I am very thankful for this reminder to keep a heavenly perspective! It "lightens" the load I can sometimes feel! :)
Living Free - Oct. 31, 2007
Today's Scripture
"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Ephesians 4:15-16 NLT
Thoughts for Today
The mistaken belief that singleness equals rejection can lead to insecurity and depression. If you are experiencing these feelings, it may help to remember that Jesus was always single. Although he never had a marriage relationship, he did have many friends.
The apostle Paul was either single or widowed. Used greatly by God, Paul wrote that his singleness allowed him to have a deeper relationship with God and to serve him more fully (1 Corinthians 7).
Consider this…God wants you to look to him, not to another person, to have your needs met. His presence within you can help you handle loneliness and depression, your need for intimacy and your search for fulfillment.
Remember that being single is not God’s second best. Although marriage can be wonderful, it is not for everyone! Some people find contentment in being married; others find contentment in singleness. God has a plan for your life. Your main concern should not be in whether you will be single or married, but in fulfilling God’s purpose.
If you are not already content in your singleness, whether it be for a time or throughout your life, ask God to help you be content in his plan for you.
Prayer
Lord, help me be content in your plan for me—single or married. I thank you that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. In His name …
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Grace-Filled Speech
In Touch - Oct. 30, 2007
In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
October 30, 2007 – Grace-Filled Speech – Titus 2:7-8
Words are powerful. Harsh remarks can cause a destructive chain reaction, like a match in the forest during a drought. Kind comments feel like a light summer rain that brings relief from the heat of day.
We can know our words are the refreshing kind—seasoned with grace—when...
• Our tone and manner reflect the way we want others to speak to us. Talking pleasantly should not depend on whether others are kind with their words. Grace-filled speech consistently uses a gentle voice and positive body language.
• What we say about others is similar to what we would want said of us. All of us hope to hear our weaknesses minimized and our strengths emphasized—and to be given the benefit of the doubt in confusing situations.
• We speak only words we know to be true. Gossip and lies have no place in a Christian’s conversation. The Lord opposes lying tongues and false witnesses (Proverbs 6:16-19).
• Our speech is edifying. Speaking fairly and positively of others is part of godly speech.
Transforming our conversation begins on the inside with the right heart attitude. As we saturate our minds with the Word of God, our hearts will soften, and we’ll begin to respond differently. Through the Holy Spirit, we will be convicted of times when our speech is inappropriate. He will teach us to be more aware of what we say and to stop ourselves before we speak amiss.
God will be glorified and others will be blessed when we practice grace-filled speech.
In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
October 30, 2007 – Grace-Filled Speech – Titus 2:7-8
Words are powerful. Harsh remarks can cause a destructive chain reaction, like a match in the forest during a drought. Kind comments feel like a light summer rain that brings relief from the heat of day.
We can know our words are the refreshing kind—seasoned with grace—when...
• Our tone and manner reflect the way we want others to speak to us. Talking pleasantly should not depend on whether others are kind with their words. Grace-filled speech consistently uses a gentle voice and positive body language.
• What we say about others is similar to what we would want said of us. All of us hope to hear our weaknesses minimized and our strengths emphasized—and to be given the benefit of the doubt in confusing situations.
• We speak only words we know to be true. Gossip and lies have no place in a Christian’s conversation. The Lord opposes lying tongues and false witnesses (Proverbs 6:16-19).
• Our speech is edifying. Speaking fairly and positively of others is part of godly speech.
Transforming our conversation begins on the inside with the right heart attitude. As we saturate our minds with the Word of God, our hearts will soften, and we’ll begin to respond differently. Through the Holy Spirit, we will be convicted of times when our speech is inappropriate. He will teach us to be more aware of what we say and to stop ourselves before we speak amiss.
God will be glorified and others will be blessed when we practice grace-filled speech.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Placing Trust on Our Strength
Marketplace Meditations 10/26
October 26
Placing Trust in Our Strength
1 Chronicles 21:14 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead.
When was the last time your overconfidence cost the lives of 70,000 men? That is exactly what happened to David. David made what might appear to be an innocent request of his general, Joab. But the minute Joab heard the request, he cringed. He knew David was in big trouble for this one. You see, to number the troops was a great sin in Israel because it was against the law. Why? Because it demonstrated that you were placing more trust in numbers than in the living God. David displayed enough pride to cost the lives of 70,000 fighting men. God gave him three choices of punishment for his sin. A plague was the one he chose, and it resulted in the loss of 70,000.
Throughout Israel's history, God set the stage for battles to be won, miracles to take place, and people to exercise faith. The stage was always set so that man could not take credit for what God did. Consider Gideon who was only allowed 300 men to fight an army of 100,000. Consider Jehoshaphat, who had to lead his army with his singers. God defeated the enemy. Consider Joshua, who was told simply to walk around Jericho seven times, and they would get victory. God did things in some very unconventional ways!
How does this relate to you and me as businesspeople? Well, the minute you and I place more trust in our abilities than in God, we are guilty of numbering the troops. How does He punish us? Sometimes it's through letting a deal go sour. Sometimes it's through problems with a client or vendor. Sometimes situations just blow up in our face. Other times, He lets us go on for a long time doing our own thing, but eventually He deals with it.
The lesson here is to learn daily and complete dependence on God. Use your gifts and abilities through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him daily for direction and wisdom. His ways won't always line up with conventional wisdom. When we begin depending on our abilities only, God has a responsibility to make known to us who is the giver of the blessings.
October 26
Placing Trust in Our Strength
1 Chronicles 21:14 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead.
When was the last time your overconfidence cost the lives of 70,000 men? That is exactly what happened to David. David made what might appear to be an innocent request of his general, Joab. But the minute Joab heard the request, he cringed. He knew David was in big trouble for this one. You see, to number the troops was a great sin in Israel because it was against the law. Why? Because it demonstrated that you were placing more trust in numbers than in the living God. David displayed enough pride to cost the lives of 70,000 fighting men. God gave him three choices of punishment for his sin. A plague was the one he chose, and it resulted in the loss of 70,000.
Throughout Israel's history, God set the stage for battles to be won, miracles to take place, and people to exercise faith. The stage was always set so that man could not take credit for what God did. Consider Gideon who was only allowed 300 men to fight an army of 100,000. Consider Jehoshaphat, who had to lead his army with his singers. God defeated the enemy. Consider Joshua, who was told simply to walk around Jericho seven times, and they would get victory. God did things in some very unconventional ways!
How does this relate to you and me as businesspeople? Well, the minute you and I place more trust in our abilities than in God, we are guilty of numbering the troops. How does He punish us? Sometimes it's through letting a deal go sour. Sometimes it's through problems with a client or vendor. Sometimes situations just blow up in our face. Other times, He lets us go on for a long time doing our own thing, but eventually He deals with it.
The lesson here is to learn daily and complete dependence on God. Use your gifts and abilities through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him daily for direction and wisdom. His ways won't always line up with conventional wisdom. When we begin depending on our abilities only, God has a responsibility to make known to us who is the giver of the blessings.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Lord's Silence
Streams in the Desert - Oct. 25
Trust Amid the Silence
"He answered her not a word" (Matt. 15:23).
"He will be silent in his love" (Zeph. 3:17).
It may be a child of God is reading these words who has had some great crushing sorrow, some bitter disappointment, some heart-breaking blow from a totally unexpected quarter. You are longing for your Master's voice bidding you "Be of good cheer," but only silence and a sense of mystery and misery meet you --"He answered her not a word."
God's tender heart must often ache listening to all the sad, complaining cries which arise from our weak, impatient hearts, because we do not see that for our own sakes He answers not at all or otherwise than seems best to our tear-blinded, short-sighted eyes.
The silences of Jesus are as eloquent as His speech and may be a sign, not of His disapproval, but of His approval and of a deep purpose of blessing for you.
"Why art thou cast down, O…soul?" Thou shalt yet praise Him, yes, even for His silence. Listen to an old and beautiful story of how one Christian dreamed that she saw three others at prayer. As they knelt the Master drew near to them.
As He approached the first of the three, He bent over her in tenderness and grace, with smiles full of radiant love and spoke to her in accents of purest, sweetest music.
Leaving her, He came to the next, but only placed His hand upon her bowed bead, and gave her one look of loving approval.
The third woman He passed almost abruptly without stopping for a word or glance. The woman in her dream said to herself, "How greatly He must love the first one, to the second He gave His approval, but none of the special demonstrations of love He gave the first; and the third must have grieved Him deeply, for He gave her no word at all and not even a passing look.
"I wonder what she has done, and why He made so much difference between them?" As she tried to account for the action of her Lord, He Himself stood by her and said: "O woman! how wrongly hast thou interpreted Me. The first kneeling woman needs all the weight of My tenderness and care to keep her feet in My narrow way. She needs My love, thought and help every moment of the day. Without it she would fail and fall.
"The second has stronger faith and deeper love, and I can trust her to trust Me however things may go and whatever people do.
"The third, whom I seemed not to notice, and even to neglect, has faith and love of the finest quality, and her I am training by quick and drastic processes for the highest and holiest service.
"She knows Me so intimately, and trusts Me so utterly, that she is independent of words or looks or any outward intimation of My approval. She is not dismayed nor discouraged by any circumstances through which I arrange that she shall pass; she trusts Me when sense and reason and every finer instinct of the natural heart would rebel;--because she knows that I am working in her for eternity, and that what I do, though she knows not the explanation now, she will understand hereafter.
"I am silent in My love because I love beyond the power of words to express, or of human hearts to understand, and also for your sakes that you may learn to love and trust Me in Spirit-taught, spontaneous response to My love, without the spur of anything outward to call it forth."
He "will do marvels" if you will learn the mystery of His silence, and praise Him, for every time He withdraws His gifts that you may better know and love the Giver. --Selected
Trust Amid the Silence
"He answered her not a word" (Matt. 15:23).
