April 1
“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body.” (Luke 24:1–3, RSV)
On that first Easter morning the disciples were hit with reality. News of Jesus' resurrection was real. Jesus was alive. His predictions came true. The gospel was real. While that first Easter was filled with all this new reality, today at Easter there is falseness and untruth concerning many things.
There is much about Easter that is not real. Myths and legends make up much of what children in our society know about Easter. Ever heard of the Easter Bunny or Easter Baskets or Easter Egg Hunts? But it’s not just the myths and legends that are not real at Easter. Today, you will see people go to worship God who haven't been in worship, who haven't stepped a foot in the church in months. They think they are being religious. They think they will go to heaven because they have their names on the church register. The reality is that coming to church a few times a year doesn't get you to heaven. Attending Easter worship and taking communion will not save your soul. In all reality, true faith in Christ is what counts. And with true faith you will find yourself praying more, worshiping more, living right and doing right. True faith involves a commitment to believe in Christ and live like a faithful believer. Have you done that? The resurrection of Jesus was a real thing. Jesus is alive.
Though Jesus is alive and HIS resurrection real, there are many today who want to put Jesus back in the tomb. They want to roll the stone back over the tomb and make believe He isn’t alive and ready to come into your life and soul.
There are many ways to limit or confine or re-entomb Jesus today. In some countries, you can't say Jesus' name in public. You would be arrested for it. That wouldn't hurt some Christians today, because they don't talk about Jesus in public anyway. They don't want to be seen talking about God to their friends and in public no less! They confine talk like that to the church and to people from church. In a sense, there are those in government who would confine talk about Jesus, prayer to Jesus to the church. Can't do that at school. Can't do that in a public forum. Can't do that at a judicial hearing or a government function. They don't want people making Christ a part of their political or social life. Let's just keep talk of God to our churches, they say. Rare is the real Christian who will talk about God with a friend who is in need. Rare is the Christian who will really help the poor person out of love for God. Rare is the person who will clean out a closet to give the clothes to a friend who has lost his job. Rare is the person, who out of the love of God, will sit with a neighbor dying from cancer. Too many confine Jesus, confine God to certain hours each week and to certain places like the church. They don't talk about or share their faith or their ways outside those limited places. Doing this, they try to entomb Christ again. But God doesn't this for you. God doesn't want you to show commitment and faith on Easter alone or on Sunday morning alone. God does not want to be confined to one small part of your life. God wants to be with you, talk to you, help you through every moment. Don't entomb God in just a part of your life or heart or world.
Jesus is not in the tomb anymore. He's alive and waiting for you to let him into your life, your whole life, your whole week. Don't confine him to a few hours of your week. He can go with you wherever you go each day. Don't limited Him to your activities at church. He will walk with you wherever you go. Don't entomb him to one place or building in your life. Open your whole life to His examination and His love. Don't be guilty of being like those who killed our Lord. Don't close Him up and put Him away out of your life. Don't confine Him up to a few hours in a special place a few times a month.
Jesus is here for you this morning. He wants not to be limited in your life, but free to talk with you whenever you need Him or whenever He has need of you. Are you willing to let Him be in all of your life, all of your actions, help you in all of your situations with all of your problems? Are there any areas of your life He is not able to go? Are there things you will not discuss with Him? God didn't want Jesus limited, confined to the tomb or to the past. Hopefully you see things God's way. Let go of the places you have confined Jesus in your life. Let the gospel come out of the tomb and powerfully into your whole world.
There is much about Easter that is not real. Myths and legends make up much of what children in our society know about Easter. Ever heard of the Easter Bunny or Easter Baskets or Easter Egg Hunts? But it’s not just the myths and legends that are not real at Easter. Today, you will see people go to worship God who haven't been in worship, who haven't stepped a foot in the church in months. They think they are being religious. They think they will go to heaven because they have their names on the church register. The reality is that coming to church a few times a year doesn't get you to heaven. Attending Easter worship and taking communion will not save your soul. In all reality, true faith in Christ is what counts. And with true faith you will find yourself praying more, worshiping more, living right and doing right. True faith involves a commitment to believe in Christ and live like a faithful believer. Have you done that? The resurrection of Jesus was a real thing. Jesus is alive.
Though Jesus is alive and HIS resurrection real, there are many today who want to put Jesus back in the tomb. They want to roll the stone back over the tomb and make believe He isn’t alive and ready to come into your life and soul.
There are many ways to limit or confine or re-entomb Jesus today. In some countries, you can't say Jesus' name in public. You would be arrested for it. That wouldn't hurt some Christians today, because they don't talk about Jesus in public anyway. They don't want to be seen talking about God to their friends and in public no less! They confine talk like that to the church and to people from church. In a sense, there are those in government who would confine talk about Jesus, prayer to Jesus to the church. Can't do that at school. Can't do that in a public forum. Can't do that at a judicial hearing or a government function. They don't want people making Christ a part of their political or social life. Let's just keep talk of God to our churches, they say. Rare is the real Christian who will talk about God with a friend who is in need. Rare is the Christian who will really help the poor person out of love for God. Rare is the person who will clean out a closet to give the clothes to a friend who has lost his job. Rare is the person, who out of the love of God, will sit with a neighbor dying from cancer. Too many confine Jesus, confine God to certain hours each week and to certain places like the church. They don't talk about or share their faith or their ways outside those limited places. Doing this, they try to entomb Christ again. But God doesn't this for you. God doesn't want you to show commitment and faith on Easter alone or on Sunday morning alone. God does not want to be confined to one small part of your life. God wants to be with you, talk to you, help you through every moment. Don't entomb God in just a part of your life or heart or world.
Jesus is not in the tomb anymore. He's alive and waiting for you to let him into your life, your whole life, your whole week. Don't confine him to a few hours of your week. He can go with you wherever you go each day. Don't limited Him to your activities at church. He will walk with you wherever you go. Don't entomb him to one place or building in your life. Open your whole life to His examination and His love. Don't be guilty of being like those who killed our Lord. Don't close Him up and put Him away out of your life. Don't confine Him up to a few hours in a special place a few times a month.
Jesus is here for you this morning. He wants not to be limited in your life, but free to talk with you whenever you need Him or whenever He has need of you. Are you willing to let Him be in all of your life, all of your actions, help you in all of your situations with all of your problems? Are there any areas of your life He is not able to go? Are there things you will not discuss with Him? God didn't want Jesus limited, confined to the tomb or to the past. Hopefully you see things God's way. Let go of the places you have confined Jesus in your life. Let the gospel come out of the tomb and powerfully into your whole world.
April 2
“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?” (Acts 5:1–3, ESV)
Tokenism is when you do something to get noticed, but don’t mean it in your heart. It is an act whereby you do something to get look good to others, but you don’t really mean what the act symbolizes.
Tokenism grew greatly during the 1900’s when people would hire a black man and in so doing “act” as if they weren’t racist. Movie studios hired African-American actors as a token to make it look as if their hiring was not racially biased. After the 1960’s many groups became good at tokenism. Sexist groups hired women to look like they weren’t sexually biased. Companies gave money to homeless groups to make it look as if they care more about people than profits. Tokenism is not only popular today, but alive and well. Companies put a homosexual couple in an advertisement to look inclusive. Universities throw inordinate amounts of scholarship money at blacks and women to appear fair and unbiased in their admissions. I’ve witnessed lots of tokenism in my years, but in these politically correct days today, it has gotten out of hand. People “act” as if they are not biased, sexist, etc. They change their words when around someone different to “act” as if they are part of an in-group or for political reasons. To me, the most egregious examples are a white woman who dresses up black and even colors her skin to look darker in order to get a job with a black political group. Then, there’s a denomination that gives 90% of its scholarship money only to women and minorities, claiming itself “inclusive”. Are you inclusive if you only give scholarships to one sex or one minority group? How about a university that allows white students only if they have a GPA over 2.5, but will allow any other group if they have a 2.0? They call this program a “fair enrollment program”. According to whom is it fair?
Sadly, many social activist groups look at token acts of individuals, groups, and companies as if they are actual statements of belief. They call for boycotting companies who do not show preference for their social beliefs (as if that preference is not a bias in itself!). Democratic leaders call Republican men sexist. Republican groups hire a black spokesperson to appear fairer. A wife beater will hire a woman attorney to appear fair to women. A drunk will be told by an attorney to appear in court wearing expensive clothes in an attempt to get a lesser sentence. Every area of society today is tainted. The church is no exception. I have been told not to apply for a church because I am a male. I have been refused from hiring for not being black. If a church is filled with mostly black parishioners, they only look at black candidates. A committee is excited to have a black woman as a member, because they can check off two boxes on their “equal rights requirements” boxes (black and female). Sheesh. It’s all tokenism. And while tokenism is a human construct, God does not in any way use tokenism. You won’t get to heaven based on your skin color or sex or social activist stance. Many scriptures call God both fair and unbiased. God looks at the heart and soul. God looks at how you think. God determines your true worth by faith which is both colorblind and based in truth, justice, and righteousness. God examines the love in your heart, not how you “appear” or “act” on Facebook or in ads. Where people are swayed by tokenism, God is NOT!
In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira are condemned by God. They promised to give the “proceeds” from their sale of land to help the church. In response, I’m sure they garnered a lot of thanks and respect in their church and from church leaders. However, when they gave the money from the sale of land to the church, they secretly kept some back for themselves. They wanted to appear as if they gave a much bigger gift to the church than they really gave. They wanted to look good and garner respect for their gift, but they kept some money for themselves. Their gift was based on tokenism. God was not amused.
Peter questioned the husband, Ananias, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?” (Acts 5:3). By hiding the extra money they had promised to the church, that money could not be used to care for widows who desperately needed it, they were holding the money back from God’s purposes (Acts 4:34-35, Acts 6:1). It was a sin against God.
Tokenism may look good on TV and may play good with social media, but it will never work with God. Appearances are deceptive. God is not swayed by “acting”. On the contrary, God is truly looking at your heart to see if what you display in public and private is actually the real you. And, honestly, God knows the real you. Do you?
Tokenism grew greatly during the 1900’s when people would hire a black man and in so doing “act” as if they weren’t racist. Movie studios hired African-American actors as a token to make it look as if their hiring was not racially biased. After the 1960’s many groups became good at tokenism. Sexist groups hired women to look like they weren’t sexually biased. Companies gave money to homeless groups to make it look as if they care more about people than profits. Tokenism is not only popular today, but alive and well. Companies put a homosexual couple in an advertisement to look inclusive. Universities throw inordinate amounts of scholarship money at blacks and women to appear fair and unbiased in their admissions. I’ve witnessed lots of tokenism in my years, but in these politically correct days today, it has gotten out of hand. People “act” as if they are not biased, sexist, etc. They change their words when around someone different to “act” as if they are part of an in-group or for political reasons. To me, the most egregious examples are a white woman who dresses up black and even colors her skin to look darker in order to get a job with a black political group. Then, there’s a denomination that gives 90% of its scholarship money only to women and minorities, claiming itself “inclusive”. Are you inclusive if you only give scholarships to one sex or one minority group? How about a university that allows white students only if they have a GPA over 2.5, but will allow any other group if they have a 2.0? They call this program a “fair enrollment program”. According to whom is it fair?
Sadly, many social activist groups look at token acts of individuals, groups, and companies as if they are actual statements of belief. They call for boycotting companies who do not show preference for their social beliefs (as if that preference is not a bias in itself!). Democratic leaders call Republican men sexist. Republican groups hire a black spokesperson to appear fairer. A wife beater will hire a woman attorney to appear fair to women. A drunk will be told by an attorney to appear in court wearing expensive clothes in an attempt to get a lesser sentence. Every area of society today is tainted. The church is no exception. I have been told not to apply for a church because I am a male. I have been refused from hiring for not being black. If a church is filled with mostly black parishioners, they only look at black candidates. A committee is excited to have a black woman as a member, because they can check off two boxes on their “equal rights requirements” boxes (black and female). Sheesh. It’s all tokenism. And while tokenism is a human construct, God does not in any way use tokenism. You won’t get to heaven based on your skin color or sex or social activist stance. Many scriptures call God both fair and unbiased. God looks at the heart and soul. God looks at how you think. God determines your true worth by faith which is both colorblind and based in truth, justice, and righteousness. God examines the love in your heart, not how you “appear” or “act” on Facebook or in ads. Where people are swayed by tokenism, God is NOT!
In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira are condemned by God. They promised to give the “proceeds” from their sale of land to help the church. In response, I’m sure they garnered a lot of thanks and respect in their church and from church leaders. However, when they gave the money from the sale of land to the church, they secretly kept some back for themselves. They wanted to appear as if they gave a much bigger gift to the church than they really gave. They wanted to look good and garner respect for their gift, but they kept some money for themselves. Their gift was based on tokenism. God was not amused.
Peter questioned the husband, Ananias, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?” (Acts 5:3). By hiding the extra money they had promised to the church, that money could not be used to care for widows who desperately needed it, they were holding the money back from God’s purposes (Acts 4:34-35, Acts 6:1). It was a sin against God.
Tokenism may look good on TV and may play good with social media, but it will never work with God. Appearances are deceptive. God is not swayed by “acting”. On the contrary, God is truly looking at your heart to see if what you display in public and private is actually the real you. And, honestly, God knows the real you. Do you?
April 3
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9, NIV84)
“Did I remember to close the garage door when I left?”
“Is that doctor’s appointment today or next week?”
“Now, what was the name of that new do-dad that would help me with the glue gun?”
There are so many things to remember in life that its amazing to me how often we forget things! I once was told by a medical professional that we tend to lose memories that are not retrieved often. The mind tends to work like a computer in that it erases things over time in order to make room for more memories. Very few people can keep a memory clearly over a long time. In years, we tend to forget more and more. Diseases, strokes, dementia, and atherosclerosis all take a toll on the brain’s ability to retain memories. Time is both a friend and an enemy; it’s nice to have memories but sad that we forget good memories.
To make room for my wife to have a bigger sewing area, I cleaned off a shelf filled with boxes. In one of the boxes, I found some of my old papers from college and seminary. As I went through the box, I was surprised at the memories contained therein. I had forgotten that I had written a paper on Isaiah. I forgot the information on Hinduism contained in a collection of my class notes on World Religions 301. For most of an hour, I stopped cleaning to reread some of my notes, syllabi, and papers. I was surprised how smart I used to be!!!!!
When Moses spoke to the people of Israel, he told them literally dozens of times to remember certain things and not forget others. Today’s scripture is an example. In Deuteronomy 4, Moses urged the people to “be careful” and “watch” themselves so that they would not “forget the things their eyes had seen” while involved in the exodus (Deuteronomy 4:9). He asked that the people not “let them slip for their heart as long as they lived”. Further, Moses commanded that they teach the memories to their children and grandchildren and pass on the history of God’s work among the people. Moses knew all too well that people forget God’s great works in time. The memories can become dull, the amazement and wonder of the moment can fade. God had done so many powerful deeds among the people that Moses didn’t want anyone to ever forget God’s saving actions. Moses believed we should cherish those moments for every generation, for all eternity.
What helps you remember? What memories of faith do you pass on to the next generation? How do you keep God’s scriptures in your mind and heart? How do you teach them to the young ones around you? These are ultimately crucial questions for your life and the future of our world. I hope you take Moses’ warnings and command seriously. I hope you do not forget to share and pass on the most important revelations of God found in scripture and found in your life. What memories do you have of God’s loving and saving grace? How might you share them with others?
My grandmother started a tradition of sorts. She kept notebooks on each of her children and grandchildren. In there, she would mention memories and incidents from her life and from when we were young. She would include articles and artwork and mementos from our years together. Every now and then, I view those notebooks. I have forgotten so much! I cherish the memories contained in them. In a sense, my grandmother lives on through those pages. The Bible is also a collection of faithful memories from those who are long gone. They too wrote down cherished memories so that they would not be lost to history or the fading of memory. Can you imagine life without any scriptures?
Take time today to write down a few of your own faith memories. Read the Bible. Share old memories with a friend. These are cherished memories. Sharing them will bring more precious moments. “Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live” (Deuteronomy 4:9). The next generation needs your memories. Every generation needs the scriptures.
“Is that doctor’s appointment today or next week?”
“Now, what was the name of that new do-dad that would help me with the glue gun?”
There are so many things to remember in life that its amazing to me how often we forget things! I once was told by a medical professional that we tend to lose memories that are not retrieved often. The mind tends to work like a computer in that it erases things over time in order to make room for more memories. Very few people can keep a memory clearly over a long time. In years, we tend to forget more and more. Diseases, strokes, dementia, and atherosclerosis all take a toll on the brain’s ability to retain memories. Time is both a friend and an enemy; it’s nice to have memories but sad that we forget good memories.
To make room for my wife to have a bigger sewing area, I cleaned off a shelf filled with boxes. In one of the boxes, I found some of my old papers from college and seminary. As I went through the box, I was surprised at the memories contained therein. I had forgotten that I had written a paper on Isaiah. I forgot the information on Hinduism contained in a collection of my class notes on World Religions 301. For most of an hour, I stopped cleaning to reread some of my notes, syllabi, and papers. I was surprised how smart I used to be!!!!!
When Moses spoke to the people of Israel, he told them literally dozens of times to remember certain things and not forget others. Today’s scripture is an example. In Deuteronomy 4, Moses urged the people to “be careful” and “watch” themselves so that they would not “forget the things their eyes had seen” while involved in the exodus (Deuteronomy 4:9). He asked that the people not “let them slip for their heart as long as they lived”. Further, Moses commanded that they teach the memories to their children and grandchildren and pass on the history of God’s work among the people. Moses knew all too well that people forget God’s great works in time. The memories can become dull, the amazement and wonder of the moment can fade. God had done so many powerful deeds among the people that Moses didn’t want anyone to ever forget God’s saving actions. Moses believed we should cherish those moments for every generation, for all eternity.
What helps you remember? What memories of faith do you pass on to the next generation? How do you keep God’s scriptures in your mind and heart? How do you teach them to the young ones around you? These are ultimately crucial questions for your life and the future of our world. I hope you take Moses’ warnings and command seriously. I hope you do not forget to share and pass on the most important revelations of God found in scripture and found in your life. What memories do you have of God’s loving and saving grace? How might you share them with others?
My grandmother started a tradition of sorts. She kept notebooks on each of her children and grandchildren. In there, she would mention memories and incidents from her life and from when we were young. She would include articles and artwork and mementos from our years together. Every now and then, I view those notebooks. I have forgotten so much! I cherish the memories contained in them. In a sense, my grandmother lives on through those pages. The Bible is also a collection of faithful memories from those who are long gone. They too wrote down cherished memories so that they would not be lost to history or the fading of memory. Can you imagine life without any scriptures?
Take time today to write down a few of your own faith memories. Read the Bible. Share old memories with a friend. These are cherished memories. Sharing them will bring more precious moments. “Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live” (Deuteronomy 4:9). The next generation needs your memories. Every generation needs the scriptures.
April 4
“He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;” (Mark 7:6, NRSV)
The pastor simply shook his head. That was the pastor’s response after seeing the agenda for the congregational meeting. The pastor simply shook his head. In the days leading up to that meeting, the leaders of the church came up with a slate of people to be elected to lead the congregation. In the process, one name struck the pastor as odd. Andrew was on the ballot to be elected. The pastor knew Andrew well enough. He attended church two or three times a year, often signed up for things but didn’t show, and usually skipped the greeting line to get out of church earlier on Sundays when his football team played a home game. With this kind of connection to the church, the pastor wondered what in the world Andrew was doing on the ballot. Then, a leader sheepishly replied, “A couple of us thought if we could get Andrew to be elected to leadership, we thought maybe he would come to church more often. And anyway, he probably won’t get elected.” Their reasoning was questionable. Andrew would not become more committed by being pressured to take a leadership position. The pastor simply shook his head in disgust.
People like Andrew are not uncommon in the church. They might be nice people, but you can’t count on them. They make promises, but their heart is not in keeping promises. They have other priorities. For many people like Andrew, and even the leaders of that church, they gave lip service to God’s needs in the church. They didn’t have a passion for sharing the faith or reaching out to help others. Their idea of church was more a social construct where people of “like minds” gather. They haven’t experienced the power of faith because they are not very committed. They don’t take God seriously. Floating through their faith-life, they do things in church more out of obligation or to look religious. They usually won’t take on a big task out of the love of God. With their lips, they sound Christian. But their hearts are hypocritical. They sing hymns like “All for Jesus” and “I love to tell the story”, but its all words. Its “all show and no go”.
You can find people who are “all show and no go” in every walk of life. They talk big, but when the time comes to follow through, they are either not to be found or will work halfheartedly. In marriage, you can have a spouse who is “all show and no go”. He or she may promise to keep the budget, watch the kids, or finish a household project. Half the time, they are off doing what they like instead of what they promised. At work, there are many who are “all show and no go”. When the boss comes around, they appear hard at work. When alone, they can’t be counted on to complete their job. You may have to ride them in order to get results. Teachers grow frustrated with students who are “all show and no go”. They don’t complete homework, won’t do extra credit unless required, and can be counted on to distract others in class. How do you feel when someone you know or love is “all show and no go”? Imagine how God must feel if you do the same in your faith-life.
