The Carpenter's Chapel (9)

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

ARE YOU BEING TEMPTED? (1) 03 Apr 2012

''...We will receive...grace to help us when we need it.'' Hebrews 4:16
No matter how spiritually mature you become you will never outgrow temptation. When you conquer it on one front it attacks you on another. And the closer you get to God the more satan will try to tempt you. Paul explains it this way: 'The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants...These two forces are constantly fighting each other...' (Galations 5:17 NLT). So what's the answer? Here are two ways you can overcome temptation: First, be honest about it. Ask yourself, 'When am I tempted most?' Usually we are most vulnerable when we are under stress: when we are hurt, angry, worried, alone, bored, tired or after a big success or spiritual high. Learn to identify your patterns: 'God's people...protect themselves by watching where they go' (Proverbs 16:17 CEV). Second reach for God's help. 'Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you...' (Psalm 50:15 GWT). So why don't we call on God more often? Because sometimes we just want to do what we want to do, right? Or we are embarrassed because we keep giving in to the same temptations. Don't be discouraged; God won't give up on you. His Word says, 'Let us...come before God's throne where...we [will] receive...grace to help us when we need it' (Hebrews 4:16 NCV). If you have to cry out for God's help every hour of the day, He will be there for you! Just as the roots of a tree deepen when storms come, each time you stand up to a temptation you become stronger.

Our Daily Bread

The Name

What is it about a name that makes it so special to us? I began thinking about this after talking to a teenager as we stood outside her church in Black River, Jamaica, one Sunday morning. She asked, “Would you mention my name in Our Daily Bread?” I asked her if she had a story to tell, and she said, “No, just mention my name.”

As I thought about her request—and her name—I wondered why her parents named her “Joyeth.” Seeing the happy nature of her personality led me to conclude that if their rationale was to urge her along toward “joy” in her life, they had succeeded.

Most parents have that choice when a new baby is coming. But one baby received His name in a far different way. It wasn’t His parents’ choice that led to His moniker, and His wasn’t a name given to coax Him toward a personality trait. I’m speaking of the One whose name was provided by an angel who told His parents to “call His name Jesus” (Matt. 1:21). Why? “For He will save His people from their sins.”

No wonder His is the name above all names (Phil. 2:9). It’s a name that reveals His purpose—to provide salvation from the penalty of our sins. Jesus is indeed the name worth mentioning.

The name above all other names
Is Jesus Christ the Lord;
He came to save us from our sins
So we could be restored. —Sper

Jesus: His name and His mission are one and the same.

 

[following-Him]

The Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org) are our two readings for today.

Word For Today

ARE YOU BEING TEMPTED? (2) 04 Apr 2012
''...Your life is shaped by your thoughts.'' Proverbs 4:23
Ever watch a food commercial on television and suddenly feel hungry? That's the power of suggestion. Whatever can grab your attention can capture you. Simply repeating, 'I must stop drinking, or smoking, or overeating, or lusting,' doesn't work because it just keeps you thinking about what you don't want. Instead of trying to remove those thoughts, replace them. Once your focus is on something good, evil begins to lose its grip. Only by reprogramming your mind can you keep it centred on the right things. The Bible says: 'Don't let evil get the upper hand but conquer evil by doing good' (Romans 12:21 TLB). Satan can't get and keep your attention when your mind is given to something else. That's why Paul writes: '...Fill your minds with...good...' (Philippians 4:8 GNT). Fighting a thought is futile; it only strengthens the connection between you and it. By dwelling on it you actually reinforce it. Hit the remote; change the channel! Furthermore, you don't overcome temptation by fighting the feeling of it. The more you fight a feeling, the more it engages and draws you. Turn your attention to something better! Your mind is where the battle is won or lost. Start managing your mind and monitoring your media intake. The Bible says, 'Your life is shaped by your thoughts.' The Psalmist prayed, 'Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless...' (Psalm 119:37 GNT). Is this easy to do? No, it takes discipline and practice. But with time, and God's grace, you can change the way you think and overcome temptation.

Our Daily Bread

Hawks and Lions

One morning, I watched a rabbit nibble grass in my backyard. He was on the small side, with brown flecked fur and a cotton-puff tail. Suddenly, a hawk sliced through the air as fast and precise as lightning. With talons outstretched, he snatched for his prey. But the rabbit recognized the approaching danger and sped to safety, just inches ahead of the hawk.

Like the rabbit that spotted its predator and scurried away, we as Christians need to be watchful so that we can evade our enemy. “The devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan wants to devour us by winning us over to his ways; he does this by toying with the truth (John 8:44) and trying to deceive us (Gen. 3:1).

The devil’s schemes reflect his dishonest nature, and his tricks are meant to catch us off guard. In response, Christians should be alert and clear-headed (1 Peter 5:8). Living in this state of active readiness helps us discern false teaching (1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 1:7-11) and overcome temptation (Matt. 26:41).

Today, watch out for your spiritual predator. What kind of lies is he whispering? How is he tempting you? Resist him, and he will flee (James 4:7).

The devil is cunning, deceptive, and sly;
He’s clever; he tricks us to swallow his lie.
But his crafty methods we’re sure to discern
If we make God’s warnings our daily concern. —D. De Haan

The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

PREJUDICE 05 Apr 2012
''...God is no respecter of persons.'' Acts 10:34
Prejudice is the product of a lazy mind. It's contempt, prior to investigation. Your first impression of someone is incomplete and often inaccurate. Don't assume your intuition is always right. Don't make lasting decisions based on limited insights. Your success in life will be adversely affected by prejudice, fear and any form of discrimination you allow to colour your thinking. Jesus never determined a person's worth based on their race, gender, financial status or appearance. He was comfortable in the presence of fishermen and tax collectors. He was at ease with the rich and the poor. He knew that every person He met had potential and He never looked down on them because of their past. Born to a mother who conceived Him as a virgin, He knew what it meant to have a questionable background and be subject to the rumour mill. But He rose above it. And He broke tradition. The Samaritans were considered such a lower class of people that Jews wouldn't talk to them. But Jesus did. In fact, He went out of His way to meet with a five-times-divorced Samaritan woman, discussing the mysteries of worship with her and changing her life. When Peter, who struggled with prejudice, was called to introduce the gospel to the first group of Gentiles, he had to acknowledge, 'I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.' That day God dealt with some of Peter's deep-seated biases. And He will deal with yours too! If 'God so loved the world' but you don't, how can you claim to be 'godly'?

