the narrow channel to its destination. But if the ship's pilot sees two or three lights, he knows he's off course and in danger.
In his book, Mumford says that God has also provided three beacons to guide us in our spiritual journey down life's narrow and often perilous path. The same rules of navigation apply to us as believers. Three lights must be lined up for us to proceed safely.
The three harbor lights of spiritual guidance are:
1. The Word of God
2. The Holy Spirit
3. Circumstances
God uses the combination of these to lead us on our journey through the often difficult passages of life.
Are you on the right path? Or have you fallen off course? When we follow this three-point navigational path along our spiritual journey, we know that God will lead us safely in His way.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to direct you along the path He wants you to take. Pray that He would reveal the three harbor lights of spiritual guidance to you each and every day as you journey through life.
:angel:
Jesus said]: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." --Matthew 23:27-28
At her launch in 1936, the Queen Mary was the largest ship to sail the oceans. She served faithfully for four decades, even through a world war, until she was retired in a Long Beach, California harbor.
After her retirement, she was transformed into a hotel and museum. During the conversion, she was given a complete facelift. Her three gigantic smokestacks were taken down to be scraped and repainted. But once on the dock, they crumbled as soon as the makeover began.
Nothing was left of the ¾-inch steel plates that had once formed the stacks. All that remained were more than thirty coats of paint, which had been applied over the 40 years she was at sea. The steel had rusted away and left the stacks without substance.
Similarly, when Jesus called the Pharisees "whitewashed tombs," He meant they had no substance. They were merely concerned with externals...how they appeared before others. Jesus said, "On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" (Matthew 23:28).
Oh that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, would never be compared to the Pharisees! As children of the King, we must "first clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean" (Matthew 23:26).
The Scripture says God does not look at outward appearances or the things that man looks at, but instead He looks at the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). Seek daily a pure heart and your outward appearance will reflect your inner beauty and God's love.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to cleanse and purify your heart, removing anything unclean from your life. Pray that He would create in you the inner beauty of His love,shining through to a lost world
Avoiding the danger of overconfidence in yourself
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.... - Philippians 3:3
When it comes to overconfidence, golf legend Arnold Palmer recalls a tough lesson he once learned in a tournament:
"It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, 'Congratulations.'
"I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus. On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trap, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters.
"You don't forget a mistake like that; you just learn from it and become determined that you will never do that again. I haven't in the 30 years since."
It can be easy to act like Arnold Palmer on that day and put too much confidence in yourself for faithful obedience. But the truth is that no one has the ability alone to live the Christian life. We're just not good enough to do that!
Don't make the mistake of becoming overconfident in your ability to obey Christ. Instead, trust in Jesus to live out a life of faithful obedience through you. That's how you can honor God with your life!
Prayer Challenge
Ask Jesus to live out faithful obedience through you so that you can honor God with your life!
:angel:
Are you too easily satisfied?
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. - 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
Over 2,000 years ago, a young Greek artist named Timanthes studied under a respected tutor. After several years, the teacher's efforts seemed to have paid off when Timanthes painted an exquisite work of art. Unfortunately, he became so enraptured with the painting that he spent days gazing at it.
One morning when he arrived to admire his work, he was shocked to find it blotted out with paint. Angry, Timanthes ran to his teacher, who admitted he had destroyed the painting. "I did it for your own good. That painting was slowing your progress. Start again and see if you can do better."
Timanthes took his teacher's advice and produced Sacrifice of Iphigenia, which is regarded as one of the finest paintings of antiquity. Yet he never would've painted such a masterpiece had he remained too easily satisfied with what he'd done up to that point.
When it comes to their relationship with Christ, Christians all too often remain so satisfied with where they are that they forget where they need to be going. This was the apostle Paul's point in today's passage, where he told the Corinthians they needed to move beyond the status quo and grow in their walk with Christ.
Maybe today you've found yourself so easily satisfied with how things are that you're not growing in your faith. Look ahead. God has something great in store for you if you're willing to grow in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would not let you be too easily satisfied with how you are today and help you look forward to growing in Christ!
:angel:
Fostering inclusiveness in the Body of Christ
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. - Colossians 3:11
One Sunday morning in 1865, a black man entered a prominent and fashionable church in Richmond, Virginia. When Communion was served, he walked down the aisle and knelt at the altar. A rustle of resentment swept the congregation. How dare he! After all, believers in that church used a common cup to take communion.
Then all of a sudden, a very distinguished layman stood up, walked forward to the altar, and knelt beside the black man. It was Confederate General Robert E. Lee. With General Lee setting the example, the rest of the congregation soon followed his lead and joined the two in communion.
Since the Civil Rights movement began, our nation and our culture have been become dramatically more inclusive in terms of race. People of all races learn together, eat together, ride on the bus together, and worship together. What wonderful progress our country has made!
Yet despite this overall change in attitude, racism and ethnocentrism still persist among many individuals and communities today. But God's Word tells us that in Christ, everyone has been made one. Our standing in Christ isn't determined by our skin color, our culture, or our country of origin. We're all one in Jesus!
As Christians, it's our role to be an antidote against prejudice by accepting all people of all colors into the fold of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you identify and eliminate prejudice attitudes in your life.
Questions for Thought
Over your lifetime, has God worked in your heart when it comes to your attitudes toward people of other races?
How can you help foster racial inclusiveness in our nation and our churches today?
:angel:
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. --1 John 3:10
John Hess-Yoder, a missionary in Laos, once told this story:
"While serving as a missionary in Laos I discovered an illustration of the kingdom of God. Before the colonialists imposed national boundaries, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas.
"Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were considered Laotians.
"On the other hand, those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses on the ground, and decorated them with Chinese-style dragons were considered Vietnamese.
"The exact location of a person's home was not what determined his or her nationality. Instead, each person belonged to the kingdom whose cultural values he or she exhibited."