"He will be silent in his love" (Zeph. 3:17).
It may be a child of God is reading these words who has had some great crushing sorrow, some bitter disappointment, some heart-breaking blow from a totally unexpected quarter. You are longing for your Master's voice bidding you "Be of good cheer," but only silence and a sense of mystery and misery meet you --"He answered her not a word."
God's tender heart must often ache listening to all the sad, complaining cries which arise from our weak, impatient hearts, because we do not see that for our own sakes He answers not at all or otherwise than seems best to our tear-blinded, short-sighted eyes.
The silences of Jesus are as eloquent as His speech and may be a sign, not of His disapproval, but of His approval and of a deep purpose of blessing for you.
"Why art thou cast down, O…soul?" Thou shalt yet praise Him, yes, even for His silence. Listen to an old and beautiful story of how one Christian dreamed that she saw three others at prayer. As they knelt the Master drew near to them.
As He approached the first of the three, He bent over her in tenderness and grace, with smiles full of radiant love and spoke to her in accents of purest, sweetest music.
Leaving her, He came to the next, but only placed His hand upon her bowed bead, and gave her one look of loving approval.
The third woman He passed almost abruptly without stopping for a word or glance. The woman in her dream said to herself, "How greatly He must love the first one, to the second He gave His approval, but none of the special demonstrations of love He gave the first; and the third must have grieved Him deeply, for He gave her no word at all and not even a passing look.
"I wonder what she has done, and why He made so much difference between them?" As she tried to account for the action of her Lord, He Himself stood by her and said: "O woman! how wrongly hast thou interpreted Me. The first kneeling woman needs all the weight of My tenderness and care to keep her feet in My narrow way. She needs My love, thought and help every moment of the day. Without it she would fail and fall.
"The second has stronger faith and deeper love, and I can trust her to trust Me however things may go and whatever people do.
"The third, whom I seemed not to notice, and even to neglect, has faith and love of the finest quality, and her I am training by quick and drastic processes for the highest and holiest service.
"She knows Me so intimately, and trusts Me so utterly, that she is independent of words or looks or any outward intimation of My approval. She is not dismayed nor discouraged by any circumstances through which I arrange that she shall pass; she trusts Me when sense and reason and every finer instinct of the natural heart would rebel;--because she knows that I am working in her for eternity, and that what I do, though she knows not the explanation now, she will understand hereafter.
"I am silent in My love because I love beyond the power of words to express, or of human hearts to understand, and also for your sakes that you may learn to love and trust Me in Spirit-taught, spontaneous response to My love, without the spur of anything outward to call it forth."
He "will do marvels" if you will learn the mystery of His silence, and praise Him, for every time He withdraws His gifts that you may better know and love the Giver. --Selected
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Hosea's Example
I've been reading Hosea off and on for awhile----and it never ceases to amaze me- the example of Hosea loving a woman who totally chooses someone other than him. What kind of love is that? Todays world would tell us that he's a fool and should divorce her----but it's really a testimony of how much God loves us even though we constantly choose everyone and everything before Him. Yet He loves us. I am so thankful for God's love---and need to keep that in mind when it comes to loving others. __LL
Girlfriends in God - Oct. 24, 2007
October 24, 2007
Don’t Walk Away!
Mary Southerland
Today’s truth
Hosea 3:1-5 (NCV) The LORD said to me again, "Go, show your love to a woman loved by someone else, who has been unfaithful to you. In the same way the LORD loves the people of Israel, even though they worship other gods and love to eat the raisin cakes." Therefore, I bought her for six ounces of silver and ten bushels of barley. Then I told her, "You must wait for me for many days. You must not be a prostitute, and you must not have sexual relations with any other man. I will act the same way toward you." In the same way, Israel will live many days without a king or leader, without sacrifices or holy stone pillars, and without the holy vest or an idol. After this, the people of Israel will return to the LORD their God and follow him and the king from David's family. In the last days, they will turn in fear to the LORD, and he will bless them.
Friend to friend
A college man walked into a photography studio with a framed picture of his girlfriend. He wanted the picture duplicated, which involved removing it from the frame. When the photographer took the picture apart, he noticed an inscription written on the back of the photograph:
“My dearest Tom
I love you with all of my heart.
I love you more and more each day.
I will love you forever and ever.
I am yours for all of eternity.”
The picture was signed “Diane” and contained a PS that read, “If we ever break up I want this picture back!”
Love that never gives up has no “PS” in it. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:8 says, “Real love never fails”. In this verse, “fails” literally means “collapses, falls or disintegrates”. In other words, true love does not collapse under the weight of testing. It will not disintegrate when the pressure is on nor will it fall apart in the hard times. True love is strong, unconditional – God’s love – a love that we cannot understand or explain in human terms. The life of the Old Testament prophet, Hosea, powerfully illustrates this kind of love.
Hosea was married to a young woman named Gomer. Together, they had three children. Gomer blew it when she was unfaithful to Hosea, betraying the covenant of marriage. Hosea had every right to walk away, but love that never fails calls us up to higher choices that are beyond human reasoning. Supernatural choices demand supernatural action. And one of those choices is commitment. Read the choices Hosea made:
Hosea 3:1a The LORD said to me again, "Go, show your love to a woman loved by someone else, who has been unfaithful to you.
Hosea 2: 19-20 I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine.
Commitment is almost a foreign concept today. We want commitment to be easy and convenient, painless and cheap. Commitment is none of those things. Commitment never stops trying and never tries stopping. It is a pledge and bond, a covenant and contract. Commitment is a promise.
Cortes, the great Spanish explorer discovered what we know today as Mexico. He sailed in several boats with many men committed to conquering and settling an unknown land. When they arrived, the men looked around at an undiscovered world and were afraid. Cortes, sensing their fear, gathered them all on shore and set fire to their ships. He then announced, “Now there can be no turning back!” That is commitment; a choice never to turn back; a contract without escape clauses; a battle plan with no option for retreat. Love that never gives up can hold on because of commitment. It looks past the circumstance and locks its gaze on the promise.
Hosea had a decision to make. I am sure that his feelings told him to run. After all, his heart must have been broken. His home was on the brink of disaster. Hosea must have been angry and hurt, not to mention embarrassed by Gomer’s betrayal. Everyone knew what Gomer was doing. It had been going on for a long time. Hosea wasn’t even sure that he was the father of his second and third child. Hosea chose to stay because he was committed to God, to Gomer and to their marriage. Sometimes, being committed means sacrificing your own happiness for a time in order to redeem the relationship. God called Hosea to commitment – the first time in marriage – and now He calls him to show his love “again”. The word “show” means “to be a friend or ally”. Love that never fails focuses on the needs of others and chooses commitment.
Let’s pray
Father, it is so much easier just to walk away from a difficult relationship. But I know that is not Your plan. You did not walk away from me…and I am sooo difficult to love! Thank You for saving my life and for Your faithfulness to me. Help me to choose commitment instead of taking the easy way out. I can’t do it alone, Father. I need Your power and strength to make commitment a heart habit. I am ready! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Now it’s your turn
Right now, think of the hardest person in your life to love. Ask God to love them through you, to let you see them through His eyes. Write that person a note of encouragement this week. Every time that difficult person comes to mind, choose commitment. When you are frustrated and ready to call it quits, don’t give up! Can’t do it? Not alone. But in God’s power and grace…you can. Go for it, girlfriend!
More from the girls
I must admit that the story of Hosea and Gomer makes me a little uncomfortable. When I tally the score, Hosea has more than enough points to ditch Gomer. Instead, he not only loves her, but pursues her and forgives her even when she doesn’t seem repentant. That doesn’t seem fair to me! Love that never fails does not deal in fairness but in grace. We are never more like Him than when we love the unlovable. For more help, get Mary’s book, “Sandpaper People” and discover how to love the unlovable.
Girlfriends in God - Oct. 24, 2007
October 24, 2007
Don’t Walk Away!
Mary Southerland
Today’s truth
Hosea 3:1-5 (NCV) The LORD said to me again, "Go, show your love to a woman loved by someone else, who has been unfaithful to you. In the same way the LORD loves the people of Israel, even though they worship other gods and love to eat the raisin cakes." Therefore, I bought her for six ounces of silver and ten bushels of barley. Then I told her, "You must wait for me for many days. You must not be a prostitute, and you must not have sexual relations with any other man. I will act the same way toward you." In the same way, Israel will live many days without a king or leader, without sacrifices or holy stone pillars, and without the holy vest or an idol. After this, the people of Israel will return to the LORD their God and follow him and the king from David's family. In the last days, they will turn in fear to the LORD, and he will bless them.
Friend to friend
A college man walked into a photography studio with a framed picture of his girlfriend. He wanted the picture duplicated, which involved removing it from the frame. When the photographer took the picture apart, he noticed an inscription written on the back of the photograph:
“My dearest Tom
I love you with all of my heart.
I love you more and more each day.
I will love you forever and ever.
I am yours for all of eternity.”
The picture was signed “Diane” and contained a PS that read, “If we ever break up I want this picture back!”
Love that never gives up has no “PS” in it. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:8 says, “Real love never fails”. In this verse, “fails” literally means “collapses, falls or disintegrates”. In other words, true love does not collapse under the weight of testing. It will not disintegrate when the pressure is on nor will it fall apart in the hard times. True love is strong, unconditional – God’s love – a love that we cannot understand or explain in human terms. The life of the Old Testament prophet, Hosea, powerfully illustrates this kind of love.
