December 1: The Brevity Of Life

As a youth, Bill Cosby assumed "old people" were to look at. "Now," says he, "I am one!"

 Billy Graham, in his absorbing autobiography, "Just as I Am," written at age 78, commented on his surprise at turning "old" so soon.

 Ray Ortlund puts the brevity of life in perspective:

 "Strip down. Get tough on yourself… Soft Christianity is the laughingstock of hell! Redeem your time. Buy up every opportunity for living your life right!

 You say you have 70 years to get it all done. No, you really don't.

 What did you know about life up to age five? Not much. That leaves 65 years.

 But you sleep 25 years or so; so you have only 40 years.

 Some years are spent in rest and recreation; some years may be wasted in wickedness or just laziness…

 How much is left? Not much!

 And how much total time will you have for your life, anyway? Keats died at 26. Shelly at 30. Schubert at 31. Alexander the Great at 33. Mozart at 35.

 On the other hand, it's never too late to start really living! Michelangelo began building St. Peter's Cathedral at 76. Verdi was nearly 70 when he composed his "Te Deum." Grandma Moses started painting when she was 78. Tennyson was writing his greatest lines at 83… "

 

The Scriptures also remind us of life's brevity,

 "My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy. They skim past… like eagles swooping down on their prey." (Job 9:25, 26b)

 "The span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath… like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall." (1   Peter 1:24b ; Psalm 39:5b) (See Job 14:1, 2; Psalm 89:47; 90:5; 102:3; James 1:10; 4:14)

 QUESTION: Have you gotten going yet in life? If not, why not now?

December 2: Winning Over Depression

"Fog creeps in like little cat feet."

 So does depression. Oftentimes inexplicably, without reason or rationale. It gets under your skin. Settles down into your gut.

 The Psalmist asks, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?" (Psalm 42:5a) Apparently, he was not sure either as to its cause. In fact, he seemed to be a bit bewildered, perhaps asking; "Why me?" "Why now?"

 "Downcast" here literally means, sink, depress, bow down, collapse, despair. "Disturbed" conveys the idea of tumult, rage, moaning, clamor, troubled.

 In his battle to win over depression, the Psalmist focused on five areas:

 1. Hunger — "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for God, for the living God… " (Psalm 42:1, 2a) Because nothing quells our appetite for Him more than harboring iniquity, we may want to ask ourselves the question, "Is there any sin in my life with which I need to deal?" (Hebrews 3:13; Psalm 66:18; 139:23, 24)

 2. Communicate — "These things I remember as I pour out my soul… I say to God my Rock, 'Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?'" (Psalm 42:4a, 9) We may need to get on our face before God (literally) and have a real heart-to-heart talk over the issues that are troubling us at the core.

 3. Refocus — "Put your hope in God… " (Psalm 42:5b, 11b) That is, we may need to redirect our expectancy to Him, rather than wallow in worry, circumstances, fear, or anger.

 4. Praise — "I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5b, 11b) We choose to adulate Him as an alternative to grousing or self-pity. (1   Corinthians 10:10 ; Philippians 2:14, 15)

 5. Remember — "My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar." (Psalm 42:6) It may be time once again, to recall (and appreciate) God's past leading and blessings. Nothing displeases God, or quenches our spirit more than a thankless heart. (See Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 63:6; 77:11; 106:7; Isaiah 46:9)

 CONCLUSION: Depression is one of the Enemy's major weapons in knocking us out of the race. So let's resolve to win over depression by doing battle with Satan along Scripturally prescribed lines, as illustrated in Psalm 42. Have you found anything else that works? I haven't!

December 3: Here Are Eight Reasons Why We Struggle To Maintain Our Ethical Edge:

1. A belief that, to meet a specific deadline or a performance goal, some corners must be cut;

 2. A lack of resources (human or otherwise) or time needed to accomplish a particular task, thereby necessitating some drastic or improper action;

 3. Peer pressure;

 4. Pressures from higher up the chain of command to produce and to get the job done no matter what;

 5. A belief that the decision or act is not really illegal or unethical;

 6. A belief that the decision or act is in the individual's or the organization's best interest and thus would be condoned by others;

 7. A belief that the decision or act will never be discovered; and

 8. Fear of authority.

 Keep in mind that God, in His sovereignty has placed you in your situation to demonstrate His character to people in desperate need of a model. Job's intense announcement of his determination to maintain his integrity should serve as an encouragement:

 "As long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit...till I die I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it." (Job 27:3-6)

December 4: Wholeheartedness

Giving it 110% – A rare commodity today in our National slide into mediocrity.

