Kids' Talk

7 Important Things You Can Tell A Child
Wayne Stocks

I find that it isn’t all that hard to talk to kids. They like to talk if you can find some common ground and explore something that really interests them. As children’s ministers, and as parents, though, there are things that they need to hear from us. Words are powerful things, and the tongue has the power to build up and to tear apart both by its action and by its inaction. In other words, silence can be just as damaging as a negative spoken word. Here are seven important things that every child needs to hear:

1. God loves you. No matter what a child is going through – no matter what circumstances they find themselves in, this statement will always be true. God loves them, and they need to hear it. Much more than hear it though, they need to understand it. They need to know that God’s love is unconditional. It doesn’t matter what they have done or what they haven’t done – God always has, does, and always will love them. Impress that on their hearts and you have laid an unbreakable foundation.

2. Jesus died for you. From a very young age, kids have to know that Jesus dies on the cross for their sins – for their bad decisions. What an amazing act of love. They must understand that Jesus, that God, made the ultimate sacrifice for them.

3. You need Jesus. In order for kids to understand the magnitude of the sacrifice of Jesus, they must also understand their own sins and bad decisions, and that Jesus died specifically for their sins and because he loved them. There is much dispute about teaching kids about sins. If you’re interested in reading more, you can check out a series I did on Dad in the Middle called 5 Things Kids Must Know About Sin.

4. You are valuable to God. God created us in his own image, and although he does not need us, we are all valuable to him. Our value was expressed in his willingness to send his Son to die on the cross for our sins. In God’s eyes, there is no such thing as a mistake or a nobody. God doesn’t just value people in general, He values you specifically.

5. There is a purpose for your life. Not only does God value each child, he has a plan for them. God made each child with a purpose and a plan. No life is wasted when it is lived in accordance with God’s plan.

6. I love you. God’s love is all-powerful and sustaining, but it is not enough. When God created Adam and it was just him, God acknowledged that he needed something more, he needed relationships with other humans, so God created Eve and told them be fruitful and multiply. Kids need know that God loves them, but they also need to know that you love them!

7. I’m glad you’re here. Every child needs to feel valued and wanted. Let them know that their presence in your life means something to you. Make sure that they understand that their mere existence brings you happiness and joy.

There you have it. Seven things every kid needs to know and hear. And, the best thing about these seven statements is that you can never say them enough!

The Fallen Cross

The Fallen Cross
Chip Brogden

"If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." -Luke 9:23

When we first come to the Lord we truly think we are giving Him our all, but we cannot fully appreciate just how powerful Self is. It cannot be dealt with in a once-and-for-all manner. It requires many seasons of God's dealings for us to see the truth about the Lord, and the truth about ourselves.

That is why I say there is more hope for someone who is ready to give up and quit than there is for someone who keeps promising to do better tomorrow. Only after we have tried and failed one hundred, one thousand, or one million times will we at last be able to say, "Lord, I finally understand now that I can originate nothing of my own self, because whenever I do, I meet with nothing but defeat. So I am finished! Henceforth, not my will, but Your Will be done!"

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Dear Lord, Your call is not easy. It’s not easy to take up our cross and follow You. It’s not easy to seek first Your kingdom. And it’s certainly not easy to love our enemies. Yet You call us, nevertheless, aware of our weaknesses. You call us to Your way, the way of the kingdom. You call us to a life that we can live only by Your strength. I ask for that strength today, Lord. Help me to love beyond my own limitations. May I be a channel of Your abundant, sacrificial, holy, gracious love. Through Jesus Christ and the intercession of the Holy Spirit, I pray. Amen and Amen.

When the Lord Tarries

When the Lord Tarries
Os Hillman

"For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3

God has a storehouse of blessings that He has reserved for you and me. However, our timing to receive those blessings may not be the same as our Lord's. God has a specific timetable that He requires to accomplish His purposes in the life of the believer. Sometimes that timetable seems excruciatingly cruel and painful, yet it is needful.