Hosea was married to a young woman named Gomer. Together, they had three children. Gomer blew it when she was unfaithful to Hosea, betraying the covenant of marriage. Hosea had every right to walk away, but love that never fails calls us up to higher choices that are beyond human reasoning. Supernatural choices demand supernatural action. And one of those choices is commitment. Read the choices Hosea made:
Hosea 3:1a The LORD said to me again, "Go, show your love to a woman loved by someone else, who has been unfaithful to you.
Hosea 2: 19-20 I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine.
Commitment is almost a foreign concept today. We want commitment to be easy and convenient, painless and cheap. Commitment is none of those things. Commitment never stops trying and never tries stopping. It is a pledge and bond, a covenant and contract. Commitment is a promise.
Cortes, the great Spanish explorer discovered what we know today as Mexico. He sailed in several boats with many men committed to conquering and settling an unknown land. When they arrived, the men looked around at an undiscovered world and were afraid. Cortes, sensing their fear, gathered them all on shore and set fire to their ships. He then announced, “Now there can be no turning back!” That is commitment; a choice never to turn back; a contract without escape clauses; a battle plan with no option for retreat. Love that never gives up can hold on because of commitment. It looks past the circumstance and locks its gaze on the promise.
Hosea had a decision to make. I am sure that his feelings told him to run. After all, his heart must have been broken. His home was on the brink of disaster. Hosea must have been angry and hurt, not to mention embarrassed by Gomer’s betrayal. Everyone knew what Gomer was doing. It had been going on for a long time. Hosea wasn’t even sure that he was the father of his second and third child. Hosea chose to stay because he was committed to God, to Gomer and to their marriage. Sometimes, being committed means sacrificing your own happiness for a time in order to redeem the relationship. God called Hosea to commitment – the first time in marriage – and now He calls him to show his love “again”. The word “show” means “to be a friend or ally”. Love that never fails focuses on the needs of others and chooses commitment.
Let’s pray
Father, it is so much easier just to walk away from a difficult relationship. But I know that is not Your plan. You did not walk away from me…and I am sooo difficult to love! Thank You for saving my life and for Your faithfulness to me. Help me to choose commitment instead of taking the easy way out. I can’t do it alone, Father. I need Your power and strength to make commitment a heart habit. I am ready! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Now it’s your turn
Right now, think of the hardest person in your life to love. Ask God to love them through you, to let you see them through His eyes. Write that person a note of encouragement this week. Every time that difficult person comes to mind, choose commitment. When you are frustrated and ready to call it quits, don’t give up! Can’t do it? Not alone. But in God’s power and grace…you can. Go for it, girlfriend!
More from the girls
I must admit that the story of Hosea and Gomer makes me a little uncomfortable. When I tally the score, Hosea has more than enough points to ditch Gomer. Instead, he not only loves her, but pursues her and forgives her even when she doesn’t seem repentant. That doesn’t seem fair to me! Love that never fails does not deal in fairness but in grace. We are never more like Him than when we love the unlovable. For more help, get Mary’s book, “Sandpaper People” and discover how to love the unlovable.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Broken Things
Streams in the Desert - Oct. 14
Broken Things
"By reason of breakings they purify themselves" (Job 41:25).
God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people.
It was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support.
It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.
It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, through all history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spirituallife, God must have BROKEN THINGS.
Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in orldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. "The lame take the prey,"Isaiah tells us.
O break my heart;
but break it as a field
Is by the plough up-broken for the corn;
O break it as the buds, by green leaf seated,
Are, to unloose the golden blossom, torn;
Love would I offer unto Love's great Master,
Set free the odor, break the alabaster.
O break my heart; break it victorious God,
That life's eternal well may flash abroad;O let it break as when the captive trees,
Breaking cold bonds, regain their liberties;And as thought's sacred grove to life is springing,Be joys, like birds, their hope, Thy victory singing. --Thomas Toke Bunch
Broken Things
"By reason of breakings they purify themselves" (Job 41:25).
God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people.
It was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support.
It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.
It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, through all history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spirituallife, God must have BROKEN THINGS.
Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in orldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. "The lame take the prey,"Isaiah tells us.
O break my heart;
but break it as a field
Is by the plough up-broken for the corn;
O break it as the buds, by green leaf seated,
Are, to unloose the golden blossom, torn;
Love would I offer unto Love's great Master,
Set free the odor, break the alabaster.
O break my heart; break it victorious God,
That life's eternal well may flash abroad;O let it break as when the captive trees,
Breaking cold bonds, regain their liberties;And as thought's sacred grove to life is springing,Be joys, like birds, their hope, Thy victory singing. --Thomas Toke Bunch
Monday, October 22, 2007
Avoiding Temptation
Living Free - Oct. 22, 2007
Today's Scripture
All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 AMP
Thoughts for Today
Are you immune to the temptation of sexual sin? The truth is, we all have boundaries that, if crossed, can result in the loss of self-control.
The sin of proximity happens when we allow ourselves to be enticed to sin by not avoiding events, people, places, objects or anything else that we know will likely stir up lustful thoughts in our minds. Some would describe the sin of proximity as allowing ourselves to come into contact with the occasion for sin.
When we commit a sin of proximity, what we are doing is setting the stage for overt sin to occur. We are prone to lie to ourselves that what we are doing will not have consequences. We think we can play around the edges of sin without actually acting it out. This thinking is self-deceptive because sin has great power and, if entertained, can overwhelm us.
Consider this…Avoiding the people or events or things that may tempt us to sexual sin is vital to overcoming sexual addiction or to avoid entering into any kind of sexual sin. We must remember, however, that there is no “formula for success” in this path—otherwise we would trust the formula and not God.
The rules are only tools to enable us to better love Jesus. The real key is to stay in fellowship with Him —to “ give strict attention, be cautious and active… and watch and pray.”
PrayerFather, I know that only as I stay in close fellowship with you —through prayer and through your Word—will I be able to resist the temptations that come my way. I thank you for your love. Please give me the wisdom and strength to avoid situations and relationships that may entice me to sin. In Jesus’ name …
Today's Scripture
All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 AMP
Thoughts for Today
Are you immune to the temptation of sexual sin? The truth is, we all have boundaries that, if crossed, can result in the loss of self-control.
The sin of proximity happens when we allow ourselves to be enticed to sin by not avoiding events, people, places, objects or anything else that we know will likely stir up lustful thoughts in our minds. Some would describe the sin of proximity as allowing ourselves to come into contact with the occasion for sin.
When we commit a sin of proximity, what we are doing is setting the stage for overt sin to occur. We are prone to lie to ourselves that what we are doing will not have consequences. We think we can play around the edges of sin without actually acting it out. This thinking is self-deceptive because sin has great power and, if entertained, can overwhelm us.
Consider this…Avoiding the people or events or things that may tempt us to sexual sin is vital to overcoming sexual addiction or to avoid entering into any kind of sexual sin. We must remember, however, that there is no “formula for success” in this path—otherwise we would trust the formula and not God.
The rules are only tools to enable us to better love Jesus. The real key is to stay in fellowship with Him —to “ give strict attention, be cautious and active… and watch and pray.”
PrayerFather, I know that only as I stay in close fellowship with you —through prayer and through your Word—will I be able to resist the temptations that come my way. I thank you for your love. Please give me the wisdom and strength to avoid situations and relationships that may entice me to sin. In Jesus’ name …
Friday, October 19, 2007
Skillful Workers
Marketplace Meditations 10/19
October 19
The Skillful Worker
Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
The Lord has called each of us to be excellent in what we do. Those whom God used in the Kingdom as marketplace ministers were skilled and exemplified excellence in their field. Not only were these men skilled, they were filled with God's Spirit.
Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship" (Exodus 31:1-5).
Consider Huram, the master craftsman of bronze in whom Solomon entrusted much of the temple designs. He was a true master craftsman (see 1 Kings 7:14).
Consider Joseph, whose skill as an administrator was known throughout Egypt and the world. Consider Daniel, who served his king with great skill and integrity. The list could go on-David, Nehemiah, Acquilla and Priscilla.
I recall the first issue of an international publication we began. It was common to hear the comment, "It doesn't even look like a Christian magazine." They were saying the quality and excellence exceeded what they equated to Christian work. What a shame. Has inferior quality become synonymous with Christian work?
May we strive for excellence in all that we do for the Master of the universe.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).
October 19
The Skillful Worker
Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
The Lord has called each of us to be excellent in what we do. Those whom God used in the Kingdom as marketplace ministers were skilled and exemplified excellence in their field. Not only were these men skilled, they were filled with God's Spirit.
Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship" (Exodus 31:1-5).
Consider Huram, the master craftsman of bronze in whom Solomon entrusted much of the temple designs. He was a true master craftsman (see 1 Kings 7:14).
Consider Joseph, whose skill as an administrator was known throughout Egypt and the world. Consider Daniel, who served his king with great skill and integrity. The list could go on-David, Nehemiah, Acquilla and Priscilla.
I recall the first issue of an international publication we began. It was common to hear the comment, "It doesn't even look like a Christian magazine." They were saying the quality and excellence exceeded what they equated to Christian work. What a shame. Has inferior quality become synonymous with Christian work?
May we strive for excellence in all that we do for the Master of the universe.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Waiting for the Lord
Heartlight Daily Verse 10/18
October 18
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Thoughts on today's verse
If there is anything we don't like to do, it's wait. Maybe that is why God is so interested in us learning to do it! There is something purifying about remaining strong in tough times and remaining faithful when ill winds blow. So God gives us times of waiting to see if our search is really for him or merely for something new.
Prayer:
Loving Father, I know you have waited for me so many times -- for me to show my faith, repent of my sins, grow in holiness, come to you in prayer, act more mature, give to those who cannot return my care... Help me as I wait for you to show me the way with my decisions, to meet my needs, and reveal your presence in my loneliness. I really do seek you with all my heart. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
October 18
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Thoughts on today's verse
If there is anything we don't like to do, it's wait. Maybe that is why God is so interested in us learning to do it! There is something purifying about remaining strong in tough times and remaining faithful when ill winds blow. So God gives us times of waiting to see if our search is really for him or merely for something new.