It is the same with believers. We live in the world, but not of it. Instead, we are children of God's kingdom. Therefore, we are to live according to His holy standards and values in this life.
The Scripture says, "He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. ... No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:7-9).
If you are a believer, it should be easy for others to tell what makes you different from them. Just as the Laotians and Vietnamese could be easily defined according to their cultural values, we as Christians should also always be easily identified as followers of Jesus Christ and His values.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to integrate His values, morals, and biblical standards into every area of your life. Pray that you would be easily identifiable to the world as a follower of Jesus.
:angel:
You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord. --Leviticus 18:4-5
Author Timothy Munyon once wrote:
"While living in Florida, I had several friends who worked cleaning rooms at a nationally known inn located directly on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. They spent their work breaks running barefoot in the sand. The problem was the inn required all employees to wear shoes at all times while working.
"I noticed the employees responded in one of two ways.
"The majority thought the rule restricted their freedom. The rooms had shag carpeting, delightful to bare toes, and just a few steps away lay the beach. To them the rule to wear shoes was nothing more than employer harassment.
"But a minority of the employees looked at the rule differently. Sometimes late night parties would produce small pieces of broken glass. Occasionally a stickpin would be found hidden in the deep shag piles. Some knew the pain of skinning bare toes on the steel bed frame while making a bed. This minority saw the rule as protection, not restriction.
"Were God's laws written to make life miserable? Or were they written by a loving heavenly Father who cares about His children?"
Deuteronomy 11:1 says, "Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws, and his commands always."
Over and over again in Scripture, followers of Jesus are admonished to obey the commands and laws of the Lord. Many believe these "laws" are meant to restrict Christians from living a free and happy life. Others realize they are meant to provide certain boundaries for believers as a form of protection while walking with the Lord.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the laws, commands, and biblical boundaries found in His Word. Pray that He would bring them to your mind as you walk daily with Him.
:angel:
How to lean on God in days of doubt
The foolsays in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. - Psalm 14:1
Pastor and author Ravi Zacharias shares a story from British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge about a conversation he had with Svetlana Stalin, the daughter of Josef Stalin. She spent some time with Muggeridge in his home in England while they were working together on their BBC production on the life of her father.
According to Svetlana, as her father lay in his bed during his final hours, he suddenly sat halfway up in bed, clenched his fist toward the heavens once more, and fell back upon his pillow, never to be revived.
The incredible irony of his whole life is that at one time, Josef Stalin had been a seminary student preparing for the ministry until he made a decisive break from his belief in God. This dramatic and complete reversal of conviction that resulted in his hatred for all religion is why Lenin had earlier chosen Stalin and positioned him in authority. And as Stalin lay dying, his one last gesture was a clenched fist toward God, his hard heart in defiance of God's very existence.
Every Christian, at one time or another, experiences doubt when it comes to faith. And there are two reactions you can have toward doubt: you can let it harden your heart or you can use it to build your faith even more by leaning more into God and watching Him work. So when doubt creeps in, don't shake your fist. Rely on God all the more and you'll be amazed at what He does!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would strengthen your faith in Him whenever doubt arises!
Questions for Thought
What are some times in your life when you've experienced doubt when it comes to your faith?
When you think back on God's work in your life, how does that reaffirm His existence, His goodness, and His faithfulness toward you?
:angel:
How to stand firm in the face of pressure
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58
Back in the early 1990s, it was no secret that President George H. W. Bush was not a fan of broccoli. In fact, his distaste for the vegetable was so strong that he actually banned it from Air Force One. This embroiled the entire nation in a "broccoli discussion," prompting broccoli growers to dispatch 10 tons of the vegetable free to Washington D.C.
Yet the President reiterated his distaste with gusto:
I do not like broccoli and I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli. Now look, this is the last statement I'm going to have on broccoli. There are truckloads of broccoli at this very minute descending on Washington. My family is divided. For the broccoli vote out there: Barbara loves broccoli. She has tried to make me eat it. She eats it all the time herself. So she can go out and meet the caravan of broccoli that's coming in.
Talk about not bending under pressure! In the face of so much criticism and demand to change his ways, the President took a stand and told the world he was sticking to his guns!
If only more Christians today would stand firm like this in the face of the world's pressure to compromise and relent in their own enthusiasm for the Gospel. So when you're pressured to give in and water down your faith, remember that if one man can stand firm against a vegetable, you can stand firm for Jesus Christ!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you stand firm for your faith when you feel pressured to back down.
Questions for Thought
Can you think of a time when you were pressured to compromise on what you knew was the right thing to do?
How can you be more intent on standing for your faith even when you might receive some criticism?
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The reward of good accountability
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2
Former New York Yankee great Mickey Mantle recalls that as a teenager in the minor leagues he began playing poorly. Discouraged, homesick, and feeling sorry for himself, Mantle tearfully called his father to come to take him home. When the elder Mantle arrived, Mickey expected sympathy and reassurances.
But instead, Charles Mantle jarred his strapping son by saying, "Okay, if that's all the guts you've got, you might as well come home with me right now and work in the mines." Snapped awake, Mickey Mantle stuck it out that year—and wrote his name in history as one of the greatest baseball players to ever live.
Many times, we need a good kick in the pants to help us stay focused on what's really important. This is because it's so easy to get lost in the mundane and difficulty of our current circumstances that we lose sight of the big picture—we miss the forest for the trees! And it's in those times that you need people who will gently and lovingly steer you back in the right direction toward what's really important.
Keep a group of close friends around you who love you enough to spur you on to obedience to God's calling in your life. Mickey Mantle made history because of his baseball abilities. And you can impact eternity if you'll simply have those people in your lives who will love you enough to remind you of what really matters!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for God to reveal to you people in your life who you can ask to hold you accountable when you need it.
Questions for Thought
Can you think back to a time in your life when you let fleeting circumstances lead you to a wrong decision?
How many people can you name right now who, if they saw you making a wrong decision, would love you enough to let you know?
