"I…lifted my eyes to heaven, and…I was restored.”
Da 4:34-36 NKJV
Let God Restore You
When King Nebuchadnezzar
repented, his "understanding…reason…honor and splendor returned…and…[he] was
restored.” But when we have an image to maintain we’re reluctant to ask for
help in case people think less of us. One author writes: "To fall is bad
enough, but to fall and not cry out for help is worse…Some people are so full
of pride and self-sufficiency they think, ‘If I can’t get up myself, I won’t
let anyone help me.’ Stop being so proud; that’s what caused you to fall in the
first place! The Bible says: ‘Those who walk in pride [God] is able to put
down’ (Da 4:37 NKJV). Pride is dangerous; it forces you to lie needlessly in a
helpless state for days—and sometimes years. If you’d asked for help
immediately, you could have gotten up and gone on with your life.” Proverbs
14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is…death” (NKJV).
Have you ever tried to rescue an injured animal? It doesn’t know your only
desire is to help; it just knows it’s in pain, and as a result it strikes out
at the person who least deserves it. This is especially true when you’ve been wounded
by someone close to you and didn’t see it coming. You can hurt so much that you
stop trusting everybody, including God. You stop praying and reading the Bible,
you avoid those who want to help, and you refuse to let anybody pray for you.
The Bible says, "Do not harden your hearts” (Heb 3:15 NKJV). Today, acknowledge
that you’ve fallen and let God restore you.
Thursday May 2
"Perfect love casts out
fear.”
1Jn 4:18 NKJV
Stop Doubting Your Salvation
Are you trying your best to
serve the Lord, yet you sometimes doubt your salvation? Though you’re unaware
of any particular sin in your life, you still feel unworthy to stand in God’s
presence, confident of His acceptance. Read this Scripture. Better yet, write
it down and carry it with you: "Perfect love casts out fear.” Now, if God loved
you with an imperfect love you’d have cause to worry. Man’s love, which is
imperfect, keeps a list of sins and consults it often. But not God’s love. The
moment you place your trust in Christ He views you as "righteous” and fully accepted
from that point on. His love casts out your fear
because it casts out your sin. Do you remember
these words from John’s epistle? "If our heart condemns us, God is greater than
our heart, and knows all things” (1Jn 3:20 NKJV). That means it’s possible to be forgiven, yet feel unforgiven.
So when you feel unforgiven, doubt your feelings instead of doubting God. Don’t
give your emotions a vote. Go back to Scripture. God’s Word outranks all
self-criticism and self-doubt. As Paul told Titus: "God’s readiness to give and
forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone!…Tell them all this.
Build up their courage” (Tit 2:11,15 TM). Are you trusting in Christ as your Savior?
Then begin to love boldly and live robustly. Nothing fosters courage like a
clear grasp of grace. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9 NKJV).
Note the words, "All unrighteousness.” Having
received God’s forgiveness, live forgiven!
Friday May 3
"So that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
1Pe 3:7 NIV
Hindrances to Prayer (1)
Here are two hindrances to
answered prayer: (1) Unconfessed sin. "Your sins
have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isa 59:2 NIV). As a
believer, God expects you to walk in obedience. "What does the Lord require of
you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic 6:8
NIV). Notice, these are "requirements.” If you don’t meet them you’re wasting your
time praying, unless it’s a prayer of repentance. You must seek God’s
forgiveness, then He will hear your prayers. (2) Unresolved
conflict. "Husbands…be considerate as you live with your wives, and
treat them with respect…so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” There’s no
point praying if you are always fighting with one another. "Anyone who claims
to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness” (1Jn 2:9
NIV). God will answer when you come out into the light, deal with the thing
that drove you apart, and attempt to mend the relationship. Now, sometimes it
isn’t possible to make amends. "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone” (Ro 12:18 NIV). Sometimes the other person would
rather keep the issue alive than accept your apology. When that happens look
into your heart. Do you really want restoration, or would you rather "blame
place” and let things fester? If your attempts have been wholehearted and
honest, God won’t let a broken relationship stand in the way of your prayers.
But if your attempts have been half-hearted and self-serving, try again—this
time for real.
Saturday May 4
"You do not have, because you do not
ask.”
Jas 4:2 NIV
Hindrances to Prayer (2)
Here are two more hindrances
to answered prayer: (1) Failure to pray. It’s
estimated that out of the 667 prayers for specific things mentioned in the
Bible, there are 454 specific answers. That means the Bible is a book of prayers—and
answers. Our problem is, we spend a lot of time talking about prayer and fail to get down to the business of
praying. Charles Trumbull said, "Prayer releases the energies of God.” The goal
of prayer is not to overcome God’s reluctance, but to believe Him and take hold
of His willingness. His Word says: "You do not have, because you do not ask.” C.
E. Cowman wrote: "No praying man or woman accomplishes so much with so little
expenditure of time, as when he or she is praying.” Until you learn to pray in
faith and wait on God for the answer, you’ll get nowhere. (2) Failure to care. When the Israelites complained
that God wasn’t answering their prayers He told them, "Stop oppressing those
who work for you and treat them fairly …share your food with the hungry…Clothe
those who are cold and don’t hide from [those] who need your help. If you do
these things…the Lord will answer” (Isa 58:6-9 TLB). Sin and unbelief are not
the only things that hinder your prayers; self-centered living will! A little
girl prayed for several weeks asking God for a certain thing. Finally in frustration
she said, "By the way, Lord, I’ve mentioned this to You several times before.” If
that’s your situation, stop thinking about your own needs and focus on the
needs of others.