In the gospel of Mark, Jesus quoted Isaiah the prophet (Mark 7:6). Isaiah 29:13 mentions how seemingly faithful people may only honor God “with their lips” while their heart is far from God. Jesus found the same thing applied in his day. It still applies today. Many religious people and even leaders of Jesus day professed great devotion to God, but their hearts were shallow and corrupt. They participated in worship with great fanfare and lots of ritual and pomp, but their faith was weak and watery. They could be counted on to “act” differently depending on who was watching. These same hypocrites were hyper-critical of Jesus as if they themselves were good examples of true faith. God was critical of these types of religious people in Isaiah's day. God was just as critical of them in Jesus' time. Is God any less critical of them today? No.
Don’t become one of those who gives God only lip service. Don’t turn into one of “those Christians” who are “all show and no go”. Like the military is looking for “a few good men”, God is looking for those who can be counted on to follow through and live out a passionate faith. Are you one of these? What does your heart say? Where do your loyalties truly lie? Are you passionate about your faith?
People like Andrew are not uncommon in the church. They might be nice people, but you can’t count on them. They make promises, but their heart is not in keeping promises. They have other priorities. For many people like Andrew, and even the leaders of that church, they gave lip service to God’s needs in the church. They didn’t have a passion for sharing the faith or reaching out to help others. Their idea of church was more a social construct where people of “like minds” gather. They haven’t experienced the power of faith because they are not very committed. They don’t take God seriously. Floating through their faith-life, they do things in church more out of obligation or to look religious. They usually won’t take on a big task out of the love of God. With their lips, they sound Christian. But their hearts are hypocritical. They sing hymns like “All for Jesus” and “I love to tell the story”, but its all words. Its “all show and no go”.
You can find people who are “all show and no go” in every walk of life. They talk big, but when the time comes to follow through, they are either not to be found or will work halfheartedly. In marriage, you can have a spouse who is “all show and no go”. He or she may promise to keep the budget, watch the kids, or finish a household project. Half the time, they are off doing what they like instead of what they promised. At work, there are many who are “all show and no go”. When the boss comes around, they appear hard at work. When alone, they can’t be counted on to complete their job. You may have to ride them in order to get results. Teachers grow frustrated with students who are “all show and no go”. They don’t complete homework, won’t do extra credit unless required, and can be counted on to distract others in class. How do you feel when someone you know or love is “all show and no go”? Imagine how God must feel if you do the same in your faith-life.
In the gospel of Mark, Jesus quoted Isaiah the prophet (Mark 7:6). Isaiah 29:13 mentions how seemingly faithful people may only honor God “with their lips” while their heart is far from God. Jesus found the same thing applied in his day. It still applies today. Many religious people and even leaders of Jesus day professed great devotion to God, but their hearts were shallow and corrupt. They participated in worship with great fanfare and lots of ritual and pomp, but their faith was weak and watery. They could be counted on to “act” differently depending on who was watching. These same hypocrites were hyper-critical of Jesus as if they themselves were good examples of true faith. God was critical of these types of religious people in Isaiah's day. God was just as critical of them in Jesus' time. Is God any less critical of them today? No.
Don’t become one of those who gives God only lip service. Don’t turn into one of “those Christians” who are “all show and no go”. Like the military is looking for “a few good men”, God is looking for those who can be counted on to follow through and live out a passionate faith. Are you one of these? What does your heart say? Where do your loyalties truly lie? Are you passionate about your faith?
April 5
““Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, RSV)
The verse above from the gospel of Matthew is not as easy to interpret as you might initially believe. First off, it calls “blessed” those who are “meek”. Meek isn’t a word we use much anymore. Many conjure up its meaning as lowly or weak or subservient. In reality, the Greek word used for meek means “gentle, pleasant, or soothing”. The word is used to contrast against the person who is violent, dangerous, or hard in personality. I have heard the word meek used in the past to describe a horse that is broken. The horse is no longer wild, unteachable, unreliable. Instead, the meek horse is of more value to the owner as it can be trained AND be a faithful friend!
The religious view of “meek” is enlightening. In The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, it mentions that in Greek society, a person who was meek was friendly and amiable. That characteristic was “highly prized as a social virtue in human relationships”. This meek character was highly sought for those who were leaders and kings. In the Old Testament Septuagint readings, the word for meek meant “one who feels that he is a servant in relation to God and who subjects himself to Him quietly and without resistance.” The meek person was thus humble and ready to serve God. That is the person who is blessed in this scripture.
The scripture above says the meek will “inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). When I first looked at this verse many years ago, I assumed it was about God blessing the meek person with a home or property. That is not the case. Instead, the Greek word for earth means land, and more specifically “the promised land”.
When the Israelites left Egypt during the period of the Exodus, their ultimate goal was to reach “the promised land”. This land was promised by God as their homeland, their home until heaven. It was a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Ezekiel 20:15), a good land where you could make a living and be blessed. Based on this more accurate interpretation, the “earth” inherited by the meek would not just be earth or dirt, it would be blessed land, holy land, promised land. In essence, the meek and faithful servant would inherit a perfect land planned by God until the person reached the promised land, heaven.
Based on this verse, you have to ask yourself two things. First, are you meek? Second, are you on the land God wants you and prepared for heaven? Both questions are very important in life. If you are meek, that means you are teachable. God can teach you great things. If you think you know everything, argue with constructive criticism, are prone to fighting or disagreements spiritually or elsewhere in life, you are not meek. God can’t use you well or perfect your heart and soul. Like a good horse can become great when it is broken, you will never become great until you learn meekness. Even if you are meek, the second question comes into play… “are you in the land God wants you.” In essence, this question begs you to consider if you are in the place in life that God wants you. Does God want you living in your community or somewhere else? Does God desire you to be a missionary in a foreign land? Do you need to move to more humble surroundings? Are you meant to reside where you are? Is God’s spirit pushing you to a different church or to move closer to home? I think where the person who is meek lives is important. You want to live where God can work through you most appropriately.
When I was living in the Milwaukee area, I felt a tug by God during our prayer time. I felt something was changing in our relationship. A few things had come up at the church I served that were troubling. I had decided to stay put and work through them with the congregation, but God had other plans. The longer I stayed in the area, the more uneasy I felt. I had felt those feelings before…. always before God moved me to a different parish HE had planned for me to go. I found it interesting that before every move to a different church, I knew in advance when God was planning to move me. In my prayer and worship time, God’s push became more and more noticeable. I felt God’s hand preparing me for a move.
In your life, God will want you both meek and in the right place. There, God will be able to do great things with your life. As you follow God in life, look for God to humble you. Also, look for God to put you in the right places at the right times. In every way, being meek and being in the right place will lead you to the most blessings by God. Jesus promised it in today's verse!
The religious view of “meek” is enlightening. In The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, it mentions that in Greek society, a person who was meek was friendly and amiable. That characteristic was “highly prized as a social virtue in human relationships”. This meek character was highly sought for those who were leaders and kings. In the Old Testament Septuagint readings, the word for meek meant “one who feels that he is a servant in relation to God and who subjects himself to Him quietly and without resistance.” The meek person was thus humble and ready to serve God. That is the person who is blessed in this scripture.
The scripture above says the meek will “inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). When I first looked at this verse many years ago, I assumed it was about God blessing the meek person with a home or property. That is not the case. Instead, the Greek word for earth means land, and more specifically “the promised land”.
When the Israelites left Egypt during the period of the Exodus, their ultimate goal was to reach “the promised land”. This land was promised by God as their homeland, their home until heaven. It was a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Ezekiel 20:15), a good land where you could make a living and be blessed. Based on this more accurate interpretation, the “earth” inherited by the meek would not just be earth or dirt, it would be blessed land, holy land, promised land. In essence, the meek and faithful servant would inherit a perfect land planned by God until the person reached the promised land, heaven.
Based on this verse, you have to ask yourself two things. First, are you meek? Second, are you on the land God wants you and prepared for heaven? Both questions are very important in life. If you are meek, that means you are teachable. God can teach you great things. If you think you know everything, argue with constructive criticism, are prone to fighting or disagreements spiritually or elsewhere in life, you are not meek. God can’t use you well or perfect your heart and soul. Like a good horse can become great when it is broken, you will never become great until you learn meekness. Even if you are meek, the second question comes into play… “are you in the land God wants you.” In essence, this question begs you to consider if you are in the place in life that God wants you. Does God want you living in your community or somewhere else? Does God desire you to be a missionary in a foreign land? Do you need to move to more humble surroundings? Are you meant to reside where you are? Is God’s spirit pushing you to a different church or to move closer to home? I think where the person who is meek lives is important. You want to live where God can work through you most appropriately.
When I was living in the Milwaukee area, I felt a tug by God during our prayer time. I felt something was changing in our relationship. A few things had come up at the church I served that were troubling. I had decided to stay put and work through them with the congregation, but God had other plans. The longer I stayed in the area, the more uneasy I felt. I had felt those feelings before…. always before God moved me to a different parish HE had planned for me to go. I found it interesting that before every move to a different church, I knew in advance when God was planning to move me. In my prayer and worship time, God’s push became more and more noticeable. I felt God’s hand preparing me for a move.
In your life, God will want you both meek and in the right place. There, God will be able to do great things with your life. As you follow God in life, look for God to humble you. Also, look for God to put you in the right places at the right times. In every way, being meek and being in the right place will lead you to the most blessings by God. Jesus promised it in today's verse!
April 6
“Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:26–27, NRSV)
When Janelle was young, her father and mother were strict about her life, but not overly strict. They wanted to know Janelle’s friends. They set age limits and dating restrictions. When Janelle was going out, they made sure she was part of a trustworthy group. She was never allowed to go to parties where there would be no parents in attendance. Janelle’s parents were eager to help with her homework and often offered to coach her teams. They never missed one of her recitals. When Janelle went off to college, she sometimes would quote the words of wisdom from her parents. She wouldn’t tell them that, but she did respect what they said. Her favorite words through most of her life came from her father. Every so often, he’d say to her, “Straighten up young lady” or “Straighten up and fly right!”. He often said he wanted her to succeed by keeping on the “straight and narrow.” She never knew where he got that saying, but she did repeat it to herself, especially when things threatened to go wrong.
Long before Janelle’s father’s wisdom came bursting forth, Jesus said similar words of wisdom. He mentioned that His followers should enter the “narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (Matthew 7:13). From His words, many have spoken of the right paths in life as the “straight and narrow”. In our scripture from Proverbs chosen for today, similar wisdom is again professed: “Keep straight the path of your feet…..do not swerve to the right or left; turn your foot away from evil” (Proverbs 4:26-27). The meaning of these two verses from Proverbs is the same as the wisdom from Jesus. It is all too easy to swerve off the path in life that God intends for you. It is easy to stray from doing right, veer from walking down the righteous paths before you. Evil beckons you to swerve from God’s plan, pulling you off the “straight and narrow” path that leads to a righteous life. Do you find it easy to become side-tracked by temptations?
When on a mission trip with a large youth group, we stopped off at a theme park near the mission site. The youth had worked diligently at a homeless shelter all week and needed the break. We arrived at the park and split up into groups. I went with a counselor and several of the more difficult teens.
As we followed the teens from ride to ride, we came through an area with “hawkers”. They urged the youth and adults to come off to play a game, win a prize, etc. The hawkers knew what buttons to push. One of the youth saw a basketball game and veered off. Then, another youth saw a pretty girl and wandered off another way. Two girls stepped aside by a booth selling t-shirts. Even though the entire group wanted to go to a certain roller coaster, here the group was fragmenting and pulled off by the hawkers and stands. It took us a long time to get the group back together and on our way.
As I watched over a couple of youth talking at a booth, the counselor beside me was watching a hawker. I saw his face change. He took a big breath in and I knew something wasn’t right. I said to him, “What are you thinking?”
He responded that the hawkers reminded him of a dream he had twice this past month. In the dream, he walked down a walkway at the ocean and a clown had urged him to come into a bar on the walkway. He followed the clown and was soon playing pool and video games and then sat at the bar and drank. Just as he began to sit there, Jesus walked in and said to him, “What are you doing here?”
In the dream, the man looked shocked and couldn’t form words in response. Jesus asked him twice more what he was doing there. The man then woke up from the dream. When I heard it, I simply said, “It sounds to me like Jesus wants you to consider where you are spending your time.”
He looked back and me and said, “I guess I have been pulled off the beaten path lately. Like those hawkers got the group all split up, I have been a little spiritually distracted lately.” He vowed then to change things.
How about you? Have you been off the straight and narrow? Have you gotten distracted? What is God wanting you to stay focused upon? Maybe this scripture is God’s way of bringing you back where you need to be. Or maybe, God wants to keep you from the distractions that will steal your joy or peace.
Long before Janelle’s father’s wisdom came bursting forth, Jesus said similar words of wisdom. He mentioned that His followers should enter the “narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (Matthew 7:13). From His words, many have spoken of the right paths in life as the “straight and narrow”. In our scripture from Proverbs chosen for today, similar wisdom is again professed: “Keep straight the path of your feet…..do not swerve to the right or left; turn your foot away from evil” (Proverbs 4:26-27). The meaning of these two verses from Proverbs is the same as the wisdom from Jesus. It is all too easy to swerve off the path in life that God intends for you. It is easy to stray from doing right, veer from walking down the righteous paths before you. Evil beckons you to swerve from God’s plan, pulling you off the “straight and narrow” path that leads to a righteous life. Do you find it easy to become side-tracked by temptations?
When on a mission trip with a large youth group, we stopped off at a theme park near the mission site. The youth had worked diligently at a homeless shelter all week and needed the break. We arrived at the park and split up into groups. I went with a counselor and several of the more difficult teens.
As we followed the teens from ride to ride, we came through an area with “hawkers”. They urged the youth and adults to come off to play a game, win a prize, etc. The hawkers knew what buttons to push. One of the youth saw a basketball game and veered off. Then, another youth saw a pretty girl and wandered off another way. Two girls stepped aside by a booth selling t-shirts. Even though the entire group wanted to go to a certain roller coaster, here the group was fragmenting and pulled off by the hawkers and stands. It took us a long time to get the group back together and on our way.
As I watched over a couple of youth talking at a booth, the counselor beside me was watching a hawker. I saw his face change. He took a big breath in and I knew something wasn’t right. I said to him, “What are you thinking?”
He responded that the hawkers reminded him of a dream he had twice this past month. In the dream, he walked down a walkway at the ocean and a clown had urged him to come into a bar on the walkway. He followed the clown and was soon playing pool and video games and then sat at the bar and drank. Just as he began to sit there, Jesus walked in and said to him, “What are you doing here?”
In the dream, the man looked shocked and couldn’t form words in response. Jesus asked him twice more what he was doing there. The man then woke up from the dream. When I heard it, I simply said, “It sounds to me like Jesus wants you to consider where you are spending your time.”
He looked back and me and said, “I guess I have been pulled off the beaten path lately. Like those hawkers got the group all split up, I have been a little spiritually distracted lately.” He vowed then to change things.
How about you? Have you been off the straight and narrow? Have you gotten distracted? What is God wanting you to stay focused upon? Maybe this scripture is God’s way of bringing you back where you need to be. Or maybe, God wants to keep you from the distractions that will steal your joy or peace.
April 7
“But at my stumbling they gathered in glee, they gathered together against me; ruffians whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing;” (Psalm 35:15, NRSV)
Melinda was a member of one of my youth groups. She was a beautiful girl inside and out. At school, she was a straight “A” student. She had various honors. Active in several sports, she received a good number of pictures in the newspaper and write-ups in the school yearbook. She not only was very successful in her young life, she had big enemies who despised her. Some considered her “too perfect.” Girls in her school would often vilify her, criticize her behind her back, or spread rumors about her. She was constantly attacked for her beauty, her brains, her actions, her attendance at church, or because of whom she dated. I was called by her parents and by her to help her work through the emotions and pain. She needed much help to deal with the stresses from being bullied, lied to, and hated by jealous peers.
There are many, many people who love to pick on those with whom they are jealous or envious. Social media can make a “darling” out of an actress and then when she grows famous, seek “dirt” on her. From the workplace to schools to politics, sinful people love to see someone who is successful, powerful, or rich take a fall. They celebrate getting the scoop, spreading gossip, or starting a rumor to “bring down” or humble someone. Behind most of this is jealousy or envy. If you enjoy seeing someone in the limelight get bashed, count yourself among the many sinners who bash others in order to feel better about themselves. From personal experience, teenage girls are especially good at this type of jealous sin. They can even make an art of it.
David wrote psalm 35. The young man who killed the Giant Goliath and saved Israel from the Philistine threat had great victories. But, he also had great enemies. There were people who hated David for being famous, successful, and a good soldier. Out of envy, one of David’s own sons tried to destroy David. King Saul tried to silence him. In Psalm 35, David asks God to defend him. He desires God to put a stop to the gloating when David failed. When threatened, David asked God to protect him from those who would enjoy doing him harm (Psalm 35:4). In our verse for today, David mentioned that when he stumbled or failed, there were people who would celebrate together “in glee”. Hooligans would make fun of David and make threats against him to sound big and mighty in their own eyes. If you have been on the receiving end of those who like to see you fail, you know the pressure this puts on you. You feel like you can’t fail; you can’t make a mistake. You have to be perfect. You feel like you are in a fishbowl where one false move will be magnified and thrown in your face repeatedly. People who suffer this public mockery often end up with social phobias, anxiety problems, panic attacks, depression, and heart problems.
In our world today, the social ridicule of people destroys lives. People talk about the lives damaged by gun violence, when they should be talking about the lives destroyed by online hate, trolling, cyber-bullying, lying, political shenanigans, media manipulation, and other examples where people are thrilled to hurt others publicly. I have a dozen people whose lives were affected badly through gun violence. I have met thousands whose lives were destroyed by malicious public or social media attacks. A few of them committed suicide, unable to face to torment. I’ve witnessed many good and innocent people destroyed by public or private pressures.
In the scripture for today, David is deeply hurt by those who “gathered in glee” to make fun of David’s stumble. They were excited to destroy God’s chosen one. In your life, there will be those who will make fun of you even when you do nothing wrong. There will be those who seek to find “dirt” against you. Those who are jealous or envious of you will either find or make up something against you. Jesus lived a perfect life and they made fun of him even while on the cross. Don’t imagine for one second the world will not do the same thing to you.
When hit with unfair and insidious attacks, David knew he could go to God for comfort. When others attack you unfairly, God will understand. Pour out your heart to Him. Find peace in the arms of God. Pray and gather strength. Don’t listen to the words of those who attack unfairly. Listen to the voice of God saying, “You are loved.” Jesus suffered humiliation and died to reach out to you. Find true peace in the comfort of God’s presence. There, you will never be ridiculed and shamed for doing what is right. Instead, you will be blessed and loved and redeemed.
There are many, many people who love to pick on those with whom they are jealous or envious. Social media can make a “darling” out of an actress and then when she grows famous, seek “dirt” on her. From the workplace to schools to politics, sinful people love to see someone who is successful, powerful, or rich take a fall. They celebrate getting the scoop, spreading gossip, or starting a rumor to “bring down” or humble someone. Behind most of this is jealousy or envy. If you enjoy seeing someone in the limelight get bashed, count yourself among the many sinners who bash others in order to feel better about themselves. From personal experience, teenage girls are especially good at this type of jealous sin. They can even make an art of it.
David wrote psalm 35. The young man who killed the Giant Goliath and saved Israel from the Philistine threat had great victories. But, he also had great enemies. There were people who hated David for being famous, successful, and a good soldier. Out of envy, one of David’s own sons tried to destroy David. King Saul tried to silence him. In Psalm 35, David asks God to defend him. He desires God to put a stop to the gloating when David failed. When threatened, David asked God to protect him from those who would enjoy doing him harm (Psalm 35:4). In our verse for today, David mentioned that when he stumbled or failed, there were people who would celebrate together “in glee”. Hooligans would make fun of David and make threats against him to sound big and mighty in their own eyes. If you have been on the receiving end of those who like to see you fail, you know the pressure this puts on you. You feel like you can’t fail; you can’t make a mistake. You have to be perfect. You feel like you are in a fishbowl where one false move will be magnified and thrown in your face repeatedly. People who suffer this public mockery often end up with social phobias, anxiety problems, panic attacks, depression, and heart problems.
In our world today, the social ridicule of people destroys lives. People talk about the lives damaged by gun violence, when they should be talking about the lives destroyed by online hate, trolling, cyber-bullying, lying, political shenanigans, media manipulation, and other examples where people are thrilled to hurt others publicly. I have a dozen people whose lives were affected badly through gun violence. I have met thousands whose lives were destroyed by malicious public or social media attacks. A few of them committed suicide, unable to face to torment. I’ve witnessed many good and innocent people destroyed by public or private pressures.