When we read that Joseph remained a slave in Egypt and was then placed in prison after being wrongfully accused, it would be easy to second-guess the God of the universe. Oh, how cruel and uncaring, we might think. Joseph thought he was going to be delivered from prison when he interpreted a dream for a court official, but then he was forgotten another two years. Why? An early release would have disrupted God's perfect plan.

God takes time to develop character before anything else. God could not afford to have a prideful 30-year-old managing the resources of an entire region of the world.

We can sometimes delay this timetable if we refuse His correction.

Although it is sometimes difficult to understand, the Lord is just and gracious in His dealings with His children. When He does decide to move on our behalf, we will appreciate the delay and will often understand the reason it was needed.

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!" (Isaiah 30:18)

If you are awaiting the fulfillment of a vision in your life, ask the Lord for His grace to sustain you. It will be worth the wait.

United Through The Gospel

United Through The Gospel
Work@Work

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." -Colossians 2:2-3

To some people, the Apostle Paul's lifestyle made no sense. His struggles and suffering seemed a waste: so he set the record straight. He was willing to sacrifice so much because he knew that faith in Christ would strengthen the churches in five ways: encouragement, unity, understanding, wisdom and knowledge. All these are found in Christ. Although hidden from the unbeliever, the apostolic task was to reveal the full riches of Christ to those who would believe.

Firstly, encouragement: Christ strengthens the heart, enabling desires and decisions to please Him; trusting His promises and keeping going despite opposition. A church without that sort of encouragement will become a club where people increasingly distrust each other. Secondly, unity in love: true love is always 'other centred'. Those who love sacrificially, as Christ loves, will want to give to others and not insist on getting their own way: without this mindset, unity is impossible.

Thirdly, understanding - this is the ability to see how everything fits together. Because Christ is the Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, Redeemer and much more ... He is the centre of everything. Without understanding that, believers and whole churches will invent other epicentres of belief and drift away from Him. They will be unable to, fourthly, act with wisdom because they will not know how to relate with God and serve His purpose. They will be unable to, fifthly, know what is right or wrong.

Faith in Jesus Christ starts a transformation of mind and heart. Nothing can make sense without Him, but in Him the mystery of God is unlocked. Only then can we know how to relate in His church and glorify Him in His world. That is why we have the apostolic explanation of the mystery of Christ in the Bible, so that every generation including ours may know how to relate with the God who made us, and with each other. In the same way that Paul knew that his struggles for the churches were worthwhile, so every believer who sacrifices time, money, reputation and 'normal' pleasures for the sake of Christ and the gospel is glad. The result is the beauty of changed lives, souls are saved and churches are built securely, as we proclaim and trust the apostolic explanation of Jesus Christ. All that may seem too big for any of us: but start where you are ... live His life, tell His story and relate together in His love.

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Dear Lord God. Thank You that You are no longer hidden, but in Christ we see Your character and loving purpose for humanity. Thank You for the faithfulness of the apostles who did not hold back from proclaiming Christ, despite the opposition and suffering they endured. Help me to value what they have written about Jesus Christ so that I may trust Him more completely and enjoy the fullness of the riches to be found in Him. Help me to learn how to relate in love and work together with others wisely to Your praise and glory. In Christ's Name. Amen.

Being An Overcomer

Being An Overcomer
Os Hillman

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

"Why does it seem that those involved in Christian enterprise find the way so hard? It seems as though it is harder for those who are committed Christians in business. Have you found this to be true?" This was the comment from a business associate recently. My answer was a definite yes. In fact, if you were not a Christian and sought to do a similar business without regard to maintaining a biblical philosophy, the way would be much smoother sailing. It makes us think of the prophet who asked, "Why do the wicked prosper?" (see Jeremiah12:1)

It is a spiritual principle of which we speak. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan before they entered the Promised Land, they fought only two battles. Then after they entered the Promised Land, they fought 39 battles. The way of the cross is not paved with lilies; it is paved with grace. When we seek to honor God in our business life, we will be met with opposition from the spiritual forces of this world. This is why each of us must commit ourselves to walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and to be as gentle as doves but as wise as serpents.