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Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. --Deuteronomy 7:9
"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up across the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies)...."
So begins Edward George Bulwer-Lytton's Paul Clifford, a novel containing what is widely considered one of the worst opening lines ever penned. So bad, in fact, that the English department at San Jose State University sponsors a whimsical competition every year challenging those who enter to write the worst novel opening possible!
Despite Bulwer-Lytton's shortcomings as an author, did you know he coined several phrases still used today? Phrases like "the almighty dollar" and "the pen is mightier than the sword." He also served as Interior Secretary of Canada, and a town in British Columbia bears his name. But unfortunately, he is most famous for that "dark and stormy night" opening line to his novel!
What about you? What legacy will you leave one day? When your family and friends think of you, what will come to mind?
The book of Deuteronomy gives us a sober warning that the consequences of our sin will affect those who come after us. But in the verse above, it also promises that God will keep His covenant of love for thousands of generations for those who love him and keep His commandments.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to enable you to leave a lasting legacy for Him.
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Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. --Matthew 28:19
The great Christian evangelist, D.L. Moody, was once asked to speak at a convention in Indianapolis.
One afternoon, he asked the convention's song leader to meet him on a street corner downtown at about 6 pm. When Ira Sankey got there, Moody had him stand on a overturned box and sing. This unusual spectacle attracted quite a crowd.
After speaking briefly, Moody persuaded most of the crowd to follow him to a nearby meeting place. They followed in droves and listened intently as Moody shared the good news of Jesus.
Too soon, the convention delegates started arriving, and Moody had to stop preaching. He said simply, "Now we must close, as the brethren of the convention wish to come and discuss the topic 'How to reach the masses'!"
So often, we think we have to have special training or special knowledge to tell others about Christ.
But like Moody, maybe all you need to do is be creative...and think of simple ways you can share Christ with others.
Maybe it's fixing dinner for your next-door neighbor. Maybe it's making a hospital or nursing home visit with a nice card or some flowers.
Whatever it is, God wants you to share His love with those around you. Don't think or talk about sharing your faith any longer...just go out and do it!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone with whom you can share His love and plan of salvation today.
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Avoiding what hampers your heavenly focus
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the very first man in recorded history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. But within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed his record by 1.4 seconds. So on August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race.
As they moved into the final lap, Landy held the lead and it looked as if he would win. But as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question, "Where is Bannister?" As he turned to look, Bannister, just behind him, took the lead and won the race. Landy later told a reporter, "If I hadn't looked back, I would have won!"
As Christians, one of the most important things we can do is to focus on what really matters—God. But the problem is that very often, we become so consumed with the minutia of daily life that we allow it to take our eyes off of the ultimate prize. This causes us to become distracted, often losing ground in our walk with Christ.
But if we keep our eyes on Jesus and don't allow sin and distractions of the world to pull us aside (Hebrews 12:1), we'll maintain our heaven-focused perspective on the challenges when they arise. So don't let the small stuff take your attention away from what really matters. Keep your head forward and your eyes on the cross, and you're guaranteed victory at the finish line!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would help you stay focused on Him when you're tempted to let life's challenges distract you.
Questions for Thought
Can you think of some times when you've allowed earthly distractions to come between you and God?
What are some potential distractions you have in your life today you should be careful not to let hamper your heavenly focus?
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Who can you really trust?
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. - Psalm 146:3-5
In the early 15th century, the kings of both Italy and Bohemia promised safe transport and safe custody to the great pre-Reformation reformer, John Hus. Both, however, broke their promises, leading to Hus being burned at the stake in 1415.
The great British statesman Thomas Wentworth had once even carried a document signed by King Charles I which read, "Upon the word of a king you shall not suffer in life, honour, or fortune." It was not long, however, before Wentworth's death warrant was signed by the very same monarch!
If anything is sure in life, it's that there's very little that's sure in life! This is especially true when it comes to putting your faith in the rulers of the world. Yet so often, Christians are as guilty as anyone of saying, "If we can only get so-and-so elected, things will be great." History goes to show this just isn't the case.
In whom do you place your faith? Is it in the princes of the world who talk a big game and promise you anything that will get them more votes? Or, are you firmly committed in your faith to Jesus who is eminently greater than any earthly ruler? Princes will let you down, but Jesus never will!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for wisdom and discernment when it comes to politics—that you'd stay committed to Jesus, who is greater than any earthly ruler!
Questions for Thought
What are some instances when you've been guilty of trusting in man more than you trust in God?
What attitude should you have when you support a political candidate or cause that will help you stick to your convictions but avoid creating an idol?
The best payback you'll ever have
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. - Luke 6:35
Georges Clemenceau was twice the prime minister of France, and played a major role in the treaties that concluded WWI. At the Paris Peace Conference, Clemenceau was on his way to a meeting with President Woodrow Wilson's adviser when he was shot at by a young anarchist named Emile Cottin.
As Clemenceau's car sped away, Cottin fired at least six more shots, one of which struck Clemenceau near his heart. Clemenceau very narrowly avoided death. But after Cottin was captured and the death penalty was demanded, Clemenceau asked for leniency, recommending eight years in prison "with intensive training in a shooting gallery."
It was a little good humor at a time which could've been filled with bitterness and hatred that showed Clemenceau wasn't holding a grudge against his attacker. And while most people won't ever face someone who wants to kill them, they find it so difficult to have that same kind of attitude of forgiveness.
In life, people are going to let you down and disappoint you. They are going to say bad things about you and insult you to your face. Yet how you respond to those who treat you that way says much about your relationship with your heavenly Father. So instead of harboring bitterness, forgive and show mercy to those who wrong you. It's the best payback you can have!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you strength when others insult you. Pray He'll help you show them mercy instead of harboring bitterness.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think it's so difficult to show forgiveness and mercy to those who wrong us?
Think back to a time when you received unmerited forgiveness for something you did wrong. How did that make you feel?
