Happy Independence Day

[Judy Harder]

When Times Are Tough, Get Busy

And whatever you do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord and not to men.
Colossians 3:23 NKJV

It isn't easy to overcome tough times—it takes hard work and lots of it. So if you're facing adversity of any kind, you can be sure that God has important work for you to do . . . but He won't make you do it. Since the days of Adam and Eve, God has allowed His children to make choices for themselves, and so it is with you. You can either dig in and work hard, or you can retreat to the couch, click on the TV, and hope things get better on their own.

The Bible instructs us that we can learn an important lesson of a surprising source: ants. Ants are among nature's most industrious creatures. They do their work without supervision, rumination, or hesitation. We should do likewise. When times are tough, we must summon the courage and determination to work ourselves out of trouble.

God has created a world in which diligence is rewarded and sloth is not. So whatever you choose to do, do it with commitment, excitement, and vigor. God didn't create you for a life of mediocrity or pain; He created you for far greater things. Reaching for greater things—and defeating tough times—usually requires work and lots of it, which is perfectly fine with God. After all, He knows that you're up to the task, and He still has big plans for you.

Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen. - Peter Marshall

All work, if offered to Him, is transformed. It is not secular but sacred, sanctified in the glad offering. - Elisabeth Elliot

God has lots of folks who intend to go to work for Him "some day." What He needs is more people who are willing to work for Him this day. - Marie T. Freeman

Today's Prayer
Heavenly Father, when I am fearful, keep me mindful that You are my protector and my salvation. Give me strength, Lord, to face the challenges of this day as I gain my courage from You. Amen

[Judy Harder]

Time for Renewal

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.- Ezekiel 36:26

Even the most inspired Christians can, from time to time, find themselves running on empty. The demands of daily life can drain us of our strength and rob us of the joy that is rightfully ours in Christ. When we find ourselves tired, discouraged, or worse, there is a source from which we can draw the power needed to recharge our spiritual batteries. That source is God.

God intends that His children lead joyous lives filled with abundance and peace. But sometimes, abundance and peace seem very far away. It is then that we must turn to God for renewal, and when we do, He will restore us.

Are you tired or troubled? Turn your heart toward God in prayer. Are you weak or worried? Take the time—or, more accurately, make the time—to delve deeply into God's Holy Word. Are you spiritually depleted? Call upon fellow believers to support you, and call upon Christ to renew your spirit and your life. When you do, you'll discover that the Creator of the universe stands always ready and always able to create a new sense of wonderment and joy in you.

God specializes in things fresh and firsthand. His plans for you this year may outshine those of the past. He's prepared to fill your days with reasons to give Him praise. - Joni Eareckson Tada

He is the God of wholeness and restoration. - Stormie Omartian

In those desperate times when we feel like we don't have an ounce of strength, He will gently pick up our heads so that our eyes can behold something—something that will keep His hope alive in us. - Kathy Troccoli

Repentance removes old sins and wrong attitudes, and it opens the way for the Holy Spirit to restore our spiritual health. - Shirley Dobson

Today's Prayer
Lord, You are my rock and my strength. When I grow weary, let me turn my thoughts and my prayers to You. When I am discouraged, restore my faith in You. Let me always trust in Your promises, Lord, and let me draw strength from those promises and from Your unending love. Amen

[Judy Harder]

A Renewed Sense of Purpose

You will show me the path of life;
in Your presence is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:11 NKJV

If you're experiencing tough times, you may be asking yourself "What does God want me to do next?" Perhaps you're pondering your future, uncertain of your plans, unsure of your next step. But even if you don't have a clear plan for the next step of your life's journey, you may rest assured that God does.

God has a plan for the universe, and He has a plan for you. He understands that plan as thoroughly and completely as He knows you. If you seek God's will earnestly and prayerfully, He will make His plans known to you in His own time and in His own way.

Perhaps your vision of God's purpose for your life has been clouded by a wish list that you have expected God to dutifully fulfill. Perhaps, you have fervently hoped that God would create a world that unfolds according to your wishes, not His. If so, you have probably experienced more disappointment than satisfaction and more frustration than peace. A better strategy is to conform your will to God's (and not to struggle vainly in an attempt to conform His will to yours).

Sometimes, God's plans and purposes may seem unmistakably clear to you. If so, push ahead. But other times, He may lead you through the wilderness before He directs you to the Promised Land. So be patient and keep seeking His will for your life. When you do, you'll be amazed at the marvelous things that an all-powerful, all-knowing God can do.