 The Scriptures allow us no such quarter. Consider Paul's admonition to young Timothy : "Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you"

 Literally:

Don't be careless with it Don't disregard it Don't make light of it.

Reminiscent, of Jesus' admonition regarding the talents: Use it and I will multiply it; hide it and I will take it away from you. (Matthew 25:15-30)

 "Take pains with these things"

 Literally:

Meditate upon them Revolve them in your mind Ponder these truths with the intention of applying them to your life.

"Give Thyself wholly to them"

 Literally:

Agree with them That is, don't dance around the periphery. Jump into the water! Get committed!

 "Take heed"

 Literally:

Pay attention Retain

Non-commitment and compromise are the operative values in the corridors of today's business, political and educational sophistry.

 No so, the disciple of Jesus. The cost of Calvary demands nothing less than "my soul, my life, my all."

 December 5: Bitter Or Better?

Forget the beauty — macho thing! In this fourth quarter of life everything seems to be either bulging or sagging. Art Linkletter was probably right in telling seniors, "The best deterrent to promiscuity is nudity." I can't possibly look as old as the photos depict. Sleep or no sleep, when I look in the mirror the bags under my eyes make my nose look like a pack horse. My sixty something carcass seems to be falling apart! A friend (a "friend"?) recently told me, "Dwight, you'll never be as old as you look." And then had the nerve to ask, "Do you get out often?" What? Do I look like I am growing barnacles, or something?

 Well, Paul had it right, "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2   Corinthians 4:16b ) I hope that is the case with you and me (the latter part about renewal, that is).

 One thing is sure: As the years pass, we will either get better or bitter. A lot of it depends on how we treat our spouse, relative to Scriptural imperatives:

 "Live in harmony with one another" — Rather than pick at each other

"Be sympathetic" — Rather than criticize each other

"Love as brothers" — Rather than compete as adversaries

"Be compassionate" — Rather than maintain an attitude of benign indifference

 "Do not repay evil for evil or insult with insult." (1   Peter 3:8b-9a )

 And the reason we need to live this way? "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it." (1   Peter 3:10, 11 ) Translated: If you want peace at home, conduct your marriage affairs God's way.

 In an unguarded moment, a 70 year old acquaintance said of his marriage, "Well, we tolerate each other." "Tolerate" each other? Tell me, has your marriage slipped to the toleration level? Gone stale like cold potatoes? Perhaps what you thought you were getting in a mate, and what you ended up with are not the same. Perchance that's the difference in marriage between infatuation and true love.

 "Infatuation is when you think that he's as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Conners. Love is when you realize that he's as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Conners, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger, and nothing like Robert Redford, you'll take him anyway."

 December 6: Suffering Is An Integral Part Of All Our Lives

During a recent seminar I attended on suffering, I mentally went around the room and noted the afflictions of the people attending the session. They included:

 One couple whose daughter is extremely rebellious — A wife who is suffering over her husband's unfaithfulness — A couple who have a child with Down's syndrome — A single woman who is immobilized with self-doubt and feelings of inferiority — A senior executive who recently lost his job — A man whose 17 year old daughter is suffering with a terminal disease — A father whose son just impregnated a girl, and is in trouble with the police.

 Often when suffering, we wonder if God has made a mistake. Or we may well feel He does not care, that He is not there, or that He is not fair. We may be tempted to ask, "In all my suffering, where is God?" The answer of course is, "The same place He was when His Son suffered." We know from 1 Peter that God uses suffering to mature us in our faith,

 "...Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed...Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." (1   Peter 1:6, 7; 4:12, 13)

 If you are in the midst of a painful experience, may I suggest seven things you can do:

 1. List and define your trouble.

 2. Give thanks for your blessings and look for what didn't happen.

 3. Amidst your problem, ask this question, "Have I contributed to the cause?"

 4. Explore the possible and potential benefits that can come from the pain.

 5. In your suffering or tragedy, recognize that it may not be as bad as it appears.

 6. During your time of trouble, recall the character of God and His promises.

 7. Pray with surrender that God will work out the problem, and that He will work into your life the character or lesson(s) that can be learned from the experience.

