Monday March 1

“Your words were found, and I ate them.”        Jer 15:16 NKJV

Feed on God’s Word Each Day

A woman bought a parrot, took him home, and then returned him to the pet store the next day. “This bird doesn’t talk,” she told the owner. “Does he have a mirror?” asked the owner. “Parrots love mirrors. They see themselves and start up a conversation.” So the woman bought the mirror. Next day she returned. The bird still wasn’t talking. “How about a ladder? Parrots love walking up and down a ladder. A happy parrot is more likely to talk.” The woman bought a ladder. Sure enough, she was back the next day; the bird still wasn’t talking. “Does your parrot have a swing? If not, that’s the problem. He’ll relax and talk up a storm.” The woman reluctantly bought a swing and left. When she walked into the store the next day her countenance had changed. “The parrot died,” she said. The pet store owner was shocked. “I’m so sorry. Tell me, did he ever say a word?” he asked. “Yes, right before he died,” the woman replied. “He said, ‘Don’t they sell any food at that pet store?’” The moral of this story is: You can spend your life on mirrors, focusing on appearance; on ladders, focusing on career success; on swings, focusing on entertainment—and starve to death spiritually. Mother Teresa said the most difficult cases she dealt with in Calcutta were those who’d lost their appetite entirely, or were so sickly they couldn’t feed themselves or digest food. You’ll die spiritually if you don’t feed yourself on God’s Word each day! Jeremiah said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.”

 

Tuesday March 2

“I will draw water for your camels also.”           Ge 24:19 NKJV

The Rewards of Kindness (1)

One day Abraham sent his servant Eliezer out to find a wife for his son Isaac. Standing by a small town well, Eliezer prayed, “Let the woman who offers to water my camels be the one you have chosen.” Suddenly Rebekah shows up and says, “I will draw water for you and your camels” (See Ge 24:13–14 NKJV). Rebekah had no idea that Eliezer had the ability to change her life. She didn’t know her act of kindness would open a door to great blessing. In Old Testament times it was customary to offer water to a stranger; it was known as the law of hospitality. The Jews believed the words: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Heb 13:2 NKJV). But who on earth offers to water ten thirsty camels? One camel can drink forty gallons of water. That’s a half-day project! Rebekah was generous to a total stranger, seeking nothing but the joy of serving. What she didn’t know was that these camels would transport her back to Isaac, make her his bride, shower her with great wealth and put her in the family of Christ. So if you want to get ahead in life, show up early, stay late, work hard, be honest, and be a problem solver. Live by Christ’s teaching, “Go the extra mile” (See Mt 5:41 NKJV). The key to success is in doing not merely what is expected, but a little more. Yes, camels are ugly, but out of that ugly situation came the most beautiful thing that ever happened to Rebekah.

 

Wednesday March 3

“I will draw water for your camels also.”           Ge 24:19 NKJV

The Rewards of Kindness (2)

The story of Rebekah teaches us a very important truth about life: When opportunity knocks, make sure you’re ready to answer the door. Rebekah didn’t think about the extra effort required to water ten thirsty camels. She didn’t say, “I don’t do that kind of work; it’s not in my job description.” She lived by the principle: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecc 9:10 NKJV). She didn’t suddenly develop a work ethic when Eliezer showed up, she practiced one every day. And it paid off. Faithfulness always brings rewards. God is watching your attitude and actions in small things. Big moments don’t come to people who wait for them; they come from faithfulness in small moments, in daily routine and non-glamorous service. Rebekah didn’t quote the Torah or ask Eliezer what his denomination was. Instead of trying to be super spiritual, she decided to be nice. As a result she got his attention, earned his respect, and ended up in the family of Abraham. It doesn’t get any better! And notice one more thing: when Rebekah took Eliezer home to meet her family they wanted her to wait for ten days before leaving to go meet Isaac. That was customary. But Rebekah said, “I will go” (Ge 24:58 NKJV). When God opens the door don’t delay. Don’t say, “Others are more qualified than I am.” If God has called you, you’re the right person. So step over your fears and move in the direction He is leading you.

 

Thursday March 4

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are…children.”           Ps 127:4 NKJV

Arrows

The Bible says parents are like archers and children are like arrows. Parent, as an archer it’s your job to: (1) Protect them in the quiver (home). After the assassination of her husband, Jacqueline Kennedy was asked if she planned to run for political office. “No,” she replied, “my major effort must be devoted to my children. If they turn out badly, nothing I could do in the public eye would have any meaning.” Our children are growing up in a generation where they can get drugs, buy weapons, meet a predator, engage in virtual sex, and do it all under your own roof via computer. That should alarm you! You say, “I figured it out; they will too.” No, “A child left to himself brings shame to his [parents]…Correct your son, and…he will give delight to your soul” (Pr 29:15–17 NKJV). But be careful. If your children view you as judgmental and joyless they’ll avoid you, then later explode like a time bomb. Build a home in which they can ask questions openly, get answers and form lifelong values. The word “warrior” means you must fight for them! (2) Aim them in the right direction. “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Pr 22:6). Don’t overprotect them or you’ll choke their creativity, don’t sacrifice them for material things, and don’t impose your unfulfilled dreams on them. Help them to discover their talents and discern God’s plan for their life; then become their biggest cheerleader. (3) Release them. It can be difficult letting go. But it’s easier when you know you’ve taught them the truth, they’re covered by prayer, and under God’s protection.