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The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song. --Psalm 28:7
In American history, Abraham Lincoln is lauded for his dynamic leadership during the Civil War. He's praised for the eloquent words of his Gettysburg address. And he's immortalized as the man who freed the slaves.
Abraham Lincoln, though, is not so well known for his own private battle with severe depression or for his wonderful remedy to his personal problem: laughter.
For example, Lincoln often told the story of two women who spread rumors in Washington about Confederate President Jefferson Davis and himself.
These women had a conversation comparing the virtues and potential of the two leaders. One said to the other, "I think Davis will succeed because he's a praying man." The other relied, "But so is Lincoln."
"Yes, but when Abraham prays, the Lord will think he's joking!"
Abraham Lincoln had a terrific sense of humor...and he was able to find joy during times when there wasn't a whole lot to laugh about.
What about you? Are you able to find joy and laughter even when your circumstances seem bleak?
Nehemiah 8:10 says, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Take comfort and find joy in the knowledge that Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, loves you.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God by singing a hymn or a chorus and ask the Lord to allow His joy to radiate in you in all circumstances.
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How to experience spiritual renewal
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
There's a story an American Lutheran bishop tells of visiting a parish church in California and seeing a stirring red and orange banner on the wall. "Come Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!" it declared in words printed under a picture of a fire burning. But what really attracted his attention during his Sunday sermon was a sign directly underneath the banner which said: "Fire extinguisher."
Looking down at his sermon notes, the bishop laughed as he thought to himself, "So much for this parish's commitment to spiritual renewal!"
When it comes to spiritual renewal in our lives, many Christians carry around a spiritual fire extinguisher because they're afraid of looking too "extreme" in what they believe or are afraid people will think they're crazy. But if you look at those who've followed Christ most closely in the pages of the Bible and throughout history, you'll find that while many of them were looked down upon for their faith, they were also well respected among believers and non-believers alike for sticking to their convictions.
So instead of trying to control the fire of the Holy Spirit in your life, let it burn free, moving to every area and consuming all you are as you're transformed by the renewing of your mind!
Prayer Challenge
Offer your entire self to God and allow Him to consume everything you are!
Questions for Thought
If someone were to ask those whom you interact with every day about how committed you are to God, what do you think they would say?
What are some areas of your life today in which you need to let God's fire burn away the impurities and give wholly to Him?
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Your most priceless possession
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." - Matthew 13:44
Vincent van Gogh first began to experiment with impressionist techniques during his Parisian period, the time from 1886 until 1888. The Dutch artist wrote to his sister in 1887: "Last year, I painted almost nothing but flowers to accustom myself to colors other than grey, namely pink, soft or vivid green, light blue, violet, yellow, orange, beautiful red."
In 1993, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam announced that it had authenticated a previously unknown work of the painter from the Parisian period. Purchased at a French flea market after World War II by a Swiss family and kept in their attic, Still Life (Vase With Flowers) fetched millions of dollars at auction.
Quite often, we don't see the immediate value of what we have. This is especially true when it comes to our riches in heaven. You see, what you have in Christ is much more valuable than any riches the world could throw your way. Yet many people treat their relationship with Jesus as an inconvenience or a burden they're just hanging onto in hopes of eternal life.
The most priceless possession you have is your salvation in Jesus Christ. God's great gift to you will never be surpassed in its value. So treasure it... and consider it more valuable than anything else you own!
Prayer Challenge
Thank God for the salvation He's offered to you in Jesus Christ. Pray that you'd continue to hold Him higher than anything else!
Questions for Thought
Have there been times in your life when you've treated the world's riches as more valuable than your relationship with God?
How can you avoid thinking of Jesus as just insurance against hell and move to a point where you're building a real relationship with Him?
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The importance of physical and mental rest
Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." - Mark 2:27
In ancient Athens, Greece, a man one day noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing games with some small children. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in a useless activity. Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the Athenian, "If you can, tell me what the unstrung bows implies."
Puzzled, the man looked at it for several minutes but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. So Aesop explained, "If you keep a bow always bent, it will eventually break. But if you let it go slack once in awhile, it will be more fit for use when you need it."
Much like that bow, people need to take time now and again to rest. God rested on the Sabbath day after creating the world. He also prescribed a Sabbath day of rest for Israel in the Old Testament. Jesus also lays out a pattern of rest for Christians now in verses like today's.
Set aside a special time every week to relax physically and renew yourself emotionally and spiritually. Even if you don't work every day, you still need time to separate yourself from the worries and anxieties of the world. When you take time to "loosen the bow" now and then, you'll be at your very best to be used for the Lord!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you be disciplined to separate yourself from the world regularly so you can be at your best!
Questions for Thought
What are some of the stresses you encounter that "bend your bow"?
What's the best time and place for you to get away at least once a week to refresh and renew your body and spirit?
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But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. --Psalm 86:15
In 1859, a prominent French banker named Jean-Henri Dunant set off to see Napoleon about a financial transaction.
Running late, however, he found himself on a hilltop watching in horror as Napoleon's troops engaged in a brutal battle with the Austrians below. The images Dunant saw of the young dying soldiers and the wounded crying out in pain seared into his mind.
Then the next day, he saw a similar scene in a small, neighboring town. After a battle, terrified refugees were huddled together...and the wounded and dead lay everywhere. And as a result, Dunant decided to postpone his trip to visit Napoleon to stay and comfort the wounded solders and care for the frightened citizens.
This experience ignited a passion in the heart of Jean-Henri Dunant, and he started a crusade to help those in need. His efforts eventually won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, and the organization he founded, the American Red Cross, continues to help millions around the world today.
Like Jean-Henri Dunant, you've probably seen something that touched your heart and made you think differently. You've probably seen someone in need and wanted to help.
Unlike Dunant, however, you may not know what you can do to help those in need. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Anything you do for others in the name of Jesus, whether it's as simple as donating canned goods to your local food bank, supporting a local charity with a financial gift, or going on a short-term mission trip, is blessed in the eyes of God.