Our Daily Bread

World's Longest Table

On Sunday, July 18, 2010, one of the busiest highways in Europe became what some called “the longest table in the world.” Officials closed a 60-kilometer (37-mile) section of the A40 Autobahn in Germany’s Ruhr region so people could walk and bicycle or sit at one of 20,000 tables set up on the roadway. An estimated 2 million people came to enjoy an event the director hoped would connect people from many cultures, generations, and nations.

This event made me think of an even grander table around which believers gather to share the Lord’s Supper. During communion, we remember Jesus’ death for us as we anticipate the culmination of history at His return.

Just before Jesus was crucified, He shared the Passover meal with His disciples, telling them, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matt. 26:29).

The Lord’s Table unites everyone Christ has redeemed by His blood “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). One day, in a scene of reunion and joy, all who belong to Jesus will sit down together with Him at a table that will dwarf the Autobahn gathering. We joyfully anticipate sharing that table together!

Here we gather to remember,
In the breaking of the bread,
Jesus, who for us was broken,
And is now our living Head. —Anon.

Christ’s love creates unity out of diversity.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

THE BLESSINGS OF THE BLOOD (1) 06 Apr 2012
''[God] has delivered us from the power of darkness...'' Colossians 1:13
History's crowning moment occurred when '...Christ died for the ungodly' (Romans 5:6). He didn't just die for His friends and supporters; He died for people who despised Him. It was no quid-pro-quo deal where Jesus said: 'I'll accept you if you accept me.' No, it was a selfless, one-sided act of love. No conditions, nothing demanded in return. As a result, God 'delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the dear Son.' Selah! Stop and meditate on these advantages you enjoy through Jesus' blood: 1) You've been delivered. The Greek word Paul used means to literally rescue by drawing us to Himself. Your deliverance was a deeply personal event to Jesus. By His shed blood He drew you to Himself. The distance sin had put between you and God was reversed and you were '...accepted in the beloved' (Ephesians 1:6). 2) You've been freed from the power of darkness. That 'power' is satan's tyranny over those living under his control. Christ's blood liberated you from the darkness, ignorance and blindness satan uses to deceive and manipulate you. 3) You've been translated into the kingdom of God's son. The word 'translated' implies being transferred from one place to another. In Paul's day superpowers like Rome would annex other nations and make them part of Roman territory. Often the conquered were better off under Rome, enjoying such privileges as safety, food, mail service, travel protection, etc. Christ's blood transferred you into His kingdom to enjoy these advantages: guaranteed protection, abundant provision for all your needs, full status of sonship, and unlimited access to His throne.

Our Daily Bread

No Greater Love

Bill and his wife were driving through the Rocky Mountains when a near-miss with a truck caused their car to swerve off the road and plunge into the Colorado River. After scrambling out of their sinking vehicle, they frantically treaded water in the swift current. A truckdriver, who had seen the accident, ran ahead along the shore and threw a rope to them. Bill swam behind his wife and pushed her to where she could grab the rope—and the man pulled her out. Bill, however, was carried downstream and didn’t survive. He had given his life for the woman he loved.

To give your life so another person can live is the ultimate proof of love. During the night that Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples of His intention to give His life in exchange for mankind. He told them: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). And then He set the ultimate example of self-sacrifice by going to the cross.

Have you ever given any thought to the fact that Jesus did that for you—that He died in your place? In so doing, He not only proved His love for you, but He also made it possible for you to be forgiven of your sins and to have an eternal home in heaven.

He who gave Himself to save me,
Now will keep me to the end;
In His care securely resting
On His promise I depend. —Bosch

Christ’s sacrifice was what God desired and our sin required.

 

[following-Him]

Today the readings are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

THE BLESSINGS OF THE BLOOD (2) 07 Apr 2012
''He has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ...'' Colossians 1:22
Observe: 1) You have been reconciled to God. God wants unbroken, intimate friendship with us, as with Adam in Eden. But sin made us enemies of God. 'You who were once far away from God...enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions' (v. 21 NLT). Yet He never stopped pursuing that relationship, sending Jesus to restore it. He 'made peace by means of Christ's blood on his cross' (v. 20), resulting in your reconciliation to God. The Greek word for 'reconciliation' means 'to be friends as we once were.' Now you can walk and talk with God as Adam did. Now God sees you as 'holy and blameless...without a single fault!' (v. 22 NLT). 2) You are the Lord's redeemed. At the Jordan River John saw Jesus and said, '..."Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"' (John 1:29 NIV). Jesus, 'In whom we have redemption through his blood...' (Colossians 1:14). The word 'redemption' means 'liberation from captivity by a ransom paid.' Not only are you purchased at the cost of Christ's life, you are also adopted by blood into God's family. 3) You are forgiven of all sins. 'In whom (Jesus) we have...the forgiveness of sins.' How did He accomplish the total removal of all our sins? 'Having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us...he took it away, nailing it to the cross' (Colossians 2:14 NIV). He wrote in His blood, 'paid in full' across your outstanding bill of indebtedness to God, nailing your 'cancelled debt notice' to His cross. You are forgiven. You owe nothing!

Our Daily Bread

Too Helpful?