Sunday May 5
"We grope…feeling our way like men without eyes.”
Isa 59:10 NIV
Keep Your Vision Alive!
The Pilgrim Fathers who
founded America
landed at Plymouth Rock full of vision. The first year they established a town,
the next year they elected a town council. In their third year the town council
proposed building a road five miles out into the wilderness for westward expansion.
But the townspeople criticized it as a waste of public funds. Amazing! Once
they had been able to see across oceans to new worlds, now they couldn’t see
five miles down the road. What happened? They failed to keep their vision
alive. How can you keep that from happening to you?
(1) Keep your vision before you
at all times. "Write the vision and make it plain…that he may run who
reads it” (Hab 2:2 NKJV). Your vision is the road map for your life. So write
it down, read it regularly and keep it before you at all times. (2) Make sure the vision is yours, not somebody else’s.
In the name of being "sensible,” or "practical,” many of us ignore our God-given
desires. We undertake a career to please our parents, our spouses, or others.
That may make you dutiful, but it won’t make you successful. You cannot fulfill
a vision that is not your own! (3) Believe in yourself
even when others don’t. You may succeed if nobody else believes in you,
but you will never succeed if you don’t believe in yourself. No matter how old
you are, always stay young at heart. Pearl S. Buck said, "The young do not know
enough to be prudent, therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it
generation after generation.”
Monday May 6
"There is…no
condemnation.”
Ro 8:1 NKJV
Deal with the Rooster
Booker T. Washington tells a
wonderful story about his mother. Every morning of his young life, he, along
with all the plantation slaves, was awakened by the crow of a rooster. Long
before daybreak the unwelcome noise would fill the shanties, reminding
Washington and his fellow workers to crawl out of bed and leave for the cotton
fields. That rooster’s crow came to symbolize a life of long days and
backbreaking labor. But then came the Emancipation Proclamation. Abraham
Lincoln pronounced freedom for all slaves. The first morning afterward, young
Booker was awakened by the rooster again. Only this time his mother was chasing
it around the barnyard with an axe. That day the Washington family fried and ate their alarm clock
for lunch. Their first act of freedom was to silence the reminder of their
slavery. Are any roosters stealing your sleep? You might need to sharpen the
blade. The great news of the gospel is, yes, His grace is real, and so is your
freedom! "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ
Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Forget
your sins for God’s sake, because when you keep
bringing them up you bother Him! Does that sound too strong for you? Then read
what God says about your sins: "I, even I, am He who blots out your
transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” (Isa 43:25
NKJV). God has buried your sins in the "depths of the sea” and posted a sign
beside it which reads, "No fishing in these
waters” (See Micah 7:19).
Tuesday May 7
"I am innocent…It is your responsibility!”
Mt 27:24 NIV
the Blame Game (1)
More and more, we are becoming
a blame-oriented culture. Today our misfortunes are deemed to be somebody else’s
fault. "I’m this way because of them. They did it to me.” And it didn’t begin
with us. It goes all the way back to Adam in the Garden of Eden when he told
God, "The woman…You gave…me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate” (Ge 3:12 NKJV).
It’s in our DNA! We say the breakdown in our marriage was our partner’s fault,
or we drink too much because somebody drives us to it, or we’re sick because of
the fast-food industry; let’s sue them! Shifting responsibility may alleviate
momentary guilt, but it’s a deadly game with no winners. In sentencing Christ
to die, Pilate said, ”I am innocent of this man’s blood…It is your responsibility!”
He thought by dumping the blame onto the Jews he would avoid upsetting either
his wife or his critics, and prove himself innocent. But the buck stopped at
his desk! Understand this: God holds you responsible for your decisions and
actions (See Ro 2:6). And your failure to make the right decision, or take the
right action, also earns you His guilty verdict. Paul writes, "You cannot mock
the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant” (Gal 6:7 NLT).
Others may be guilty of offending you, and that’s their
harvest to reap. But your harvest depends on your reactions. Accepting responsibility before God
is how you alleviate your guilt, discouragement and stress.
Wednesday May 8
"The woman you put here…gave me some…and I ate
it.” Ge 3:12 NIV
The Blame Game (2)
Blaming came naturally to Adam
and Eve, the father and mother of the human race. After all, who could fault them?
God did! Their blaming was a result of how sin had changed them. Their
relationship to themselves, each other, their environment, and even God, was
radically changed by their irresponsibility. And since God can do nothing with
people who won’t take responsibility for their decisions, He dismissed them
from Paradise. What a price to pay! Here are
two good reasons for giving up the blame game:
(1) It makes you a victim.
When you make someone else responsible for your circumstances, you put the
power to change things in their hands. That means nothing will change unless
they decide to change it. You make them master of your fate. Only by accepting
personal responsibility can you retain the power to change your circumstances. (2) It makes you miserable. You say, "But they hurt
me.” Yes, and by harboring resentment you are hurting yourself over and over.