Do not be surprised when you find the way harder as a believer than when you were a non-believer. You now have more at stake among the spiritual forces that desire you to be defeated and ineffective.

Stand firm against the evil forces that desire to keep you from walking in freedom in the Promised Land. Jesus is your victory for every battle you will encounter. Call on His name.

Journey of Travail

Journey of Travail
Truth For Life

Job 10:2
Let me know why you contend against me.

Perhaps, weary soul, the Lord is doing this to develop your graces. There are some of your graces that would never be discovered if it were not for your trials. Do you not know that your faith never looks as good in summer as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glowworm, showing but little light unless it is surrounded by darkness. Hope itself is like a star--not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.

Afflictions are often the black foils in which God sets the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine brighter. It was only a little while ago that on your knees you were saying, "Lord, I fear I have no faith. Let me know that I have faith." Were you not really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials? For how can you know that you have faith until your faith is exercised? Depend upon it--God often sends us trials so that our graces may be discovered and that we may be convinced of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery; real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials.

God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and subjecting them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many long miles with heavy backpacks of sorrow. Well, Christian, may this not account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow? Is it for this reason He contends with you?

Finding Meaning in Our Labor

Finding Meaning in Our Labor
Os Hillman

"But I said, 'I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God.'" -Isaiah 49:4

Have you ever felt like you're spending your life using your talent for nothing? Life is often spent doing mundane activities that seem to have little eternal purpose.

The great prophet Isaiah was struggling with his own purpose. He knew he was chosen to be a voice for God, yet life became purposeless for Isaiah. We all go through periods when our purpose seems to be clouded with the mundane. We see little meaning in life. On the other hand, Isaiah didn't stay in this place. We read in this passage that he knew the truth of his existence. He could look past his present circumstance and know that his real reward and purpose would be revealed in eternity. He knew that God was just and fair, so he placed his faith on this truth.

When life appears to lack meaning and purpose, remember that if you devote your life to the purposes He has for you, the fruits of your labor will be manifested in due time. "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Long Before The Lord

Prayer: Long Before The Lord
A. W. Tozer

To pray successfully is the first lesson the preacher must learn if he is to preach fruitfully; yet prayer is the hardest thing he will ever be called upon to do and, being human, it is the one act he will be tempted to do less frequently than any other.

Exodus 34:34
"But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded."

It is written of Moses that he "went in before the Lord to speak with him...and he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel." This is the Biblical norm from which we depart to our own undoing and to the everlasting injury of the souls of men. No man has any moral right to go before the people who has not first been long before the Lord. No man has any right to speak to men about God who has not first spoken to God about men. And the prophet of God should spend more time in the secret place praying than he spends in the public place preaching....

One swallow does not make a spring nor one hot day a summer; nor will a few minutes of frantic praying before service bring out the tender buds or make the flowers to appear on the earth. The field must be soaked in sunshine over a long period before it will give forth its treasures. The Christian's heart must be soaked in prayer before the true spiritual fruits begin to grow. The Root of the Righteous, 121-122.

"Lord, it seems like much of what we've been emphasizing all year requires that we slow down from our frantic pace. It takes great spiritual discipline to 'spend more time in the secret place praying than we spend in the public place preaching.' Quiet my heart today, slow me down I pray. Amen."

Clutter In The Closet

Clutter In The Closet
Dorsey Marshall

"If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear..." -Psalm 66:18

Refuse to let anything or anyone steal your faith! When you allow temptation to have its way in your life, you will find it quite difficult to remain comfortable in God’s presence. Sin has a way of leaving a guilt-trail! Guilt is a faith-stealer! You will be uncomfortable asking God to meet any need you have, when you know things are not right with you.

Guilt is like having clutter in your closet! Clutter will hinder you from reaching the things you need for your daily activities. Recently, I just went through that. My closet contained so much clutter I could not find anything. There were shirts, trousers, suits, and shoes I have not worn in years. Finally, I went through my closet and discarded stuff I no longer wanted, because it did not fit me anymore. I gave it all away so someone else could benefit from what I could not use.

