December 8
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29, NLT)
“When psychologists Cliff Notarius of Catholic University and Howard Markman of the University of Denver studied newlyweds over the first decade of marriage, they found a very subtle but telling difference at the beginning of the relationships.
Among couples who would ultimately stay together, 5 out of every 100 comments made about each other were put-downs. Among couples who would later split, 10 of every 100 comments were insults. That gap magnified over the following decade, until couples heading downhill were flinging five times as many cruel and invalidating comments at each other as happy couples. “Hostile put-downs act as cancerous cells that, if unchecked, erode the relationship over time,” says Notarius, who with Markman co-authored the new book We Can Work It Out. “In the end, relentless unremitting negativity takes control, and the couple can’t get through a week without major blowups.”” (“U.S. News & World Report”, February 21, 1994, p. 67).
While counseling, I’ve discovered the same kinds of negativity among couples in trouble. There is an escalating tendency to become negative about the relationship. Nit-picking, subtle jibes, pushing the other’s buttons, exaggerating the negatives become increasingly evident the more serious the problems in a marriage or relationship. Often, the only way to overcome problems is to work through the negativity blocking the love.
There is negativity blocking love in many places in society in the present day. Social media is full of negativity. The news media is constantly stoking the fires of hatred using race-baiting and finger pointing to stir up trouble. On campuses across the nation, there is a push to close Chinese-government sponsored student groups for promoting rebellion and revolutionary concepts to overthrow civil authorities and stir up discontent in America. Critical Race Theory in schools threatens to pit students and parents and teachers against each other. Accusations of bias have surrounded the reporting of court cases and the election of individuals to positions of authority. There are even people you can hire to drive a wedge between individuals in order to promote your own group or agenda. Our scripture for today has something lifechanging to say regarding all these issues of modern day.
Paul wrote the following words to the Ephesian Christians: “Don’t use foul or abusive language…let everything you say be good and helpful.” (Ephesians 4:29). Paul knew the power of words to affect a situation. Hateful words can stir up trouble. Loving words can bring healing. Your own attitude and use of words, your own positivity or negativity, will affect everyone and everything around you. That’s why Paul made clear to the Ephesian Christians that faithful people should be known for their “encouraging words” (Ephesians 4:29). Are you known for your thoughtful encouragement?
A young man named Michael was abandoned by his mother when he was only five years old. She was a notorious drug user. Social workers wanted to protect the boy from everything going wrong in that household. Yet, when they placed Michael with foster parents, he always ran away. Many times, social workers found Michael back in his drug-infested former home. Nothing seemed to help the boy.
On the way home from school one rainy day, a mother of another boy at school saw Michael walking along the road. He was soaking wet from the downpour. She stopped the car and asked Michael where he was going and why he had no jacket. Michael said he was going to the neighborhood gym, which was closed that day. The woman took Michael out to eat with her family. She then took the time over the next month to check on Michael after school each and every day. She made sure that Michael had an adequate jacket to wear, was not out wandering the streets, and was not stranded somewhere in the cold. In all their conversations, the mother spoke kindly to Michael. Her caring concern made a huge impression on the boy. For the first time in Michael’s life, he felt someone genuinely cared for his situation.
Two weeks later, Michael ran away from a foster home for the fourteenth time. The social workers were about to place him in a locked facility when it was revealed that Michael felt comfortable with that loving mother from school. He felt safe with her family. Temporary arrangements were made for Michael to stay with that family. Several years later, the family fully adopted Michael. When asked about his family, Michael would often say, “From the first day, I felt love in that home.” Michael grew up to not only be successful, but as an adult, he helped many other foster care kids caught up in the system.
Just as loving and encouraging words changed Michael’s life, those same kinds of words have healed relationships and strengthened marriages. From the beginning, Christians have been taught to use encouraging words to support others. Scriptures like Ephesians 4:29 have been the impetus for many thoughtful discussions and loving interventions.
Today, I want you to consider your language. Are you known for your encouraging words? Are you too quick to see what could go wrong or to exude negativity? How can you follow today’s scripture more faithfully? Who could use with some of your encouragement or love today? What words may best convey God’s will to that one in need at the top of your prayer list?
Among couples who would ultimately stay together, 5 out of every 100 comments made about each other were put-downs. Among couples who would later split, 10 of every 100 comments were insults. That gap magnified over the following decade, until couples heading downhill were flinging five times as many cruel and invalidating comments at each other as happy couples. “Hostile put-downs act as cancerous cells that, if unchecked, erode the relationship over time,” says Notarius, who with Markman co-authored the new book We Can Work It Out. “In the end, relentless unremitting negativity takes control, and the couple can’t get through a week without major blowups.”” (“U.S. News & World Report”, February 21, 1994, p. 67).
While counseling, I’ve discovered the same kinds of negativity among couples in trouble. There is an escalating tendency to become negative about the relationship. Nit-picking, subtle jibes, pushing the other’s buttons, exaggerating the negatives become increasingly evident the more serious the problems in a marriage or relationship. Often, the only way to overcome problems is to work through the negativity blocking the love.
There is negativity blocking love in many places in society in the present day. Social media is full of negativity. The news media is constantly stoking the fires of hatred using race-baiting and finger pointing to stir up trouble. On campuses across the nation, there is a push to close Chinese-government sponsored student groups for promoting rebellion and revolutionary concepts to overthrow civil authorities and stir up discontent in America. Critical Race Theory in schools threatens to pit students and parents and teachers against each other. Accusations of bias have surrounded the reporting of court cases and the election of individuals to positions of authority. There are even people you can hire to drive a wedge between individuals in order to promote your own group or agenda. Our scripture for today has something lifechanging to say regarding all these issues of modern day.
Paul wrote the following words to the Ephesian Christians: “Don’t use foul or abusive language…let everything you say be good and helpful.” (Ephesians 4:29). Paul knew the power of words to affect a situation. Hateful words can stir up trouble. Loving words can bring healing. Your own attitude and use of words, your own positivity or negativity, will affect everyone and everything around you. That’s why Paul made clear to the Ephesian Christians that faithful people should be known for their “encouraging words” (Ephesians 4:29). Are you known for your thoughtful encouragement?
A young man named Michael was abandoned by his mother when he was only five years old. She was a notorious drug user. Social workers wanted to protect the boy from everything going wrong in that household. Yet, when they placed Michael with foster parents, he always ran away. Many times, social workers found Michael back in his drug-infested former home. Nothing seemed to help the boy.
On the way home from school one rainy day, a mother of another boy at school saw Michael walking along the road. He was soaking wet from the downpour. She stopped the car and asked Michael where he was going and why he had no jacket. Michael said he was going to the neighborhood gym, which was closed that day. The woman took Michael out to eat with her family. She then took the time over the next month to check on Michael after school each and every day. She made sure that Michael had an adequate jacket to wear, was not out wandering the streets, and was not stranded somewhere in the cold. In all their conversations, the mother spoke kindly to Michael. Her caring concern made a huge impression on the boy. For the first time in Michael’s life, he felt someone genuinely cared for his situation.