 

Friday March 5

“We have different gifts.”          Ro 12:6 NIV

Be Yourself!

He wanted to conduct, but his styles didn’t work. During soft passages he’d crouch extremely low. For loud sections he’d leap into the air, even shouting to the orchestra. His memory was poor. Once he forgot he’d instructed the orchestra not to repeat a section of music. During the performance, when he went back to repeat that section, they went forward, so he stopped the piece, shouting, “Stop! Wrong! That will not do! Again! Again!” For his own piano concerto, he tried conducting from the piano bench. At one point he jumped from the bench, thumping the candles off the piano. At another concert he knocked over a choirboy. During one long, delicate passage he jumped high to cue a loud entrance, but nothing happened because he’d lost count and signaled the orchestra too soon. As his hearing worsened, musicians tried to ignore his conducting and get their cues from the first violinist. Finally they pled with him to go home and give up conducting, which he did. Who was he? Ludwig van Beethoven. The man many consider to be the greatest composer of all time, learned that nobody can be the master of all trades. The Bible says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace [divine enablement] given us.” So recognize and develop your gift. That can be intimidating, especially if you’ve spent your life looking for approval from people who’ve none to give you. Stop making your life an ongoing struggle to be something you weren’t meant to be. God made you who you are; when you try to be somebody else the best you can ever be is number two. So be yourself; after all, who’s more qualified?

 

Saturday March 6

“I am…the God of Abraham…Isaac, and…Jacob.”      Ex 3:6 NKJV

Taking Your Place in the Plan of God

Today we’re conditioned to think in terms of instant gratification. We’re the generation of lunch-time face lifts and text messaging; we hate to wait for anything. Think about the last time you had to wait for something to arrive by “snail mail,” or stand in line at the checkout counter. Now, here’s where we get it wrong: we expect whatever God initiates through us to be completed—while we are still around to see the end result. We don’t like it when He decides to continue the work through another person—or worse—another generation! But that’s how God works. When God reveals something to you it’s usually within the framework of what’s already taken place before you came on the scene. He told Moses, “I am the God of your father…of Abraham…Isaac, and…Jacob.” God had made certain promises to Moses’ forefathers hundreds of years earlier, and now it was Moses’ time to take his place in the plan of God. Accepting that you’re a small link in a big chain can be humbling, but once Moses understood it he was able to connect with and focus on something bigger than himself. “It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work” (1Co 3:7–8 NLT). It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you’re not concerned about who carries the torch over the finish line.

 

Sunday March 7

“I was afraid.”  Lk 19:21 NIV

Refuse to Let Fear Stop You!

Ask yourself, “What would I attempt, if I weren’t afraid of failing?” Jesus told of a man who entrusted his business to three key workers. He gave the first worker five talents, the second two, and the third one. In Bible times one talent was about fifteen years’ salary, so you begin to grasp what an opportunity this was. It was a defining moment which gave each of them the chance to test their skills, develop initiative, practice good judgment, and profit from their investment. The first two men did exactly that, doubling theirs. But the third was afraid of failing, so he buried his talent. Jesus described this man as “wicked” and said his talents would be taken from him and given to the man who used his profitably. He wasn’t judged for what he did, he was judged for doing nothing.

            Fear of people, fear of failure, and fear of rejection can tempt you to bury your gift. Don’t do it! Unless you’ve the courage to start—you’re already finished. When God called people like Moses, Gideon, Deborah and Esther they all had to overcome their natural fears; so will you. When they were in the wilderness, fear of lack made the Israelites want to go back to Egyptian slavery. Fear of persecution caused the disciples to forsake Jesus in His darkest hour, and caused Peter to deny Him—three times. Refuse to let fear stop you! How you use your talents is a matter of the utmost importance. The truth is, it’s the basis upon which God will finally judge and reward you.

 

Monday March 8

“Do not worry about tomorrow.”          Mt 6:34 NKJV

God’s Economics for Tough Times (1)

A television news announcer recently quipped, “Speaking of the economy, if it weren’t for bad news there’d be no news at all!” Each time we face a downturn we tend to forget we’ve “been there, done that” and got through it by God’s grace. Like ancient Israel we anticipate doom, spread discouragement, join those who gripe about the government, and long for “the good old days.” How does the God who brought water from the rock, manna from the sky and ravens to feed a hungry prophet expect His people to respond to tough financial times?