The Psalmist is speaking of, and referring to, the number one hindrance to a Christian’s prayer life: the clutter of unconfessed sin! There is nothing that so takes the joy out of a life as unconfessed sin in a person’s life. Unconfessed sin produces a clutter of guilt and condemnation. Nothing in your life will derail, distract, and discourage you more than the clutter of these two. If you, as God’s child, are to have a productive, purposeful, and powerful life, then you have to deal with unconfessed sin, and you must be deeply concerned with the clutter that fills the secret places of your life.

David reveals to us three truths concerning the danger of the clutter of unconfessed sin in our lives! The word he uses is “regard” meaning the cause of unconfessed sin, which stems from two things: the acceptance of sin, and the agreement of sin. Then, there is the condition, which always involves a single person, you, and me. It also involves a secret place, the heart of a man. Finally, there are the consequences of unconfessed sin . . . God is not moved, and prayers are not heard. In much the same way, if unconfessed sin is present, the symptoms may not soon appear. However, the lasting effects are deadly to a Christian’s personal life, public life, and prayer life. It is time to remove the clutter from the closet!

Wisdom Seed: “If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?” Today’s Prayer: “Father, I confess my sin to You; forgive me and cleanse me from all of my secret sins, In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”

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Father, we thank you for Your Word that say if we confess our sin, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Bring us to remembrance, Lord, if there is anything in us that is offensive to you or anything that hasn't been pleasing before you, remove it far away from us, as far as the east is from the west and as far as the west is from the east. In Jesus most gracious name. Thank you Father. Amen.

Earth Is Not Heaven

Remember, Earth Is Not Heaven
Rick Warren

Take on an entirely new way of life -- a God-fashioned life,
a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct
as God accurately reproduces his character in you. -Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)

Many religions and New Age philosophies promote the old lie that we are divine or can become gods. Let me be absolutely clear: you will never become God, or even a god.

That prideful lie is Satan's oldest temptation. Satan promised Adam and Eve that if they followed his advice, "you shall be as gods" (Genesis 3:5 KJV).

This desire to be a god shows up every time we try to control our circumstances, our future, and people around us. But as creatures, we will never be the Creator. God doesn't want you to become a god; he wants you to become godly, taking on his values, attitudes, and character. We are meant to "take on an entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you" (Ephesians 4:22-24 MSG).

God's ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality or becoming a mindless clone.

God created your uniqueness, so he certainly doesn't want to destroy it. Christ likeness is all about transforming your character, not your personality.

God wants you to develop the kind of character described in the Beatitudes of Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit, Paul's great chapter on love, and Peter's list of the characteristics of an effective and productive life (Matthew 5:1-12; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Peter 1:5-8).

Every time you forget that character is one of God's purposes for your life, you will become frustrated by your circumstances. You'll wonder, "Why is this happening to me? Why am I having such a difficult time?" One answer is that life is supposed to be difficult! It's what enables us to grow. Remember, earth is not heaven!

Many Christians misinterpret Jesus' promise of the "abundant life" (John 10:10) to mean perfect health, a comfortable lifestyle, constant happiness, full realization of your dreams, and instant relief from problems through faith and prayer.

In a word, they expect the Christian life to be easy. They expect heaven on earth.

This self-absorbed perspective treats God as a genie who simply exists to serve you in your selfish pursuit of personal fulfillment. But God is not your servant, and if you fall for the idea that life is supposed to be easy, either you will become severely disillusioned or you will live in denial of reality.

Never forget that life is not about you! You exist for God's purposes, not vice versa. Why would God provide heaven on earth when he's planned the real thing for you in eternity? God gives us our time on earth to build and strengthen our character for heaven.

Making the Lord Our Banner

Making the Lord Our Banner
Os Hillman

"Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner." -Exodus 17:15

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. God instructed Moses to stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand. Moses' staff represented something that God said He would use to bring glory to Himself. The staff represented what Moses had done for most of his life - shepherding. It was his vocation. When God first called Moses at the burning bush, He told him to pick up the staff; He would perform miracles through it.