This should challenge each of us to go out of our way to help those in need! I hope you'll take time today and every day to show the love and compassion of Christ to someone who needs it.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God for opportunities where you can show compassion to others, and thank Him for the kindness He has shown you.
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. --John 3:16
It all began with a single red paper clip.
Kyle McDonald of Montreal, Quebec wanted to see if he could eventually barter for a house in less than a year starting with only a red paper clip.
So first, he went online and traded the red paper clip for a pen that looked like a fish. That fish pen soon became a homemade doorknob...that became a camping stove...then a generator...and so on.
Near the end of his year-long trading spree, McDonald bartered a rare snow globe for a movie role. Then the small town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, offered to trade McDonald a three-bedroom house for the movie role, which they planned to auction off.
McDonald agreed and achieved his goal. From a mere red paper clip, he gained a house!
Have you ever thought about how valuable you are? You're so valuable, so priceless, that God made the ultimate trade for you! John 3:16 says He gave his only Son so that you could spend eternity with Him! You mean that much to Him.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the worth He sees in you and praise Him for His gift of eternal life.
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The virtue of taking responsibility
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God." - Acts 5:1-4
Some years ago, a former American astronaut took over as head of a major airline. He was determined to make the airline's service the best in the industry. One day, as the new president walked through a particular department, he saw an employee resting his feet on a desk while the telephone on the desk rang incessantly.
"Aren't you going to answer that phone?" the boss demanded. "No, sir. This isn't my department," answered the employee nonchalantly, apparently not recognizing his new boss. "I work in maintenance."
"Not anymore you don't!" snapped the president.
Recently, author John G. Miller wrote a book called The Question Behind the Question, where he discusses the epidemic of shunning personal responsibility that's so prevalent among people today. His argument is that we'd be much more fulfilled in life if we'd simply take responsibility when we're supposed to.
This is not a new concept. In fact, as you see in today's story of Ananias, it's biblical. As Christians, we're to accept responsibility, even when things don't go the way they should. So whatever your responsibilities are in life, be quick to accept them. When you do, you'll find that while you may get blame when things go wrong, you'll receive praise when they go well!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the courage to accept responsibility even when things don't go how they should.
Questions for Thought
Why do you think it's tempting to shun responsibility when things don't go the way they should?
How can you practice maintaining responsibility even if it means accepting blame for things going wrong?
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Where to find true security
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. - John 10:28
The famous author and pastor F. B. Meyer wrote about two Germans who wanted to climb the Matterhorn. They hired three guides and began their ascent at the steepest and most slippery part. The men roped themselves together in this order: guide, traveler, guide, traveler, guide.
They had gone only a little way up the side when the last man lost his footing. He was held up temporarily by the other four because each had a toehold in the niches they had cut in the ice. But then the next man slipped, and he pulled down the two above him. The only one to stand firm was the first guide, who had driven a spike deep into the ice.
Because he held his ground, all the men beneath him regained their footing. F. B. Meyer concluded his story by drawing a spiritual application. He said, "I am like one of those men who slipped, but thank God, I am bound in a living partnership to Christ. And because He stands, I will never perish."
Because of God's great love for us, those who are in Christ are planted firmly and secure in His loving arms. So thank God today for His faithfulness to you in Christ. And if you haven't done so, trust in Jesus today to forgive your sins and place yourself securely in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Give God thanks that He's faithful to you and trust Him fully for the forgiveness of your sins!
Questions for Thought
What does your security in Jesus Christ say about how much God loves you?
Because you're firmly planted in Christ by faith in Him, what kind of confidence do you have when it comes to facing life and facing the afterlife?
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Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. --Psalm 20:7
While serving in World War I as a merchant marine, British actor Herbert Marshall was required to wear a foul-smelling life jacket.
He hated wearing the putrid preserver, and at the close of the war, contemptuously tossed the repulsive object overboard in celebration. He then watched in horror as the long-tormenting object sank like a rock!
Like Herbert Marshall, you and I often put our security in things that really won't save us. Things like material possessions, finances, and job status...even things like our own good works.
In Jeremiah 17:5, God warns us, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD." But two verses later He says, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."
So I want to ask you an honest question today: Who (or what) do you put your confidence in? If your trust isn't in Jesus Christ, you're holding onto a life preserver that will sink when you need it the most!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Praise God that He is trustworthy, and ask Him to help you fully put your trust and confidence in Him.
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The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. --Proverbs 28:1
In 1996, Reverend Joe Wright, pastor of a large church in Wichita, Kansas, bravely stepped to the microphone of the Kansas House of Representatives to open a session in prayer.
But it wasn't the generic prayer to which the congressmen were accustomed. In part, he said:
"We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism....
"In the name of choice, we have killed the unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed the abortionists....
"We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment."
He then asked for wisdom and forgiveness and closed the prayer in Jesus' name.
As you can imagine, Wright's prayer caused quite an uproar. But he stood strong...and said he wouldn't apologize for stating what was true.
In today's secular and Godless culture, we need more people like Reverend Wright to take a bold stand for Jesus...people who aren't afraid of declaring and defending the truth of God as revealed in His Word.
Are you one of those people? When was the last time you took a stand for Christ? Maybe it wasn't in front of a room full of congressmen, but perhaps in a personal conversation with an unbelieving friend.
Today, I want to challenge you to memorize the verse at the beginning of this devotional, and live it out in your daily life.
As a believer, you have the truth on your side! So you can be as bold as a lion as you live the Christian life.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you be bold and strong in your witness for Him.
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For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:10
Pablo Picasso painted thousands of pictures in his lifetime. And as his fame as an artist grew, so did the number of forgeries of his work.
One day, a fellow artist brought the famous painter one of his supposed works of art.
"A fake!" Picasso exclaimed.
Not long afterwards, the friend returned with two more paintings for the master to inspect. "Forgeries!" he told the artist again. The dumbfounded artist sputtered, "I saw you paint this last one with my own eyes!"