The Bible says, "Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle
or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time” (Heb 12:14-15 TM). Before
you know it your entire outlook gets distorted. "Watch out for the Esau
syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term
appetite …Esau later regretted that…and wanted God's blessing—but by then it
was too late, tears or no tears” (vv. 16-17 TM). Forgive, take back your life, and
get out of the blame game!
Thursday May 9
"You can’t get forgiveness…without…forgiving
others.”
Mt 6:15 TM
The Blame Game (3)
Blaming
creates enemies. The person you are blaming will ignore you, compile
numerous proofs of their innocence, and resent you. And their friends will
defend them and become your enemies. Even your own friends will get fed up with
your complaining and distance you. Your "root of bitterness” will spread,
causing "many [to be] defiled,” and making things worse (Heb 12:15 NKJV). Blaming rubs off. Blamers beget blamers. Your family
gets pulled in, so they suffer too. "Don't hang out with angry people; don't
keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious—don’t get infected” (Pr
22:24-25 TM). Stop it, you’re passing on your misery and dysfunction to those
who love you! Blaming is addictive. The
justification we feel in blaming hooks us for the long run. It manipulates our
anger, making us feel okay about shifting responsibility. It gets progressively
easier to complain rather than to resolve the problem. Like any addiction, it
has to be fed more and more to achieve its reward. Sooner than you think,
you’ll become a skilled, confirmed "blame-aholic.” Blaming
sabotages forgiveness. You can’t forgive someone while you’re judging
and resenting them. And while you’re squandering your time and energy blaming
them, you forfeit your right to receive God’s forgiveness. "But if you do not
forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Mt 6:15 NIV). It’s
time to give up the blame game, own responsibility for your life, and take back
your God-given power to respond to things according to His Word!
Friday May 10
"Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me.”
Isa 8:18 NIV
You Owe It to Them
You may not be able to give
your children everything you’d like to, or everything they want, but here are
four things you owe them: (1) Connect with them.
The story’s told of a couple who decided to buy a new playpen for a friend, on
the arrival of her sixth child. A year later the friend wrote back saying, "Thank
you for the pen. It’s wonderful—I sit in it every afternoon and read, and the
children can’t get near me.” Seriously, what do you really know about your child?
Their struggles, their heroes, their music, their friends, their fears, their
dreams? If your answer is "not much,” start making changes right away! (2) Listen to them. If some of us paid as much
attention to our garden as we did to our children, we’d be living in a weed
patch. You’ll never understand your child until you take time to listen to what
they’re saying—and what they’re not saying. (3) Believe
in them. As a child, the great Caruso was told by a music teacher that
he had no talent at all. Parent, make sure your voice is the loudest. Build
their confidence; give them the faith and the self-worth required to overcome
the obstacles they’ll face in life. (4) Let them see
God in you. Three kids were discussing their fathers. One said, "My
father knows the mayor.” Another said, "My father knows the governor.” Confidently
the third said, "That’s nothing; my father knows God!” Dad, Mom, do you know
God? If you don’t, commit your life to Him today.
Saturday May 11
"Your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother
Lois and in your mother Eunice.” 2 Ti 1:5 NIV
How to Raise a Timothy
Leaving your mark on your children isn’t optional, but leaving
a godly mark on them is. The seeds you sow today
will continue to grow in them lifelong, and in your grandchildren too. Paul saw
in Timothy the potential harvest he’d produce for Christ. He saw, too, that the
fruit originated with the root: a mother and grandmother who were sold out to
Christ. What an encouragement for widowed, divorced, single mothers and those
without believing husbands. These two women raised a servant of God without the
help of a Christian father. And Mother, God can enable you to do likewise!
What does it take to raise a Timothy? Two things: (1) It takes a role model. Paul spoke of Timothy’s "sincere
(Greek: un-hypocritical) faith, which first lived
in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and…now lives in you.” The
faith they imparted "first lived in” each of them. If it’s to live in our kids,
they must first see it living in us. In a world where phonies sometimes
masquerade as Christians, genuine faith stands out like a beacon against the
night sky. Our children have a built-in "phony-baloney detector” that picks up
on counterfeits and rejects them. But the genuine article will draw them like a
magnet. (2) It takes teaching God’s Word. Timothy’s
mother and grandmother planted the Scriptures in the receptive soil of his
young heart before the surrounding culture could get to him. Paul reminded him,
"How from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures” (2Ti 3:15 NIV). That’s
how to raise a Timothy.
Mothers Day — Sunday May 12
"The most precious treasure a man can find.”
Pr 31:10 CEV
Thanks, Mom!
Erma Bombeck wrote: "When God
was creating mothers, on His sixth day of overtime the angel said, ‘You’re
fiddling around a lot on this one.’ God replied, ‘Have you seen the specs on
this order? She’s to have 18,000 replaceable moving parts, run on black coffee
and leftovers, have a kiss that cures anything from broken legs to disappointed
love affairs…and six pairs of hands!’ ‘Six pairs of hands? No way!’ the angel
said. God said, ‘And the challenging bit is the three pairs of eyes mothers
need. One pair that sees through doors, another in back of her head that sees
what she shouldn’t be able to see, another in front for looking at a child
who’s goofed and saying, ‘I understand, and I love you,’ without speaking.’ The
angel said, ‘Lord, take a break. Tomorrow…’ ‘I can’t,’ God said. ‘I’m close to
creating something so like Myself. Already she can heal herself when she’s
sick, feed a family on a pound of hamburger, and get a nine-year-old to stand
under a shower!’ Touching her, the angel said, ‘She’s too soft!’ ‘But so tough!’