In the scripture for today, David is deeply hurt by those who “gathered in glee” to make fun of David’s stumble. They were excited to destroy God’s chosen one. In your life, there will be those who will make fun of you even when you do nothing wrong. There will be those who seek to find “dirt” against you. Those who are jealous or envious of you will either find or make up something against you. Jesus lived a perfect life and they made fun of him even while on the cross. Don’t imagine for one second the world will not do the same thing to you.
When hit with unfair and insidious attacks, David knew he could go to God for comfort. When others attack you unfairly, God will understand. Pour out your heart to Him. Find peace in the arms of God. Pray and gather strength. Don’t listen to the words of those who attack unfairly. Listen to the voice of God saying, “You are loved.” Jesus suffered humiliation and died to reach out to you. Find true peace in the comfort of God’s presence. There, you will never be ridiculed and shamed for doing what is right. Instead, you will be blessed and loved and redeemed.
April 8
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:16–18, ESV)
If you look closely at the scripture above, you will notice a series of opposites. One set of opposites leads to disorder. One set leads to peace. I find it very interesting and enlightening that to James, “jealousy and selfish ambition” produce chaos, “disorder", "and every vile practice” (James 3:16) On the other hand, wisdom from above based on purity, gentleness, mercy, good fruits, impartiality and reason produces a “harvest of righteousness and peace” (James 3:18). For some reason, our world does not see the connection between selfishness and jealousy and war and chaos. Also, they do not understand that wisdom from God produces a peaceful society and world. As long as our world continues to promote jealousy and selfish ambition, no matter how big an army or how wealthy a country, you will end up in chaos and war and evil in society. Peace cannot come from people addicted to self-promotion and their own selfish concerns (Why are selfies so popular today?). Peace can ONLY come with wisdom from above, from an abundance of gentleness, reasonableness, mercy, good actions, impartiality and sincerity.
In the list of things that make for a peaceable society, I want to focus for today on one of the aspects of wisdom from above. I want to delve into the connection between being “open to reason” and peace.
When I was younger, I thought most people (unless chemically or psychologically compromised) were “open to reason”. I believed people could debate, have a disagreement, openly converse, and challenge one another on issues without damage. There were many times in college, seminary, and long after that when I sat down with people to talk about difficult issues and we would “reason together”. I thought that those on drugs were sometimes able to be reasoned with and sometimes not. Foolishly, I thought people wanted to know the truth about things in life and face reality head-on. I was wrong. Most people in the world don’t want to know the truth. Some hide from it; some ignore it. Many twist the truth to their own will. Many people cannot be reasoned with. They do not have an open mind. They are not willing to consider they might be wrong. The older people get, the more close-minded they tend to be. Psychological and emotional traumas tend to make a person of any age less apt to listen to reason and more likely to succumb to emotional outbursts and unreasonableness.
In the book of Exodus, we are introduced to Pharaoh. He hardens his heart more and more as the story goes on. In Exodus 7:13, Moses described his situation after God sent some of the first signs to Pharaoh. Here in this verse, we read that “Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” The more that Pharaoh’s heard was hardened, the more stubborn he became. The more stubborn, the more he “would not listen”. His mind was closed to any idea but his own. In the end, Pharaoh’s stubborn, conceited, arrogant closed mind caused the suffering and deaths of thousands.
When a person becomes unreasonable, they will stop listening to the truth or reality or other ideas. They will become close-minded. When they need to change their thinking, they will often revert to a more stubborn and closed-minded attitude. They will not listen to reason. They will become defensive and critical. Not long after, they will become self-destructive and destructive to the world around them.
I find Pharaoh’s attitude and close-mindedness is common among many in our world today. As an example, colleges and universities close-down discussion and vilify alternate viewpoints. Certain discussions are not allowed. They have “safe areas” where people cannot talk about certain subjects. Speakers who don’t follow a certain agenda or political viewpoint are forced to cancel their lectures. Some student groups are banned from campus. All the while, there is no thought to being open-minded. Instead, people talk about offenses and micro-offenses. They call themselves inclusive, but they are not. Is it no surprise our society and world are so divided when even on college campuses you cannot have open-minded reasonable conversations? When politicians on the left and people on the right can’t even dialogue with one another, there is going to be trouble. When people are not open to reason, there can only be violence sooner or later. James said this in long ago, and yet we are experiencing this truth throughout the world even now. It goes to show you that the Bible is timeless in its wisdom. God’s word is forever applicable.
Read through the list in the scripture for today. How open to reason are you? Is your life full of impartiality or are you biased? Would someone describe you as merciful or full of good deeds? You will never find peace in a heart full of jealousy and selfish ambition. Where is our country headed even now? What is your part of the problem?
In the list of things that make for a peaceable society, I want to focus for today on one of the aspects of wisdom from above. I want to delve into the connection between being “open to reason” and peace.
When I was younger, I thought most people (unless chemically or psychologically compromised) were “open to reason”. I believed people could debate, have a disagreement, openly converse, and challenge one another on issues without damage. There were many times in college, seminary, and long after that when I sat down with people to talk about difficult issues and we would “reason together”. I thought that those on drugs were sometimes able to be reasoned with and sometimes not. Foolishly, I thought people wanted to know the truth about things in life and face reality head-on. I was wrong. Most people in the world don’t want to know the truth. Some hide from it; some ignore it. Many twist the truth to their own will. Many people cannot be reasoned with. They do not have an open mind. They are not willing to consider they might be wrong. The older people get, the more close-minded they tend to be. Psychological and emotional traumas tend to make a person of any age less apt to listen to reason and more likely to succumb to emotional outbursts and unreasonableness.
In the book of Exodus, we are introduced to Pharaoh. He hardens his heart more and more as the story goes on. In Exodus 7:13, Moses described his situation after God sent some of the first signs to Pharaoh. Here in this verse, we read that “Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” The more that Pharaoh’s heard was hardened, the more stubborn he became. The more stubborn, the more he “would not listen”. His mind was closed to any idea but his own. In the end, Pharaoh’s stubborn, conceited, arrogant closed mind caused the suffering and deaths of thousands.
When a person becomes unreasonable, they will stop listening to the truth or reality or other ideas. They will become close-minded. When they need to change their thinking, they will often revert to a more stubborn and closed-minded attitude. They will not listen to reason. They will become defensive and critical. Not long after, they will become self-destructive and destructive to the world around them.
I find Pharaoh’s attitude and close-mindedness is common among many in our world today. As an example, colleges and universities close-down discussion and vilify alternate viewpoints. Certain discussions are not allowed. They have “safe areas” where people cannot talk about certain subjects. Speakers who don’t follow a certain agenda or political viewpoint are forced to cancel their lectures. Some student groups are banned from campus. All the while, there is no thought to being open-minded. Instead, people talk about offenses and micro-offenses. They call themselves inclusive, but they are not. Is it no surprise our society and world are so divided when even on college campuses you cannot have open-minded reasonable conversations? When politicians on the left and people on the right can’t even dialogue with one another, there is going to be trouble. When people are not open to reason, there can only be violence sooner or later. James said this in long ago, and yet we are experiencing this truth throughout the world even now. It goes to show you that the Bible is timeless in its wisdom. God’s word is forever applicable.
Read through the list in the scripture for today. How open to reason are you? Is your life full of impartiality or are you biased? Would someone describe you as merciful or full of good deeds? You will never find peace in a heart full of jealousy and selfish ambition. Where is our country headed even now? What is your part of the problem?
April 9
“Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.” (John 5:14–15, NRSV)
After healing a man by the Sheep Gate at the Temple, Jesus spoke with that man privately. In the temple, Jesus found the man and had a heart-to-heart exchange that is important for our study today. Jesus said to the healed man, “Do not sin any more that nothing worse happens to you” (John 5:14). These words of Jesus are revealing on several levels. Let’s look more closely at these words of Jesus.
When Jesus stated to the healed man that he should not sin any more, it is logical to assume that the man’s sickness was in some way due to his sin. Not all sin causes physical sickness, but many types of sin do affect the body as well as the soul. That is the case of this man. For thirty-eight years, he had been unable to walk. That’s a long time to suffer for a sinful action on the part of this man. I believe that Jesus’ coming privately to the man in the temple to mention that he should sin no more was a warning that this sin which disabled his legs could come back if he resorted to sin in this way again. Jesus didn’t want that to happen, or worse!
There are two important aspects to this healing of Jesus that I wanted to expound upon. First, never underestimate the connection between sin and the body. In the case of this man, his loss of the ability to walk was directly linked to his sin. For thirty-eight years, he suffered the loss of the use of his legs because of this sin. We are never told what the sin was, nor the exact nature of his inability to walk. We shouldn’t assume. However, Jesus did state that the man’s sin and his inability to walk were linked in his case. Not all sins cause physical manifestations, but this man’s sin did have physical effects. I think it is important for you to consider this connection between sin and your body. Sometimes, sin can directly impinge upon the ability of your body to function properly. Sinful drug addictions can cause organ failures, physical cravings, nervous tics, breathing issues, brain chemical alterations, adrenaline surges and many more symptoms and results. Overeating, anger, stress, anxiety, worry, alcoholism, jealousy, and envy can be caused by or cause future sinful actions or thoughts. The sins associated with these conditions can easily take a devastating toll upon the body. Not all anxiety is caused by sin, but sin can easily cause anxiety. Not all anger is a result of sin (even Jesus was angry at the money-changers!), but anger can cause sin if not controlled (Ephesians 4:25-27). Sometimes, when your body exhibits stresses or illness, it is prudent to make sure that sin is not the cause!
The second aspect to our scripture today that is of great importance is that Jesus warns the healed man that further sin may cause his disability or something worse to befall him. Jesus made this clear when he said, “Do not sin ANY MORE, so that nothing WORSE happens to you” (John 5:14). Jesus may have healed this man at the Sheep Gate of the Temple, but that doesn’t mean his illnesses are ended. They may return or get worse if he returns to his sinful life. I have seen this many times from addictions. After leaving rehab, many addicts return to their drug or alcohol of choice in time. They end up bad or worse than before. But, its not just addictions that can return or get worse. Stress can return or get worse if a person who is healed goes back to “old” ways of thinking that God forbids. Anger can return or get worse if a person allows his sin to gain control again. Jealousy can return or burn more fiercely in a woman’s heart when she goes back to old ways of relating to a friend. Envy can return or strengthen in a person who keeps reading about a friend who is successful. Whenever you return to a sin or keep succumbing to a temptation, the results can get worse and worse. That’s why when you are healed, saved, or forgiven, it is important that you do not backslide, return to old bad habits, or continue your sinful thinking.
Isn’t it interesting how two short verses in the Bible can speak in so many ways? That shows the power of God’s Word and God’s Wisdom. It has many facets. It can speak to you in different ways at different times. It can have many layers of truth. It can bring God’s presence, healing, and grace right to your doorstep.
Today, consider the healed man and Jesus’ warning following his miracle. Make sure no sin or temptation returns to your life following any of your miracles. The results could prove disastrous.
When Jesus stated to the healed man that he should not sin any more, it is logical to assume that the man’s sickness was in some way due to his sin. Not all sin causes physical sickness, but many types of sin do affect the body as well as the soul. That is the case of this man. For thirty-eight years, he had been unable to walk. That’s a long time to suffer for a sinful action on the part of this man. I believe that Jesus’ coming privately to the man in the temple to mention that he should sin no more was a warning that this sin which disabled his legs could come back if he resorted to sin in this way again. Jesus didn’t want that to happen, or worse!
There are two important aspects to this healing of Jesus that I wanted to expound upon. First, never underestimate the connection between sin and the body. In the case of this man, his loss of the ability to walk was directly linked to his sin. For thirty-eight years, he suffered the loss of the use of his legs because of this sin. We are never told what the sin was, nor the exact nature of his inability to walk. We shouldn’t assume. However, Jesus did state that the man’s sin and his inability to walk were linked in his case. Not all sins cause physical manifestations, but this man’s sin did have physical effects. I think it is important for you to consider this connection between sin and your body. Sometimes, sin can directly impinge upon the ability of your body to function properly. Sinful drug addictions can cause organ failures, physical cravings, nervous tics, breathing issues, brain chemical alterations, adrenaline surges and many more symptoms and results. Overeating, anger, stress, anxiety, worry, alcoholism, jealousy, and envy can be caused by or cause future sinful actions or thoughts. The sins associated with these conditions can easily take a devastating toll upon the body. Not all anxiety is caused by sin, but sin can easily cause anxiety. Not all anger is a result of sin (even Jesus was angry at the money-changers!), but anger can cause sin if not controlled (Ephesians 4:25-27). Sometimes, when your body exhibits stresses or illness, it is prudent to make sure that sin is not the cause!
The second aspect to our scripture today that is of great importance is that Jesus warns the healed man that further sin may cause his disability or something worse to befall him. Jesus made this clear when he said, “Do not sin ANY MORE, so that nothing WORSE happens to you” (John 5:14). Jesus may have healed this man at the Sheep Gate of the Temple, but that doesn’t mean his illnesses are ended. They may return or get worse if he returns to his sinful life. I have seen this many times from addictions. After leaving rehab, many addicts return to their drug or alcohol of choice in time. They end up bad or worse than before. But, its not just addictions that can return or get worse. Stress can return or get worse if a person who is healed goes back to “old” ways of thinking that God forbids. Anger can return or get worse if a person allows his sin to gain control again. Jealousy can return or burn more fiercely in a woman’s heart when she goes back to old ways of relating to a friend. Envy can return or strengthen in a person who keeps reading about a friend who is successful. Whenever you return to a sin or keep succumbing to a temptation, the results can get worse and worse. That’s why when you are healed, saved, or forgiven, it is important that you do not backslide, return to old bad habits, or continue your sinful thinking.
Isn’t it interesting how two short verses in the Bible can speak in so many ways? That shows the power of God’s Word and God’s Wisdom. It has many facets. It can speak to you in different ways at different times. It can have many layers of truth. It can bring God’s presence, healing, and grace right to your doorstep.
Today, consider the healed man and Jesus’ warning following his miracle. Make sure no sin or temptation returns to your life following any of your miracles. The results could prove disastrous.
April 10
“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13, RSV)
Many people think evil and sin are essentially the same. However, evil has a broader meaning than sin. The Hebrew word used in the Bible for “evil” means to “spoil”, “break in pieces”, be unpleasant, disagreeable, offensive. In the moral sense, evil is something that is always hurtful or painful in its effects. “Moral evil arises from man’s sinful inclinations (James 1:13–15). God’s whole saving activity is directed to deal with evil. Much physical evil is due to moral evil: suffering and sin are not necessarily connected in individual cases, but human selfishness and sin explain much of the world’s ills. Though all evil must be punished, not all physical ill is a punishment of wrongdoing (Luke 13:2, 4; John 9:3; and Job).” God’s ultimate purpose is to overcome evil in all its forms. Jesus’ death on the cross is God’s “final answer to the problem of evil”. Love and goodness are God’s weapons against evil. Jesus’ suffering and death out of love was thus part of God’s plan to fight evil in the world (Rom. 5:8; 8:32). In the end, “evil will be eliminated from the universe, and the creation will share redeemed man’s glorious destiny. Both physical and moral evil will be banished eternally (Rev. 21:1–8)” (parts adapted from New Bible Dictionary, p. 349). God will make sure of it.
Based on the definition and explanation of the Biblical notion of evil, you can see from the paragraph above that evil needs to be overcome. God will banish it in the end. It runs contrary to God’s character (1 John 4:8-10). It will NOT be found in Heaven. According to the scripture for today, God “hates” evil (Proverbs 8:13). God doesn’t just dislike evil actions or thoughts or results. God hates them. Even though the first Epistle of John describes God’s absolute character as “loving”, when it comes to evil, God has no love for it. God hates it with a passion.
Evil is all too common in our world. Sadly, it is found in epidemic proportions. Last week, a woman was found in West Virginia walking down the road with blood on her hands. Later, it was found that she cut off her husband’s head purposefully. During the last week of March, a woman from California came home to find that her ex-husband had killed all four of her kids and then committed suicide. According to Chabad.org, a child molester will usually molest one or multiple children 200-400 times before getting caught. In the last 3400 years, there have only been 268 years without a “major” war. 108 million people died in wars (that we know of) in the twentieth century alone. There are many incidents of rape, starvation, torture, murder, and revenge in the news and in the world. Every one of these terrible acts can be attributed in some way to “evil” in our world.
Not only does God hate evil and fight against it, God expects you to hate evil as well. According to our scripture for today, this is also made evident. The verse above begins by stating, “the fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.” You can’t fear or respect or honor God without hating evil. You can’t love God and practice evil at the same time. You can’t have evil thoughts and godly thoughts at the same time. Evil is the moral and physical opposite of God. It should be hated and fought against by every true Christian. You can’t dabble in it or think about committing it. It should never ever be a part of your life in any way.
Why is evil in the world anyway? Atheists tend to blame God saying that “if there were a God, there would be no evil, thus there is no God”. This is simplistic small-minded thinking. Let me explain why. God allows evil to be a “choice” in our world because it is very effective in showing whom is faithful and whom is not. Faithful people will shy away or reject evil. Unfaithful people will choose evil as a weapon or way of life or moral choice. God gives human beings the right to choose. They can ultimately choose evil. This isn’t God’s fault. It is part of human sin. God isn’t to blame for evil. Evil always seeks to destroy the good. Evil people hate God. Satan uses evil to mock God.
Today and every day, God will give you a choice to do good or evil. Ultimately, your choice will determine not only the kind of life you live, it will show clearly what or whom is your God. As for me, I hate evil. I hate its occurrence and effects. I have seen it and fought against it. Sadly, many people I’ve seen who do evil don’t even know they are doing it. They are so clouded in judgment that they commit evil acts without any moral thought or guilt whatsoever. Some even think they are religious. But, God is not fooled. Only those who hate evil can ever be true children of God. This scripture proclaims it.
Based on the definition and explanation of the Biblical notion of evil, you can see from the paragraph above that evil needs to be overcome. God will banish it in the end. It runs contrary to God’s character (1 John 4:8-10). It will NOT be found in Heaven. According to the scripture for today, God “hates” evil (Proverbs 8:13). God doesn’t just dislike evil actions or thoughts or results. God hates them. Even though the first Epistle of John describes God’s absolute character as “loving”, when it comes to evil, God has no love for it. God hates it with a passion.
Evil is all too common in our world. Sadly, it is found in epidemic proportions. Last week, a woman was found in West Virginia walking down the road with blood on her hands. Later, it was found that she cut off her husband’s head purposefully. During the last week of March, a woman from California came home to find that her ex-husband had killed all four of her kids and then committed suicide. According to Chabad.org, a child molester will usually molest one or multiple children 200-400 times before getting caught. In the last 3400 years, there have only been 268 years without a “major” war. 108 million people died in wars (that we know of) in the twentieth century alone. There are many incidents of rape, starvation, torture, murder, and revenge in the news and in the world. Every one of these terrible acts can be attributed in some way to “evil” in our world.
Not only does God hate evil and fight against it, God expects you to hate evil as well. According to our scripture for today, this is also made evident. The verse above begins by stating, “the fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.” You can’t fear or respect or honor God without hating evil. You can’t love God and practice evil at the same time. You can’t have evil thoughts and godly thoughts at the same time. Evil is the moral and physical opposite of God. It should be hated and fought against by every true Christian. You can’t dabble in it or think about committing it. It should never ever be a part of your life in any way.
Why is evil in the world anyway? Atheists tend to blame God saying that “if there were a God, there would be no evil, thus there is no God”. This is simplistic small-minded thinking. Let me explain why. God allows evil to be a “choice” in our world because it is very effective in showing whom is faithful and whom is not. Faithful people will shy away or reject evil. Unfaithful people will choose evil as a weapon or way of life or moral choice. God gives human beings the right to choose. They can ultimately choose evil. This isn’t God’s fault. It is part of human sin. God isn’t to blame for evil. Evil always seeks to destroy the good. Evil people hate God. Satan uses evil to mock God.
Today and every day, God will give you a choice to do good or evil. Ultimately, your choice will determine not only the kind of life you live, it will show clearly what or whom is your God. As for me, I hate evil. I hate its occurrence and effects. I have seen it and fought against it. Sadly, many people I’ve seen who do evil don’t even know they are doing it. They are so clouded in judgment that they commit evil acts without any moral thought or guilt whatsoever. Some even think they are religious. But, God is not fooled. Only those who hate evil can ever be true children of God. This scripture proclaims it.
April 11
“We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, RSV)
There are those who don’t know the faith very well who believe that God will make everything go perfectly for believers. This is absolutely false. Some of life’s best lessons are learned the hard way, through overcoming difficulties and trials and pressures. God may have you face a series of problems and setbacks in order to help you learn what is more important in life, to learn something about yourself, or to draw you closer to Him. Despite all the trials and challenges, God will be helping and watching and directing your path. God wants a good outcome, so God will watch closely for you to succeed.
The scripture for today is proof positive that God wants good to come out of everything in your life, even difficulties and failures. Paul, the apostle, wrote in Romans 8:28 that “in EVERYTHING God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” No matter what befalls the truly faithful in life, God will work it out for good. If you love God, God will bless you even while others curse you, help you through suffering, strengthen your faith when you face adversity. You might feel beaten and damaged at times, but in the end, God will make sure for good to win out.