            The answer is: choose the right economy! As a believer you must choose between two economies. The first is the kingdom of God where He rules and reigns, owns all resources and dispenses them generously to meet His people’s needs, independent of global economic conditions. The second is the kingdom of this world where men compete selfishly to be number one. In God’s upside-down kingdom the rules are reversed. He says, “My ways [are] higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa 55:9 NIV). In this world’s kingdom where the rule is, “Get what you can and can what you get,” you’re always vulnerable to greed and manipulation. So God told His people, “Choose for yourselves…whom you will serve” (Jos 24:15 NIV). Which economy will you choose? If you are wise, you will put your faith in God’s economy, trust Him, and “don’t worry about tomorrow!”

 

Tuesday March 9

“Do not worry about tomorrow.”          Mt 6:34 NKJV

God’s Economics for Tough Times (2)

Unless you lived through the Great Depression you’ve never experienced times like the present: bank failures, bailouts, housing foreclosures, unemployment, health costs, etc. You can see fear on people’s faces and sense it in their words. So, where do we turn? To politicians, economists, or our own resources? No human agency is capable of providing answers. So: know your source! The Bible predicted the shaking of human kingdoms and material entities: “[So] that those things which cannot be shaken may remain” (Heb 12:27). But while bureaucracies, businesses and banks have been shaken to their very core, our King and His kingdom remain rock solid. The Bible says that “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2Co 9:8 NIV). Notice the “alls” in this promise. What more could you ask for? Your family, health, spiritual, material, present and future security is guaranteed under the “policies and resources” clause of God’s unshakable kingdom! Man’s economy is not your source. It’s merely one conduit the King may, or may not use in providing what you need as a citizen of His kingdom. Relax, knowing God, your unfailing source, “will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Php 4:19 NIV).

 

Wednesday March 10

“Do not worry about tomorrow.”          Mt 6:34 NKJV

God’s Economics for Tough Times (3)

Fear makes us react emotionally, doing all the wrong things. We abandon the principles of Scripture and grab for all we can get, withholding and hoarding in case things get worse. Don’t surrender to the fears rampant in our increasingly godless culture. Instead, faithfully follow God’s economics for tough times. When Israel did this they enjoyed mega harvests. But when they withheld and hoarded what God provided, He said, “You are under a curse—the whole nation of you” (Mal 3:9 NIV). Whether they experienced abundance or lack, depended on their attitude and actions towards God’s economics. His principles required they “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,” not a partial tithe (v. 10). If they’d “Honor the Lord with…the firstfruits of all [their] crops,” their barns would “overflow” and their vats “brim over” (Pr 3:9–10 NIV). Jesus taught that if you “give it will be given to you” in an abundance determined by the “measure you use” when giving (See Lk 6:38 NIV). You, not the economy, determine the measure of your harvest by the measure of the seed you sow. The Bible says, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2Co 9:6 NKJV). The way it works in God’s economy is, those who “withhold unduly…come to poverty,” while those who “give freely…gain even more.” God promises, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Pr 11:24–25 NIV). Try it. God’s principles work in any economy!

 

Thursday March 11

“Do not worry about tomorrow.”          Mt 6:34 NKJV

God’s Economics for Tough Times (4)

To prosper in tough times: (1) Resist greed. “You shall not covet” (Ex 20:17 NIV). The drive to keep up with the Joneses enslaves us and stresses us out. Jesus identified the law of diminishing returns in coveting. “Be on your guard against…greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Lk 12:15 NIV). The bottom line is: your selfworth cannot be built on your net worth, especially in this economy. John says: “These…desires…to buy everything that appeals to you…are not from God” (1Jn 2:16 TLB). Sharing, not owning things, brings lasting satisfaction and joy! (2) Don’t co-sign. “Don’t…guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you” (Pr 22:26–27 NLT). This isn’t just good advice; it’s a divine directive. Your friends who got “burned” by countersigning debts will all say, “Amen!” God isn’t saying don’t help others. He blesses those who help the needy. But His way of helping is by prayer, giving, lending without expecting a return, offering wise counsel, but not taking on their debt. (3) Work hard. “Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich” (Pr 10:4 NLT). “Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it” (Pr 13:11 NAS). “A man skilled in his work…will stand before kings…not…before obscure men” (Pr 22:29 NAS). Even in a tough economy God will promote the honest, skilled, hard worker to higher places and greater prosperity!

 

Friday March 12

“Do not worry about tomorrow.”          Mt 6:34 NKJV

God’s Economics for Tough Times (5)

Dr. Jay Adams tells the story of a man who decided to give up worry. When a friend noticed how relaxed he looked and asked how he’d conquered worry, he said, “It’s simple; I just hired a guy to do my worrying for me.” Asked how much that cost, he replied, “$10,000 a month.” “Where will you get the money?” his anxious friend queried. He replied calmly, “That’s his worry, not mine!” Jesus tells us to hand our worries over to Him! He understands that we’re anxious about our finances and worried we won’t be able to afford the things we need. So He instructs us, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” (Mt 6:31 NIV). Notice, it’s the combination of “worrying” and “saying” that brings on anxiety. Your self-talk, plus your words to others about your fears, are negative reinforcers, distorting your perceptions, magnifying your fear and making you feel helpless and hopeless about your circumstances and your future. Don’t do that! Claim the “much more” passages Jesus gave us in Matthew 6. “Look at the birds…your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (v. 26). “God clothes the grass of the field…will he not much more clothe you?” (v. 30). Worry belongs to unbelievers, not to kingdom citizens. “For the pagans (unbelievers) run after (exert great effort, pursue apprehensively, are anxiously preoccupied with) all these things”—food, drink and clothing. (v. 32). Make “his kingdom and his righteousness” your focus, not the unpredictable economy, and “all these things will be given to you as well” (v. 33).