God replied. ‘You can’t imagine what this mother can endure.’ ‘Can it think?’ asked
the angel. ‘Not only think, it reasons and compromises,’ God said. Running his
finger across the mother’s cheek, the angel said, ‘There’s a leak!’ ‘It’s not a
leak,’ God said. ‘It’s a tear.’ ‘What’s it for?’ asked the angel. ‘It’s for
joy, sadness, pain, disappointment, loneliness and pride.’ The angel declared, ‘Lord,
You’re a Genius!’” Just a columnist’s fictional story, but well worth
pondering. Thanks, Mom!
Monday May 13
"Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others.”
Eph 4:31 CEV
You Can Overcome Bitterness
A man who had been bitten by a
rattlesnake was rushed to the hospital. When he asked the doctor, "Is it
life-threatening?” the doctor said, "The bite isn’t, but the poison is.” The "bites”
you suffer at the hands of others are painful and upsetting, but they’re not
lethal. What happens to you normally doesn’t destroy
you, but what happens in you afterwards can.
Like venom, bitterness first poisons your mind, then your relationships. It
causes you to replay the hurt until it controls you, stealing the future God
planned for you. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can overcome
bitterness. God says, "Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others.” And what
God commands, He will give you the grace to do. When Peter asked Jesus, "Should
I forgive my brother seven times?” Jesus said, "No, you must forgive him
seventy times seven” (See Mt 18:21-22). In other words, "Forgive, and keep on
forgiving until it no longer bothers you.” What causes bitterness? Anger that’s
allowed to take residence in your thought-life. God’s purpose for anger is to
motivate you to tap into His power for solving problems; otherwise they become
permanent. Solving the problem resolves and relieves your anger. But anger can
become long-term bitterness when you fixate on "who did it to me,” making you hostile,
critical, blaming and punitive. You say, "Can I really stop my anger?” Yes,
with God’s help you can control your reactions and behaviors, and starve your
anger to death. "The fruit of the Spirit is…self-control” (Gal 5:22-23 NIV).
Tuesday May 14
"Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
1Co 9:24 NIV
The Healthy Edge of Competition
We say things like, "It’s a
rat race out there, and the rats are winning,” "Nice guys finish last,” "Winning
isn’t everything; it’s the only thing!” Such sentiments characterize our
culture, driving workaholic lifestyles that destroy health, fracture family
life, and eliminate the spiritual discipline required to have a growing
relationship with God. So what should we do? Avoid all competition? Opt out of
the race? Retire and watch the world go by? No, those are not options for a
follower of Christ. So: (1) Beware of competitiveness
that leads to jealousy. Cain’s competitiveness toward his brother Abel led
him to murder (See Ge 4:1-8). He tried to put his brother down in order to lift
himself up. King Saul tried to kill David when the crowd sang, "Saul has slain
his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1Sa 18:6-11 NKJV). Those words
caused jealousy to grow like a cancer in him. (2) Understand
that by seeking to excel in your calling, you exalt Christ. Paul writes:
"You’ve…seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good
athletes train hard…for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one
that’s gold eternally” (1Co 9:24-25 TM). No second-rate effort, no settling for
mediocre outcomes. "I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything
I’ve got. No sloppy living for me. I’m staying alert and in top condition” (1Co
9:26 TM). Getting ahead of others isn’t what it’s about; it’s about maximizing
all you do for God’s glory! "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men” (Col
3:23 NIV).
Wednesday May 15
"The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.”
Heb 13:6 NIV
Evict Your worries
Worry is
a squatter; you must evict it. In certain situations if a house lies
empty long enough, whoever likes can move in and occupy it. Worry does that
too. It roams around looking for an empty mind, then moves in. Has worry taken
up residence in your mind today? Is it there when you wake in the morning and
go to bed at night? As a follower of Christ you have the authority to serve
worry an eviction notice and it must leave. The only thing that enables it to
stay is your ignorance of that truth. When your mind is occupied with God’s
Word, worry sees a "no vacancy” sign and moves on. Paul writes: "For though we
walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting
down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of
God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Co
10:3-5 NKJV). The weapons God has given you to fight with are greater than the
fears you face. But you must know your weapons, keep them in good repair, and
be able to use them. "Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: ‘Because you
speak this word, behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, and [your
worries] wood, and it shall devour them’” (Jer 5:14 NKJV). When you believe God’s
Word with all your heart and begin to speak it in the face of your worries, "It
shall devour them.”
Thursday May 16
"If you know these things…do
them.”
Jn 13:17 NKJV
Put Your Faith into Action!
