Emphasis on Christianity versus Religion

8/13/2019 Emphasis on Christianity versus Religion

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Refreshingailyin Gods Word

Emphasis on


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February 2014


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Rules vs. Relationship

February 1

Bible Reading: Act 26Key Verse: Verse 28 - Then Agrippa said unto Paul,Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.Key Words:Almost thou persuadest me to be aChristian

Often !ear "eo"le use t!e ter# religion and

$!ristianity interc!angeably% &o'( don)t 'ant to be *"ic+y*but t!e t'o 'ords are ,astly different% Religion tends to focuson rules( '!ile $!ristianity focuses on a relations!i"%

Rules 'it!out a relations!i" euals rottenness(arrogance( self-"ride( and .!ariseeis#%

n #y /1 years in t!e #inistry( ),e disco,ered t!at"eo"le '!o focus "ri#arily on a rule or rules do so for one oft'o reasons% First( t!ey are atte#"ting to 0ustify or #a+e u"

for a failure or s!ortco#ing in t!eir life% econdly( t!ey aretelling ot!ers !o' as a belie,er( t!ey s!ould !a,e *odlystandards* in t!eir li,es to ta+e t!e attention a'ay fro#t!e#sel,es because of sin in t!eir o'n li,es%

A rat!er crude e3"eri#ent 'as carried out by 4#"erorFrederic+ '!o ruled Ro#e in t!e 15t! $entury% e 'anted to+no' #an)s original language% e decided t!at in order to+no' t!is( you s!ould isolate a fe' infants fro# t!e sound of

t!e !u#an ,oice% e reasoned t!at t!ey 'ould e,entuallys"ea+ #an)s natural language% &urses 'ere s'orn to silenceand t!oug! it 'as !ard( t!ey abided by t!e rules gi,en tot!e#% 7!e infants ne,er !eard a 'ord( ne,er !ad arelations!i" 'it! anyone% Wit!in a fe' #ont!s all t!e babies'ere dead%

7!e "oint is if all 'e do is focus on rules 'it!out arelations!i"( 'e +ill%

W!at to do:


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tress t!e i#"ortance of a good relations!i" 'it!od%

What You Are vs. What You Do

February 2

Bible Reading: a#es 1:19-29Key Verse: Verse 29 -Pure religion and undefiledbefore God and the Father is this, To visit thefatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keephimself unspotted from the world.

Key Words: To visit....to keep

&ot all religion is bad% W!at 'e do is i#"ortant( but'!at 'e are is #ore i#"ortant

.ure religion 'ill ,isit t!ose in need% 7!e 'ord ,isit#eans to #eet t!eir need( to aid( to !el"% .ure religion 'illalso +ee" oneself fro# being s"otted ;tainted< by t!e 'orld% guess you could say ="ure> religion can ne,er be fulfilled

'it!out being $!rist-li+e or $!ristian% We don?t do t!eset!ings to be sa,ed: t!at?s i#"ure religion% We do t!ese t!ingsbecause 'e are sa,ed: t!at?s $!ristianity%

.ure religion dra's attention to $!rist( '!ile i#"urereligion dra's attention to self@>!ey( e,eryone loo+ at #e>

f a "erson 'as to 'al+ around 'it! a big( red stain on!is s!irt( #ost of us 'ould notice% We?d be t!in+ing t!oug!tsli+e( =e?s got a stain on !is s!irt> or =Boy( !o' could !is 'ife

let !i# co#e out of t!e !ouse li+e t!at 'it! a stain on !iss!irt> or =Boy( !e?s sure unclean and un+e#"t%> 7!at stain'ould be a distraction% t 'ould do #ore t!an da#age t!atone s"ot it 'ould detract fro# t!e i#"ression of t!e '!ole"erson%

o#e $!ristians brag because t!eir '!ole life isn?tfilt!y% Cou '!ole life doesn?t !a,e to be filt!y% All you need isa stain%

W!at to do:


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f you 'ant to be religious( t!en be of t!e ="urereligion> "ersuasion%

Love vs. Law

February 5

Bible Reading: o!n 15:51-58Key Verse: Verse 5/ -A new commandment I giveunto ou, That e love one another! as I have lovedou, that e also love one another.Key Words: That e love one another

7!e e'is! "eo"le of esus? day li,ed by t!e la't!erefore( if you 'ere caug!t brea+ing t!e la' ;see 43odus 2D o!n 1E:19( =7!eset!ings co##and you( 7!at ye lo,e one anot!er%> 7!essalonians /:( =But as touc!ing brot!erly lo,e ye need nott!at 'rite unto you: for ye yoursel,es are taug!t of od tolo,e one anot!er%>

$!ristian lo,e is not an e#otional feeling% $!ristianlo,e is treating "eo"le rig!t or treating ot!ers t!e 'ay od'ould%

Get?s face reality% 7!ere are t!ose '!o 'e 'ould not'ant to s"end a 'ee+?s ,acation 'it!( but 'e are still to treatt!e# 'it! res"ect and dignity% We are to treat t!e# rig!t%

Get us also be !onest about t!e fact t!at our old natureisn?t ,ery lo,ing nor is it lo,able% Go,ing ot!ers ;treating t!e#

rig!t< isn?t so#et!ing 'e can do naturally% t !as to besu"ernatural%7!ere are 12 "assages t!at refer to t!e 'onderful

"ri,ilege of lo,ing ot!ers( but all of t!e# !a,e to be "ut into"ractice% f 'e lo,e one anot!er 'e are going to treat one


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anot!er rig!t% 7!is #eans forgi,ing( being +ind( etc% o let#e encourage you to be =$!ristian> by treating ot!ers rig!t(not as you 'ant but as od 'ants%

W!at to do:

Re#e#ber( $!ristianity is based u"on lo,e%Religion is based "ri#arily on la'%

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Service vs. Self

February /

Bible Reading: alatians E:1-15Key Verse: Verse 15 - For, brethren, e have been

called unto libert! onl use not libert for anoccasion to the flesh, but b love serve one another.