Is it possible to be too helpful? Can our helpfulness actually make life more difficult for others? Yes, if we’re being bothersome, intrusive, smothering, manipulative, or controlling. If the help we are giving is driven only by our own anxiety, we may be just trying to help ourselves.

How then can we know if our heart and acts of service are truly symbolic of God’s unconditional love? How can we love from pure motives? (Prov. 16:2; 21:2; 1 Cor. 4:5).

In prayer we can ask God to show us any way we are hurting or hindering others (Ps. 139:23-24). We can ask God to help us show love that “suffers long and is kind; . . . is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil” (1 Cor. 13:4-5).

Our efforts to help others, especially those we love the most, will never be completely free from anxiety. But we can, by God’s grace, begin to love freely with no strings attached, as God Himself loves. The test, of course, and the measure of our progress, is the way we react when our “helpfulness” is unrecognized or goes unrewarded (see Luke 14:12-14).

Lord, help us to love with pure motives and for the good of others. Help us to love unconditionally, expecting nothing in return.

Please help me, Lord, in all I do
To act and think with motives true;
And by Your love reveal to me
Those sins that only You can see. —D. De Haan

In our desire to help, let’s love with pure motives.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for this Easter Day are from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

'HE SHOWED THEM HIS HANDS' 08 Apr 2012
''...Jesus...showed them his hands...'' John 20:19
Dr. Paul Brand, a brilliant surgeon who worked at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, writes: 'I work with the marvels of the hand nearly every day...But one time of the year holds special meaning for me...When the world observes Passion Week...I reflect on the hands of Jesus...those hands that had done so much good were taken, one at a time, and pierced through with a thick spike...Roman executioners drove their spikes through the wrist, through the carpal tunnel that houses finger-controlling tendons and the median nerve...maiming the hand into a claw shape, and Jesus had no anesthetic...Later his weight hung from them, tearing more tissue, releasing more blood. Has there ever been a more helpless image? The disciples, who'd hoped he was the Messiah, cowered in the darkness or drifted away.' But that's not the last time we see Jesus' hands. The Bible says: 'When it was evening on the first day of the week, Jesus' followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. Then Jesus came and stood...in the middle of them and said, "Peace be with you." After...this, he showed them his hands...His followers were thrilled when they saw the Lord.' Dr. Brand adds: 'For the remainder of his time here, Jesus chose [to minister through] scars in each hand. That's why I believe God hears and understands our pain...he kept those scars as a lasting image of wounded humanity. He knows what life on earth is like because he has been there. His hands prove it.' So bring your wounds to Jesus today and let Him make you whole; body, mind and soul.

Our Daily Bread

Run To The Cross

Whenever a tsunami warning is given on the northern coastline of Maui, Hawaii, the people living in Hana rush up the side of a mountain to a high place of safety. Nearby is a tall wooden cross that was placed there many years ago by missionaries. For their physical safety, people run to the area where the cross is located.

In a similar way, all of us need a place of spiritual safety. Why? Because the Lord gives us these warnings in His Word: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Hebrews 9:27 states: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” We might not like to think about what the consequences of our sin will be as we face a holy God, but it’s a serious thing “to fall into the hands of the living God” (10:31).

The good news is that out of love for us, the Father has provided a place of safety! He sent His Son Jesus to die so we wouldn’t have to be separated from Him forever (Rom. 5:8-10; Col. 1:19-22).

Because of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, that place of safety is available. Have you run to the cross?

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain. —Bennard

To escape sin’s curse, run to the cross.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

STOP TRYING TO CONTROL EVERYTHING

09 Apr 2012''...A man of two minds [is]...unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything...' ' James 1:8Do you have a compulsive need to find a solution to every problem, and to control everything? Do you always have a back-up plan in case things don't go the way you think they should? Have you noticed that the more you try to 'fix' things, the more anxiety you experience? The Bible says, 'The mind of the flesh [...sense and reason...] is death...But the mind of the...Spirit is life...' (Romans 8:6 AMP). 'Fixing' is the opposite of 'trusting.' Now God doesn't want you to be mindless or helpless, He just wants you to live by faith and not head knowledge. When you learn to trust God and operate in 'the mind of the Spirit,' you experience peace even when you're surrounded by tough circumstances. One of the pitfalls of human reasoning is that it causes you to become double minded and stuck: 'A man of two minds [is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything.' What frame of mind do you live in? Instead of always trying to figure everything out, learn to be comfortable not knowing and trust the One who does. Decide that each time you feel anxious you'll stop and pray: 'Lord, I'm not going to try to figure this out myself, I'm bringing it to You, trusting You for the answer.' When you stop struggling with the when's, where's, whys and how's, you start experiencing God's peace in a way you never have before. You also put yourself in a position where God can intervene on your behalf. So stop trying to control everything.

Our Daily Bread

Hope For A Mudder

When my husband built a covered porch on the front of our house, he anticipated that someday a bird might try to build a nest there. So he built the top of the corner post on a slant. Later we laughed smugly when we saw robins trying their best to claim squatting rights to a new home. Piles of grass on the porch revealed their wasted efforts. But after 2 days of steady rain, we saw that a nest had indeed appeared in the very spot we thought was impossible. Because of the rain, Mrs. Robin was able to mix up a batch of mud mortar. Weaving it with twigs and grass, our determined feathered friend had built herself a new nest. She had persevered.

Perseverance is inspiring! Trying to live a Christ-honoring life while experiencing hardship can leave us frustrated and discouraged. But when we depend on God to help us through our difficulties, we are empowered to keep going even when we can’t always see the resolution of our problems. Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow “weary while doing good” and encourages us not to give up.

Is our loving God using a seemingly insurmountable challenge in your life to produce perseverance? Let Him produce in you character, and through character, hope (Rom. 5:3-4).