Picasso shrugged, "Sometimes I paint fakes."
In your life as a Christian, do you ever feel that you're just "painting a fake"? Do you ever feel more like a forgery than a person who's actually been transformed by the awesome power of Jesus?
Truly becoming who God the Creator intends you to be starts with knowing Him, and knowing what He desires for you. And the best way you can do this is to spend time with God every day, reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer.
I want to challenge you not to settle for what you think Christlikeness looks like. Instead strive to be like Christ by spending time with Him every day!
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to make you more and more like Christ today...and every day.
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great reward of servanthood
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. - Philippians 2:3-4
A large group of European pastors came to one of D. L. Moody's Northfield Bible Conferences in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. Following the European custom of the time, each guest put his shoes outside his room to be cleaned by the hall servants overnight. But because this was America, there were no hall servants.
Walking the halls that night, Moody saw the shoes and was determined not to embarrass his European brothers. He mentioned the need to some ministerial students who were there, but was met with only silence or excuses. So Moody returned to the dorm, gathered up the shoes, and, alone in his room, the famous evangelist began to clean and polish the shoes. Only the unexpected arrival of a friend in the midst of the work revealed the secret.
When the foreign visitors opened their doors the next morning, their shoes were shined. They never know by whom. Moody told no one, but his friend told a few people, and during the rest of the conference, different men volunteered to shine the shoes in secret.
D. L. Moody was a man with a servant's heart, which was the basis of his true greatness. And while many might consider his act of service as that of someone who was "super spiritual", all it took was humility to do what he did. In the same way, God calls us to humility each and every day—to live out the love and life of Christ to a watching world around us!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to give you the humility it takes to show Christ's love to a watching world.
Questions for Thought
Think of a time when you truly served others with a humble heart. How did it make you feel?
What specifically can you do today to look out for others' interests and serve them with a humble heart?
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The importance of aligning yourself with God's will
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6
An Australian physics professor used to illustrate the time of descent of a free-falling body by allowing a heavy ball suspended from the lecture-theater roof trusses to fall some 30 feet and be caught in a sand bucket. Each year the bucket was aligned meticulously to catch the ball—and each year students jokingly moved the bucket to one side so that the ball crashed thunderously to the floor.
Tiring of this rather stale joke, the professor traced a chalk line around the bucket. The students moved the bucket as usual, traced a chalk mark around the new position, but then rubbed it out and replaced the bucket in its original spot. "Aha!" the professor exclaimed, seeing the faint outline of the erased chalk mark. He moved the bucket over it and released the ball—which thundered to the floor as usual.
Quite often in the Christian life, it's easy to second-guess God's will. We see where He wants us, but are much more comfortable aligning ourselves with our own desires for life. And when the ball of hard times drops, it should be no surprise that it crashes to the floor!
So instead of going your own way and second-guessing God, align yourself with His will found in Scripture, trusting fully that you'll be safe in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to help you align yourself with His will and give yourself wholeheartedly to obeying it.
Questions for Thought
What are some areas of your life today where you feel you aren't aligned with God's will?
How can you align yourself with God's will in those areas and trust His way over your own?
:angel:
Where you can find real healing
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. - Psalm 103:11-12
A drunken husband snuck up the stairs quietly one evening as his wife was sleeping. He looked in the bathroom mirror and bandaged the bumps and bruises he'd received in a fight earlier that night. He doctored himself up, then proceeded to climb into bed, smiling at the thought that he'd pulled one over on his wife.
When morning came, he opened his eyes and there stood his wife. "You were drunk last night weren't you!"
"No, honey. I wasn't."
"Well, if you weren't, then who put all the Band-Aids on the bathroom mirror?"
Many people today are much like that husband. They look into the mirror of their lives, see their scars, and do the best they can to bandage themselves up, replacing "bad behavior" with "good behavior." But the reality is when they do that, they're simply putting bandages on a mirror and doing nothing to really heal the sin in their lives.
But in Christ, you have a whole hospital of spiritual healing at your disposal that takes the sin in your lives and doesn't just hide it, but separates it from you as far as the east is from the west. So instead of just trying to be a "good person" trust fully in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and experience healing in His name!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you get beyond just being a "good person" to fully trusting in the forgiveness Christ offers from sin.
Questions for Thought
What are some sins in your life you've tried to cover up just by being a "good person"?
How does it make you feel to know that your forgiveness isn't based on your performance, but on Christ's finished work on the cross?
:angel:
How to emotionally open yourself to God
Jesus wept.
John 11:35
Tears are a fundamental aspect of the human condition. Christian author Calvin Miller writes in his book, The Valiant Papers, on crying,
Crying is common in this world. It does little good to ask the reason for it. [Earth] is what one might call a weeping planet. Laughter can be heard here and there, but by and large, weeping predominates. With maturity the sound and reason for crying changes, but never does it stop. All infants do it everywhere—even in public. By adulthood most crying is done alone and in the dark. Weeping, for babies, is a sign of health and evidence that they are alive. Isn't this a chilling omen?
Not laughter but tears is the life sign. It leaves weeping and being synonyms.
Yes, weeping and being are synonymous. Yet today, crying is seen as a sign of weakness, an emotion which should be suppressed for the sake of "being strong" in front of others. It leaves us to wonder, then, as to when in our lives this becomes the case. As Miller says, crying is a sign of life among children. But somewhere along the way, this changes.
Maybe today you need to shed a few tears with God. You've let emotions build up inside of you for so long that you need to get alone with God and weep. Open your emotional self to God and be fully known as you live your life authentically before Him.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a heart of flesh, and that you'd live authentically before Him when it comes to your emotions.
Questions for Thought
When is the last time you cried?
What emotions have you built up inside of you that need to come out?
