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16 May 2023 07:00

‘Should I, or shouldn’t I?’

“We can say with confidence and a clear conscience.” 2Co 1:12 NLT



In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes: “Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and…continually reminds me of what that standard demands…If I’m in the habit of always holding God’s standard in front of me, conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is will I obey?…God always instructs us down to the last detail…He does not speak with a voice like thunder—His voice is so gentle it’s easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, ‘Why can’t I do this?’ You’re on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is—drop it and see that you keep your inner vision clear.” Paul writes: “We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you” (v. 12 NLT). But what if the Bible doesn’t offer a specific answer to your question and you’re wondering, “Should I, or shouldn’t I?” Here is your gold standard: “If our consciences are clear, we can come to the Lord with perfect assurance and trust, and get whatever we ask for” (1Jn 3:21-22 TLB). Can you think of a more important reason for maintaining a clear conscience?

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14 May 2023 07:01

Dealing with loneliness (1)

“I…am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.” Ps 102:7 NKJV



Wolfgang Dircks, a divorced, disabled loner, was found deceased in his apartment in Bonn, Germany, in December 1998—five years after he died. He was forty-three and died watching television. Neighbors didn’t notice his absence. His landlord came by after the bank account from which his rent was paid dried up. A TV schedule was still sitting on the lap of Dircks’s skeleton and was open to the page of December 5, 1993—the apparent date of his death. The television had long since stopped in the on position, but the lights on his 1993 Christmas tree were still glowing. When God created us, He said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Ge 2:18 NKJV). You were created to be in relationship. You don’t have to accept loneliness as your destiny. Instead: (1) Find a need and meet it. Often loneliness is not the absence of people, but purpose. Show a true interest in the difficulties of others. Resist making your own issues and worries the aim of every conversation. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Php 2:3-4 NIV). (2) Be generous to others with your time, talents, and treasure. Not everyone will accept what you offer, but someone will. Pray for guidance and keep reaching out. God says, “To me, you are very dear, and I love you…” (Isa 43:4 CEV).

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12 May 2023 07:00

Jesus is your lawyer!

“We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1Jn 2:1 NAS



On those days when you wonder how God could love you, read these words: “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” When your thoughts sink to gutter level and your actions are anything but Christlike, remind yourself: “He lives forever to intercede with God on [our] behalf” (Heb 7:25 NLT). It works like this: When God’s law declares you guilty, Jesus steps in and says, “Father, I have this person covered; they are trusting in my shed blood, and My righteousness has been transferred to them.” Try to picture this: In the Old Testament tabernacle, the blood of a lamb was poured on top of the mercy seat, and the ark of the covenant that contained the broken law—the record of our guilt—was placed underneath it. So, the only way God could see the broken law—was through the blood. And it’s the same today! If you’re wondering why God continues to love, accept, and bless you, it’s because Jesus is your lawyer! Notice: (1) He is fully qualified to represent you. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17). (2) He has never lost a case. “He is…able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” (Heb 7:25 NKJV). (3) He offers His services freely. “Without money and without price” (Isa 55:1). The Bible says, “Let us…approach God’s throne of grace with confidence…that we may receive mercy and…grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb 4:16 NIV). Jesus is your lawyer, so you can come to God with confidence today.

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09 May 2023 07:01

Don’t get distracted
“Look straight ahead.” Pr 4:25 NLT
 
To succeed at what God has called you to do, you must do these: (1) Remove distractions. This is not easy, as most people now get hundreds of emails, texts, and tweets every day. But you must do it. How? By keeping the discipline of practicing your priorities. Don’t accomplish easy things first, or hard things first, or urgent things first. Do first things first—the activities that provide you with the highest return. That way, you keep distractions minimized. (2) Protect yourself from distractions. One leader writes: “I need blocks of time to think without interruptions. I’ve mastered the art of making myself unavailable when necessary and going off to my ‘thinking place’ so that I can work without interruptions…however, I am always aware of the tension between my need to remain accessible to others as a leader and my need to withdraw from them to think.” Jesus often withdrew from activities and prayed (See Lk 5:16). To know people’s needs, He spent time with people. To meet people’s needs, He spent time with God in prayer. As a result, He was always in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, doing the right things. And you must do that too! If you’re naturally withdrawn, then make sure to get out among people more often. If you’re always “on the go,” then remove yourself periodically so that you can be refreshed and refocused in order to accomplish what God has called you to do. “Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked” (Pr 4:25-27 NLT).