 

Saturday March 13

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”           Mt 26:41 NKJV

When Your Prayer Life Goes

The enemy knows what your God-given potential is, and he’s out to stop you before you reach it. Prayer puts a shield of divine protection around you; don’t live without it! There are hands holding this devotional that may not be here next year unless somebody prays on their behalf (See Lk 22:31). There are people reading this page who thought that they, of all people, would never “blow it,” yet they did. Unless you acknowledge the propensity to sin that’s within you, you won’t pray against it and you’ll always be vulnerable to the enemy’s attack. During the last hours of His life Jesus warned His disciples, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” In The Message, Eugene Petersen paraphrases the words of Christ: “Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger.” Paul writes: “Put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm…Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion” (Eph 6:13–18 NLT). The most effective weapon the enemy has against you is—you! Your old sin nature must be taken to the cross and crucified daily. The place of prayer is where you do that. In God’s presence you see yourself as He sees you. There, at the point of repentance, He reveals, He removes and He restores. When your prayer life goes, so does your protection. So get busy and reorder your priorities.

 

Sunday March 14

“We are citizens of heaven.”      Php 3:20 NLT

For Heaven’s Sake!

Patrick Jenkins says, “Having lived in South America as missionaries, my family and I realized that moving to another jungle location meant a lot of work. We knew the discomforts of such things as snakes and bugs. One morning, a few days after beginning to clean our temporary home, the family and I were taking a short break. While we were drinking tea a large black beetle flew through the room making a loud buzzing noise. As it darted between us, my wife let out a scream. Astonished more by her scream than by the beetle, my youngest daughter cried out, ‘For heaven’s sake, mum!’ After a moment’s silence my wife replied, ‘That’s the only reason I’m here.’”

            Paul says, “We are citizens of heaven.” And Peter speaks of “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you” (1Pe 1:4 NIV). You’re on a temporary visa—never forget that! Weigh your actions and your decisions in the light of your ultimate destiny, not your immediate comfort. Get rid of the idea that “thoughts of heaven are only the pleasantries of the aging.” This life is the short story; heaven is the unending one. Tummy tucks, face lifts, liposuction, fame, fortune and personal pyramids notwithstanding, your earthly suit isn’t going to last forever. Before you shed it, be sure you’ve fulfilled your God-given assignment and that you’ll hear the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mt 25:21 NIV). It’s the only commendation that matters. One second after you’ve arrived in God’s presence, what are you going to wish you’d done? That should be the driving force of your life!

 

Monday March 15

“Suffering produces perseverance.”       Ro 5:3–4 NIV

What Difference Does Character Make?

Leslie Williams writes: “An oilman discovered someone was illegally extracting oil from his property. When it went to court the man bribed the judge, throwing the oilman into debt. However, instead of declaring bankruptcy he paid it all off. The other man died wealthy. The oilman didn’t. One left a legacy of money, the other a legacy of honor. I know, because that oilman was my grandfather.” Williams continues: “I taught at a school where one of the deans flaunted his affair with a student…Shady financial transfers almost cost the school its accreditation…students [and teachers] didn’t turn up for class. Professors gave negative scores to students they didn’t like. Backstabbing created a 50 percent turnover in faculty…In case after case a quick fix preempted character development. The result was a college…trapped in a downward spiral of pettiness, low standards, and jealousy. What difference does character make? Now I work at [a college] where administrators make the tough decisions necessary for survival and respect. Professors caught in bed with students are fired. Drugs and alcohol are dealt with. Professors and students are required to turn up for class. Money is audited, and transactions are on the level. This school received an almost perfect accreditation score. The result is an atmosphere like a loving family. They’ve built five new…buildings to handle increasing student numbers.” Paul says, “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Trying to circumvent the principle of suffering producing character may bring temporary relief, but in the long run you lose out. Jesus walked out the process from beginning to end. Character-building always involves a cross—but the end result is always a crown.