When trials intrude to slow down your life,
It would be easy for you to give in;
But by perseverance you’ll overcome strife,
So just keep on plodding—with Christ you can win. —Branon

When the world says, “Give up,” hope whispers,“Try it one more time!”

 

[following-Him]

Today the readings are from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

THE REVIVAL WE NEED (1) 10 Apr 2012

''...Revive us again...'' Psalm 85:6

For the next few days let's talk about the revival we need in the church today. First, a revival of life. True revival begins with an honest recognition that we have become spiritually dull, dry, and even dead. Ezekiel describes it this way: 'The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones...and indeed they were very dry...He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' "...And as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together...and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army' (Ezekiel 37:1-10 NKJV). Ezekiel's vision teaches us the following truths: a) Revival begins with acknowledging we are not a healthy, connected, functioning body. b) Our church services have become too formal and dry. c) We must hunger for God's Word. Otherwise we live in denial, excusing and rationalising our spiritual condition. God said to Israel, an agricultural people, 'Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you' (Hosea 10:12). Notice the elements in a true revival: An emphasis on righteous living; showing mercy to one another; recognising our careless and cavalier attitude toward sin; crying out to God in sustained, heartfelt prayer, 'Revive us again, that your people may rejoice in You.'

Our Daily Bread

The Power Of Soft Answers

My car broke down in a tunnel during rush hour in downtown Boston. Angry drivers expressed their frustration as they struggled past me. Eventually, the car was towed to a station for repairs. Later it broke down again, stranding me along the Interstate at 2 a.m. Back to the shop it went.

Unfortunately, the repair shop also doubled as a parking lot during Red Sox baseball games. When I arrived after work the next day to pick up my car, it was hemmed in by 30 other vehicles!

Let’s just say I was less than Christlike in my initial reaction. I ranted and raved, and then, realizing it was only making them less willing to help me at the close of their day, I decided to give up. I stormed toward the glass doors and struggled to get them open. My anger increased when the station workers laughed at me.

I had barely made it out when I realized how unlike Christ I’d been. Chastened, I rapped on the locked doors and mouthed “I’m sorry” to the staff inside. They were stunned! They let me back in, and I meekly told them that Christians shouldn’t behave as I had. Minutes later, they were shifting cars to free up mine. I learned the truth that soft rather than harsh words can change circumstances (Prov. 15:1).

O may I find in anger’s grip
The strength to temper tongue and lip;
But failing that, may God grant me
The courage for apology. —Kilgore

A soft answer has often been
the means of breaking a hard heart.

 

[following-Him]

The Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org) are our readings for today.

Word For Today

THE REVIVAL WE NEED (2) 11 Apr 2012
''Your word is...a light for my path.'' Psalm 119:105
Second, a revival of Light. Your job takes up about ten hours of your day, including travel. Sleeping, eating, bathing and dressing take another ten. Your family and your hobbies, etc., account for the remaining hours. Today a 'committed church member' is in church two to three times a month. Do the maths. Out of 168 hours in your week, about ninety minutes are given to spiritual growth-less than one percent! And what are the results? Spiritual ignorance and weakness. In the US divorce is as common inside the church as outside. Believers have as big a problem with pornography as unbelievers. The alcoholism and addiction rate is roughly the same. A recent ABC News poll found that while certain churches are growing rapidly, many of the newcomers have an 'eclectic theology.' They believe in the resurrection, but they also think reincarnation is okay. They believe God guides through prayer, and also through horoscopes. While devout Muslims commit themselves to memorising the Koran, the average Christian doesn't read their Bible once a week. As hard as your pastor may try, spoon feeding you from the pulpit and burping you at the door won't make you spiritually mature. 'Your word is...a light for my path.' You've got to put God's Word at the top of your daily 'to do' list. '...No longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ' (Ephesians 4:14-15 NKJV).

Our Daily Bread

Open Doors

The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855) wrote: “If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but . . . for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible.”

The apostle Paul saw some great ministry possibilities in his life situations. He used the open doors God provided to witness for Christ. When he was arrested in Jerusalem and appeared before Governor Felix, he used the opportunity to proclaim the gospel (Acts 24:24). While he and Silas were in prison, they shared the gospel with the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34). And later Paul used his imprisonment in Rome as an opportunity to encourage the Philippian believers in their faith (Phil. 1:12-18).

In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul told the believers he wanted to visit and spend some time with them, but that he needed to stay in Ephesus because of an opportunity for ministry: “I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me” (1 Cor. 16:8-9). And Paul also involved others by asking them to pray for open doors so he could speak clearly about Christ (Col. 4:3).

Ask God to show you possible open doors of service. You might be surprised at what you see.

Jesus said to one and all:
“Take your cross and follow Me.”
When you sense the Spirit’s call,
Seize the opportunity! —Hess

God writes opportunity on one side of the door and responsibility on the other.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

THE REVIVAL WE NEED (3) 12 Apr 2012

''...Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.'' 2 Corinthians 3:17
Third, a revival of liberty. Is the Holy Spirit welcome in your church? Are you responsive to His leadings? It's okay to have a programme as long as you're willing to let God change it. Now that doesn't mean somebody can just jump up and interrupt the pastor's sermon. God is a God of order. You say, 'But I felt led by the Spirit to do it.' Really? The Holy Spirit is a gentleman; He won't speak through you when He is already speaking through God-ordained leadership. God works through structure. If you doubt that, look at how He planned the tabernacle in the wilderness and Solomon's temple. There were times when God's presence was so strong that the priests were unable to conduct the service as usual; all they could do was fall on their faces before Him. And we must pray for and welcome such times too. But liberty isn't licence to do as you please. Paul addresses the liberty/licence argument in these words: 'For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use your liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.' The liberty Christ brings sets us free from the need to 'show off,' and instead teaches us to 'serve one another.' Paul bottom-lines it: 'Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' You say, 'What does that mean?' It means that when you make Jesus 'Lord,' He sets you free to enjoy His presence in church, at home, in business and in every area of life.