Two weeks later, Michael ran away from a foster home for the fourteenth time. The social workers were about to place him in a locked facility when it was revealed that Michael felt comfortable with that loving mother from school. He felt safe with her family. Temporary arrangements were made for Michael to stay with that family. Several years later, the family fully adopted Michael. When asked about his family, Michael would often say, “From the first day, I felt love in that home.” Michael grew up to not only be successful, but as an adult, he helped many other foster care kids caught up in the system.
Just as loving and encouraging words changed Michael’s life, those same kinds of words have healed relationships and strengthened marriages. From the beginning, Christians have been taught to use encouraging words to support others. Scriptures like Ephesians 4:29 have been the impetus for many thoughtful discussions and loving interventions.
Today, I want you to consider your language. Are you known for your encouraging words? Are you too quick to see what could go wrong or to exude negativity? How can you follow today’s scripture more faithfully? Who could use with some of your encouragement or love today? What words may best convey God’s will to that one in need at the top of your prayer list?
December 11
“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14, NIV)
A friend of mine looked quite distressed. His hair was knotted and unkempt. His demeanor looked sour. He spoke as if he was depressed. I asked him what was wrong. He replied, “I just don’t get it. My daughter went off to college. Now, she rejects God and her faith. She told me that I am deluded to believe in something as “naïve” as God.” I looked at him with sorrow. I understood his plight. He really thought his daughter should be able to see the many manifestations of God’s grace and mercy and presence. Instead, his daughter saw no “evidence” for God. Psalm 19 states that: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.” (Psalm 19:1–2, NLT). Yet, his daughter saw nothing of God when she looked up into the night sky or looked around her world. She was blind to God’s presence.
You also may not be able to understand how someone cannot ever see God’s handiwork. You may puzzle when a person says they have never witnessed anything miraculous or divine in origin. Why? Because you see evidence of God’s work all the time! You see miracles all around! True christians have a difficult time comprehending why unfaithful people don’t see miracles, signs of God’s presence, or evidence of God’s handiwork. The answer is simple really. Those who can’t see God lack faith. They have never stepped out of their “rational” world using faith. They have not given God the chance to fill them with the Holy Spirit so that they can see beyond their own limited senses.
Imagine if a person had only the ability to hear, smell, and touch. They were without the sense of sight. They were blind. Wouldn’t it be impossible for them to see when a person in the room has a bloody gash? Wouldn’t it be difficult for them to perceive the color change by mixing paints? By being limited with the disability to see, they cannot perceive so much of what is going on right around them! The same type of thing holds sway in spiritual matters. If a person does not have the “gift” of spiritual sight, that person can’t see what God is doing. That person may not even be able to perceive what miracles God has done. They may not even be able to conceive such an idea!
A fifty-five-year-old former World War Two veteran had attended church his whole life. Just after Thanksgiving, he went to see his doctor when he could not get rid of a nagging cough. Being a smoker for decades, he figured that he had bronchitis or pneumonia. After reviewing x-rays and an MRI, it was confirmed that the man had lung cancer. Surgery was set for December 22nd.
On December 22nd, I prayed with that man before surgery. Then, I waited with his wife and son in the hospital waiting area. Only fifteen minutes had passed during surgery when the doctor came out of the operating area into the waiting room. I thought to myself, “This can’t be good. Is the cancer too far gone?” Just then, the doctor said, “I’m rather surprised, shocked even. We went in to excise the cancerous tumor, but it wasn’t there! It had disappeared. All I can say is that it’s a miracle for sure!”
The next day, I visited with the veteran to talk about his “miracle”. Upon speaking for just a few minutes, I was shocked to learn that he planned to sue the doctor for malpractice. The man said, “The doctor got me all worked up that I had cancer and I didn’t. He screwed up. He should pay!” I asked the man if he ever considered that it might be a miracle. Why would he get mad at a doctor when God did a miraculous thing? Just days ago, they were talking chemotherapy and radiation and so much more. Now, the man was given a clean bill of health. Where I saw a miracle, this man spied only a medical mistake. How could he not see this as a miracle of epic proportions?!!! The doctor had an x-ray and MRI of the tumor! Now, only healthy tissue was there at that site. Couldn’t this man even comprehend of divine intervention?
No, he could not.
Despite attending worship for decades, this veteran knew God in only a cursory way. He did not have the eyes of faith. He had practiced religion but never had a real relationship with the Divine One. He only saw the facts of his case from rational “human” eyes. This appeared to him as a doctor’s screw up. Spiritual eyes would have given him a very different sight. He was the recipient of a miracle of epic proportions. The man wouldn’t even allow me to say the word “miracle” when speaking of his situation! Yes, I’m serious!
God does miracles all the time. Some people see them, some do not. That’s a fact of life. The apostle Paul wrote about this fact to the Corinthian church, acknowledging that “a person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness…”. Without true faith and the ability to “see” God’s handiwork, the person who lacks God’s Spirit is blind to things that are “discerned only through the gift of the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
People who lack faith do not have the ability to see miracles and gifts of the Spirit, nor the actions of God. They lack the ability to see and perceive them. However, if they just exhibit the courage to step out in faith, they will be able to see so much more of life. Still, it takes faith. Many people are not willing to step out in faith. Thus, they are blind to so many things.
Because those who lack “spiritual sight” will miss so much in life, do not be surprised if those who lack faith do not see God’s actions. Also, if you go through a period where you lack faith, you may also be blind to God’s handiwork. Faith and the Holy Spirit are absolutely necessary for spiritual “sight”. Lacking one or the other will blind you to all the miracles happening around you at that very moment.
Make sure you take the time to feed your spiritual life. If you do not, you may miss some of the most important revelations of God’s action around you. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you can perceive the many wondrous actions of God nearby. Nurture your faith. Increase your knowledge of God. Others may be blind to God’s action. You need to help them to see what they are missing!
You also may not be able to understand how someone cannot ever see God’s handiwork. You may puzzle when a person says they have never witnessed anything miraculous or divine in origin. Why? Because you see evidence of God’s work all the time! You see miracles all around! True christians have a difficult time comprehending why unfaithful people don’t see miracles, signs of God’s presence, or evidence of God’s handiwork. The answer is simple really. Those who can’t see God lack faith. They have never stepped out of their “rational” world using faith. They have not given God the chance to fill them with the Holy Spirit so that they can see beyond their own limited senses.
Imagine if a person had only the ability to hear, smell, and touch. They were without the sense of sight. They were blind. Wouldn’t it be impossible for them to see when a person in the room has a bloody gash? Wouldn’t it be difficult for them to perceive the color change by mixing paints? By being limited with the disability to see, they cannot perceive so much of what is going on right around them! The same type of thing holds sway in spiritual matters. If a person does not have the “gift” of spiritual sight, that person can’t see what God is doing. That person may not even be able to perceive what miracles God has done. They may not even be able to conceive such an idea!