Key Words: b love serve one another

By nature t!e fles! isn)t interested in ser,ing bynature t!e fles! is only interested in self% f 'e are to dealet!ically 'it! one anot!er 'e #ust 'al+ in t!e "irit%

7!e reason 'e !urt ot!ers 'it! our 'ords and actions(

and t!e reason 'e bite and de,our one anot!er is because 'e'al+ in t!e fles! and not t!e "irit%One t!ing t!at !a,e disco,ered in #y years of

"astoring is t!at all t!e c!urc! !as a 'illing s"irit% A fe' are'illing to 'or+ and ser,e ot!ers and t!e rest are 'illing to lett!e#% 7o "ut it #ildly( #ost belie,ers are not $!ristian '!enit co#es to t!e# *ser,ing ot!ers%*

Re#inds #e of t!e old saying( *7!ere once 'as a 0ob

anybody could do( but nobody did% &o' '!en e,erybodyfound out t!at nobody !ad done t!e 0ob anybody could do(e,erybody got u"set at so#ebody% &o' t!e #oral of t!e story


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is t!is: if so#ebody 'ould !a,e done t!e 0ob t!at anybodycould !a,e done( nobody 'ould be u"set 'it! anybody%*

elf-rig!teous ser,ice co#es t!roug! !u#aneffort%7rue ser,ice co#es fro# a relations!i" 'it!od%elf-rig!teous ser,ice is i#"ressed 'it! t!e*big deal%*7rue ser,ice finds it al#ost i#"ossible todistinguis! t!e s#all fro# t!e large ser,ice%elf-rig!teous ser,ice reuires e3ternal

re'ards%7rue ser,ice rests contented on !iddenness%elf-rig!teous ser,ice is !ig!ly concernedabout results7rue ser,ice is free of t!e need to calculateresults%elf-rig!teous ser,ice "ic+s and c!ooses'!o# to ser,e%

7rue ser,ice is indiscri#inate in its #inistry%elf-rig!teous ser,ice is affected by #oodsand '!i#s%7rue ser,ice #inisters si#"ly and fait!fullybecause t!ere is a need%elf-rig!teous ser,ice is te#"orary%7rue ser,ice is a life-style%elf-rig!teous ser,ice is 'it!out sensiti,ity%

t insists on #eeting t!e need e,en '!en todo so 'ould be destructi,e%7rue ser,ice can 'it!!old t!e ser,ice as freelyas "erfor# it%elf-rig!teous ser,ice fractures t!e c!urc!%7rue ser,ice( on t!e ot!er !and( builds t!ec!urc!%

o let #e encourage you to be $!ristian in your ser,icefor ot!ers%


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W!at to do:Re#e#ber( religion usually !as self in #ind( '!ile$!ristianity !as ot!ers in #ind%

Help vs. Talk

February E

Bible Reading: alatians 6:1-1DKey Verse: Verse 2 -"ear e one another#s burdens,and so fulfil the law of Christ.Key Words:"ear e one another#s burdens

We read in alatians 6:2( *Bear ye one anot!er)sburdens( and so fulfill t!e la' of $!rist%* But t!ere see#s tobe a contradiction bet'een alatians 6:2 and 6:E for 'e aretold in alatians 6:E( *For e,ery #an s!all bear !is o'nburden%*

7!ere really is no contradiction t!oug!% n alatians6:2 t!e 'ord for burden refers to a !ea,y load( a trial(

so#et!ing difficult to bear% n ,erse E t!e 'ord refers to ourdaily res"onsibilities%But t!ere are t!ings beyond our res"onsibilities t!at

can burden us do'n( suc! as illness in t!e fa#ily( orunforeseen accidents( suc! as our !ouse burning do'n or t!eloss of a 0ob or a deat! in t!e fa#ily% 7!ese tragic e,ents carryus beyond our *daily res"onsibilities* and reac! into t!e*!ea,y* burden category of life t!ings in '!ic! our c!urc!

fa#ily s!ould co#e to our aid%n o'a t!ere 'as a stor# t!at !ad flooded out a#a0or city% .eo"le 'ere gat!ering t!eir goods to sa,e '!att!ey could% One of t!e "olice#en sa' a sig!t t!at touc!ed !is!eart% e sa' a little boy carrying anot!er little boy on !iss!oulders( all t!e '!ile still trying to carry goods and luggageand e,eryt!ing else% 7!e "olice#an 'ent o,er to !el" t!e boyand said( *Iy( you)re trying to do too #uc!% Cou),e got all

t!ese bags and t!en you),e got t!at boy on your s!oulders%t)s too #uc! 'eig!t for you% t)s too !ea,y%*7!e little boy loo+ed at t!e "olice#an and said( *e

ain)t !ea,y( !e)s #y brot!er%* W!en you +no' so#ebody is


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your brot!er( it #a+es it easier to bear t!e 'eig!t and carryt!e# to safety%

Bearing t!e burdens of our daily res"onsibilities is ouret!ical duty( but aiding t!ose '!o are burdened by t!e !ea,yload of une3"ected trails is t!e c!urc!)s $!ristian duty% Get usdo our "art in being a *$!ristian%*

W!at to do:Religion tal+s about '!at to do for ot!ers$!ristianity does it% o '!ic! are you


Self-Jud!ent vs. Judin"thers

February 6

Bible Reading: Iatt!e' 9:1-15Key Verse: Verse 1 -$udge not, that e be not %udged.

Key Words:$udge not

A great deal of 0udging goes on in t!e a,erage c!urc!(

doesn)t it !a,e 'ondered on occasion if 0udging ot!erc!urc! #e#bers is not t!e c!ief indoor s"ort of so#e "eo"le%Get #e +ey in on t'o "rinci"les t!at 'e #ust a""ly if

'e are to re#ain $!ristian in our dealings 'it! ot!er c!urc!#e#bers%

First( 'e #ust start 'it! oursel,es% We read inIatt!e' 9:5-/( *And '!y be!oldest t!ou t!e #ote t!at is int!y brot!er)s eye( but considerest not t!e bea# t!at is in t!ine

o'n eye Or !o' 'ilt t!ou say to t!y brot!er( Get #e "ull outt!e #ote out of t!ine eye and( be!old( a bea# is in t!ine o'neye*

'as "laying baseball in !ig! sc!ool '!en a stronggust of 'ind ble' so#e dirt in #y eye% 7!ey !ad to ta+e #e to


