Today's One Thing

[Judy Harder]

Press onward, toward holy living, by committing to learn more from God's Word. 

I have applied all these things to myself ... that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written. —1 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV) 
 
Self Protection
It is believed the quoted phrase from today's verse—"not to go beyond what is written"—was a proverb common among the rabbis during Paul's day. As Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians, it was certainly his desire for his brothers and sisters there to get that basic message.

While the church was gifted with talented members, it was also immature and unspiritual. Factions had developed, birthing a moral laxness within the congregation. Paul's desire was to lovingly yet firmly correct their behavior and propel them to develop a holiness of character: something that could only come through an understanding of and obedience to God's Word. Paul concludes: "I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church." (1 Corinthians 4:16-17 ESV)

Paul's encouragement, and certainly his directives from the entire book of 1 Corinthians, is just as relevant today as they were then. Instability, divisions, jealousy, and sexual immorality are a sad reality in our culture, and sometimes even in our churches. Be careful to protect yourself from deception and press onward toward holy living by committing to learn more from the Bible and applying it to your life. Then find someone in your life like Timothy, and allow that person to be a spiritual mentor to you.

Today's One Thing
Commit—or recommit—yourself to a daily Bible reading time and schedule.
 
Going Deeper
Deuteronomy 4:5-14; Psalm 119:129-144; James 1:16-27
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Intentional Faith with Guest Ed Stetzer 

[Judy Harder]

Kindness, humility, and forgiveness pave the way for a solid friendship. 

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. —Colossians 3:12 (ESV) 
 


Friendship that Goes the Distance
As teens, Katie and Jill were best of friends. They had so much in common. A good sense of humor, a love for sailing, pennants for the same sports team—and a penchant for doing crazy activities.

As young women, they also enjoyed traveling. Occasionally, Katie would call Jill and say, "Hey, let's get a few girls together and head for San Diego this weekend. I've got lots of activities planned. Maybe we'll even tour a Navy ship." Jill was always eager to join Katie's impromptu adventures.

One day, Katie called Jill to play tennis. Stubbornly, Jill said, "No." Katie sensed something wrong in Jill's tone. "Why not?" Jill's unyielding voice said, "I just don't want to." Katie couldn't understand Jill's chilly attitude. She called her a few more times but there was no answer. Finally, Jill picked up the phone, but her news was difficult to swallow. "Everything has to be your way," Jill fumed. Their relationship was shelved.

A year later, Jill and Katie's hearts softened and their relationship was healed through humility and forgiveness. Today, a quarter-century later, these ladies remain the best of friends.

Forgiveness is difficult. It hits where it hurts most: pride and stubbornness. But with God's Spirit working, it is possible to reach out in kindness and patience, willing to listen to another's viewpoint with a heart of godly compassion.
 
Today's One Thing
Ask God to help you take the first step to heal a broken relationship in your life.
 
Going Deeper
Luke 11:2-10; Luke 17:3-19; Ephesians 4:17-32
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
4 Steps to Improve Your Friendships 

[Judy Harder]

Discover a positive attitude that will keep you focused on things above your circumstances today.   

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. —John 14:27 (ESV) 


Positive Against the Odds
Abigail's coworker, Mark remained constantly positive and upbeat in spite of the continuous challenges at work. Their team had dwindled due to layoffs and budget cuts. That meant an increase in workload and doing more work with fewer resources. Abigail struggled when they were unable to purchase the software upgrades needed or the training they had been promised.

Abigail's heart was heavy with disappointment and yet Mark came in with a song on his lips and smile on his face—no matter how difficult it got. One morning she came into the office to find a note on the empty coffee pot stating the staff would need to provide their own coffee. She carried her empty coffee cup over to Mark's desk. "Can you believe this?" she grumbled.

Mark looked up from a book he was reading. "Oh, yeah! I saw that," Mark smiled.

"How can you stay so upbeat," she scoffed. "Nothing gets to you. We might not have a job tomorrow, you know."

Mark looked at her, suddenly serious. "Abigail, my hope is not in this job or this company. My paycheck is nice, but it is not my source. God is my provider. I have faith knowing He will take care of me no matter what."

Abigail's eyes fell to Mark's open book—a Bible, as Mark continued. "It's disappointing to see the company faltering, but I can't let the circumstances crush my heart. I can stay positive in a negative world because my joy comes from my relationship with Him."

As you spend time with God in prayer and in His Word, let your faith rise and peace fill your heart with His promises and truths, giving you a positive attitude that will keep you focused on things above your circumstances today.
 
Today's One Thing
Have you allowed your present circumstances to affect your positive attitude? Perhaps you need to take time with the Lord today to make some necessary attitude adjustments.
 