 

Tuesday March 16

“I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord.”       Mic 3:8 NIV

Releasing the Power Within You

Picture this: Huge shovels dig house-sized scoops of coal. Pulverized and loaded onto railroad boxcars, the coal travels to a generating plant in East Texas where it’s crushed into powder. Super heated, this powder ignites like gasoline when blown into giant furnaces that crank three turbines. Whirring at 3600 revolutions per minute these turbines are housed in massive concrete and steel casings. They generate enough electricity for entire cities. You ask the chief engineer, “Where do you store the electricity?” He replies, “We don’t store it, we just make it. When a light switch is flipped on in Dallas, a hundred miles west, it places a demand on the system; it registers at the generating plant and prompts greater output.” Understand this: God’s power cannot be stored; it only comes in the measure required, at the moment of need, and as your faith places a demand on it. To release the power of God that is already within you, you must: (1) Decide that material things will never be your first pursuit. “Seek first his kingdom…and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt 6:33 NIV). (2) Realize that God cannot move where there is no faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6 NIV). So begin using your faith, even in small things. (3) Keep in mind that God will always use something you already have. So look within yourself, acknowledge what He’s given you and “put it out there.” (4) Don’t forget to give God the glory. When the praise comes, pass it on to Him.

 

Wednesday March 17

“Even perfection has its limits.”  Ps 119:96 NLT

Perfectionism

High standards and attention to detail are commendable; they show you take pride in your work. However, dyed-in-the-wool perfectionists take an all-or-nothing approach by finding fault and obsessing over how they could have done it better. Case in point: after delivering one of history’s most memorable speeches, Abraham Lincoln described his Gettysburg Address as a “flat failure.” Perfectionists see opportunities to perform as opportunities to fail, so even when they do reach their goal there’s no sense of accomplishment. None of us will ever attain perfection this side of eternity. We’re all imperfect; get used to it! We only “know in part” (1Co 13:9 NIV). So: (1) Give yourself permission to fail, in order to succeed. Henry Ford said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” (2) Though you’re not likely to excel initially, don’t be afraid to try. You won’t get perfect results, but it will let you see that sometimes “average” can be progress. (3) Lighten up. Be forgiving of yourself, and extend grace to others. Emerson said, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.” (4) Don’t get bogged down in minutiae. Set a time limit; say, “I’m going to give this thirty minutes.” A well-known counselor says, “Have reasonable expectations…do your best and encourage others to do the same. Flaws and imperfections determine your uniqueness. Relish them. Embrace them…you’re human …God made you that way.” The truth is, God doesn’t judge our mistakes nearly as harshly as we do. He “remembers we are only dust” (Ps 103:14 NLT).

 

Thursday March 18

“He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”         Ps 91:11 NLT

Protected by Angels

Every two weeks the missionary went to the city to purchase medical supplies for a small field hospital where he served. On one of his trips he saw two men fighting on the street. One was seriously injured so he stopped, treated his wounds and shared God’s love with him. Then he headed for home, stopping in the jungle to camp overnight. When he visited the city two weeks later a man approached him—the same one he’d helped on his previous trip. The man said, “I knew you carried money and medicine with you, so our gang followed you to your camp planning to kill you for the money and the drugs. But just as we were about to attack, we saw twenty-six armed guards surrounding you.” The missionary replied, “No, that’s impossible; I was all alone.” The man countered, “But my buddies saw them too. We counted them.” Months later when the missionary told this story back at his home church, a guy interrupted, “Exactly what day did this take place?” When the missionary identified the specific day the guy was amazed. He said, “On that exact night in Africa it was morning here, and I felt a strange urge to pray for you. It was so strong that I phoned some folks to come to the church and pray with me. Would all of you who prayed with me that day please stand up? One by one the missionary counted them—twenty-six—the exact number of the armed guards. The truth is: “He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”

 

Friday March 19

“God…devises ways to bring us back.”            2Sa 14:14 NLT

“Lord, I’m Coming Home” (1)

Adoniram Judson’s father, a Congregational minister, hoped and prayed that his son would follow in his footsteps, but Adoniram had other ideas. He considered the ministry a waste of time and talent. A self-avowed atheist, he graduated from Providence College (now Brown University), where he met Ernest [Jacob] Eames, a fellow atheist who reinforced his beliefs. Judson traveled the country living what he called “a wild, reckless life.” One night he stopped at an inn where the only vacant room was next door to a dying man. “I’ll take it,” he told the innkeeper. “Death has no terrors for me. I’m an atheist.” All night long he heard the sick man next door groaning and thought, “I should go to him, but what can I say?” By the next morning the man was dead. “Do you know who he was?” Judson asked the innkeeper. He replied, “A graduate of Providence College. A young man about your age, called Ernest Eames.” With the words, “Dead! Lost! Lost!” ringing in his ears, Judson returned home and surrendered his life to Christ. As America’s first commissioned foreign missionary, he saw the Bible translated into Burmese and thousands of souls won to Christ. This entry from his diary says it all: “In these deserts let me labor; on these mountains let me tell; How he died—the blessed Savior, to redeem a world from hell.” The Bible says, “God…devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.” Can you feel a divine tug at your heart? Isn’t it time you stopped running, turned around and said, “Lord, I’m coming home?”