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t!e doctor% 'ill ne,er forget !o' t!e doctor bent o,er #e("ut a s"ecial #agnifying de,ice o,er !is eye( and "article by"article "ic+ed t!e dirt fro# #y eye% But su""ose t!e doctor!ad so#et!ing in !is eye to "re,ent !i# fro# seeingcorrectly &o' )# in danger% Before t!e doctor could !el"#e( !e 'ould need to !el" !i#self% 7!e "rinci"le is: '!en itco#es to 0udging( start 'it! yourself%

econdly( get all t!e facts% o!n 9:2/( *udge notaccording to t!e a""earance( but 0udge rig!teous 0udg#ent%*o often 'e beco#e a 0udge and 0ury and render decisions onot!ers '!en 'e don)t !a,e all t!e facts or 'e 0udge t!e#based on *'!at 'e t!in+ 'e see%*

o#e years ago '!ile ta+ing t!e girls to sc!ool one of#y daug!ters o"ened one of !er sc!ool boo+s '!ic! !ad a"articular "icture 'it! a ca"tion t!at read( *W!at is it* Oneof t!e girls guessed a suc+er% guessed an ice crea# cone%W!en #y daug!ter re,ealed t!e full "icture( it 'as a can ofs!a,ing crea# 'it! t!e s!a,ing crea# co#ing out of t!e can%We based our ans'ers on '!at 'e t!oug!t 'e sa'% We 'entby a""earance rat!er t!an full +no'ledge%

o if 'e are to be $!ristian in our dealings 'it!ot!ers( 'e #ust first start 'it! oursel,es( and t!en #a+e sureour 0udg#ents are based on all t!e facts%%%not '!at 'e !ear ort!in+ 'e see but on '!at 'e genuinely +no'%

o let us all stri,e to be $!ristian in our 0udging ofot!ers( es"ecially ot!er c!urc! #e#bers%

W!at to do: 7!e religious cro'd 0udges ot!ers t!e $!ristians0udge t!e#sel,es%



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#dif$in vs. %on-#dif$in

February 9

Bible Reading: Ro#ans 1/:15-25Key Verse: Verse 1 & 'et us therefore follow after thethings which make for peace, and things wherewith

one ma edif another.Key Words: edif another

7!e 'ord edify #eans to build u"% t?s a Gatin 'ord=build> our 4nglis! 'ord is =edifice%> f 'e are to act li+e a$!ristian( 'e s!ould build u" t!e fait! of ot!ers ;Ro#ans1/:1 attitude%W!at can 'e do to edify eac! ot!er

1% Gi,e 'it! integrity before ot!ers ;"ractice '!atyou "reac!


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A Builder or a Wrec+erAs 'atc!ed t!e# tearing a building do'n(

A gang of #en in a busy to'n%Wit! a !o-!ea,e-!o and lusty yell

7!ey s'ung a bea# and a side 'all fell% as+ed t!e fore#an( =Are t!ese #en s+illed

As t!e #en you?d !ire if you 'anted to build>e ga,e #e a laug! and said( =&o indeed

ust co##on labor is all need% can easily 'rec+ in a day or t'o

W!at builders !a,e ta+en a year to do%>And t!oug!t to #yself as 'ent #y 'ay(

W!ic! of t!ese roles !a,e tried to "layA# a builder '!o 'or+s 'it! care(Ieasuring life by rule and suare

A# s!a"ing #y 'or+ to a 'ell-#ade "lan(.atiently doing t!e best can

Or a# a 'rec+er '!o 'al+s t!e to'n$ontent 'it! t!e labor of tearing do'n

O Gord let #y life and #y labor be

7!at '!ic! 'ill build for eternity>

o let #e encourage eac! of us to be $!ristian 'it!edification% %

W!at to do:

4dify ot!ers by edifying t!e Gord%


&oriveness vs. &u!in

February 8

Bible Reading: Iar+ 11:1E-26


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7!e religious cro'd fu#es t!e $!ristian forgi,es%W!ic! are you

Real vs. Artificial' (art "ne

February

Bible Reading: .eter E

Key Verse: Verse 5 -)either as being lords overGod#s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Key Words: ensamples to the flock

7!ere are t!ree ter#s used in t!e &e' 7esta#ent fort!e #an '!o is t!e "astor%

First( !e is an under-s!e"!erd%%%one '!o feeds t!e

floc+%econd( !e is a bis!o"%%%one '!o is t!e c!ief

ad#inistrator for t!e c!urc!%7!ird( !e is an elder%%%#ature one '!o counsels t!e

floc+%7!e "astor s!ould be $!ristian in all of !is dealings%Belo' is a sa#"le listing '!ere a "astor s!ould dis"lay

Biblical et!ics%

n !is relations!i" 'it! t!e o""osite se3(t!e "astor s!ould abstain fro# alla""earance of e,il%

n "reac!ing( "reac! t!e Word be instant;ready< in season and out of season% .reac!t!e Word( not so#eone?s o"inion%

n "ersonal care( be clean% $lot!es s!ouldbe neatly "ressed and #ig!t add( t!eys!ould #atc!%


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n leaders!i"( +ee" "ro#ises( res"ondsensiti,ely and a""ro"riately to reuests%Be !onest%

Wit! infor#ation( guard confidences%

$o##unicate trut!fully and discreetly betactful%

Wit! resources( be !onest and "rudent inregard to "ersonal and #inistry resources%Refuse gifts t!at could co#"ro#ise t!e#inistry%

4#brace accountability@in finances@in#inistry res"onsibility% t?s not easy for a

"astor to beco#e a slac+er '!en !e !asself-control and "uts !i#self underaccountability%

n organiMation( enoug! said%

Wit! staff: do good to all staff '!en it?s'it!in your #eans to do so% old staffaccountable for t!eir actions%

Wit! t!e congregation: lo,e t!e# all% Visitt!e# '!en t!e need arises% .ray for t!e#often% .rotect t!e# fro# t!e 'orld and t!e'iles of t!e de,il%

Wit! ot!ers '!o are not #e#bers of yourc!urc!: do not "roselyte%

7!ese are but a fe' of t!e t!ings necessary for a "astor

to be et!ical in !is #inistry%

W!at to do:

Be a *$!ristian* "astor( not si#"ly a religious one%


Real vs. Artificial' (art Two


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February 1D

Bible Reading: 7i#ot!y 2:1E-26Key Verse: Verse 1E -*tud to shew thself approvedunto God, a workman that needeth not to beashamed, rightl dividing the word of truth.Key Words: needeth not to be ashamed

f you are real( genuine( it 'ill s!o' in t!e test of lifeas 'ill being artificial%

As a young #an al'ays desired ;for reasonsun+no'n to #e< to be a "artici"ant in a rodeo%%%you +no'(

ride t!e raging bull( ta#e t!e unta#able bronco% #ean youonly !a,e to ride t!e 'ild beast for eig!t seconds% o'difficult could t!is t!ing be Well( only t'o obstacles stood in#y 'ay: N1 Io#( N2 Lad% 7!ey( for so#e reason( did nots!are in #y ent!usias# for t!e rodeo( but one day '!ile in#ilitary ser,ice #y big o""ortunity ca#e% Iy eig!t secondsof glory 'as about to co#e on t!e bac+ of a bronco na#edGo,ely Boy% Well( as it turned out( eig!t seconds of glory 'as

about t!ree seconds of !orror '!ic! ended in e#barrass#entand "ain because Go,ely Boy 'as e,eryt!ing but lo,ely% W!at t!oug!t 'as easy turned out to be%%%'ell( not so easy% o #ydesire to be a co'boy ended 'it! one act of defeat ande#barrass#ent%

o it is 'it! #any '!o 'ant to "retend t!ey areso#et!ing '!en t!ey really aren)t% 7oug! ti#es #a+e t!ose'!o are true $!ristians #oti,ated( but t!ose sa#e toug!

