Happy Independence Day

[Judy Harder]

Excusing Sin

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Judy Harder]

The "R" Word . . . Repentence

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Judy Harder]

Transparency

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Judy Harder]

Troubled Comparisons

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Judy Harder]

Blind Spots

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Judy Harder]

Samson

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

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

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

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

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

[Judy Harder]

Nehemiah

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

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

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

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

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

[Judy Harder]

Love Your Neighbor

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." - 1 John 3:18

If you're like me, you live a life in community, but your community isn't likely one to include your neighbors. I know people who have lived in their neighborhoods for years and still don't know their neighbors' names. Busyness blocks out the world immediately around them.

A friend of mine recently shared a story with me. She said that she's lived in the same neighborhood for twelve years and never really reached out to any of her neighbors. Having learned that one of her neighbors was battling cancer and leukemia, she thought that the time had come to express care, concern, and love to her.

So, she wrote a note, wrapped up a little stuffed bunny, and approached her neighbor's house. Her heart was pounding. Was she opening herself to ridicule? She knocked on the door, wondering how this little gift and expression of care would be received. When her neighbor came to the door, she could tell that this hand delivered expression of love really moved her. The whole 10-minute process, doing exactly what God wanted her to do, was a blessing to both and an expression of the love of God to her neighbor.

Do you need to step out of your comfort zone and express love and concern to someone? Just look around you; the opportunities are there. We just close them off in our hurry to have a day without interruptions. Express some care and concern for someone today. Lend someone a helping hand. Spend time (and money if necessary) to be an agent of God's love. You know you need to do it!

Friendship? Yes Please." - Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

[Judy Harder]

It's Not About You!

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Judy Harder]

April 27


Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.


There will be days when everything seems useless and impossible. The temptation to give up will be almost overwhelming. It is in those times of total desperation that we need to cry out to the Lord. The Lord truly will strengthen the hearts of those who call upon Him. The periods of despair will pass; the temptations will pass. What will never pass away is the loving support of God. He stands beside those who put their trust and faith in Him. Call out to God in the tough times. Rejoice with Him when the times are easy. Wait on the Lord, and He will bless your life!

Today's thought: As the wait goes on, the weight comes off!