Our Daily Bread

Awake With His Word

My eyes fluttered open, but the room was still dark. It was too early to get up. I sighed, adjusted my pillow, and hoped for sleep. Unfortunately, a lengthy to-do list bombarded my brain. I needed to buy groceries, deliver a meal to a friend, answer e-mail, schedule a doctor’s appointment . . . .

If you’ve ever been overwhelmed and worried, you know how it feels to stare at the ceiling when you should be sleeping. The writer of Psalm 119 was no stranger to this experience. He wrote, “I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your Word” (v.147).

God’s Word delivered special comfort during the psalmist’s sleepless nights. Although he couldn’t make his problems disappear, he said, “My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your Word” (v.148). At night he reviewed God’s Word over and over in his mind. He concentrated on Scripture rather than his concerns. This practice allowed him to proclaim, “Oh, how I love Your law!” (v.97).

When worry wakes you up, remember, “The Word of God is living and powerful” (Heb. 4:12). Select a passage and mull it over. Our cares cannot compete with God’s Word!

If your soul is parched and thirsty
And you feel weighed down by care,
Go to God’s Word for refreshment—
You’ll find strength and comfort there. —Sper

Only God can still our hearts and quiet our minds.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

THE REVIVAL WE NEED (4)

13 Apr 2012''Love never fails...'' 1 Corinthians 13:8

Fourth, a revival of love. The Bible says, 'Love never fails.' Stop and think about that for a moment. Just about everything else in life fails, but love doesn't. There's a cute story about a lady who said to her husband, 'Will you love me when I'm old?' He replied, 'Yes, dear.' She said, 'But will you love me when my hair is grey?' He replied, 'Yes, dear, I've loved you through seven different shades already, why would I change my mind when you're grey?' You can score points for having high morals and have all your theological ducks in a row, but if you don't love people-in every circumstance of life-you've failed where it counts most. Paul writes: 'If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing...Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance' (vv. 2-7 NLT). It took a lot of commitment to be a Pharisee. Living according to the law of Moses demanded incredible discipline and dedication. Why did Jesus condemn the Pharisees so often? Because they had light in their heads but no love in their hearts! When we, the church, experience a revival of love we won't need to advertise; people will break down the doors to get in.

Our Daily Bread

When The Journey Gets Tough

In August 2009, Blair and Ronna Martin lost their energetic 9-year-old son Matti when he was dragged to his death by a family cow. I had a chance to meet this Kenai, Alaska, family and share in their grief. And I know how tough this tragedy has been for them.

I also know that they are seeking God’s care and comfort for their pain. An observation made by Matti’s mom is valuable for anyone walking through one of life’s valleys. During one of her down times, Ronna was reading 2 Corinthians 1:9, which says that “we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.” She felt as if Jesus were telling her, “Ronna, I know the journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.”

When the journey gets too tough to navigate, 2 Corinthians 1:9 is a reminder to us that we don’t travel alone. We have the help of the One who showed us His power in the resurrection, and who will demonstrate His power again when He raises believing loved ones of all generations to eternal life. “My strength and my hope have to be in Christ alone,” Ronna said. That’s a truth we all need as we travel the journey God has for us.

When life’s journey gets so difficult
That it feels too much to bear,
Just remember, we don’t walk alone—
Our almighty God is there. —Sper

The storms of life remind us to take shelter
in the loving arms of our Savior.

 

[following-Him]

The reading for today is taken from My Utmost For His Highest (http://utmost.org)

Inner Invincibility

Apr 14 2012

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me . . . —Matthew 11:29


Whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6). How petty our complaining is! Our Lord begins to bring us to the point where we can have fellowship with Him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying, “Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!” Jesus is asking us to get beside Him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together. That’s why Jesus says to us, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Are you closely identified with the Lord Jesus like that? If so, you will thank God when you feel the pressure of His hand upon you.

“. . . to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God comes and takes us out of our emotionalism, and then our complaining turns into a hymn of praise. The only way to know the strength of God is to take the yoke of Jesus upon us and to learn from Him.

“. . . the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens at all to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces the wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.

If your life is producing only a whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God’s strength.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

A HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE15 Apr 2012''...Great is your reward in heaven...'' Luke 6:23Read these three Scriptures carefully: '...He shall reward every man according to his works' (Matthew 16:27). '...You will have treasure in heaven...' (Matthew 19:21 NIV). '...You will be repaid at the resurrection...' (Luke 14:14 NIV). God is keeping track of what you do for Him each day. You have more to gain by serving the Lord than you ever imagined. Yes, He will bless and reward you in this life, but nothing by comparison to what awaits you in the next one. When you know that, simple decisions such as how you spend your time, your money and your energy suddenly become opportunities with great promise. Once you understand that, you begin to live with an unshakable certainty that everything you do today-matters forever. And that truth can change your life for the better! Jesus said: 'Blessed are you when men hate you...exclude you...and reject your name as evil...Rejoice in that day and leap for joy...' (Luke 6:22-23 NIV). Now Jesus didn't mean that when you're mistreated on His behalf, you'll be so happy you'll want to dance an Irish jig. No, He said, 'Great is your reward in heaven.' Those six words reveal why you can rejoice in the worst of circumstances. You see, there's a direct connection between something you do for God on earth, and something 'great' He's going to do for you in heaven. Jesus isn't asking you to enjoy misery on His behalf; that's masochism. He's saying that your rewards in heaven, for certain actions on earth, will be so wonderful that simply knowing they're coming can transform how you live now. It can actually create spontaneous outbursts of joy!