ti#es #a+e t!ose '!o are artificial uit% &o'( '!ic! are you

W!at to do: Artificial flo'ers ne,er gro' neit!er do artificial$!ristians%


Acceptance vs. Aner


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February 11

Bible Reading: a#uel 12:1-2EKey Verse: Verse 2D - Then +avid arose from theearth, and washed, and anointed himself, andchanged his apparel, and came into the house of the'-+, and worshipped( then he came to his ownhouse! and when he reuired, the set bread beforehim, and he did eat.Key Words: and worshipped

7!e $!ristian( t!e "erson '!o rese#bles $!rist(

understands t!at od is 'or+ing all t!ings out for is gloryand our good '!ile t!e religious "erson !as a difficult ti#e'!en t!ings are not going as !e t!in+s t!ey s!ould ;seeAbsalo# in a#uel for an e3a#"le


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see t!e birt! of olo#on( '!o 'as destined to beco#e !issuccessor to t!e t!rone%

W!en od doesn)t gi,e you '!at you as+ for( c!ooset!e "at! of !u#ble sub#ission% Cield in fait! to t!e Gord( ande)ll gi,e you "eace and 0oy% t)s t!e only 'ay to !onor od'!en e doesn)t grant your reuest%

W!at to do:Al'ays understand t!at od is 'or+ing all t!ingstoget!er for is glory and your good% A "ro"er$!ristian attitude 'ill al'ays !el" you res"ondcorrectly to t!e c!allenge of being told *no%*


)ountr$ )lu* )hristianit$

February 12

Bible Reading: 7i#ot!y 6:12-21Key Verse: Verse 19 - Charge them that are rich inthis world, that the be not highminded, nor trust inuncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth usrichl all things to en%o!

Key Words: rich in this world

1.o,erty in itself is not a blessing( nor are ric!esnecessarily a curse% But do belie,e it is easier for "oor"eo"le to be fer,ent in t!e Gord?s ser,ice t!an for t!ose '!oare 'ealt!y% An old story illustrates t!e "oint 'ell%

n an area '!ere ocean s!i"s often cras!ed on t!eroc+s in ,iolent 'eat!er 'as a !arbor to'n 'idely +no'n for

its dedicated rescue tea#% W!ene,er t!e siren sounded( agrou" of #en rus!ed to t!e scene of t!e accident( ris+ing lifeand li#b to sa,e t!e sailors fro# dro'ning% After se,eralyears t!e citiMens !ad enoug! #oney to build a rescue stationclose to t!e s!ore( '!ic! greatly facilitated t!e o"eration% A


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little later( so#e of t!e "eo"le too+ s"ecial training andbeca#e e,en #ore efficient% As ti#e 'ent by( t!ey addedso#e co#forts and con,eniences to t!e building% 7!eyfurnis!ed it 'it! a lounge and a +itc!en( t!en a bar andslee"ing uarters% Finally it beca#e a club '!ere t!eto'ns"eo"le gat!ered to !a,e fun and rela3% 7!e alar# stillsounded but nobody res"onded any#ore% 7!ey 'erereluctant to lea,e t!eir co#forts and "leasures% A nu#ber of"eo"le 'ould dro'n offs!ore( but no one see#ed to notice%

$an 'e ,ie' t!is story as a "icture of t!e c!ange t!atta+es "lace a#ong $!ristians as 'e begin to a#ass t!is'orld?s goods Lo 'e gro' less concerned about t!e lost

a,e 'e ta+en on a country club #entality a,e 'e gonefro# $!ristianity to #ere religious for#ality a# afraid 'e !a,e% We do not need a country club

#entality but 'e do need re,i,al

W!at to do: Lon)t be a country club $!ristian%


+nterit$ vs. %o +nterit$

February 15

Bible Reading: ob 2:1-1DKey Verse: Verse - Then said his wife unto him,+ost thou still retain thine integrit/ curse God, anddie.

Key Words: retain thine integrit

ntegrity: your 'ords and your actions #atc!ing is"robably t!e best definition to describe '!at integrity is% 7!e$!ristian is one '!o li,es 'it! integrity% 7!e religious "ersonnot so #uc! Get #e e3"lain%


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7!e lig!t turned yello' 0ust in front of !i#% e did t!erig!t t!ing( sto""ing at t!e cross'al+( e,en t!oug! !e could!a,e beaten t!e red lig!t by accelerating t!roug! t!eintersection% 7!e tail-gating 'o#an 'as furious and !on+ed!er !orn( screa#ing in frustration( as s!e #issed !er c!anceto get t!roug! t!e intersection( dro""ing !er cell "!one and#a+eu"% As s!e 'as still in #id-rant( s!e !eard a ta" on !er'indo' and loo+ed u" into t!e face of a ,ery serious "oliceofficer% 7!e officer ordered !er to e3it !er car 'it! !er !andsu"% e too+ !er to t!e "olice station '!ere s!e 'as searc!ed(finger"rinted( "!otogra"!ed( and "laced in a !olding cell%After a cou"le of !ours( a "olice#an a""roac!ed t!e cell and

o"ened t!e door% !e 'as escorted bac+ to t!e boo+ing des+'!ere t!e arresting officer 'as 'aiting 'it! !er "ersonaleffects% e said( *)# ,ery sorry for t!is #ista+e% Cou see( "ulled u" be!ind your car '!ile you 'ere blo'ing your !orn(fli""ing off t!e guy in front of you and cussing a blue strea+ at!i#% noticed t!e PW!at Would esus Lo? bu#"er stic+er( t!eP$!oose Gife? license "late !older( t!e PFollo' Ie to undayc!ool? bu#"er stic+er( and t!e c!ro#e-"lated $!ristian fis!

e#ble# on t!e trun+( so naturally( assu#ed you !ad stolent!e car%*

W!at to do: Be '!at you clai# to be or ta+e t!e tags off%


(rinciples vs. ,(rinciples,

February 1/

Bible Reading: Iatt!e' 1E:1-

Key Verse: Verse -"ut in vain the do worship me,teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.Key Words: teaching 0 the commandments ofmen


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All of us !a,e "rinci"les t!at !el" guide our li,es% 7!eroad to s"iritual success t!oug! is not si#"ly a #an-#adecode or set of standards but cri"tural "rinci"les%