The Bible says, "Faith without
works is dead” (Jas 2:20). Certain prayers only get answered when you take
action. When the woman with the issue of blood took the initiative, pressed
through the crowd and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, He told her, "You took
a risk of faith…now you’re well” (Mt 9:22 TM). And on another occasion we read,
"As He entered a certain village, there met Him ten…lepers…they lifted up their
voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ So…He said to them, ‘Go,
show yourselves to the priests’” (Lk 17:12-14 NKJV). According to Jewish law,
an unclean person discovered in the vicinity of the temple could be stoned to
death. So by following Jesus’ instructions these guys were literally putting
their lives on the line. But they did it, and "as they went they were cleansed”
(v. 14 NKJV). Jesus said, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do
them.” Your decisions and actions are based on what you believe. One teacher writes: "Anybody can believe
sitting in church, or when all is right in their life. But when you get
outside, you find out what you’ve really got. Healing power was obviously
available, and these men believed Jesus could heal them. That’s why they came
to him in the first place. They didn’t doubt His ability…The key was, as soon
as they did what Jesus told them they were
healed.” So the word for you today is: Put your faith into action.
Friday May 17
"We will stand in your presence…cry out to you…and you will
hear us and save us.”
2Ch 20:9 NIV
When You Feel Down (1)
A parishioner asked his
pastor, "Do you ever feel down?” "Sure,” he responded. "What do you do about
it?” the parishioner said. "I get up again. Being down isn’t my problem—staying
down is. I’m either up, or I’m getting up. I’ve learned not to park in
between.” Although feeling down is universal, sociologists warn us to guard
against its two most common causes: fear and fatigue. Let’s look at them:
Fear: When Edomite
armies marched against Israel’s
king, fear gripped him and his nation. Feeling powerless, they feared losing
their God-given land and possessions. If the stress of the last few years has
left you feeling fearful, do what Israel’s king did. He turned to God
and prayed: "Whenever we are faced with any calamity…we can…stand in your
presence…We can cry out to you…and you will hear us and rescue us” (v. 9 NLT).
Don’t let fear cause you to abandon your hope and your vision. Instead, stand
in God’s presence, cry out to Him, and watch Him rescue you. Throughout the Old
Testament God reminded Israel of His track record of goodness. He wanted them
to remember it and take courage. But sometimes fear would cloud their memory
and they’d begin to doubt. Sound familiar? So He told them, "Do not
be…discouraged…the battle is not yours, but [mine]” (v. 15 NIV). In other
words, "You don’t have to defeat the foe, that’s My job. I’m in charge; trust
Me to work it out.” So remember Who’s in control of your circumstances today. Stand
in His presence; believe His promise!
Saturday May 18
"Let us not grow weary while doing
good.”
Gal 6:9 NKJV
When You Feel Down (2)
Fatigue:
Remember the old saying, "You can’t burn the candle at both ends”? Today we’ve
gone from candle power to atomic power, and few of us pay heed to that old
saying anymore. We want bigger homes, fancier cars and more exotic vacations,
etc. So we start earlier, work harder, and finish later. Then we stagger home
and fall asleep in front of the television, worn out and feeling guilty about
spending so little time with our family. We forget that God designed us to need
one work-free day a week for rest and spiritual renewal (See Ex 20:8-11). As a
result, fatigue saps our creative energy, distorts our outlook, diminishes our
joy, erodes our confidence and drains us spiritually. Elijah is a great example
of this. Single-handedly he defeated the prophets of Baal (See 1Ki 18). In
answer to his prayer, God sent fire from heaven that consumed the altar and
turned Israel
back to God. It was a spectacular victory, yet on the heels of it he got so
down that he actually asked God to take his life. Now that’s a major league
downer! So what did God do? Like any good doctor, He diagnosed the man’s
problem and prescribed three things: proper diet, adequate rest, and a good
assistant: Elisha. Many of us who love what we work at, tend to get out of
balance. We have no boundaries so we risk burning out. We "grow weary while
doing good.” What’s the answer? "He restores my soul” (Ps 23:3 NKJV). The word "restores”
has two parts: "rest” and "store.” Relax physically, and replenish spiritually.
That’s what to do when you feel down!
Sunday May 19
"Why should we sit here waiting to
die?”
2Ki 7:3 NLT
Step Out in Faith!
Unless you’re willing to take
risks you won’t succeed in life. Yes, there’s a time for playing it safe. But
when caution becomes a lifestyle, you get bogged down in mediocrity and failure
while life passes you by. When you finish praying, searching the Scriptures and
listening to godly counsel—you’ve got to step out in faith.
Four lepers sat outside the famine-stricken city of Samaria. They considered their
situation. "We’re starving to death. There’s food in the city. Enemy soldiers
are in the city. We can play it safe, sit here and die. Or go into the city and
see whether they feed us or kill us!” They knew their worst option was playing
it safe and doing nothing. So what happened? They were saved by taking a step
of faith. Now, your risks may be less dramatic, but unless you take them you’ll
never fulfill your God-given assignment in life. The Bible says, "Whoever digs
a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be
endangered by them” (Ecc 10:8-9 NIV). By trying to avoid falls, bites,
injuries, danger, etc., you miss out on life’s opportunities. Walking by faith means:
(1) Accepting worthwhile risks. You’ve got to go
out on a limb, for that’s where the fruit is. (2) Preparing
wisely for your risks. God rewards excellence. "Using a dull axe
requires great strength, so sharpen the blade…That’s the value of wisdom; it
helps you succeed” (v. 10 NLT). So go ahead, step out in faith!