A fifty-five-year-old former World War Two veteran had attended church his whole life. Just after Thanksgiving, he went to see his doctor when he could not get rid of a nagging cough. Being a smoker for decades, he figured that he had bronchitis or pneumonia. After reviewing x-rays and an MRI, it was confirmed that the man had lung cancer. Surgery was set for December 22nd.
On December 22nd, I prayed with that man before surgery. Then, I waited with his wife and son in the hospital waiting area. Only fifteen minutes had passed during surgery when the doctor came out of the operating area into the waiting room. I thought to myself, “This can’t be good. Is the cancer too far gone?” Just then, the doctor said, “I’m rather surprised, shocked even. We went in to excise the cancerous tumor, but it wasn’t there! It had disappeared. All I can say is that it’s a miracle for sure!”
The next day, I visited with the veteran to talk about his “miracle”. Upon speaking for just a few minutes, I was shocked to learn that he planned to sue the doctor for malpractice. The man said, “The doctor got me all worked up that I had cancer and I didn’t. He screwed up. He should pay!” I asked the man if he ever considered that it might be a miracle. Why would he get mad at a doctor when God did a miraculous thing? Just days ago, they were talking chemotherapy and radiation and so much more. Now, the man was given a clean bill of health. Where I saw a miracle, this man spied only a medical mistake. How could he not see this as a miracle of epic proportions?!!! The doctor had an x-ray and MRI of the tumor! Now, only healthy tissue was there at that site. Couldn’t this man even comprehend of divine intervention?
No, he could not.
Despite attending worship for decades, this veteran knew God in only a cursory way. He did not have the eyes of faith. He had practiced religion but never had a real relationship with the Divine One. He only saw the facts of his case from rational “human” eyes. This appeared to him as a doctor’s screw up. Spiritual eyes would have given him a very different sight. He was the recipient of a miracle of epic proportions. The man wouldn’t even allow me to say the word “miracle” when speaking of his situation! Yes, I’m serious!
God does miracles all the time. Some people see them, some do not. That’s a fact of life. The apostle Paul wrote about this fact to the Corinthian church, acknowledging that “a person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness…”. Without true faith and the ability to “see” God’s handiwork, the person who lacks God’s Spirit is blind to things that are “discerned only through the gift of the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
People who lack faith do not have the ability to see miracles and gifts of the Spirit, nor the actions of God. They lack the ability to see and perceive them. However, if they just exhibit the courage to step out in faith, they will be able to see so much more of life. Still, it takes faith. Many people are not willing to step out in faith. Thus, they are blind to so many things.
Because those who lack “spiritual sight” will miss so much in life, do not be surprised if those who lack faith do not see God’s actions. Also, if you go through a period where you lack faith, you may also be blind to God’s handiwork. Faith and the Holy Spirit are absolutely necessary for spiritual “sight”. Lacking one or the other will blind you to all the miracles happening around you at that very moment.
Make sure you take the time to feed your spiritual life. If you do not, you may miss some of the most important revelations of God’s action around you. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you can perceive the many wondrous actions of God nearby. Nurture your faith. Increase your knowledge of God. Others may be blind to God’s action. You need to help them to see what they are missing!
December 13
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” (Titus 3:14, NIV)
There are people online who devote themselves to all kinds of mischief. They love to stir things up and get people upset. They feel comfortable doing so because they believe themselves to be anonymous. They hide behind the cloak of avatars, fake names, hacked computers, and bots. They enjoy seeing others suffer.
You cannot be a true Christian and enjoy seeing the innocent suffer or enjoy making mischief just to watch people fall apart. According to the scripture for today, truly faithful people “must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good” (Titus 3:14). That is what Paul taught his disciple, Titus.
Titus was a fellow missionary who worked with Paul. It is believed that Titus was converted to Christianity by Paul. We know that Paul sent Titus to Corinth to raise funds to help the poor and hungry in Jerusalem in the mid-first century AD. The scripture for today echoes Titus’ mission. Titus was not just to dabble in good deeds. He was to “devote” himself to God’s work. Titus was also taught to “provide for the urgent needs” of the hurting (Titus 3:14). Foremost, Paul didn’t want Titus or any other true Christian to live “an unproductive life”. Paul knew well that God often works through faithful people to provide for the needs of others.
Implicit in the scripture reading for today is the fact that God will provide for the poor and needy. God often does that through the work of His own people, the faithful ones. Faithful people are blessed by God, not so that they may live to excess. They are blessed so that God can use them to bless others, especially the poor and needy. The purpose of every true Christian is to seek out and provide for urgent needs. They are never to give up this work. They are never to become unproductive.
A good test for every faithful Christian is to see what they do with their blessings. Will they use their blessings selfishly or on self-centered pursuits, or will they seek out the poor and needy and hurting to provide relief and encouragement? I have met many faithful people who were very loving and generous to the poor and needy UNTIL they became wealthy. Then, they spent their money on second and third homes, on more and more expensive cars, on big boats and opulent gems, on fat bank accounts and huge retirement funds. Do you see any of these actions as faithful in the scripture for today?
Charlie was a very gifted manager of money. He was so good with numbers that, even at a young age, he was put in the position of treasurer of several non-profit student organizations. After he graduated from college with a degree in Finance and earned a CPA degree, Charlie was hired by a prestigious accounting firm and given the responsibility over many millions of dollars.
Because Charlie was such a great manager of money, Charlie was voted in as treasurer of his church in his twenties. During the first few years of Charlie’s leadership, the church paid off a rebuilding loan early, remodeled the entryway of the church, and began to invest its accounts in high-yield funds. With the encouragement of his wife, Charlie found extra money in the budget for a youth mission and a fund to help needy single parents in the church neighborhood. Charlie’s efforts were greatly blessed by God and Charlie was beloved in his church.
When Charlie turned fifty-eight, he retired early. He planned to travel with his wife and do some other projects. However, when Charlie hit sixty, something broke inside him. His wife died that year. Though Charlie had lots of money, he began to hoard up more and more investments. In the church, he called youth ministry programs a waste of effort. He stopped the church from further “wastes” of money by ending an afterschool program for neighborhood kids and pulling back on what he saw as the “exorbitant spending” of the pastors. With his encouragement, the church fired two part-time pastors and ended a missionary outreach program to inner-city kids. Charlie saw all these people who lost their jobs as “money grubbers”. He believed wholeheartedly and constantly preached that good stewardship meant not wasting God’s money on “pie-in-the-sky” ministries such as inner-city programs. He believed the inner-city programs were “taking advantage of God’s money”. He believed many of the church outreach programs were a waste of the pastor’s time.
The older Charlie became, the more scrooge-like his behavior in the church. Out of obligation and habit, the church kept electing Charlie as the treasurer. During the last ten years of Charlie’s life, the church declined greatly. They went from five pastors to one, twenty outreach programs to two, and lost hundreds of members. Charlie alone caused many fights in the church with his stinginess and manipulation of funding.
Charlie’s church closed fifteen years after Charlie’s death. In Charlie’s final year of life, he gave more than twenty percent of all the money collected in the church. Sadly, he attached all kinds of strings to his giving. Long after Charlie died, his efforts stymied church growth and led to the church being abandoned by scores of members.
Whenever a faithful person loses their ability to share, something dies inside him or her. God recognizes that as a love of money and ceases to bless their efforts. All kinds of bad things will often unfold. The person may turn greedy, resentful, or controlling. They may become myopic in their vision, unable to see God’s direction or real needs. Like with Charlie, something dies inside them spiritually. This leads to all kinds of ills and evils.
The scripture for today reminds us that to remain close to God, the faithful person MUST “devote” him or herself to the needy, to doing good deeds, and to being productive. If the faithful person ever allows anything to impede that missionary call, bad things will inevitably happen. I have seen too many good people turn selfish and greedy when blessed. I have seen too many families and church families torn apart by self-centered and greedy actions. I have seen church people and churches die inside from the loss of the ability to be generous and loving.
During this holy season of Advent and Christmas, “devote” yourself to helping whatever needs God shows you. Keep yourself productive with mission work. Keep generous with your blessings. Don’t become hard-hearted. Don’t become a Scrooge. I would hate for that beautiful faith of yours to die inside your soul, choked to death by the love of material possessions.
It is believed that Titus became a Bishop on the island of Crete. It is also believed that nobody ever suffered under his watch, because Titus would share everything he had with those in need. I wonder if this would describe you as well?
You cannot be a true Christian and enjoy seeing the innocent suffer or enjoy making mischief just to watch people fall apart. According to the scripture for today, truly faithful people “must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good” (Titus 3:14). That is what Paul taught his disciple, Titus.
Titus was a fellow missionary who worked with Paul. It is believed that Titus was converted to Christianity by Paul. We know that Paul sent Titus to Corinth to raise funds to help the poor and hungry in Jerusalem in the mid-first century AD. The scripture for today echoes Titus’ mission. Titus was not just to dabble in good deeds. He was to “devote” himself to God’s work. Titus was also taught to “provide for the urgent needs” of the hurting (Titus 3:14). Foremost, Paul didn’t want Titus or any other true Christian to live “an unproductive life”. Paul knew well that God often works through faithful people to provide for the needs of others.
Implicit in the scripture reading for today is the fact that God will provide for the poor and needy. God often does that through the work of His own people, the faithful ones. Faithful people are blessed by God, not so that they may live to excess. They are blessed so that God can use them to bless others, especially the poor and needy. The purpose of every true Christian is to seek out and provide for urgent needs. They are never to give up this work. They are never to become unproductive.
A good test for every faithful Christian is to see what they do with their blessings. Will they use their blessings selfishly or on self-centered pursuits, or will they seek out the poor and needy and hurting to provide relief and encouragement? I have met many faithful people who were very loving and generous to the poor and needy UNTIL they became wealthy. Then, they spent their money on second and third homes, on more and more expensive cars, on big boats and opulent gems, on fat bank accounts and huge retirement funds. Do you see any of these actions as faithful in the scripture for today?
Charlie was a very gifted manager of money. He was so good with numbers that, even at a young age, he was put in the position of treasurer of several non-profit student organizations. After he graduated from college with a degree in Finance and earned a CPA degree, Charlie was hired by a prestigious accounting firm and given the responsibility over many millions of dollars.
Because Charlie was such a great manager of money, Charlie was voted in as treasurer of his church in his twenties. During the first few years of Charlie’s leadership, the church paid off a rebuilding loan early, remodeled the entryway of the church, and began to invest its accounts in high-yield funds. With the encouragement of his wife, Charlie found extra money in the budget for a youth mission and a fund to help needy single parents in the church neighborhood. Charlie’s efforts were greatly blessed by God and Charlie was beloved in his church.
When Charlie turned fifty-eight, he retired early. He planned to travel with his wife and do some other projects. However, when Charlie hit sixty, something broke inside him. His wife died that year. Though Charlie had lots of money, he began to hoard up more and more investments. In the church, he called youth ministry programs a waste of effort. He stopped the church from further “wastes” of money by ending an afterschool program for neighborhood kids and pulling back on what he saw as the “exorbitant spending” of the pastors. With his encouragement, the church fired two part-time pastors and ended a missionary outreach program to inner-city kids. Charlie saw all these people who lost their jobs as “money grubbers”. He believed wholeheartedly and constantly preached that good stewardship meant not wasting God’s money on “pie-in-the-sky” ministries such as inner-city programs. He believed the inner-city programs were “taking advantage of God’s money”. He believed many of the church outreach programs were a waste of the pastor’s time.
The older Charlie became, the more scrooge-like his behavior in the church. Out of obligation and habit, the church kept electing Charlie as the treasurer. During the last ten years of Charlie’s life, the church declined greatly. They went from five pastors to one, twenty outreach programs to two, and lost hundreds of members. Charlie alone caused many fights in the church with his stinginess and manipulation of funding.
Charlie’s church closed fifteen years after Charlie’s death. In Charlie’s final year of life, he gave more than twenty percent of all the money collected in the church. Sadly, he attached all kinds of strings to his giving. Long after Charlie died, his efforts stymied church growth and led to the church being abandoned by scores of members.
Whenever a faithful person loses their ability to share, something dies inside him or her. God recognizes that as a love of money and ceases to bless their efforts. All kinds of bad things will often unfold. The person may turn greedy, resentful, or controlling. They may become myopic in their vision, unable to see God’s direction or real needs. Like with Charlie, something dies inside them spiritually. This leads to all kinds of ills and evils.
The scripture for today reminds us that to remain close to God, the faithful person MUST “devote” him or herself to the needy, to doing good deeds, and to being productive. If the faithful person ever allows anything to impede that missionary call, bad things will inevitably happen. I have seen too many good people turn selfish and greedy when blessed. I have seen too many families and church families torn apart by self-centered and greedy actions. I have seen church people and churches die inside from the loss of the ability to be generous and loving.
During this holy season of Advent and Christmas, “devote” yourself to helping whatever needs God shows you. Keep yourself productive with mission work. Keep generous with your blessings. Don’t become hard-hearted. Don’t become a Scrooge. I would hate for that beautiful faith of yours to die inside your soul, choked to death by the love of material possessions.
It is believed that Titus became a Bishop on the island of Crete. It is also believed that nobody ever suffered under his watch, because Titus would share everything he had with those in need. I wonder if this would describe you as well?
December 16
“But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14, NLT)
Elvis Presley was raised in the Assemblies of God denomination. He cherished gospel music and recorded a good number of gospel and religious songs. The Hollywood and music lifestyle he lived propelled him into stardom. Along the way, Elvis faltered in his ethics and morals and values. However, a bit of his faith in God was always there. In an interview, Elvis explained his belief in God… “I believe in the Bible. I believe that all good things come from God. I don't believe I'd sing the way I do if God hadn't wanted me to.” Elvis’ Bible was written in, commented on, and underlined.
In one of Elvis’ songs, he sang about a “bad girl” in his life. The song is called “You’re the Devil in Disguise”. Though describing a girl who “Walked like an angel, Talked like an angel, and Looked like an angel”, Presley’s song went on to say that the girl was actually “the devil in disguise.” In the song, he wrote that he got “wise” about this woman who was the “devil in disguise”. I believe some of Presley’s faith came through in this song. He knew from his church days and his Bible that the Devil can hide his plans, work through deception, and disguise his works. In the way that the woman in the song brought bad things along with her angelic looks, the Devil makes himself appear angelic. He hides behind a wall of fake righteousness. He manipulates good people into making bad choices.
When the Devil met with Jesus in the wilderness, he sounded very intelligent. He quoted scripture. His words sounded logical and purposeful. However, Satan’s intent was to manipulate Jesus. Satan failed. Though Jesus was tempted, HE did not sin. In fact, Jesus quoted scripture right back at Satan, correcting Satan’s deceptions.
In the scripture for today, we see a scripture that probably influenced Elvis Presley. 2 Corinthians 11:14 quotes Satan as “disguising himself as an angel of light”. Though Satan was a fallen angel, he continually used rational arguments and deceptions and emotional arguments to manipulate the truth and bring evil into the lives of the faithful. Paul, who wrote 2 Corinthians, saw Satan’s manipulations even in the churches of the faithful. 2 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Timothy 1:20, and 1 Timothy 5:15 all mention Satan manipulating those in churches to cause all kinds of problems for the truly faithful. Just remember, this means Satan will use disguises and manipulations to go after you!
In an article about 9 manipulation tactics Satan uses against faithful women today, author Patricia Engler included the following comment: “Beware, now: Satan will try to make you second-guess those boundaries. One way he’ll do this is by making you second-guess God’s word. This is exactly how he conned Eve in Eden, asking, “Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?”
(Genesis 3:1)
Planting doubt in a victim’s mind this way, leading her to question her perceptions of reality—what she heard, what she believes, and whether she’s even sane—is the psychological manipulation tactic of gaslighting. Satan tries gaslighting whenever he whispers questions like, Did God really say He forgave you for your past? Does He really expect you to watch your words? Did He really say you must not move in with your boyfriend, even though you’re both committed to a loving relationship? Fight back by walking close to God, consistently feeding your spirit on His word, and staying sensitive to His voice.” ( https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/9-of-satan-s-manipulation-tactics-women-need-to-know.html)
Gaslighting is common tactic Satan uses against the faithful today. He also uses fear, guilt, and many more emotions and tactics to sway the mind of the follower of Jesus. And, just at Judas was manipulated into betraying Jesus (John 13:27), Satan can manipulate you into doing the very things you recognize today as evil or wrong or sinful.
I knew a young woman who was very close to God. She was raised in the church and a daughter to a pastor. She had a beautiful voice and precious heart. But, when a music talent scout saw her sing, she was whisked away to a recording studio. After her first album was released, she was a big hit with young teens. By the time she was 25 years old, she had sold more than two million albums.
Along the way, Satan planted all kinds of doubts in her mind. He whispered into her heart that her stardom was a sham, that her singing voice was not all that special, and that she was a “bad” person for giving up her gospel music roots. Putting worldly people around her, Satan increased the pressure for her to become more worldly. Today, this young woman has come out against Christianity. She has rejected Christ. She even believes her father, the pastor, is deluded. How could she believe so differently only ten years after finding fame? Satan has deceived her. He has disguised the truth and convinced her of lies. She now lives a lie.
If Judas and Peter can be manipulated by Satan, you can too. His disguises are that good. If Satan was not afraid to tempt Jesus, what makes you think he won’t tempt you? So many good and faithful people have fallen victim to his machinations. Don’t for one moment think you won’t be deceived. The devil can work through people with such subtle manners or twist the truth with such aplomb that you might be manipulated and sin before you even realize what you have done. That is why you need to be constantly on alert for Satan’s games.
Is there an area of your life where you could be manipulated by Satan? Is there a doubt that Satan could use to deceive you? What kind of disguise might Satan use to sidle into your heart? Is there a bad habit that he could use to push you into a sinful lifestyle?
Remember, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as your spiritual protection against Satan (Ephesians 6). Keep the Spirit close, nurture that Spirit, be filled with the Spirit. Otherwise, Satan’s disguises have a way of flying under the radar right into your back yard!
In one of Elvis’ songs, he sang about a “bad girl” in his life. The song is called “You’re the Devil in Disguise”. Though describing a girl who “Walked like an angel, Talked like an angel, and Looked like an angel”, Presley’s song went on to say that the girl was actually “the devil in disguise.” In the song, he wrote that he got “wise” about this woman who was the “devil in disguise”. I believe some of Presley’s faith came through in this song. He knew from his church days and his Bible that the Devil can hide his plans, work through deception, and disguise his works. In the way that the woman in the song brought bad things along with her angelic looks, the Devil makes himself appear angelic. He hides behind a wall of fake righteousness. He manipulates good people into making bad choices.
When the Devil met with Jesus in the wilderness, he sounded very intelligent. He quoted scripture. His words sounded logical and purposeful. However, Satan’s intent was to manipulate Jesus. Satan failed. Though Jesus was tempted, HE did not sin. In fact, Jesus quoted scripture right back at Satan, correcting Satan’s deceptions.
In the scripture for today, we see a scripture that probably influenced Elvis Presley. 2 Corinthians 11:14 quotes Satan as “disguising himself as an angel of light”. Though Satan was a fallen angel, he continually used rational arguments and deceptions and emotional arguments to manipulate the truth and bring evil into the lives of the faithful. Paul, who wrote 2 Corinthians, saw Satan’s manipulations even in the churches of the faithful. 2 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Timothy 1:20, and 1 Timothy 5:15 all mention Satan manipulating those in churches to cause all kinds of problems for the truly faithful. Just remember, this means Satan will use disguises and manipulations to go after you!
In an article about 9 manipulation tactics Satan uses against faithful women today, author Patricia Engler included the following comment: “Beware, now: Satan will try to make you second-guess those boundaries. One way he’ll do this is by making you second-guess God’s word. This is exactly how he conned Eve in Eden, asking, “Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?”
(Genesis 3:1)
Planting doubt in a victim’s mind this way, leading her to question her perceptions of reality—what she heard, what she believes, and whether she’s even sane—is the psychological manipulation tactic of gaslighting. Satan tries gaslighting whenever he whispers questions like, Did God really say He forgave you for your past? Does He really expect you to watch your words? Did He really say you must not move in with your boyfriend, even though you’re both committed to a loving relationship? Fight back by walking close to God, consistently feeding your spirit on His word, and staying sensitive to His voice.” ( https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/9-of-satan-s-manipulation-tactics-women-need-to-know.html)
Gaslighting is common tactic Satan uses against the faithful today. He also uses fear, guilt, and many more emotions and tactics to sway the mind of the follower of Jesus. And, just at Judas was manipulated into betraying Jesus (John 13:27), Satan can manipulate you into doing the very things you recognize today as evil or wrong or sinful.
I knew a young woman who was very close to God. She was raised in the church and a daughter to a pastor. She had a beautiful voice and precious heart. But, when a music talent scout saw her sing, she was whisked away to a recording studio. After her first album was released, she was a big hit with young teens. By the time she was 25 years old, she had sold more than two million albums.
Along the way, Satan planted all kinds of doubts in her mind. He whispered into her heart that her stardom was a sham, that her singing voice was not all that special, and that she was a “bad” person for giving up her gospel music roots. Putting worldly people around her, Satan increased the pressure for her to become more worldly. Today, this young woman has come out against Christianity. She has rejected Christ. She even believes her father, the pastor, is deluded. How could she believe so differently only ten years after finding fame? Satan has deceived her. He has disguised the truth and convinced her of lies. She now lives a lie.
If Judas and Peter can be manipulated by Satan, you can too. His disguises are that good. If Satan was not afraid to tempt Jesus, what makes you think he won’t tempt you? So many good and faithful people have fallen victim to his machinations. Don’t for one moment think you won’t be deceived. The devil can work through people with such subtle manners or twist the truth with such aplomb that you might be manipulated and sin before you even realize what you have done. That is why you need to be constantly on alert for Satan’s games.
Is there an area of your life where you could be manipulated by Satan? Is there a doubt that Satan could use to deceive you? What kind of disguise might Satan use to sidle into your heart? Is there a bad habit that he could use to push you into a sinful lifestyle?
Remember, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as your spiritual protection against Satan (Ephesians 6). Keep the Spirit close, nurture that Spirit, be filled with the Spirit. Otherwise, Satan’s disguises have a way of flying under the radar right into your back yard!
December 19
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.” (1 Corinthians 3:11–13, NLT)
In April 1912, the Titanic struck the iceberg that took her to the bottom of the ocean. As the ship floundered and took on water, the passengers began to realize their plight. Some considered the Titanic unsinkable and did not board the lifeboats right away. Others rushed around gathering up their most valuable possessions to take with them on a lifeboat. Many realized too late that there were not enough seats on the lifeboats for everyone to make it through the night.
And on that ship, in the second-class section, was a man named John Harper who was coming to America to preach at Moody Church in Chicago. Being a highly respected preacher, the Captain of the Titanic asked John Harper to “remain on deck and keep peace among the passengers”. Harper spoke to many people that night. Several mentioned seeing him or hearing him as Harper would talk to people with such words as, “Are you saved?” or “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!”
Can you picture the scene? Some people are rushing around on the Titanic looking for their valuables, stuffing their pockets with money, or herding the family into a group. Harper is more concerned with the souls of those on board. While others gathered their most prized possessions, he was praying with people, witnessing for Christ, and trying to save every soul he could.
As the Titanic slipped beneath the waves, several people heard John Harper continue to attempt to save souls despite the terribly cold water painfully seeping the warmth from his body. One man, who survived the icy waters, recalled Harper swimming to another man and asking, “Are you saved?” The man replied, “No.” With his last words, Harper attempted to bring that man to Christ even as the blood in his veins slowed and finally stopped.
One of the people who was rescued by the S.S. Carpathia that night was saved by John Harper as the Titanic sank. Because of Harper, that man dedicated his life to Christ right there on the ocean. He called himself “Harper’s Last Convert”. He often spoke at churches in honor of the man who had shared the gospel of Jesus on the doomed ship. (Read more of this story in Erwin Lutzer’s article in The Moody Church Radio Ministries monthly letter from June 1998)
You can know a lot about a person by what they consider “valuable”. You can observe what a person considers important or worthy by the value they place upon things. While some on the Titanic cherished their children, their spouse, their gems, their money, and more, John Harper considered all the souls on board as critically important. He valued most of all saving those souls from an eternity in hell. His greatest motivation was revealed in that terrible moment.
In the scripture for today, Paul wrote about some of the foundations that people base their existence upon. Your main purpose in life could be to collect “gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw” (1 Corinthians 3:12). A jeweler may spend years buying and selling and making a good living with gold, silver, or jewels. A carpenter may spend years making valuable pieces of furniture out of wood. A farmer may place great value in hay or straw for the animals under his care. The Apostle Paul realized that human beings place value in such things. However, Paul also knew that “judgment day” would “reveal the kind of work each person has done” (1 Corinthians 3:13). The day of God’s ultimate judgment would bring into focus what was most valuable to each person, even to you. That day will reveal the foundational elements of your life. In that moment, God will judge your values and decisions. God will expose what you considered as the most important things in your life. What do you think judgement day will reveal about you? Will your actions exhibit any eternal value? (1 Corinthians 3:13)
When death loomed, John Harper wanted most of all to save every soul he could. His ultimate motivation in life was plain to see by the passengers on the Titanic. Your motivations in life may not be so obvious to others. They may not be able to see what is most valuable to your heart. But God knows you completely. God knows what is at the crux of your being. God knows that when push comes to shove what you will hold onto most desperately. I wonder what that is…..
This week, how can you show Jesus that you love him dearly? What kind of gift can you give this Christmas in honor of the Christ child? How about a dedication to love Jesus more than any other thing in this world? That might be a good place to start!
And on that ship, in the second-class section, was a man named John Harper who was coming to America to preach at Moody Church in Chicago. Being a highly respected preacher, the Captain of the Titanic asked John Harper to “remain on deck and keep peace among the passengers”. Harper spoke to many people that night. Several mentioned seeing him or hearing him as Harper would talk to people with such words as, “Are you saved?” or “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!”
Can you picture the scene? Some people are rushing around on the Titanic looking for their valuables, stuffing their pockets with money, or herding the family into a group. Harper is more concerned with the souls of those on board. While others gathered their most prized possessions, he was praying with people, witnessing for Christ, and trying to save every soul he could.
As the Titanic slipped beneath the waves, several people heard John Harper continue to attempt to save souls despite the terribly cold water painfully seeping the warmth from his body. One man, who survived the icy waters, recalled Harper swimming to another man and asking, “Are you saved?” The man replied, “No.” With his last words, Harper attempted to bring that man to Christ even as the blood in his veins slowed and finally stopped.
One of the people who was rescued by the S.S. Carpathia that night was saved by John Harper as the Titanic sank. Because of Harper, that man dedicated his life to Christ right there on the ocean. He called himself “Harper’s Last Convert”. He often spoke at churches in honor of the man who had shared the gospel of Jesus on the doomed ship. (Read more of this story in Erwin Lutzer’s article in The Moody Church Radio Ministries monthly letter from June 1998)
You can know a lot about a person by what they consider “valuable”. You can observe what a person considers important or worthy by the value they place upon things. While some on the Titanic cherished their children, their spouse, their gems, their money, and more, John Harper considered all the souls on board as critically important. He valued most of all saving those souls from an eternity in hell. His greatest motivation was revealed in that terrible moment.
In the scripture for today, Paul wrote about some of the foundations that people base their existence upon. Your main purpose in life could be to collect “gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw” (1 Corinthians 3:12). A jeweler may spend years buying and selling and making a good living with gold, silver, or jewels. A carpenter may spend years making valuable pieces of furniture out of wood. A farmer may place great value in hay or straw for the animals under his care. The Apostle Paul realized that human beings place value in such things. However, Paul also knew that “judgment day” would “reveal the kind of work each person has done” (1 Corinthians 3:13). The day of God’s ultimate judgment would bring into focus what was most valuable to each person, even to you. That day will reveal the foundational elements of your life. In that moment, God will judge your values and decisions. God will expose what you considered as the most important things in your life. What do you think judgement day will reveal about you? Will your actions exhibit any eternal value? (1 Corinthians 3:13)
When death loomed, John Harper wanted most of all to save every soul he could. His ultimate motivation in life was plain to see by the passengers on the Titanic. Your motivations in life may not be so obvious to others. They may not be able to see what is most valuable to your heart. But God knows you completely. God knows what is at the crux of your being. God knows that when push comes to shove what you will hold onto most desperately. I wonder what that is…..
This week, how can you show Jesus that you love him dearly? What kind of gift can you give this Christmas in honor of the Christ child? How about a dedication to love Jesus more than any other thing in this world? That might be a good place to start!
December 22
“Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.” (Proverbs 22:5, NLT)
Have you ever looked over a situation and thought to yourself, “This is not going to end well.”?
Jerry was a bright and precocious young man. Just by watching him, you could tell he was always thinking. Sadly, he was often scheming. Jerry had a jealous streak a mile long. He came from a home that was torn apart by divorce and bitter infighting. To cope, Jerry became smart and devious. He would often figure out which buttons to push to manipulate a sibling or his mother. He carefully chose his words to take advantage of a situation. He was sly as a snake. As he grew older, he became way more dangerous.
On the evening of his seventeenth birthday, Jerry was upset that his mother had spent so little on his birthday present, so he decided to go out and procure something more deserving of his special day. He wandered the neighborhood, looking for some weakness. He found an unlocked garage door one block away from his home. Jerry slipped inside and looked around. His eyes grew wide as he thought about which item to pilfer.
What Jerry didn’t know was that he had broken into the garage of a construction engineer. In a room at the back of the garage was a locked door. Jerry smashed the lock and walked in the nearly empty room to find a large box marked, “Danger”. He opened the box to find some smaller sticks of dynamite along with an equal number of old fuses. These small explosives were used for construction work. They weren’t as powerful as full sticks of dynamite, but they packed quite a punch. Jerry stole several sticks and the accompanying number of fuses.
A week later, Jerry drove his mother’s car out to an old, abandoned quarry. There, he blew up one of the sticks of dynamite. Excited by the huge blast, Jerry buried another stick and watched it blow up dirt and create a huge crater. Excited to see more explosions and encouraged by the carnage, Jerry vowed to make one memorable explosion. He drove home and found the gas can for the lawn mower, went to the corner gas station and filled it up. Then, he drove back out to the deserted quarry and put the final stick of dynamite under the can of gas. He lit the fuse and ran backward to hide behind the car. When the explosion came, it was tremendous. What Jerry didn’t realize was that the explosion would propel the gas over a wide area. When the gas exploded and caught fire, it spread fire that started his mother’s car to blazing. It also caused second degree burns on Jerry’s body.
Jerry’s love of danger and “the forbidden” and his need to push the limits caused him to take risks. That day at the quarry, he took one risk too many. The result was that Jerry was scarred by his burns. Every time Jerry looked in a mirror, he saw the scars from that day at the quarry. That only made him more resentful and angry as a young man. Jerry got into many fights and much trouble in his short life. He died racing his car down a highway road on a bet. The car he was driving blew a tire and crashed.
Jerry’s attitude and mindset was not in any way religious. He didn’t think about God or faith. He enjoyed pushing buttons, pushing the boundaries, and risk-taking. His own mother knew his life wouldn’t end well. His personality traits defined his life as reckless, dangerous, and fraught with poor choices.
Jerry’s life didn’t end well. His family knew he was headed for trouble. You can tell a lot about a person by what they value in life. People that value God often have very different inclinations than people who value risk-taking pleasure. Young men who crave alcohol have the tendency to make poor choices while drinking. A young woman who is thrilled at one-night stands risks the danger of unwanted pregnancies, abortions, bad relationships, and sexual diseases. A Christian man who hides his desires for other women is in danger when alone with a beautiful woman. A young woman who had an abusive uncle suffers from fears and resentments and anger over her past. Each of these people live dangerously. Because a significant area of their life that is not right with God, they risk going down the wrong path or making rash decisions or becoming resentful.
Proverbs 22:5, our scripture reading for today, is a reminder. It teaches that people who have become “corrupt” in their thinking or actions will “walk a thorny, treacherous road”. The second half of this verse of the Bible urges the wise person to “avoid” that sinful path in life. You need to understand that this verse may very well speak to you. Is there a person near you who is apt to make poor choices that go against God’s will? When you are with someone close, do you tend to make poor choices or have impure thoughts? Are you susceptible to a bad habit or bad thoughts? There are many dangerous paths in life that you don’t want to travel. Be careful you don’t find yourself on that “thorny, treacherous road” warned about in Proverbs 22:5!
You choose your path in life. Others may influence the road you are on but ultimately you make your own choices about which forks in the road to take. Some of those roads can lead to tragedy and loss and suffering. Other people may see that road you are taking as dangerous. You might be blind to its dangers. You may not be aware of the thorns along that path. You may not see the signs of impending doom.
Trust in the Holy Spirit to help you take the right path in life. Lean on God, listen to God while in prayer, trust in God’s word to keep you safe. Don’t let anything in life corrupt your thinking or actions. Else, you may find yourself on a “thorny, treacherous path” that the wise do not dare walk alone.
Today’s scripture and meditation might seem to you as dark and dangerous. In a way it is. There are some very dark and dangerous paths in life. I don’t want you to make a mistake and end up going in the wrong direction. Spiritual maturity involves learning about the holy paths in life. It also teaches you which paths are dark and dangerous. You may have a natural tendency to gravitate toward a bad habit, a sinful lifestyle, or the wrong type of friend. God will shed some light on which paths to take if you are willing to open your eyes to God’s direction. Psalm 119:105 offers this help: “God’s word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. God will direct your steps all the way to heaven if you let Him. Satan will be glad to direct your steps all the way to hell if you don’t watch your step.
When Jesus came into this world, His life was immediately threatened by King Herod. Matthew mentions that Herod sought to kill the Christ child (Matthew 2:13). Herod was one of those people who was motivated by greed and envy. He often chose a path of violence and destruction. Joseph (Jesus' father), motivated by a love of all that is holy, was warned by God to flee Herod's wrath. Because Joseph followed God's direction and went a different path, Jesus' life was spared. Because Joseph was willing to listen to Heavenly direction, Jesus was protected in that crucial moment.
Life is full of different kinds of people and very different roads to travel. Some people are dangerous to be around and can easily stir up trouble. Some have become angry and resentful, disillusioned or bitter. Some people follow God's lead and become protectors and peacemakers. There are people who are comfortable taking dark and dangerous roads. There are also those who are willing to trust God, follow God's direction, and heed God's instruction. Which type of person are you likely to follow? Which type of person have you become?
Jerry was a bright and precocious young man. Just by watching him, you could tell he was always thinking. Sadly, he was often scheming. Jerry had a jealous streak a mile long. He came from a home that was torn apart by divorce and bitter infighting. To cope, Jerry became smart and devious. He would often figure out which buttons to push to manipulate a sibling or his mother. He carefully chose his words to take advantage of a situation. He was sly as a snake. As he grew older, he became way more dangerous.
On the evening of his seventeenth birthday, Jerry was upset that his mother had spent so little on his birthday present, so he decided to go out and procure something more deserving of his special day. He wandered the neighborhood, looking for some weakness. He found an unlocked garage door one block away from his home. Jerry slipped inside and looked around. His eyes grew wide as he thought about which item to pilfer.
What Jerry didn’t know was that he had broken into the garage of a construction engineer. In a room at the back of the garage was a locked door. Jerry smashed the lock and walked in the nearly empty room to find a large box marked, “Danger”. He opened the box to find some smaller sticks of dynamite along with an equal number of old fuses. These small explosives were used for construction work. They weren’t as powerful as full sticks of dynamite, but they packed quite a punch. Jerry stole several sticks and the accompanying number of fuses.
A week later, Jerry drove his mother’s car out to an old, abandoned quarry. There, he blew up one of the sticks of dynamite. Excited by the huge blast, Jerry buried another stick and watched it blow up dirt and create a huge crater. Excited to see more explosions and encouraged by the carnage, Jerry vowed to make one memorable explosion. He drove home and found the gas can for the lawn mower, went to the corner gas station and filled it up. Then, he drove back out to the deserted quarry and put the final stick of dynamite under the can of gas. He lit the fuse and ran backward to hide behind the car. When the explosion came, it was tremendous. What Jerry didn’t realize was that the explosion would propel the gas over a wide area. When the gas exploded and caught fire, it spread fire that started his mother’s car to blazing. It also caused second degree burns on Jerry’s body.
Jerry’s love of danger and “the forbidden” and his need to push the limits caused him to take risks. That day at the quarry, he took one risk too many. The result was that Jerry was scarred by his burns. Every time Jerry looked in a mirror, he saw the scars from that day at the quarry. That only made him more resentful and angry as a young man. Jerry got into many fights and much trouble in his short life. He died racing his car down a highway road on a bet. The car he was driving blew a tire and crashed.
Jerry’s attitude and mindset was not in any way religious. He didn’t think about God or faith. He enjoyed pushing buttons, pushing the boundaries, and risk-taking. His own mother knew his life wouldn’t end well. His personality traits defined his life as reckless, dangerous, and fraught with poor choices.
Jerry’s life didn’t end well. His family knew he was headed for trouble. You can tell a lot about a person by what they value in life. People that value God often have very different inclinations than people who value risk-taking pleasure. Young men who crave alcohol have the tendency to make poor choices while drinking. A young woman who is thrilled at one-night stands risks the danger of unwanted pregnancies, abortions, bad relationships, and sexual diseases. A Christian man who hides his desires for other women is in danger when alone with a beautiful woman. A young woman who had an abusive uncle suffers from fears and resentments and anger over her past. Each of these people live dangerously. Because a significant area of their life that is not right with God, they risk going down the wrong path or making rash decisions or becoming resentful.
Proverbs 22:5, our scripture reading for today, is a reminder. It teaches that people who have become “corrupt” in their thinking or actions will “walk a thorny, treacherous road”. The second half of this verse of the Bible urges the wise person to “avoid” that sinful path in life. You need to understand that this verse may very well speak to you. Is there a person near you who is apt to make poor choices that go against God’s will? When you are with someone close, do you tend to make poor choices or have impure thoughts? Are you susceptible to a bad habit or bad thoughts? There are many dangerous paths in life that you don’t want to travel. Be careful you don’t find yourself on that “thorny, treacherous road” warned about in Proverbs 22:5!
You choose your path in life. Others may influence the road you are on but ultimately you make your own choices about which forks in the road to take. Some of those roads can lead to tragedy and loss and suffering. Other people may see that road you are taking as dangerous. You might be blind to its dangers. You may not be aware of the thorns along that path. You may not see the signs of impending doom.
Trust in the Holy Spirit to help you take the right path in life. Lean on God, listen to God while in prayer, trust in God’s word to keep you safe. Don’t let anything in life corrupt your thinking or actions. Else, you may find yourself on a “thorny, treacherous path” that the wise do not dare walk alone.
Today’s scripture and meditation might seem to you as dark and dangerous. In a way it is. There are some very dark and dangerous paths in life. I don’t want you to make a mistake and end up going in the wrong direction. Spiritual maturity involves learning about the holy paths in life. It also teaches you which paths are dark and dangerous. You may have a natural tendency to gravitate toward a bad habit, a sinful lifestyle, or the wrong type of friend. God will shed some light on which paths to take if you are willing to open your eyes to God’s direction. Psalm 119:105 offers this help: “God’s word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. God will direct your steps all the way to heaven if you let Him. Satan will be glad to direct your steps all the way to hell if you don’t watch your step.
When Jesus came into this world, His life was immediately threatened by King Herod. Matthew mentions that Herod sought to kill the Christ child (Matthew 2:13). Herod was one of those people who was motivated by greed and envy. He often chose a path of violence and destruction. Joseph (Jesus' father), motivated by a love of all that is holy, was warned by God to flee Herod's wrath. Because Joseph followed God's direction and went a different path, Jesus' life was spared. Because Joseph was willing to listen to Heavenly direction, Jesus was protected in that crucial moment.
Life is full of different kinds of people and very different roads to travel. Some people are dangerous to be around and can easily stir up trouble. Some have become angry and resentful, disillusioned or bitter. Some people follow God's lead and become protectors and peacemakers. There are people who are comfortable taking dark and dangerous roads. There are also those who are willing to trust God, follow God's direction, and heed God's instruction. Which type of person are you likely to follow? Which type of person have you become?