Our Daily Bread

Stop And See

When my ophthalmologist says, “Be still,” I am still. I don’t argue. I don’t become defiant. I don’t stay busy behind his back. Why? Because he is a renowned eye surgeon who is trying to preserve my sight, and he needs my cooperation. I would be foolish to ignore his instructions.
So why am I not as cooperative in matters of spiritual stillness? God considers rest so important that He built it into the rhythm of life. Without rest we can’t see clearly; we begin to see ourselves as more important than we are.
After Elijah’s stressful confrontation with Ahab and Jezebel, he ran himself into a state of exhaustion. God sent an angel to care for him. During a time of stillness, “the word of the Lord came to him” (1 Kings 19:9). Elijah thought he alone was doing God’s work. He had been so zealous that he didn’t know that 7,000 others hadn’t bowed to Baal (v.18).
Some of us may fear what will happen if we sit still and stop working. But something worse happens when we refuse to rest. Without rest we cannot be spiritually or physically healthy. God heals while we rest.
Just as I needed stillness so that my eye could heal, we all need stillness so that God can keep our spiritual vision clear.

Christ never asks of us such busy labor
That leaves no time for resting at His feet.
The waiting attitude of expectation,
He often counts a service most complete. —Anon.

Our greatest strength may be our ability
to stand still and trust God.

 

[following-Him]

The Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odbl.org) are the readings for today.

Word For Today

SHARING YOUR DREAM (1)16 Apr 2012''...That you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.'' 1 Corinthians 1:10To fulfil your dream you must know how to share it with others. And to do that successfully you must be able to connect with them in four ways. First, you must connect with them logically. What people don't believe, they don't buy into. So your first step is to gain credibility. If you don't, you will not be able to proceed any further. How do you do that? By communicating a realistic understanding of the situation as it is today. Every time you share your vision, one of the first things people will ask is 'But what about...?' If they don't ask it out loud, they say it to themselves. And they will keep asking it until you have addressed all their concerns. This requires being extremely thorough when sharing your dream, and not dwelling on its positive benefits to the exclusion of the challenges. Second, you must provide a sound strategy they can believe in. If a dream seems too large and unattainable, people will become discouraged and quickly lose interest. When big dreams are broken down into smaller pieces and different pieces are given to talented individuals, the task seems more attainable and each person involved has an increased sense of personal ownership and involvement. There is a real art to communicating all this effectively, without getting bogged down in details or boring people. You have to give enough information to satisfy most people, but not so much that you lose them. All this takes skill, practice and God's help. But to share your dream with others, you must learn to do it.

Our Daily Bread

A Heart Of Gratitude

My boyhood hero was American frontiersman Davy Crockett. In the book David Crockett: His Life and Adventures, Davy encounters a beautiful sight that causes him to launch into praise to the Creator. The writer describes it this way: “Just beyond the grove there was another expanse of treeless prairie, so rich, so beautiful, so brilliant with flowers, that even Colonel Crockett, all unaccustomed as he was to the devotional mood, reined in his horse, and gazing entranced upon the landscape, exclaimed, ‘O God, what a world of beauty hast Thou made for man! And yet how poorly does he requite Thee for it! He does not even repay Thee with gratitude.’” Crockett recognized that the Creator’s handiwork demands a response of thankfulness—a response that is often neglected or ignored.
The psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Ps. 19:1). God’s handiwork is a spectacle that, rightly understood, should not only take our breath away but should inspire us to worship and praise our God as it did the psalmist.
Davy Crockett was right—encountering the wonders of God’s creation should inspire, at the least, a heart of gratitude. Are we grateful?

Across the expanse God stretched out His creation—
Established the stars, gave the earth its foundation;
His strength claims our worship, His power our fear;
Yet Calvary’s cross sets us free to draw near. —Gustafson

God’s glory shines through His creation.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for todoay are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org).

Word For Today

SHARING YOUR DREAM (2)

17 Apr 2012''...You...became my partners...'' Philippians 4:15

Third, you must share your dream emotionally. Paul knew how to do this: '...You Philippians became my partners...what makes me happiest is the well-earned reward you will have...' (vv.15-17 TLB). Get people excited about the rewards. So show them the dream from their perspective! Ralph Waldo Emerson struggled, trying to wrestle a young calf into his barn. He was ready to give up when an Irish servant girl walked over to the calf, stuck her finger in its mouth, and the calf, associating the sensation with its mother, followed the girl into the barn. Pushing and prodding people doesn't work. But if you help them to feel that they will benefit personally, they're likely to go along. People do things for their own reasons, not yours. And their reasons are almost always tied to their emotions. Don't be afraid to show people your heart. People buy into the dreamer before they buy into the dream. You may be able to communicate the idea of your dream in a few minutes, but it will take a lot longer to convince people of where your heart is. It will require patience. Of course you are enthusiastic, but you must adapt your stride to the slower pace of others. If you run too far ahead, you will lose your power to influence them. Generally, people have to hear an idea at least seven times before they embrace it and call it their own. Ten percent of people are pioneers, 70 percent are settlers and 20 percent are antagonists. Make it your goal to win over the pioneers, to wait for the settlers and to leave the antagonists behind.

Our Daily Bread


Who Gets The Credit?

I’ve always been puzzled by the nursery rhyme “Little Jack Horner”: Little Jack Horner sat in the corner, eating a Christmas pie; he put in his thumb, and pulled out a plum, and said, “What a good boy am I!”
It seems rather odd that Jack is sitting in the corner with his plum- covered thumb held high, and saying, “What a good boy am I!” It’s usually bad boys who are sent to the corner for punishment. It seems he’s trying to draw unwarranted attention to himself and is wanting credit for the pie.
We naturally want to draw attention to ourselves, to show off our accomplishments and abilities. Sometimes we think that life is all about us. But living like that is self-delusion at its worst. In reality, our sinfulness has put us “in the corner,” from God’s point of view. Thankfully, Paul’s testimony gives us the right perspective. In spite of his impressive credentials, he gladly surrendered to the supremacy of Jesus: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ” (Phil. 3:7). Paul admitted that in order to “gain Christ” (v.8), he had to lay all of his trophies down.