A woman called me for counseling and we met for a few sessions. Through our discussions, I learned that she had been sexually assaulted a decade before. This tragic and terrible event in her life caused her to go through depression and anxiety for a long time after. She told no one before she told me in counseling. She suffered in silence. That changed with our time together. God wanted even this terrible thing to become a good in her life.
As we talked about what happened and her eyes filled with tears, she finally said the words I was waiting for her to speak, “How could my loving God cause this to happen to me?” I told her that God didn’t do this despicable thing to her, a terrible human being did this to her. She responded that God should have never allowed it in the first place. I told her then that God was going to use this terrible thing to bring forth a great good in her. She looked at me as if I was nuts. Then, in the months that followed, she began to speak to her family and friends about what happened to her. As she grew more and more courageous in dealing with her past, she eventually spoke to several women’s groups about her experience. After several of these events, women privately contacted her to ask for help. They too had faced sexual assault or sexual molestation. This wonderful Christian lady ended up helping and saving dozens. By now, its probably hundreds. That’s how God took a bad thing in a person’s life and used it for good.
God always “works for good” according to the scripture for today. But don’t forget the rest of the scripture. God ONLY works for good in everything “WITH THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE”. If a man doesn’t love God, God will not work things out in his life. If a woman is not living according to God’s purpose, God will not work behind the scenes to make things better. You have to be related to God and in God’s good graces in order for “everything” to turn out good.
Also, don’t forget that sometimes when God “works for good”, it may take time. You may not see God’s good breaking through until much later. You may not feel God’s blessing or healing for a while. That’s not because God is delayed in helping. It’s usually because God wants the best for you, and sometimes the best takes time to come to fruition.
When things go wrong in your life, don’t let it get you down. God will use your circumstances for good. You will feel the blessing if you give it time and hold on to God throughout. Even when death comes near, God will be working for your good. God will be preparing your place in heaven. There is no bad thing in life God can’t work for good when it comes to you. Just look for God’s goodness to respond to your faith. It will… every time… in time.
The scripture for today is proof positive that God wants good to come out of everything in your life, even difficulties and failures. Paul, the apostle, wrote in Romans 8:28 that “in EVERYTHING God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” No matter what befalls the truly faithful in life, God will work it out for good. If you love God, God will bless you even while others curse you, help you through suffering, strengthen your faith when you face adversity. You might feel beaten and damaged at times, but in the end, God will make sure for good to win out.
A woman called me for counseling and we met for a few sessions. Through our discussions, I learned that she had been sexually assaulted a decade before. This tragic and terrible event in her life caused her to go through depression and anxiety for a long time after. She told no one before she told me in counseling. She suffered in silence. That changed with our time together. God wanted even this terrible thing to become a good in her life.
As we talked about what happened and her eyes filled with tears, she finally said the words I was waiting for her to speak, “How could my loving God cause this to happen to me?” I told her that God didn’t do this despicable thing to her, a terrible human being did this to her. She responded that God should have never allowed it in the first place. I told her then that God was going to use this terrible thing to bring forth a great good in her. She looked at me as if I was nuts. Then, in the months that followed, she began to speak to her family and friends about what happened to her. As she grew more and more courageous in dealing with her past, she eventually spoke to several women’s groups about her experience. After several of these events, women privately contacted her to ask for help. They too had faced sexual assault or sexual molestation. This wonderful Christian lady ended up helping and saving dozens. By now, its probably hundreds. That’s how God took a bad thing in a person’s life and used it for good.
God always “works for good” according to the scripture for today. But don’t forget the rest of the scripture. God ONLY works for good in everything “WITH THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE”. If a man doesn’t love God, God will not work things out in his life. If a woman is not living according to God’s purpose, God will not work behind the scenes to make things better. You have to be related to God and in God’s good graces in order for “everything” to turn out good.
Also, don’t forget that sometimes when God “works for good”, it may take time. You may not see God’s good breaking through until much later. You may not feel God’s blessing or healing for a while. That’s not because God is delayed in helping. It’s usually because God wants the best for you, and sometimes the best takes time to come to fruition.
When things go wrong in your life, don’t let it get you down. God will use your circumstances for good. You will feel the blessing if you give it time and hold on to God throughout. Even when death comes near, God will be working for your good. God will be preparing your place in heaven. There is no bad thing in life God can’t work for good when it comes to you. Just look for God’s goodness to respond to your faith. It will… every time… in time.
April 12
“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
(Philippians 4:9, ESV)
(Philippians 4:9, ESV)
There is a progression in the scripture today that is common to every true Christian. If you believe in God, you will find yourself following this progression. It is important to remember what the apostle Paul meant by the scripture above. When he wrote it, he intended it to be important advice for all who read it. That advice is just as important today as it was to the Philippian church long ago. It is important that you understand Paul’s words and see this progression.
When the scripture above was written, the budding Philippian church was growing. It had been founded and cared for by Paul and his associates. It was important that the church continue in their spiritual growth by connecting strongly to God in Christ Jesus. To accomplish this growth, Paul used himself as an example. He asked the church people to practice what they had “learned and received and heard and seen” in Paul’s life and ministry. Did you notice the four verbs Paul wanted the Philippians to emulate? They aren’t just four words, but a progression of verbs. Their order is important. Following each is crucial to your faith.
Marty was in the youth group in our church. She was a newer member who was introduced to the group through another youth. Though never growing up in a church family, she seemed to enjoy the youth programs and settled in to active membership. During her first few months, she attended regularly. She heard the gospel and seemed excited about what she heard. She prayed with the group and accepted Christ happily. She was excited to go on her first mission trip. In her first year, she grew closer to many of the church leaders and became a youth leader. After two years, she took training and furthered her leadership by becoming a lay leader. As such, she would read scripture and lead the congregation in prayers during Sunday morning worship services. All the while, you could see her grow closer to God. Then came college. Marty was absent many Sundays while she attended college an hour away. When she finished college, she was never very active in the church again. Life intervened and she came to worship less and less. Marty no longer attends worship anywhere. She and God have lost their connection. It hurt to watch what happened to Marty's faith at college. I still wonder if she will ever find a passion and commitment to God again.
Marty learned about God and received the gospel quickly. She spoke about God, and was active in mission work and worship leadership. During this period of Marty’s life, she followed Paul’s four verbs. She “learned and received” the gospel joyfully. She was “heard” sharing her faith. She was “seen” doing work for God and serving others. While she practiced these four verbs in her spiritual life, she grew closer and closer with God. When she stopped practicing those verbs in her spiritual life, her relationship with God faded and was weakened.
Every single Christian will grow closer to God by following the progression of these four verbs. By actively doing these four verbs in their spiritual life, every true Christian will become intimately familiar with our “God of peace” (Philippians 4:9). If you do them, God “will be with you.” Any Christian who neglects one of these verbs will find themselves backsliding, their faith weakening. Then, the God of peace will fall away from you. Periodically, it is important that you ask yourself if you are following these four verbs in your life. If your relationship with God is weakening, find out if one of the verbs is missing in your spiritual life.
Have you “learned” (Verb 1) something new about God recently? Are you studying God’s word and praying to increase your faith? Have you “received” (Verb 2) God’s word happily. Are you passionate about your faith? Have others “heard” (Verb 3) praise and wisdom from God coming out of your lips? Lastly, do others “see” (Verb 4) your faith practiced openly and regularly? Do you hide your faith within the walls of your church only? Do you live out your faith?
By practicing a progression of these verbs, you can continue to grow closer to our God of peace. Neglect these four verbs and your faith and connection to God will falter. Is there one of the verbs you have been neglecting lately? Today, which verb might help you recapture your passion for God?
When the scripture above was written, the budding Philippian church was growing. It had been founded and cared for by Paul and his associates. It was important that the church continue in their spiritual growth by connecting strongly to God in Christ Jesus. To accomplish this growth, Paul used himself as an example. He asked the church people to practice what they had “learned and received and heard and seen” in Paul’s life and ministry. Did you notice the four verbs Paul wanted the Philippians to emulate? They aren’t just four words, but a progression of verbs. Their order is important. Following each is crucial to your faith.
Marty was in the youth group in our church. She was a newer member who was introduced to the group through another youth. Though never growing up in a church family, she seemed to enjoy the youth programs and settled in to active membership. During her first few months, she attended regularly. She heard the gospel and seemed excited about what she heard. She prayed with the group and accepted Christ happily. She was excited to go on her first mission trip. In her first year, she grew closer to many of the church leaders and became a youth leader. After two years, she took training and furthered her leadership by becoming a lay leader. As such, she would read scripture and lead the congregation in prayers during Sunday morning worship services. All the while, you could see her grow closer to God. Then came college. Marty was absent many Sundays while she attended college an hour away. When she finished college, she was never very active in the church again. Life intervened and she came to worship less and less. Marty no longer attends worship anywhere. She and God have lost their connection. It hurt to watch what happened to Marty's faith at college. I still wonder if she will ever find a passion and commitment to God again.
Marty learned about God and received the gospel quickly. She spoke about God, and was active in mission work and worship leadership. During this period of Marty’s life, she followed Paul’s four verbs. She “learned and received” the gospel joyfully. She was “heard” sharing her faith. She was “seen” doing work for God and serving others. While she practiced these four verbs in her spiritual life, she grew closer and closer with God. When she stopped practicing those verbs in her spiritual life, her relationship with God faded and was weakened.
Every single Christian will grow closer to God by following the progression of these four verbs. By actively doing these four verbs in their spiritual life, every true Christian will become intimately familiar with our “God of peace” (Philippians 4:9). If you do them, God “will be with you.” Any Christian who neglects one of these verbs will find themselves backsliding, their faith weakening. Then, the God of peace will fall away from you. Periodically, it is important that you ask yourself if you are following these four verbs in your life. If your relationship with God is weakening, find out if one of the verbs is missing in your spiritual life.
Have you “learned” (Verb 1) something new about God recently? Are you studying God’s word and praying to increase your faith? Have you “received” (Verb 2) God’s word happily. Are you passionate about your faith? Have others “heard” (Verb 3) praise and wisdom from God coming out of your lips? Lastly, do others “see” (Verb 4) your faith practiced openly and regularly? Do you hide your faith within the walls of your church only? Do you live out your faith?
By practicing a progression of these verbs, you can continue to grow closer to our God of peace. Neglect these four verbs and your faith and connection to God will falter. Is there one of the verbs you have been neglecting lately? Today, which verb might help you recapture your passion for God?
April 13
“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 1:3, NKJV)
It was a late night for the Pastor. Long after the worship service finished that Wednesday night, he was locking up the church building when he noticed a woman seated at the bench by the main entrance. He could see she had been crying. Looking around for anyone else, he approached her. After a questioning look, she asked to speak with him. They walked back to his office and he unlocked the door again. Turning on the light, he motioned for her to have a seat. She sat down heavily, then said, “I grew up in the church, pastor. Years ago. During my twenties, I left my hometown, my friends, my family, and sadly… God. Tonight, I realized that everything that has gone wrong in my life is due to that huge mistake. I’d like to start over, but I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to make things right with God and with myself.” Over the next hour, they talked. There in that office, she gave her heart back to Jesus. Over the next few months, she met with the pastor and they slowly, but surely, began to re-cement her connection with God. This week, she is celebrating her thirtieth anniversary of that late-night meeting with the pastor. She refers to accepting Christ in his office that night as her “second birthday.” When she thinks of that night, she can only smile. It was THE best thing she ever did in her life.
I have met many people who gave up their relationship with God, only to miss it terribly. I have prayed and held their hands as most accepted Christ again at camps, altars, offices, and homes. I refer to these moments as people “coming back home to God”. Whenever these events happen, I find great joy in seeing God work anew in their empty hearts. I love to see a person return to Christ with a real passion and full repentance. Often, they find a new peace and hope that was missing. If they find a good church home full of faithful people, they often will flourish spiritually in beautiful ways. It’s a crucial time for them. It can be a great blessing to watch new faith unfold.
Before Zechariah the prophet was called to speak to God's people, Israel was corrupted by sinful living. The people had rejected true faith in God and replaced it with religiosity and dabbling with other gods. They suffered because of this sin, experiencing some of the darkest moments of their history since they were slaves in Egypt. Many Israelites fell away from God and suffered the consequences. But, God did not give up on the hope that they would return to Him and to a real faith. In our scripture reading for today, God instructed the prophet Zechariah to tell the Israelites “Thus says the Lord of hosts: “’Return to Me… and I will return to you’” (Zechariah 1:3). God was giving His people a chance to begin a relationship with Him again. God wanted them to return to true faith, to following His commands, to worshiping Him in truth. God did not want to give up on them. God wanted to reconnect with them. However, as the scripture says, God wanted them to make the first step to return. Through Zechariah, God issued the call; but they had to respond. They had to make the first gesture. They had to seek God. In response, he would return to them. It was a promise. If they were willing to make a commitment, God was willing to reconnect with them. God wanted them to return. God hoped they would return. And they did. Not long after they returned, they rebuilt Jerusalem and the Temple. They started worship in the Temple and in synagogues. The people responded to God’s offer. Their love for God grew greatly. Zechariah 8 even mentions that God called for feasts and seasons of joy in response to the people’s new faith. God saw it as a glorious time. God’s people came home again to their Lord.
There may come a time in your life when God wants a fresh start, a new connection with you. Maybe you’ve been lax in your faith. It might be that a sin separated you from God for a while. After backsliding, you might feel the need to come back to your faith. If you ever find yourself feeling too far from God, remember the verse for today. Return to God, and you will soon find God returning to you. Repent of your sins, renew your commitment, increase your love, follow His voice, seek His direction. It won’t’ take long and you will again feel at home in the presence of our God!
I have met many people who gave up their relationship with God, only to miss it terribly. I have prayed and held their hands as most accepted Christ again at camps, altars, offices, and homes. I refer to these moments as people “coming back home to God”. Whenever these events happen, I find great joy in seeing God work anew in their empty hearts. I love to see a person return to Christ with a real passion and full repentance. Often, they find a new peace and hope that was missing. If they find a good church home full of faithful people, they often will flourish spiritually in beautiful ways. It’s a crucial time for them. It can be a great blessing to watch new faith unfold.
Before Zechariah the prophet was called to speak to God's people, Israel was corrupted by sinful living. The people had rejected true faith in God and replaced it with religiosity and dabbling with other gods. They suffered because of this sin, experiencing some of the darkest moments of their history since they were slaves in Egypt. Many Israelites fell away from God and suffered the consequences. But, God did not give up on the hope that they would return to Him and to a real faith. In our scripture reading for today, God instructed the prophet Zechariah to tell the Israelites “Thus says the Lord of hosts: “’Return to Me… and I will return to you’” (Zechariah 1:3). God was giving His people a chance to begin a relationship with Him again. God wanted them to return to true faith, to following His commands, to worshiping Him in truth. God did not want to give up on them. God wanted to reconnect with them. However, as the scripture says, God wanted them to make the first step to return. Through Zechariah, God issued the call; but they had to respond. They had to make the first gesture. They had to seek God. In response, he would return to them. It was a promise. If they were willing to make a commitment, God was willing to reconnect with them. God wanted them to return. God hoped they would return. And they did. Not long after they returned, they rebuilt Jerusalem and the Temple. They started worship in the Temple and in synagogues. The people responded to God’s offer. Their love for God grew greatly. Zechariah 8 even mentions that God called for feasts and seasons of joy in response to the people’s new faith. God saw it as a glorious time. God’s people came home again to their Lord.
There may come a time in your life when God wants a fresh start, a new connection with you. Maybe you’ve been lax in your faith. It might be that a sin separated you from God for a while. After backsliding, you might feel the need to come back to your faith. If you ever find yourself feeling too far from God, remember the verse for today. Return to God, and you will soon find God returning to you. Repent of your sins, renew your commitment, increase your love, follow His voice, seek His direction. It won’t’ take long and you will again feel at home in the presence of our God!
April 14
“Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.” (Psalm 41:1–2, NKJV)
In the 1940’s, a pastor from New York City was on vacation in Upper New York State. He took a room at an inn. He kept to himself, mostly. He only talked with people at breakfast, when everyone gathered for a meal. Even then, he sat quiet and alone when possible. Several of the other guests were surprised by his demeanor. They didn’t expect a clergyman to be so withdrawn and aloof, avoiding conversation and going on long walks alone. After several days of this, the innkeeper contacted his own pastor and asked him to stop in and visit the guest clergyman.
When the innkeeper's pastor arrived, he found the other pastor sitting by the woods on a tree stump; his mind lost in thought. The two struck up a conversation. Over the course of an hour, the pastor from New York relayed how tired he was of constantly looking out for poor people, discouraged by their lot in life. He relayed to local pastor how he had members in his church so poor that they lived in tenement homes with chalk lines on the floor separating the rooms, so they could fit more families in. Anywhere from four to five families might live in one small apartment. In the past month, several babies and children died, some unable to be kept alive due to the financial state of the family. To make sure the working father had enough food; the children would be fed less. When their clothes became worn, they would scrounge up used bed linens and burlap bags to sow into clothes. Pants were patched at the knees, jackets at the elbows. One family needed to save their firewood, so they didn’t put enough on the fire to last the night. One of the children died from pneumonia weeks later, probably brought on by the exposure to damp cold.
The pastor from New York City was heartbroken with all the poverty, need, hurt, pain, suffering, and hunger. He had to get away for a while. The local pastor gave him words of comfort, read scripture with him, prayed over him, and helped him to heal. The two struck up a close friendship. The local pastor knew that by keeping this New York City pastor in good spirits, he was helping hundreds and thousands of needy people.
Poverty is crushing. It can take the wind out of your sails, make you feel you are worthless, and eat at your mind and will. When my own children cried because of hunger when we were very poor, it tore my heart apart. Not only is poverty and hunger debilitating, caring for someone who is poor or needy or suffering is a tremendously tiring pursuit. Exposure to hunger and poverty and suffering makes life miserable.
God has a great heart and empathy for the poor and needy and hurting. When the Israelites were suffering in Egypt under the tyranny of Pharaoh, scripture tells us that God heard their cries (Exodus 6:5). Ultimately, God freed them from slavery. When Elijah visited a poor widow, whose only son was dying, God used him to bring help and healing to that household (1 Kings 17). When Jesus saw a man filled with demons who lived in a cemetery and wore torn clothes, he exorcised the demons that put him there and brought him back to wholeness (Luke 8:27, Mark 5). In billions of ways, God has helped and cared for the poor and hurting of our world. God has a soft spot for the needy. Our scripture today blesses those who, like God, have a soft spot for the needy as well.
Psalm 41:1 begins with a beatitude about those who care about the poor: “Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in the day of trouble.” In the next verses, the scripture goes on to tell what some of those blessings are, including that God will deliver those who care for the poor from bad situations. Based on this scripture, God doesn’t simply look out for the poor. God blesses and cares about those who also care for the poor. When you take it upon yourself to help those who are hurting, among those who notice is God.
God has a special place in His heart for the poor, widows, orphans, the hurting, the suffering, and more. When you are one of those suffering, God will desire to help. If you are helping someone who is needy, God will bless your work, watch out for you, and protect you. If there is one sure way for the faithful to get in the good graces of God, it’s by helping the poor and needy and suffering. When you serve others who are down and out, God takes special notice.
Are you doing enough for the poor? When was the last time you helped a person in dire need? Are you doing the right things for them, or just throwing money at their problem? Do you help the needy with only physical needs, or do you go the extra mile by sharing yourself with them? Do you know any poor people who consider you a friend? Can the poor trust you to help in a tangible way, or just to put a band-aid on their situation? God’s heart rests squarely with the poor. Does yours?
When the innkeeper's pastor arrived, he found the other pastor sitting by the woods on a tree stump; his mind lost in thought. The two struck up a conversation. Over the course of an hour, the pastor from New York relayed how tired he was of constantly looking out for poor people, discouraged by their lot in life. He relayed to local pastor how he had members in his church so poor that they lived in tenement homes with chalk lines on the floor separating the rooms, so they could fit more families in. Anywhere from four to five families might live in one small apartment. In the past month, several babies and children died, some unable to be kept alive due to the financial state of the family. To make sure the working father had enough food; the children would be fed less. When their clothes became worn, they would scrounge up used bed linens and burlap bags to sow into clothes. Pants were patched at the knees, jackets at the elbows. One family needed to save their firewood, so they didn’t put enough on the fire to last the night. One of the children died from pneumonia weeks later, probably brought on by the exposure to damp cold.
The pastor from New York City was heartbroken with all the poverty, need, hurt, pain, suffering, and hunger. He had to get away for a while. The local pastor gave him words of comfort, read scripture with him, prayed over him, and helped him to heal. The two struck up a close friendship. The local pastor knew that by keeping this New York City pastor in good spirits, he was helping hundreds and thousands of needy people.
Poverty is crushing. It can take the wind out of your sails, make you feel you are worthless, and eat at your mind and will. When my own children cried because of hunger when we were very poor, it tore my heart apart. Not only is poverty and hunger debilitating, caring for someone who is poor or needy or suffering is a tremendously tiring pursuit. Exposure to hunger and poverty and suffering makes life miserable.