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07 May 2023 07:01

When you’re under attack (6)

“I have fought a good fight.” 2Ti 4:7



Here are three more things to keep in mind when you’re under attack: (1) You are not unique. In a letter to persecuted believers, the apostle Peter said, “Be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters…are going through the same kind of suffering you are” (1Pe 5:9 NLT). We are all on the same battlefield, but the Devil would love to convince you that you’re the only person who has ever experienced anything like this. That’s so you will feel like a failure and cut yourself off from the strength and support that comes from fellowship with other believers. Be wise; don’t let him do that to you. (2) Remove any hindrances. The apostle John writes, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1Jn 3:21 NIV). We all sin—the mistake lies in trying to cover it up, because “whoever conceals their sins does not prosper” (Pr 28:13 NIV). If you’re constantly struggling and being defeated, ask God to show you where the trouble spot is, draw on His grace, and deal with it. (3) Don’t quit. Anybody can begin a marathon, but it takes a champion to finish it. The apostle Paul writes, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2Ti 4:7). Every one of us experiences adversity. But it’s those who stay strong to the finish who get the reward. So, pace yourself, and determine to go the distance. Study the lives of people like David, Esther, Deborah, and Paul. Remind yourself that their God is your God, and He has promised to bring you through victoriously.

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05 May 2023 07:00

When you’re under attack (4)

“If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.” Pr 24:10 NLT



For the last few days, we have talked about how to handle Satan’s attacks when they come. So, if you’re under attack today, do these: (1) Be tough. Life is a collection of battles, which means it can also be a collection of victories. “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1Jn 4:4). Reach within and draw on God’s strength. Go ahead; He longs to show you what He can do for you. “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb 13:5-6). Did you get that? “He hath said…so that we may boldly say!” There is power in His Word when you speak it, believe it, and act on it. (2) Depend on God’s wisdom. Jesus said, “Don’t worry…about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply” (Lk 21:14-15 NLT). God has given you two things that always work: your mouth and His wisdom. When unexpected things arise, the Holy Spirit within you will rise to the occasion and speak through you, so start depending on Him. (3) Trust God to stop the attack. The Bible says, “He causes wars to end throughout the earth” (Ps 46:9 NLT). God is in control, He is bigger than whatever you’re dealing with, and you’re on His mind this very moment. Your tears, your fears, and your pain have been noticed by Him—and He will move on your behalf.

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03 May 2023 07:00

When you’re under attack (2)

“This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1Jn 5:4



Adversity is often the Enemy’s attempt to rob you of the next season of God’s blessing in your life. If you’re under attack today, you need to do these three things: (1) Rise up and fight back. You will be tempted to withdraw or become timid and passive, especially if you have been hurt. Don’t do it. A wounded animal just invites attack. Satan loves shy, fearful types, but real fighters intimidate him. So, be bold and claim the promise, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7). (2) Use all your weapons. The Bible says, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world…they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Co 10:4 NIV). Prayer is a weapon—use it daily. And join in prayer with others. One person alone can’t multiply faith; increase begins when two people get together (See Mt 18:19). Make sure you know the intercessors in your life, because they have influence with God. Scripture is also a weapon, so use it. “Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17). Find out what God’s Word says about your situation, and then use it like a sword to cut the Enemy’s head off. (3) Try to see the big picture. Few things are ever as they first appear, so look beyond the moment and see if something good is being birthed in you. After adversity comes blessing and favor, so get your eyes back on the big picture. Paul, who suffered relentless attack, said, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outlasts them all” (2Co 4:17 NIV). Bottom line: Today you can win.