So, give Jesus Christ the braggin’ rights of your life. Or, as Paul put it, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:31)—not in yourself!

Lord, You are the One who is high and lofty.
I give myself today to the purpose of pointing
others to You, for who You are and what You do.
You deserve all praise.

We are nothing without Jesus, so give Him the credit.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

SHARING YOUR DREAM (3)

18 Apr 2012''...Lord, open his eyes so he may see...'' 2 Kings 6:17

Fourth, you must share your dream visually. Only when people 'see it,' will they buy into it. People are in search of significance; they want to feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. Author Studs Terkel observed: 'Most of us are looking for a calling, not a job. Most of us...have jobs that are too small for our spirit.' When a dream is truly great, it benefits everyone. Your job is to help people see what those benefits are. You need to help them connect with the opportunities for achieving personal growth, finding fulfilment and increasing their self-esteem. You need to provide them with every reason you have for joining. If you can't offer them plenty of legitimate reasons for doing so, then you have no business trying to recruit them in the first place. Will this be easy? No, it never is. Even people who say they desire a dream often don't want it. What they want is the result of the dream, not the price required to achieve it. Look at all the TV commercials for diets. People see before and after pictures, and they want the 'after.' But if you live your dream, practice integrity and achieve a degree of success, people will see what the dream has done for you and that will make them want it too. How will you know when you have successfully shared your dream with someone else? Because they will take ownership of it, add to it and want to make it even bigger and better. When that happens, your dream becomes bigger than you or your team.

Our Daily Bread

Beautiful Scars

A number of years ago I was hiking along the Salmon River and came across a grove of pine trees that had been partially stripped of their bark. I knew from a friend who is a forester that the Native Americans who hunted this area long ago had peeled the outer bark and harvested the underlying layer for chewing gum. Some of the scars were disfiguring, but others, filled with crystallized sap and burnished by wind and weather, had been transformed into patterns of rare beauty.

So it is with our transgressions. We may be scarred by the sins of the past. But those sins, repented of and brought to Jesus for His forgiveness, can leave behind marks of beauty.

Some people, having tasted the bitterness of sin, now loathe it. They hate evil and love righteousness. Theirs is the beauty of holiness.
Others, knowing how far they fall short (Rom. 3:23), have tender hearts toward others. They rise up with understanding, compassion, and kindness when others fail. Theirs is the beauty of humility.

Finally, when acts of sin are freely and thoroughly forgiven it leads to intimacy with the One who has shown mercy. Such sinners love much for much has been forgiven (Luke 7:47). Theirs is the beauty of love.

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me—
All His wonderful passion and purity!
O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. —Orsborn

A forgiven heart is the fountain of beauty.

 

[following-Him]

Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org) are the readings for today.

Word For Today

IN-LAWS OR OUT-LAWS! 19 Apr 2012''...A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife...'' Matthew 19:5After arguing for hours, a couple drove along in silence. Suddenly they passed a barnyard filled with mules and jackasses. Sarcastically, the husband asked, 'Relatives of yours?' The wife replied, 'Yes, in-laws.' Marriage was God's idea, and it was a good one. Picking up the theme, Jesus said, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife.' In marriage, 'two's company, three's a crowd!' So here are ten commandments for being a good in-law: 1) Thou shalt love, honour and respect the couple. 2) Thou shalt grant them independence, resisting the urge to show them 'a better way' of doing things. 3) Thou shalt be loyal and not criticise them, for, '...That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging...' (Matthew 7:2 TM). 4) Thou shalt not find fault: 'Don't...jump on their failures...unless...you want the same treatment...' (Matthew 7:1 TM). 5) Thou shalt not outwear thy welcome, and always call before thou showest up at their dwelling. '...Don't...show up at all hours...[they'll]...get fed up' (Proverbs 25:17 TM). 6) Thou shalt not expect them to visit thee too often. 7) Thou shalt refrain from giving unsolicited advice: 'A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in...' (Proverbs 29:11). 8) Thou shalt not talk about how thou wantest grandchildren unless they are already on the way. 9) Thou shalt respect their home decorating taste even when it differeth from thine. 10) Thou shalt pray for them daily and without fail. If you are an in-law who doesn't want to be viewed as an out-law, live by these commandments!

Our Daily Bread

God's Unfailing Love

The Old Testament book of Hosea is the story of God’s faithful love for His unfaithful people. In what seems strange to us, the Lord commanded Hosea to marry a woman who would break her marriage vows and bring grief to him (Hosea 1:2-3). After she deserted Hosea for other men, the Lord told him to take her back—a picture of “the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods” (3:1).

Later, Hosea was called upon to tell the Israelites that because of their rebellion against the Lord, they would be carried away into captivity by a foreign power. “Tumult shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be plundered” (10:14).

Yet in the midst of their sin and punishment, the grace of God toward His people was never exhausted. In a grace-filled exhortation, He said: “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (10:12).

Even when we have “plowed wickedness” and “reaped iniquity” (10:13), God does not stop loving us. Whatever our situation today, we can turn to the Lord and find forgiveness to make a new start. His love never fails!

