Category: Character

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Make the Most of It

Time robbers – they are all around us! We need to be aware of their tactics and stand on guard.

I’ll admit there are some time robbers that have infiltrated my daily routine. Now, before I go any further, I want to say that I am not condemning anyone but will simply be pointing out an area the Holy Spirit has pointed out in my life that He wants me to change.

I spend more time than I should each day playing on my computer. I like several different types of Solitaire. I feel it challenges my problem-solving skills and keeps me alert, however, I allow it to rob time from other things that need my attention.

For weeks, I’ve been saying that I need to write to a few people and encourage them – let them know I’m thinking of them and praying for them but that has gotten pushed to the background while I play “just one more hand”.

“ So be very careful how you live. Live wisely, not like fools. 16 I mean that you should use every opportunity you have for doing good, because these are evil times. 17 So don’t be foolish with your lives, but learn what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5:15-17 ERV

Use every opportunity for doing good.

Please hear me on this, relaxation is not wrong. We can become so busy that we neglect to rest. There is nothing wrong with playing computer Solitaire but if it robs my time and my energy and keeps me from doing other things that have a more lasting value then it’s a problem.

“God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. 7 Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life. 8 This message is certainly true. These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds.” Titus 3:6-8 CEV

Be sure to do good deeds.

This makes me think of the story of the Good Samaritan. Three people saw the man who had been beaten and robbed. Only one stopped to help. I don’t know why – maybe they were scared or just too busy, needing to get to their next appointment so they walked on by. The sad thing about this is one was a priest and one was a worker at the temple.

The thing with time robbers is that many of them aren’t offensive, illegal or immoral but they do keep us from doing something better.

“God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. This is why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:10 CEV

If the Lord is showing you things that are robbing your time, ask for His help in correcting the situation. If nothing comes to mind, then praise God for right priorities.

Let’s all make the most of the time we have to do good things that will honor the Father and be a blessing to others.

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The Bottom Line

Did you get to your bottom line yesterday? Did you assess which things were an asset and which were a liability to your Christian walk? Did you find that you owe a huge debt of love; first to Christ and then to those He has placed in your life? I did too!

When I saw this image this morning, I knew it was the one I needed to use. Notice it’s in the form of a cross. When we follow the example that Christ set for us, our lives will be truly profitable.

We need to look for ways to love each and every day. It could be a kind word, an invitation to dinner, a listening ear or financial assistance. It doesn’t have to be a “huge” gesture to be effective and selfless. Just make it heartfelt and sincere.

Again. I was reading in Romans and I have been drawn to the end of the book. It’s there we find Paul’s instructions for living with one another.

“If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord’s followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. 2 We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. 3 Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, “The people who insulted you also insulted me.” 4 And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope. 5 God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ. 6 Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.” Romans 15:1-7 ERV

Jesus ministered to the outcasts, the hurting, the misfits. He was also criticized and judged wrongfully for doing what was right. He was never out to promote Himself or to receive accolades or praise from men; He had one simple mission – to do what the Father had asked Him to do; to reconcile the world to the Father. He became a servant instead of a king.

“Whoever wants to be first must serve the rest of you like a slave. 28 Do as I did: The Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.” Matthew 20:27-28 ERV

I remember when these verses became real to me. I had been complaining to the Lord about all I was doing to take care of people; going on and on about how no one was helping me and how all the responsibility for a particular meeting was on my shoulders. Poor me! My bottom line of love was in a severe deficit.

That’s when I just “happened” to be reading in Matthew and these words jumped off the page and into my heart. I quickly repented and changed my attitude about serving. I can truly say that today I thank the Lord for opportunities to serve.

Seek out situations to serve today. Do it with an attitude of love and not obligation. It’s what the Father is asking us to do.

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Life Is Not A Tweet

This morning I want to present you with another challenge. This is an important question, how well do you listen?

You’ve seen those challenges on FB – do you read a post with no picture attached? If it’s a lengthy post do you read it all or just partially and then skip to the next more “interesting” feed. Twitter’s whole premise is brevity, convey your idea in 244 characters. Make is short!

But life is not a tweet.

True relationships require listening.

Yesterday I had a man check in for his camp site. He was by himself and when I asked, is there only one in your camping group he replied, “yes, I trying this alone; my wife died two months ago”. He talked and I listened. With tears in my eyes, I reached through the window and held his hand for a few moments. Inwardly, I was praying for him and thanking the Father that I hadn’t been in too much of a hurry to listen.