Prayer:
Loving Father, I know you have waited for me so many times -- for me to show my faith, repent of my sins, grow in holiness, come to you in prayer, act more mature, give to those who cannot return my care... Help me as I wait for you to show me the way with my decisions, to meet my needs, and reveal your presence in my loneliness. I really do seek you with all my heart. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Beyond Trust
This is EXACTLY what I'm dealing with----a disappointment has taken place in my life--and yet I am at peace because I know God is in control. Now granted----this disappointment has been coming on for awhile--so I'm a bit more "prepared" than I was say a year ago---but I'm so thankful that the Lord DIDN'T answer my prayers on this one. His ways, His timing, and His plans are perfect! I just wish it didn't take me so long to trust Him!---LL
Girlfriends in God - Oct. 17, 2007
October 17, 2007
Beyond Trust
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4 NIV
Friend to Friend
I experienced a great loss recently. A dream of mine was squashed. A possibility that I was very excited about, a hope that was seemingly tangible dissolved into nothingness with a single phone call. It stung wildly.
Strangely, even in the moment of disappointment, I knew that God was bidding me to trust that He has a greater plan. God often calls us to trust Him in the thick of our struggles – before anything makes sense. While my heart ached and was weak from the blow, my soul called on God for strength. I needed His strength so I could choose to trust Him. It was not a “gimme”. Trusting in this situation was work.
I made a deliberate choice to trust God. It was hard. There were not too many feel-good moments in the choosing. But, ultimately I conceded that God is in control. I am not. It is surely best that way. (Amen?)
Once I chose to trust, I felt God leaning in, wanting more from me. Confused, I prayed and sought His heart. Then I got it! God didn’t just want me to trust Him. He wanted me to go a step beyond trusting to thanking. I needed to thank Him. For my loss? Well, kind of. More for my gain…which is God’s best for me.
In Jeremiah 29:11, the prophet Jeremiah sent a message from the LORD to the surviving captive Jews that had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon. These people were greatly distressed. They were prisoners and slaves in a pagan society facing harsh and seemingly hopeless circumstances. Their futures looked bleak. Their dreams had surely faded.
Yet, God had not forgotten them as they might have thought. In fact, to the contrary, He remembered them and had big plans for them to accomplish in life. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Is God calling you to trust Him for something today? Or perhaps even go a step beyond trust to thanks? He didn’t forget His children, the Israelites, and He surely has not forgotten you. He has plans for your life to bring Him glory. Good plans…plans that are for your best.
Let’s Pray
Father, my faith is so small and yet You are so big! Help me to trust You – even when I don’t understand the work of Your hands. I recognize that amazing truth that Your plans for my life are better and higher than any plan I could possibly create. I choose to praise You and to thank You for the good works you have stored in every tomorrow. Help me to recognize the work of Your hand and the love from which those works were created. I love You Father! In Jesus’ name…Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Have you ever clung to a dream that failed to turn out as you had planned?
In other Biblical shake-your-head moments, Abraham accepted God’s promise as truth. He trusted beyond his circumstances when God told him that Sarah would bear him a son. Romans 4:20-21 tells us that, “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
More from the Girlfriends
This is a hard one, isn’t it? To trust God and keep walking…even when the dreams fade and my faith is weak. Today, I lay my dreams at Your feet and ask that what is of You will stand and what is not will fall away! I will praise You and give You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Girlfriends in God - Oct. 17, 2007
October 17, 2007
Beyond Trust
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4 NIV
Friend to Friend
I experienced a great loss recently. A dream of mine was squashed. A possibility that I was very excited about, a hope that was seemingly tangible dissolved into nothingness with a single phone call. It stung wildly.
Strangely, even in the moment of disappointment, I knew that God was bidding me to trust that He has a greater plan. God often calls us to trust Him in the thick of our struggles – before anything makes sense. While my heart ached and was weak from the blow, my soul called on God for strength. I needed His strength so I could choose to trust Him. It was not a “gimme”. Trusting in this situation was work.
I made a deliberate choice to trust God. It was hard. There were not too many feel-good moments in the choosing. But, ultimately I conceded that God is in control. I am not. It is surely best that way. (Amen?)
Once I chose to trust, I felt God leaning in, wanting more from me. Confused, I prayed and sought His heart. Then I got it! God didn’t just want me to trust Him. He wanted me to go a step beyond trusting to thanking. I needed to thank Him. For my loss? Well, kind of. More for my gain…which is God’s best for me.
In Jeremiah 29:11, the prophet Jeremiah sent a message from the LORD to the surviving captive Jews that had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon. These people were greatly distressed. They were prisoners and slaves in a pagan society facing harsh and seemingly hopeless circumstances. Their futures looked bleak. Their dreams had surely faded.
Yet, God had not forgotten them as they might have thought. In fact, to the contrary, He remembered them and had big plans for them to accomplish in life. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Is God calling you to trust Him for something today? Or perhaps even go a step beyond trust to thanks? He didn’t forget His children, the Israelites, and He surely has not forgotten you. He has plans for your life to bring Him glory. Good plans…plans that are for your best.
Let’s Pray
Father, my faith is so small and yet You are so big! Help me to trust You – even when I don’t understand the work of Your hands. I recognize that amazing truth that Your plans for my life are better and higher than any plan I could possibly create. I choose to praise You and to thank You for the good works you have stored in every tomorrow. Help me to recognize the work of Your hand and the love from which those works were created. I love You Father! In Jesus’ name…Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Have you ever clung to a dream that failed to turn out as you had planned?
In other Biblical shake-your-head moments, Abraham accepted God’s promise as truth. He trusted beyond his circumstances when God told him that Sarah would bear him a son. Romans 4:20-21 tells us that, “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
More from the Girlfriends
This is a hard one, isn’t it? To trust God and keep walking…even when the dreams fade and my faith is weak. Today, I lay my dreams at Your feet and ask that what is of You will stand and what is not will fall away! I will praise You and give You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Retreating
Encouragement for Today - Oct. 15, 2007
October 15, 2007
Retreat Required
By Karen Ehman
“………he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” Mark 6:31b (NIV)
Devotion:
I have a confession to make. I am an addict. A serious addict. And I know many others who share my awful obsession. No, it is not to alcohol or drugs or nicotine. It isn’t trashy TV or romance novels. I am addicted to busyness.
My addiction habit began forming long ago when I was just a girl in junior high school. To escape a less-than-perfect broken home, and to numb the emotional pain I was feeling from the fallout, I soon discovered busyness. Yep, sign me up for cheerleading, school newspaper, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, softball, the local youth group, volunteer work and a part–time job to boot! By the time I graduated high school I was involved in more activities than a set of triplets should be. Unfortunately, I carried this trend into my adult life.
In my defense, today we dwell in a society that not only encourages the busy lifestyle, it even applauds and rewards it! And what gal in her right mind doesn’t want an “’atta girl” now and then? Why, our society goes as far as to paint those who live life at a slower pace as freeloaders or slackers. “Why can’t so-and-so help a little with this bake sale? She doesn’t do nearly half as much as I do!”
If left unchecked, our busyness can crowd out the most important things in life—God and our families. I have had to learn the hard way that in order to be an effective woman of God, wife and mother, I need to not only slow down, regularly scraping commitments off of my too full plate, but sometimes I need to stop altogether. As I sit writing this, I am outside at a lovely retreat center on a hill overlooking its grape arbor and pear and apple orchards. My take-life-slow husband strongly suggested I come here occasionally to get alone with God; to read; ponder; write and reflect. I walk the pine and perennial-laced grounds in solitude. There are no television sets or computers or ringing phones; only unfamiliar, but blessed, quiet.
I will be honest and say it has taken me YEARS to get used to this ceasing of activity for occasional 24-48 hour periods of time each year. I fret and fuss as I am packing. “What about the kids? Will they be okay without me? Oh, maybe I should just stay home. I could get so caught up around here with that big chunk of time!” But Christ beckons me. “Come with me by yourselves….” Alone. By myself and for myself. It is for my own good. It is necessary. And ultimately, it is better for my family to have a rested, focused and refreshed mom. On retreat I can best hear from God whom I have discovered most often prefers not to scream over the top of our busyness but instead to whisper to us in quiet.
Yes, in the Christian life retreat is required. Running full steam ahead at Energizer bunny speed is not only stupid, it is downright dangerous. Even the Lord Jesus had regular times of rest and withdrawal. We need to follow His lead. I have come to realize the truth of the saying, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” And dear ones, both states render us useless and ineffective for the kingdom. Decide today that very soon you too will cease, retreat and refuel. You won’t regret it.
Dear Lord, Forgive me for ignoring Your command to come away with You for a while. Please arrange my circumstances soon so that I might spend uninterrupted time with you. May I drink deep of Your lavish love and reflect the calm and comfort I receive to others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
October 15, 2007
Retreat Required
By Karen Ehman
“………he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” Mark 6:31b (NIV)
Devotion:
I have a confession to make. I am an addict. A serious addict. And I know many others who share my awful obsession. No, it is not to alcohol or drugs or nicotine. It isn’t trashy TV or romance novels. I am addicted to busyness.
My addiction habit began forming long ago when I was just a girl in junior high school. To escape a less-than-perfect broken home, and to numb the emotional pain I was feeling from the fallout, I soon discovered busyness. Yep, sign me up for cheerleading, school newspaper, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, softball, the local youth group, volunteer work and a part–time job to boot! By the time I graduated high school I was involved in more activities than a set of triplets should be. Unfortunately, I carried this trend into my adult life.