Monday May 20
"Death and life are in the power of the
tongue.”
Pr 18:21 NKJV
The Answer to Your Worries
Your words
either work for you or against you. The Bible says, "Death and life are
in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” The old saying,
"You’ll eat your words,” is more than a meaningless cliché, it’s the truth!
Jeremiah the prophet writes, "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your
word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer 15:16 NKJV). The Psalmist
writes, "They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of
their distresses (worries). He sent His word and healed them” (Ps 107:19-20
NKJV). God’s Word is the medicine that heals worry. So what God has to say
about the issue must be what you have to say about it too; otherwise you’re
contradicting Him and disconnecting yourself from the source of all blessing.
If you’re wise, you will surround yourself with like-minded people who speak
God’s Word into your life, and limit your time with those who have no interest
in it. If you want to grow the right kind of fruit, you must have the right
climate. And the words you speak (and listen to) determine the climate of your
life, the direction in which it goes, and the results you get. There is no "secret”
to success. The Bible says that when you learn to "meditate day and night” in
God’s Word, you "will prosper in all you do” (See Ps 1:1-3). So the answer to
your worries is in God’s Word!
Tuesday May 21
"Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did—they'll
turn out delightful to live with.” Pr
29:17 TM
Law and Order (1)
We’re producing a generation
of kids who are allowed to rear themselves with the aid of television, violent
videos, and the Internet (which can be a minefield!). Often both parents work,
leaving one child to supervise another. As a result they become a law unto
themselves. "A child left to himself disgraces his [parents]” (Pr 29:15 NIV).
Most of us are loving parents, but our children need discipline and rules to
live by. Love has a backbone; it’s called law and order. Without it, love is
just license. "A refusal to correct is a refusal to love” (Pr 13:24 TM).
Remember the cute cartoon where Dad, strap in hand, makes disobedient Dennis "assume
the position”? He says, "This is going to hurt me more than you.” Dennis
responds, "Don’t feel obligated to hurt yourself on my behalf.” Enforcing law
and order isn’t easy. But the alternative is a betrayal of our children and our
God-given responsibility! Failure to enforce law and order to gain short-term
popularity with our kids always ends up costing us their long-term respect.
Expecting younger kids to figure out what’s right and wrong is a burden they
shouldn’t have to bear; their neurological and moral equipment isn’t
sufficiently developed yet for such responsibility. The Bible says, "Young
people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded
discipline” (Pr 22:15 TM). Your children learn to make good decisions from the
rewards and consequences of dealing with law and order at home. So don’t fail
them!
Wednesday May 22
"Love your children by disciplining
them.”
Pr 13:24 TM
Law and Order (2)
Children who are a joy to live
with don’t get that way by living in a lawless home. Ever see the movie Bonnie and Clyde? The
big story behind Bonnie is the mother who raised her. She thought everything
Bonnie did was "cute.” She actually eulogized her: "As the flowers are made
brighter by the sunshine and dew; this world is made brighter by folks like
you!” But Bonnie wasn’t so cute when she went on a murderous rampage. Giving
your child structure makes them feel cared for and secure. So here are two
guidelines: (1) Explain the rules clearly. Punishing
a child over a rule they don’t understand just makes them resentful. The fewer
your rules the better—just make them understandable, doable, and observable. "Preaching”
and moralizing only creates resistance. (2) Enforce the
rules consistently. What brings a smile today shouldn’t bring a slap
tomorrow. Inconsistency weakens your authority and breeds disobedience in them.
Here are some things to shun: (a) Avoid comparing. No child should be expected
to be just like another. (b) Avoid hurtful labels like "You’re stupid, lazy,
bad, a waste of time,” etc. Describe their actions; don’t demolish their
self-worth. (c) Avoid idle threats. Enforce the rule, or drop it. (d) Avoid
bribes; they just breed manipulation and diminish the importance of rules. (e)
Avoid making fun of their weaknesses. (f) Don’t fear saying "No!” Their future success
and happiness depend on learning to deal with it. (g) Admit your failures.
However, though you "blow it” occasionally, you’re still responsible to require
they follow your laws, not your lapses!
Thursday May 23
"The Lord…has given rest to his people.”
1Ki 8:56 NIV
God Will Take Care of You!
Live for
today, and put tomorrow into God’s hands. Begin to eliminate the words "what
if” from your vocabulary. God will always be one step ahead of you. "The Lord,
He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you
nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Dt 31:8 NKJV). The reason God is
called the "Alpha and Omega” in Scripture is because He not only initiates the
starting point of your spiritual journey, He has arranged every step of it
according with His will. He says to you: "I know the plans I have for you, says
the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future
and a hope…when you pray, I will listen…I will end your captivity and restore
your fortunes” (Jer 29:11-14 NLT). If you’re fearful of the future, check with
the past. "Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people…according to
all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise,
which He promised” (1Ki 8:56 NKJV). You will never conquer your worries
entirely, for worries, just like weaknesses and character flaws, draw you
closer to God and keep you dependent on Him.
For forty years in the wilderness the Israelites never missed
a meal. God delivered it to the door of each of their tents daily. And He will
provide for you too. "Not so in haste, my heart! Have faith in God, and wait;
although he lingers long, he never comes too late.”