God wants to perform miracles through each of our vocations. At Rephidim, God defeated the Amalekites only when Moses held his staff to Heaven. It was a symbol of dependence and acknowledgment that Heaven was the source of the Israelites' power. When he dropped his hand, the power was removed and they began to lose the battle. Each day we are challenged to reach toward Heaven and allow God to be the source of victory in the workplace or be defeated. God calls us to let His banner reign over the workplace so that others may know the source of our victory. "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven' " (Exodus 17:14). The Lord wants those behind us and around us to know that He is the source of our power and success. With each victory is a testimony that is to be shared with our children and our associates.

Is the Lord your banner today? Reach toward Heaven today and let His banner wave over your work so that He might receive glory from your life.

Leave The Past Behind

Leave The Past Behind
Kenneth C.

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:13

Failures and disappointments. Aches and pains from the past that just won't seem to go away. Most of us know what it's like to suffer from them but too few of us know just what to do about them. So we limp along, hoping somehow they'll magically stop hurting.

But it never happens that way. In fact, the passing of time often leaves us in worse condition--not better. Because, instead of putting those painful failures behind us, we often dwell on them until they become more real to us than the promises of God. We focus on them until we become bogged down in depression, frozen in our tracks by the fear that if we go on, we'll only fail again.

I used to get caught in that trap a lot. Then one day when I was right in the middle of a bout with depression, the Lord spoke up inside me and said: "Kenneth, your problem is you're forming your thoughts off the past instead of the future. Don't do that! Unbelief looks at the past and says, "See, it can't be done." But faith looks at the future and says, "It can be done, and according to the promises of God, it is done!" Then putting past failures behind it forever, faith steps out and acts like the victory's already been won.

If depression has driven you into a spiritual nosedive, break out of it by getting your eyes off the past and onto your future--a future that's been guaranteed by Christ Jesus through the great and precious promises in His Word.

Forget about those failures in the past! That's what God has done. And if He doesn't remember them any more, why should you? The Bible says God's mercies are new every morning. So instead of looking behind you and saying, "I can't," look ahead and say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"

God's Selection Process

God's Selection Process
Os Hillman

"So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, 'Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.'" -Judges 7:5

Would you ever take on an army of 100,000 with only 300 men? Sound preposterous? I agree. However, this is exactly what happened with Gideon. It was bad enough that he began with 10,000 against 100,000, but this was too many men according to God. He would not allow Gideon to fight with this many soldiers, because the temptation would still remain to believe that it was the strength of his army that won the victory. God told Gideon to pare down his army to a mere 300. This would ensure that God would receive total credit for the victory. This is a law in the Kingdom of God. All glory must go to Him. "Announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained" (Judges 7:3).

Now there are 10,000 men left but that was still too many. God gave Gideon an interesting selection method for the 300 as he took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink" (Judges 7:5b). What was the significance of this? Those soldiers who lapped water like a dog were soldiers who were more aware of the enemy around them compared to those who kneeled to drink. The lappers were men who were on constant guard to the danger around them, keeping their eyes up and looking about them. The others could be easily picked off.

If you and I are going to be one of God's elite, we must be battle ready. We must be sensitive to the spiritual dangers around us. We must be trained to go about our business while, at the same time, discern when the enemy of our souls is prowling about seeking to destroy us. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Beware of the spiritual dangers around you.

Seeing Us for What We Will Become

Seeing Us for What We Will Become
Os Hillman

..."The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." -Judges 6:12

God always looks at His children for what they will be, not what they are now. The Lord already had seen Gideon as a leader of others, not just a laborer who threshed wheat.

Gideon was an Israelite who lived during a time of oppression from the Midianites. God had allowed Israel to be oppressed because of its rebellion. However, the Israelites cried out to God, and He heard their cry for help. He decided to free them from the oppression of their enemies. God chose a man with little experience in such matters to lead an army against Midian.

When God came to Gideon through a visit by an angel, the angel's first words to him were, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." God always looks at His children for what they will be, not what they are now. The Lord had already seen this man as a leader of others, not just a laborer who threshed wheat.