We build relationships by listening.

If you have children or grandchildren you know how important it is to listen. They want to tell you about their day or their favorite game or toy or pet or… They want to be heard and it’s important that we listen.

Sometimes you don’t need to read alot in the Bible to get your direction for the day. That was the case this morning.

“Let people finish speaking before you try to answer them. That way you will not embarrass yourself and look foolish.” Proverbs 18:13 ERV

It isn’t always necessary for us to provide a solution or even an answer, what’s important is that we care enough to listen.

“My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger.” James 1:19 ERV

Our Father is always ready to listen to us. He invites us to come with our joys and our sorrows. He welcomes us to come with our problems and our victories. He listens to His children with a loving heart.

But He also wants us to listen to His words of kindness and instruction.

“My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. 21 Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them.” Proverbs 4:20-21 ERV

The challenge: don’t be in a hurry. Listen to the Father’s words, learn from Him. When we learn to listen to Him we will be better at listening to others.

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Rainy Day Attitudes

Yesterday I mentioned that we were experiencing some rain during the night and as I talked with campers later in the day, I was surprised by the different attitudes that were conveyed.

Although we have had rain each day for the last couple of weeks, a night rain has been uncommon. In the daylight, kids go out and play in the rain, splash in the puddles and folks can sit under their canopies and play cards and drink hot cocoa. There’s an enjoyment to it.

But a night rain in the campground can bring a different emotion.

How long will it last? You can’t see the sky – there’s no playing outside because it’s dark. It’s unanticipated, unexpected. It either brings a sense of adventure or a sense of dread especially for the tent campers.

Most of the campers I spoke with welcomed the rain. A few even said that the sound of the rain on their tents was soothing. They weren’t going to let a little loss of sleep keep them from enjoying the days they had left of their camping trip.

But some got grumpy and were packing up to head home, a day or two early. They were tired of the rain. “We’re going home, even if it is 110”.

Attitude.

We each have the opportunity to control our attitudes or have them control us. Do we let the unexpected cancel or thwart our plans or do we move forward with a sense of adventure?

This morning I wanted to find a Scripture to encourage you with when you are facing the unexpected rain showers of life. I know I’ve read these verses before but this morning they seemed to have a deeper sense of meaning.

“Skies, listen and I will speak. Earth, hear the words of my mouth. 2 My teachings will come like the rain, like a mist falling to the ground, like a gentle rain on the soft grass, like rain on the green plants. 3 Praise God as I speak the Lord’s name! 4 “The Lord is the Rock, and his work is perfect! Yes, all his ways are right! God is true and faithful. He is good and honest.” Deuteronomy 32:1-4 ERV

Moses spoke these words to the Israelites shortly before his death. He had been through many experiences of God’s faithfulness as he led them from Egypt to the Promised Land. There had been good times and great challenges, times of victory and times of rebellion. But God had always been faithful to His word.

At the end of his life, his commitment had not changed. His attitude was established, undeterred. He praised the Lord for His perfect work, for His ways always being right, for being true, faithful, honest and good.

Moses said that the teachings the Lord had him record should fall on their lives like rain – rain that would nourish and cause them to grow, grow in their relationship with the Lord.

A heart attitude of gratitude.

“ …I will cause the rains to fall at the right time and will shower them with blessings.” Ezekiel 34:26 ERV

Don’t let the showers of life anger you or make you grumpy. Let them cause you to grow. They will be showers of blessing.

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Pure Motives

When you are doing something nice for someone, do you ever hear “they probably won’t appreciate this anyway” going off in your head? If so, you’re not alone. I had to deal with that many times in my younger years.

I Corinthians 13, the love chapter, tells us that if we martyr ourselves and it isn’t motivated by love – then it profits us nothing. “I’m giving all my time to do this or that and no one will really appreciate it anyway – no one is going to know how hard I worked, how I gave up sleep, how much it cost me to do this nice thing” – these are all wrong motives!

Years ago, I would do things for people just to get them to like or accept me. I tried to buy friendship -what a destructive force that can be! I was so insecure in who I was that I needed constant affirmation from others that I was lovable.

Then I heard a wonderful godly woman, Dale Evans Rogers, speak in our college chapel service about God’s love, His unconditional love, and it got through. Knowing that God loves me – really loves me – is more than enough acceptance to last a lifetime.