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01 May 2023 07:00

Getting real
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.” 1Co 10:13 NLT
 
The problem isn’t just that we sin; it’s that we can’t talk about it. We’re comfortable with tales of people who used to sin, because they have happy endings. Imagine going to a counselor and saying, “I only want to discuss problems I used to have. Please don’t ask me to confess any current ones. I would be embarrassed. I’m afraid you would reject me.” Why would you go to a counselor and try to convince them that you don’t need counsel? People are okay telling a doctor about their physical problem or a mechanic about a problem with their car. Shouldn’t we be okay telling each other when we have a problem? If you want God (or anyone else) to love the real you, you have to work at “getting real.” David was Israel’s best king, but he was a polygamist. He was also a horrible father. He coveted another man’s wife, committing adultery with her, attempting to deceive her husband, ultimately having him murdered, and covering up his crime for a year; so, he was a coveter, an adulterer, a liar, and a murderer. As somebody quipped, “Nobody in those days was walking around wearing a ‘What Would David Do?’ bracelet.” Yet the Bible calls David “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1Sa 13:14 NIV). Is it possible for someone to be struggling so intensely with sin and yearning for God at the same time? Yes. And it’s also why the Bible says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (Jas 5:16 NLT).

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29 April 2023 07:00

Be joyful

“That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Ps 90:14 NIV



It doesn’t help the cause of Christ when His followers go around looking miserable. You say, “But I have problems.” Everybody does. When the apostle Paul was in prison, he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Php 4:4 NIV). Expressing joy is something you do in spite of your circumstances, not because of them. The Bible says, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isa 12:3 NIV). God has put a well of joy within you, but you have to draw it out and share it with others. Joy is contagious. Happiness travels through relational networks like ripples on a pond. It’s so robust, in fact, that it can permeate three degrees of separation. That means your happiness quotient is more likely to increase when a friend of a friend of a friend becomes happy. We hunger for joy. “Satisfy us in the morning,” writes the psalmist—but not with more money or power or applause. No, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Ps 90:14 NIV). Joyful people make us come alive. The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Ne 8:10 NIV). We love joy, but often we forget how powerful it is. Joy gives us the strength to resist temptation. It gives us the ability to persevere. It’s the Velcro that makes relationships stick. It gives us the energy to love. We don’t just need air, food, and water; we need joy. And the person who brings it is like an oasis in a desert land. So today, be joyful.

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27 April 2023 07:00

Integrity (2)
“The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.” Pr 20:7 NLT
 
Here are six ingredients which are always found in lasting success: (1) Information. If you don’t stay informed, you will be left behind. (2) Intuition. This is sometimes referred to as “to know in your knower.” (3) Initiative. This is when you are willing to step out in faith and act on what you know intuitively. (4) Intentionality. This is when you are willing to set specific goals and timelines for reaching them. (5) Intensity. This calls for more than starting power, it requires staying power. (6) Integrity. This is the glue that holds the previous five things together. And it’s rooted in that private life you develop alone with God. We often hear architects, engineers, and builders say, “This building has structural integrity.” What do they mean? That the public beauty of a tall skyscraper relies on its private, unseen foundation that is dug deep into the earth and solidly constructed. It is that hidden life of a building that brings structural integrity. Likewise, it’s the hidden life of a fruit tree—the unseen root system that digs deep into the earth—that produces those juicy, delectable fruits. And so it is with you. Integrity must be rooted in your private life. Don’t wait until you’re thrust into the public arena before paying attention to your integrity, for then you will have waited until it’s too late. Your talent may bring you success, but it takes character to protect and maintain your success. The truth is that when your integrity is rooted in your private world, it’s reflected in your personal world, your professional world, and your public world.

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25 April 2023 07:00

What are your values? (2)

“As I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless.” Ecc 2:11 NLT



Here are two more scriptural values you should live by: (1) Equality. “For there is no respect of persons with God” (Ro 2:11). In God’s eyes, no person is more important than another. Not one! Some have received more access to the things the world offers, achieved more education, or been called to higher ranks of responsibility. But in God’s eyes, no one is innately better. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, and we all approach God as sinners in need of salvation. So no matter what your position is in life, God expects you to treat everyone with the same respect. (2) Generosity. Jesus said, “Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over…The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Lk 6:38 NLT). Others don’t determine what you receive. Even God doesn’t. You do! “The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” You’re never more like God than when you give, and you can never surpass Him at giving. The truth is, you have no reason to be anxious about not having enough if you offer generosity to others. Why is it important to have values that you live by? Solomon answers: “As I looked at everything I worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile.”