God will make obstacles serve His purpose. - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

Underneath each trouble there is a faithful purpose. - C. H. Spurgeon

God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness. - Billy Graham

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, let Your purposes be my purposes. Let Your priorities be my priorities. Let Your will be my will. Let Your Word be my guide. And, let me grow in faith and in wisdom today and every day. Amen

[Judy Harder]

The Struggle Against Worldliness

And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
so that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2

We live in the world, but we should not worship it—yet at every turn, or so it seems, we are tempted to do otherwise. As Warren Wiersbe correctly observed, "Because the world is deceptive, it is dangerous."

The 21st-century world we live in is a noisy, stress-filled, distracting place, a place that offers countless temptations and dangers. The world seems to cry, "Worship me with your time, your money, your energy, your thoughts, and your life!" But if we are wise, we won't fall prey to that temptation.

C. S. Lewis said, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither." That's good advice. You're likely to hit what you aim at, so aim high . . . aim at heaven.

The Lord Jesus Christ is still praying for us. He wants us to be in the world but not of it. - Charles Stanley

Our fight is not against any physical enemy; it is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We must struggle against sin all our lives, but we are assured we will win. - Corrie ten Boom

The more we stuff ourselves with material pleasures, the less we seem to appreciate life. - Barbara Johnson

All those who look to draw their satisfaction from the wells of the world—pleasure, popularity, position, possessions, politics, power, prestige, finances, family, friends, fame, fortune, career, children, church, clubs, sports, sex, success, recognition, reputation, religion, education, entertainment, exercise, honors, health, hobbies—will soon be thirsty again! - Anne Graham Lotz

Today's Prayer
Lord, this world is a crazy place, and I have many opportunities to stray from Your commandments. Help me turn to obey You! Let me keep Christ in my heart, and let me put the devil in his place: far away from me! Amen.

[Judy Harder]

Beating Stress One Day at a Time

This is the day the LORD has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NKJV

Face facts: just getting by in these turbulent times can be stressful . . . very stressful. You live in a world that is brimming with demands, distractions, and deadlines (not to mention temptations, timetables, requirements, and responsibilities). Whew! No wonder you may be stressed.

What can you do in response to the stressors of everyday life? A wonderful place to start is by turning things over to God.

Psalm 118:24 reminds us that this day, like every other, is a glorious gift from the Father. How will you use that gift? Will you celebrate it and use it for His purposes? If so, you'll discover that when you turn things over to Him—when you allow God to rule over every corner of your life—He will calm your fears and guide your steps.

So today, make sure that you focus on God and upon His will for your life. Then, ask for His help. And remember: No challenge is too great for Him. Not even yours.   

Life is strenuous. See that your clock does not run down. - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

There are very few certainties that touch us all in this mortal experience, but one of the absolutes is that we will experience hardship and stress at some point. - James Dobson

If you're willing to repair your life, God is willing to help. If you're not willing to repair your life, God is willing to wait. - Marie T. Freeman

Prescription for a happier and healthier life: resolve to slow down your pace; learn to say no gracefully; resist the temptation to chase after more pleasure, more hobbies, and more social entanglements. - James Dobson

Today's Prayer
Heavenly Father, You never leave or forsake me. Even when I am troubled by the demands of the day, You are always with me, protecting me and encouraging me. Whatever today may bring, I thank You for Your love and Your strength. Let me lean upon You, Father, this day and forever. Amen

[Judy Harder]

The Morning Watch

Every morning he wakes me. He teaches me to listen
like a student. The Lord God helps me learn . . . .
Isaiah 50:4-5 NCV

Each new day is a gift from God, and if you are wise, you will spend a few quiet moments each morning thanking the Giver. When you do, you'll discover that time spent with God can lift your spirits and relieve your stress.

Warren Wiersbe writes, "Surrender your mind to the Lord at the beginning of each day." And that's sound advice. When you begin each day with your head bowed and your heart lifted, you are reminded of God's love, His protection, and His commandments. Then, you can align your priorities for the coming day with the teachings and commandments that God has placed upon your heart.

So, if you've acquired the unfortunate habit of trying to "squeeze" God into the corners of your life, it's time to reshuffle the items on your to-do list by placing God first. And if you haven't already done so, form the habit of spending quality time with your Father in heaven. He deserves it . . . and so do you.