God has a great heart and empathy for the poor and needy and hurting. When the Israelites were suffering in Egypt under the tyranny of Pharaoh, scripture tells us that God heard their cries (Exodus 6:5). Ultimately, God freed them from slavery. When Elijah visited a poor widow, whose only son was dying, God used him to bring help and healing to that household (1 Kings 17). When Jesus saw a man filled with demons who lived in a cemetery and wore torn clothes, he exorcised the demons that put him there and brought him back to wholeness (Luke 8:27, Mark 5). In billions of ways, God has helped and cared for the poor and hurting of our world. God has a soft spot for the needy. Our scripture today blesses those who, like God, have a soft spot for the needy as well.
Psalm 41:1 begins with a beatitude about those who care about the poor: “Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in the day of trouble.” In the next verses, the scripture goes on to tell what some of those blessings are, including that God will deliver those who care for the poor from bad situations. Based on this scripture, God doesn’t simply look out for the poor. God blesses and cares about those who also care for the poor. When you take it upon yourself to help those who are hurting, among those who notice is God.
God has a special place in His heart for the poor, widows, orphans, the hurting, the suffering, and more. When you are one of those suffering, God will desire to help. If you are helping someone who is needy, God will bless your work, watch out for you, and protect you. If there is one sure way for the faithful to get in the good graces of God, it’s by helping the poor and needy and suffering. When you serve others who are down and out, God takes special notice.
Are you doing enough for the poor? When was the last time you helped a person in dire need? Are you doing the right things for them, or just throwing money at their problem? Do you help the needy with only physical needs, or do you go the extra mile by sharing yourself with them? Do you know any poor people who consider you a friend? Can the poor trust you to help in a tangible way, or just to put a band-aid on their situation? God’s heart rests squarely with the poor. Does yours?
April 15
“For I solemnly warned your fathers when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but every one walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.””
(Jeremiah 11:7–8, RSV)
(Jeremiah 11:7–8, RSV)
As Hurricane Emily approached the cost of North Carolina, the National Weather Service issued warnings. Unsure if the hurricane was going to hit the state, many watched news reports and made speculations of where it would hit and how bad it would be. As the hurricane came closer to shore, some people had already heeded the warnings and gone to higher ground. They boarded up their windows, closed the businesses and prepared for the worst. Others didn't worry about the warnings. One news story on TV showed a family enjoying a game of basketball at their home by the sea as others in their neighborhood moved to higher ground. They said they were going to ride out the storm. The father said, "All our neighbors have boarded things up and left. Maybe they know something we don't know. We are new here." They did not fare too well. Some people just don’t appreciate a timely warning.
Warnings are sometimes heeded and sometimes not. Some people listen for warnings. Others don't like to be told what to do. In our scripture reading for today, we are told of warnings issued by God to His people in Judah and Jerusalem. God issued these warnings through prophets like Jeremiah in order to bring the people back to real faith.
In Jeremiah 11, God was clearly upset. In looking back with HIS dealing with the people of Judah, God was dismayed at all the warnings He had given the people of Judah to no avail. God told them of their sin and recommended a renewed commitment of faith. The people ignored God’s warnings, holding onto sinful lives. In response, God said to Jeremiah "… I solemnly warned your fathers when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but every one walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart.”(Jeremiah 11:7-8) Over and over, God had warned and commanded and sent prophets, but the people weren’t listening. They were stubborn. They were hard pressed to live without a thought of God’s word. In the end, Jeremiah got to see with his own eyes God's wrath. God quit protecting God's people and let a foreign country invade their homeland. The people suffered in war and famine. Finally, the people were marched off into slavery and exile. They didn't heed the warnings. They paid for it with their lives.
These verses can teach you something very important about God. God will let you know when you fail His command. Through divine warnings, God informs you through various methods when you are going off the faithful path. God does not leave you in the dark. God directs signs and warnings to remind you not to stray. God always warns you of what is needed and what is not being done. These verses show that clearly.
I have had many people who were warned by God in different ways to stop doing wrong. Some followed God's warnings, heeding God's commands. The results came through. Life became better. But then, there are those who ignore the signs and warnings God gives. Usually, it doesn’t end well. Actually, I can’t think of one time it ever did end well!
I remember counseling Jerry. He was a good man. He was an excellent father and husband. He attended church regularly. He lived a good life and helped many people. But Jerry had one problem that kept returning over and over in his life. He was a borderline workaholic. Where God worked six days and rested on the seventh at creation, if it was Jerry, he'd have found something to do on the seventh. His boss loved him, I'm sure. Jerry always got his work done and done well.
The more Jerry had success at work due to his workaholic attitude, the more problems he had. The stress and long hours took their toll. By the time Jerry was 50, he had a spare tire around the waist. Now and then, he had tension headaches. He was so worried about things at work, he would come on Sunday morning to worship and think about things he needed to do during the next week more than he would think about God. Finally, Jerry had chest pains. His heart was giving him a warning. Did Jerry go to a doctor? No. He didn’t want to take time off from work for an office visit. Then, Jerry died suddenly of a heart attack.
There were so many warning signs by God along the way. I saw them, but Jerry didn't. When his kids asked him to quit working so much because they missed him, he didn't listen. When his best friend told him to take a full vacation, Jerry admitted that he hadn't had one of those in years and didn't need one. When Jerry had tension headaches, God was warning him to take care of his health. Jerry didn't listen. Now, on a Sunday morning Jerry isn't around to help sing God's praises and reach others in Jesus' name. Jerry did so many things right in his life, but ignored the warning signs God sent about that one error in his ways. And now, he's paying the price God didn't want him to pay.
Like the people of Judah, has God been warning you lately? Do you see any signs? God is kind enough to issue you warnings. He intends for you to heed them. Don’t ignore tugs upon your heart sent from God. God warns those whom He loves. God cares enough to send warnings, but will you listen? Will you obey? Will you respond?
Warnings are sometimes heeded and sometimes not. Some people listen for warnings. Others don't like to be told what to do. In our scripture reading for today, we are told of warnings issued by God to His people in Judah and Jerusalem. God issued these warnings through prophets like Jeremiah in order to bring the people back to real faith.
In Jeremiah 11, God was clearly upset. In looking back with HIS dealing with the people of Judah, God was dismayed at all the warnings He had given the people of Judah to no avail. God told them of their sin and recommended a renewed commitment of faith. The people ignored God’s warnings, holding onto sinful lives. In response, God said to Jeremiah "… I solemnly warned your fathers when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but every one walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart.”(Jeremiah 11:7-8) Over and over, God had warned and commanded and sent prophets, but the people weren’t listening. They were stubborn. They were hard pressed to live without a thought of God’s word. In the end, Jeremiah got to see with his own eyes God's wrath. God quit protecting God's people and let a foreign country invade their homeland. The people suffered in war and famine. Finally, the people were marched off into slavery and exile. They didn't heed the warnings. They paid for it with their lives.
These verses can teach you something very important about God. God will let you know when you fail His command. Through divine warnings, God informs you through various methods when you are going off the faithful path. God does not leave you in the dark. God directs signs and warnings to remind you not to stray. God always warns you of what is needed and what is not being done. These verses show that clearly.
I have had many people who were warned by God in different ways to stop doing wrong. Some followed God's warnings, heeding God's commands. The results came through. Life became better. But then, there are those who ignore the signs and warnings God gives. Usually, it doesn’t end well. Actually, I can’t think of one time it ever did end well!
I remember counseling Jerry. He was a good man. He was an excellent father and husband. He attended church regularly. He lived a good life and helped many people. But Jerry had one problem that kept returning over and over in his life. He was a borderline workaholic. Where God worked six days and rested on the seventh at creation, if it was Jerry, he'd have found something to do on the seventh. His boss loved him, I'm sure. Jerry always got his work done and done well.
The more Jerry had success at work due to his workaholic attitude, the more problems he had. The stress and long hours took their toll. By the time Jerry was 50, he had a spare tire around the waist. Now and then, he had tension headaches. He was so worried about things at work, he would come on Sunday morning to worship and think about things he needed to do during the next week more than he would think about God. Finally, Jerry had chest pains. His heart was giving him a warning. Did Jerry go to a doctor? No. He didn’t want to take time off from work for an office visit. Then, Jerry died suddenly of a heart attack.
There were so many warning signs by God along the way. I saw them, but Jerry didn't. When his kids asked him to quit working so much because they missed him, he didn't listen. When his best friend told him to take a full vacation, Jerry admitted that he hadn't had one of those in years and didn't need one. When Jerry had tension headaches, God was warning him to take care of his health. Jerry didn't listen. Now, on a Sunday morning Jerry isn't around to help sing God's praises and reach others in Jesus' name. Jerry did so many things right in his life, but ignored the warning signs God sent about that one error in his ways. And now, he's paying the price God didn't want him to pay.
Like the people of Judah, has God been warning you lately? Do you see any signs? God is kind enough to issue you warnings. He intends for you to heed them. Don’t ignore tugs upon your heart sent from God. God warns those whom He loves. God cares enough to send warnings, but will you listen? Will you obey? Will you respond?
April 16
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24–27, NLT)
In the scripture above chosen for today, the apostle Paul is comparing the training for Greco-Roman racing and wrestling (or boxing) to the training that must accompany the Christian life. In writing to the Christians in Corinth, Paul urged them to note that prize-winners have something in common. They are all “disciplined in their training” (1 Corinthians 9:24). Their strict training enables them to compete for a prize. We, as Christians, desire a different kind of prize. We long to win an “eternal prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25). We want to live with God in heaven. To accomplish this, Paul contended that just as racers and wrestlers must train hard to win, Christians need to spiritually train hard to win. Paul mentioned that Christians, like athletes, need to “discipline the body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27). With these words, Paul emphasized that for Christians in a spiritual challenge, training of the body is crucial to win any eternal prize.
Some people think that a spiritual life involves a relationship with God and the spiritual part of one’s self alone. That is untrue. Your body is an integral part of that spiritual life. Your body can help you spiritually or hinder you spiritually. Just like an athlete spends hours and hours training the body for it to respond to the rigors of the tournament, a spiritual person must also spend hours and hours training the body to strengthen it for spiritual challenges. Your body influences your spiritual journey! If your body is constantly craving cake, you might choose to give in to comfort food instead of spiritual food. If your hormones kick into high gear, you might be tempted to have sex when you should not. The result may be an unwanted pregnancy that wrecks your spiritual life. Through the lack of care of your body, you might end up with a disease. That disease might make it so that you can’t go to worship and takes you away from prayer time. So often, we let the body dictate our actions. The body’s cravings push us toward satiating its own hunger. It doesn’t care about spiritual hunger. If you let it, your body can manipulate everything about your spiritual life. That is why Paul saw it as important that you train your body to be secondary to your spiritual life. Your cravings and hungers should not control you, manipulate you, wreck your life.
I have met many, many people who have had their spiritual life and work wrecked by cravings of the body and a weakness of the soul. A good Christian friend had a problem with spending. She let her spending get so out of control that she stopped supporting a missionary in need. A pastor I met years ago had an affair with a woman in his congregation. In one night of weakness, he damaged his marriage and his ministry. One weak moment ruined everything. A pastor from Texas close to me took cocaine to deal with the stresses of his work. Not long after, it grew into an addiction and destroyed his life. A soldier friend of mine came home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Afraid to talk about it openly, he hid it from everyone. In the end, his battered mind took over and changed his brain chemicals. He went through depression and anxiety. On a cold winter morning, he put a gun in his mouth and ended his life. Each of these, along with many others, were manipulated spiritually by a body that had wrongful cravings. If you do not get a handle on your body and its cravings and fight them and train yourself to defeat them, they will defeat you. Your body is an amazing wonder of God. It can also be your greatest weakness. Spiritual training MUST involve dealing with your body and its weaknesses, overcoming negative thoughts in your mind, and disciplining your body to be faithful to your spiritual life. God must come before any craving. Don’t let your body, mind, emotions, disease or weaknesses wreck your soul and derail your future in heaven.
Lately, have you been dealing with physical cravings, pains, and emotions? Do they threaten to overwhelm you? Do they drive you to temptation, sin, or backsliding? If you let your body tell you how to live, you will always be manipulated by its whims. Spiritual strength can only come through self-control of your body’s cravings. Don’t let your body’s cravings and manipulations keep you from enjoying your spiritual life and all of eternity. Put God first. Keep your body in check. This is why fasting, prayer, and spiritual learning are crucial to the faithful life. They are not only good for the soul, they are important for regulating your body and its cravings.
Some people think that a spiritual life involves a relationship with God and the spiritual part of one’s self alone. That is untrue. Your body is an integral part of that spiritual life. Your body can help you spiritually or hinder you spiritually. Just like an athlete spends hours and hours training the body for it to respond to the rigors of the tournament, a spiritual person must also spend hours and hours training the body to strengthen it for spiritual challenges. Your body influences your spiritual journey! If your body is constantly craving cake, you might choose to give in to comfort food instead of spiritual food. If your hormones kick into high gear, you might be tempted to have sex when you should not. The result may be an unwanted pregnancy that wrecks your spiritual life. Through the lack of care of your body, you might end up with a disease. That disease might make it so that you can’t go to worship and takes you away from prayer time. So often, we let the body dictate our actions. The body’s cravings push us toward satiating its own hunger. It doesn’t care about spiritual hunger. If you let it, your body can manipulate everything about your spiritual life. That is why Paul saw it as important that you train your body to be secondary to your spiritual life. Your cravings and hungers should not control you, manipulate you, wreck your life.
I have met many, many people who have had their spiritual life and work wrecked by cravings of the body and a weakness of the soul. A good Christian friend had a problem with spending. She let her spending get so out of control that she stopped supporting a missionary in need. A pastor I met years ago had an affair with a woman in his congregation. In one night of weakness, he damaged his marriage and his ministry. One weak moment ruined everything. A pastor from Texas close to me took cocaine to deal with the stresses of his work. Not long after, it grew into an addiction and destroyed his life. A soldier friend of mine came home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Afraid to talk about it openly, he hid it from everyone. In the end, his battered mind took over and changed his brain chemicals. He went through depression and anxiety. On a cold winter morning, he put a gun in his mouth and ended his life. Each of these, along with many others, were manipulated spiritually by a body that had wrongful cravings. If you do not get a handle on your body and its cravings and fight them and train yourself to defeat them, they will defeat you. Your body is an amazing wonder of God. It can also be your greatest weakness. Spiritual training MUST involve dealing with your body and its weaknesses, overcoming negative thoughts in your mind, and disciplining your body to be faithful to your spiritual life. God must come before any craving. Don’t let your body, mind, emotions, disease or weaknesses wreck your soul and derail your future in heaven.
Lately, have you been dealing with physical cravings, pains, and emotions? Do they threaten to overwhelm you? Do they drive you to temptation, sin, or backsliding? If you let your body tell you how to live, you will always be manipulated by its whims. Spiritual strength can only come through self-control of your body’s cravings. Don’t let your body’s cravings and manipulations keep you from enjoying your spiritual life and all of eternity. Put God first. Keep your body in check. This is why fasting, prayer, and spiritual learning are crucial to the faithful life. They are not only good for the soul, they are important for regulating your body and its cravings.
April 18
“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven; and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to thy servants who walk before thee with all their heart….” (1 Kings 8:22–23, RSV)
A man named Andy was seated at a booth in a restaurant. It was a romantic place. The lights were dim. The booths had nice high seats and walls separating them so that you had some privacy. It was a great place to bring a date. Andy was at a corner booth waiting for his girlfriend to arrive. As he sat there, he looked over the menu. Then, he overheard from the next booth a quiet conversation. "I do love you, you know. It's true. Sometimes, I just don't do the things I should. I'm sorry about that." At first, Andy figured there was another person in the booth. But no other words were spoken by another person. It was then he figured, the guy was probably calling his girlfriend on his cell phone to apologize. After a pause or two, Andy overheard more of the conversation: "Anyway, I want you to know that I'm worried. I'm worried about my family and friends, too. It's getting to me. Steve has a problem with his swearing all the time. Joanna is pregnant but hasn't told her boyfriend or parents yet. And Charlie. Well.... I don't know what to do with him." Andy began to think to himself...." That's it buddy, make her feel sorry for you and she'll come back." Finally, Andy's girlfriend showed up. The two immediately got up and went to join the buffet line. Andy walked past the booth where he heard the man talking. He was shocked to see a man whose hands were clasped in prayer. He had a Bible in front of him. What he thought was a conversation with a girlfriend via cell phone was really a conversation with God. It was a prayer. Andy immediately thought to himself, "I wish I could talk to God so easily."
If your public prayer does not sound very smooth and flowing, there may be three reasons for it. One, you do not pray enough with God. Two, you aren't open enough with God to be open in front of others when praying with them and God. Or three, you have a speech problem or social insecurity and don't like to speak in front of people. Everyone can pray, even out loud. If you can talk with a friend, you can talk with God. If you feel comfortable talking with others, you will feel comfortable talking with God in public. It's as simple as that. But I know that some of you have a problem talking with God or are new to praying. Maybe you don't pray enough because you don't feel comfortable doing it. That’s a shame, because God loves to converse with you in prayer.
In our scripture reading from the book of 1 Kings, we find King Solomon in prayer. He was praying in the Temple in Jerusalem on the day that it was dedicated to God. “Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven” (1 Kings 8:22), and prayed. His first words in that prayer are included in the scripture for today. He began the prayer by praising God who “keeps covenant” and “shows steadfast love” to those servants who live out their faith “with all their heart” (1 Kings 8:23). Notice that Solomon didn’t believe God kept HIS promises with just anyone, but only those who gave God “ALL their heart”. Later in Solomon’s prayer, he begged God to forgive those who may follow with their whole heart, but who have sinned, made mistakes, or failed to act righteously. Even the most faithful among us can’t be perfect. We fail. We mess up. As a country, we fail God. As a nation, we have sinned in part or in whole. It is in moments like that when we must return to God, repent, and ask for forgiveness.
Solomon wanted the Temple in which he prayed, to be a sign of God’s grace and mercy; a place for those who have sinned to return to faith. Every sanctuary should be a place like that; where people can come to pray, ask for forgiveness, and meet with God. A church should not be simply a social network or place to meet with friends and family. It is not just a building with nice people who like to be together. It is more than that. It is a place to find restoration of one's heart and soul with God. It needs to be a house of prayer and reflection and redemption. It needs to be a place where people find out the truth about faith in God. There, people need to be educated on subjects such as righteousness, sin, and evil and honesty and lies. It is the kind of place where people should come to reconnect with God.
As Solomon continued his prayer, he prayed that God would forgive the faithful when they sinned against God. Solomon asked that when the righteous sinned, God would hear those prayers from that Temple. When things went wrong in the country or in life, he urged the people to seek after God and do what God would command.
Prayer is important for a country, for a person who has messed up in life, and for the person who wants to find God's way. Prayer was seen in Biblical times as not only a way to find God's direction and will, but a way to find assurance, grace, and hope. Prayer was the best way to communicate with God Almighty. It still is.
There are some who might doubt that prayer works. There are some who doubt God even exists. But, the facts are overwhelmingly against those who believe this. The American Medical Association has done double blind studies which prove the effectiveness of prayer. The Associated Press and USA Today reported in 1993 of 130 separate studies affirming that prayer is a scientifically verifiable factor in healing, that it benefits those who pray and those for whom they pray. (Associated Press 12-21-93).
If you are one who doesn't pray often, one who hasn't tried prayer because you doubt its effects, or one who doesn't know what to say to God, try again. Learn to talk to God like you talk to a best friend. Learn to converse with God, not at God. Make your church into a faithful house of prayer. Seek God’s direction in prayer. Look for God to hear and answer your prayers. Give God ALL YOUR HEART. God blesses those who speak with Him in prayer. God desires to talk with you each day. God wants all sanctuaries to be holy places with a direct connection to Him. God cherishes your time together.
If your public prayer does not sound very smooth and flowing, there may be three reasons for it. One, you do not pray enough with God. Two, you aren't open enough with God to be open in front of others when praying with them and God. Or three, you have a speech problem or social insecurity and don't like to speak in front of people. Everyone can pray, even out loud. If you can talk with a friend, you can talk with God. If you feel comfortable talking with others, you will feel comfortable talking with God in public. It's as simple as that. But I know that some of you have a problem talking with God or are new to praying. Maybe you don't pray enough because you don't feel comfortable doing it. That’s a shame, because God loves to converse with you in prayer.
In our scripture reading from the book of 1 Kings, we find King Solomon in prayer. He was praying in the Temple in Jerusalem on the day that it was dedicated to God. “Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven” (1 Kings 8:22), and prayed. His first words in that prayer are included in the scripture for today. He began the prayer by praising God who “keeps covenant” and “shows steadfast love” to those servants who live out their faith “with all their heart” (1 Kings 8:23). Notice that Solomon didn’t believe God kept HIS promises with just anyone, but only those who gave God “ALL their heart”. Later in Solomon’s prayer, he begged God to forgive those who may follow with their whole heart, but who have sinned, made mistakes, or failed to act righteously. Even the most faithful among us can’t be perfect. We fail. We mess up. As a country, we fail God. As a nation, we have sinned in part or in whole. It is in moments like that when we must return to God, repent, and ask for forgiveness.