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23 April 2023 07:00

How love is expressed
“Serve one another humbly in love.” Gal 5:13 NIV
 
Love is mostly something you do instead of something you feel. Paul writes, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love” (v. 13 NIV). So how are you supposed to express your love? According to one author, as follows: “A son drives for five hours to be with his mother on her birthday. A friend mentions a book he is interested in; his friend remembers and finds a copy to give to him for no visible reason. A middle-aged couple in a restaurant see a young husband and wife with little money and secretly pay their check. A father knows how much his daughter likes having a clean car, so he sneaks over to wash it for her as a surprise. People in a small group email each other throughout the week as a way of expressing their care. A wise man once said that just as the three laws of real estate are ‘location, location, location,’ the three laws of relationship are ‘observation, observation, observation.’ The people who give life to us are people who notice us. They know what we love and fear. When we work to truly notice someone else, love for them grows. When we work to truly observe another person, in that self-forgetfulness our own soul flourishes.” Mother Teresa used to say: “If you can’t do great things, do little things with great love. And if you can’t do them with great love, do them with a little love. And if you can’t do them with a little love, do them anyway.” Love grows when you serve people.

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21 April 2023 07:01

How to develop patience (4)
“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…peace, patience.” Gal 5:22 NLT
 
You will notice that in listing the fruit of the Spirit, patience comes right after peace. Why? Because when you have peace in your heart, practically nothing can cause you to feel impatient. But these qualities are the fruit of the Spirit, not the effort of the flesh. You can’t psych yourself up and say, “I’m going to be patient if it kills me.” It could! If it is the genuine fruit of the Spirit, you will have genuine inner peace, and certain circumstances won’t bother you the way they used to. Why? Because you are depending on the Lord. Patience is a kind of faith. It says, “I trust God. I believe He is bigger than this problem. I believe He has His hand in these irritations and can use them in my life for good.” Frustration says, “Why did this happen?” Faith says, “God, what do you want me to learn here?” Abraham was 100 years old when his second son, Isaac, was born. That’s a long time to be patient. The toughest kind of waiting occurs when you are in a rush and God is not. It’s hard to be patient when you’re waiting for an answer to prayer: for God to change your financial condition, or your health problem, or your family problem, or that relative who bothers you. Being patient is both the evidence of your faith and the test of your faith. It’s at such times that God whispers, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). In other words, I’m in control, I have a better plan, I’m working things out for your good!

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19 April 2023 07:00

How to develop patience (2)
“Whoever is patient has great understanding.” Pr 14:29 NIV
 
Patience begins by changing the way you view something. When you’re impatient, you have a narrow perspective. All you see is yourself: your needs, goals, schedule, desires, and the way people are messing up your life. Basically, the root of impatience is selfishness. Try to see things from the other person’s point of view. If you want to succeed in marriage, learn to see life from your partner’s point of view. If you want to succeed as a parent, learn to see things from your child’s point of view. If you want to succeed in business, learn to see things from your customer’s point of view. If you want to be a successful employer, learn to see life from your employee’s point of view. Try to discover why the other person feels as they do. If you never had to deal with irritations and interruptions, you would never develop patience. You must accept the truth that God is directing your steps, and that trust doesn’t require explanations. The Bible says, “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (Pr 20:24 NLT). Patience is a mark of maturity. When babies don’t instantly get what they want, they get upset. Maturity includes the ability to wait, to live with delayed gratification. “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” (Pr 14:29 NIV). A person of understanding and wisdom who learns to see life from another’s (and God’s) point of view, is able to be patient. So, pray and ask God to give you a new perspective on things.

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17 April 2023 07:01

You are Christ’s ambassador (3)
“Our citizenship is in heaven.” Php 3:20 NIV



Let’s recap. As an ambassador, you must have the following qualifications and characteristics: (1) Be a citizen of the country you represent. “Our citizenship is in heaven.” (2) Your character and conduct must reflect the highest values of your country. “That our God may make you worthy of his calling” (2Th 1:11 NIV). (3) You must be equipped for the job. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1Co 12:4 NIV). (4) You must be loyal to your country. Now, let’s look at two more qualifications: (5) An ambassador must be an effective communicator. The best ambassadors are bilingual; they speak and understand the language of those around them. Can you do that? In order to have the right answer, you must understand the question, the questioner, and where they’re coming from. The Bible says, “If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way” (1Pe 3:15-16 NLT). Note the words “always be ready.” (6) An ambassador must be a good diplomat. Ambassadors are most effective when they’re winsome as they go about their work. You wouldn’t want someone representing your country who was arrogant and abrasive in dealing with others. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35 NKJV). Our message is the gospel, and our strategy is love! What’s our message? “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2Co 5:20 NIV).