In my defense, today we dwell in a society that not only encourages the busy lifestyle, it even applauds and rewards it! And what gal in her right mind doesn’t want an “’atta girl” now and then? Why, our society goes as far as to paint those who live life at a slower pace as freeloaders or slackers. “Why can’t so-and-so help a little with this bake sale? She doesn’t do nearly half as much as I do!”
If left unchecked, our busyness can crowd out the most important things in life—God and our families. I have had to learn the hard way that in order to be an effective woman of God, wife and mother, I need to not only slow down, regularly scraping commitments off of my too full plate, but sometimes I need to stop altogether. As I sit writing this, I am outside at a lovely retreat center on a hill overlooking its grape arbor and pear and apple orchards. My take-life-slow husband strongly suggested I come here occasionally to get alone with God; to read; ponder; write and reflect. I walk the pine and perennial-laced grounds in solitude. There are no television sets or computers or ringing phones; only unfamiliar, but blessed, quiet.
I will be honest and say it has taken me YEARS to get used to this ceasing of activity for occasional 24-48 hour periods of time each year. I fret and fuss as I am packing. “What about the kids? Will they be okay without me? Oh, maybe I should just stay home. I could get so caught up around here with that big chunk of time!” But Christ beckons me. “Come with me by yourselves….” Alone. By myself and for myself. It is for my own good. It is necessary. And ultimately, it is better for my family to have a rested, focused and refreshed mom. On retreat I can best hear from God whom I have discovered most often prefers not to scream over the top of our busyness but instead to whisper to us in quiet.
Yes, in the Christian life retreat is required. Running full steam ahead at Energizer bunny speed is not only stupid, it is downright dangerous. Even the Lord Jesus had regular times of rest and withdrawal. We need to follow His lead. I have come to realize the truth of the saying, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” And dear ones, both states render us useless and ineffective for the kingdom. Decide today that very soon you too will cease, retreat and refuel. You won’t regret it.
Dear Lord, Forgive me for ignoring Your command to come away with You for a while. Please arrange my circumstances soon so that I might spend uninterrupted time with you. May I drink deep of Your lavish love and reflect the calm and comfort I receive to others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
When Conflict Comes
Whew----I really hate conflict, so this is a keeper!--LL
From His Heart - Week of Oct. 12
When Conflict Comes
About seven years ago, Debbie and I bought a house in Houston. We had all the inspections done, and the house got a clean bill of health. Roughly two months into the new home, we discovered termites. UGH!! They were well established and were eating the studs out in the master bedroom.
We called the termite inspector who had failed to find the little intruders. He denied he made a mistake and did not think he was responsible for any treatment expenses. Obviously, we were in conflict with him.
A PART OF LIFE
Conflict is a part of life. No matter how closely you walk with God, you will still encounter times of conflict. The goal in life is not to avoid conflict at all costs... but to address conflict in the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
Are you in conflict with another person at this moment? Is that person your spouse? Your son or daughter? Your mom or dad? Your boss or another co-worker? Your neighbor? What does God want you to do? The Book of Proverbs gives us great wisdom into dealing correctly with conflict.
1. Seek wise counsel. "Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance" (Prov. 20:18). Get a wise and unbiased third party to give you advice on the situation. You may be greatly in the wrong and not even know it. You may be so mad that you are unable to see the conflict from the other person's perspective. There are three sides to every argument: yours, theirs, and the unbiased truth.
2. Watch for pride. "Pride leads to conflict" (Prov. 13:10). Many conflicts are the result of wounded pride. If you at odds with someone, and your wounded pride is the main reason... confess it and reconcile. "God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble" (Jas. 4:6).
3. Watch for anger. "A man with a bad temper starts fights, but he who is slow to anger quiets fighting" ( Prov. 15:18). Conflict and anger are often joined at the hip. When you start to get angry, you need to back off the discussion. Many hurtful words are spoken in anger - I hate you... I wish I never married you... You are no good...You are stupid... You will never amount to anything. Once words like that leave your mouth, they cannot be retrieved. Better to bite your tongue and walk away from the argument than to start spewing words of anger that may indeed damage for a lifetime.
4. Take the high road. "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him" (Prov. 26:4). It has well been said, "Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." Always be kind, considerate and respectful even in conflict. Think of the other person as your boss (even if he or she is your child). If you were pleading your case with your boss, you probably would not resort to name calling, would not interrupt, would not be disrespectful and condescending, and would not threaten. Those are keys things to remember when involved in any argument.
5. Be quick with forgiveness. "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions" (Prov. 10:12). If you have been wronged, do not harbor a grudge in your heart. It will only hurt you. Bitterness is like burning your house down to kill a rat. It is STUPID! Forgive that person and give them over to the Lord. If you have wronged another, go to them with a broken and repentant heart and seek their forgiveness. Most people respond favorably (if not immediately, then eventually) to someone who is repentant and seeking forgiveness.
6. Don't get discouraged! No one has a track record of perfection when it comes to handling conflict. All of us have blown it with our family, our friends, our neighbors and people at work or school. What we need to do is get up and learn from our mistakes. Start putting God's wisdom from Proverbs into practice so that your conflicts can result in win-win outcomes and your behavior through it all can glorify Christ. Remember, "A righteous man falls seven times, and rises again" (Prov. 24:16). Love,
Jeff SchrevePastorwww.fromhisheart.orgjeff@fromhisheart.org1-800-985-1530
From His Heart - Week of Oct. 12
When Conflict Comes
About seven years ago, Debbie and I bought a house in Houston. We had all the inspections done, and the house got a clean bill of health. Roughly two months into the new home, we discovered termites. UGH!! They were well established and were eating the studs out in the master bedroom.
We called the termite inspector who had failed to find the little intruders. He denied he made a mistake and did not think he was responsible for any treatment expenses. Obviously, we were in conflict with him.
A PART OF LIFE
Conflict is a part of life. No matter how closely you walk with God, you will still encounter times of conflict. The goal in life is not to avoid conflict at all costs... but to address conflict in the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
Are you in conflict with another person at this moment? Is that person your spouse? Your son or daughter? Your mom or dad? Your boss or another co-worker? Your neighbor? What does God want you to do? The Book of Proverbs gives us great wisdom into dealing correctly with conflict.
1. Seek wise counsel. "Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance" (Prov. 20:18). Get a wise and unbiased third party to give you advice on the situation. You may be greatly in the wrong and not even know it. You may be so mad that you are unable to see the conflict from the other person's perspective. There are three sides to every argument: yours, theirs, and the unbiased truth.
2. Watch for pride. "Pride leads to conflict" (Prov. 13:10). Many conflicts are the result of wounded pride. If you at odds with someone, and your wounded pride is the main reason... confess it and reconcile. "God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble" (Jas. 4:6).
3. Watch for anger. "A man with a bad temper starts fights, but he who is slow to anger quiets fighting" ( Prov. 15:18). Conflict and anger are often joined at the hip. When you start to get angry, you need to back off the discussion. Many hurtful words are spoken in anger - I hate you... I wish I never married you... You are no good...You are stupid... You will never amount to anything. Once words like that leave your mouth, they cannot be retrieved. Better to bite your tongue and walk away from the argument than to start spewing words of anger that may indeed damage for a lifetime.
4. Take the high road. "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him" (Prov. 26:4). It has well been said, "Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." Always be kind, considerate and respectful even in conflict. Think of the other person as your boss (even if he or she is your child). If you were pleading your case with your boss, you probably would not resort to name calling, would not interrupt, would not be disrespectful and condescending, and would not threaten. Those are keys things to remember when involved in any argument.
5. Be quick with forgiveness. "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions" (Prov. 10:12). If you have been wronged, do not harbor a grudge in your heart. It will only hurt you. Bitterness is like burning your house down to kill a rat. It is STUPID! Forgive that person and give them over to the Lord. If you have wronged another, go to them with a broken and repentant heart and seek their forgiveness. Most people respond favorably (if not immediately, then eventually) to someone who is repentant and seeking forgiveness.
6. Don't get discouraged! No one has a track record of perfection when it comes to handling conflict. All of us have blown it with our family, our friends, our neighbors and people at work or school. What we need to do is get up and learn from our mistakes. Start putting God's wisdom from Proverbs into practice so that your conflicts can result in win-win outcomes and your behavior through it all can glorify Christ. Remember, "A righteous man falls seven times, and rises again" (Prov. 24:16). Love,
Jeff SchrevePastorwww.fromhisheart.orgjeff@fromhisheart.org1-800-985-1530
Friday, October 12, 2007
Get Real
Encouragement for Today - Oct. 12, 2007
October 12, 2007
Get Real
By Tracie Miles
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory; which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was sitting in Sunday School listening to prayer requests being mentioned. Prayer needs varied - someone’s neighbors were having marital problems; a co-worker was having a problem with her boss; a friend whose child was being rebellious; a family member’s health issues. A few were personal requests such as an important decision about work, a scheduled surgery, and safe travels for vacation. All the prayer requests were valid and prayer-worthy, but I started to wonder if we were really being real with one another. Why were we not asking for prayers for our own struggles - our own marriage struggles, our own children, or our own challenges in living a Christ-like life?
I had many prayer requests on my heart that morning but instead of sharing them with my Christian friends, I kept them hidden in my heart. Part of me yearned for their prayers, but part of me also feared sharing my most personal issues and concerns with others. Instead of focusing on the truth that God would hear the prayers of these prayer warriors and divinely intervene in my life, I focused on my own insecurities, and the fear of being judged for circumstances in my life or the condition of my own heart. I finally realized we all needed to get real, and that by keeping our struggles to ourselves, we were denying each other the opportunity to be encouraged by hearing the triumphs over trials in other people’s lives.