 

Saturday March 20

“While he was still a long way off, his father…ran and embraced him.”   Lk 15:20 NAS

“Lord, I’m Coming Home” (2)

James MacDonald writes: “Maybe you’ve done something you think is beyond [God’s] mercy…or someone hurt you and you don’t understand why God let it happen…maybe you’d rather live by your own rules. I don’t know why you’re running, but I know one thing: you’re tired. You’re so used to this flight pattern you can’t imagine life any differently. Jesus talked about a son taking off from his dad’s house. After this runner’s rise and fall, he woke up one day in a pig-sty wondering, ‘How’d I get here? I need to go back but what’ll my dad say?’ Have you ever thought, ‘If I come back how will God receive me?’ Some people think He wouldn’t care one way or the other…But that’s not how Jesus described His Father…those feet pounding the pavement are God’s feet running towards you. He’s been scanning the horizon for a glimpse of you…and now that He sees you He’s in a full run. ‘While he was still a long way off, his father…ran and embraced him.’ God put that in [the Bible] so every runner will know what to expect when they reverse course.”

            Are you running from God today? Stop, turn around, come back home. He is waiting to welcome you. He says, “Turn back to me” (See Rev 3:3). Come; there’s no sin He can’t forgive and no addiction the blood of Jesus can’t overcome. His promise is: “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him” (Isa 55:7 NIV).

 

Sunday March 21

“And go all the way with him.”  Php 3:10 TM

Go All the Way

While John was a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos, far from his loved ones and surrounded by the cries of abused captives, he had a vision of Jesus. He writes, “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead” (Rev 1:17 NKJV). Incredible revelation in the midst of confinement, chaos and pain—that’s how it works! The difficult circumstances you’re going through right now can actually clear your perceptions, cause you to seek God as never before, and find answers for your life. John’s predicament proves that negative experiences don’t hide the Lord—they reveal Him. Instead of destroying you, Satan’s attack can actually develop you. Yes, it stresses you, but it also stretches you spiritually. In Hebrews chapter 11 we see two things: the deeds of their faith and the depth of their faith. Where did God prove His faithfulness to Daniel? In the lions’ den. Where did the Lord reveal Himself to the three Hebrew children? In a fire heated seven times over. There’s a place in God where fiery trials consume everything except your desire to know Him. Though that place may sometimes escape your grasp, never let it escape your gaze. It was Paul’s all-consuming goal: “I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him.” There it is: no reservations, no retreat, and no regrets; just a desire to know God intimately and a commitment to “go all the way with him.” Let that be your heart’s desire today!

 

Monday March 22

“Because you have been trustworthy.”   Lk 19:17 NIV

Money

Money will buy you a bed but not sleep, books but not brains, food but not an appetite, a house but not a home, medicine but not health, luxuries but not happiness, image but not character, and religion but not salvation. You say, “Does that mean God doesn’t want me to have money?” No, He will actually trust you with more money when you demonstrate that your trust is not in your money, but in Him alone (See 1Ti 6:17). The Bible teaches three things about money: (1) When you become a good steward of what you have, God will entrust you with more. “Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities’” (Lk 19:15–17 NIV). (2) When your focus is on serving others, God will entrust you with more. When Job took the focus off himself and began to pray for others, “The Lord…gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10 NIV). (3) When you can walk away from material things to do God’s will, God will entrust you with more. Abraham left the security of his home to fulfill God’s plan, and he ended up one of the world’s wealthiest men. On the other hand, the rich young ruler said no to following Christ because the cost was too high (See Mk 10:17–22). You ask, “What was the cost?” Everything!

 

Tuesday March 23

“A sower went out to sow his seed.”     Lk 8:5 NKJV  

What Kind of Soil Are You?

The seed of God’s Word is always productive. The only variable is the soil of our hearts. In the parable of the sower Jesus discusses different kinds of soil:

            (1) Hard soil. In Bible times hard-packed footpaths ran alongside the farmer’s field. Any seed falling there just shriveled and died. Be careful; when you’ve been walked on and disappointed, you can become callous; you can develop a tough, impenetrable shield that makes it easy for Satan to come along and steal the seed of God’s Word before it has a chance to grow. Prayer will keep that from happening, so “break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord” (Hos 10:12 NIV). (2) Superficial soil. In Jesus’ day much of the farmland was just a few inches of topsoil over rock, with nothing to sustain roots. One Bible teacher writes: “Superficiality is the curse of the age. We live in a world of shallow relationships, superficial conversations, and hurried moments of prayer. We bounce from one spiritual activity to another without any real root system.” (3) Cluttered soil. This ground was overgrown with weeds. There was no room for anything else. Clutter happens so easily. And it’s dangerous because it’s so subtle. Ever notice how often you’re bombarded with guarantees that material things will bring you happiness? Like the car manufacturer who advertises, “You can’t buy happiness—but you can drive it!” Get real! Do a soil analysis and weed out anything that’s hindering your spiritual growth. Once your heart’s tender, your devotion deep, and your life uncluttered, you’ll be good ground that yields fruit for God.