Solomon wanted the Temple in which he prayed, to be a sign of God’s grace and mercy; a place for those who have sinned to return to faith. Every sanctuary should be a place like that; where people can come to pray, ask for forgiveness, and meet with God. A church should not be simply a social network or place to meet with friends and family. It is not just a building with nice people who like to be together. It is more than that. It is a place to find restoration of one's heart and soul with God. It needs to be a house of prayer and reflection and redemption. It needs to be a place where people find out the truth about faith in God. There, people need to be educated on subjects such as righteousness, sin, and evil and honesty and lies. It is the kind of place where people should come to reconnect with God.
As Solomon continued his prayer, he prayed that God would forgive the faithful when they sinned against God. Solomon asked that when the righteous sinned, God would hear those prayers from that Temple. When things went wrong in the country or in life, he urged the people to seek after God and do what God would command.
Prayer is important for a country, for a person who has messed up in life, and for the person who wants to find God's way. Prayer was seen in Biblical times as not only a way to find God's direction and will, but a way to find assurance, grace, and hope. Prayer was the best way to communicate with God Almighty. It still is.
There are some who might doubt that prayer works. There are some who doubt God even exists. But, the facts are overwhelmingly against those who believe this. The American Medical Association has done double blind studies which prove the effectiveness of prayer. The Associated Press and USA Today reported in 1993 of 130 separate studies affirming that prayer is a scientifically verifiable factor in healing, that it benefits those who pray and those for whom they pray. (Associated Press 12-21-93).
If you are one who doesn't pray often, one who hasn't tried prayer because you doubt its effects, or one who doesn't know what to say to God, try again. Learn to talk to God like you talk to a best friend. Learn to converse with God, not at God. Make your church into a faithful house of prayer. Seek God’s direction in prayer. Look for God to hear and answer your prayers. Give God ALL YOUR HEART. God blesses those who speak with Him in prayer. God desires to talk with you each day. God wants all sanctuaries to be holy places with a direct connection to Him. God cherishes your time together.
April 19
“That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.”
(Matthew 13:13, NLT)
(Matthew 13:13, NLT)
"In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news--man had flown!" (Daily Bread, December 23, 1991)
How many times have you missed the obvious?
When teaching His disciples, Jesus spoke the words used in the scripture for today. They too speak about people who miss obvious connections. After using a good number of parables while teaching, the disciples asked Jesus why he used parables at all. Why didn’t He just state the obvious? Jesus responded that sinful people often “look, but don’t really see” what is obvious to the faithful. They hear God’s words, but don’t listen or understand what those words mean. Thus, the words of God don’t hit home. They don’t touch the heart of those lost in sin, those who are unwilling to perceive God’s word or presence.
After a phone call from a concerned member of my church, I went to visit a woman who had depression. To help matters, I took along with me a female friend to both the woman and to me. When I knocked on the depressed woman’s apartment door, she answered it after about a minute of knocking. We were invited in. I knew she didn’t want us there. Using insight and relying on God’s Spirit to lead me, we talked for a short while. I asked the depressed woman to come with me to the neighboring hospital. The friend looked at me with wide eyes wondering what I was doing. It’s not everyday that a pastor tells you that you need to go to the hospital and that he was going to wait to take you. When I said this, the depressed woman looked down to the floor and said quietly, “Well, I guess you should take the sleeping pills out from under the couch cushion. I won’t be using them now, I guess.” When that happened, I thought the friend would choke. We were that close to a suicide. Later, the friend told me that she had no idea this depressed woman was that close to suicide. Based on my training and what God was telling me, it was obvious. But, that’s how it is with some things in life. To one person, something may be obvious, to another not so much. To one Christian, God’s word might be crystal clear. To another, God’s word seems unclear and indirect.
Jesus’ parables often taught brilliant messages to those willing to discern their meaning. To those who were living in sin, the stories were sometimes unable to bring reason or revelation. It is important in your faith life that you don’t miss the obvious signs, proverbs, meanings, and spiritual directions from God. It may not only be that you don’t “get it”. It might cause a person to give up, leave your life, or commit suicide.
Sometimes, God will open your eyes a little more to see things you’ve been missing. Those are usually crucial moments in your life. In most cases, missing the obvious will hurt you. Today, consider if you’ve been missing something lately. Is something needing to be said? Are there clues to a problem you don’t see? Is there an option that is eluding you? Talk to God. See if maybe you are hearing, but not understanding; seeing something, but just not getting the point.
How many times have you missed the obvious?
When teaching His disciples, Jesus spoke the words used in the scripture for today. They too speak about people who miss obvious connections. After using a good number of parables while teaching, the disciples asked Jesus why he used parables at all. Why didn’t He just state the obvious? Jesus responded that sinful people often “look, but don’t really see” what is obvious to the faithful. They hear God’s words, but don’t listen or understand what those words mean. Thus, the words of God don’t hit home. They don’t touch the heart of those lost in sin, those who are unwilling to perceive God’s word or presence.
After a phone call from a concerned member of my church, I went to visit a woman who had depression. To help matters, I took along with me a female friend to both the woman and to me. When I knocked on the depressed woman’s apartment door, she answered it after about a minute of knocking. We were invited in. I knew she didn’t want us there. Using insight and relying on God’s Spirit to lead me, we talked for a short while. I asked the depressed woman to come with me to the neighboring hospital. The friend looked at me with wide eyes wondering what I was doing. It’s not everyday that a pastor tells you that you need to go to the hospital and that he was going to wait to take you. When I said this, the depressed woman looked down to the floor and said quietly, “Well, I guess you should take the sleeping pills out from under the couch cushion. I won’t be using them now, I guess.” When that happened, I thought the friend would choke. We were that close to a suicide. Later, the friend told me that she had no idea this depressed woman was that close to suicide. Based on my training and what God was telling me, it was obvious. But, that’s how it is with some things in life. To one person, something may be obvious, to another not so much. To one Christian, God’s word might be crystal clear. To another, God’s word seems unclear and indirect.
Jesus’ parables often taught brilliant messages to those willing to discern their meaning. To those who were living in sin, the stories were sometimes unable to bring reason or revelation. It is important in your faith life that you don’t miss the obvious signs, proverbs, meanings, and spiritual directions from God. It may not only be that you don’t “get it”. It might cause a person to give up, leave your life, or commit suicide.
Sometimes, God will open your eyes a little more to see things you’ve been missing. Those are usually crucial moments in your life. In most cases, missing the obvious will hurt you. Today, consider if you’ve been missing something lately. Is something needing to be said? Are there clues to a problem you don’t see? Is there an option that is eluding you? Talk to God. See if maybe you are hearing, but not understanding; seeing something, but just not getting the point.
April 20
““How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?”
(Proverbs 1:22, RSV)
(Proverbs 1:22, RSV)
Have you ever noticed how often people change the facts to suit them? I’ve read several articles about those who write study papers on the environment. What is interesting is that the writers came to exact conclusions that would best suit those who sponsored the study! This happens all the time. People will adjust the facts to fit the reader or to manipulate the person who listens to them. Twice in the past two days, I read about polls taken by news media. In both, they quoted statistics, but then I read the fine print. Therein was contained the facts that in both cases 30% more Democrats were interviewed than Republicans. Their conclusions fit perfectly into the Democratic agenda of those news organizations. No wonder, since they jiggled the numbers to fit what they wanted to “report”.
While you may find it reprehensible that news organizations play around with factual evidence, just realize that you probably do it as well. Have you ever told a person what they wanted to hear even if it wasn’t truthful? Are you apt to tell white lies in order to look good? Do you read and study subjects that you want to come to a certain conclusion but ignore the facts when they go against you? Do you ever play up one side of an argument to win it? There are many ways to play with knowledge so that it suits you. Be careful when you play with facts or ignore knowledge. You might prove yourself a fool according to today’s scripture. God would not want that.
Proverbs is a book full of wisdom. Some of that wisdom involves how you relate to God and faith and other spiritual topics. Other wisdom found in that book involves how you look at life, relate to your world, or interact with others. Is it no surprise that this book was studied by Jewish youth who were expected to be future leaders? Today’s verse involves an examination of those who are “simple” minded. These simple ones are apt to ignore wisdom or the facts. Some are scoffers. They tend to make fun of others who don’t agree with them. They are considered in this verse as “fools” who “hate knowledge”. There is a clear connection in this verse between the “simple minded”, “scoffing” or making fun of those who disagree with you, and “fools” who “hate knowledge”. Based on a clear reading of this verse, these personalities are displayed as unwise and unfaithful by their own actions.
For this day, I want to focus on the unwise being “fools who hate knowledge” (Proverbs 1:22b). What does it mean to “hate knowledge”? I believe we have seen a resurgence of the hatred of knowledge in today’s world. This mindset involves the rejection of true verifiable knowledge based on facts and truth which is replaced by the equivalent of “fake news” or “falsified facts”. Fake news has become so common today that it has even been proven to affect the election results of 2016. The reason why people read fake news is that they don’t want to face facts and deal with the real news. They would rather isolate themselves in their own little realities that are far removed from the real world. They don’t want real facts; they would rather have opinions that tell them what they want to hear. They only want knowledge if it reinforces their warped view of reality. They can’t live with the truth.
Darcy was sexually manipulated by a boy she was dating in high school. She had sex with him without realizing that to him, it was just a game. The boy had wagered with a few of his friends that he could have sex with a virgin before spring break. He found Darcy, had sex with her, and won the bet. He had no intention of dating her long term or even forming a real friendship with her. He wanted to win the bet. Darcy’s response to this reality of her manipulation was to hate men. She despised men. She became an ardent feminist and constantly sought to put down men and object to men’s rights. In her hatred, she began to quote how often women were sexually abused and joined groups that fought for liberal causes. But there were many facts Darcy ignored, like the fact that men are more often abused than women. Men also have very few domestic violence resources compared to women. She didn’t care that men usually don’t share their emotional pain from abuse. She had more than enough emotional pain and didn’t care about theirs. She would quote how much less women make in the workplace but ignore the facts of women choosing to make less in order to raise their families or volunteer for great causes. She didn’t want to hear those facts. She had an agenda of hate. She hated all men, even though it was only one man who hurt her.
There are millions of Darcy’s in this world. Some are women, but others are men. They live with hatred or bitterness or resentfulness. They make up facts to support their hatred. Their knowledge is limited by their mindset. They refuse to learn about anything that doesn’t justify their own bias. The scripture for today asks how long these simple-minded people will let their hatred and bias burn. The writer of this verse knows that as long as one lives with such a bias, that person will suffer from that bias. That person will never become wise or healed or a joy to be around. Fools continue today to hate knowledge. They look for people to echo their own bias. Don’t be a fool. Learn the truth about God and life and relationships and the world. Notice how many facts align with the truth that God gives, as informed by the scripture. Don’t let your lack of knowledge be your undoing.
While you may find it reprehensible that news organizations play around with factual evidence, just realize that you probably do it as well. Have you ever told a person what they wanted to hear even if it wasn’t truthful? Are you apt to tell white lies in order to look good? Do you read and study subjects that you want to come to a certain conclusion but ignore the facts when they go against you? Do you ever play up one side of an argument to win it? There are many ways to play with knowledge so that it suits you. Be careful when you play with facts or ignore knowledge. You might prove yourself a fool according to today’s scripture. God would not want that.
Proverbs is a book full of wisdom. Some of that wisdom involves how you relate to God and faith and other spiritual topics. Other wisdom found in that book involves how you look at life, relate to your world, or interact with others. Is it no surprise that this book was studied by Jewish youth who were expected to be future leaders? Today’s verse involves an examination of those who are “simple” minded. These simple ones are apt to ignore wisdom or the facts. Some are scoffers. They tend to make fun of others who don’t agree with them. They are considered in this verse as “fools” who “hate knowledge”. There is a clear connection in this verse between the “simple minded”, “scoffing” or making fun of those who disagree with you, and “fools” who “hate knowledge”. Based on a clear reading of this verse, these personalities are displayed as unwise and unfaithful by their own actions.
For this day, I want to focus on the unwise being “fools who hate knowledge” (Proverbs 1:22b). What does it mean to “hate knowledge”? I believe we have seen a resurgence of the hatred of knowledge in today’s world. This mindset involves the rejection of true verifiable knowledge based on facts and truth which is replaced by the equivalent of “fake news” or “falsified facts”. Fake news has become so common today that it has even been proven to affect the election results of 2016. The reason why people read fake news is that they don’t want to face facts and deal with the real news. They would rather isolate themselves in their own little realities that are far removed from the real world. They don’t want real facts; they would rather have opinions that tell them what they want to hear. They only want knowledge if it reinforces their warped view of reality. They can’t live with the truth.
Darcy was sexually manipulated by a boy she was dating in high school. She had sex with him without realizing that to him, it was just a game. The boy had wagered with a few of his friends that he could have sex with a virgin before spring break. He found Darcy, had sex with her, and won the bet. He had no intention of dating her long term or even forming a real friendship with her. He wanted to win the bet. Darcy’s response to this reality of her manipulation was to hate men. She despised men. She became an ardent feminist and constantly sought to put down men and object to men’s rights. In her hatred, she began to quote how often women were sexually abused and joined groups that fought for liberal causes. But there were many facts Darcy ignored, like the fact that men are more often abused than women. Men also have very few domestic violence resources compared to women. She didn’t care that men usually don’t share their emotional pain from abuse. She had more than enough emotional pain and didn’t care about theirs. She would quote how much less women make in the workplace but ignore the facts of women choosing to make less in order to raise their families or volunteer for great causes. She didn’t want to hear those facts. She had an agenda of hate. She hated all men, even though it was only one man who hurt her.
There are millions of Darcy’s in this world. Some are women, but others are men. They live with hatred or bitterness or resentfulness. They make up facts to support their hatred. Their knowledge is limited by their mindset. They refuse to learn about anything that doesn’t justify their own bias. The scripture for today asks how long these simple-minded people will let their hatred and bias burn. The writer of this verse knows that as long as one lives with such a bias, that person will suffer from that bias. That person will never become wise or healed or a joy to be around. Fools continue today to hate knowledge. They look for people to echo their own bias. Don’t be a fool. Learn the truth about God and life and relationships and the world. Notice how many facts align with the truth that God gives, as informed by the scripture. Don’t let your lack of knowledge be your undoing.
April 22
“The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”” (John 10:31–32, ESV)
Despite good intentions, there will always be people who want to hurt you. They will always find a reason, cause, or purpose for their hatred or envy of you. You can’t live your life catering to their fits. If you are smart, you will just keep doing what good things God has you do. Don’t respond to the evil done to you with unrighteous acts. Jesus didn’t respond in kind to the evil done to Him. When He was tested, He passed the tests. He didn’t resent the tests. When He was taunted and tempted by evil people and even Satan himself, Jesus didn’t falter in His mission. While the religious leaders sought to kill Him, Jesus kept on task. He continued to teach and do good works. In spite of all the evil and criticism around Him, Jesus continued to remain faithful to His calling. Will you?
In the scripture above, Jesus faced highly critical Jewish religious leaders. He had just claimed that God the Father was one with Him. The Jewish leaders considered it blasphemy. They wanted Jesus silenced. After healing a blind man, the religious authorities criticized the healing and sought to find a way to malign Jesus because of the healing. They interviewed the man who was healed and attempted to manipulate the situation (John 9:24). The healings done by Jesus continued to make Jesus famous, especially among those who were diseased. They sought Jesus out. Jesus’ teachings also earned Him many followers. I’m sure the religious authorities were jealous and envious. While the authorities tested, criticized, maligned, and argued with Jesus and His adherents, Jesus simply went about continuing His ministry and good works. But when Jesus equated His work with that of God the Father in John 10:30, the Jewish authorities figured they had good reason to stone Jesus. They picked up the stones and were ready to strike when Jesus caught them unprepared with one simple question, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” (John 10:32). Jesus’ words struck them at the heart. How could they answer the question? To do so would make them appear the guilty ones. They couldn’t stone Jesus for doing a good work, a healing, or a miracle. They put down their rocks, and Jesus simply walked away.
This entire episode of Jesus’ ministry shows that the religious leaders were looking for any way to silence Jesus. They didn’t like that He healed people. They resented His fame. They despised His teachings. From their resentment and blood lust, you can see that it would not be long before they would find something, anything, to justify their cruelty to Jesus.
In our world, people will always look for a way to hurt another, despite the good that is done.
On the school bus, a pastor’s son saw a fight beginning to erupt. Two boys were constantly at each other’s throats. They came from rival families. They didn’t like one another. Talking trash about the other, seeking vengeance, and starting rumors abounded between the two. They could barely stand being on the bus together. On that day, they were at the point of fighting when the pastor’s son intervened to stop the fight. He tried to calm them down. Despite the good he wished to do, both attacked him. Reigning blow upon blow, they bruised his head and body. Fearing the anger and reprisals by the two bullies, nobody said anything when the bus arrived at the school. Not seeing who started what, the bus driver could not explain what had happened. In the end, the pastor’s son was beaten and left with a bloody nose simply for trying to help.
When he came home, the pastor's son went to his room and closed himself in. He vowed never to do anything good in his life ever again. It just didn’t pay. Later, when his pastor father talked to him, the boy explained what had happened. His father was proud of his attempt at doing what was right. The father put his arms around the son, saying he was so sorry for what had happened. The young man still wondered if he had done right, but he no longer was convinced that he never should do the right thing when he might get hurt.
There are moments in your life when you will receive hatred, envy, and abuse from those who don’t like it when you do something right. You too will wonder if doing the right thing is even worth it. Just remember Jesus in the scripture today. Even when faced with death, he did not stop doing what was right. He didn’t change His ministry and mission in the face of angry bystanders. He did what was right knowing that His Father and followers were watching. The Heavenly Father would be the final judge.
Don’t stop doing what is right, even when you pay for it. Don’t be afraid to stand up for the truth, even when it may cost you. Look for God to be with you in those moments. Those situations will display forever your commitment to God… or your lack of commitment….. depending on your actions and responses. In those moments, will you do what is right and continue to follow God’s plan, or will you cave to bullies and those who want to do wrong? Those are difficult moments. I pray you shine throughout!
In the scripture above, Jesus faced highly critical Jewish religious leaders. He had just claimed that God the Father was one with Him. The Jewish leaders considered it blasphemy. They wanted Jesus silenced. After healing a blind man, the religious authorities criticized the healing and sought to find a way to malign Jesus because of the healing. They interviewed the man who was healed and attempted to manipulate the situation (John 9:24). The healings done by Jesus continued to make Jesus famous, especially among those who were diseased. They sought Jesus out. Jesus’ teachings also earned Him many followers. I’m sure the religious authorities were jealous and envious. While the authorities tested, criticized, maligned, and argued with Jesus and His adherents, Jesus simply went about continuing His ministry and good works. But when Jesus equated His work with that of God the Father in John 10:30, the Jewish authorities figured they had good reason to stone Jesus. They picked up the stones and were ready to strike when Jesus caught them unprepared with one simple question, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” (John 10:32). Jesus’ words struck them at the heart. How could they answer the question? To do so would make them appear the guilty ones. They couldn’t stone Jesus for doing a good work, a healing, or a miracle. They put down their rocks, and Jesus simply walked away.
This entire episode of Jesus’ ministry shows that the religious leaders were looking for any way to silence Jesus. They didn’t like that He healed people. They resented His fame. They despised His teachings. From their resentment and blood lust, you can see that it would not be long before they would find something, anything, to justify their cruelty to Jesus.
In our world, people will always look for a way to hurt another, despite the good that is done.
On the school bus, a pastor’s son saw a fight beginning to erupt. Two boys were constantly at each other’s throats. They came from rival families. They didn’t like one another. Talking trash about the other, seeking vengeance, and starting rumors abounded between the two. They could barely stand being on the bus together. On that day, they were at the point of fighting when the pastor’s son intervened to stop the fight. He tried to calm them down. Despite the good he wished to do, both attacked him. Reigning blow upon blow, they bruised his head and body. Fearing the anger and reprisals by the two bullies, nobody said anything when the bus arrived at the school. Not seeing who started what, the bus driver could not explain what had happened. In the end, the pastor’s son was beaten and left with a bloody nose simply for trying to help.
When he came home, the pastor's son went to his room and closed himself in. He vowed never to do anything good in his life ever again. It just didn’t pay. Later, when his pastor father talked to him, the boy explained what had happened. His father was proud of his attempt at doing what was right. The father put his arms around the son, saying he was so sorry for what had happened. The young man still wondered if he had done right, but he no longer was convinced that he never should do the right thing when he might get hurt.
There are moments in your life when you will receive hatred, envy, and abuse from those who don’t like it when you do something right. You too will wonder if doing the right thing is even worth it. Just remember Jesus in the scripture today. Even when faced with death, he did not stop doing what was right. He didn’t change His ministry and mission in the face of angry bystanders. He did what was right knowing that His Father and followers were watching. The Heavenly Father would be the final judge.