:angel:
How to recognize truth in the midst of lies
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
James 1:18
One of the most elaborate hoaxes in broadcast history was an April Fool's joke played on the British Broadcasting Corporation's current affairs program Panorama, with its rather dignified host Richard Dimbleby relating a story about the annual spaghetti harvest filmed in a Swiss-Italian spaghetti orchard.
For the segment, the producers and cameramen actually flew to Switzerland and hung spaghetti on trees in an orchard. They then filmed local women climbing ladders with baskets and pulling the spaghetti off of the trees and filling their baskets full! And with guitar music added into the background, the final product was complete.
At the end of the three-minute film Richard Dimbleby said, "Now we say goodnight to this first day of April." In spite of that hint, the next morning it was surprising the number of people who didn't recognize that the spaghetti harvest was a hoax. The BBC had pulled a big one off on countless viewers across Britain!
It's amazing how when something is presented to us by a credible source, we'll often believe it without any questions. This is true when it comes to the lies of the enemy and the world, which often lure Christians into false beliefs. So don't be hoodwinked by what the world says is true. Instead, focus on what God says is true and trust fully in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you wisdom to discern His truth from the world's lies.
Questions for Thought
What are some lies the world tries to tell us that are contrary to Scripture?
How can you be more consistent in immersing yourself in God's truth so you'll be able to tell what's true and what's not?
:angel:
How do you feel about change?
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2
In his book, Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel recalls how a close friend of his was asked back to his forty-year high school reunion. For months he saved to take his wife back to the place and the people he'd left four decades before. The closer the time came for the reunion, the more excited he became.
The day came to leave. Tim recalls how, as he drove the couple to the airport, their energy was almost contagious. "I'll pick you up on Sunday evening, and you can tell me all about it," he told them. "Have a great time."
Sunday evening arrived. As this couple got off the plane, they seemed almost despondent. So Tim asked his friends, "Well, how was the reunion?"
"Tim," the man said, "it was one of the saddest experiences of my life. It wasn't what happened but what didn't happen. It has been forty years, and they haven't changed. They had simply gained weight, changed clothes, gotten jobs... but they hadn't really changed."
People choose not to change. They grow content with the status quo and live there the rest of their lives. But God has called us to grow, to break out of young, inexperienced ways of thinking, and to develop into fully devoted followers of Him. So for His sake, be willing to grow in your faith, getting a swift kick when you need it, and following Him ever more each day!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for God to give you a "swift kick" in the right direction when you need it so you can follow Him more each day.
Questions for Thought
In what areas of your life do you resist change the most?
How can you become more open to change, allowing the Lord to give you a "swift kick" in the right direction when you need it?
:angel:
How you can be set free from sin
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Romans 6:6-7
Canadian journalist Thomas Costain described the life of Raynald III, a fourteenth-century duke in what is now Belgium. Grossly overweight, Raynald was commonly called by his Latin nickname, Crassus, which means "fat."
After a violent quarrel, Raynald's younger brother Edward led a successful revolt against him. Edward captured Raynald, but decided to not kill him. Instead, he built a room around Raynald in the Nieuwkerk castle and promised him he could regain his title and property as soon as he was able to leave the room.
This would not have been difficult for most people since the room had several windows and a door of near-normal size, and none was locked or barred. The problem was Raynald's size. To regain his freedom, he needed to lose weight. But Edward knew his older brother, and each day he sent a variety of delicious foods. Instead of dieting his way out of prison, Raynald grew fatter.
Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn't released until after Edward died in battle. By then his health was so ruined he died within a year—a prisoner of his own appetite.
What is it about sin that so easily draws us in? While we read the story of Raynald and shake our heads in disbelief, we're no different when we choose sin and self-indulgence over the abundant life Christ offers. So instead of sin, choose Christ, who died for you so you could experience freedom from the chains of disobedience!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to empower you to recognize sin and overcome it every day!
Questions for Thought
What are some areas in your life that sin has drawn you in?
How can you trust Christ to overcome sin in these areas and experience the joy of freedom?
:angel:
Where to unload life's heavy burdens
Cast your cares on the LORDand he will sustain you; he will never letthe righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22
In his famous book, Believe and Belong, Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ:
"Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the RCA Building on Fifth Avenue. In the entrance of that building is a gigantic statue of Atlas, a beautifully-proportioned man who, with all his muscles straining, is holding the world upon his shoulders.
"There he is, the most powerfully-built man in the world, and he can barely stand up under this burden. 'Now that's one way to live,' I would point out to my companion, 'trying to carry the world on your shoulders. But now come across the street with me.'
"On the other side of Fifth Avenue is Saint Patrick's Cathedral, and there behind the high altar is a little shrine of the boy Jesus, perhaps eight or nine years old, and with no effort he is holding the world in one hand. My point was illustrated graphically. We have a choice. We can carry the world on our shoulders, or we can say, 'I give up, Lord; here's my life. I give you my world, the whole world.'"
Surrender is a difficult thing. Yet according to the Bible and countless testimonies, it's the only way to live. Maybe today you feel like Atlas, carrying the world on your shoulders. But the One who created the world is the only One who can truly bear its incredible weight. So give your worries and cares to God today, surrendering your life fully and wholeheartedly to Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and give your heavy burdens over to God and allow Him to lighten your load.
Questions for Thought
What are some heavy burdens you feel like you're carrying around today?
How specifically today could you unload those burdens onto God, trusting fully in His provision for your life?
:angel:
How to emotionally open yourself to God
Jesus wept. - John 11:35
Tears are a fundamental aspect of the human condition. Christian author Calvin Miller writes in his book, The Valiant Papers, on crying,
Crying is common in this world. It does little good to ask the reason for it. [Earth] is what one might call a weeping planet. Laughter can be heard here and there, but by and large, weeping predominates. With maturity the sound and reason for crying changes, but never does it stop. All infants do it everywhere—even in public. By adulthood most crying is done alone and in the dark. Weeping, for babies, is a sign of health and evidence that they are alive. Isn't this a chilling omen?
Not laughter but tears is the life sign. It leaves weeping and being synonyms.