!a,e been told on a fe' occasions t!at #y "rinci"les'ere too !ig!( too lofty( unattainable and on a fe' occasions( !a,e been told !a,e no "rinci"les% n all candor( on #ostof t!ese occasions( !a,e found t!at '!at so#e consideredBiblical "rinci"les 'ere not Biblical at all( t!ey 'ere #an-#ade standards%

Belo' is a list of ten "rinci"les t!at eneral Boot!(founder of t!e al,ation Ar#y( used to guide !is life%

1% $onsider your body as t!e te#"le of t!eoly "irit and treat it 'it! re,erence andcare% $orint!ians 6:1-2D

2% Kee" your #ind acti,e% ti#ulate it 'it!t!oug!ts of ot!ers t!at lead to doingso#et!ing% .!ili""ians /:8

5% 7a+e ti#e to be !oly t!roug! daily Bible

reading and "rayer% .sal# 11:11/% u""ort your c!urc! and "astor( for if youdon)t t!ey 'ill bot! cease to be ebre's1D:2E( 7i#ot!y E:19-18

E% 7a+e od into t!e details of your life% Counaturally call u"on i# in ti#e of troublebut t!an+ i# for all t!ings% Ro#ans8:28

6% $ulti,ate t!e "resence of od% Al'aysre#e#ber t!at od is near% ebre's 15:E

9% .ray for t!e troubled( 'ar-t!reatened'orld and its leaders '!o !old t!e destinyof so #any in t!eir !ands% 7i#ot!y 2:1-2

8% a,e a t!an+ful s"irit% 7!essaloniansE:18

% Wor+ as if e,eryt!ing de"ends on you and"ray as if e,eryt!ing de"ends on od%.!ili""ians 1:21


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1D% 7!in+ of deat!( not as so#et!ing to bedreaded( but as a great and ne'e3"erience '!ere lo,ed ones are #et(a#bitions realiMed( and esus seen face toface% $orint!ians E:8

W!at "rinci"les do you !a,e t!at guide your life

W!at to do: Gi,e by od)s Word( not #an)s code of et!ics%


indness vs. nkindness

February 1E

Bible Reading: a#uel 2:1-9 and o!n -1DKey Verse: Verse 6 -And now the '-+ shewkindness and truth unto ou( and I also will reuiteou this kindness, because e have done this thing.Key Words: because e have done this thing

Being a $!ristian ;$!ristli+e< #eans focusing on arelations!i" 'it! od and on ot!ers '!ile being religious

focuses on self and rules%Being religious 'as t!e "roble# 'it! t!e #en '!o

broug!t t!e adulterous 'o#an to esus and said( *Ioses andt!e la' said stone !er%* esus( t!oug!( began to 'rite t!eirsins in t!e dirt% W!at is t!e old saying *f you li,e in a glass!ouse( don)t t!ro' stones%* esus s!o'ed +indness% 7!e #en'anted e3ecution% Quite a difference $!rist s!o'ed+indness ;a#ong ot!er t!ings< '!ile t!e #en s!o'ed

un+indness ;a#ong ot!er t!ings


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not at t!e e3"ense of so#eone else)s feelings% A young #anin,ited to dine 'it! R!odes arri,ed by train and !ad to godirectly to R!odes)s !o#e in !is tra,el-stained clot!es% Oncet!ere !e 'as a""alled to find t!e ot!er guests alreadyasse#bled( 'earing full e,ening dress% After '!at see#ed along ti#e R!odes a""eared in a s!abby old blue suit% Gatert!e young #an learned t!at !is !ost !ad been dressed ine,ening clot!es( but "ut on t!e old suit '!en !e !eard of !is

young guest)s dile##a%

W!at to do:

Cou)ll ne,er go 'rong by doing rig!t 7reat ot!er"eo"le 'it! +indness%


Witnessin vs. (rosel$tin

February 16

Bible Reading Iatt!e' 25:15-22Key Verse: Verse 1E - 1oe unto ou, scribes andPharisees, hpocrites2 for e compass sea and land to

make one proselte, and when he is made, e makehim twofold more the child of hell than ourselves.

Key Words: e compass sea and land to make oneproselte

Iost of us 'ould ne,er atte#"t to steal fro# ourneig!bor% We 'ould consider t!at a #ost !orrible cri#e( yet#any of us atte#"t to steal ;"roselyte< #e#bers of onec!urc! to anot!er% 7!ose '!o do suc! a t!ing #ay bereligious but t!ey are not $!ristian%

o#e years ago #y grandfat!er 'al+ed #e do'n tot!e corner store% W!ile !e and t!e store o'ner tal+ed(


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loo+ed around to see '!at could find% s"otted a 7o#)scoo+ie 0ar and #y #out! began to 'ater% 'anted one oft!ose coo+ies so '!ile #y grandfat!er and t!e store o'ner'ere being *c!it-c!atty*( uic+ly too+ a coo+ie and stuc+ itin #y "oc+et%

W!ile rand"a and 'ere 'al+ing bac+ !o#e #yconscience got t!e best of #e and confessed to stealing t!ecoo+ie% 7o #y a#aMe#ent #y rand"a said( * +no' youstole it% 'atc!ed you ta+e it% 7!e uestion is(* !e as+ed(*'!at do you do no'* *7a+e it bac+(* said%%%'!ic! did%

&o'( felt t!e s!a#e of #y t!ie,ery and #y stealing!ad not only affected #e but also #y rand"a( t!e store-

o'ner( #y #o# and dad% &o'( 'e all +no' t!at stealing is'rong% We understand t!at "rinci"le% 7!ere is no blessing instealing 7!e sa#e "rinci"le a""lies '!en it co#es to stealing*#e#bers* as 'ell%

7rust #e( t!ere are enoug! "eo"le out t!ere '!o needesus for us to build our c!urc! 'it!out stealing ot!er)s*s!ee"%* Get)s all be 'itnesses - not "roselyters

W!at to do: Be a 'itness( not a "roselyter%


Hu!ilit$ vs. ArroanceFebruary 19

Bible Reading: Ialac!i 1Key Verse: Verse 6 -A son honoureth his father, anda servant his master( if then I be a father, where ismine honour/ and if I be a master, where is m fear/

saith the '-+ of hosts unto ou, priests, thatdespise m name. And e sa, 1herein have wedespised th name/

Key Words: 1herein have we despised th name


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f !a,e disco,ered one t!ing in t!e #inistry( it is t!at$!rist-li+eness is !u#ble and not!ing s!o's arrogance #oret!an a "erson '!o is *religious%*