Don’t stop doing what is right, even when you pay for it. Don’t be afraid to stand up for the truth, even when it may cost you. Look for God to be with you in those moments. Those situations will display forever your commitment to God… or your lack of commitment….. depending on your actions and responses. In those moments, will you do what is right and continue to follow God’s plan, or will you cave to bullies and those who want to do wrong? Those are difficult moments. I pray you shine throughout!
April 23
““Jeremiah, I have made you a tester of metals, that you may determine the quality of my people. They are the worst kind of rebel, full of slander. They are as hard as bronze and iron, and they lead others into corruption. The bellows fiercely fan the flames to burn out the corruption. But it does not purify them, for the wickedness remains. I will label them ‘Rejected Silver,’ for I, the Lord, am discarding them.””
(Jeremiah 6:27–30, NLT)
(Jeremiah 6:27–30, NLT)
Scripture often uses allegory and illustration and parables and other literary methods to convey an important point. The passage from Jeremiah for today is one such example. Here, God appoints Jeremiah as an assayer, “a tester of metals.” Like an assayer tests metals for purity, Jeremiah was to test the “quality” of God’s people (Jeremiah 6:27). Jeremiah’s goal was to determine the worth of the people. In ancient times, precious metals like gold and silver often had to be heated to get rid of impurities. The purer the metal was, the more it would not lose value over time through oxidation and other chemical processes. To ensure that that a metal was pure, workers would heat it to high temperatures so that they could settle out impurities. The fire would melt the metal and the impurities could be drawn off. One method to increase the purity of a metal in this type of process was to add a “bellows”. I have included a picture to the right to show you ancient Egyptian workmen using a bellows that heated a fire by pressing down with one’s feet to force air under pressure into the fire. This would increase the temperature of the fire and help to separate out and purify the metals. In the scripture for today, God is saddened that the more the spiritual bellows were blown upon the people of God, the more impurities were found. In the end, God had to call many people in that generation “rejected silver” (Jeremiah 6:30). The spiritual impurities among the people were so obvious and prevalent that God had to “discard” them for their wickedness, sinful lives, and corruption.
There are people who can become spiritually worthless over time. Filled with so much sin and evil and highly likely to corrupt others, they are rejected by God. Their spiritual impurities make them of no value to God whatsoever. However, the more spiritually pure you are, the more valuable you are to God. Sin and evil and wickedness and corruption all lessen the value of an individual before God. These impurities cause a person to lose their quality, value, and purpose. Silver that is riddled with impurities has no value. The spiritual person whose life is full of sinful thoughts and actions is also of no value. Unless both are refined, there will be no future for either.
Christians don’t often talk about spiritual purity anymore. Our world has degraded the meaning of the word “purity” to the point that many talk about being pure as being self-righteous, bigoted, and elitist. In this past month, the virginity of an NFL cheerleader was a cause for a number of her fellow cheerleaders to make fun of her. She made a vow of sexual purity and was mocked in mainstream media and by some in the NFL. When a student at a local school made a vow to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent as a sign of her faith in God, some students chastised her as old fashioned and out of date. They made fun of her act of ritual purity. When a college student asked for prayers for a woman who had died, she was ridiculed and asked to keep her religion to herself. Her act of pure love was blasted as bigoted and unenlightened. In the fires of criticism and name-calling, many Christians today endure ridicule and torment for acts of purity. God blesses their actions and considers them more valuable, even while society denigrates their righteous accomplishments.
God cares deeply about your spiritual purity. Your thoughts, words, and actions of faithfulness cause God to bless your worth. Your value increases. Sin, evil, and wrongful actions cause you to become less valuable in God’s sight. You will have to choose in your life whether to become valuable to worldly causes or valuable in God’s sight. I hope and pray you choose the latter. Many in Jeremiah’s day did not choose spiritual purity. Most lost their lives in the war with the Babylonians that soon followed. God did not protect the impure sinners of that era. They made themselves worthless examples of human corruption. They were of no value in the day of judgment.
There are people who can become spiritually worthless over time. Filled with so much sin and evil and highly likely to corrupt others, they are rejected by God. Their spiritual impurities make them of no value to God whatsoever. However, the more spiritually pure you are, the more valuable you are to God. Sin and evil and wickedness and corruption all lessen the value of an individual before God. These impurities cause a person to lose their quality, value, and purpose. Silver that is riddled with impurities has no value. The spiritual person whose life is full of sinful thoughts and actions is also of no value. Unless both are refined, there will be no future for either.
Christians don’t often talk about spiritual purity anymore. Our world has degraded the meaning of the word “purity” to the point that many talk about being pure as being self-righteous, bigoted, and elitist. In this past month, the virginity of an NFL cheerleader was a cause for a number of her fellow cheerleaders to make fun of her. She made a vow of sexual purity and was mocked in mainstream media and by some in the NFL. When a student at a local school made a vow to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent as a sign of her faith in God, some students chastised her as old fashioned and out of date. They made fun of her act of ritual purity. When a college student asked for prayers for a woman who had died, she was ridiculed and asked to keep her religion to herself. Her act of pure love was blasted as bigoted and unenlightened. In the fires of criticism and name-calling, many Christians today endure ridicule and torment for acts of purity. God blesses their actions and considers them more valuable, even while society denigrates their righteous accomplishments.
God cares deeply about your spiritual purity. Your thoughts, words, and actions of faithfulness cause God to bless your worth. Your value increases. Sin, evil, and wrongful actions cause you to become less valuable in God’s sight. You will have to choose in your life whether to become valuable to worldly causes or valuable in God’s sight. I hope and pray you choose the latter. Many in Jeremiah’s day did not choose spiritual purity. Most lost their lives in the war with the Babylonians that soon followed. God did not protect the impure sinners of that era. They made themselves worthless examples of human corruption. They were of no value in the day of judgment.
April 24
““Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”” (Romans 4:7–8, NIV84)
The scripture above is Paul’s paraphrase of Psalm 32:1-2. Paul wrote these words to explain the importance of grace, forgiveness, and dealing with sin. I want you to focus on the relationship between your sin and your forgiveness. Have you ever held on to a sin? Have you ever hidden a sin? Do you ever beat up on yourself for a past sin? This scripture was meant to heal you from these mistakes.
The scripture above does NOT say, “Blessed are those whose transgressions are hidden, whose sins are buried in one’s consciousness.” Yet, that is precisely what many people attempt to do with sin. They hide them like Adam and Eve tried to hide their sin from God when in the Garden of Eden. It’s what David did after he sinned with Bathsheba. Hiding your sin may be the first thing you desire to do after you sin. Out of shame or guilt, once you recognize your sin you may want to make believe it didn’t happen in order to get rid of the hurt and pain from the sin. This is exactly what NOT to do. That sin will wreak havoc in your mind and heart and soul. It will beat you up from the inside out as you replay it in your thoughts. You may decide to bury it in your subconscious as if it will be hidden from even yourself. This may give you nightmares, cause you to tell more lies to keep it buried, or commit other sins to cover it up. It’s natural to feel shame or guilt when you sin. It is NOT natural to hide or bury your sin, seeking an escape from its effects. You will always suffer more in the end.
Gwen had a side of herself that she hid from many people. She had the tendency to get even, despite the costs. When Gwen fell head over heals in love with Joe, she was excited to wake up every day. Joe was a great guy, very well liked and respected in her school. She loved holding his hand and taking walks. She loved sneaking away at night to kiss away the hours in a park across the street from her house.
When leaving her third period class one day, Gwen saw Joe talking with a cheerleader outside his biology class. She immediately grew suspicious and jealous of Jenny. When she asked Joe about it later, he said that the two had a lab project to do together. This bothered Gwen, for she knew this would involve their working closely in class and in their lab work. For days, Gwen fumed every time she saw Jenny. She decided to do something about this threat. Gwen purposefully started a rumor that Jenny was having sex with another boy. Then, when the rumor started to peter out, Gwen anonymously posted things online about Jenny that were not only fabricated, but highly toxic emotionally. After a couple of months of this, Gwen started getting upset at Joe every time he saw Jenny. In the end, Gwen’s jealousy, anger, and hidden sin boiled over as she wrecked her relationship with Joe. In the months after, Gwen showed contempt for him at every opportune moment.
Then, in late February, Gwen was shocked with the news that Jenny had been taken by her parents to a psychiatric facility. Gwen found out that Jenny was suffering horribly from depression. In her sadness, Jenny even attempted suicide by cutting her wrist. Several people saw her with a bandaged left wrist. Gwen knew she had contributed to Gwen’s depression. In response, she made sure to erase everything about Jenny from her computer. She checked and double-checked all her electronic trails. She buried the entire series of sins. What Gwen didn’t figure on was that later in her life when she became depressed, what she had done to Jenny caused her so much grief that she began to drink and take drugs to try and forget all her pain. In the end, hiding her anger, jealousy, envy, and evil deeds cost Gwen greatly. Her caustic personality and sinful attacks hurt many, especially herself.
The scripture for today says that people who are forgiven are “blessed” (Romans 4:7). When God forgives a person, there is a great relief that comes when a man realizes that “the Lord will never count [his sin] against him” (Romans 4:8). When God forgives you, healing can begin. When you hide and cover and bury your sin, healing cannot come. True peace can never be attained. When you sin, a war ensues between heart and soul and mind that cannot end until you make things right. Sins that are hidden always continue an inner turmoil from which you cannot escape. That’s why people who are forgiven by God are seen in this scripture as “blessed”. They can move on and heal from their sin. The sin no longer should cause pain and suffering. God has dealt with it.
All you must do to find blessing in the aftermath of a sin, is to confess your failing to God and ask what to do about it. Then, do what God tells you. Repent with all your heart, and God will cleanse your heart and soul and mind. Instead of hiding and replaying your sin, let God heal you from your sin. Instead of wallowing in guilt and shame over a sinful act, repent and make things right. Otherwise, you will suffer over and over for your sin: once when you sin and more again when you continue to be reminded of your failure.
God wants you to be healed from your sins and find blessing in your life. Are you willing to face your sin and deal with it? If you need help to make things right, will you talk with a pastor or priest or friend to help? Will you bury your sin, or will you atone for your sin? If you ever want to feel peace and blessing, God must bring forgiveness. But will you ask for it? Will you seek it?
The scripture above does NOT say, “Blessed are those whose transgressions are hidden, whose sins are buried in one’s consciousness.” Yet, that is precisely what many people attempt to do with sin. They hide them like Adam and Eve tried to hide their sin from God when in the Garden of Eden. It’s what David did after he sinned with Bathsheba. Hiding your sin may be the first thing you desire to do after you sin. Out of shame or guilt, once you recognize your sin you may want to make believe it didn’t happen in order to get rid of the hurt and pain from the sin. This is exactly what NOT to do. That sin will wreak havoc in your mind and heart and soul. It will beat you up from the inside out as you replay it in your thoughts. You may decide to bury it in your subconscious as if it will be hidden from even yourself. This may give you nightmares, cause you to tell more lies to keep it buried, or commit other sins to cover it up. It’s natural to feel shame or guilt when you sin. It is NOT natural to hide or bury your sin, seeking an escape from its effects. You will always suffer more in the end.
Gwen had a side of herself that she hid from many people. She had the tendency to get even, despite the costs. When Gwen fell head over heals in love with Joe, she was excited to wake up every day. Joe was a great guy, very well liked and respected in her school. She loved holding his hand and taking walks. She loved sneaking away at night to kiss away the hours in a park across the street from her house.
When leaving her third period class one day, Gwen saw Joe talking with a cheerleader outside his biology class. She immediately grew suspicious and jealous of Jenny. When she asked Joe about it later, he said that the two had a lab project to do together. This bothered Gwen, for she knew this would involve their working closely in class and in their lab work. For days, Gwen fumed every time she saw Jenny. She decided to do something about this threat. Gwen purposefully started a rumor that Jenny was having sex with another boy. Then, when the rumor started to peter out, Gwen anonymously posted things online about Jenny that were not only fabricated, but highly toxic emotionally. After a couple of months of this, Gwen started getting upset at Joe every time he saw Jenny. In the end, Gwen’s jealousy, anger, and hidden sin boiled over as she wrecked her relationship with Joe. In the months after, Gwen showed contempt for him at every opportune moment.
Then, in late February, Gwen was shocked with the news that Jenny had been taken by her parents to a psychiatric facility. Gwen found out that Jenny was suffering horribly from depression. In her sadness, Jenny even attempted suicide by cutting her wrist. Several people saw her with a bandaged left wrist. Gwen knew she had contributed to Gwen’s depression. In response, she made sure to erase everything about Jenny from her computer. She checked and double-checked all her electronic trails. She buried the entire series of sins. What Gwen didn’t figure on was that later in her life when she became depressed, what she had done to Jenny caused her so much grief that she began to drink and take drugs to try and forget all her pain. In the end, hiding her anger, jealousy, envy, and evil deeds cost Gwen greatly. Her caustic personality and sinful attacks hurt many, especially herself.
The scripture for today says that people who are forgiven are “blessed” (Romans 4:7). When God forgives a person, there is a great relief that comes when a man realizes that “the Lord will never count [his sin] against him” (Romans 4:8). When God forgives you, healing can begin. When you hide and cover and bury your sin, healing cannot come. True peace can never be attained. When you sin, a war ensues between heart and soul and mind that cannot end until you make things right. Sins that are hidden always continue an inner turmoil from which you cannot escape. That’s why people who are forgiven by God are seen in this scripture as “blessed”. They can move on and heal from their sin. The sin no longer should cause pain and suffering. God has dealt with it.
All you must do to find blessing in the aftermath of a sin, is to confess your failing to God and ask what to do about it. Then, do what God tells you. Repent with all your heart, and God will cleanse your heart and soul and mind. Instead of hiding and replaying your sin, let God heal you from your sin. Instead of wallowing in guilt and shame over a sinful act, repent and make things right. Otherwise, you will suffer over and over for your sin: once when you sin and more again when you continue to be reminded of your failure.
God wants you to be healed from your sins and find blessing in your life. Are you willing to face your sin and deal with it? If you need help to make things right, will you talk with a pastor or priest or friend to help? Will you bury your sin, or will you atone for your sin? If you ever want to feel peace and blessing, God must bring forgiveness. But will you ask for it? Will you seek it?
April 25
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.”
(Proverbs 12:15, NASB95)
(Proverbs 12:15, NASB95)
“It is no wonder that in 15 years of asking high school students throughout America whether, in an emergency situation, they would save their dog or a stranger first, most students have answered that they would not save the stranger. "I love my dog; I don't love the stranger," they always say. The feeling of love has supplanted God or religious principle as the moral guide for young people. What is right has been redefined in terms of what an individual feels.” (Dennis Prager in Good News, July/Aug 1993).
As the above example contends, people today have redefined the meaning of what is right by means other than godly basis. Most people determine what is “right” by what they want, what they feel, what feels good, or what gains the most. Right and wrong change with the winds among these people. What is wrong today is right tomorrow. What is right today is wrong next month. Without God’s Word and Law to determine right from wrong, people can choose all kinds of things to be right or wrong depending upon their own flawed reasoning.
The scripture for today reaffirms the problem of the human condition. Fools think they are right “in their own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15). They will often fail to think of consequences or take good advice. Whereas a wise man “listens to counsel”, listening intently for reason and understanding, a fool will often do his own thing. He’ll do what he wants and when he wants it. He will find justification for doing stupid things and make excuses for his own ignorance. God doesn’t hold a high regard for fools who decide what is right based on their own flawed logic. God does see great value in those who seek advice and counsel and direction when needed.
Following a bitter divorce, Caroline was having great troubles in her life. Her ex-husband had remarried. Her children enjoyed being with her ex and his new wife. Caroline grew increasingly bitter and resentful. She was jealous that her ex had found new love. She was angry at her children for having a good relationship with her ex. She resented his being in her life. She hated him. She hated his attitude. She was successful at business, but terribly unsuccessful at marriage.
Following the onset of depression, Caroline started attending worship again. She then sought out her pastor for counseling. After five months of counseling, Caroline began to have breakthroughs in her depression and in her personal life. Spiritually, she grew closer to God. As she began to deal with her issues with the help of her pastor, she began to work through her jealousy, anger, resentment, and sinful thoughts. She began to realize more and more what God wanted from her and of the emotions and bitterness she had to let go.
Today, Caroline would tell you that her counseling brought with it some of the darkest moments of her life. Those sessions also brought her great healing. Through the advice and help of her pastor, Caroline became not only a better person but a godly woman who had a renewed heart and soul. Caroline needed that counseling, needed God, needed her pastor, needed advice and prayer, needed to work through her issues and sin. Wisely, she used time and prayer and counseling and discernment to great effect.
Are you one to seek and listen to good advice? Do you hear good advice, but ignore it? Are you ashamed to ask for help? Do you fear constructive criticism? Don’t be a fool, “right in your own eyes, unable to accept good advice. Wisdom from God is always worth the price you pay to heed it.
As the above example contends, people today have redefined the meaning of what is right by means other than godly basis. Most people determine what is “right” by what they want, what they feel, what feels good, or what gains the most. Right and wrong change with the winds among these people. What is wrong today is right tomorrow. What is right today is wrong next month. Without God’s Word and Law to determine right from wrong, people can choose all kinds of things to be right or wrong depending upon their own flawed reasoning.
The scripture for today reaffirms the problem of the human condition. Fools think they are right “in their own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15). They will often fail to think of consequences or take good advice. Whereas a wise man “listens to counsel”, listening intently for reason and understanding, a fool will often do his own thing. He’ll do what he wants and when he wants it. He will find justification for doing stupid things and make excuses for his own ignorance. God doesn’t hold a high regard for fools who decide what is right based on their own flawed logic. God does see great value in those who seek advice and counsel and direction when needed.
Following a bitter divorce, Caroline was having great troubles in her life. Her ex-husband had remarried. Her children enjoyed being with her ex and his new wife. Caroline grew increasingly bitter and resentful. She was jealous that her ex had found new love. She was angry at her children for having a good relationship with her ex. She resented his being in her life. She hated him. She hated his attitude. She was successful at business, but terribly unsuccessful at marriage.
Following the onset of depression, Caroline started attending worship again. She then sought out her pastor for counseling. After five months of counseling, Caroline began to have breakthroughs in her depression and in her personal life. Spiritually, she grew closer to God. As she began to deal with her issues with the help of her pastor, she began to work through her jealousy, anger, resentment, and sinful thoughts. She began to realize more and more what God wanted from her and of the emotions and bitterness she had to let go.
Today, Caroline would tell you that her counseling brought with it some of the darkest moments of her life. Those sessions also brought her great healing. Through the advice and help of her pastor, Caroline became not only a better person but a godly woman who had a renewed heart and soul. Caroline needed that counseling, needed God, needed her pastor, needed advice and prayer, needed to work through her issues and sin. Wisely, she used time and prayer and counseling and discernment to great effect.
Are you one to seek and listen to good advice? Do you hear good advice, but ignore it? Are you ashamed to ask for help? Do you fear constructive criticism? Don’t be a fool, “right in your own eyes, unable to accept good advice. Wisdom from God is always worth the price you pay to heed it.
April 26
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
(1 Peter 1:3–5, ESV)
(1 Peter 1:3–5, ESV)
George Murphy, called “Murph” by his friends, left California for a flight to Alaska for work. He was sent by his company for a sale of construction equipment to be used on a pipeline. Murph left San Diego with two pieces of luggage packed with cold-weather jackets and clothing. He flew with only a light fall jacket and a few of his toiletries and medicines in a carry-on bag. On both stops, his flight was perfectly on-time. He landed within five minutes of his expected arrival time in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was then that Murph’s life was turned upside down.
When Murph landed, he headed to the luggage carousel to retrieve his luggage. Everyone else found their luggage, but his was not there. When he inquired what to do, he was sent to a place where lost luggage was kept and investigated. Murph spoke to an agent who had difficulty finding his luggage. They gave him a special ticket and told him that they would find his luggage and have it delivered to his hotel. They seemed sincerely apologetic for the mistake.
Murph spent three days in business meetings and discussions with company representatives in the same clothes. He hurried from place to place in freezing temperatures. Since he didn’t have all his amenities that he packed, he lacked sleeping medicine, extra ties, extra clothes, changes of underwear, and so much more. He had no winter coat, no gloves, no hat or scarf. Some of his work files and papers were missing. The longer Murph was there, the more he looked disheveled, cold, and, frustrated. After three days, he flew back to sunny California. Four days after he got home, his luggage arrived well worn and beaten. It seemed that the luggage had been put on the wrong plane and lost by an employee trainee. It ended up somewhere in East Asia. The airlines didn’t disclose much. Murph never realized how much he missed all that luggage until he didn’t have it.