 

Wednesday March 24

“Whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”    Mt 12:34 NLT

Communication Principles (1)

The sign under a largemouth bass in a taxidermist’s window read: “If I’d just kept my mouth shut I wouldn’t be here!” Jesus said, “Whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” It actually sets the tone in your relationships. Seven percent of our communication is based on content, 38 percent on tone of voice, and 55 percent on nonverbal signals like your facial expression, how you sit and what you do with your hands. Author Mandy Houk says: “If you care little for [people’s] feelings…it comes out in your speech…If we intentionally…fill our hearts with love and respect…it overflows into our speech.” Solomon said, “A gentle answer deflects anger…harsh words make tempers flare” (Pr 15:1 NLT). Author Rob Flood outlines two principles that helped change his attitude and heal his marriage: (1) The principle of first response. The course of any conflict is determined by the responder, not the initiator. When the Pharisees questioned Jesus, their intent was usually to trap Him. But because He had the power to determine the direction of the conversation, “They failed…Instead, they were amazed by his answer” (Lk 20:26 NLT). (2) The principle of physical touch. This is hard to apply once an argument has started. So when you know you’re about to embark on a touchy subject you may find it beneficial to hold hands or sit close so you naturally touch. Ever notice it’s hard to fight with someone when you’re making physical contact? Even if you do get into an argument, physical separation can be a visual clue that it’s time to switch tactics and regroup.

 

Thursday March 25

“It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!”   Pr 15:23 NLT

Communication Principles (2)

Here are three communication principles you should practice: (1) The principle of proper timing. Dr. James Dobson says, “Love can perish when a man and wife forget how to talk to each other.” But it’s equally important to say the right thing at the right time. If there’s something you want to discuss with your husband or wife, wait till the kids aren’t around. Don’t bring it up over dinner when everybody’s tired and hungry. When you must talk immediately, put down the newspaper, turn the TV off, walk away from the computer and give each other your full attention. (2) The principle of mirroring. “Hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to…knowledge” (Pr 22:17 NKJV). Understanding increases when you measure it throughout the conversation. Have you ever said something to your partner and they heard something completely different? Mirroring lets you know you’re really communicating. When your spouse makes a point, respond by saying, “What I hear you saying is…” or, “Are you saying…?” Then rephrase what you think you heard and wait for affirmation or correction. It’s not about “being right” and defending your position, it’s about making sure you’re “getting” each other. (3) The principle of prayer. This is the most important one, because God is the only third partner in a marriage who can make it work. Dig the well before you get thirsty, by making a habit of praying together. R.A. Torrey says: “Many fail…because they wait until the hour of battle…others succeed because they’ve gained the victory on their knees long before…Anticipate battles, and fight them on your knees before they arise.”

 

Friday March 26

“Cease from anger…it only causes harm.”         Ps 37:8 NKJV

Lingering Anger

In a 1994 newspaper article, “War’s Lethal Leftovers Threaten Europeans,” Associated Press reporter Christopher Burns writes: “The bombs of WWII are still killing in Europe. They turn up—and sometimes blow up—at construction sites, in fishing nets, or on beaches fifty years after the guns fell silent. Hundreds of tons of explosives are recovered every year in France alone. Thirteen bombs exploded in France in 1993, killing 12 people and wounding 11. ‘I’ve lost two of my colleagues,’ said Yvon Bouvet, who heads a government team in the Champagne-Ardennes region that defuses explosives from both WWI and II. Unexploded bombs become more dangerous with time. With the corrosion inside, the weapon becomes more unstable, and the detonator can be exposed.”

            What is true of lingering bombs is also true of lingering anger: it explodes when you least expect it. Anger is not something to be proud of, it’s something to be prayed over because: it hurts those closest to you; it causes you to lose respect in the eyes of others; it closes doors of opportunity; it puts you on dangerous ground with God. Take a moment and read what God’s Word says about your lingering anger: “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm” (Ps 37:8 NKJV). “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Pr 16:32 NKJV). “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression” (Pr 19:11 NKJV).

 

Saturday March 27

“Take a lesson from the ants…they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.”           Pr 6:6–8 NLT

Financial Planning

Your income-producing years are limited so don’t waste them. Move while you can! Some Christians think that any mention of money is carnal; as a result they end up ensnared by poor planning and misguided spirituality. Now old age and lost income have left them saddled with medical bills they can’t pay, and children who can’t take care of themselves, much less their aging parents. Poverty is a silent prison that needs no walls and no chains; it locks us in without options and without hope. But it doesn’t have to be that way if you plan wisely, and stick to your plan. The Bible teaches financial planning; it says: “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children” (Pr 13:22 NIV). Don’t allow anyone to convince you that God minds you having money. He doesn’t; He just minds money having you! God is a planner and a provider and He expects you to be one too (See 1Ti 5:8). God will bless your plan—if you have one for Him to bless. Do you? One illness or one accident can deplete all you have. One long-term injury can change life as you know it now. If the last few years have taught us anything it’s this: jobs end and companies close; stocks fall and banks fail. That doesn’t mean you should avoid planning, investing or working. No, it just means after you’ve done all that wisdom demands—trust in nothing but God! He’s your provider, your protector, and the giver of every good income-producing idea you’ll ever have.