Yes, weeping and being are synonymous. Yet today, crying is seen as a sign of weakness, an emotion which should be suppressed for the sake of "being strong" in front of others. It leaves us to wonder, then, as to when in our lives this becomes the case. As Miller says, crying is a sign of life among children. But somewhere along the way, this changes.
Maybe today you need to shed a few tears with God. You've let emotions build up inside of you for so long that you need to get alone with God and weep. Open your emotional self to God and be fully known as you live your life authentically before Him.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a heart of flesh, and that you'd live authentically before Him when it comes to your emotions.
Questions for Thought
When is the last time you cried?
What emotions have you built up inside of you that need to come out?
:angel:
How to recognize truth in the midst of lies
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. - James 1:18
One of the most elaborate hoaxes in broadcast history was an April Fool's joke played on the British Broadcasting Corporation's current affairs program Panorama, with its rather dignified host Richard Dimbleby relating a story about the annual spaghetti harvest filmed in a Swiss-Italian spaghetti orchard.
For the segment, the producers and cameramen actually flew to Switzerland and hung spaghetti on trees in an orchard. They then filmed local women climbing ladders with baskets and pulling the spaghetti off of the trees and filling their baskets full! And with guitar music added into the background, the final product was complete.
At the end of the three-minute film Richard Dimbleby said, "Now we say goodnight to this first day of April." In spite of that hint, the next morning it was surprising the number of people who didn't recognize that the spaghetti harvest was a hoax. The BBC had pulled a big one off on countless viewers across Britain!
It's amazing how when something is presented to us by a credible source, we'll often believe it without any questions. This is true when it comes to the lies of the enemy and the world, which often lure Christians into false beliefs. So don't be hoodwinked by what the world says is true. Instead, focus on what God says is true and trust fully in Him!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you wisdom to discern His truth from the world's lies.
Questions for Thought
What are some lies the world tries to tell us that are contrary to Scripture?
How can you be more consistent in immersing yourself in God's truth so you'll be able to tell what's true and what's not?
:angel:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
--Colossians 3:12
In 1935, on a winter night, Fiorello LaGuardia, the mayor of New York City, showed up at night court in the poorest part of the city. He let the judge go for the evening and he took over the bench.
A woman in torn clothing, charged with stealing a loaf of bread, was brought to stand before LaGuardia. She told LaGuardia that her son-in-law had deserted her extremely sick daughter, and that her grandchildren were starving. The shopkeeper refused to drop the charges, however, saying she needed to be punished.
LaGuardia sighed, turned to the old woman, and said, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail."
As soon as he pronounced the sentence, however, LaGuardia took a $10 bill out of his pocket and threw it into a hat. And he said: "Here's the $10 fine, which I now remit. Furthermore, I'm going to fine each person 50 cents in this courtroom for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The next day, a New York newspaper reported that $47.50 was turned over to the grandmother who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren.
Today, give encouragement or show kindness to someone who wouldn't expect it from anyone else. Christ came to give life and show mercy to those less fortunate and those who are sinners—not the high and mighty. Restore the joy in your life by giving of your time and energy to those who don't have the blessings that you do.
PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you someone who is less fortunate than you, so you can extend to him or her the same kindness that Christ first showed you.
:angel:
How do you feel about change?
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. - 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
In his book, Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel recalls how a close friend of his was asked back to his forty-year high school reunion. For months he saved to take his wife back to the place and the people he'd left four decades before. The closer the time came for the reunion, the more excited he became.
The day came to leave. Tim recalls how, as he drove the couple to the airport, their energy was almost contagious. "I'll pick you up on Sunday evening, and you can tell me all about it," he told them. "Have a great time."
Sunday evening arrived. As this couple got off the plane, they seemed almost despondent. So Tim asked his friends, "Well, how was the reunion?"
"Tim," the man said, "it was one of the saddest experiences of my life. It wasn't what happened but what didn't happen. It has been forty years, and they haven't changed. They had simply gained weight, changed clothes, gotten jobs... but they hadn't really changed."
People choose not to change. They grow content with the status quo and live there the rest of their lives. But God has called us to grow, to break out of young, inexperienced ways of thinking, and to develop into fully devoted followers of Him. So for His sake, be willing to grow in your faith, getting a swift kick when you need it, and following Him ever more each day!
Prayer Challenge
Pray for God to give you a "swift kick" in the right direction when you need it so you can follow Him more each day.
Questions for Thought
In what areas of your life do you resist change the most?
How can you become more open to change, allowing the Lord to give you a "swift kick" in the right direction when you need it?
:angel:
How you can be set free from sin
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. - Romans 6:6-7
Canadian journalist Thomas Costain described the life of Raynald III, a fourteenth-century duke in what is now Belgium. Grossly overweight, Raynald was commonly called by his Latin nickname, Crassus, which means "fat."
After a violent quarrel, Raynald's younger brother Edward led a successful revolt against him. Edward captured Raynald, but decided to not kill him. Instead, he built a room around Raynald in the Nieuwkerk castle and promised him he could regain his title and property as soon as he was able to leave the room.
This would not have been difficult for most people since the room had several windows and a door of near-normal size, and none was locked or barred. The problem was Raynald's size. To regain his freedom, he needed to lose weight. But Edward knew his older brother, and each day he sent a variety of delicious foods. Instead of dieting his way out of prison, Raynald grew fatter.
Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn't released until after Edward died in battle. By then his health was so ruined he died within a year—a prisoner of his own appetite.
What is it about sin that so easily draws us in? While we read the story of Raynald and shake our heads in disbelief, we're no different when we choose sin and self-indulgence over the abundant life Christ offers. So instead of sin, choose Christ, who died for you so you could experience freedom from the chains of disobedience!
Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to empower you to recognize sin and overcome it every day!
Questions for Thought
What are some areas in your life that sin has drawn you in?
How can you trust Christ to overcome sin in these areas and experience the joy of freedom?
:angel: