May 1
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” (Isaiah 43:2–3, NIV)
When you are doing what God wants you to do, the hand of God is upon you. If God wants that mission completed, who will stop it? When you are doing what God wants you to do, God will protect that initiative, support your work, direct your steps, guard your way. Amazing things happen when God stands with you!
As I walked into the hospital room, the man looked beyond pale. Jordan’s pain was obvious. He was miserable. His suffering was so intense, he writhed in agony. His sheets were wet with sweat. Suddenly, he stopped writhing, turned to me and said, “Help! Get the nurse!” Then, he promptly threw up more than a quart of blood onto the floor.
After a month of suffering complication after complication, Jordan had grown very weak. Fearing for his life, the doctors put him in ICU, then in isolation. I talked with Jordan and his wife almost every day in that hospital. We prayed together. I heard their pain. I sensed his fear. Finally, after beseeching God for help for Jordan, I began to wonder if hope was lost. He slipped into a coma. His wife, on the other hand, felt Jordan’s time was not yet done. In her heart, she knew that Jordan was not only going to come out of this, he was going to come back to church. Jordan had stopped coming to church years before. His wife never stopped. She feared for her husband’s soul. She pleaded with God to give him another chance. She never stopped believing for one second that God was going to let her husband die. When the doctors had just about given up, she held complete faith. She was upbeat. She was there. She prayed. She worked to do everything possible. She knew it was her mission to get her husband back into God’s hand.
After three months in the hospital, weeks on a ventilator, several stays in the ICU, Jordan came home. The doctors were shocked. The wife was not. The doctors confessed that they had just about given up. The wife told me that she had never, for even one moment, felt her husband was not going to make it. She confided in me that her mission during that time was to save the soul of her husband. A few months after he came home from the hospital, he came back to church. His old friends were shocked that he gave God the credit for his recovery. His wife just beamed.
When you know for certain that God wants something done, don’t be surprised if the weight and power of God has you accomplish things that you never thought possible!
A farmer looked at his land after the tornado. The barn was wrecked. He lost several cows and pigs. The house was damaged. While the family was numbed by the damage and even thought about giving up farming, the man said to his wife, “Come hell or high water, I’m gonna rebuild, and this place is going to be better than before the storm.” It took him two years, but he kept his promise. The family was amazed at how well things came together after the storm. Friends offered time and machinery to help clean up after the storm. The insurance company sent a quick settlement check. A brother came every weekend to help. The farmer was a man of strong faith and conviction. He worked with God’s strength to overcome all the damage done.
In the scripture for today, we don’t hear about hell, but we do hear about “high water” and obstacles in life. The prophet Isaiah preached to the people of Judah and Israel who had suffered greatly during the exile. He proclaimed that God was going to come through for them. During their despair, God was dispensing great hope. Isaiah declared God’s plans with these words, “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”, “when you pass through rivers, they will not sweep over you”, “when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned…” (Isaiah 43:2). At the time, God’s plan was to bring back the people from exile. God was going to overcome “high waters” and “walk through the fire” with His people. God was in every way their “Savior” (Isaiah 43:3). Nothing was going to stop God’s plan. Nothing did.
Life can be difficult. Storms and traumatic events can shake up your world. Illness can hit you out of the blue. Accidents can change a life. Throughout it all, God is working behind the scenes. In purposeful moments, God will enter your life to help change your world. God will help you overcome tremendous odds or obstacles, because when God is behind a work there is no stopping its completion. When you are doing what God wants you to do, this scripture is a reminder that God will be present and powerful throughout your work. You will never walk alone!
I’ve seen faithful people dedicate themselves to some pretty difficult tasks. What constantly amazes me are the many times those faithful ones come through. In spite of the obstacles, they overcome. Let today’s scripture be a reminder that God’s plans will persevere despite whatever Satan puts in place to defeat them. When you are doing what God has planned for your life, enjoy overcoming the odds; come “hell or high water” you won’t get “burned”!
As I walked into the hospital room, the man looked beyond pale. Jordan’s pain was obvious. He was miserable. His suffering was so intense, he writhed in agony. His sheets were wet with sweat. Suddenly, he stopped writhing, turned to me and said, “Help! Get the nurse!” Then, he promptly threw up more than a quart of blood onto the floor.
After a month of suffering complication after complication, Jordan had grown very weak. Fearing for his life, the doctors put him in ICU, then in isolation. I talked with Jordan and his wife almost every day in that hospital. We prayed together. I heard their pain. I sensed his fear. Finally, after beseeching God for help for Jordan, I began to wonder if hope was lost. He slipped into a coma. His wife, on the other hand, felt Jordan’s time was not yet done. In her heart, she knew that Jordan was not only going to come out of this, he was going to come back to church. Jordan had stopped coming to church years before. His wife never stopped. She feared for her husband’s soul. She pleaded with God to give him another chance. She never stopped believing for one second that God was going to let her husband die. When the doctors had just about given up, she held complete faith. She was upbeat. She was there. She prayed. She worked to do everything possible. She knew it was her mission to get her husband back into God’s hand.
After three months in the hospital, weeks on a ventilator, several stays in the ICU, Jordan came home. The doctors were shocked. The wife was not. The doctors confessed that they had just about given up. The wife told me that she had never, for even one moment, felt her husband was not going to make it. She confided in me that her mission during that time was to save the soul of her husband. A few months after he came home from the hospital, he came back to church. His old friends were shocked that he gave God the credit for his recovery. His wife just beamed.
When you know for certain that God wants something done, don’t be surprised if the weight and power of God has you accomplish things that you never thought possible!
A farmer looked at his land after the tornado. The barn was wrecked. He lost several cows and pigs. The house was damaged. While the family was numbed by the damage and even thought about giving up farming, the man said to his wife, “Come hell or high water, I’m gonna rebuild, and this place is going to be better than before the storm.” It took him two years, but he kept his promise. The family was amazed at how well things came together after the storm. Friends offered time and machinery to help clean up after the storm. The insurance company sent a quick settlement check. A brother came every weekend to help. The farmer was a man of strong faith and conviction. He worked with God’s strength to overcome all the damage done.
In the scripture for today, we don’t hear about hell, but we do hear about “high water” and obstacles in life. The prophet Isaiah preached to the people of Judah and Israel who had suffered greatly during the exile. He proclaimed that God was going to come through for them. During their despair, God was dispensing great hope. Isaiah declared God’s plans with these words, “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”, “when you pass through rivers, they will not sweep over you”, “when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned…” (Isaiah 43:2). At the time, God’s plan was to bring back the people from exile. God was going to overcome “high waters” and “walk through the fire” with His people. God was in every way their “Savior” (Isaiah 43:3). Nothing was going to stop God’s plan. Nothing did.
Life can be difficult. Storms and traumatic events can shake up your world. Illness can hit you out of the blue. Accidents can change a life. Throughout it all, God is working behind the scenes. In purposeful moments, God will enter your life to help change your world. God will help you overcome tremendous odds or obstacles, because when God is behind a work there is no stopping its completion. When you are doing what God wants you to do, this scripture is a reminder that God will be present and powerful throughout your work. You will never walk alone!
I’ve seen faithful people dedicate themselves to some pretty difficult tasks. What constantly amazes me are the many times those faithful ones come through. In spite of the obstacles, they overcome. Let today’s scripture be a reminder that God’s plans will persevere despite whatever Satan puts in place to defeat them. When you are doing what God has planned for your life, enjoy overcoming the odds; come “hell or high water” you won’t get “burned”!
May 4
“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.” (Psalm 119:73, NIV84)
“F. B. Meyer explained it this way: “A bar of iron worth $2.50, when wrought into horseshoes is worth $5. If made into needles it is worth $175. If into penknife blades it is worth $1,625. If made into springs for watches it is worth $125,000. What a ‘trial by fire’ that bar must undergo to be worth this! But the more it is manipulated, and the more it is hammered and passed through the heat, beaten, pounded, and polished, the greater its value.”
Christian, are you wondering about the trials through which you are passing? With impatient heart are you saying, “How long, O Lord?” The heat of the flame and the blows of the hammer are necessary if you are to be more than an unpolished, rough bar of iron. God’s all-wise plan, though it calls for the fire, produces the valuable watch spring of maturity. His very best for your life has behind it His perfect timing. - P.R.V.” (Our Daily Bread, December 7, as printed in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations).
Around you right now, hidden before your eyes, God’s hand is working to mold and recreate you into a more beautiful you. It is God’s plan that you learn what is required to be a true child of faith. Your response to God’s handiwork will determine what you get out of life. If you choose to ignore God’s teachings, you will fail spiritually. If you learn the deeper spiritual facts of life, you will grow in many ways into a more perfect child of God.
Psalm 119:73, written above, contains an Old Testament explanation of this transformative work of God. The author of this scripture claimed that God’s hands “made me and formed me”. God gave the author “understanding to learn” God’s righteous commands. The psalmist was convinced that God shapes human history and each life. God forms the situations and watches the decisions you make. God determines your level of learning and seeks to deepen your spiritual connection with the Divine.
Jennifer Rothschild is not only a woman of deep faith; she is also blind. In an article on a web site she designed and maintains, she wrote the following:
“Sometimes when hard things last way too long, our hearts can get hard or angry. Sometimes we can feel like we are the only one who suffers and grow resentful of others who seemingly have it easier. But God doesn’t allow the difficult trials and situations to stay in your life to make you hard and angry, does He? Think about it – of course not. Anger over what doesn’t change in your life does not change you for the better, it changes you for the worse.
When I look at my life, sometimes I wonder if one of the reasons He hasn’t changed my blindness is because He’s used it to soften my heart. I feel empathy for others so deeply. Mercy and grace are my first response to others’ failures and sorrows. That isn’t because I am a super saint! It’s because blindness has been a tool in the hand of God that He has used to chip away lots of pride and self-sufficiency. And, He’s still got a lot of work to do!
A hard heart is worse than any hard circumstance you face. Let God use that hard thing in your life to change you into a softer, more gentle empathetic person. Your circumstance may not ever change, but when your heart changes you will have the peace you long for.” (https://www.jenniferrothschild.com/god-doesnt-change-circumstances/)
All of us have challenges that don’t go away. Your challenges can either cause you to be bitter and resentful or they can make you strong and more gracious and more connected with God. The hardships in your life will become something that defines you, shapes you molds you. Behind all this work, God is choosing to take away some of these hardships, ease some, and leave others in place to help you grow and adapt into a more perfect you.
How have challenges and hardships affected your mind and heart and soul? Can you see how God has been at work in your life, even through hardships, molding and shaping your soul?
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV84)
Christian, are you wondering about the trials through which you are passing? With impatient heart are you saying, “How long, O Lord?” The heat of the flame and the blows of the hammer are necessary if you are to be more than an unpolished, rough bar of iron. God’s all-wise plan, though it calls for the fire, produces the valuable watch spring of maturity. His very best for your life has behind it His perfect timing. - P.R.V.” (Our Daily Bread, December 7, as printed in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations).
Around you right now, hidden before your eyes, God’s hand is working to mold and recreate you into a more beautiful you. It is God’s plan that you learn what is required to be a true child of faith. Your response to God’s handiwork will determine what you get out of life. If you choose to ignore God’s teachings, you will fail spiritually. If you learn the deeper spiritual facts of life, you will grow in many ways into a more perfect child of God.
Psalm 119:73, written above, contains an Old Testament explanation of this transformative work of God. The author of this scripture claimed that God’s hands “made me and formed me”. God gave the author “understanding to learn” God’s righteous commands. The psalmist was convinced that God shapes human history and each life. God forms the situations and watches the decisions you make. God determines your level of learning and seeks to deepen your spiritual connection with the Divine.
Jennifer Rothschild is not only a woman of deep faith; she is also blind. In an article on a web site she designed and maintains, she wrote the following:
“Sometimes when hard things last way too long, our hearts can get hard or angry. Sometimes we can feel like we are the only one who suffers and grow resentful of others who seemingly have it easier. But God doesn’t allow the difficult trials and situations to stay in your life to make you hard and angry, does He? Think about it – of course not. Anger over what doesn’t change in your life does not change you for the better, it changes you for the worse.
When I look at my life, sometimes I wonder if one of the reasons He hasn’t changed my blindness is because He’s used it to soften my heart. I feel empathy for others so deeply. Mercy and grace are my first response to others’ failures and sorrows. That isn’t because I am a super saint! It’s because blindness has been a tool in the hand of God that He has used to chip away lots of pride and self-sufficiency. And, He’s still got a lot of work to do!
A hard heart is worse than any hard circumstance you face. Let God use that hard thing in your life to change you into a softer, more gentle empathetic person. Your circumstance may not ever change, but when your heart changes you will have the peace you long for.” (https://www.jenniferrothschild.com/god-doesnt-change-circumstances/)
All of us have challenges that don’t go away. Your challenges can either cause you to be bitter and resentful or they can make you strong and more gracious and more connected with God. The hardships in your life will become something that defines you, shapes you molds you. Behind all this work, God is choosing to take away some of these hardships, ease some, and leave others in place to help you grow and adapt into a more perfect you.
How have challenges and hardships affected your mind and heart and soul? Can you see how God has been at work in your life, even through hardships, molding and shaping your soul?
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV84)
May 6
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
(1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)
(1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)
“I once received an anonymous note asking me to call on the lady principal of a school. She was a woman of very brilliant gifts but professed to be an utter unbeliever. I called one day at the school and received a very cordial reception, but the woman said, “I do not believe anything. I do not even read the Bible because it seems wrong for one to read it and disbelieve everything in it as I do.”
As I talked with her, she insisted that she was confirmed in her unbelief, and that there was no possibility of her being led out of it. But suddenly she began to weep and I said to her, “Why are you crying?” “Oh,” she said, “there is one thing I cannot get over, and that is my father’s life. My father was a minister of the gospel, and whenever I think of the holy life he lived, I feel that there must be something in Christianity. I cannot get over his life.” She had tried hard to do so, but she had failed utterly.
Starting out from this point, I was able to tell her how she could find out for herself that beyond a peradventure the Bible was the Word of God, and Jesus Christ the Son of God. She promised to follow the plan suggested, and I afterwards had the privilege of receiving her into membership in the church.
But my reasonings would have been of no avail if she had not been prepared to listen to them by the insurmountable argument of her own father’s holy life. The best argument for Christianity is a Christian life.” (R.A. Torrey, Anecdotes and Illustrations, pp. 81-82)
1 Timothy 4:12 contains some important words from the Apostle Paul to his young apprentice in the ministry, Timothy. As his mentor, Paul sought to impart his greatest bits of wisdom to Timothy. Paul taught Timothy about problems in the church, faith issues and doctrine, prayer, and church leadership. Paul also wanted Timothy to understand that anyone in the church desiring to follow Christ faithfully must “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). To earn the respect of those around him, Timothy needed to realize that his life and actions would be closely examined. He needed to live up to the example of Christ. Though he was young, Timothy still had to stand out for his faith and be an example to others. This would help others to determine how to live as a follower of Christ.
Every day, there are people who scrutinize you. Your children will watch your actions and listen to your speech. Peers will discuss what you say and what you stand for. Your choices and decisions, actions and words will affect the lives of all those in your sphere of influence. Your example will determine whether they see Christians as trustworthy or deceptive. Your words will cause those around you to evaluate their relationship with God. For good or bad, you are God’s ambassador. Some will decide whether to believe in Jesus based solely on your example.
I have found that a good Christian will always affect others in a good way. Bad Christians or weak Christians will have the opposite effect. A good Christian father helped his daughter to find faith In Jesus as mentioned in the opening story for this meditation. Bad examples of Christians have encouraged others to leave the church, give up on faith, fall into sin, even reject Christ. What kind of an example will you be to those you meet today?
During the Nazi occupation of his country in World War II, King Christian X of Denmark noticed a Nazi flag flying over a Danish public building. He immediately called the German commandant, demanding that the flag be taken down at once. The commandant refused. "Then a soldier will go and take it down." said the king.
"He will be shot," threatened the commandant.
"I think not," replied the king, "for I shall be the soldier." Within minutes the flag was taken down.
King Christian X of Denmark knew that his example would make a difference in the land and for the people. He was willing to put his life on the line to do the right thing. He has been long remembered for this act of bravery.
Long after your funeral words have been spoken, your life and actions will live on in the lives and memories of others. If you were an example of true faith in Jesus, that example will affect centuries of people in ways you may never imagine. I am reminded of a young boy who was deeply affected by the wonderful words of a sermon from a visiting pastor. The pastor didn’t realize until years later that his words had a profound affect on that boy. The boy just happened to be Billy Graham, one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century.
You can never fully know how your life of faith will affect others. That is not your goal anyway. Your goal is to emulate Jesus Christ. In so doing, your example will affect the lives of others. If you do it right, your example of faith will inspire generations to come. So, make today count!
As I talked with her, she insisted that she was confirmed in her unbelief, and that there was no possibility of her being led out of it. But suddenly she began to weep and I said to her, “Why are you crying?” “Oh,” she said, “there is one thing I cannot get over, and that is my father’s life. My father was a minister of the gospel, and whenever I think of the holy life he lived, I feel that there must be something in Christianity. I cannot get over his life.” She had tried hard to do so, but she had failed utterly.
Starting out from this point, I was able to tell her how she could find out for herself that beyond a peradventure the Bible was the Word of God, and Jesus Christ the Son of God. She promised to follow the plan suggested, and I afterwards had the privilege of receiving her into membership in the church.
But my reasonings would have been of no avail if she had not been prepared to listen to them by the insurmountable argument of her own father’s holy life. The best argument for Christianity is a Christian life.” (R.A. Torrey, Anecdotes and Illustrations, pp. 81-82)
1 Timothy 4:12 contains some important words from the Apostle Paul to his young apprentice in the ministry, Timothy. As his mentor, Paul sought to impart his greatest bits of wisdom to Timothy. Paul taught Timothy about problems in the church, faith issues and doctrine, prayer, and church leadership. Paul also wanted Timothy to understand that anyone in the church desiring to follow Christ faithfully must “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). To earn the respect of those around him, Timothy needed to realize that his life and actions would be closely examined. He needed to live up to the example of Christ. Though he was young, Timothy still had to stand out for his faith and be an example to others. This would help others to determine how to live as a follower of Christ.
Every day, there are people who scrutinize you. Your children will watch your actions and listen to your speech. Peers will discuss what you say and what you stand for. Your choices and decisions, actions and words will affect the lives of all those in your sphere of influence. Your example will determine whether they see Christians as trustworthy or deceptive. Your words will cause those around you to evaluate their relationship with God. For good or bad, you are God’s ambassador. Some will decide whether to believe in Jesus based solely on your example.
I have found that a good Christian will always affect others in a good way. Bad Christians or weak Christians will have the opposite effect. A good Christian father helped his daughter to find faith In Jesus as mentioned in the opening story for this meditation. Bad examples of Christians have encouraged others to leave the church, give up on faith, fall into sin, even reject Christ. What kind of an example will you be to those you meet today?
During the Nazi occupation of his country in World War II, King Christian X of Denmark noticed a Nazi flag flying over a Danish public building. He immediately called the German commandant, demanding that the flag be taken down at once. The commandant refused. "Then a soldier will go and take it down." said the king.
"He will be shot," threatened the commandant.
"I think not," replied the king, "for I shall be the soldier." Within minutes the flag was taken down.
King Christian X of Denmark knew that his example would make a difference in the land and for the people. He was willing to put his life on the line to do the right thing. He has been long remembered for this act of bravery.
Long after your funeral words have been spoken, your life and actions will live on in the lives and memories of others. If you were an example of true faith in Jesus, that example will affect centuries of people in ways you may never imagine. I am reminded of a young boy who was deeply affected by the wonderful words of a sermon from a visiting pastor. The pastor didn’t realize until years later that his words had a profound affect on that boy. The boy just happened to be Billy Graham, one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century.
You can never fully know how your life of faith will affect others. That is not your goal anyway. Your goal is to emulate Jesus Christ. In so doing, your example will affect the lives of others. If you do it right, your example of faith will inspire generations to come. So, make today count!
May 8
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth…” (2 Timothy 2:24–25, NRSV)
There is an old story told of a time when John Wesley was on the preaching circuit. He was well known for preaching about repentance and grace, obedience and true biblical faith. As part of his understanding of God, Wesley preached that people should not adorn themselves lavishly. He spoke out against the evils of the love of money, earthly riches, and worldly treasures. On one occasion, he was invited by an acquaintance to visit the home of a wealthy family. While there, the acquaintance introduced Wesley to the daughter of the homeowner. She was dressed in expensive clothes and bedecked with rings, a necklace, and other jewelry. The acquaintance held up the daughter’s hand, sparkling with jewelry, and said to Wesley, “Could this be the hand of a Methodist?” As the words were spoken, the young woman blushed. She, too, knew of Methodist preaching. Wesley looked at the woman and said, “It is a beautiful hand.” His statement ended the awkward moment. The woman was so impressed by Wesley’s response that she came to his next service but without any jewelry adorning her frame.
A gentle, careful, faithful response in a situation can go a long way toward being faithful in the moment.
We are in a time when caustic language is praised and even monetized. Media organizations put out scandalous fake news in order to drive ratings or increase income. Politicians demonize one another. Liberals openly blaspheme conservatives, calling them misogynists, sexists, racists, and worse. Cyber-bullies get their friends to attack a person who is shunned. Facebook and Youtube allow some channels or groups to attack openly, while others are silenced. Attempts to see the other side of the coin often result in open condemnation. Pride and jealousy and tribalism go unchallenged.
Some Christians also see themselves on a high horse. They like to show off their good works. One may give self-praise for worship attendance or a life of membership. One may feel sinners are to be shunned or seen as inferior in every situation. Another might choose to elevate his own denomination as superior. I have heard Christians berate other Christians for how they were baptized, which denomination they are from, or where they were born. In my own denomination, there are many who make fun of conservative Christians, seeing them as uneducated or ill-informed. I have heard sermons in various churches mocking Catholics as cultists or Baptists as “bible-thumpers”. I have witnessed feminists in the church publicly mock Christian men for being sexist or racist, when it is not true. In the modern world, too many Christians can be just as worldly as non-believers. They all make fun of those who are different.
In opposition to the prevailing schisms and divisiveness being promoted openly today, the scripture given above from 2 Timothy demands the faithful Christian live differently. The true Christian should not be “quarrelsome” (2 Timothy 2:24). On the contrary, he or she should be “kindly to EVERYONE”, even “correcting opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:24-25). This attitude among the faithful is meant not to bring judgment upon those who different, but instead to save the soul of the other. It’s not that you are supposed to just “be nice” in all situations. In fact, this scripture urges you to “correct opponents”. However, your methods should be done with grace and “gentleness”. Your goal is not to antagonize those who are different. Your goal is to inject God’s grace into the conversations and interactions.
Kindness and gentleness and repentance are at the heart of today’s scripture. However, they are far from common in the world today. Sadly, they are also missing in the interactions among Christians. Why do you think there are hundreds of Christian denominations today? Might it be because it is easier for many Christians to separate themselves than to act with gentleness and kindness, patience, and grace?
Take a good look at the scripture verses above. Then, ask yourself if some of these scriptural words describe your faith today. Are you “patient”? Do you “correct opponents with gentleness”, or are you apt to beat them over the head with facts? Are you “quarrelsome” with "some" people? Let today’s scripture help you reign in those divisive worldly tendencies. Nothing good ever comes from beating people to death with the gospel or with the truth. Also, you may be the one who is wrong in a given situation and in need of a gentle correction!
A gentle, careful, faithful response in a situation can go a long way toward being faithful in the moment.
We are in a time when caustic language is praised and even monetized. Media organizations put out scandalous fake news in order to drive ratings or increase income. Politicians demonize one another. Liberals openly blaspheme conservatives, calling them misogynists, sexists, racists, and worse. Cyber-bullies get their friends to attack a person who is shunned. Facebook and Youtube allow some channels or groups to attack openly, while others are silenced. Attempts to see the other side of the coin often result in open condemnation. Pride and jealousy and tribalism go unchallenged.
Some Christians also see themselves on a high horse. They like to show off their good works. One may give self-praise for worship attendance or a life of membership. One may feel sinners are to be shunned or seen as inferior in every situation. Another might choose to elevate his own denomination as superior. I have heard Christians berate other Christians for how they were baptized, which denomination they are from, or where they were born. In my own denomination, there are many who make fun of conservative Christians, seeing them as uneducated or ill-informed. I have heard sermons in various churches mocking Catholics as cultists or Baptists as “bible-thumpers”. I have witnessed feminists in the church publicly mock Christian men for being sexist or racist, when it is not true. In the modern world, too many Christians can be just as worldly as non-believers. They all make fun of those who are different.
In opposition to the prevailing schisms and divisiveness being promoted openly today, the scripture given above from 2 Timothy demands the faithful Christian live differently. The true Christian should not be “quarrelsome” (2 Timothy 2:24). On the contrary, he or she should be “kindly to EVERYONE”, even “correcting opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:24-25). This attitude among the faithful is meant not to bring judgment upon those who different, but instead to save the soul of the other. It’s not that you are supposed to just “be nice” in all situations. In fact, this scripture urges you to “correct opponents”. However, your methods should be done with grace and “gentleness”. Your goal is not to antagonize those who are different. Your goal is to inject God’s grace into the conversations and interactions.
Kindness and gentleness and repentance are at the heart of today’s scripture. However, they are far from common in the world today. Sadly, they are also missing in the interactions among Christians. Why do you think there are hundreds of Christian denominations today? Might it be because it is easier for many Christians to separate themselves than to act with gentleness and kindness, patience, and grace?
Take a good look at the scripture verses above. Then, ask yourself if some of these scriptural words describe your faith today. Are you “patient”? Do you “correct opponents with gentleness”, or are you apt to beat them over the head with facts? Are you “quarrelsome” with "some" people? Let today’s scripture help you reign in those divisive worldly tendencies. Nothing good ever comes from beating people to death with the gospel or with the truth. Also, you may be the one who is wrong in a given situation and in need of a gentle correction!
May 11
“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.” (Proverbs 4:7–8, NLT)
“Louis Albert Banks tells of an elderly Christian man, a fine singer, who learned that he had cancer of the tongue and that surgery was required. In the hospital after everything was ready for the operation, the man said to the doctor, “Are you sure I will never sing again?” The surgeon found it difficult to answer his question. He simply shook his head no. The patient then asked if he could sit up for a moment. “I’ve had many good times singing the praises of God,” he said. “And now you tell me I can never sing again. I have one song that will be my last. It will be of gratitude and praise to God.” There in the doctor’s presence the man sang softly the words of Isaac Watts’ hymn:
I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath,
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler power;
My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.”
(“Our Daily Bread”, January 15 as found in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
So many people take things for granted. They go through life skating along, as if everything they have will always be there. Just as steel may rust, food may rot, and the body will age, life changes. Things wear, people pass away, times go by; everything in life is fleeting. The Christian man from the true story above, about to lose his ability to sing, wanted to sing one last song to God before that gift was lost. Are there things you take for granted and would regret losing?
Ancient traditions claim that the Biblical book of Proverbs was written by Solomon. In the fourth chapter of that book, Solomon, who was known for great wisdom, pondered the importance of wisdom and good judgment. He wrote that “getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do” (Proverbs 4:7). As part of growing wise, he desired that people not only find wisdom but make sure to “develop good judgment”. I believe that developing godly wisdom and faithful judgment in your life involves not taking things from God for granted. You need to appreciate God’s gifts, see the wisdom of God’s commands, and appreciate the wise investment of time in seeking good judgment.
Those who go through life without stopping to give thanks for God’s gracious gifts are exemplifying poor judgment. They do not appreciate what God has done. They cannot see the wisdom in following God’s direction. All too many will fail to appreciate the blessings all around given by a gracious God for their benefit.
Tracee was raised by grandparents after her mother gave up parental rights. The young child was the result of an affair between her mother and a married man much older. When Tracee was left by her mother, her grandparents took her in and raised her as their own. The young girl resented that her grandparents were aged and frail. While her friends got to play with their parents, Tracee had to play by herself or find friends for any real play time. She was grateful that her grandparents gave her a home but resented her situation.
Later in life, after her grandparents died, Tracee wrote: “It wasn’t until Grandma died that I understood the immense sacrifice she and Grandpa made in spending their retirement years raising a third child — their daughter’s child, the result of an affair with a married man two decades older. Instead of selling their home and buying a motor home to tour the country, they worked years longer, Grandma as a cashier at the local grocery store and Grandpa at the dry cleaners, to support their only grandchild.” (Washington Post, September 16, 2019)
For some, it takes death or loss to realize what they have taken for granted. For them, that wisdom comes with a cost. Others look for wisdom in each moment. They have good judgment about the value of things and people and the holy in everyday life.
How well is your good judgment developed? Are you wise in the sight of God? Do you take things and people for granted? Do you occupy your time with the mundane only to realize later what is really important?
I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath,
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler power;
My days of praise shall ne’er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.”
(“Our Daily Bread”, January 15 as found in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
So many people take things for granted. They go through life skating along, as if everything they have will always be there. Just as steel may rust, food may rot, and the body will age, life changes. Things wear, people pass away, times go by; everything in life is fleeting. The Christian man from the true story above, about to lose his ability to sing, wanted to sing one last song to God before that gift was lost. Are there things you take for granted and would regret losing?
Ancient traditions claim that the Biblical book of Proverbs was written by Solomon. In the fourth chapter of that book, Solomon, who was known for great wisdom, pondered the importance of wisdom and good judgment. He wrote that “getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do” (Proverbs 4:7). As part of growing wise, he desired that people not only find wisdom but make sure to “develop good judgment”. I believe that developing godly wisdom and faithful judgment in your life involves not taking things from God for granted. You need to appreciate God’s gifts, see the wisdom of God’s commands, and appreciate the wise investment of time in seeking good judgment.
Those who go through life without stopping to give thanks for God’s gracious gifts are exemplifying poor judgment. They do not appreciate what God has done. They cannot see the wisdom in following God’s direction. All too many will fail to appreciate the blessings all around given by a gracious God for their benefit.
Tracee was raised by grandparents after her mother gave up parental rights. The young child was the result of an affair between her mother and a married man much older. When Tracee was left by her mother, her grandparents took her in and raised her as their own. The young girl resented that her grandparents were aged and frail. While her friends got to play with their parents, Tracee had to play by herself or find friends for any real play time. She was grateful that her grandparents gave her a home but resented her situation.
Later in life, after her grandparents died, Tracee wrote: “It wasn’t until Grandma died that I understood the immense sacrifice she and Grandpa made in spending their retirement years raising a third child — their daughter’s child, the result of an affair with a married man two decades older. Instead of selling their home and buying a motor home to tour the country, they worked years longer, Grandma as a cashier at the local grocery store and Grandpa at the dry cleaners, to support their only grandchild.” (Washington Post, September 16, 2019)
For some, it takes death or loss to realize what they have taken for granted. For them, that wisdom comes with a cost. Others look for wisdom in each moment. They have good judgment about the value of things and people and the holy in everyday life.
How well is your good judgment developed? Are you wise in the sight of God? Do you take things and people for granted? Do you occupy your time with the mundane only to realize later what is really important?
May 13
“But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2, ESV)
“NORTH WATERBORO, Maine — The only light in the house came from the glow of three computer monitors, and Christopher Blair, 46, sat down at a keyboard and started to type. His wife had left for work and his children were on their way to school, but waiting online was his other community, an unreality where nothing was exactly as it seemed. He logged onto his website and began to invent his first news story of the day. “BREAKING,” he wrote, pecking out each letter with his index fingers as he considered the possibilities. Maybe he would announce that Hillary Clinton had died during a secret overseas mission to smuggle more refugees into America. Maybe he would award President Trump the Nobel Peace Prize for his courage in denying climate change. A new message popped onto Blair’s screen from a friend who helped with his website. “What viral insanity should we spread this morning?” the friend asked.
He had launched his new website on Facebook during the 2016 presidential campaign as a practical joke among friends — a political satire site started by Blair and a few other liberal bloggers who wanted to make fun of what they considered to be extremist ideas spreading throughout the far right. In the last two years on his page, America’s Last Line of Defense, Blair had made up stories about California instituting sharia, former president Bill Clinton becoming a serial killer, undocumented immigrants defacing Mount Rushmore, and former president Barack Obama dodging the Vietnam draft when he was 9.” (Eli Saslow, The Washington Post, November 17, 2018)
Christopher Blair did all this as a joke. He did it as sarcasm and political satire. However, what people did with his information was completely underhanded. Countries like Russia and China printed his stories as examples of how corrupt the West has become. Political groups used his pictures and information to spread lies and falsehoods to damage the reputations of those involved. People sent his fake news all over Facebook and social media. Even though Christopher Blair wrote on his site that nothing on those satirical pages was real, people believed them and used them and manipulated others through their proliferation.
There is a lot of talk these days about fake news, lies, deceptions in social media and political circles. Sadly, it is not just the worldly realms that practice underhanded deceit. Christians can get caught up in the very same worldly practice. Gossip, though roundly criticized in scripture, runs rampant in some churches (Exodus 23:1, Psalm 101:5, James 4:11). Little lies are told by some church members so others may support them, to demean others, or to cause doubt among the faithful. Even when wrong, Christians might be tempted to use underhanded methods to play with the truth or to get others to believe a lie.
The scripture for today from 2 Corinthians 4:2 roundly criticizes all those who use “disgraceful, underhanded” methods. Paul, who wrote this verse, made the claim that the faithful have “renounced” such evil tactics. Even when dealing with God’s Word, some religious people (Christians among them) like to play loose with the Bible. They misquote the Bible, twist its meaning, and even attempt to reinterpret its true relevance. It happens more than you are aware.
Many mainline churches write politically correct versions of the scriptures when printing Bible passages or quoting it on the overhead. The pastors do not tell the congregation when this occurs. These versions will often play loose with the actual words of the Bible in order to make the scriptures appear as supporting modern ideologies or to sound politically correct. I have overheard several pastors exclaim that in their church no documents are ever written that use politically incorrect language. All the language, including scripture, is rewritten to reflect politically correct methods and syntax and ideologies. I’m betting you’ve attended a worship service where this was done without your knowledge. If you are a member of a mainline protestant church, I can all but guarantee it has happened at some time. I have yet to see any denomination that didn’t at some time rewrite something to reflect their ideology instead of stating the truth. In the verse for today, Paul said that true Christians “refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word…” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
It is not just outside of you that these underhanded practices occur. Sometimes, your baser instincts get the better of you. When this occurs, you will practice underhanded techniques in your mind. When you sin, you might try to justify it. When you do something wrong, you might explain it away. Many are quick to condemn others for things they do themselves. You might lie to yourself about your own sinfulness. Jesus aptly shared this common sinfulness with one simple question, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not see the log that is in your own eye?” (Luke 6:41). Disgraceful, underhanded ways are always hypocritical in nature.
For the apostle Paul, deceitful and underhanded methods in dealing with life do not belong in or around the faithful. Those methods are not only worldly, they are sinful. Deceitfulness is the devils’ territory. Underhandedness should be kept far from your thoughts. That’s why the truth is what sets you free.
He had launched his new website on Facebook during the 2016 presidential campaign as a practical joke among friends — a political satire site started by Blair and a few other liberal bloggers who wanted to make fun of what they considered to be extremist ideas spreading throughout the far right. In the last two years on his page, America’s Last Line of Defense, Blair had made up stories about California instituting sharia, former president Bill Clinton becoming a serial killer, undocumented immigrants defacing Mount Rushmore, and former president Barack Obama dodging the Vietnam draft when he was 9.” (Eli Saslow, The Washington Post, November 17, 2018)
Christopher Blair did all this as a joke. He did it as sarcasm and political satire. However, what people did with his information was completely underhanded. Countries like Russia and China printed his stories as examples of how corrupt the West has become. Political groups used his pictures and information to spread lies and falsehoods to damage the reputations of those involved. People sent his fake news all over Facebook and social media. Even though Christopher Blair wrote on his site that nothing on those satirical pages was real, people believed them and used them and manipulated others through their proliferation.
There is a lot of talk these days about fake news, lies, deceptions in social media and political circles. Sadly, it is not just the worldly realms that practice underhanded deceit. Christians can get caught up in the very same worldly practice. Gossip, though roundly criticized in scripture, runs rampant in some churches (Exodus 23:1, Psalm 101:5, James 4:11). Little lies are told by some church members so others may support them, to demean others, or to cause doubt among the faithful. Even when wrong, Christians might be tempted to use underhanded methods to play with the truth or to get others to believe a lie.
The scripture for today from 2 Corinthians 4:2 roundly criticizes all those who use “disgraceful, underhanded” methods. Paul, who wrote this verse, made the claim that the faithful have “renounced” such evil tactics. Even when dealing with God’s Word, some religious people (Christians among them) like to play loose with the Bible. They misquote the Bible, twist its meaning, and even attempt to reinterpret its true relevance. It happens more than you are aware.
Many mainline churches write politically correct versions of the scriptures when printing Bible passages or quoting it on the overhead. The pastors do not tell the congregation when this occurs. These versions will often play loose with the actual words of the Bible in order to make the scriptures appear as supporting modern ideologies or to sound politically correct. I have overheard several pastors exclaim that in their church no documents are ever written that use politically incorrect language. All the language, including scripture, is rewritten to reflect politically correct methods and syntax and ideologies. I’m betting you’ve attended a worship service where this was done without your knowledge. If you are a member of a mainline protestant church, I can all but guarantee it has happened at some time. I have yet to see any denomination that didn’t at some time rewrite something to reflect their ideology instead of stating the truth. In the verse for today, Paul said that true Christians “refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word…” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
It is not just outside of you that these underhanded practices occur. Sometimes, your baser instincts get the better of you. When this occurs, you will practice underhanded techniques in your mind. When you sin, you might try to justify it. When you do something wrong, you might explain it away. Many are quick to condemn others for things they do themselves. You might lie to yourself about your own sinfulness. Jesus aptly shared this common sinfulness with one simple question, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not see the log that is in your own eye?” (Luke 6:41). Disgraceful, underhanded ways are always hypocritical in nature.
For the apostle Paul, deceitful and underhanded methods in dealing with life do not belong in or around the faithful. Those methods are not only worldly, they are sinful. Deceitfulness is the devils’ territory. Underhandedness should be kept far from your thoughts. That’s why the truth is what sets you free.
May 15
“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6, NLT)
If you want to screw up your spiritual life, take a verse of the Bible out of context and make that verse central to your belief system. Without understanding the meaning of a verse in the context of the entire Biblical message, you can easily fail to follow God’s purpose for your life.
Take for example, the scripture for today from Matthew 6:6. This verse of the Bible seems on the surface to say that when a person prays, there should be limitations. The person who prays should be alone (“by yourself”), and in a “private” place, so that nobody knows you are there. In a cursory reading of this verse, this is absolutely without a doubt what this verse says. However, this verse is not meant to explain how to pray in all situations and for all purposes. This verse is meant to explain how to pray when you do not want act hypocritically. This verse is not saying that to be holy you should never pray with another person or in public. This would go against other scriptures in the Bible which promote public prayer or prayer with another (James 5:14-15, Acts 12:12, Acts 1:14, Acts 16:25, etc). From ancient times, the Israelites prayed together in the Temple and in synagogues. In summary, this verse must be taken in context to be understood.
If you read the whole paragraph from which this verse is drawn, the subject is about hypocritical people of faith who endeavor to look good in public. Religious hypocrites like to appear outwardly faithful to all those in hearing distance. They like to show off their faith for others to see. All to often, their faith is meant to show off, to appear righteous. This is a prideful act. To counter this, Matthew 6:6 was written to urge the faithful to take time away from public prayers in order to speak just with God. Its emphasis is on encouraging the one-to-one relationship between believer and God. This verse urges you to desire to spend private time with God MORE than desire to have others see your religiosity. This verse is meant as a correction to those who would put their faith on public display as an arrogant “act”. When you are good at public speaking or are gifted at showmanship, its all too easy to let your prayer time become a selfish show for public consumption.
Darla was interested in beauty products. She loved how they could transform a woman from ordinary into beautiful. As a help for others, she produced a few videos for her Facebook page and for YouTube about new beauty products coming out on the market. She then began to do reviews and demonstrate the best methods to apply the products. Young women praised her videos and begged for more. Darla ate up the attention and began to produce more and more content. She began to expand to other media sites like Instagram and Twitch. All the while, Darla attained quite a following. As manufacturers discovered her videos, they sent her free products for evaluation. They also began to sponsor her content.
The more Darla’s videos became popular, the more Darla changed. She began to be recognized in public. A reporter came to her home for an interview and comments. However, the more famous that Darla became, the more likes and upvotes she attained, the more she began to put emphasis on her own appearance. She would not leave her house without a perfect blend of beauty products. Several times a week, she got her hair done. Then, she had a face-lift to look younger. The more Darla worked at her appearance, the more money she made.
Over time, Darla’s personality began to change. Her friendships became more exclusive. She spent less time with her family and more time with influencers, a-list people, and political elites. As a Christian, Darla’s spiritual life also changed. She left her home church to join a church that was highly influential and elaborately decorated. She would not go to church without an expensive dress and perfectly done nails and facials and much more. Her attendance at church became a public “appearance”. She was even asked for autographs before a Christmas service. Darla’s prayer life also suffered. In her home church, she often prayed publicly. As her fame grew, she would now bow her head in reverence or say “Amen” at appropriate moments. She had a friend videotape her reciting the Lord’s Prayer at church to put on her web site. She thought it might draw in a few more Christians to her broadcasts during the holiday season.
Like Darla, its easy to fall into the trap of praying for public consumption. If you find yourself changing the words of your prayers in public to appear more righteous or more modern or more politically correct, you have a spiritual problem. When your public prayers are more concerned with looking better than being more faithful, your relationship with God will become shallow. At times like this, its better to go into the prayer closet to pray instead of becoming a showoff for your faith.
It is not uncommon for pastors and church leaders to have a problem with showmanship. It is not unusual to for people to enjoy putting on a public display of their faith. Not everyone who shares a prayer or worships publicly has an issue with public displays of faith. However, it is spiritually healthy to search your heart regularly to make sure you are not one of those who does have an issue without outward displays of faith or prayer.
Every Christian needs, at times, to openly share their faith in public. However, every Christian also needs to make sure that his or her motives for sharing faith in public are godly. If at any time you think you might be a little too self-righteous or showy in your faith, it will be time to get back into the prayer closet. You might just find that is the only place where you and God can be real with one another.
Take for example, the scripture for today from Matthew 6:6. This verse of the Bible seems on the surface to say that when a person prays, there should be limitations. The person who prays should be alone (“by yourself”), and in a “private” place, so that nobody knows you are there. In a cursory reading of this verse, this is absolutely without a doubt what this verse says. However, this verse is not meant to explain how to pray in all situations and for all purposes. This verse is meant to explain how to pray when you do not want act hypocritically. This verse is not saying that to be holy you should never pray with another person or in public. This would go against other scriptures in the Bible which promote public prayer or prayer with another (James 5:14-15, Acts 12:12, Acts 1:14, Acts 16:25, etc). From ancient times, the Israelites prayed together in the Temple and in synagogues. In summary, this verse must be taken in context to be understood.
If you read the whole paragraph from which this verse is drawn, the subject is about hypocritical people of faith who endeavor to look good in public. Religious hypocrites like to appear outwardly faithful to all those in hearing distance. They like to show off their faith for others to see. All to often, their faith is meant to show off, to appear righteous. This is a prideful act. To counter this, Matthew 6:6 was written to urge the faithful to take time away from public prayers in order to speak just with God. Its emphasis is on encouraging the one-to-one relationship between believer and God. This verse urges you to desire to spend private time with God MORE than desire to have others see your religiosity. This verse is meant as a correction to those who would put their faith on public display as an arrogant “act”. When you are good at public speaking or are gifted at showmanship, its all too easy to let your prayer time become a selfish show for public consumption.
Darla was interested in beauty products. She loved how they could transform a woman from ordinary into beautiful. As a help for others, she produced a few videos for her Facebook page and for YouTube about new beauty products coming out on the market. She then began to do reviews and demonstrate the best methods to apply the products. Young women praised her videos and begged for more. Darla ate up the attention and began to produce more and more content. She began to expand to other media sites like Instagram and Twitch. All the while, Darla attained quite a following. As manufacturers discovered her videos, they sent her free products for evaluation. They also began to sponsor her content.
The more Darla’s videos became popular, the more Darla changed. She began to be recognized in public. A reporter came to her home for an interview and comments. However, the more famous that Darla became, the more likes and upvotes she attained, the more she began to put emphasis on her own appearance. She would not leave her house without a perfect blend of beauty products. Several times a week, she got her hair done. Then, she had a face-lift to look younger. The more Darla worked at her appearance, the more money she made.
Over time, Darla’s personality began to change. Her friendships became more exclusive. She spent less time with her family and more time with influencers, a-list people, and political elites. As a Christian, Darla’s spiritual life also changed. She left her home church to join a church that was highly influential and elaborately decorated. She would not go to church without an expensive dress and perfectly done nails and facials and much more. Her attendance at church became a public “appearance”. She was even asked for autographs before a Christmas service. Darla’s prayer life also suffered. In her home church, she often prayed publicly. As her fame grew, she would now bow her head in reverence or say “Amen” at appropriate moments. She had a friend videotape her reciting the Lord’s Prayer at church to put on her web site. She thought it might draw in a few more Christians to her broadcasts during the holiday season.
Like Darla, its easy to fall into the trap of praying for public consumption. If you find yourself changing the words of your prayers in public to appear more righteous or more modern or more politically correct, you have a spiritual problem. When your public prayers are more concerned with looking better than being more faithful, your relationship with God will become shallow. At times like this, its better to go into the prayer closet to pray instead of becoming a showoff for your faith.
It is not uncommon for pastors and church leaders to have a problem with showmanship. It is not unusual to for people to enjoy putting on a public display of their faith. Not everyone who shares a prayer or worships publicly has an issue with public displays of faith. However, it is spiritually healthy to search your heart regularly to make sure you are not one of those who does have an issue without outward displays of faith or prayer.
Every Christian needs, at times, to openly share their faith in public. However, every Christian also needs to make sure that his or her motives for sharing faith in public are godly. If at any time you think you might be a little too self-righteous or showy in your faith, it will be time to get back into the prayer closet. You might just find that is the only place where you and God can be real with one another.
May 17
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8–10, ESV)
“In one of his sermons, A. C. Dixon told of an incident that took place in Brooklyn, N.Y. A detective who had been looking for a local citizen finally tracked him down in a drugstore. As the man began to make his purchase, the officer laid his hand on the citizen’s shoulder and said, “You’re under arrest; come with me!” Stunned, the man demanded, “What did I do?” The detective calmly replied, “You know what you did. You escaped from the Albany penitentiary several years ago. You went west, got married, and then came back here to live. We’ve been watching for you since you returned.”
Quietly the man admitted, “That’s true, but I was sure you’d never find me. Before you take me in, could we stop by my house so I can talk to my family?” The officer agreed. When they got to his home, the man looked at his wife and asked, “Haven’t I been a kind husband and a good father? Haven’t I worked hard to make a living?” His wife answered, “Of course you have, but why are you asking me these questions?” Her husband then proceeded to explain what had happened and that he was now under arrest.
He apparently had hoped that his record as an exemplary husband and father would impress the officer. Even so, he was still an escaped criminal. Though he was “right” with his family, he was all wrong with the state of New York.” (10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
I contend that there are a lot of Christians who are doing a lot of right things, but who may be wrong with God. Let me explain.
Lou was a great dad and a good friend. He attended worship almost every week, was an active member of several groups in the church, and well-loved among those in his church. He was a hard worker, who had a decent job. He was generous to a fault. However, Lou had one big fault. He lived to gamble. Once a year, he would travel to Vegas. Usually, the trip would cost him several thousand dollars. Every day, he would buy a lottery ticket before work. He faithfully checked the lottery numbers, the odds on sports games, and more. He had a local bookie with whom he did a good amount of business.
Among all Lou’s family and friends, he was a great guy. However, as Lou aged, his gambling habit began to eat away at his savings and retirement accounts. When a downturn at his place of employment caused his salary to drop, Lou’s family felt the pinch. Their savings began to drop further. Because Lou did the budget and books for the family, he hid most of the costs and continued gambling, though at a lesser rate. The family still had its head above water financially, but the strain began to show on Lou.
At this point in Lou’s life, he believed his relationship with God was great. He had enough money to pay his bills. He was kind and loving to others. He pays his debts. He is a good citizen. He gives in the collection plate. However, what Lou did not realize is that his relationship with God was non-existent. It wasn’t his gambling that was the problem with God. Lou based his relationship with God on the belief that in his life he did more good than harm. His good deeds more than covered his mistakes. His giving to church and helping of others more than made up for his gambling and other vices. Lou didn’t realize at the time that his relationship with God was based more on his own good works than on the grace of God. Lou didn’t live his life as a servant of God. He lived with the belief that on a scale of good and bad, he was a good person. He believed that because his good works outweighed the bad, that alone should earn him a place in heaven. Huge mistake!
Paul clarifies this mistaken belief system in his letter to the Ephesian church found in our Bible. In Ephesians 2, Paul stated emphatically that you are “saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). God’s “grace” is what gives you a chance to go to heaven. Your place in heaven is “NOT THE RESULT OF GOOD WORKS”. Good works are a sign of faith, but do not earn you grace with God. Good deeds don’t get you to heaven, God’s grace is what matters.
Human beings are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:9). The good works should be a result of God’s grace, not to make things right with God. You don’t trade your good works for God’s grace. You can’t ever do enough to get to heaven. Your faith in God and works are an outgrowth of your relationship with God. If the relationship isn’t there, how can you earn your way to heaven? Yet, there are many Christians who think that because they went to church, because they did some good deeds, because they were “nice”, they deserve a place in heaven. This is not how faith works. Without a relationship with God, how can you ever earn enough grace from God?
Be careful that you never base your future in heaven by the number of good deeds you’ve done in your life. Stay away from the notion that if your good deeds outweigh the bad, you must be right with God. God’s grace can’t be earned. First, get your relationship with God squared away. Repent of your sin. Commit yourself to God’s calling. Seek God’s direction for your life. Then, and only then, will your good deeds matter in the eyes of God.
By the way, Lou did turn his life over to God in Christ. He made a commitment to God. I watched him do it. Thereafter, he gave up gambling for good. To others, he seemed like the same old Lou, but he was not. From that moment on, Lou was a true child of God.
Quietly the man admitted, “That’s true, but I was sure you’d never find me. Before you take me in, could we stop by my house so I can talk to my family?” The officer agreed. When they got to his home, the man looked at his wife and asked, “Haven’t I been a kind husband and a good father? Haven’t I worked hard to make a living?” His wife answered, “Of course you have, but why are you asking me these questions?” Her husband then proceeded to explain what had happened and that he was now under arrest.
He apparently had hoped that his record as an exemplary husband and father would impress the officer. Even so, he was still an escaped criminal. Though he was “right” with his family, he was all wrong with the state of New York.” (10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
I contend that there are a lot of Christians who are doing a lot of right things, but who may be wrong with God. Let me explain.
Lou was a great dad and a good friend. He attended worship almost every week, was an active member of several groups in the church, and well-loved among those in his church. He was a hard worker, who had a decent job. He was generous to a fault. However, Lou had one big fault. He lived to gamble. Once a year, he would travel to Vegas. Usually, the trip would cost him several thousand dollars. Every day, he would buy a lottery ticket before work. He faithfully checked the lottery numbers, the odds on sports games, and more. He had a local bookie with whom he did a good amount of business.
Among all Lou’s family and friends, he was a great guy. However, as Lou aged, his gambling habit began to eat away at his savings and retirement accounts. When a downturn at his place of employment caused his salary to drop, Lou’s family felt the pinch. Their savings began to drop further. Because Lou did the budget and books for the family, he hid most of the costs and continued gambling, though at a lesser rate. The family still had its head above water financially, but the strain began to show on Lou.
At this point in Lou’s life, he believed his relationship with God was great. He had enough money to pay his bills. He was kind and loving to others. He pays his debts. He is a good citizen. He gives in the collection plate. However, what Lou did not realize is that his relationship with God was non-existent. It wasn’t his gambling that was the problem with God. Lou based his relationship with God on the belief that in his life he did more good than harm. His good deeds more than covered his mistakes. His giving to church and helping of others more than made up for his gambling and other vices. Lou didn’t realize at the time that his relationship with God was based more on his own good works than on the grace of God. Lou didn’t live his life as a servant of God. He lived with the belief that on a scale of good and bad, he was a good person. He believed that because his good works outweighed the bad, that alone should earn him a place in heaven. Huge mistake!
Paul clarifies this mistaken belief system in his letter to the Ephesian church found in our Bible. In Ephesians 2, Paul stated emphatically that you are “saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). God’s “grace” is what gives you a chance to go to heaven. Your place in heaven is “NOT THE RESULT OF GOOD WORKS”. Good works are a sign of faith, but do not earn you grace with God. Good deeds don’t get you to heaven, God’s grace is what matters.
Human beings are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:9). The good works should be a result of God’s grace, not to make things right with God. You don’t trade your good works for God’s grace. You can’t ever do enough to get to heaven. Your faith in God and works are an outgrowth of your relationship with God. If the relationship isn’t there, how can you earn your way to heaven? Yet, there are many Christians who think that because they went to church, because they did some good deeds, because they were “nice”, they deserve a place in heaven. This is not how faith works. Without a relationship with God, how can you ever earn enough grace from God?
Be careful that you never base your future in heaven by the number of good deeds you’ve done in your life. Stay away from the notion that if your good deeds outweigh the bad, you must be right with God. God’s grace can’t be earned. First, get your relationship with God squared away. Repent of your sin. Commit yourself to God’s calling. Seek God’s direction for your life. Then, and only then, will your good deeds matter in the eyes of God.
By the way, Lou did turn his life over to God in Christ. He made a commitment to God. I watched him do it. Thereafter, he gave up gambling for good. To others, he seemed like the same old Lou, but he was not. From that moment on, Lou was a true child of God.
May 19
“They [the disciples] are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16, ESV)
John 17 contains a prayer of Jesus. This important chapter of the Bible is a special prayer said by Jesus on behalf of His disciples. In this prayer, Jesus asked God the Father to watch over the disciples. Our scripture for today contains one sentence of that prayer. John 17:16 contains Jesus statement of truth that His true disciples “are not of the world”. They do not conform to worldly standards. They were not chosen for worldly goals during Jesus’ time. They do not follow worldly paths in this time. True disciples of Jesus do not follow the ways of this world.
What are the ways of this world?
Chuck Swindoll wrote about the ways of this world in his book, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity. He defined the world’s ideals in this way:
“The world system is committed to at least four major objectives, which I can summarize in four words: fortune, fame, power, pleasure. First and foremost: Fortune, money. The world system is driven by money; it feeds on materialism. Second: Fame. That is another word for popularity. Fame is the longing to be known, to be somebody in someone else’s eyes. Third: Power. This is having influence, maintaining control over individuals or groups or companies or whatever. It is the desire to manipulate and maneuver others to do something for one’s own benefit. Fourth: Pleasure. At its basic level, pleasure has to do with fulfilling one’s sensual desires. It’s the same mindset that’s behind the slogan: “If it feels good, do it.”” (P. 219)
The world operates on a different plane than did Jesus. True disciples of Jesus also find themselves on a different level than the world. Where the world pursues fortune, fame, power, and pleasure; true Christians pursue godliness, righteousness, faith, and obedience to God. The world puts an emphasis on things that do not last. God’s ways matter for eternity.
A decade ago, I was working in my office when my secretary notified me that someone was in the outer office. The visitor wanted to talk with me right away, if possible. I asked my secretary to send the person in. The visitor was a young woman named Christine. I asked her to sit down. I could see she had been crying; her eyes were bloodshot. She and her husband were going through some problems in their marriage. After a short prayer, Christine informed me that after spending a weekend away with her friends, Christine had decided to divorce her husband.
I knew Christine and I knew her husband. They were both good people who were struggling. Financial worries and family problems consistently stressed their marriage. When Christine told me that she was going to divorce her husband, I asked her why she had come to that decision. She told me that after talking about her problems at length with her friends over the weekend, she was sick of all the stresses that came with her marriage. I asked her how many of her friends were married. She told me that all but one were divorced. That’s when I asked, “So, your friends who couldn’t make their own marriages work did not see any way out for you except divorce?” Christine immediately realized where my question was leading. Her friends were mostly Christmas and Easter Christians (who only went to church during holidays). They didn’t believe in marriage as a commitment to another AND to God. They saw marriage as “an institution”. They believed marriages were not meant to last. These friends had a worldly perspective on marriage and divorce. Christine was about to use worldly advice to remedy her situation.
When Christine told me about her plan, I closed my eyes and said a short prayer to Almighty God. I asked for direction and courage. Then, I gave Christine an idea that came to me in that moment. I told her that since she had dedicated six years of her life to this marriage, I would like her to give God just six weeks to prove to her that the marriage could work. When she agreed, I met with the couple once a week for six weeks. During that time, they opened up to me and to God. I asked them to pray for each other. I asked them to change some things in their relationship. We worked through all the issues. The first three weeks were very rocky. However, things began to work themselves out with time and God’s help. Soon, after some big changes, the two were back on track. Last I heard, they were still happily married. Sure, they had their stresses and financial burdens, but they were committed again. They had recommitted themselves to each other and God in the process.
It is amazing to me how easily worldly thoughts and ideals can slip into a person’s heart and mind, into marriages and relationships, cause friction between good friends, and so much more. Worldly ways are so commonplace in our world that even Christians operate their lives using worldly methods and assumptions without even thinking about it. Sometimes, the only way a person can shake free from being a slave to worldly thinking is to encounter a life-changing event. Only then can they hear the voice of God breaking through the overwhelming cacophony of worldly half-truths and lies.
As you can tell, I do not have any respect for worldliness. I believe it causes hurt and pain, alienation, and suffering. I believe worldly beliefs and humanistic systems cause more harm and injustice than anything else in existence. I believe Satan uses worldly ways to manipulate and control people who would otherwise discover the amazing grace of God.
Are there areas of your life where worldly ways have made some inroads? Have worldly thoughts wheedled their way into your mind lately? Do your friends or relatives place more emphasis on worldly ideals than righteous action?
What are the ways of this world?
Chuck Swindoll wrote about the ways of this world in his book, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity. He defined the world’s ideals in this way:
“The world system is committed to at least four major objectives, which I can summarize in four words: fortune, fame, power, pleasure. First and foremost: Fortune, money. The world system is driven by money; it feeds on materialism. Second: Fame. That is another word for popularity. Fame is the longing to be known, to be somebody in someone else’s eyes. Third: Power. This is having influence, maintaining control over individuals or groups or companies or whatever. It is the desire to manipulate and maneuver others to do something for one’s own benefit. Fourth: Pleasure. At its basic level, pleasure has to do with fulfilling one’s sensual desires. It’s the same mindset that’s behind the slogan: “If it feels good, do it.”” (P. 219)
The world operates on a different plane than did Jesus. True disciples of Jesus also find themselves on a different level than the world. Where the world pursues fortune, fame, power, and pleasure; true Christians pursue godliness, righteousness, faith, and obedience to God. The world puts an emphasis on things that do not last. God’s ways matter for eternity.
A decade ago, I was working in my office when my secretary notified me that someone was in the outer office. The visitor wanted to talk with me right away, if possible. I asked my secretary to send the person in. The visitor was a young woman named Christine. I asked her to sit down. I could see she had been crying; her eyes were bloodshot. She and her husband were going through some problems in their marriage. After a short prayer, Christine informed me that after spending a weekend away with her friends, Christine had decided to divorce her husband.
I knew Christine and I knew her husband. They were both good people who were struggling. Financial worries and family problems consistently stressed their marriage. When Christine told me that she was going to divorce her husband, I asked her why she had come to that decision. She told me that after talking about her problems at length with her friends over the weekend, she was sick of all the stresses that came with her marriage. I asked her how many of her friends were married. She told me that all but one were divorced. That’s when I asked, “So, your friends who couldn’t make their own marriages work did not see any way out for you except divorce?” Christine immediately realized where my question was leading. Her friends were mostly Christmas and Easter Christians (who only went to church during holidays). They didn’t believe in marriage as a commitment to another AND to God. They saw marriage as “an institution”. They believed marriages were not meant to last. These friends had a worldly perspective on marriage and divorce. Christine was about to use worldly advice to remedy her situation.
When Christine told me about her plan, I closed my eyes and said a short prayer to Almighty God. I asked for direction and courage. Then, I gave Christine an idea that came to me in that moment. I told her that since she had dedicated six years of her life to this marriage, I would like her to give God just six weeks to prove to her that the marriage could work. When she agreed, I met with the couple once a week for six weeks. During that time, they opened up to me and to God. I asked them to pray for each other. I asked them to change some things in their relationship. We worked through all the issues. The first three weeks were very rocky. However, things began to work themselves out with time and God’s help. Soon, after some big changes, the two were back on track. Last I heard, they were still happily married. Sure, they had their stresses and financial burdens, but they were committed again. They had recommitted themselves to each other and God in the process.
It is amazing to me how easily worldly thoughts and ideals can slip into a person’s heart and mind, into marriages and relationships, cause friction between good friends, and so much more. Worldly ways are so commonplace in our world that even Christians operate their lives using worldly methods and assumptions without even thinking about it. Sometimes, the only way a person can shake free from being a slave to worldly thinking is to encounter a life-changing event. Only then can they hear the voice of God breaking through the overwhelming cacophony of worldly half-truths and lies.
As you can tell, I do not have any respect for worldliness. I believe it causes hurt and pain, alienation, and suffering. I believe worldly beliefs and humanistic systems cause more harm and injustice than anything else in existence. I believe Satan uses worldly ways to manipulate and control people who would otherwise discover the amazing grace of God.
Are there areas of your life where worldly ways have made some inroads? Have worldly thoughts wheedled their way into your mind lately? Do your friends or relatives place more emphasis on worldly ideals than righteous action?
May 22
“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NRSV)
“If we could look behind the unexpected events in our lives, we would be amazed to see God wonderfully providing for our needs. The insignificant turns in the road, the seemingly unimportant events, the often-unexplained happenings—all are part of God’s loving care.
His gracious providence is also evident in the tangible provisions of life.
In Bristol, England, George Muller operated an orphanage for two thousand children. One evening he became aware that there would be no breakfast for them the next morning. Muller called his workers together and explained the situation. Two or three prayed. “Now that is sufficient,” he said. “Let us rise and praise God for prayer answered!”
The next morning, they could not push open the great front door. So, they went out the back door and around the building to see what was keeping it shut. Stacked up against the front door were boxes filled with food. One of the workers later remarked, “We know Who sent the baskets, but we do not know who brought them!”” (Our Daily Bread, November 30, 1993)
Do you realize how much God provides for your needs? Do you not know that God will provide what is needed “for every good work”? The scripture for today gives us that promise.
When writing to the Corinthian church, Paul included the words printed above. In his letter, Paul argued that God was “able to provide” whatever the church needed, “in abundance” (2 Corinthians 9:8). The reason for God’s gracious giving was so that the people of God could “share abundantly in every good work”. The reason God gave so generously to the Corinthian church was so that followers of Christ could “share abundantly”. I find it interesting that in this one single verse, Paul used the word “abundance” and “abundantly” to describe how God provides to the faithful. Learning from Paul’s perspective, don’t you think it is important that you trust in God’s abundant provision?
While at a conference for Pastors, I met a clergyman from the Philippines. He spoke little English, but his faith spoke volumes! This man was the pastor of a small but growing church. He was excited about his ministry, where it was heading, and the possibilities for new growth. His enthusiasm was refreshing and exciting. At the time I met him, the church I served was mired in difficulties. My church, though well off, was arguing over how to spend its endowment money. The Filipino pastor and his church had little money and few options, but they were filled with hope and gladness. At the time, my church was full of infighting. That church in the Philippines was full of spiritual excitement. The difference in the attitudes of the churches was enlightening!
Despite the knowledge that my church was well-off because of giving and endowments and the hard work of previous generations, the people had a hard time focusing on the blessings that God had given “in abundance”. The people worried that the money would dry up and the endowments would decrease. They did not count on the amazing provision of God. The church in the Philippines was its contrast. Those faithful ones did not fight over the fears of the future. They knew God would provide for their needs. They were excited about the possibilities of new growth, outreach programs, youth ministries, and so much more. Their excitement was borne from the sure knowledge that God was going to provide what they needed to do amazing things in the name of Jesus!
If you take seriously Paul’s words in the scripture for today, you need to realize and be excited about all that God provides. Since God provides ample for “every good work”, don’t focus on what you don’t have. Don’t fret about the challenges or obstacles. Look for the ways God will provide for what you need to complete your “good work” in Jesus’ name. Focus less on your fears and insecurities! Focus more on what God is providing and how to best utilize God’s gifts that are coming your way.
As a person who has interacted with missionaries for decades, I am constantly surprised at how faithful people view God’s provision. The same God provides for rich and poor alike, but rich and poor see God’s gifts very differently. Often, rich Christians forget that God provides what is needed. Poor Christians are so fully aware of that fact that they don’t ever get the chance to forget it. Rich Christians often lean on their money to make things go smoothly in their church. Poor Christians often must lean on God for “every good work”. Shallow Christians often focus on what they don’t have. True Christians look to God to provide for what they need.
How well do you trust that God will provide? When was the last time you watched and waited for God to provide what was needed instead of impatiently throwing something together to fix a problem?
His gracious providence is also evident in the tangible provisions of life.
In Bristol, England, George Muller operated an orphanage for two thousand children. One evening he became aware that there would be no breakfast for them the next morning. Muller called his workers together and explained the situation. Two or three prayed. “Now that is sufficient,” he said. “Let us rise and praise God for prayer answered!”
The next morning, they could not push open the great front door. So, they went out the back door and around the building to see what was keeping it shut. Stacked up against the front door were boxes filled with food. One of the workers later remarked, “We know Who sent the baskets, but we do not know who brought them!”” (Our Daily Bread, November 30, 1993)
Do you realize how much God provides for your needs? Do you not know that God will provide what is needed “for every good work”? The scripture for today gives us that promise.
When writing to the Corinthian church, Paul included the words printed above. In his letter, Paul argued that God was “able to provide” whatever the church needed, “in abundance” (2 Corinthians 9:8). The reason for God’s gracious giving was so that the people of God could “share abundantly in every good work”. The reason God gave so generously to the Corinthian church was so that followers of Christ could “share abundantly”. I find it interesting that in this one single verse, Paul used the word “abundance” and “abundantly” to describe how God provides to the faithful. Learning from Paul’s perspective, don’t you think it is important that you trust in God’s abundant provision?
While at a conference for Pastors, I met a clergyman from the Philippines. He spoke little English, but his faith spoke volumes! This man was the pastor of a small but growing church. He was excited about his ministry, where it was heading, and the possibilities for new growth. His enthusiasm was refreshing and exciting. At the time I met him, the church I served was mired in difficulties. My church, though well off, was arguing over how to spend its endowment money. The Filipino pastor and his church had little money and few options, but they were filled with hope and gladness. At the time, my church was full of infighting. That church in the Philippines was full of spiritual excitement. The difference in the attitudes of the churches was enlightening!
Despite the knowledge that my church was well-off because of giving and endowments and the hard work of previous generations, the people had a hard time focusing on the blessings that God had given “in abundance”. The people worried that the money would dry up and the endowments would decrease. They did not count on the amazing provision of God. The church in the Philippines was its contrast. Those faithful ones did not fight over the fears of the future. They knew God would provide for their needs. They were excited about the possibilities of new growth, outreach programs, youth ministries, and so much more. Their excitement was borne from the sure knowledge that God was going to provide what they needed to do amazing things in the name of Jesus!
If you take seriously Paul’s words in the scripture for today, you need to realize and be excited about all that God provides. Since God provides ample for “every good work”, don’t focus on what you don’t have. Don’t fret about the challenges or obstacles. Look for the ways God will provide for what you need to complete your “good work” in Jesus’ name. Focus less on your fears and insecurities! Focus more on what God is providing and how to best utilize God’s gifts that are coming your way.
As a person who has interacted with missionaries for decades, I am constantly surprised at how faithful people view God’s provision. The same God provides for rich and poor alike, but rich and poor see God’s gifts very differently. Often, rich Christians forget that God provides what is needed. Poor Christians are so fully aware of that fact that they don’t ever get the chance to forget it. Rich Christians often lean on their money to make things go smoothly in their church. Poor Christians often must lean on God for “every good work”. Shallow Christians often focus on what they don’t have. True Christians look to God to provide for what they need.
How well do you trust that God will provide? When was the last time you watched and waited for God to provide what was needed instead of impatiently throwing something together to fix a problem?
May 24
“… don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?” (Proverbs 25:8, NLT)
“A California woman became extremely irritated by the hacking cough of her pet macaw. When the distressing symptom persisted, she took the bird to a veterinarian who checked his feathered patient and found it to be in perfect health. Furthermore, the doctor discovered that instead of having some exotic disease, the bird had merely learned to imitate the raspy “barking” of its cigarette-smoking owner. When the woman was informed of this, she was greatly surprised. The insight she gained into her problem helped her kick the habit.” (from Our Daily Bread)
When trying to understand her macaw, this woman jumped to conclusions. She assumed the problem with her pet was an illness. She sought a veterinarian for help. However, the problem was not an illness in her pet. The woman, being a smoker, coughed so often that her macaw sought to emulate her problem. The issue was caused by her own smoking in the household.
When you jump to conclusions, it can often cause you to misdiagnose an issue, fail to recognize all the symptoms, or subvert a lasting remedy. Those who jump to conclusions often learn to “trust their gut”, rely on their intuition, or “feel out” the problem. These popular euphemisms cover up the fact that the person who jumps to conclusions often hasn’t spent the time or effort to research the facts, find the real issues, or figure out the real problem.
In the scripture for today from Proverbs 25:8, it says nothing about jumping or conclusions. However, jumping to conclusions is precisely its point. This verse warns the faithful not to “be in a hurry to go to court”. There is a tendency in one who feels wronged to find someone or something to blame. For the insecure, it is hard to face reality or personal responsibility. In this verse from Proverbs, the person was quick to ascribe blame; thus in a hurry to go to court. In jumping to conclusions about who is at fault, the person who hurriedly sues another person in court without adequate understanding of the situation is making a mistake. In some cases, their jump to conclusions will result in losing face in a court of law. That’s why the end of the verse for today asks the question, “what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?” The scripture alludes to the fact that when you jump to conclusions and desire a hasty trial, you might find yourself humiliated. That is often the result of jumping to conclusions. Your overzealous response is foolhardy.
A famous trial during the early 1990’s dealt with a young girl had been murdered. Her parents were interviewed by the local news outlet. They were hurt beyond belief. Their tears and hurt boiled over in the interview. Pressured by the pain of the parents and enraged public sentiment, the police centered their case on a man who had a previous conviction for sexual assault. The parents went on the news again and praised the quick work of the police department to catch the guilty party. The man was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Five years later, a new method of DNA testing proved that the man who was convicted of killing the daughter could not have done the crime. It was perpetrated by someone else. The DNA evidence was conclusive. They had convicted the wrong man. Because the case had been closed for five years, nobody had bothered to secure more evidence or search for the real guilty party. The police thought they nabbed the man who did it. The parents and the public had been so quick to put blame that the leads all went cold. To this day, the killer has not been caught.
In this murder investigation, jumping to conclusions led to the real murderer remaining free. Oftentimes, jumping to conclusions will result in wrongs, baseless accusations, ill-will, and injustice. I’ve seen situations in churches where jumping to conclusions led to disastrous consequences like the loss of a pastor or suicide or social shunning or divorce. The warning of our scripture against quick judgments should make the faithful pause before jumping to conclusions. However, many have failed to heed the warning. Jesus even had to tell his hearers not to judge others (Luke 6:37) nor be hasty to run to a court of law (Matthew 5:25). Though Proverbs 25:8 had been around for centuries before Jesus’ time, people in the New Testament times had not yet learned this lesson.
Are you quick to make judgments or hasty in your decisions? Do you jump to conclusions when you get hurt or emotional? Are you impatient to assign guilt when you haven’t taken the time to find out the truth of a matter? Take the time to work through the issues. Set aside your emotions to look at situations with careful scrutiny. Quick judgments are dangerous. Jumping to conclusions often leads to shame.
When trying to understand her macaw, this woman jumped to conclusions. She assumed the problem with her pet was an illness. She sought a veterinarian for help. However, the problem was not an illness in her pet. The woman, being a smoker, coughed so often that her macaw sought to emulate her problem. The issue was caused by her own smoking in the household.
When you jump to conclusions, it can often cause you to misdiagnose an issue, fail to recognize all the symptoms, or subvert a lasting remedy. Those who jump to conclusions often learn to “trust their gut”, rely on their intuition, or “feel out” the problem. These popular euphemisms cover up the fact that the person who jumps to conclusions often hasn’t spent the time or effort to research the facts, find the real issues, or figure out the real problem.
In the scripture for today from Proverbs 25:8, it says nothing about jumping or conclusions. However, jumping to conclusions is precisely its point. This verse warns the faithful not to “be in a hurry to go to court”. There is a tendency in one who feels wronged to find someone or something to blame. For the insecure, it is hard to face reality or personal responsibility. In this verse from Proverbs, the person was quick to ascribe blame; thus in a hurry to go to court. In jumping to conclusions about who is at fault, the person who hurriedly sues another person in court without adequate understanding of the situation is making a mistake. In some cases, their jump to conclusions will result in losing face in a court of law. That’s why the end of the verse for today asks the question, “what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?” The scripture alludes to the fact that when you jump to conclusions and desire a hasty trial, you might find yourself humiliated. That is often the result of jumping to conclusions. Your overzealous response is foolhardy.
A famous trial during the early 1990’s dealt with a young girl had been murdered. Her parents were interviewed by the local news outlet. They were hurt beyond belief. Their tears and hurt boiled over in the interview. Pressured by the pain of the parents and enraged public sentiment, the police centered their case on a man who had a previous conviction for sexual assault. The parents went on the news again and praised the quick work of the police department to catch the guilty party. The man was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Five years later, a new method of DNA testing proved that the man who was convicted of killing the daughter could not have done the crime. It was perpetrated by someone else. The DNA evidence was conclusive. They had convicted the wrong man. Because the case had been closed for five years, nobody had bothered to secure more evidence or search for the real guilty party. The police thought they nabbed the man who did it. The parents and the public had been so quick to put blame that the leads all went cold. To this day, the killer has not been caught.
In this murder investigation, jumping to conclusions led to the real murderer remaining free. Oftentimes, jumping to conclusions will result in wrongs, baseless accusations, ill-will, and injustice. I’ve seen situations in churches where jumping to conclusions led to disastrous consequences like the loss of a pastor or suicide or social shunning or divorce. The warning of our scripture against quick judgments should make the faithful pause before jumping to conclusions. However, many have failed to heed the warning. Jesus even had to tell his hearers not to judge others (Luke 6:37) nor be hasty to run to a court of law (Matthew 5:25). Though Proverbs 25:8 had been around for centuries before Jesus’ time, people in the New Testament times had not yet learned this lesson.
Are you quick to make judgments or hasty in your decisions? Do you jump to conclusions when you get hurt or emotional? Are you impatient to assign guilt when you haven’t taken the time to find out the truth of a matter? Take the time to work through the issues. Set aside your emotions to look at situations with careful scrutiny. Quick judgments are dangerous. Jumping to conclusions often leads to shame.
May 27
“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!”” (Genesis 28:16, NLT)
When Jacob traveled near Haran, as recorded in Genesis 28, the arduous trek caused him to become tired just after sunset. He decided to lie down and rest. Being in the open country, he grabbed a nearby stone as his pillow and fell into a deep sleep (Genesis 28:11). Not long after closing his eyes, he began to dream. There, he dreamt about a ladder that went between earth and heaven. In that dream, Jacob also received word from God that he was to inherit that very land upon which he slept. After the dream finished, Jacob woke up and exclaimed, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I wasn’t even aware of it!” (Genesis 28:16).
Little did Jacob know that the place on which he traveled was a to be a gift from God. He also was not aware that God was to come to him on that night. Jacob went to bed in a lonely place far from civilization, far from home, and ended up meeting God right there with his head on a stone. Like Jacob, you may also find yourself in a place not realizing God is watching you closely. You may not be aware when God is traveling with you. After Jesus’ resurrection, He traveled with two of his followers near Emmaus, and they had no idea that the risen Lord was walking with them because His appearance had been changed in the resurrection (Luke 24).
Every now and then, you might become aware that God had been close by, or God’s angels had been watching over you, or God’s Spirit may have been powerfully present. You didn’t know it at the time, but only realized it after events unfolded. Hebrews 13:2 reiterates this. There it warns Christians to show proper respect to strangers, because sometimes God sends angels among them. These angelic visitors are sent by God but present without your knowledge in the moment.
I have known many people who realized some time afterward, that God or God’s Spirit had been powerfully present. I have met several who were convinced that they were visited by angels or messengers from God. Have you ever looked back and known God was powerfully present in a certain moment and a certain time of your life?
As a farmer’s wife, Joann was down to earth. She grew up in the country on a small farm. She married a farmer. Each fall, she canned many quarts of vegetables and fruits. Each spring, she was involved in the planting. Often, she would assist her husband in the care of the fields. When Joann was in her seventies, she experienced a strange event. During a particularly tough time in her life, while praying, she opened her eyes and looked out toward the fields through a window in the rear of the house. Not far from the house, she noticed something odd. An unusually well-dressed man was in the back yard about fifty feet away looking at her. She had never seen any neighbor in her back yard unannounced. This struck her as odd. But she wasn’t afraid for some reason. Instead, she just waved at the gentleman. He smiled back. She figured the unknown visitor was probably someone there to see her husband who was in the barn working on a tractor. She went back to reading her Bible and praying.
Later that day, Joann asked her husband about the visitor. He didn’t have any idea what or who she was talking about. After pondering the incident for a month, Joann came to me privately. She told me that the more she thought about the incident, the more she thought that the visitor was an angel. I told her that usually when God sent an angel, it was to do some work or send some message. I pondered out loud why God would send her an angel on that particular day at that particular time. She responded immediately, “I know why. God and I talked about something very important that day. Then, the angel showed up. Yup, I know exactly why.” When she said these sentences, the hair on my arms stood at attention. Goosebumps along my arms raised in response. I sensed that one of God’s angels had made a visit. She never told me what the message was nor what she was praying about, but Joann was convinced beyond a doubt that God’s angel had been present. I still remember her showing me the window out of which she saw the well-dressed man and the exact place where he stood.
Have you ever failed to notice God’s presence until later? Have you ever recognized God’s Spirit present after something had already happened?
While visiting with a couple after their close brush with death in a near fatal car accident, they told me that on looking back, they felt an eerie spiritual presence after the crash. After talking with a man whose wife died at home, he told me about a presence he felt in the room after she died. A woman traveling late at night told me that she felt this intense urge to travel a different way home. Later, she found out that a drunk driver had crossed the center line, killing four people. This occurred at that exact time on her normal route home.. I could tell you so many more stories where the people told me that they felt the eerie presence of a spiritual entity but did not realize it until later.
Don’t underestimate the ability of God to walk with you in life. Don’t be surprised if God’s Holy Spirit is active and powerfully present. Jacob was surprised at God’s visit near Haran. There are times when you too might be surprised at the revelation that God had been nearby in a recent moment.
Sometimes, we just don’t realize when God or God’s Spirit was remarkably present in a daily encounter… until later.
Little did Jacob know that the place on which he traveled was a to be a gift from God. He also was not aware that God was to come to him on that night. Jacob went to bed in a lonely place far from civilization, far from home, and ended up meeting God right there with his head on a stone. Like Jacob, you may also find yourself in a place not realizing God is watching you closely. You may not be aware when God is traveling with you. After Jesus’ resurrection, He traveled with two of his followers near Emmaus, and they had no idea that the risen Lord was walking with them because His appearance had been changed in the resurrection (Luke 24).
Every now and then, you might become aware that God had been close by, or God’s angels had been watching over you, or God’s Spirit may have been powerfully present. You didn’t know it at the time, but only realized it after events unfolded. Hebrews 13:2 reiterates this. There it warns Christians to show proper respect to strangers, because sometimes God sends angels among them. These angelic visitors are sent by God but present without your knowledge in the moment.
I have known many people who realized some time afterward, that God or God’s Spirit had been powerfully present. I have met several who were convinced that they were visited by angels or messengers from God. Have you ever looked back and known God was powerfully present in a certain moment and a certain time of your life?
As a farmer’s wife, Joann was down to earth. She grew up in the country on a small farm. She married a farmer. Each fall, she canned many quarts of vegetables and fruits. Each spring, she was involved in the planting. Often, she would assist her husband in the care of the fields. When Joann was in her seventies, she experienced a strange event. During a particularly tough time in her life, while praying, she opened her eyes and looked out toward the fields through a window in the rear of the house. Not far from the house, she noticed something odd. An unusually well-dressed man was in the back yard about fifty feet away looking at her. She had never seen any neighbor in her back yard unannounced. This struck her as odd. But she wasn’t afraid for some reason. Instead, she just waved at the gentleman. He smiled back. She figured the unknown visitor was probably someone there to see her husband who was in the barn working on a tractor. She went back to reading her Bible and praying.
Later that day, Joann asked her husband about the visitor. He didn’t have any idea what or who she was talking about. After pondering the incident for a month, Joann came to me privately. She told me that the more she thought about the incident, the more she thought that the visitor was an angel. I told her that usually when God sent an angel, it was to do some work or send some message. I pondered out loud why God would send her an angel on that particular day at that particular time. She responded immediately, “I know why. God and I talked about something very important that day. Then, the angel showed up. Yup, I know exactly why.” When she said these sentences, the hair on my arms stood at attention. Goosebumps along my arms raised in response. I sensed that one of God’s angels had made a visit. She never told me what the message was nor what she was praying about, but Joann was convinced beyond a doubt that God’s angel had been present. I still remember her showing me the window out of which she saw the well-dressed man and the exact place where he stood.
Have you ever failed to notice God’s presence until later? Have you ever recognized God’s Spirit present after something had already happened?
While visiting with a couple after their close brush with death in a near fatal car accident, they told me that on looking back, they felt an eerie spiritual presence after the crash. After talking with a man whose wife died at home, he told me about a presence he felt in the room after she died. A woman traveling late at night told me that she felt this intense urge to travel a different way home. Later, she found out that a drunk driver had crossed the center line, killing four people. This occurred at that exact time on her normal route home.. I could tell you so many more stories where the people told me that they felt the eerie presence of a spiritual entity but did not realize it until later.
Don’t underestimate the ability of God to walk with you in life. Don’t be surprised if God’s Holy Spirit is active and powerfully present. Jacob was surprised at God’s visit near Haran. There are times when you too might be surprised at the revelation that God had been nearby in a recent moment.
Sometimes, we just don’t realize when God or God’s Spirit was remarkably present in a daily encounter… until later.
May 29
“And he [Jesus] said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”” (Luke 12:15, ESV)
In Exodus 20 are found the famous Ten Commandments. The last of these commandments listed is “Thou shalt not covet….” (Exodus 20:17). Throughout my many years of ministry, I have been surprised by the number of Christians who did not know what coveting meant. Some believed to covet was to want something. Some understood coveting as a desire. These definitions were close to the truth. However, I consider coveting to be “an unholy desire or attraction for what someone else has”. Coveting involves seeing some “thing” that another person has and desiring it so much that your soul suffers for want of it.
Today’s chosen scripture from Luke 12:15 warns the reader to “guard against all covetousness”. Based on my definition above, this is a warning to stay away from the unholy desire to want something so badly that you are willing to compromise your soul to get it. Jesus went on to say in the verse above that coveting things leads to an unholy desire to collect an “abundance of possessions”. Covetousness over time will result in an unholy greediness, an overwhelming desire to accumulate wealth and earthly riches. This unhealthy relationship with wealth will ALWAYS end up causing problems in your heart and soul. It will erode your relationship with God. It will distort your values. It will infect your thinking.
Everyone called James Jenson by his last name. Jenson grew up in a small town, but had big city hopes. He always wanted to make something of his name. He enjoyed working twice as hard as his classmates in school, hoping to be recognized by his teachers. He excelled in sports and loved the roar of the crowd at meets. Jenson thought himself destined to become somebody famous.
When newly married, Jenson would dream about the day when he would make it big. He often told his wife and children what he would buy for them if he won the lottery. He shared with his wife a dream that someday he’d like to pay off his church’s debts. Jenson had a big heart. He loved to share. His wife adored him and his dreams. His kids enjoyed dad’s enthusiasm. His friends at church enjoyed his company. Jenson worked hard and played hard.
When Jenson turned 52 years old, he received a letter in the mail that changed his life. Upon the death of his grandfather, Jenson was given one-third of a large estate. When all was said and done, Jenson netted more than two million dollars from the proceeds. Jenson didn’t win the lottery, but he was a millionaire. That’s when everything started to go downhill.
Over the next two decades, Jenson’s millions changed him. When he gave a large sum of money to his church, several members began to fight over its use. In a fit of rage over what he considered the church’s disrespect of his gift, he left the church never to join another. Then, over the next twenty years, his wealth affected his family and friends in multiple ways. One son began to use cocaine. His wife spent more and more time with friends at the club they joined, and less time with Jenson. Jenson spent hours every day studying the stock market and investing his millions. Husband and wife no longer had date nights. They hardly saw each other. Their relationship suffered.
Now at 72, Jenson’s life has changed. I often see him sitting at the helm of his expensive boat. He is constantly talking to himself. The boat is immaculate. It is beautiful. It is the biggest one on the entire pier. However, his family is never on the boat with him. He never smiles. Oh, he’s easy to talk to and very knowledgeable. He often gives me stock tips for fun. But behind Jenson’s eyes, I see sadness and pain that all started when he received that first million.
You don’t have to inherit millions to have your heart and mind and soul infected by covetousness, greed, and the love of possessions. All it takes is for you to take an unholy love for some possession or thing. The inevitable slide downhill will begin from there.
What starts a person on the road to covetousness? Sometimes, it’s the fear that you won’t have enough money for hard times. If you grew up poor, be careful that this fear doesn’t cause you to hold onto “things” a little too tightly. For some people, the desire to be powerful or to matter comes with a desire to amass a lot of things. As people age, they might buy expensive cars or jewelry or homes to compensate for their lack of youth or desire to reclaim their youth. Later, they may covet more and more things in order to try and recapture that ever-retreating youthful dream. Many who grow up wealthy may find they cannot accept living a life of hard work. Then, they accumulate wealth or hold on to every penny due to laziness or the desire to retain their status. Let’s also not forget that a person can covet a beautiful man or woman. This can lead to jealousy and envy. It can make you regret the person to whom you are married or keep you from a healthy relationship.
Covetousness among the faithful is more commonplace than you might imagine. If a person at church likes to hoard every dime of the church funds, he could easily be influenced by greed. A Christian who won’t support mission work is often guilty of coveting. Those who don’t share with those in need are usually guilty of some type of covetousness. The pastor who builds for himself a big following might surround himself with objects of wealth to display his status or success. There are millions of little ways to succumb to covetousness. Which might be your downfall if you aren’t careful?
When Jesus says, “be on your guard” (Luke 12:15) against something, it is best you listen up. Covetousness and the abundance of possessions can easily co-opt your soul, erode your relationships, cause friction among friends, and destroy the most gracious people from the inside out. Lest we forget, Jesus’ life was sold away for 30 pieces of silver. I wonder what started Judas on his road to covetousness…
Today’s chosen scripture from Luke 12:15 warns the reader to “guard against all covetousness”. Based on my definition above, this is a warning to stay away from the unholy desire to want something so badly that you are willing to compromise your soul to get it. Jesus went on to say in the verse above that coveting things leads to an unholy desire to collect an “abundance of possessions”. Covetousness over time will result in an unholy greediness, an overwhelming desire to accumulate wealth and earthly riches. This unhealthy relationship with wealth will ALWAYS end up causing problems in your heart and soul. It will erode your relationship with God. It will distort your values. It will infect your thinking.
Everyone called James Jenson by his last name. Jenson grew up in a small town, but had big city hopes. He always wanted to make something of his name. He enjoyed working twice as hard as his classmates in school, hoping to be recognized by his teachers. He excelled in sports and loved the roar of the crowd at meets. Jenson thought himself destined to become somebody famous.
When newly married, Jenson would dream about the day when he would make it big. He often told his wife and children what he would buy for them if he won the lottery. He shared with his wife a dream that someday he’d like to pay off his church’s debts. Jenson had a big heart. He loved to share. His wife adored him and his dreams. His kids enjoyed dad’s enthusiasm. His friends at church enjoyed his company. Jenson worked hard and played hard.
When Jenson turned 52 years old, he received a letter in the mail that changed his life. Upon the death of his grandfather, Jenson was given one-third of a large estate. When all was said and done, Jenson netted more than two million dollars from the proceeds. Jenson didn’t win the lottery, but he was a millionaire. That’s when everything started to go downhill.
Over the next two decades, Jenson’s millions changed him. When he gave a large sum of money to his church, several members began to fight over its use. In a fit of rage over what he considered the church’s disrespect of his gift, he left the church never to join another. Then, over the next twenty years, his wealth affected his family and friends in multiple ways. One son began to use cocaine. His wife spent more and more time with friends at the club they joined, and less time with Jenson. Jenson spent hours every day studying the stock market and investing his millions. Husband and wife no longer had date nights. They hardly saw each other. Their relationship suffered.
Now at 72, Jenson’s life has changed. I often see him sitting at the helm of his expensive boat. He is constantly talking to himself. The boat is immaculate. It is beautiful. It is the biggest one on the entire pier. However, his family is never on the boat with him. He never smiles. Oh, he’s easy to talk to and very knowledgeable. He often gives me stock tips for fun. But behind Jenson’s eyes, I see sadness and pain that all started when he received that first million.
You don’t have to inherit millions to have your heart and mind and soul infected by covetousness, greed, and the love of possessions. All it takes is for you to take an unholy love for some possession or thing. The inevitable slide downhill will begin from there.
What starts a person on the road to covetousness? Sometimes, it’s the fear that you won’t have enough money for hard times. If you grew up poor, be careful that this fear doesn’t cause you to hold onto “things” a little too tightly. For some people, the desire to be powerful or to matter comes with a desire to amass a lot of things. As people age, they might buy expensive cars or jewelry or homes to compensate for their lack of youth or desire to reclaim their youth. Later, they may covet more and more things in order to try and recapture that ever-retreating youthful dream. Many who grow up wealthy may find they cannot accept living a life of hard work. Then, they accumulate wealth or hold on to every penny due to laziness or the desire to retain their status. Let’s also not forget that a person can covet a beautiful man or woman. This can lead to jealousy and envy. It can make you regret the person to whom you are married or keep you from a healthy relationship.
Covetousness among the faithful is more commonplace than you might imagine. If a person at church likes to hoard every dime of the church funds, he could easily be influenced by greed. A Christian who won’t support mission work is often guilty of coveting. Those who don’t share with those in need are usually guilty of some type of covetousness. The pastor who builds for himself a big following might surround himself with objects of wealth to display his status or success. There are millions of little ways to succumb to covetousness. Which might be your downfall if you aren’t careful?
When Jesus says, “be on your guard” (Luke 12:15) against something, it is best you listen up. Covetousness and the abundance of possessions can easily co-opt your soul, erode your relationships, cause friction among friends, and destroy the most gracious people from the inside out. Lest we forget, Jesus’ life was sold away for 30 pieces of silver. I wonder what started Judas on his road to covetousness…
May 31
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
(Luke 14:28, ESV)
(Luke 14:28, ESV)
In his book, Harvest of Humanity, John Seamands told this story: "A German soldier was wounded. He was ordered to go to the military hospital for treatment. When he arrived at the large and imposing building, he saw two doors, one marked, 'For the slightly wounded,' and the other, 'For the seriously wounded.'"
"He entered through the first door and found himself going down a long hall. At the end of it were two more doors, one marked, 'For officers', and the other, 'For non-officers.' He entered through the latter and found himself going down another long hall. At the end of it were two more doors, one marked, 'For party members' and the other, 'For non-party members.' He took the second door, and when he opened it, he found himself out on the street."
"When the soldier returned home, his mother asked him, 'How did you get along at the hospital?' 'Well, Mother,' he replied, 'to tell the truth, the people there didn't do anything for me, but you ought to see the tremendous organization they have!'"
I have seen people who were so organized that they couldn’t function when life became chaotic. On the other hand, I’ve seen people so disorganized that they couldn’t complete tasks that God had set before them. Life requires a balancing act with organization and planning. To be faithful, you can’t just freewheel, without planning or direction. You also cannot be faithful if you place organization above the direction of God’s Spirit. Human plans can and do fail to follow God’s ordering of events. How well do you maintain the balance between a chaotic life with little direction from God and too much focus on planning with too little actual completion of God’s work?
On a day when Jesus taught large crowds, He included the wisdom found in Luke 14:28. His teaching was in the form of a question, “Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to complete it?” Jesus did not say these words hoping that Christians would make towers in their churches or people would faithfully put towers atop their homes! Jesus used this example in the context of speaking of commitment to God (see Luke 14:33). If you want to follow God, you need to count the cost of being faithful, of doing God’s work, of following God faithfully. In the same way, people of faith need to determine what is required before setting about God’s tasks. Can you imagine what would happen if a church built half a building and ran out of funds? If that church existed in Wisconsin, it would be destroyed in just one winter. There are times that you need to “count the cost” for what God wants in your life. You need to make plans, organize yourself according to God’s mission, adapt your commitment to the level God needs from you.
In the 1950’s, a big city church was in a great boom in membership. They added on to their building three times in ten years to accommodate all the growth. Then, over a period of fifty years, they remained the same size, but their neighborhood changed. Many of the members moved to suburbs as the demographics shifted. Instead of looking ahead and making appropriate changes, many of the members and pastors didn’t talk about what was happening around the church. Then, when their membership dropped significantly due to members moving out of the immediate urban area, they blamed the situation on members who were “less committed”. Not one pastor during the last twenty years advocated they evaluate their loss in membership and what was happening in the neighborhood. Instead, the older members stifled all talk of rebuilding, moving, outreach, or mission work. Digging in, they held on tightly to their members and aged themselves into non-relevance. Today, the church is literally a museum. In displays throughout the building, there are pictures of past large membership events and neighborhood programs. There are memorabilia from past accomplishments decades previous. Nobody attends worship there anymore.
When a church cannot make plans, “count the cost” of its mission for God, and adapt to its call by God; it will always slowly die an anguishing death. The same thing happens to people of God. If you don’t take the time to see the different factors in your life and make changes, you may lose your relevance in God’s eyes.
Are there plans and changes God wants you to make in your spiritual life, but you are too stubborn or set in your ways to adapt? Do you find yourself too disorganized to complete God’s best works? Do you make too many plans and never complete important works for God? According to Jesus’ teaching for today, there are times in your life when you need to make plans, get an area of your life organized, or set up some important elements of your life for the future. Is now one of those times? What plans might God need you to make right now? Are you too organized or too disorganized for godly work?
"He entered through the first door and found himself going down a long hall. At the end of it were two more doors, one marked, 'For officers', and the other, 'For non-officers.' He entered through the latter and found himself going down another long hall. At the end of it were two more doors, one marked, 'For party members' and the other, 'For non-party members.' He took the second door, and when he opened it, he found himself out on the street."
"When the soldier returned home, his mother asked him, 'How did you get along at the hospital?' 'Well, Mother,' he replied, 'to tell the truth, the people there didn't do anything for me, but you ought to see the tremendous organization they have!'"
I have seen people who were so organized that they couldn’t function when life became chaotic. On the other hand, I’ve seen people so disorganized that they couldn’t complete tasks that God had set before them. Life requires a balancing act with organization and planning. To be faithful, you can’t just freewheel, without planning or direction. You also cannot be faithful if you place organization above the direction of God’s Spirit. Human plans can and do fail to follow God’s ordering of events. How well do you maintain the balance between a chaotic life with little direction from God and too much focus on planning with too little actual completion of God’s work?
On a day when Jesus taught large crowds, He included the wisdom found in Luke 14:28. His teaching was in the form of a question, “Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to complete it?” Jesus did not say these words hoping that Christians would make towers in their churches or people would faithfully put towers atop their homes! Jesus used this example in the context of speaking of commitment to God (see Luke 14:33). If you want to follow God, you need to count the cost of being faithful, of doing God’s work, of following God faithfully. In the same way, people of faith need to determine what is required before setting about God’s tasks. Can you imagine what would happen if a church built half a building and ran out of funds? If that church existed in Wisconsin, it would be destroyed in just one winter. There are times that you need to “count the cost” for what God wants in your life. You need to make plans, organize yourself according to God’s mission, adapt your commitment to the level God needs from you.
In the 1950’s, a big city church was in a great boom in membership. They added on to their building three times in ten years to accommodate all the growth. Then, over a period of fifty years, they remained the same size, but their neighborhood changed. Many of the members moved to suburbs as the demographics shifted. Instead of looking ahead and making appropriate changes, many of the members and pastors didn’t talk about what was happening around the church. Then, when their membership dropped significantly due to members moving out of the immediate urban area, they blamed the situation on members who were “less committed”. Not one pastor during the last twenty years advocated they evaluate their loss in membership and what was happening in the neighborhood. Instead, the older members stifled all talk of rebuilding, moving, outreach, or mission work. Digging in, they held on tightly to their members and aged themselves into non-relevance. Today, the church is literally a museum. In displays throughout the building, there are pictures of past large membership events and neighborhood programs. There are memorabilia from past accomplishments decades previous. Nobody attends worship there anymore.
When a church cannot make plans, “count the cost” of its mission for God, and adapt to its call by God; it will always slowly die an anguishing death. The same thing happens to people of God. If you don’t take the time to see the different factors in your life and make changes, you may lose your relevance in God’s eyes.
Are there plans and changes God wants you to make in your spiritual life, but you are too stubborn or set in your ways to adapt? Do you find yourself too disorganized to complete God’s best works? Do you make too many plans and never complete important works for God? According to Jesus’ teaching for today, there are times in your life when you need to make plans, get an area of your life organized, or set up some important elements of your life for the future. Is now one of those times? What plans might God need you to make right now? Are you too organized or too disorganized for godly work?