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15 May 2023 07:01

Dealing with loneliness (2)

“Everyone abandoned me.” 2Ti 4:16 NLT



What’s the proper way to deal with loneliness? (1) Learn to be alone without feeling lonely. Jesus often left the crowd to be alone with His Father in prayer. Why? Because He knew that solitude is essential to spiritual growth. And He came back from those times personally enriched and better equipped to deal with the challenges of life. The Bible says, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day” (Ge 32:24 NKJV). Out of that time alone with God came a man with a new name, a new nature, a new walk, and a new future. Plus, when people realize that you can enjoy your favorite dish or movie or other activity alone, they are attracted by your strength, independence, and confidence. (2) Reject the idea that you cannot live without a certain person in your life. God is the only person you must have, and He has promised to always stay with you (See Heb 13:5). Many times, we fall into depression after the death of a loved one because we haven’t cultivated an outside life. But it’s never too late to get started. And God will help you. Paul wrote: “The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear” (2Ti 4:16-17 NLT). God will help you to grieve your loss, leave your loss, and go on to what He has for you next.

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13 May 2023 07:01

Be on your guard

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith.” 1Co 16:13 NIV



Sometimes you experience more problems after you become a Christian than you did before. “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering” (Heb 10:32 NLT). Consider the life of Christ. “After his baptism…the heavens…opened…And a voice…said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy’” (Mt 3:16-17 NLT). Then we read: “Jesus was led…into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil” (Mt 4:1 NLT). First the call, then the conflict. And that’s still how it works! When Paul was called into ministry, he was given “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted” (2Co 12:7). So when you say yes to God, prepare for attack. Satan attacks what he fears, and he fears God’s plan for your life. When a player starts scoring, the other team targets him because they know he is capable of winning. Getting the idea? Before Jesus launched His ministry, Satan offered Him the kingdoms of the world, and he will make you the same offer. So, the only safe place to be is in the center of God’s will. When Noah was building the ark, he could withstand a hundred years of scorn, but when the job was done, he ended up drunk and disgraced. Paul writes, “These things…were written down to warn us…If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall” (1Co 10:11, 12 NLT). So, the word for you today is—be on your guard!

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11 May 2023 06:56

Become a no-limits person!

“All things are possible to him who believes.” Mk 9:23 NKJV



No-limits people refuse to accept things as they are because they see them as they can be. Instead of saying, “It can’t be done,” they rise up in faith and say, “All things are possible to him who believes.” No-limits people have faults and failures like everybody else. The difference is, they walk by faith to the cliff’s edge knowing that one of two things will happen when they get there. Either God will put solid rock under their feet, or He will teach them to fly. In other words, they plug into God’s unlimited power supply. The author of the book of Hebrews describes no-limits people like this: “Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle” (Heb 11:33-34 NIV). Notice, these people started out weak, but they became strong. How? “Through faith.” They possessed the kind of faith that disregards the odds, the obstacles, and the opposition, and declares, “I am what God says I am, I have what God says I have, and I can do what God says I can do.” The story is told of an old Scottish foreman who worked hard on the job and expected the same from his workers. One day one of them said, “Jock, don’t you know Rome wasn’t built in a day?” Smiling, Jock replied, “Aye, but I wasn’t the foreman on that job.” Today ask God to help you rise above your fears and make you a no-limits person.

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08 May 2023 07:01

Establish your priorities

“I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” Jn 15:16 NKJV



In order to fulfill God’s plan for your life, you must establish clear priorities and live by them each day. Author Edward de Bono quipped, “A conclusion is the place where you get tired of thinking.” Sadly, many people arrive at priorities based on where they ran out of steam. You definitely don’t want to do that. Nor do you want to allow others to decide your agenda or your priorities. Many ways exist for determining priorities. First, and foremost, your plan must always line up with God’s will for you (See Heb 13:20-21). Jesus said, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” Observe: (1) You must know that God has chosen and appointed you to a particular area of service. (2) Your goal in life should be fruit that “remains” after you. If you use them properly, things like money and influence can aid you, but they must never be your goal or your heart’s desire. So, how can you establish the right priorities? As you get to know yourself better, begin focusing on your strengths and the things that make best use of your God-given skills. Consider what brings you the highest return and reward. Think about what you enjoy most and do best. Those are your core gifts. Utilize the 80/20 rule. Give 80 percent of your effort to the top 20 percent of your activities. Bottom line: Jesus said you are to give your attention to the areas that bear the most fruit.