I went from doing things for people to get them to like and accept me to doing the same things because I really loved those people. I wanted them to know they were loved and appreciated. A complete turnaround in my motivation.

The prodigal son tried to buy friends and they abandon him when he could no longer foot the bill for their entertainment.

“Not long after that, the younger son packed up everything he owned and left for a foreign country, where he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 He had spent everything, when a bad famine spread through that whole land. Soon he had nothing to eat.” Luke 15:13-14 CEV

Our motivation should be one of expressing love without expecting anything in return.

“I may give away everything I have to help others, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing by doing all this if I don’t have love. 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. 8 Love will never end.” I Corinthians 13:3-8 CEV

Jesus was always being criticized for His actions of compassion. He ate with tax collectors, engaged fallen women in conversation, showed compassion and healing to the outcasts. His motive was always pure, one of love.

“Whoever wants to be first must serve the rest of you like a slave. 45 Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.” Mark 10:44-45 ERV

Let’s serve others with a pure heart, no other motivation is required. We have the opportunity to be an example of Jesus’ love.

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Thankfulness

Set the right tone for your day, be thankful.

Thankful for what? The coffee’s hot, the house is cool. There’s a beautiful sunrise outside, the birds are singing, the kids are still sleeping. The electric bill is paid and there’s food in the fridge. A call from a friend, a kindness shown.

Be thankful.

There are some absolutes in the Word of God, they use the phrase “in everything” or “always” and that’s pretty much an absolute in my book.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

Notice this verse doesn’t say “for everything” give thanks but “in everything” give thanks. It is always God’s will that we give thanks because there is power in praise and thanksgiving. I know you’ve all heard it before but giving thanks in a bad situation is focusing on God’s deliverance and not on the circumstances. Giving thanks is our way of saying “Father, I know you have a solution when all I can see it the problem”.

Giving thanks is telling our problem how big our God is instead of telling God how big our problem is. Daniel gave thanks that he was worthy of being persecuted for his stand for God. Paul and Silas gave thanks by singing at midnight after they had been beaten and thrown in the prison – praising God for who He is and that they had the privilege to proclaim the gospel.

Paul wrote these words: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

To be careful means to be “full of care” or worry or anxious. And Jesus told the disciples that the “cares of this world” would choke out the Word of God.

Today I encourage you to apply an “in everything” attitude to your life. Thankful for the good, the blessings that the Lord gives and thankful that He has made us victorious over evil.

“ I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

ALWAYS BE THANKFUL!

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Common Sense

Wisdom – a commodity to be treasured. Some call it common sense but it’s far from common.

People seek for knowledge but don’t know what to do with it – not sure how to apply it. The application of that knowledge is wisdom.

Here’s the Bible records about Solomon:

“God made Solomon very wise. Solomon could understand more than you can imagine. 30 He was wiser than anyone in the Eastor in Egypt. 31 He was wiser than anyone on earth, even Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol—Heman, Calcol, and Darda. King Solomon became famous in all the surrounding countries. 32 By the end of his life, he had written 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs.

33 Solomon also knew very much about nature. He taught about many different kinds of plants—everything from the great cedar trees of Lebanon to the little vines that grow out of the walls. He also taught about animals, birds, and snakes. 34 People from every nation came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. Kings all over the world sent their people to listen to him.” I Kings 4:30-34 ERV

When the Lord asked Solomon what he wanted Solomon didn’t ask for money or strength or power, he asked for wisdom so that he could rule well. God blessed him in that way and added the other blessings also.

What is it that you find yourself asking the Lord for? Do you ask Him for wisdom – direction to finish a project, the ability to lead well, understanding of the unknown? The Lord desires to aide us in our day to day life and He will give us the wisdom we ask for – it comes from Him.

“Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. 6 But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind. ” James 1:5-6 ERV

I found it “coincidental” that as I was reading about Solormon’s great wisdom that I also started reading Proverbs again. Look at the first few verses there.

” These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. 2 They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings. 3 They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair. 4 These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned. 5 Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems. 6 These sayings will help you understand proverbs, stories with hidden meanings, words of the wise, and other difficult sayings. 7 Knowledge begins with fear and respect for the Lord, but stubborn fools hate wisdom and refuse to learn.” Proverbs 1:1-7 ERV

Let me encourage you to spend time each day reading in Proverbs. Learn from the wisdom that God gave Solomon. If we ask, the Lord will give us wisdom also.

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Time for A Clean Up?