The apostle Paul said, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). God has reserved an inheritance for you and me. He has foreordained that we should accomplish great things in His name-not so that we will be accepted or become more valued, but to experience the reality of a living relationship with a God who wants to demonstrate His power through each of us.

What does God want to accomplish through you today? He used Gideon, with only 300 men, to deliver Israel from an army of more than 100,000. He demonstrated His power through one man who was willing to let God use what little faith he had to free a nation from oppression and bring glory to the God of Israel. The Lord delights in showing Himself strong through those who will trust Him.

The Works of the Flesh

The Works of the Flesh
Os Hillman

"You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.'" -Deuteronomy 8:17

We've all heard someone say, "He's a self-made man." What are they saying in this statement? Are they saying that this individual achieved success by his hard work and sweat? Many a person has achieved success through honest hard work. There is a danger for any of us who may have achieved significance through our work. That danger is the belief that we achieved it through our own efforts apart from God's grace and mercy. When we live in this belief, we assert that we are entitled to certain rights and privileges because of the position we have earned and feel we deserve.

The prodigal son's brother who refused to celebrate the wayward son's return was a man who felt he was entitled to certain rights. He saw himself as one who had been faithful to his responsibilities and deserving of more attention. He could not appreciate his brother's failure and the pain of falling into a sinful life because, in his mind, he had never failed.

This pride kept him from experiencing God's real grace. This is how legalism develops in believers. It grows into a cold heart and an insensitive attitude toward others who may have stumbled in their lives. This same brother did not truly understand the love of his father apart from works; for he felt he gained acceptance only by doing his job.

Do you feel accepted by God, regardless of what you do? Have you wrongfully viewed your works as something you alone have achieved? These are the minefields of which each of us in business must be aware. God has gifted us to accomplish anything through His grace, not by our works.

Overlooking Offenses

Overlooking Offenses
Os Hillman

Proverbs 19:11
"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

I have a friend who tells a story of a lesson the Lord taught him through his wife. It seems that every time he and his wife would get in the car to travel somewhere, his wife had a strong need to direct his driving. She would tell him where to turn and when to turn, even in their own subdivision. It was such a horrible habit that it drove my friend crazy and became the source of many an argument. Finally, one day my friend concluded that the Lord was trying to teach him something through this experience. He decided he would let go of his need to be free from this correction. He began to affirm his wife and even thank her for her input. It was excruciatingly painful to do this from where he sat.

A few months passed. He let go of the entire situation and actually got to a place where it just didn't matter to him anymore. An interesting thing happened a few months later. One day his wife looked at him and said, "John, I just realized that I have been directing your driving all these years and now realize why I do that. It goes back to my childhood when I had to direct my younger brothers and sisters. I am so sorry I have been doing that." My friend nearly fell out of his seat!

Whenever we work close to another person, whether in an office or home, small offenses can become the source of great conflict. Resentment and irritability soon follow. God brings these "offenses" into our lives to develop character qualities in us. He uses individuals in our lives to accomplish his goal of making us more Christ-like.

So the next time you complain or resist a habit or action from someone close to you, ask God if it has been placed there to develop some quality in you. Pride is the root source of the need to change another person. A man's wisdom gives him patience-to let go of little offenses. This is where spiritual maturity is seen in the day-to-day activity of life. Is there someone close to you who has some habit you really want to change? Give up that desire to the Lord. Who knows, He may even change it after you let go of the need to change it.

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Dear Lord Jesus, help us to know that as we place you as the focus point of our life, there you dictate our path and direct our way. Grant us Lord, the wisdom of having patience to be able to overlook an offense and to know that you will, Lord, make all things work out good in the end for those who love you. In Jesus mighty name. Amen!

Mastering Habits

Mastering Habits
Charles R. Swindoll

1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.
All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

I used to bite my fingernails right down to the quick. I'd bite them off just as soon as the first signs of new growth would appear. Research shows that it takes only three or four weeks for an activity to become a habit.