Going Deeper
John 14:15-31; Deuteronomy 31:1-8
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Attitude Check 

[Judy Harder]

Servant leadership puts you on top! 
 
 
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. —1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) 

Leadership from a Heart of Service
Rob's frustration seethed from his face, and his friend, Brandon noticed. "Dude, what's the matter?" Rob looked down, a little ashamed.

"I just seem to have to fight for every single step up on the ladder, and you," Rob paused. "Everything seems to come so easy to you; you don't seem to struggle at all."

Rob and Brandon had been friends since elementary school. Somehow, amidst the competition, their friendship survived. Both had worked in the same corporation for the past ten years.

Brandon smiled. "I just don't believe I have to fight to get to the top. I don't have to step on others in order to reach my goals. The world lives in a "survival of the fittest" to ensure their success. Our focus is on the eternal. Jesus was clear that servant leadership positions you for promotion. Promotion comes from God."

The most amazing leaders are born from a heart of service. They are deliberate in putting others before themselves. They choose to respond instead of react. Jesus set a high standard and challenges you today to follow his example.
 
Today's One Thing
What can you do today to work toward becoming a better leader?
 
Going Deeper
Matthew 24:45-47; 2 Samuel 23:3-4
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Intentional Servant Leadership 

[Judy Harder]

Through forgiveness and reconciliation with God, a bright future and a healthy life are possible. 
 
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. —Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV) 

Almost Whole
Kristi sat on the porch swing with her mother sipping iced tea. She looked across the front yard that spanned an acre watching her eight and ten year old boys riding mini-bikes around the house. Her father had built a little ramp for them and every time they leaped into the air, she shut her eyes.

"Mom," she sighed. "I don't know how I would have survived these last three years without you and Dad. Your love, encouragement and support have brought me through the waters of disappointment. It's as if you and Dad have had a rope around my waist, guiding me in to safety."

Her mom's eyes became wet with tears, "It's been hard for all of us to see you and the boys go through the divorce, but we can see God doing a work in all your hearts."

"When things were so bad, I thought about untying the rope and just giving up, but God reached in and brought me back to the shore. He's been healing my heart slowly. Today I feel stronger than ever before. I am starting to believe there is life after divorce—for me and for the boys."
                 
If your marriage has ended in divorce, God still has a great purpose for you. Through forgiveness and reconciliation with God, a bright future and a healthy life are possible.
 
Today's One Thing
Believe God to finish the work in your life. Give him access to your hurts and begin to experience wholeness today.
 
Going Deeper
Jeremiah 17:14-18; Psalm 34:18
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Wholeness After Divorce 

[Judy Harder]

Fight for your marriage with the tool of forgiveness. 


And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. —Mark 11:25 (ESV) 

 
Fight for Your Marriage with Forgiveness
Curt and Sandy agreed to work toward becoming debt free. While Curt was overseas on assignment for six months with his international job, Sandy scrimped and saved in every way she could. She sent large payments to their debtors in hopes of being debt free, except for their mortgage, by the time he returned home. It was a sacrifice every day, but the thought of no more balances on their credit cards made her more determined.

She prayed and asked God for wisdom in every financial decision, and talked to Curt when he was available each week about the progress they were making together.

Three days before he returned home, Sandy got a bill in the mail in Curt's name. This must be some kind of mistake, she thought. How could we have a new credit card with a balance that exceeded what she'd sacrificed for half a year to pay off?

That evening she was finally able to connect with Curt via Skype. She asked him about the bill and her heart sank in deep disappointment and hurt with his words, "Honey, I'm sorry. I opened a new account. I needed a few things..."

"You've undone all we've worked for," she cried. "We made a decision—a commitment together, and now I just want to give up. How could you?"

Over the next several days, Sandy wasn't excited about Curt's return home. She dreaded seeing him. She was angry and she knew she needed to forgive him, but she didn't want to. She took some time in prayer each day asking God to give her grace to fight for her marriage with forgiveness and opened her heart for God to help her heal.

Is your marriage worth fighting for? Forgiveness is not easy, but requires a daily decision. You can fight for the marriage God desires for you to have by choosing to forgive your spouse.

Today's One Thing
Do you need to forgive your spouse? Do you need to ask for forgiveness? Are you willing to extend grace and fight for your marriage with forgiveness today?
 
Going Deeper
Ephesians 4:17-32; Mark 11:20-25
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Practicing Forgiveness for a Lasting Marriage 

[Judy Harder]

Is there a friendship in your life in which the season is coming to a close?   

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: —Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV) 
   
Friendships in Season and Out
"Mom," Cassie began, as she loaded the dishwasher after dinner, "I don't think April is my friend anymore."