Our daughters and their families have joined us in the mountains for the weekend. Last night after dinner our little grandchildren were instructed to wait outside after dinner because they were covered from head to foot in dirt.

They had been playing hard, having a good time but the girls didn’t want them bringing all that dirt into the RV.

I do like a clean and tidy house. It’s hard for me to sit and relax when I know that the bathrooms need to be cleaned or I can see dirty floors and dusty furniture. I’ve always been that way. It’s a part of who I am. My mom kept a tidy house and so did my grandma.

Cleaning for me isn’t work for me, it’s enjoyable. I am thankful for my home and the things I have in it and want to keep them looking nice and not let them deteriorate or come to disrepair.

And with that confession I’m sure you are wondering how all of this applies to this morning’s devotional. Let me draw the correlation.

I know that the dust seeps in and requires my attention. Then there’s dusty feet or food spills in the kitchen, dirty sinks and smudged windows. It all requires my attention. I would have a real problem if someone wanted to march through the house with muddy feet or walked through the rooms spilling garbage. More importantly I would stand up to anyone that wanted to vandalize my home.

So how does the Holy Spirit feel when we let our actions, our words and our activities “dirty up” His home?

“You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. 20 God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 ERV

We are a valuable dwelling place – a temple as it were for the Holy Spirit to live in and there are times we carelessly vandalize His home.

As I grow older I realize more each year how important it is that I keep my house clean. There’s no room for dishonesty, no room for bitterness or petty jealousy. I don’t want the garbage of lying, gossip, or criticism spread about and I certainly don’t want my dwelling to be vandalized by immoral living.

” And don’t make the Holy Spirit sad. God gave you his Spirit as proof that you belong to him and that he will keep you safe until the day he makes you free. 31 Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. 32 Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.” Ephesians 4:30-32 ERV

Our homes should be a place of welcome and comfort for the Holy Spirit.

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Wah, Wah, Wah, Wah, Wah

Today’s thoughts go hand-in-hand with yesterday. God’s word never fails so why do we put such little value in the words we speak?

Do you remember the old saying, “My word is my bond”? People used to give value to what they say, to the words they used. Words had importance, value and meaning and now it seems it has just become so much noise like the words of Charlie Brown’s teacher.

We turn on the TV and words come spilling out bringing unrest, frustration, fear and even anger. Words do have power.

To God, words are important. With them He framed the world and all that is in it. “And God said, light be and there was light”. When God promised Abraham a son, we’re told that Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as right standing with God. David wrote the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, about God’s word and the importance of it.

Jesus was referred to as the Word. What He said had value and power! People were healed when he spoke a word; his words cursed a fig tree and caused it to die from the roots up; those words turned the water into wine and raised the dead.

Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 12 that out of the abundance or fullness of their hearts, the mouth speaks and that by their words they would be justified or condemned. He went on to say that they would be judged for every idle word that came from their mouths.

Jesus wasn’t referring to profanity although those aren’t good words. He was pointing out their words of judgement and criticism, gossip, religious error and jealousy.

The Pharisees had been plotting against Jesus earlier in this chapter and even went so far as to say that the works Jesus was doing were of the devil. They were trying to stir up the people against Jesus using their words and Jesus wanted them to know that those words would come back to judge them.

King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, wrote these words: “Your words can be as satisfying as fruit, as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach. 21 The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 18:20-21 CEV

Let’s make our words bring life. Life to us and our situations, life to our mate & children, life to our colleagues, words of life, peace, health, prosperity and salvation.

“People cannot see their own mistakes, so don’t let me commit secret sins. 13 Don’t let me do what I know is wrong. Don’t let sin control me. If you help me, I can be pure and free from sin 14 May my words and thoughts please you. LORD, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:12-14

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Remember & Honor

I know this Scripture is used frequently when I talk about our servicemen and women and the sacrifices they make. It, however, remains true.

“This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 The greatest love people can show is to die for their friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I tell you to do. ” John 15:12-14 ERV

Make time to pray for the families of those who gave all for us to live free. I’m remembering those who fought and died during the Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, San Juan Hill, WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and our times of peace keeping that required the ultimate sacrifice for some.

We are free this morning, waking up without fear of someone breaking through our doors, confiscating our belongings or persecuting us because of an opposing political belief.

First, we thank God for His protection over our lives and then we must be thankful for those who gave their lives for us and our country. Remember and honor them.

God Bless America!

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