Friday May 24
"This, then, is how you should
pray.”
Mt 6:9 NIV
Persist in Prayer
If prayer came naturally, God
wouldn’t have to remind us so often to do it. A consistent prayer life requires
crucifying our selfish nature. But when prayer doesn’t seem rewarding, we’re
apt to abandon it. So how can you pray and get results? (1) Before you ask, adore! Any prayer that begins with
asking can become self-centered and shallow. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Ps 100:4
NIV). When God’s love, goodness and faithfulness are your starting point,
you’re lifted out of yourself, your spirit is prepared to "connect” with God,
the content of your prayer becomes more scriptural, and you get results. In the
Lord’s Prayer Jesus directs our attention first to God’s name, then His
kingdom, then His will. After that, we ask for "our daily bread.” Thanksgiving
doesn’t condition God to bless you—it conditions you to receive His blessing. (2) When you pray, persist! God’s not an automated
teller. You are supposed to stay engaged with Him until He decides to answer
you. This involves an attitude of faith, persistence and patience. Jesus gave
us a parable about a woman who kept pleading with a hardhearted judge to grant
her petition. When she finally wore him down, he gave her what she asked. Jesus
had only one purpose for the parable: "To show them that they should always
pray and not give up” (Lk 18:1 NIV). The point is not that persistence forces
God’s cooperation, it’s that God wants you to pray
and not quit. When you persist God will answer, "and quickly!” (v. 8
NIV).
Saturday May 25
"[Like] a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he
[or she] does not come to the opening of the
womb.” Hos 13:13 NIV
Knowing When to Emerge
Timing is an integral part of
God’s plan for your life. You need to know what to
do, and when to do it. If you wait too long
you’ll miss your window of God-given opportunity. One author points out that as
believers we experience two births: a natural and a spiritual birth. She
writes: "For some…spiritual birth happens in childhood. Others, like me, have
to work to get there with a combination of effort and…the stripping down of
layers of independence. Regardless of how we get to the spiritual
labor/delivery room, at our appointed time—unlike a natural birth…we must be willing to be reborn. We can’t remain in darkness and
isolation. ‘When the time arrives [to] come to the opening of the womb’ and be
pushed into the world as a new creation, you must be willing to emerge. We all
know people who attend every seminar and read every self-help book. They’re
always getting ready to emerge, but never quite
make it. You may even be one of them. Perhaps God has given you a vision but
you’ve hidden it away for so long waiting for the right time, it has become
stale. Visions have a shelf life. They are for ‘an appointed [fixed, chosen,
prearranged] time’” (Hab 2:3 NIV). Maurice Chevalier said, "If you wait for the
perfect moment when all is safe and assured…mountains will not be climbed,
races won, or lasting happiness achieved.” Bottom line: you can sit on the
sidelines—or get involved in the game. So, what will it be?
Sunday May 26
"But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us.”
2Co 7:6 NIV
Finding Comfort in Troubled Times
You say, "Surely Paul was too
spiritually mature to feel downcast?” Apparently not! The chief apostle and
leader of the church experienced discouragement, stress, restlessness, and even
fears. "When we arrived in Macedonia
province, we couldn't settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our
hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn't relax because we didn't know how
it would turn out” (vv. 5-6 TM). So, where do we turn for strength in our times
of trouble? Consider some ways God sends us comfort and encouragement: (1) He comforts us by His presence. "Now may…God our
Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful
hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing” (2Th 2:16-17 NLT).
It’s God’s nature to be with us, to give us comfort when we’re mourning (See Mt
5:4); brokenhearted (See Ps 147:3); overwhelmed (See Ps 145:14); worried (See
Is 41:10); sick (See Ps 41:3). But we must acknowledge His presence and accept
His comfort! (2) He comforts us by His Word. "Remember
what you said to me, your servant—I hang on to these words for dear life! These
words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me” (Ps 119:49-50
TM). (3) He comforts us through our prayers. "The
moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength” (Ps
138:3 TM). (4) He comforts us through godly friends.
Paul writes: "God…comforted us by the coming of Titus.” Today, look for those
who bring comfort, and practice comforting others.
Monday May 27
"I believe God will do exactly what he told me.”
Ac 27:25 TM
Who’s on Board with You?
Robert Schuller was on a cruise
ship in the Coral Sea when the captain
announced they were about to navigate a very narrow and dangerous crevice. They
needed at least thirty feet of water to get through and avoid running aground.
Just then a small motorboat approached and on deck was a captain from Australia. As
he boarded the big ship, the crew saluted and stepped aside to let him take the
helm. This man specialized in maneuvering big ships through small spaces, and
because of his expertise they made it through without a problem. There’s an
important lesson here. Before you get caught in life’s storms make sure Jesus is at the helm, and that you know who your traveling companions are. In the midst of a
gale that threatened to sink their ship, Paul stood up and announced, "Take
heart. I believe God will do exactly what he told me.” Paul had confidence
because he knew who the real Captain was that
day. He never doubted for a moment that God would honor His promise to save
him, and everyone on board. When you go through storms that shake your faith
you need people who know what the Word of God says; people who believe that God
will "do exactly” what He said no matter how bad the circumstances look. Such
friends are few and far between, and they’re precious. If you have one or two
of them in your life today you’re blessed. So thank God for them.