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06 May 2023 07:00

When you’re under attack (5)

“With us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” 2Ch 32:8 NIV



The new birth creates a battle between your old nature and your new nature, and you must learn how to fight it. For the last handful of days, we have been looking at scriptural strategies for winning. Here are a few more: (1) Fill your mind with Scripture. David said, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction” (Ps 119:92 NIV). Your mind is like soil; it will grow any seed you plant, good or bad. When you plant words spoken by God, you’re sowing energy, life, and hope into your spirit. God’s Word is like a vaccination; it strips Satan of his power to infect you with fear and unbelief. The psalmist said, “The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip” (Ps 37:31 NIV). (2) Reach out to others. “When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!” (Job 42:10 NLT). Does that sound strange? It may be strange in the kingdom of men, but not in the kingdom of God. You are the solution to somebody else’s problem, and when you reach out to them, God will reach out to you (See Eph 6:8). Go ahead, try it. (3) Remember that seasons change. David said, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps 30:5 NLT). This attack won’t last forever—morning is coming! People change and circumstances change. So, start believing God to change things on your behalf. He promised to do it, and He will.

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04 May 2023 07:00

When you’re under attack (3)
“We don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit.” 2Co 4:8 TLB
 
Satan can attack you anytime, anywhere. If you want to defeat him, here are some tried and true biblical principles you need to follow: (1) Guard your mind. You will never be defeated as long as you’re victorious in your mind; that’s the birthplace of everything you do. Satan knows that, and he will try to get your thoughts so scattered you won’t be able to concentrate on what’s important. Don’t let him do it. Get back into focus. Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isa 26:3). (2) Love people, but trust God. Live by the Scripture: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Ps 118:8). When the Devil wants to hurt you, he will often use a person to do it. Your “enemy” is anyone who attempts to thwart the will of God in your life, so identify such people and avoid them. God never commanded us to trust people; He commanded us to love people—and trust Him. Understand the difference, for your victory depends on it. (3) Never give up. Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:62 NIV). Your dreams and goals are worth any fight, any price, and any waiting period. Your faith is what defeats Satan. Remember Joseph? Every day of adversity was just another stepping-stone toward the throne. So, keep walking and believing, for there is victory ahead!

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02 May 2023 07:00

When you’re under attack (1)

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Isa 59:19



Your biggest mistakes often occur in the early stage of a trial because it catches you off guard. Surprise is one of the Devil’s favorite weapons, so here are four winning strategies you can use when you’re under attack: (1) Don’t panic. Live by the Scripture, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). That means God is present, fully aware of your situation, and has a solution. Just be sensitive and responsive to the voice of His Spirit within you (See Jn 16:13). Remember, time is on your side. Patience is a weapon that forces truth and motives to the surface. (2) Analyze it. Solomon said, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider” (Ecc 7:14). Sometimes what looks like a crisis is just concentrated information. And when you take time to analyze it, you benefit from it. (3) Seek advice. “Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances’” (Pr 11:14 MSG). Ignorance is your enemy and instruction is your friend. Somebody somewhere knows something you need to know; something that can help you survive and even succeed during this painful chapter in your life. Reach for them. (4) Expect God to move. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Adversity is often the Enemy’s reaction to your progress. Rejoice; your heavenly Father’s eyes are on you today. He is pleased with you, and He is going to bring you through this victoriously.

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30 April 2023 07:01

Who can you count on?

“Timothy has proved himself.” Php 2:22 NIV



God will be faithful to you, come what may. Humanly speaking, who else can you count on? Paul writes: “Everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel” (vv. 21-22 NIV). Paul knew he could count on Timothy. Who can you count on? Before you answer, consider the following four questions: (1) When something goes wrong, do you have at least one friend you can easily talk to about it? “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for…adversity” (Pr 17:17 NIV). There is no way to put a price on such a relationship, is there? (2) Who in your life could accurately name your greatest fears and temptations? “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble…A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecc 4:9-10, 12 NLT). (3) Do you have one or more friends with whom you meet regularly? “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him” (Mal 3:16). (4) Do you have a friend you know well enough to trust their confidentiality? “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret” (Pr 11:13 NIV).