The Lord bestows unfailing love,
Forgiving when we fall
And then repent and turn to Him,
Responding to His call. —Sper

No force is greater than the power of God’s love.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

WHAT YOU TRULY STAND FOR20 Apr 2012''Above all else, guard your heart...'' Proverbs 4:23The Bible says: 'Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.' The position you hold in life may cause people to take notice of you, but only your integrity will cause them to respect you and be willing to follow you. And integrity is only established when it becomes clear to everyone that progress, financial reward and recognition are not your gods; that you value something more, something you refuse to give up for profit or popularity. With integrity comes influence. You can manage people without integrity but you can't influence them without it. Talking one way and living another will wound you. And depending on time and circumstance, you may not be able to recover from it. You say, 'How I conduct my private life is nobody else's business.' Wrong! When people see a difference between what you demand of others and what you demand of yourself, it'll erode their respect for you every time. Your position may make you secure, but your influence with others will always remain fragile. At any given time you are only one decision, one word or one action away from destroying what it took years to build. Why is it important to keep this in mind? Because the fastest route from where you are today to where you will be tomorrow is not always the most honourable one. Leading and being the person you want to be doesn't come easy and doesn't always line up. It's in those moments, however, that you discover a great deal about yourself-you find out what you truly stand for!

Our Daily Bread

Called By A New Name

In the article “Leading by Naming,” Mark Labberton wrote about the power of a name. He said: “I can still feel the impact of a musical friend who one day called me ‘musical.’ No one had ever called me that. I didn’t really play an instrument. I was no soloist. Yet . . . I instantly felt known and loved. . . . [He] noticed, validated, and appreciated something deeply true about me.”

Perhaps this is what Simon felt when Jesus renamed him. After Andrew was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, he immediately found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus (John 1:41-42). Jesus peered into his soul and validated and appreciated something deeply true about Simon. Yes, Jesus saw the failure and impetuous nature that would get him into trouble. But more than that He saw the potential of Simon to become a leader in the church. Jesus named him Cephas—Aramaic for Peter—a rock (John 1:42; see Matt. 16:18).

And so it is with us. God sees our pride, anger, and lack of love for others, but He also knows who we are in Christ. He calls us justified and reconciled (Rom. 5:9-10); forgiven, holy, and beloved (Col. 2:13; 3:12); chosen and faithful (Rev. 17:14). Remember how God sees you and seek to let that define who you are.

I am so glad for the day that I came
Seeking relief for my soul;
Jesus the Savior gave me my new name;
Now by His grace I’m made whole. —Hess

No one can steal your identity in Christ.

 

[following-Him]

My Utmost For His Highest is the reading for today and it can be found here:

http:/utmost.org

The Light That Never Fails


Apr 22 2012


We all, with unveiled face, beholding . . . the glory of the Lord . . . —2 Corinthians 3:18


A servant of God must stand so very much alone that he never realizes he is alone. In the early stages of the Christian life, disappointments will come— people who used to be lights will flicker out, and those who used to stand with us will turn away. We have to get so used to it that we will not even realize we are standing alone. Paul said, “. . . no one stood with me, but all forsook me . . . . But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me . . .” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). We must build our faith not on fading lights but on the Light that never fails. When “important” individuals go away we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, so that only one thing is left for us to do— to look into the face of God for ourselves.

Allow nothing to keep you from looking with strong determination into the face of God regarding yourself and your doctrine. And every time you preach make sure you look God in the face about the message first, then the glory will remain through all of it. A Christian servant is one who perpetually looks into the face of God and then goes forth to talk to others. The ministry of Christ is characterized by an abiding glory of which the servant is totally unaware— “. . . Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him” (Exodus 34:29).

We are never called on to display our doubts openly or to express the hidden joys and delights of our life with God. The secret of the servant’s life is that he stays in tune with God all the time.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

HANDLING CRITICISM CONSTRUCTIVELY (2)23 Apr 2012''...If you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.'' Proverbs 15:32Saying the right thing the wrong way usually backfires. So here is 'a word to the wise.' If you cannot receive constructive criticism, don't try to give it. Before you criticise, ask yourself: 1) 'Am I interested in this person's good?' Or do you just need to look good, to have all the answers, to control people, and to gain acceptance and prestige? You can't help others while you're focused on your own ego needs. 2) 'Am I blame-oriented and judgemental?' If so, you'll come across that way to others. '...Let us stop passing judgement on one another...' (Romans 14:13 NIV). To avoid blaming and judging you have to stop talking about why they did it, or who is to blame, or how stupid and selfish and crazy it was, or what's wrong with them, etc. That's problem-focused and polarising, and doesn't help. 3)'Am I pointing the person toward solutions?' God is a God of solutions. When He found us lost in sin He didn't give us a critical reminder of our weakness. Instead, '...When we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly' (Romans 5:6 NIV). He didn't give us an analysis of our problem, but a remedy. So, prayerfully suggest, 'I wonder if you might not get a more satisfying result by...' then let God drive it home! 4) 'Am I speaking truth in love?' Even your sincerest ideas need to reflect that you care. 'Speaking the truth in love...' (Ephesians 4:15 NKJV) opens their heart and prepares them to trust you. Love says, 'Because I value you, I'd like to offer a suggestion. Would that be all right?'

Our Daily Bread

All Day With God

Brother Lawrence (1614–1691) felt intimately close to God as he humbly scrubbed pots and pans in the monastery kitchen. Certainly Brother Lawrence practiced specific times of devotional prayer. But what he found more life-transforming was prayer during the workday. In his devotional classic Practicing the Presence of God, he says, “It is a great delusion to think our times of prayer ought to differ from other times. We are as strictly obliged to cleave to God by action in the time of action as by prayer in the season of prayer.” In short, he advocated that we “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

That’s a helpful reminder, because sometimes we tend to compartmentalize our lives. Perhaps we pray only during church worship, small-group Bible study, family devotions, and personal quiet times. But what about during our workday? To pray on the job does not mean we have to fall to our knees with clasped hands and pray aloud. But it does mean that work decisions and relationships can be brought to God throughout the day.

Wherever we are and whatever we’re doing, God wants to be a part of it. When prayer enters every aspect of our lives, who knows what God might do for His glory!

Let’s always keep the prayer lines open,
Knowing God is always there;
For we upon His name may call
Anytime and anywhere. —D. De Haan

True prayer is a way of life, not an emergency detour!