In today’s society, we have a tendency to focus more on outward appearances than on the inward condition of our hearts. We may have a smile on our face on the outside; but on the inside, our heart is aching, and our soul is pleading for someone to care enough about us to speak with God on our behalf. Our hearts need to be in God-condition for us to be confident enough in our faith to allow us to solicit the prayers of others. In so doing, we glorify Christ through our lives. If we truly desire a character like Christ’s, we must be willing to expose our weaknesses, shed our hypocrisy and stop pretending that our life is a bowl of cherries. God calls us to be transparent.
The Lord made it clear to Samuel that he did not care about what was on the outside. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’" Samuel was in the process of determining which son of Jesse God wanted to become the king of Israel. Samuel was looking at the outside, instead of the inside condition of the heart.
When I am transparent, I allow people to see, pray for, and love the “real me.” Being real and vulnerable helps me to be usable for God. Once my mask is removed God can use the “real me” to minister to others. Sharing about a restored marriage, about forgiving someone who betrayed you, about a repaired relationship, about spiritual healing from an abortion, or recovery from an addiction could be exactly what someone else needs to hear so that their life, and their heart, can be changed. If people think we “have it all together,” they are less likely to share their struggles. This could close the doors God opens for us to minister to others so that we can help them remove their masks, as well.
By removing our own masks, we can be transformed into vessels for to God use to bring glory to His kingdom. Not only will people see the prayer needs in our lives, they will also see the transparency of a sinner being transformed by being real and praying to a faithful God.
Dear Lord, help me take off the masks I wear so that I can be real to others. Give me the strength to look past my own insecurities and fears, so that I can use my experiences to help others learn to see You working in their lives. Please bring people into my path that I can minister to by being a vessel for Your mighty work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
October 12, 2007
Get Real
By Tracie Miles
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory; which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was sitting in Sunday School listening to prayer requests being mentioned. Prayer needs varied - someone’s neighbors were having marital problems; a co-worker was having a problem with her boss; a friend whose child was being rebellious; a family member’s health issues. A few were personal requests such as an important decision about work, a scheduled surgery, and safe travels for vacation. All the prayer requests were valid and prayer-worthy, but I started to wonder if we were really being real with one another. Why were we not asking for prayers for our own struggles - our own marriage struggles, our own children, or our own challenges in living a Christ-like life?
I had many prayer requests on my heart that morning but instead of sharing them with my Christian friends, I kept them hidden in my heart. Part of me yearned for their prayers, but part of me also feared sharing my most personal issues and concerns with others. Instead of focusing on the truth that God would hear the prayers of these prayer warriors and divinely intervene in my life, I focused on my own insecurities, and the fear of being judged for circumstances in my life or the condition of my own heart. I finally realized we all needed to get real, and that by keeping our struggles to ourselves, we were denying each other the opportunity to be encouraged by hearing the triumphs over trials in other people’s lives.
In today’s society, we have a tendency to focus more on outward appearances than on the inward condition of our hearts. We may have a smile on our face on the outside; but on the inside, our heart is aching, and our soul is pleading for someone to care enough about us to speak with God on our behalf. Our hearts need to be in God-condition for us to be confident enough in our faith to allow us to solicit the prayers of others. In so doing, we glorify Christ through our lives. If we truly desire a character like Christ’s, we must be willing to expose our weaknesses, shed our hypocrisy and stop pretending that our life is a bowl of cherries. God calls us to be transparent.
The Lord made it clear to Samuel that he did not care about what was on the outside. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’" Samuel was in the process of determining which son of Jesse God wanted to become the king of Israel. Samuel was looking at the outside, instead of the inside condition of the heart.
When I am transparent, I allow people to see, pray for, and love the “real me.” Being real and vulnerable helps me to be usable for God. Once my mask is removed God can use the “real me” to minister to others. Sharing about a restored marriage, about forgiving someone who betrayed you, about a repaired relationship, about spiritual healing from an abortion, or recovery from an addiction could be exactly what someone else needs to hear so that their life, and their heart, can be changed. If people think we “have it all together,” they are less likely to share their struggles. This could close the doors God opens for us to minister to others so that we can help them remove their masks, as well.
By removing our own masks, we can be transformed into vessels for to God use to bring glory to His kingdom. Not only will people see the prayer needs in our lives, they will also see the transparency of a sinner being transformed by being real and praying to a faithful God.
Dear Lord, help me take off the masks I wear so that I can be real to others. Give me the strength to look past my own insecurities and fears, so that I can use my experiences to help others learn to see You working in their lives. Please bring people into my path that I can minister to by being a vessel for Your mighty work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Quick to Listen; Slow to Speak
Yikes! When I read the part below from Matthew 12:36 I panicked! I'm going to be judged by what I say!-----that's conviction enough to take this "slow to speak" part seriously! (as well as the fact that God says to!)-----LL
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.
—Proverbs 25:28
In this day of instant information, we can get our news so fast that we don’t have to wait for the evening news anymore. We don’t have to wait for the newspaper. We can go out on the Internet and get our news in real time.
I think this makes it hard for us to slow down and listen, especially to God. Many of us are like Martha in Luke’s Gospel, running around in our little self-made circles of activity, instead of calmly sitting at His feet and listening like Mary did.
But James 1:19 tells us, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” We ought to post that verse where we can see it every day. How different our lives would be if we heeded its admonition.
James tells us we should be swift to listen, but we also should be slow to speak. How many times have you blurted out something, only to regret it the moment it left your lips? Jesus said, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37).
We should be slow to anger. How easy it is to rationalize our outbursts of rage (especially when we are driving). But Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.”
How much better our lives and our witness would be if we were swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.
—Proverbs 25:28
In this day of instant information, we can get our news so fast that we don’t have to wait for the evening news anymore. We don’t have to wait for the newspaper. We can go out on the Internet and get our news in real time.
I think this makes it hard for us to slow down and listen, especially to God. Many of us are like Martha in Luke’s Gospel, running around in our little self-made circles of activity, instead of calmly sitting at His feet and listening like Mary did.
But James 1:19 tells us, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” We ought to post that verse where we can see it every day. How different our lives would be if we heeded its admonition.
James tells us we should be swift to listen, but we also should be slow to speak. How many times have you blurted out something, only to regret it the moment it left your lips? Jesus said, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37).
We should be slow to anger. How easy it is to rationalize our outbursts of rage (especially when we are driving). But Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.”
How much better our lives and our witness would be if we were swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Confronting in Love
Girlfriends in God - Oct. 10, 2007
October 10, 2007
Toppled Friends
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 TNIV
Friend to Friend
It was just a bit of burlap peaking out from underneath the soil, but to our Golden Retriever, Ginger, it was a challenge that needed to be pursued.
Shortly after we had planted a maple tree in our backyard, we went on vacation. It was the first time we had left Ginger home alone, and a neighbor fed and watched out for her while we were away. On the second day of our trip, I called Cathy to see how Ginger was fairing.
“Well Ginger’s fine,” Cathy reported. “But you know that tree you planted last week? She dug it up!”
“She did what!” I exclaimed.
“She dug it up,” Cathy confirmed. “The tree is lying in the yard on its side.”
When we got home, we assessed the situation. It seemed that when we planted the tree, we left a small piece of the burlap around the root ball exposed. Ginger spied that remnant peaking out of the ground and wanted it…bad. A few times, we had caught her pawing at the burlap, reprimanded her with a stern “no,” and she had walked away. I imagine when she saw us pull out of the driveway with a packed car; she crept over to the forbidden tree and began to dig. I imagine she dug and dug for hours with all her puppy might – flinging dirt in every direction. I’ve got to get to the bottom of this, she might have thought. This must be exposed!
Finally, she accomplished her mission and the burlap was totally uncovered! Exposed! Of course, she gave no thought to the tree she toppled in the mean time. It was never about the tree.
As I stared at the poor little maple lying helplessly in the yard in the hot drying sun, I thought about how many friends I’ve observed in the same state. I thought about friends I have known and I for that matter, who have been toppled for much the same reason. Perhaps someone has a little flaw that comes to the surface in plain view. Then someone else comes along and decides that the flaw is a nuisance and must be exposed at all cost. Someone starts digging and digging – flinging dirt in every direction, with no thought to what all the digging is doing to the friend. The rough canvas may be unearthed, but unfortunately, the friend lies toppled in the process.
Lifeless, wounded, exposed – and for what purpose? To satisfy someone’s dogged determination to uncover a rough edge?
There are times in any friendship when confrontation is necessary. But we must always make sure that the confrontation is wrapped in prayer and tied with the lovely bow of love. If we take any joy whatsoever in the process, and then we must stop and check our motives and attitude.
Steve and I gently removed what was left of the burlap sack around the root system, carefully sat the maple back up into her prepared soil, and lovingly patted the dirt back around her parched roots. Then, because of her weakened state, we braced her up with ropes tied to three stakes in the ground. I watered the weary maple daily, not knowing if she would recover from the trauma. In the end, the tree not only survived, it thrived.
Oh that we would do the same for our toppled friends. When we see a friend who has been wounded by words, we can slowly stand her back up, lovingly reestablished her roots in the good soil of God’s Word, gently brace her up with kindness, and water her daily with prayer. Who knows, you may even help her not only survive, but thrive.
Thankfully, Ginger left the tree alone after that episode. After all – she never cared about the tree in the first place.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I’ll admit that sometimes I act like Ginger and dig for the dirt rather than caring for the person. Help love always to be my ultimate goal, and if I ever have one bit of pleasure in correcting someone, I pray that I will keep my mouth shut and worry about the dirt in my own life that needs to be cleaned up.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Have you ever been “toppled” by someone trying to correct you or expose a mistake you’ve made? How did you feel?
Have you ever caught yourself experiencing pleasure in correcting someone or pointing out someone’s faults? How do you think God feels about that type of correction?