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28 April 2023 07:00

Sharing our lives
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Heb 10:24 NIV
 
Robert Putman made a staggering statement: “As a rough rule of thumb, if you don’t belong to any groups and then decide to join one, you cut your risk of dying over the next year in half.” It’s hard to imagine anyone disinterested in reducing their risk of dying by 50 percent. That’s why some churches have adopted this motto: “Join a group or die.” One of the characteristics of the early church was their faithfulness to connectedness, because they knew connectedness doesn’t merely happen. They met together daily. They ate together. Over time, however, that happened less. So the writer of Hebrews said: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (vv. 24-25 NIV). One author puts it this way: “In sports, the more an athlete needs encouragement from the fans, the less likely he or she is to get it. Rarely do fans of a losing team think when a slumping player comes up to bat, ‘Let’s consider how we can spur him on.’ Too often, people who need cheers the most get them the least. Every day, everyone you know faces life with eternity on the line, and life has a way of beating people down. Every life needs a cheering section. Every life needs a shoulder to lean on once in a while. Every life needs a prayer to lift them up before God. Every life needs a hugger to wrap some arms around them sometimes. Every life needs to hear a voice saying, ‘Don’t give up.’”

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26 April 2023 07:00

Integrity (1)
“He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” Pr 10:9 NKJV
 
What would you say is the single most important characteristic of a person who wants to be successful and make a difference in the world? Some would say intelligence. After all, knowledge is power in numerous ways. Others argue it is intensity, that spirit of conquest supplemented with a passion that becomes contagious. Yet others propose that it is insight, good old common sense accompanied by the ability to clearly perceive certain issues. The Bible says the most important quality in success is integrity: “He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” You will eventually “become known” by your integrity or the lack of it. We have all known people along life’s road who possess extraordinary intelligence but no integrity, and they are no longer in the race. Others with great intensity and passion but little integrity have ended up the same way. The same result is true of people with great insight but no integrity. The thesaurus equates integrity with such words as “honesty, completeness, and incorruptibility.” Integrity begins in your private world; the part of you that’s known only to God and yourself. Then it shows up in your personal world; the part of you that you reveal to a small circle of intimate family members and possibly a few friends. After that comes your professional world. Here people know you by your product, your work ethic, or your skill set. And they all ask the same question: “Can I trust you?” Finally, your integrity shows up in your public world. So here is the question: Do you have integrity?

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24 April 2023 07:00

What are your values? (1)
“The integrity of the upright guides them.” Pr 11:3 NIV
 
Here are some values based on Scripture: (1) God’s sovereignty. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Ps 139:16 NLT). You can rest in knowing that God has the last word on everything that concerns you (See Ps 138:8). When all is said and done, you have an ordered destiny. When you know that, you don’t have to try and manipulate people and circumstances to your advantage. You simply have to walk through the doors God opens and be at peace with the doors He closes, knowing He always has your best interests at heart. (2) Integrity. “The integrity of the upright guides them.” As you walk in integrity, you will experience God’s peace because you know you have done the right thing in His sight. Integrity is not only being honest or telling the truth, but also ensuring what you say is the truth. In other words, you make your word your bond. Psalm 15:4 says that one of the traits of a person who abides in God’s presence and does His will is that they “keep their promises even when it hurts” (NLT). (3) Humility. “Humility precedes honor” (Pr 15:33 NLT). Humility is not a sense of worthlessness, but instead an acceptance of your God-given strengths and God-allowed limitations. Your strengths should not make you arrogant, and your limitations should not make you apprehensive, for God has promised, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2Co 12:9 NKJV).