How paltry must be the devotions of those who are always in a hurry. - William Law

How motivating it has been for me to view my early morning devotions as time of retreat alone with Jesus, who desires that I "come with Him by myself to a quiet place" in order to pray, read His Word, listen for His voice, and be renewed in my spirit. - Anne Graham Lotz

I suggest you discipline yourself to spend time daily in a systematic reading of God's Word. Make this "quiet time" a priority that nobody can change. - Warren Wiersbe

Every day has its own particular brand of holiness to discover and worship appropriately. - Annie Dillard

Today's Prayer
Lord, help me to hear Your direction for my life in the quiet moments when I study Your Holy Word. And as I go about my daily activities, let everything that I say and do be pleasing to You. Amen

[Judy Harder]

The Right Priorities

We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

Romans 13:13-14 MSG

Have you fervently asked God to help prioritize Your life? Have you asked Him for guidance and for the courage to do the things that you know need to be done? If so, then you're continually inviting your Creator to reveal Himself in a variety of ways. As a follower of Christ, you must do no less.

When you make God's priorities your priorities, you will receive God's abundance and His peace. When you make God a full partner in every aspect of your life, He will lead you along the proper path: His path. When you allow God to reign over your heart, He will honor you with spiritual blessings that are simply too numerous to count. So, as you plan for the day ahead, make God's will your ultimate priority. When you do, every other priority will have a tendency to fall neatly into place.

There were endless demands on Jesus' time. Still He was able to make that amazing claim of "completing the work you gave me to do." (John 17:4 NIV) - Elisabeth Elliot

Getting things accomplished isn't nearly as important as taking time for love. - Janette Oke

Have you prayed about your resources lately? Find out how God wants you to use your time and your money. No matter what it costs, forsake all that is not of God. - Kay Arthur

Forgetting your mission leads, inevitably, to getting tangled up in details—details that can take you completely off your path. - Laurie Beth Jones

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, make me a person of unwavering commitment to You. Guide me away from the temptations and distractions of this world, so that I might honor You with my thoughts, my actions, and my prayers. Amen

[Judy Harder]

              Real

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, 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

What does it mean to be real?

Being "real" is the result of being transformed by the love of God.  It's not about wealth, or beauty, or power.  Heck, most of the time it's suffering, failing, and waiting.  Maybe that's why we sometimes miss it.  I think the wise old horse in the classic children's story The Velveteen Rabbit says it well.  As he explained to the stuffed bunny:

'It doesn't happen all at once...You become.  It takes a long time.  That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.  Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby.  But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.'

Be real. Open yourself up to God and His transforming power.

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."  -Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

[Judy Harder]

Anger

Better a patient man than a warrior. A man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. - Proverbs 16:32

Let's look at a few popular, but sad, bumper stickers:

My kid beat up your honor student.
Welcome to America, now learn English!
Keep honking, I'm reloading.
All men are idiots, and I married their King.

What do these bumper stickers have in common?  The messages are dressed in humor but they're actually about anger.  While some people struggle with anger, these people are flaunting it, celebrating it, and inviting you to join in. 

This type of anger--aimed at hurting or ridiculing--is obviously wrong.  Yet not all anger is wrong.  Anger can also be an appropriate and good response. 

If You're Not Outraged, You're Not Paying Attention is another bumper sticker I've seen. Injustice, cruelty, and greed should evoke anger because they contradict what the Bible teaches. William Wilberforce, sickened with anger over the slave trade in England, devoted himself to ending slavery there.  If you don't ever feel anger, you need to worry about your heart.

"Anger is never without a Reason, but seldom with a good One." – Ben Franklin (1706-1790)

[Judy Harder]

Effective Communication

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

The Wisconsin State Journal once asked some of the nation's largest corporations to share their most unusual experiences interviewing prospective employees.  Here are just a few examples:

• One job applicant challenged his interviewer to arm wrestle
• A balding candidate for a position excused himself, then returned wearing a full hairpiece
• Another applicant interrupted the questioning to phone her therapist
• There was the guy who muttered, "Would it be a problem if I'm angry most of the time?"

Yes, these people have issues with communication. But it's not a stretch to say that many of us have the same kinds of shortcomings when it comes to communicating with our families, friends, coworkers, and even God.

We need to ask God to help us communicate—effectively and clearly.  We need to work on expressing what's in our hearts in a way that blesses the people around us.

"Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you." - William A. Ward (1921-1994)