Read this verse and ponder it today. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Luke 6:41 NIV
More from the Girlfriends
I bet as you read today’s devotion, you remembered a time when you lay toppled and exposed by the comments of another person. Just remembering how we have felt ought to be enough to keep us from doing it to someone else. But it takes practice to hold our tongues and concentrate on our own specks…or should I say logs! If you would like to learn more about how to use your words to build up your friends rather than topple them emotionally, see The Power of a Woman’s Words and The Power of a Woman’s Words Bible Study Guide.
October 10, 2007
Toppled Friends
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 TNIV
Friend to Friend
It was just a bit of burlap peaking out from underneath the soil, but to our Golden Retriever, Ginger, it was a challenge that needed to be pursued.
Shortly after we had planted a maple tree in our backyard, we went on vacation. It was the first time we had left Ginger home alone, and a neighbor fed and watched out for her while we were away. On the second day of our trip, I called Cathy to see how Ginger was fairing.
“Well Ginger’s fine,” Cathy reported. “But you know that tree you planted last week? She dug it up!”
“She did what!” I exclaimed.
“She dug it up,” Cathy confirmed. “The tree is lying in the yard on its side.”
When we got home, we assessed the situation. It seemed that when we planted the tree, we left a small piece of the burlap around the root ball exposed. Ginger spied that remnant peaking out of the ground and wanted it…bad. A few times, we had caught her pawing at the burlap, reprimanded her with a stern “no,” and she had walked away. I imagine when she saw us pull out of the driveway with a packed car; she crept over to the forbidden tree and began to dig. I imagine she dug and dug for hours with all her puppy might – flinging dirt in every direction. I’ve got to get to the bottom of this, she might have thought. This must be exposed!
Finally, she accomplished her mission and the burlap was totally uncovered! Exposed! Of course, she gave no thought to the tree she toppled in the mean time. It was never about the tree.
As I stared at the poor little maple lying helplessly in the yard in the hot drying sun, I thought about how many friends I’ve observed in the same state. I thought about friends I have known and I for that matter, who have been toppled for much the same reason. Perhaps someone has a little flaw that comes to the surface in plain view. Then someone else comes along and decides that the flaw is a nuisance and must be exposed at all cost. Someone starts digging and digging – flinging dirt in every direction, with no thought to what all the digging is doing to the friend. The rough canvas may be unearthed, but unfortunately, the friend lies toppled in the process.
Lifeless, wounded, exposed – and for what purpose? To satisfy someone’s dogged determination to uncover a rough edge?
There are times in any friendship when confrontation is necessary. But we must always make sure that the confrontation is wrapped in prayer and tied with the lovely bow of love. If we take any joy whatsoever in the process, and then we must stop and check our motives and attitude.
Steve and I gently removed what was left of the burlap sack around the root system, carefully sat the maple back up into her prepared soil, and lovingly patted the dirt back around her parched roots. Then, because of her weakened state, we braced her up with ropes tied to three stakes in the ground. I watered the weary maple daily, not knowing if she would recover from the trauma. In the end, the tree not only survived, it thrived.
Oh that we would do the same for our toppled friends. When we see a friend who has been wounded by words, we can slowly stand her back up, lovingly reestablished her roots in the good soil of God’s Word, gently brace her up with kindness, and water her daily with prayer. Who knows, you may even help her not only survive, but thrive.
Thankfully, Ginger left the tree alone after that episode. After all – she never cared about the tree in the first place.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I’ll admit that sometimes I act like Ginger and dig for the dirt rather than caring for the person. Help love always to be my ultimate goal, and if I ever have one bit of pleasure in correcting someone, I pray that I will keep my mouth shut and worry about the dirt in my own life that needs to be cleaned up.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Have you ever been “toppled” by someone trying to correct you or expose a mistake you’ve made? How did you feel?
Have you ever caught yourself experiencing pleasure in correcting someone or pointing out someone’s faults? How do you think God feels about that type of correction?
Read this verse and ponder it today. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Luke 6:41 NIV
More from the Girlfriends
I bet as you read today’s devotion, you remembered a time when you lay toppled and exposed by the comments of another person. Just remembering how we have felt ought to be enough to keep us from doing it to someone else. But it takes practice to hold our tongues and concentrate on our own specks…or should I say logs! If you would like to learn more about how to use your words to build up your friends rather than topple them emotionally, see The Power of a Woman’s Words and The Power of a Woman’s Words Bible Study Guide.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Discipline or Regret
HomeWord - Oct. 8, 2007
Discipline or Regret
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
In the 1968 Olympics within the stadium in Mexico City, the stands had gone dark after an extremely busy day of some of the finest track and field events in the history of the Olympics. All that remained inside the stadium were a few judges, the clean-up crew and a handful of reporters who were filing their reports. All of a sudden out of nowhere, a runner in his country’s track uniform half hobbled and half ran into that great stadium. He was a marathon runner who was literally hours behind the official last place finisher. He ran around the track and crossed the finish line. One of the reporters ran down to the field to ask this runner why he bothered to finish the race since he was obviously hurting and no one would even count him as a finisher. The injured runner looked up at the reporter and said, “My country did not send me over 5,000 miles to start the race but rather to finish it.”
This man persevered, endured the pain and finished the race. What a hero! What do you need to do today to sustain your life, your faith, family, or health over the long haul? Is there something in which you need to wholeheartedly persevere to finish the race of life well?
Remember this great piece of advice offered to me by my good friend Bill Hall, “When the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of changing, you will change.” The way I figure it is that in life, we either choose the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. Choose today the pain of discipline.
Discipline or Regret
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
In the 1968 Olympics within the stadium in Mexico City, the stands had gone dark after an extremely busy day of some of the finest track and field events in the history of the Olympics. All that remained inside the stadium were a few judges, the clean-up crew and a handful of reporters who were filing their reports. All of a sudden out of nowhere, a runner in his country’s track uniform half hobbled and half ran into that great stadium. He was a marathon runner who was literally hours behind the official last place finisher. He ran around the track and crossed the finish line. One of the reporters ran down to the field to ask this runner why he bothered to finish the race since he was obviously hurting and no one would even count him as a finisher. The injured runner looked up at the reporter and said, “My country did not send me over 5,000 miles to start the race but rather to finish it.”
This man persevered, endured the pain and finished the race. What a hero! What do you need to do today to sustain your life, your faith, family, or health over the long haul? Is there something in which you need to wholeheartedly persevere to finish the race of life well?
Remember this great piece of advice offered to me by my good friend Bill Hall, “When the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of changing, you will change.” The way I figure it is that in life, we either choose the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. Choose today the pain of discipline.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
God- Inspired Delays
Marketplace Meditations 10/7
October 7
God-Inspired Delays
John 11:6 Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.
Delays in our life are not always easy to handle or to reconcile in our minds. Often, when God does not answer our prayers in the time that we feel He should, we appoint all sorts of characteristics to God's nature that imply He does not care. Such was the case with Lazarus' sisters when Lazarus became ill and died. Jesus was a close friend to Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. (Mary, you may recall, was the woman who came and poured perfume on Jesus' feet.) When Jesus arrived two days later, Martha shamed Him by saying, "If You had come he would not have died." She implied that He didn't care enough to come when sent for. It was a matter of priorities for Jesus, not lack of love.
God often has to delay His work in us in order to accomplish something for His purposes that can be achieved only in the delay. Jesus had to let Lazarus die in order for the miracle that was about to take place to have its full effect. If Jesus had simply healed a sick man, the impact of the miracle would not have been as newsworthy as resurrecting a man who had been dead for four days. This is Jesus' greatest "public relations act" of His whole ministry. What many do not realize is that the key to the whole story is in the next chapter.
Many people, because they had heard that He had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet Him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!" (John 12:18-19)
If Jesus had not raised Lazarus from the dead, there would have been no crowds to cheer the Lord when He came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
God often sets the stage so that His glory is revealed through the events that He orchestrates. He did this with Moses and Pharaoh, allowing delay after delay for release of the Israelites from Egypt. He did this with Abraham and Sarah for the promised child, Isaac. God granted Sarah a baby past the age of childbearing in order to demonstrate His power.
God did this in my own life. He delayed the fulfillment of what I believed He called me to do for several years. But the delays provided the necessary preparation and greater glory that God was to receive. My friend, don't take the delays lightly. Do not faint as God places you in what seems to be a holding pattern. God is at work. God knows the purposes for His delays. Don't give up, for they are for His greater glory; so we need to remain faithful.
October 7
God-Inspired Delays
John 11:6 Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.
Delays in our life are not always easy to handle or to reconcile in our minds. Often, when God does not answer our prayers in the time that we feel He should, we appoint all sorts of characteristics to God's nature that imply He does not care. Such was the case with Lazarus' sisters when Lazarus became ill and died. Jesus was a close friend to Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. (Mary, you may recall, was the woman who came and poured perfume on Jesus' feet.) When Jesus arrived two days later, Martha shamed Him by saying, "If You had come he would not have died." She implied that He didn't care enough to come when sent for. It was a matter of priorities for Jesus, not lack of love.
God often has to delay His work in us in order to accomplish something for His purposes that can be achieved only in the delay. Jesus had to let Lazarus die in order for the miracle that was about to take place to have its full effect. If Jesus had simply healed a sick man, the impact of the miracle would not have been as newsworthy as resurrecting a man who had been dead for four days. This is Jesus' greatest "public relations act" of His whole ministry. What many do not realize is that the key to the whole story is in the next chapter.
Many people, because they had heard that He had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet Him. So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!" (John 12:18-19)
If Jesus had not raised Lazarus from the dead, there would have been no crowds to cheer the Lord when He came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
God often sets the stage so that His glory is revealed through the events that He orchestrates. He did this with Moses and Pharaoh, allowing delay after delay for release of the Israelites from Egypt. He did this with Abraham and Sarah for the promised child, Isaac. God granted Sarah a baby past the age of childbearing in order to demonstrate His power.