A young lady 'ent to !er #inister one day andconfessed( *.astor( !a,e to ad#it ),e beco#e ,ain in #yt!in+ing% W!y( 0ust t!is #orning loo+ed in t!e #irror andad#ired #y beauty%* 7!e elderly #inister "aused and t!ensaid 'it! a s#ile( *Be at "eace( #y dear% 7o be #ista+en isnot to sin*

o#eti#es 'e as $!ristians are a lot li+e t!at young'o#an% We see oursel,es t!roug! *rose-colored glasses* and

fail to !old a "ro"er ,ie' of our strengt!s and 'ea+nesses% Asa result( 'e atte#"t '!at 'e are not cut out to do( or 'e try toe3ercise gifts 'e do not "ossess% An inflated esti#ate of ourca"abilities !inders t!e oly "irit)s 'or+ in us and o"ens t!edoor to e#barrass#ent and failure% We #ust re#e#ber t!ate gi,es us our talents and e#"o'ers us so t!at '!at 'eacco#"lis! brings glory to od( not to oursel,es%

n Ro#ans 12( .aul tells us !o' to gain a rig!t

"ers"ecti,e% e says t!at 'e s!ould guard against !a,ing aninflated o"inion of oursel,es( but instead s!ould see our li,esin t!e conte3t of t!e *#ercies of od%* Because 'e areforgi,en sinners t!roug! fait! in $!rist( 'e can be content todo '!ate,er e c!ooses% $onfident t!at e acce"ts us and'ants to use us( 'e are t!en free to e3ercise t!e talents t!atare #ost natural to us%

o let)s not en,y t!e ac!ie,e#ents of ot!ers% Get)s not

try to be li+e so#eone else% We can a,oid being #ista+enabout our gifts by t!in+ing soberly about oursel,es as odgi,es us t!e #easure of fait!%

W!at to do: Re#e#ber( a $!ristian sees t!eir o'n faults '!ile

t!e religious "erson only sees t!e $!ristians faults%


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/ivin vs. Takin

February 18

Bible Reading: Iatt!e' 25Key Verse: Verse 1/ - 1oe unto ou, scribes andPharisees, hpocrites2 for e devour widows# houses,and for a pretence make long praer( therefore eshall receive the greater damnation.

Key Words: e devour widows# houses

a,e you e,er !eard t!e ter# "!arisaical t is usuallyused to describe so#eone '!o focuses on standards and rules%But in reality( t!e .!arisee 'as so#eone '!o 'as !y"ocritical;read Iatt!e' 25


27/41

A religious "erson 'ill ta+e all t!e blessings of bot!od and c!urc! and gi,e little to not!ing to od and t!eirc!urc! for all t!ey recei,e% $!ristianity gi,es%%%religion ta+es%W!ic! are you

W!at to do:

Be a $!ristian - a gi,er%

(oor in Spirit vs. (roud in Spirit

February 1

Bible Reading Iatt!e' E:5 and saia! 6:1-EKey Verse: Verse Iatt E:5 & "lessed are the poor inspirit( for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Key Words: poor in spirit

7!e first #essage esus "reac!ed in !is "ublic#inistry 'as '!at 'e call 7!e Beattitudes( and !is first "oint'as !u#ility%

&o 'onder esus !u#bled i#self and beca#eobedient to od t!e Fat!er%

.ride +ills t +ills t!e 'ill of od it +ills a "ro"erodly s"irit it +ills ot!ers it +ills t!e desire of ot!ers tofollo' us% .ride +ills%

*.ali( t!is bull !as +illed #e%* o said ose $ubero( oneof "ain)s #ost brilliant #atadors( before !e lostconsciousness and died%

Only 21 years old( !e !ad been en0oying a s"ectacularcareer% o'e,er( in t!is 1E8 bullfig!t( ose #ade a tragic#ista+e% e t!rust !is s'ord a final ti#e into a bleeding(delirious bull( '!ic! t!en colla"sed% $onsidering t!e struggle

finis!ed( ose turned to t!e cro'd to ac+no'ledge t!ea""lause% 7!e bull( !o'e,er( 'as not dead% t rose and lungedat t!e unsus"ecting #atador( its !orn "iercing !is bac+ and"uncturing !is !eart%


28/41

ust '!en 'e t!in+ 'e),e finis!ed off "ride( 0ust '!en'e turn to acce"t t!e congratulations of t!e cro'd( "ride stabsus in t!e bac+% We s!ould ne,er consider "ride dead before'e are%

W!at to do: Re#e#ber( esus 'as !u#ble( atan 'asn)t%

0ournin vs. Apath$

February 2D

Bible Reading Iatt!e' E:/ and &e!e#ia! 1Key Verse: Verse &e! 1:/ -And it came to pass, whenI heard these words, that I sat down and wept, andmourned certain das, and fasted, and praed beforethe God of heaven,Key Words: I sat down and wept, and mournedcertain das

7!e 'ord #ourn #eans to grie,e( to !a,e sorro'("ri#arily to grie,e and sorro' o,er sorro'ful situations( 0ustas &e!e#ia! did%

t)s interesting !o' #ourning affects our Meal for od

and ot!ers%&e!e#ia! #ourned and t!e 'alls of erusale# 'erere-built% anna! #ourned and od allo'ed t!e birt! ofa#uel% os!ua #ourned and Ai 'as defeated% La,id#ourned and sacrificed to od ;.sal# E1


29/41

is co##on to all%* *A!(* said t!e elderly sage( *you !a,e no'learned a ,aluable lesson and acuired a 'ealt! of 'isdo#'!ic! not only !as eased your o'n grief but also !as "re"aredyou to sy#"at!iMe 'it! ot!ers%*

W!at to do:A good #ourning o,er t!e situation of ot!ers 'illgi,e you a better day%

0eekness vs. Ridicule

February 21

Bible Reading: Iatt!e' E:E and Se"!ania! 2:1-9Key Verse: Verse Iatt E:E -"lessed are the meek( forthe shall inherit the earth.Key Words: "lessed are the meek

Iee+ness is not 'ea+ness% t is our s"irit undercontrol% 7!e #ee+ "erson can be taug!t( corrected( "ut int!eir "lace% eldo# do you find a religious "erson 'it!#ee+ness( it is t!e c!aracter of a $!ristian not si#"ly areligious "erson%

Iee+ness is t!e ability to gi,e soft res"onses '!encorrected%

n ree+ antiuities is t!e story of a young soldier '!o

'rote to !is s'eet!eart concerning a gift !e longed to "resentto !er: a sil,er stallion% *e is t!e #ost #agnificent ani#al !a,e e,er seen(* related t!e soldier( *but !e res"ondsobediently to t!e slig!test co##and%%%e allo's !is #aster todirect !i# to !is full "otential% e is truly a #ee+ !orse%>