Not a person who reads this is completely free from bad habits. It's the price we pay for being human. Let's focus on five suggestions that will help us overcome bad habits.

(1) Stop rationalizing. Refuse to make comments like: "Oh, that's just me. I've always been like that." Such excuses take the edge off disobedience and encourage you to diminish or completely ignore the Spirit's work of conviction.

(2) Apply strategy. Approach your target with a rifle, not a BB gun. Take on one habit at a time, not all at once.

(3) Be realistic. It won't happen fast. It won't be easy. Nor will your resolve be permanent overnight. Periodic failures, however, are still better than habitual slavery.

(4) Be encouraged. Realize you're on the road to ultimate triumph, for the first time in years! Enthusiasm strengthens self-discipline and prompts an attitude of stick-to-it-iveness.

(5) Start today. This is the best moment thus far in your life. To put it off is an admission of defeat and will only intensify and prolong the self-confidence battle.

One day at a time,
attack one habit at a time.

Understanding Humility

Understanding Humility
Timrufus

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” -1 Peter 5:6

Do you know of someone who likes to "blow cow"? The “blow cow” term is not a word found in any of the English contemporary dictionary. It is merely a literally direct translation from the Chinese expression meaning to boast or brag. But this Asian term of bragging here is somehow different from the western understanding of bragging. In my contact with children, some of whom I realize like to "blow cows", have exhibited slight sentimental of "low self esteem". Such that when they found something they thought was great, they were very much eager to tell others about it and with "great enthusiasm". But the woman at the well was different, when Jesus told her all that she had done, she went about witnessing for Christ. (John 4:28-30)

One website define the word humility as, "humbleness is a quality of being courteously respectful of others. It is the opposite of aggressiveness, arrogance, boastfulness, and vanity." We can be humble and yet speak with great faith. Jesus was such a man. He is God, but He submit himself under the authority of God The Father. We can be humble but "aggressive" towards his kingdom. (Matthew 11:12)

A humble person is a humble person, there is no such thing as "He's proud of his humility." But when we say someone is proud of his humility, we could be saying that this man has false humility and he didn’t even realize it! But one thing is for sure, the bible says, "...The LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts..." (1 Chronicles 28:9)

Sometimes I like to “blow cow” in front of my friends because it makes them laugh. They know there is no way I could use 1 banana and hit 10 gorillas at the same time. But you can boast in front of me for all I care. The important thing is, whether, your boasting is informative, or whether your "bragging" beneficially adds on to my knowledge and or understanding more (of humanity!)

The dictionary defines humility as “A modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness”. And if all your boasting and bragging can humble me before my Creator and make me go on my knee begging him for more help and blessings, then that is true humility in us and for us. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. And the verse that follows is like this, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:6-7

Verse for Meditation: Psalm 37:1

Thank you Lord Jesus that you see each and every one of our needs more clearly than we know ourselves. Help us to understand one another in a more tangible way and to be truly able to appreciate what other appreciate. Help us Lord, to appreciate others just as we appreciate ourselves and we can then truly appreciate what you have done for us on the Calvary. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Lord Jesus Teach Me to Pray *

Lord Jesus Teach Me to Pray
Timrufus

"The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done." -Genesis 8:21

Before the flood came, The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. (Genesis 6:6) Have you ever grieved your parent so much that a peek into their heart show that it was bleeding or that have you ever met a most evil man in town whom you thought if you can you would like to pierce open that heart of his and take a look at how it is like? But Genesis 6:6 says, "THE LORD was grieved that He had made men." And Ephesians 4:30 says, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." How have we experience The Father yesterday, today and tomorrow? Can you empathy with The Lord's felt at Golgotha this moment?