 

Sunday March 28

“He will take care of you.”        Ps 55:22 NLT

God Will Take Care of You!

Gladys Aylward, missionary to China more than fifty years ago, was forced to flee when the Japanese invaded Yuncheng. With only one assistant, she led a hundred orphans over the mountains toward free China. During the journey she grappled with fear. After passing a sleepless night she faced the morning with no hope of reaching safety. A thirteen-year-old girl in the group reminded her of their much-loved story of Moses and the Red Sea. “But I am not Moses,” Gladys sighed in despair. “Of course you aren’t,” the girl said, “but God is still God!” When Gladys and the orphans made it through they proved once again that no matter how inadequate we feel, God is still God, and we can still trust Him.

            Sometimes God calms the storm, other times He lets the storm rage and calms us. Either way, He sustains us and brings us through. We always have a choice: either we give the burden to God or we try to carry it ourselves. How does God provide for us? One day at a time. Remember the Israelites in the wilderness? Each day God fed them by sending manna from heaven. Notice how it worked. The number of people in your family determined the amount of manna you received, no more and no less. And God would only allow you to collect enough for each day; if you tried to hoard more, it rotted. Getting the idea? So trust God for today and leave tomorrow in His hands. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.”

 

Monday March 29

“Whoever says to the guilty, ‘You are innocent’—peoples will curse.”   Pr 24:24 NIV

When “Helping” Is Hurting

Ever lied to protect the reputation of someone you love? Or covered up for them? Or rushed in to “help” without being asked? We’re not talking about acts of compassion where help is genuinely needed, we’re talking about “enabling,” which is a destructive kind of helping. It’s natural to want to protect a loved one from the painful consequences of their actions. But by letting them off the hook you end up feeling angry and victimized because you did something you didn’t want to do; something that wasn’t your responsibility. The Bible says it’s a mistake to say to the guilty, “You are innocent.” By continually rescuing them you lengthen the valley they must go through in order to come out whole on the other side. Paul said, “Wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Ro 7:24 NIV). Sometimes people have to reach the “wretched” stage before they acknowledge their need, just like the prodigal hit bottom before he got serious about his sin problem. And his father let it happen. It’s called tough love for a reason! “When [the prodigal son] came to his senses, he said…‘here I am starving to death! I will…go back to my father and say…I have sinned’” (Lk 15:17–18 NIV). By crossing the line between caring and caretaking, you hurt the person you’re trying to help by implying they can’t handle the truth or learn their lesson. So back off, and place your loved one into God’s hands. He loves them even more than you do.

 

Tuesday March 30

“Lead me, O Lord…make Your way straight before my face.”  Ps 5:8 NKJV

Just Drive, and Let God Direct You!

Hannah Whitall Smith writes: “God’s voice will always be in harmony with itself, regardless of how many ways He may speak. The voices may be many, the message can be but one. If God tells me in one voice to do, or leave undone anything, He cannot possibly tell me the opposite in another voice…therefore my rule for distinguishing the voice of God would be to bring it to the test of this harmony.” To know that you’re being led by God you must: (1) believe that He has a plan for your life; (2) spend time in prayer asking Him to reveal it; (3) step out and obey Him, even though He doesn’t tell you all you’d like to know; (4) be confident that even in difficult times He’s still directing your steps. During the making of Ben-Hur, Charlton Heston trained long hours to drive a chariot for the movie’s big chariot race. He improved greatly, but he became convinced that the task was more than he could handle. So he approached the legendary movie director Cecil B. DeMille and said, “I’ve worked hard at mastering this rig. I think I can drive it convincingly in the scene, but I don’t think I can win the race.” After a moment’s silence DeMille smiled and said, “You just drive, I’ll direct.” He did, and the chariot race became one of the movie’s most memorable highlights. You don’t need all the answers, you only need to know you’ve fully obeyed the instructions God gave you. Once you know that, just drive, and let Him direct you!

 

Wednesday March 31

“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.”  Mt 5:13-14 NKJV

Salt and Light

Christ’s critics told the truth when they said, “He stirs up the people” (Lk 23:5 NKJV). The apostles’ critics told the truth when they said, “They have turned the world upside down” (See Ac 17:6 NKJV). Jesus and His disciples were “Let’s do something about it” people, rather than “Let’s not make waves” people. Which are you? Jesus said: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out…You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father” (Mt 5:13–16 NKJV). The purpose of salt is to flavor, not to sit in a shaker. The purpose of light is to illuminate, not just be an accessory. Being shy, or inarticulate, or not knowing the Scriptures well enough to share them is not an acceptable excuse. You are the only Christian some people will ever meet, so a lot is riding on you. Jim Elliott, who died as a missionary and martyr, said: “God makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitable? God, deliver me from the dead asbestos of ‘other things.’ Saturate me with the oil of your spirit that I may be a flame. Make me your fuel, flame of God.” Today, make that your prayer!