7!e "erson '!o lac+s in #ee+ness 'ill al'ays struggle'it! being corrected%

W!at to do: Re#e#ber( !e '!o isn)t #ee+ is 'ea+%


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Rihteousness vs. Reliion

February 22

Bible Reading: Iatt!e' E:6 and $orint!ians1E:51-5/Key Verse: Verse 6 -"lessed are the which dohunger and thirst after righteousness( for the shallbe filled.Key Words: hunger and thirst after righteousness

A "erson '!o is des"erately !ungry or t!irsty cant!in+ of not!ing but food and drin+% o it is 'it! a "erson'!o !ungers and t!irsts( not after religion( but rig!teousness%

n t!e Antarctic su##er of 1D8-( ir 4rnest!ac+leton and t!ree co#"anions atte#"ted to tra,el to t!eout! .ole fro# t!eir 'inter uarters% 7!ey set off 'it! four"onies to !el" carry t!e load% Wee+s later( t!eir "onies dead(rations all but e3!austed( t!ey turned bac+ to'ard t!eir base(t!eir goal not acco#"lis!ed%

Altoget!er( t!ey tre++ed 129 days% On t!e return0ourney( as !ac+leton records in The 3eart of the Antarctic(t!e ti#e 'as s"ent tal+ing about food -- elaborate feasts(gour#et delig!ts( su#"tuous #enus% As t!ey staggered along(

suffering fro# dysentery( not +no'ing '!et!er t!ey 'ouldsur,i,e( e,ery 'a+ing !our 'as occu"ied 'it! t!oug!ts ofeating% esus( '!o also +ne' t!e ra,ages of food de"ri,ation(said( *Blessed are t!ose '!o !unger and t!irst forR74OJ&4%* We can understand !ac+leton)s


31/41

obsession 'it! food( '!ic! offers a gli#"se of t!e "assionesus intends for our uest for rig!teousness%

W!at to do:ee+ for rig!teousness and t!e rules and regulations'ill ta+e care of t!e#sel,es%

0erc$ vs. n!ercifulness

February 25

Bible Reading Iatt!e' E:9 and a#es 2:1D-15Key Verse: Verse 15 -For he shall have %udgmentwithout merc, that hath shewed no merc! andmerc re%oiceth against %udgment.Key Words: that hath shewed no merc

W!en 'e face cruelty( in0ustice( in0ury and 'rong( 'es!ould re#e#ber t!e 'ords of esus( *Blessed are t!e#erciful( for t!ey s!all obtain #ercy%*

Get)s face reality( "eo"le are not fair and if 'e treateac! act of unfairness 'it! 0ustice( t!is 'orld 'ill be a cruel"lace% 7!us 'e a""ly t!e 'ords of esus( *Blessed are t!e#erciful%*

Religion says get e,en( $!ristianity says s!o' #ercy%Fro# t!e land in '!ic! our Gord 'al+ed co#es a story

of #ercy and forgi,eness% n &o,e#ber of 18( ergeantSee, 7rau# 'as "atrolling t!e beac!front road sout! of aMa$ity% e and anot!er sraeli soldier 'ere a#bus!ed in t!eir0ee" by .alestinian gun#en% 7!e /D-year-old)s deat! broug!ta uniue dile##a for !is 'ido'% !e could si#"ly bury !er!usband( or donate !is !eart to an ailing .alestinian%

Bitters'eet re,enge could be found if s!e denied t!e reuestand let one of t!e# die( since t!ey +illed !er !usband%nstead( s!e o"ted to forgi,e% o outside t!e city 'alls '!ereesus $!rist re"laced our !eart 'it! is( ED-year-old anna


32/41

K!ader( '!o !ad 'aited four #ont!s for a !eart( recei,ed ne'life fro# !is "olitical ene#y%

7!e la' cries out for 0ustice $!ristianity cries out forforgi,eness%

W!at to do:

4,aluate '!at you cry out for '!en you *t!in+*you),e been 'ronged%

(ure in Heart vs. +!pure in

HeartFebruary 2/

Bible Reading Iatt!e' E:8 and .ro,erbs /:25-29Key Verse: Verse 25 -4eep th heart with alldiligence! for out of it are the issues of life.

Key Words: 4eep th heart

*Blessed are t!e "ure in !eart* - not out'ard "urity -t!at)s '!at religion "us!es: dress rig!t( act rig!t( eat rig!t( goto t!e rig!t "laces% 7!ese are all t!ings "ro#oted by*religion%* $!ristianity "ro#otes "urity of !eart '!ic! resultsin "urity of life%

Cou and cannot regulate "urity% .urity 'ill ne,erco#e t!roug! rules "urity co#es t!roug! a rig!teous

relations!i" 'it! od% We call t!is $!ristianity%One day a young #inister 'as being escorted t!roug!

a coal #ine% At t!e entrance of one of t!e di# "assage'ays(!e s"ied a beautiful '!ite flo'er gro'ing out of t!e blac+eart!% *o' can it blosso# in suc! "urity and radiance in t!isdirty #ine* t!e "reac!er as+ed% *7!ro' so#e coal dust on itand see for yourself(* !is guide re"lied% W!en !e did( !e 'assur"rised t!at t!e fine( blac+ "articles slid rig!t off t!e sno'y"etals( lea,ing t!e "lant 0ust as lo,ely and unstained as before%ts surface 'as so s#oot! t!at t!e grit and gri#e could notad!ere to it% 7!is s!ould be our desire


33/41

W!at to do:

ee+ "urity t!roug! $!rist you)ll ne,er find it inreligion%

(eace!akers vs. Trou*le!akers

February 2E

Bible Reading: Iatt!e' E: and Ro#ans 12:18-21Key Verse: Verse 18 -If it be possible, as much aslieth in ou, live peaceabl with all men.Key Words: as much as lieth in ou, live

peaceabl with all men

in introduced conflict into t!e 'orld% 7!e first sinse"arated #an fro# od% 7!e second sin( $ain)s #urder ofAbel( se"arated #an fro# #an%

A "eace#a+er 'ill do t!eir ,ery best to 'al+ a'ayfro# a fig!t( but e,en a "eace#a+er '!o is "us!ed into acorner 'ill ta+e an occasional s'ing%

A certain #ountain in West Africa 'as !eld by a tribe

of cannibals as t!eir strong!old% 7roo"s !ad tried to cross t!e#ountain( but !ad failed% One day a #issionary 'ent aloneinto t!e ene#y)s country( cal#ly cli#bed t!e #ountain( andreac!ed t!e ot!er side% Gater( !e #et t!e ca"tain of t!etroo"s% *Lo you #ean to tell #e you !a,e got t!roug!untouc!ed* !e said% *o' did you do it* aid t!e#issionary( *Cou 'ent as #en of 'ar 'ent as a #an of"eace%*