Leia looked at her sixteen-year old, "Why would you say that, Sweetheart?"

"I've noticed she's not excited for me anymore when good things happen. It's like she's happy when I'm struggling, like in my algebra class, or when someone is rude to me. She's not on my side."

"Have you talked to her about it? Leia asked.

"Yep, and she said I was being a big baby. She told me I couldn't be the best at everything. She even made fun of me in front of some of the other girls when I complained about her not saving me a seat like I asked her to at the party last Thursday."

"I'm sorry. I know you two have been friends for several years. Maybe you're growing apart. Sometimes friendships aren't forever, but for a season."

Clutter in a relationship develops when conflicts that exist between two or more people are either denied or not resolved. They then become ever-present irritants in the relationship. Cluttered relationships create fatigue and frustration and it's very important to address relationship clutter, sometimes by realizing the season of that relationship is over.
 
Today's One Thing
Is there a friendship in your life in which the season is coming to a close? Ask God for grace to let the friendship expire in a positive way.
 
Going Deeper
1 Corinthians 15:12-34; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
De-Clutter Your Relationships 

[Judy Harder]

When the lost knocks on your door, how will you respond?

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation..." —Mark 16:15 (ESV) 

 
Lost at Your Door
As church-goers entered into the church doors, different people reacted—and some didn't respond at all—to an indigent man standing next to a cardboard box just three feet from the front entry of the church.

"You couldn't miss him," one of the elderly ladies whispered to her friend she always sat with on the second row. "What makes him think he's going to get a handout, just because he's parked outside the church doors?"

"Shouldn't he get a handout from those who preach love?" one of the ushers said to her, intruding into her conversation."

"I saw Doug Ramsey slip him a $20," the pianist told the guitarist on the platform, forgetting that his microphone was already on.

The worship leader stepped forward and the service began with the first song. Several turned to see the indigent man enter the sanctuary and sit down on the back row. He was aware of the interruption he'd caused by the looks, stares and whispers across the congregation.

When the music stopped, the pastor didn't step up to take the platform, instead, the indigent man stepped toward the platform. No one stepped up to stop him, although several sounds of surprise and concern escaped the lips of many in the congregation.

He took the platform and began to speak. As he did, many recognized the voice of their pastor who had posed as an outcast to see how his congregation would respond to someone in need.

How would you feel if this happened at your church? Would you invite him in and share what you had with him—including the good news of the Gospel?

Today's One Thing
What can you do today to take Christ to the world today?
 
Going Deeper
Mark 16:14-20; Romans 10:10-17
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Taking Christ To Your World 

[Judy Harder]

What are you doing to teach your child God's Promises?   

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. —Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV) 

Put the Word into their Hearts
Luke crawled quietly into his sons' dark bedroom. He loved to sneak in after the two preschoolers were in bed and listen to their sweet conversations, unknown to them. He laid on the floor to listen.

Each night as he tucked the boys into bed, he turned on their music, a collection of scriptures set to music. The songs filled the room as Lane, five years old, slept soundly on the top bunk. As Luke listened, he heard his toddler Landon, not quite three years old, singing the words. He had memorized the scriptures! He's memorized the entire album, Luke thought!

Through a habit of playing the Word of God each night in his children's room, he was putting the Truth into the hearts of his little ones.

There is a secret to parenting. The vital task for you as a parent is to teach your child about God, who will instruct your child Himself and fill in any gaps you leave in the process.
 
Today's One Thing
What ONE THING can you do today to ensure that the Word of God is written on the heart of your children?
 
Going Deeper
Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm 119:9-16
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Raising Your Amazing Kid 

[Judy Harder]

We cannot be responsible for the choices others make that affect our lives, but only the choices we make.   

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. —Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) 
   

Rules or Relationship?
Sometimes the dos and don'ts of the Bible can seem like a long list of rules. But when you have a healthy relationship with the Lord, they are no longer rules; they become something you want to do to please Him.

Look at the life of Joseph. In spite of the many trials in this young man's life, he lived to please God in everything. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery over a dream, yet he loved them. He was accused of rape when he refused to sleep with his master's wife. He was thrown into prison, and even then he helped others who forgot his kindness.

Joseph's life is a demonstration of choices—one after another—to pursue only what pleases Christ. He lived for His relationship with God. His choices were not made because "God said so," but because He desired above all to do everything in His power to please God.

We cannot be responsible for the choices others make that affect our lives, but only the choices we make.
 
Today's One Thing
Ask the Lord to help you make choices out of love for Him, and not because He says so.
 
Going Deeper
Genesis 37; Ephesians 5:1-11
 
Suggested Intentional Living Broadcast
Religion or Relationship