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22 April 2023 07:00

How to influence and impact others
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Jas 1:19 NIV
 
There is no magic trick when it comes to influencing and impacting others. The Bible gives you the formula, and here it is: (1) Try to listen carefully. The truth is that people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. They tend to filter what they hear through their own life experiences, hang-ups, and the particular problem that’s on their mind at that moment. So if you want people to listen when you speak, listen carefully to them. (2) Don’t say too much. If you tend to talk too much, or too fast, here are three tips to slow yourself down: (a) Stop. Just stop talking. Inhale. Count to ten. Excuse yourself and go to the bathroom. (b) Practice not interrupting. Allow the other person to finish what he or she is saying. (c) Ask yourself why you’re talking so much. Is it insecurity? Or anxiety? Or a need to control? Or a desire to impress? The reason many of us try to convince, impress, or control others is because we have a hard time trusting God to work things out. Just deliver the message and trust God to do the rest. (3) Keep your anger in check. If you implement the first two principles, you will tend to do fine on number three. It will just happen. The good news is, starting today you can learn to do all three things. And if you practice them consistently year after year, when you get to the end of your life, looking back, you will be glad you took God’s Word and His wisdom seriously.

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20 April 2023 07:01

How to develop patience (3)
“Being cheerful keeps you healthy.” Pr 17:22 GNT



Here are two more things you need to do in order to develop patience: (1) Develop a sense of humor. The Bible says, “A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life” (Pr 14:30 TLB). Scientific studies reveal that people who laugh, live longer. Humor is a stress dissolver. It’s an antidote to apprehension. It’s a tranquilizer without any troubling side effects. It’s a shock absorber for the potholes of life. Someone once asked President Abraham Lincoln how he handled the tensions of the Civil War. He said, “If it hadn’t been for laughter, I could not have made it.” When you can laugh at it, you can live with it. And besides, if you learn to laugh at your problems, you will never run out of anything to laugh at! (2) Deepen your love. Paul writes, “Love is very patient” (1Co 13:4 TLB). That means when you are impatient, you are being unloving. When you love someone, you’re concerned about that person’s wishes, distresses, needs, and point of view—not just your own. When you are filled with love, almost nothing can provoke you to anger or impatience. On the other hand, when you are filled with anger, almost anything can provoke you. Under pressure, whatever is inside you is going to come out. So, deepen your love. “Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love” (Eph 4:2 TLB). And one more thought: When you learn to love the people who irritate you, you take a weapon out of Satan’s hands that he can use against you. Today pray, “Lord, make me a more patient person.”

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18 April 2023 07:01

How to develop patience (1)
“It is better to be patient than powerful.” Pr 16:32 GNT
 
The Bible says that when you pray, God can answer instantly. But nowhere in the Bible are you promised “instant patience.” Patience is a quality of character, and character is built over a lifetime of walking with God through good times and bad. One Bible teacher says, “Patience is just faith taking its time.” Here is how God develops patience in us: (1) Interruptions. You sit down to eat dinner and your phone starts ringing. You’re in the bathtub and someone comes to the door. You’re quickly working to meet a deadline and visitors arrive. It’s said that when Brahms was writing his famous “Lullaby,” he encountered so many interruptions, it took him seven years to compose the piece. Someone joked, “When you’re writing a lullaby, you need all those interruptions to keep you from falling asleep at the piano.” (2) Delays. We hate to wait. We have a microwave mindset—we want what we want—in seconds. We have fast food, Minute Rice, and instant coffee. We’re like the guy who prayed, “Lord, give me patience, and I want it right now!” (3) Irritations. Long lines, lost keys, late planes, phone calls, cold food, flat tires, occupied bathrooms, traffic jams…the list is endless. Do you know that 90 percent of heart attack sufferers have the “hurried” Type A personality? The Bible says, “Impatience will get you into trouble” (Pr 19:2 GNT). We speak of the patience of Job, who said, “All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come” (Job 14:14 NIV). Pray about it, exercise patience, and be confident in God!

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16 April 2023 07:01

You are Christ’s ambassador (2)
“Let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong.” Eph 6:10 CEV
 
A decade ago, our ideas about being an ambassador were radically altered when the U.S. ambassador to Libya was murdered by terrorists. It takes a special person to be an ambassador in a combat zone. And that’s what you are in! Paul writes: “Let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm. Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist and let God’s justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit. Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert” (vv. 10-18 CEV). As an ambassador of Christ, your first loyalty must be to Him in all your dealings; to be disloyal is treasonous. You say, “That’s a high standard!” Yes, it’s a “high calling” (See Php 3:14). It’s also the most rewarding life you can live.