Gord( #a+e #e t!e instru#ent of Cour "eace(W!ere t!ere is !atred( #ay bring lo,eW!ere t!ere is #alice( "ardon


34/41

W!ere t!ere is discord( !ar#onyW!ere t!ere is error( trut!W!ere t!ere is doubt( fait!W!ere t!ere is des"air( !o"eW!ere t!ere is dar+ness( Cour lig!tW!ere t!ere is sadness( #ay bring 0oy%O!( Iaster( #ay see+ not so #uc!7o be co#forted as to co#fort(7o be understood as to understand(7o be lo,ed as to lo,e%For it is in gi,ing t!at 'e recei,e(t is in losing our li,es t!at 'e s!all find

t!e#(t is in forgi,ing t!at 'e s!all be forgi,en(t is in dying t!at 'e s!all rise u" to eternallife%

W!at to do:

o t!e e3tra #ile to be a "eace#a+er% Cou)ll find it#uc! #ore re'arding t!an t!e road of a trouble#a+er%


(ersecution vs. (leasure

February 26

Bible Reading: Iatt!e' E:1D-12 and 7i#ot!y E:1-6Key Verse: Verse 1D & "lessed are the which arepersecuted for righteousness# sake( for theirs is thekingdom of heaven.

Key Words: persecuted for righteousness5 sake

a,e you e,er #et t!e "erson going t!roug! trials '!osaid( *7!is is fro# od* f so( can assure you t!at you),enot !eard it often% 7!ere is a difference bet'een "ersecution


35/41

and c!astise#ent% $!astise#ent is '!at 'e recei,e fro# od("ersecution is '!at 'e go t!roug! for od%

Iost "eo"le 'e +no' are not e3"eriencing"ersecution( but c!astise#ent% 7!ey are going t!roug!difficult ti#es because of self-centered decisions t!at t!ey!a,e #ade% 7!e $!ristian understands t!at "ersecution !el"sto #old t!eir c!aracter%

.atric+ enry s!outed( *i,e #e liberty or gi,e #edeat!%*

7!e ne3t generation s!outed( *i,e #e liberty%*7!e "resent generation s!outs( *i,e #e%*

.eo"le '!o li,e for self ne,er succeed in satisfyingself or anybody else% T 7ru#bull&o #an can li,e !a""ily '!o regards !i#self

alone( '!o turns e,eryt!ing to !is o'n ad,antage% Cou#ust li,e for ot!ers( if you 'is! to li,e for yourself%

T"its 6 Pieces$!aracter is li+e c!iseling a statue one !as to

+noc+ off !uge c!un+s of selfis!ness( '!ic! reuires self-

disci"line% Only t!en does c!aracter begin to e#erge%T"its 6 Pieces

W!at to do:

a,e c!aracter or you 'ill 0ust be a c!aracter%


Salt vs. Savorlessness

February 29

Bible Reading: Iatt!e' E:15 and Iar+ :58-EDKey Verse: Verse 15 - 7e are the salt of the earth( butif the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be


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salted/ it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to becast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Key Words: 7e are the salt of the earth

$!ristians are salt: t!ey "reser,e( t!ey create t!irst(and t!ey add fla,or% Religion does none of t!ese t!ings%odiu# is an e3tre#ely acti,e ele#ent found naturally

only in co#bined for# it al'ays lin+s itself to anot!erele#ent% $!lorine( on t!e ot!er !and( is t!e "oisonous gast!at gi,es bleac! it offensi,e odor% W!en sodiu# and c!lorineare co#bined( t!e result is sodiu# c!lorideUco##on tablesaltUt!e substance 'e use to "reser,e #eat and bring out its

fla,or% Go,e and trut! can be li+e sodiu# and c!lorine% Go,e'it!out trut! is flig!ty( so#eti#es blind( 'illing to co#bine'it! ,arious doctrines% On t!e ot!er !and( trut! by itself canbe offensi,e( so#eti#es e,en "oisonous% "o+en 'it!out lo,e(it can turn "eo"le a'ay fro# t!e gos"el% W!en trut! and lo,eare co#bined in an indi,idual or a c!urc!( !o'e,er( t!en 'e!a,e '!at esus called =t!e salt of t!e eart!(> and 'e?re ableto "reser,e and bring out t!e beauty of our fait!%

W!at to do: Religion focuses on '!at it belie,es to be trut!%

$!ristianity focuses on trut! and enforces it 'it! lo,e%


Liht vs. Darkness

February 28

Bible Reading: Iatt!e' E:1/-16 and .ro,erbs /:1/-1Key Verse: Verse Iatt E:1/ - 7e are the light of theworld. A cit that is set on an hill cannot be hid.Key Words: 7e are the light of the world


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7!in+ about all t!e *religious* "eo"le '!o because oft!eir li,es and lac+ of c!aracter and integrity are leading"eo"le into s"iritual dar+ness and yes( so#e because of t!eir

lac+ of c!aracter and integrity are dri,ing "eo"le intodar+ness% 7!e lost !a,e no desire for '!at t!ey clai# to be%n "re"aring for t!is de,otion( read se,eral articles

on *lig!t* but to #y great a#aMe#ent( '!en "ic+ed u" oneof #y fa,orite resource boo+s to researc! lig!t( t!e sub0ect'as totally a,oided% 7!ere 'as no lig!t% !a,e found t!at tobe t!e case 'it! "eo"le '!o clai# to be $!ristians% 7!e #ore get to +no' t!e#( t!e lesser t!eir lig!t s!ines% !a,e

disco,ered t!at so#e '!o clai# to be $!ristians !a,e no lig!tto s!ine% 7!eir bulb !as blo'n%A little Sulu girl( '!o !ad gi,en !er !eart to $!rist(

"rayed t!us:*O 7!ou reat $!ief( lig!t a candle in #y !eart t!at #ay see

t!e rubbis! and s'ee" it out%*

And along 'it! t!is little African girl)s "rayer s!ould go t!e

"rayer of Willia# $o'"er( t!e "oet:*7!e dearest idol !a,e +no'n(W!ate)er t!at idol be(

el" #e to tear it fro# 7!y t!rone(And 'ors!i" only 7!ee%*

W!at to do:Get your lig!t so s!ine before #en t!at t!ey #ay seeyour good 'or+s and glorify your Fat!er '!ic! is in!ea,en%


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I deeply appreciate the help of

Mary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

And my lovely wife, Linda


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Without God using these people to

help this devotional would not have

been possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse

Notes:


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Documents

Emphasis on Christianity versus Religion