God doesn’t lose luggage. When God makes a promise, HE keeps it. When God tells you something is available or waiting for you, you can count on it being there. When God promises forgiveness or grace, it doesn’t get lost in bureaucracy. When you pray, there is no need to fiddle with an operator or long-distance carrier. You are connected immediately, without fail. You may feel this paragraph is full of hyperbole or jesting. It is not. My words are meant to show you that while situations may cause you grief or frustration, people may lose or misplace your things, a stock market crash may cause you to lose your investment, with God nothing is ever lost or misplaced. God remembers promises. God hears prayers. God cares enough to watch over your things in your absence. God follows through every time.
Our scripture for today illustrates God’s faithfulness perfectly. Peter wrote that God has such “great mercy” that he sent Jesus Christ to bring a “hope of resurrection” that cannot disappoint you (1 Peter 1:3). With true faith, you will inherit that hope and be resurrected someday. Your spiritual “inheritance”, promised by God, is “kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). It is waiting for you at your destination. There will be no lost luggage, no misplaced papers. When God says the inheritance is waiting for you in Heaven, you can count on it. It’s there. He’s waiting to give it to you. Unlike poor Murph, you won’t have to suffer not knowing if you inheritance will arrive after you die. If you believe in the resurrected Jesus Christ, and live faithfully, your salvation is “ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). God will not disappoint.
Many things can and will be lost in our world. Your salvation will not be among them… if you have faith…. If you trust in God… if you trust in the resurrection of Christ Jesus... if you live a righteous life. Isn’t it nice to know that your future home is a sure thing? God guards all the faithful on their journey to heaven. You’ll find that out soon enough.
When Murph landed, he headed to the luggage carousel to retrieve his luggage. Everyone else found their luggage, but his was not there. When he inquired what to do, he was sent to a place where lost luggage was kept and investigated. Murph spoke to an agent who had difficulty finding his luggage. They gave him a special ticket and told him that they would find his luggage and have it delivered to his hotel. They seemed sincerely apologetic for the mistake.
Murph spent three days in business meetings and discussions with company representatives in the same clothes. He hurried from place to place in freezing temperatures. Since he didn’t have all his amenities that he packed, he lacked sleeping medicine, extra ties, extra clothes, changes of underwear, and so much more. He had no winter coat, no gloves, no hat or scarf. Some of his work files and papers were missing. The longer Murph was there, the more he looked disheveled, cold, and, frustrated. After three days, he flew back to sunny California. Four days after he got home, his luggage arrived well worn and beaten. It seemed that the luggage had been put on the wrong plane and lost by an employee trainee. It ended up somewhere in East Asia. The airlines didn’t disclose much. Murph never realized how much he missed all that luggage until he didn’t have it.
God doesn’t lose luggage. When God makes a promise, HE keeps it. When God tells you something is available or waiting for you, you can count on it being there. When God promises forgiveness or grace, it doesn’t get lost in bureaucracy. When you pray, there is no need to fiddle with an operator or long-distance carrier. You are connected immediately, without fail. You may feel this paragraph is full of hyperbole or jesting. It is not. My words are meant to show you that while situations may cause you grief or frustration, people may lose or misplace your things, a stock market crash may cause you to lose your investment, with God nothing is ever lost or misplaced. God remembers promises. God hears prayers. God cares enough to watch over your things in your absence. God follows through every time.
Our scripture for today illustrates God’s faithfulness perfectly. Peter wrote that God has such “great mercy” that he sent Jesus Christ to bring a “hope of resurrection” that cannot disappoint you (1 Peter 1:3). With true faith, you will inherit that hope and be resurrected someday. Your spiritual “inheritance”, promised by God, is “kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). It is waiting for you at your destination. There will be no lost luggage, no misplaced papers. When God says the inheritance is waiting for you in Heaven, you can count on it. It’s there. He’s waiting to give it to you. Unlike poor Murph, you won’t have to suffer not knowing if you inheritance will arrive after you die. If you believe in the resurrected Jesus Christ, and live faithfully, your salvation is “ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). God will not disappoint.
Many things can and will be lost in our world. Your salvation will not be among them… if you have faith…. If you trust in God… if you trust in the resurrection of Christ Jesus... if you live a righteous life. Isn’t it nice to know that your future home is a sure thing? God guards all the faithful on their journey to heaven. You’ll find that out soon enough.
April 27
“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.”
(Proverbs 19:3, NLT)
(Proverbs 19:3, NLT)
When Rebecca was young, she was a handful to say the least. She was constantly pushing the limits. If she was not allowed to go outside for some reason, she would sit out on the porch instead of indoors. When she was told not to visit her friend because of her friend’s illness, she climbed out of her room through the window late at night and visited her friend while her parents slept. She had a tendency to date bad boys in High School. Her grades often suffered when she didn’t personally like a teacher. She was rebellious. She was difficult.
When she went off to college, Rebecca’s parents thought she might finally mature into a gracious woman. Instead, she joined a group on campus known to use drugs. She received poor grades. She was often late for class. Fighting a hangover, she might come to class with a headache. At other times, she would come to class high on marijuana.
During one of Rebecca’s binges, she became pregnant. In order to hide what she called “her baby mistake”, she had an abortion. With the realization that her life was spinning out of control, Rebecca settled down. She finished college with honors. Along the way, she changed her appearance and found new friends.
Three years after graduating from college, Rebecca married a man she deeply loved. He was a sheriff’s deputy. They were a great couple, but they had one lingering problem. Rebecca tried for five years to get pregnant but could not. After seeing a specialist, it was discovered that the damage to Rebecca’s reproductive organs from the abortion made it so she would most likely never have a another child. Rebecca was terribly depressed with the news. Her husband tried to console her, but she was upset. Opening up to her best friend, Rebecca railed against the unfairness of it all. She was angry with her life. She was angry with God. She grew very bitter. In the end, she almost destroyed her good marriage because she could not have a baby of her own.
The reason Rebecca couldn’t have a baby was due to her own sinful actions. Her pregnancy after a drug-fueled fling and the resulting abortion destroyed her future chance of being a mother. Yet, who did she blame? She blamed life for being unfair. She blamed God. She did not blame her sinfulness. She did not blame the abortion. She blamed God.
As is so often the case, people who sin can often blame God for the results of their sin. It’s not God’s fault. Their sin was not brought about by the work of God but through poor choices or sinful actions. Still, many blame God or others rather than themselves. It’s easier to play the blame game than to own up to one’s mistakes. Please, dear friend, don’t get caught up in this life choice. Don’t bless God for your blessings and then curse God when you sin or fail. Don’t look for someone or something else to blame when you do something wrong. Are your own choices the cause of your suffering?
In Proverbs 19, wise King Solomon noted that when “people ruin their lives by their own foolishness”, they often blame God. They are “angry at the Lord” (Proverbs 19:3). Despite that they should admit their guilt and repent, instead they blame God and fume at godly things and people. They blame the innocent while they themselves are wholly guilty.
Today, consider if you haven’t been blaming others or God for something that is entirely your fault. Look into your past and see if there were moments of weakness when sin caused you to make foolish mistakes. Have you ever been angry at the Lord? Were you justified? Remember, if you don’t acknowledge your own sin, it may be impossible to ever find forgiveness or healing. Blaming God will never result in wholeness or peace.
When she went off to college, Rebecca’s parents thought she might finally mature into a gracious woman. Instead, she joined a group on campus known to use drugs. She received poor grades. She was often late for class. Fighting a hangover, she might come to class with a headache. At other times, she would come to class high on marijuana.
During one of Rebecca’s binges, she became pregnant. In order to hide what she called “her baby mistake”, she had an abortion. With the realization that her life was spinning out of control, Rebecca settled down. She finished college with honors. Along the way, she changed her appearance and found new friends.
Three years after graduating from college, Rebecca married a man she deeply loved. He was a sheriff’s deputy. They were a great couple, but they had one lingering problem. Rebecca tried for five years to get pregnant but could not. After seeing a specialist, it was discovered that the damage to Rebecca’s reproductive organs from the abortion made it so she would most likely never have a another child. Rebecca was terribly depressed with the news. Her husband tried to console her, but she was upset. Opening up to her best friend, Rebecca railed against the unfairness of it all. She was angry with her life. She was angry with God. She grew very bitter. In the end, she almost destroyed her good marriage because she could not have a baby of her own.
The reason Rebecca couldn’t have a baby was due to her own sinful actions. Her pregnancy after a drug-fueled fling and the resulting abortion destroyed her future chance of being a mother. Yet, who did she blame? She blamed life for being unfair. She blamed God. She did not blame her sinfulness. She did not blame the abortion. She blamed God.
As is so often the case, people who sin can often blame God for the results of their sin. It’s not God’s fault. Their sin was not brought about by the work of God but through poor choices or sinful actions. Still, many blame God or others rather than themselves. It’s easier to play the blame game than to own up to one’s mistakes. Please, dear friend, don’t get caught up in this life choice. Don’t bless God for your blessings and then curse God when you sin or fail. Don’t look for someone or something else to blame when you do something wrong. Are your own choices the cause of your suffering?
In Proverbs 19, wise King Solomon noted that when “people ruin their lives by their own foolishness”, they often blame God. They are “angry at the Lord” (Proverbs 19:3). Despite that they should admit their guilt and repent, instead they blame God and fume at godly things and people. They blame the innocent while they themselves are wholly guilty.
Today, consider if you haven’t been blaming others or God for something that is entirely your fault. Look into your past and see if there were moments of weakness when sin caused you to make foolish mistakes. Have you ever been angry at the Lord? Were you justified? Remember, if you don’t acknowledge your own sin, it may be impossible to ever find forgiveness or healing. Blaming God will never result in wholeness or peace.
April 29
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
(James 4:8, ESV)
(James 4:8, ESV)
Sometimes, we get things backward. We look at things from the wrong angle. If you find yourself desiring to be closer to God, don’t complain about God’s absence or silence. If you don’t know God, don’t get frustrated that you can’t see God. Move closer to God. Spend more time praying and doing righteous things. Chances are that God hasn’t distanced himself from you. You probably distanced yourself from HIM. God has probably been speaking to you. You probably have not been listening to HIM.
Writer Charles Swindoll once found himself with too many commitments in too few days. He got nervous and tense about it. "I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day," he recalled in his book Stress Fractures.
"Before long, things around our home started reflecting the patter of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable. I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, 'Daddy, I wanna tell you somethin' and I'll tell you really fast.'"
"Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, 'Honey, you can tell me -- and you don't have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly." "I'll never forget her answer: 'Then listen slowly.'" (pp. 13-14, Bits and Pieces, June 24, 1993). That moment was a time when Charles Swindoll knew he needed to reconnect with his family. He needed to spend time with them, adjust his day to be closer to them and God.
When life gets crazy, death intervenes, illness arises, depression settles in, it’s so easy to lose your connection with God amidst all the stresses and troubles in your life. Commitments can take their toll. Age and weakness can make everything more difficult. Your memory may slip. In many ways, you might find yourself one day stopping to consider where God is. Along the way, you lost sight of God. You can’t feel God’s presence in your life or see evidence of the Holy Spirit near you. In moments like that, you may be tempted to wonder why God wandered off or disappeared. In actuality, you might be the one who wandered off. Dealing with all the responsibilities upon you, your soul might have gotten off on the wrong track. Maybe a bad habit has pulled you away from the right path. A spiritual weakness may have lured you away from a strong bond with God. At moments like those listed in this paragraph, it might be time for you to reexamine the words of James 4:8, our scripture for today.
I believe that the words of James 4:8 are meant to be a challenge to each of us when we've lost our way. When God seems far away and prayers seem to fall flat, you need to understand this verse. This scripture begins by saying “Draw near to God and God will draw near to you.” Notice the order of this command. IT DOESN’T SAY, “God will draw near to you, so you can then draw near to God.” Sensing a separation from God, you need to first draw near to God. Find God. Seek God. Look for God’s presence. Then, move yourself closer to where God is. Along the way, you will find God seeking you out, drawing closer to you. If you never attempt to move closer to God, you might never find God anywhere near you. Growing closer to God depends on you.
How you draw closer to God involves spiritual cleansing. It involves a confession of your sin and a heart willing to repent. James 4:8 mentions this when it says, “Cleanse your hands” and “purify your hearts”. Stop being “double-minded”, wavering in your faith. Stop the sins that pull you away from God. In all these ways, you will find yourself moving closer to God. And God will notice. God will respond. If you draw near to God, God will draw near to you.
Today’s passage shows that God wants to draw closer to you. The only thing stopping that is you. Will you change things in your life that keep God at a distance? Will you seek God with your whole heart or just lazily wander toward spiritual things? Will you desire God with passion, or dabble in religion with alacrity? God wants to be close to you. God desires to draw near. God is waiting to see if you want a better relationship with HIM. God is watching for your commitment, even now.
Writer Charles Swindoll once found himself with too many commitments in too few days. He got nervous and tense about it. "I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day," he recalled in his book Stress Fractures.
"Before long, things around our home started reflecting the patter of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable. I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, 'Daddy, I wanna tell you somethin' and I'll tell you really fast.'"
"Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, 'Honey, you can tell me -- and you don't have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly." "I'll never forget her answer: 'Then listen slowly.'" (pp. 13-14, Bits and Pieces, June 24, 1993). That moment was a time when Charles Swindoll knew he needed to reconnect with his family. He needed to spend time with them, adjust his day to be closer to them and God.
When life gets crazy, death intervenes, illness arises, depression settles in, it’s so easy to lose your connection with God amidst all the stresses and troubles in your life. Commitments can take their toll. Age and weakness can make everything more difficult. Your memory may slip. In many ways, you might find yourself one day stopping to consider where God is. Along the way, you lost sight of God. You can’t feel God’s presence in your life or see evidence of the Holy Spirit near you. In moments like that, you may be tempted to wonder why God wandered off or disappeared. In actuality, you might be the one who wandered off. Dealing with all the responsibilities upon you, your soul might have gotten off on the wrong track. Maybe a bad habit has pulled you away from the right path. A spiritual weakness may have lured you away from a strong bond with God. At moments like those listed in this paragraph, it might be time for you to reexamine the words of James 4:8, our scripture for today.
I believe that the words of James 4:8 are meant to be a challenge to each of us when we've lost our way. When God seems far away and prayers seem to fall flat, you need to understand this verse. This scripture begins by saying “Draw near to God and God will draw near to you.” Notice the order of this command. IT DOESN’T SAY, “God will draw near to you, so you can then draw near to God.” Sensing a separation from God, you need to first draw near to God. Find God. Seek God. Look for God’s presence. Then, move yourself closer to where God is. Along the way, you will find God seeking you out, drawing closer to you. If you never attempt to move closer to God, you might never find God anywhere near you. Growing closer to God depends on you.
How you draw closer to God involves spiritual cleansing. It involves a confession of your sin and a heart willing to repent. James 4:8 mentions this when it says, “Cleanse your hands” and “purify your hearts”. Stop being “double-minded”, wavering in your faith. Stop the sins that pull you away from God. In all these ways, you will find yourself moving closer to God. And God will notice. God will respond. If you draw near to God, God will draw near to you.
Today’s passage shows that God wants to draw closer to you. The only thing stopping that is you. Will you change things in your life that keep God at a distance? Will you seek God with your whole heart or just lazily wander toward spiritual things? Will you desire God with passion, or dabble in religion with alacrity? God wants to be close to you. God desires to draw near. God is waiting to see if you want a better relationship with HIM. God is watching for your commitment, even now.
April 30
“… But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” (2 Corinthians 10:12, RSV)
A young girl, age ten, went into her mother’s room and took some of her makeup. She then locked herself in the bathroom and proceeded to apply the makeup, heavily! By the time mother found her daughter in the bathroom and urged her to unlock the door, the girl was all dolled up. The mother smiled at her and said, “Honey, what have you done to yourself?”
The girl responded, “Now, Mommy, I’m pretty like the other girls at school.”
Her mother smiled warmly, understanding her young child’s motivations. Then, she responded, “You don’t need makeup to look beautiful. You are as beautiful to me as sunshine on a spring day!”
The girl thought about that for a moment and then replied, “But I want to look as beautiful as Charlene and Cassie! I don’t want to look like me.”
Sadly, her mother realized what young Lisa was saying. Lisa saw herself as less than pretty, less beautiful, less than the other girls at school. It’s a common condition among many women today, this need to compare yourself with others in order to determine your worth.
God never intended for people to determine their worth by comparing themselves to others. Instead, to figure their worth, they should view themselves through the eyes of God. It is dangerous emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually to determine one’s own abilities and meaning and worth and wisdom only in relation to another. When you have pretty friends, you may consider yourself ugly even while God believes you are beautiful. When you have strong friends, a young man might consider himself weak even while spiritually strong. Comparing yourself to others in order to determine your worth is a dangerous game that will cause insecurities and self-centeredness, and make your moods go up and down like a roller-coaster. As you constantly determine your own abilities and worth by your view of others, your mind will be in a constant competition against others and never be at peace.
The scripture chosen for today from 2 Corinthians 10:12 attacks this humanistic measurement of worth through comparing yourself with others. In this verse written by Paul to the Corinthian church people, he was critical of those who “measure themselves by one another, compare themselves with one another”. He called people who compare their relative worth with others as people who have no understanding. They aren’t wise or knowledgeable. They are missing the point.
At a middle school in Mississippi, a young boy walked down the hall and was greeted with a chorus of taunts. One person called him ugly. Another person called him fat. He felt worthless. As the boy looked around at the school, he was bigger and heavier than the other boys. As he compared himself to them, he felt depressed. In the end, this young boy from sixth grade committed suicide just last month. Another girl at that same school who compared herself to others and was similarly taunted committed suicide not long ago. Both were bullied. Both felt worthless when they looked at other kids. Both ended their young lives.
When you compare yourself with others to determine your worth, it can only result in heartbreak. This action, condemned by Paul in this scripture, can only bring insecurities. It might make you desperately try to put down others in a vain attempt to make yourself appear better than others. In the end, your worth will always feel threatened and life will always be a competition. Wouldn’t it be more loving to determine your worth from the God who made you and loves you?
Today, determine if you haven’t fallen into the trap of self-comparison. Do you feel jealous or envious of another? Do you put down other people in order to look better yourself? Are you an insecure person? Do you dislike what you see in the mirror? Do looks determine your worth? Do you wish you were someone else? Do you fantasize about being more beautiful, richer, or crave attention? Be careful. These carnal thoughts have a way of wrecking your soul and fostering insecurities. To God, you are a beautiful creation. Why do you need the affirmation from another to know your true worth?
The girl responded, “Now, Mommy, I’m pretty like the other girls at school.”
Her mother smiled warmly, understanding her young child’s motivations. Then, she responded, “You don’t need makeup to look beautiful. You are as beautiful to me as sunshine on a spring day!”
The girl thought about that for a moment and then replied, “But I want to look as beautiful as Charlene and Cassie! I don’t want to look like me.”
Sadly, her mother realized what young Lisa was saying. Lisa saw herself as less than pretty, less beautiful, less than the other girls at school. It’s a common condition among many women today, this need to compare yourself with others in order to determine your worth.
God never intended for people to determine their worth by comparing themselves to others. Instead, to figure their worth, they should view themselves through the eyes of God. It is dangerous emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually to determine one’s own abilities and meaning and worth and wisdom only in relation to another. When you have pretty friends, you may consider yourself ugly even while God believes you are beautiful. When you have strong friends, a young man might consider himself weak even while spiritually strong. Comparing yourself to others in order to determine your worth is a dangerous game that will cause insecurities and self-centeredness, and make your moods go up and down like a roller-coaster. As you constantly determine your own abilities and worth by your view of others, your mind will be in a constant competition against others and never be at peace.
The scripture chosen for today from 2 Corinthians 10:12 attacks this humanistic measurement of worth through comparing yourself with others. In this verse written by Paul to the Corinthian church people, he was critical of those who “measure themselves by one another, compare themselves with one another”. He called people who compare their relative worth with others as people who have no understanding. They aren’t wise or knowledgeable. They are missing the point.
At a middle school in Mississippi, a young boy walked down the hall and was greeted with a chorus of taunts. One person called him ugly. Another person called him fat. He felt worthless. As the boy looked around at the school, he was bigger and heavier than the other boys. As he compared himself to them, he felt depressed. In the end, this young boy from sixth grade committed suicide just last month. Another girl at that same school who compared herself to others and was similarly taunted committed suicide not long ago. Both were bullied. Both felt worthless when they looked at other kids. Both ended their young lives.
When you compare yourself with others to determine your worth, it can only result in heartbreak. This action, condemned by Paul in this scripture, can only bring insecurities. It might make you desperately try to put down others in a vain attempt to make yourself appear better than others. In the end, your worth will always feel threatened and life will always be a competition. Wouldn’t it be more loving to determine your worth from the God who made you and loves you?
Today, determine if you haven’t fallen into the trap of self-comparison. Do you feel jealous or envious of another? Do you put down other people in order to look better yourself? Are you an insecure person? Do you dislike what you see in the mirror? Do looks determine your worth? Do you wish you were someone else? Do you fantasize about being more beautiful, richer, or crave attention? Be careful. These carnal thoughts have a way of wrecking your soul and fostering insecurities. To God, you are a beautiful creation. Why do you need the affirmation from another to know your true worth?