God did this in my own life. He delayed the fulfillment of what I believed He called me to do for several years. But the delays provided the necessary preparation and greater glory that God was to receive. My friend, don't take the delays lightly. Do not faint as God places you in what seems to be a holding pattern. God is at work. God knows the purposes for His delays. Don't give up, for they are for His greater glory; so we need to remain faithful.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
A Woman's Emotions (3)
Moments Together for Couples 10/3
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
October 3
A Woman's Emotions (Part Three)
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands love your wives just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.
I like what Erma Bombeck says, that "marriage is life's last chance for adults to grow up." That's what many men need to do when dealing with the emotions their wives naturally face during different seasons of their lives. We need to understand those emotions and not belittle them.
The first thing I had to do to help Barbara grow emotionally was put aside my own agenda and selflessly reach out to her. You can't simultaneously be understanding and defending yourself. One gives way to the other.
Have I always known what to do when Barbara was working through her emotions? No. Did I take it personally? Absolutely. I remember taking all of Barbara's emotions like I was a failure. I had to choose to "give myself up for her," to help her with her emotions.
The second thing I needed to do was verbalize my commitment to her frequently. I was caught off guard by Barbara's insecurity regarding my love for her early in our marriage. Barbara's trust in me had to be built one brick at a time. You don't just walk down the aisle and all of a sudden have a trustworthy relationship. You have to constantly reaffirm that love and trust.
The third thing I had to do was to give her space for her identity, to reflect who God is in her life that makes her a woman. My assignment, as a man, is to take her emotions and to value them, never saying, "You shouldn't feel that way." I need to let her express what she's feeling. And respond by saying, "I'm glad you shared with me because I'm interested in how you feel."
Finally, you can gently point your wife to find her confidence in God by leading her in prayer together. Read through Psalm 31:1, which declares "In Thee, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; in Thy righteousness deliver me." In Him, I have nothing to fear.
Prayer:
Ask the Lord to help you both grow in your understanding of one another's emotions and to learn to be sensitive, to lovingly listen and affirm your mate.
Discuss: Are you encouraging or discouraging your wife in sharing her emotions? What can you do to start encouraging her and stop discouraging her?
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
October 3
A Woman's Emotions (Part Three)
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands love your wives just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.
I like what Erma Bombeck says, that "marriage is life's last chance for adults to grow up." That's what many men need to do when dealing with the emotions their wives naturally face during different seasons of their lives. We need to understand those emotions and not belittle them.
The first thing I had to do to help Barbara grow emotionally was put aside my own agenda and selflessly reach out to her. You can't simultaneously be understanding and defending yourself. One gives way to the other.
Have I always known what to do when Barbara was working through her emotions? No. Did I take it personally? Absolutely. I remember taking all of Barbara's emotions like I was a failure. I had to choose to "give myself up for her," to help her with her emotions.
The second thing I needed to do was verbalize my commitment to her frequently. I was caught off guard by Barbara's insecurity regarding my love for her early in our marriage. Barbara's trust in me had to be built one brick at a time. You don't just walk down the aisle and all of a sudden have a trustworthy relationship. You have to constantly reaffirm that love and trust.
The third thing I had to do was to give her space for her identity, to reflect who God is in her life that makes her a woman. My assignment, as a man, is to take her emotions and to value them, never saying, "You shouldn't feel that way." I need to let her express what she's feeling. And respond by saying, "I'm glad you shared with me because I'm interested in how you feel."
Finally, you can gently point your wife to find her confidence in God by leading her in prayer together. Read through Psalm 31:1, which declares "In Thee, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; in Thy righteousness deliver me." In Him, I have nothing to fear.
Prayer:
Ask the Lord to help you both grow in your understanding of one another's emotions and to learn to be sensitive, to lovingly listen and affirm your mate.
Discuss: Are you encouraging or discouraging your wife in sharing her emotions? What can you do to start encouraging her and stop discouraging her?
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Coming Out of the Stronghold
Marketplace Meditations 10/2
October 2Coming Out of the Stronghold
1 Samuel 22:5 ..."Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah"...
David and his fighting men had been hiding in the cave of Adullam. He was fleeing Saul. Many of life's down-and-out had come and joined David's army. David was content to stay in the stronghold of safety. Then, God's prophet came to David and told him that he must leave the stronghold and go into the land of Judah.
When life beats down on us and we get to the place where we want to hide in a cave, God often places people around us who prod us into moving in the right direction. He does not want us to remain in the place of discouragement. He wants us to move into the land of "praise." Judah means "praise."
I recall when I went through a very difficult time. It seemed to drag on and on with no change until finally I wanted to retreat to a cave and forget pressing on. It was a great time of discouragement. A godly man came to me and said, "You must keep moving! There are too many who are depending on you in the Kingdom." I didn't totally understand what he meant at the time. Now I know he was saying that God is preparing each of us to be the vessel He wants to use in the life of another person, but we will never be that vessel if we give up and hide in our cave of discouragement. Not only must we keep moving, we must move into a new realm. Our attitude must move from discouragement to praise. It is when we move past discouragement to praise that we begin living above our problems. Make a decision today to go into the land of Judah.
October 2Coming Out of the Stronghold
1 Samuel 22:5 ..."Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah"...
David and his fighting men had been hiding in the cave of Adullam. He was fleeing Saul. Many of life's down-and-out had come and joined David's army. David was content to stay in the stronghold of safety. Then, God's prophet came to David and told him that he must leave the stronghold and go into the land of Judah.
When life beats down on us and we get to the place where we want to hide in a cave, God often places people around us who prod us into moving in the right direction. He does not want us to remain in the place of discouragement. He wants us to move into the land of "praise." Judah means "praise."
I recall when I went through a very difficult time. It seemed to drag on and on with no change until finally I wanted to retreat to a cave and forget pressing on. It was a great time of discouragement. A godly man came to me and said, "You must keep moving! There are too many who are depending on you in the Kingdom." I didn't totally understand what he meant at the time. Now I know he was saying that God is preparing each of us to be the vessel He wants to use in the life of another person, but we will never be that vessel if we give up and hide in our cave of discouragement. Not only must we keep moving, we must move into a new realm. Our attitude must move from discouragement to praise. It is when we move past discouragement to praise that we begin living above our problems. Make a decision today to go into the land of Judah.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Emotions
I find it very comforting to know that it is OK to be emotional---that I was made to be an emotional person. So often I feel like "having feelings" is a bad thing----especially anger, confusion, and hurt. This reminds me that the emotions are ok---it's what I do with them. Whew!--LL
Moments Together for Couples 10/1
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
October 1
A Woman's Emotions (Part One) by Barbara Rainey
Ephesians 4:26 (NIV) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
We know we are created in the image of God, but many don't realize our emotions are a part of God's image imprinted within us. Women need to grow in their understanding of their emotions. And this isn't easy, because many women aren't prepared to handle the different emotions they feel at different stages of their lives.
As a woman experiences various emotions, she needs to feel loved and accepted so she can face these times positively. This is not only critical for her emotional health, but also for impacting her children with positive emotional identities so they will grow up to be mature adults. These emotions are a part of the image of God, and we should grow and mature when we experience them.
When we got married, Dennis and I were completely caught off guard by my emotions as we moved into a marriage relationship. I remember the first time I was angry with Dennis. I had never felt angry with him the entire time we dated, during our engagement or in the early days of our marriage. I honestly didn't know what to do about my anger.
I remember thinking, What do I do? Where do I go? Dennis was pursuing me to solve our conflict, and I was so confused that I went into the bathroom, shut the door and thought, I can't get out of here. I'm stuck. My emotions were telling me something was very wrong in this relationship.
I held the future of my marriage and my family in my hands. I decided my relationship, which was a covenant I'd made to God, was too important not to work it out. So after stewing for awhile, I got up out of that bathroom and Dennis and I, after some real communication, resolved the problem.
Dennis and I have found that God designed marriage as a covenant relationship where a man and woman can work through their emotions and glorify God in the process.
Prayer:
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, guide you and direct you in how you are to handle your emotions in your marriage and family relationships.
Discuss: How are you in controlling your emotions when it comes to dealing with your mate or your children?
Moments Together for Couples 10/1
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
October 1
A Woman's Emotions (Part One) by Barbara Rainey
Ephesians 4:26 (NIV) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
We know we are created in the image of God, but many don't realize our emotions are a part of God's image imprinted within us. Women need to grow in their understanding of their emotions. And this isn't easy, because many women aren't prepared to handle the different emotions they feel at different stages of their lives.
As a woman experiences various emotions, she needs to feel loved and accepted so she can face these times positively. This is not only critical for her emotional health, but also for impacting her children with positive emotional identities so they will grow up to be mature adults. These emotions are a part of the image of God, and we should grow and mature when we experience them.
When we got married, Dennis and I were completely caught off guard by my emotions as we moved into a marriage relationship. I remember the first time I was angry with Dennis. I had never felt angry with him the entire time we dated, during our engagement or in the early days of our marriage. I honestly didn't know what to do about my anger.
I remember thinking, What do I do? Where do I go? Dennis was pursuing me to solve our conflict, and I was so confused that I went into the bathroom, shut the door and thought, I can't get out of here. I'm stuck. My emotions were telling me something was very wrong in this relationship.
I held the future of my marriage and my family in my hands. I decided my relationship, which was a covenant I'd made to God, was too important not to work it out. So after stewing for awhile, I got up out of that bathroom and Dennis and I, after some real communication, resolved the problem.
Dennis and I have found that God designed marriage as a covenant relationship where a man and woman can work through their emotions and glorify God in the process.
Prayer:
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, guide you and direct you in how you are to handle your emotions in your marriage and family relationships.
Discuss: How are you in controlling your emotions when it comes to dealing with your mate or your children?
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