We talk to The Holy Spirit, We speak to The Holy Spirit yet we must be careful that we do not petition our requests unto The Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you." The Holy spirit of Whom God has given us, of Whom we are sealed for the day of redemption, helps us in our weakness and what we do not know what we ought to pray for, the Spirit himself intercedes and pleads on our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.... (Romans 8:26-27)

The Holy Spirit is capable of grieving because He is The Holy Spirit of God, for God is a Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a Person. The Holy Spirit is The third Person of The Holy Trinity. (John 4:24) John experienced what Ezekiel also experienced. In the book of Ezekiel, Ezekiel was lifted up by The Spirit of God many a times. But Whom Ezekiel saw was, the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. (Ezekiel 1:28) Ezekiel witnessed to the reign of Lord Jesus long before The Word became flesh - The emblem of God, reigns. (Ezekiel 37:4-6)

Through Revelation 3 - 4, John was in the Spirit, And He saw the vision of a SOMEONE sitting on the Throne. A Lamb slained and worthy to open the scroll. The Lamb is symbolic, for "HE" had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelations 5:6b) Now to the glory of God the Father, and by The Decree of God (Psalm 2:7), "JESUS" is The Name, The Son inherited from God The Father. (Matthew 28:19, Philippians 2:9-11, Psalm 29:2) And He (Jesus) says, "He (The Holy Spirit) will glorify me because it is from me (The Father, The Son And The Holy Ghost) that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you." (John 16: 14-15)

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13 ... No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit receives from God and reveals what is of God. (Luke 10:21, 1 Corinthians 2:10) The human’s will lies in what one really wants but The Divine will of God lies in the Soul, The Godhead of the Holy Trinity. Does your Spirit knows what you want to do before hand? Likewise, "In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians 2:11) Likewise, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mark 13:32)

The Lord's Prayer for meditation: Luke 11:1-11

Without You Lord Jesus, we will be lost. Without you Lord, we would not have known Your Holy Spirit and without your Holy Spirit Lord, we would not have known you. Change us, mold us and break us if necessary but do not utterly forsake us. Comfort us, lead us and guide us for Your Name sake. May your good Spirit lead us on level ground, all who are called according to your purpose in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Thank You Father, Son and Holy Ghost. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen!

Pray For An Hour!

Pray For An Hour!
Bill Gothard

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:
the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." -Matthew 26:41
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said to Peter, James, and John, “Tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). However, when Jesus returned, He found the disciples asleep and said to Peter, “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). Following this, Jesus gave them the command to watch and pray. Just as these disciples found it difficult to spend an hour in prayer, in our lives today it can be a challenge as well to spend an extended period of time in prayer.Why do we find it easy to talk to friends for hours, yet difficult to talk with the Lord for one hour?

At a recent Counseling Seminar, I announced to the hundreds of young people who were attending that we were going to break into small groups and pray for an hour. Many of them had never prayed for a solid hour and wondered what it would be like. After the hour of prayer, they were so encouraged that the entire group wanted to do it again.

This group benefited from an outline that divided the hour into 12, 5-minute segments, each with a specific prayer focus. Here is the outline they followed:

Praise—Praise the Lord for His character and for Who He is. Use His names to praise Him. Praise Him for His acts and for His creation.

The Word—Read or quote a Psalm of praise to the Lord. Pray through a Psalm.

Meditation—Take the time to meditate silently on the Scripture that has been read or on other passages that come to mind.

Confession—Confess your sins to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. If in a group, confess sins appropriately in prayer. Confess the corporate sins of the nation.

Intercession—Beseech the Lord on behalf of others. Pray for revival in the hearts of believers.

Listen—Ask the Lord to speak to you, and quietly listen to Him.

Record—Write down insights and direction that God gives you during your time of prayer.

Petition—Present to God specific personal needs and desires that are according to His will.

Family—Pray for your family and families in general, especially for the unity of marriages, and for fathers.

Church—Pray for the unity and purity of the collective Body of Christ as well as your local church leadership.

Government Leaders—Pray that God will give them wisdom and understanding.

Thanksgiving—Give thanks to the Lord for what He has done and will do. When we delight in the presence of the Lord, we will lose all sense of time.

Let’s delight in God’s presence by taking an hour to pray. Then, for your journal entry this week, write about your experience and the results. Also, write out any instances in which God prompted you to pray for a certain individual, and then find out what specific needs he or she was facing. Let’s make watching and praying a regular part of our lives.