Tuesday May 28
"The boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the
waves.”
Mt 14:24 NKJV
When You’re in a Storm
Talk about a person caught in
a storm! Jeremiah could tell you the height of the waves and the speed of the
wind. He realized how fast he was sinking, so he shifted his gaze. "But this I
call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never
ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is
thy faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will
hope in him’” (Lam 3:21-24 RSV). When Jeremiah turned his eyes away from the
waves to look to God, he started to recite a quintet of promises: (1) "The
steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.” (2) "His mercies never come to an end.”
(3) "They are new every morning.” (4) "Great is your faithfulness.” (5) "The
Lord is my portion.” The storm didn’t cease, but Jeremiah’s discouragement did.
Paul talks about "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:19 NKJV).
Great hymns are a great help. They help you to get your eyes on the One who
walks on the water and calms the storm. "Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my
father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy
compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. Great is
Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I
see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord,
unto me!”
Wednesday May 29
"There is in store for me the
crown.”
2Ti 4:8 NIV
How to Graduate with Highest Honors (1)
Do you remember the feeling
you had when your name was called to receive your high school or college
diploma and you heard the words, "Congratulations on your graduation.” You did
it! All your effort paid off. Your accomplishment had finally been
acknowledged. Now, multiply that feeling a thousand times over! Picture
yourself entering the presence of the One who will award you the crown of
righteousness while the saints of all the ages look on. Paul anticipated graduating
with highest honors: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown” (vv. 7-8 NIV). For
the next few days let’s talk about how you can graduate this life with highest
honors.
By living an unselfish life.
There’s no greater obstacle to the life God designed you to live, than
selfishness. Ego and self-promotion pollute our souls and destroy our
relationships. Paul understood the need to dethrone ego. "I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20 NIV). This reflected: (a) A change of values.
Paul once lived to persecute Christians; now he says, "For to me to live is
Christ” (Php 1:21). (b) A change of ambition. The old Paul, whose goal was to
be a recognized champion of religion, says, "But whatever was to my profit I
now consider loss for the sake of Christ” (Php 3:7 NIV). (c) A change of mind.
The brilliant philosopher, Pharisee and lawyer renounces his self-seeking ways
and writes, "Think the same way that Christ Jesus thought” (Php 2:5 CEV).
Thursday May 30
"That…day…God will reveal who his children really
are.”
Ro 8:19 NLT
How to Graduate with Highest Honors (2)
By living
a sacrificial life. Salvation is free, but graduation with highest
honors costs dearly: "I have suffered the loss of all things” (Php 3:8). Paul
once had a comfortable life, then everything changed. He was beaten almost to
death eight times. He faced danger at the hand of friend and foe. He endured
nakedness, sleeplessness, starvation and thirst (See 2Co 11:23-29). Did he get
discouraged? Yes. Did he give up? No. "I am well content with weaknesses, with
insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s
sake” (2Co 12:10 NAS). Did he pray for relief? Sure. Three times he asked the
Lord to alleviate his suffering. When God replied, "My grace is all you need.
My power works best in weakness” (v. 9 NLT), he learned to "take pleasure in…insults,
hardships, persecutions, and troubles” (v. 10 NLT), leaning on God for
strength. Where did he find such joy? Through "the infinite value of knowing
Christ” (Php 3:8 NLT). Intimacy with Christ was his consuming passion. Though
conscious of his problems, he stayed consecrated to his Lord. "For his sake I
have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could
gain Christ” (v. 8 NLT). Paul decided that whatever the cost, graduation with
highest honors was worth it. "To share [Christ’s] glory, we must also share his
suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will
reveal to us later” on that "future day… God will reveal who his children
really are” (Ro 8:17-19 NLT). Live today with that picture foremost in your
mind.
Friday May 31
"I press on to…receive the heavenly prize.”
Php 3:14 NLT
How to Graduate with Highest Honors (3)
By living
a focused life. Great achievers stay focused on their goal. They are so
single-minded that they are often considered fanatics. They filter out the
extraneous and hone in on their target like a laser, while all around them
others live lives cluttered with much-talked-about projects that never get off
the ground. Paul’s calling was his life’s obsession. "I focus on this one
thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on
to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God …is
calling” (vv. 13-14 NLT). It so preoccupied him that all other interests paled
into insignificance. He permitted nothing and no one to sidetrack him from
winning. He wrote: "Fight the good fight of the faith” (1Ti 6:12 NIV). He knew
it wasn’t enough to be strong in faith, you must also be strong in "fight.” Sometimes
fear, criticism and past failure dictate our direction and we drift aimlessly
through our days. The future encroaches on us, looking more like the past. We "oil
the wheels that squeak the loudest,” hoping for life to favor us. But it
doesn’t work! Graduation with highest honors takes: (1)
Focus. And focus doesn’t just happen, you must direct it. (2) Single focus. "I focus on this one thing.” (3) Forgetting past failures.(4)
Intense anticipation of future success. "Looking forward to what lies
ahead.” (5) A full-court press. "I press on to
reach the end of the race.” Take these steps, and you too will graduate with
highest honors.