 

December 7: Four Corporate Goals Of A Christian-Based Company

Many adherents of Christ in the world of business see little correlation between living for Christ and dealing with the harsh realities in the marketplace. Thus, they have concluded that commerce is a nasty affair, but someone has to do it. Computer Management and Development Services (CMDS), (Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA) is demonstrating a healthy merge between Christian values and the business realm. Their four corporate goals are:

 TO HONOR GOD

"We believe that our Christianity is something that is a part of all we do. Therefore, we commit ourselves to operate CMDS within our understanding of Christian ethical and moral beliefs. We believe Christ should be honored by all that we do and say.""Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (Col. 3:23)

 TO DEVELOP PEOPLE

"We believe that people employed by CMDS are our most important asset. We commit ourselves to pay fairly, treat one another honestly, and promote development of the individual. We believe that people we work for are also important and commit ourselves to training them in the operations of the system, treating them honestly, and assisting in the development of the individual in any way we can.""We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." (2   Corinthians 4:5b ) (See Matthew 22:39; Luke 6:31; James 2:8-16)

 TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE

"Service is our most important product. We recognize the importance of service to our customers and commit ourselves to responding promptly to requests and/or problems. We will continue to refine and improve our products. Only by providing an important service to our customers will we continue to exist as a company. We commit ourselves to excellence.""Then God looked over all that he had made, and it was excellent in every way… " (Genesis 1:31 – Living)

 TO MAKE A PROFIT

"We recognize the need to make a profit in order to operate a viable business. We are nonetheless committed to meet goals one, two, and three and will sacrifice a larger profit in order to meet these goals.""A man called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money… The man… went at once and put his money to work and gained five more… 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things...'" (Matthew 25:14-21 – selected)

 QUESTION: Have you determined to personally incorporate Biblical values into your marketplace practices?

 

December 8: Joe And His Peg Leg

Joe is a 68 year old former Marine with a peg leg, who shows up each morning at the local swimming pool to work out. Years ago, during training maneuvers, the wind blew his parachute into high tension wires. As thousands of volts coursed through his body, his leg was burned off and a significant portion of his flesh sustained severe burns. Clinically, Joe died, but the crash to the ground revived his heart and somehow he survived!

 From all appearances, Joe has made peace with his peg leg, as he hobbles from place to place, swims, and generally gets on with his life.

 Perhaps Joe's experience illustrates the paradox of the Christian's earthly pilgrimage: We live with pain and imperfection. Yet we learn to get on with our lives.

 The Psalmist wrestled with life's "peg leg" – our pain and imperfections, when he cried out: "How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?" (Psalm 13:1, 2)

 Yet amidst his anguish, he tasted faith and joy: "I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me." (Psalm 13:5, 6)

 The reality is that even with Christ, we will live life with a peg leg, so to speak, in our:

 Struggle to gain victory over sin: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do… For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out… What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through, Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:15, 18b, 24, 25a)

 Striving for triumph, surrounded as we are by crushing pressure: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." (2   Corinthians 4:8, 9 )

 Could it be that our biggest problem with discontentment or disillusionment is that we want – even demand Utopia with Christ while on this earth? And could it be that God allows imperfection, pain, and struggles into our lives – a peg leg if you please – to teach us the uncommon traits of patience and contentment?

 It is comforting to know that Christ assures us of His conquering power and inner peace amidst life's afflictions:

 "In Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b)

 QUESTION: With His help, are you "Marine" enough to choose to live graciously with your "peg leg"?

 December 9: Running The Race

How am I doing in running the race God has assigned for me, as outlined in Hebrews 12:1-3?

 Verse 1 — "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

 Is anything hindering me from running the "race" God has assigned me?

(Matthew 10:37, 38; Luke 8:14)

 What is the good in my life that has the potential of becoming the enemy of the best? (Philippians 3:12-14)

 Is there any sin in my life that is entangling me?

(Psalm 106:34-40; 1   Corinthians 9:25, 26 ; 2   Timothy 2:4 ; 4:10)

 Am I choosing to run with perseverance the race God has "marked out" for me? (Romans 2:7)

 Am I in rebellion against God's plan for me?

(1   Samuel 12:14, 15 ; 15:23; 2   Samuel 15:1-18:33 ; Proverbs 17:11)

 Verse 2 — "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

 Are my eyes on Jesus, or on someone/something else?

(Isaiah 31:1; 45:22; Philippians 3:20; 2   Timothy 4:8 )

 Is my faith being perfected (matured)? Or am I stagnating?

(Psalm 92:12; Colossians 1:10; 2   Peter 3:18 )

 If I am stagnating, what are the contributing factors?

(Proverbs 1:32; Zephaniah 1:12; Revelation 2:1-4; 3:15-20)

 Verse 3 — "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

 Is Christ the primary consideration in my life? Or have I pushed Him to the periphery? (Colossians 3:4)

 If Christ is at the periphery, what changes do I need to make to place Him at the center? (2   Peter 2:15 )

 When I encounter opposition for my faith, am I choosing to endure? If not, why not? (Revelation 12:11)

 Have I grown weary and lost heart?

(Luke 18:1; 2   Corinthians 4:1 , 16; Galatians 6:9; 2   Thessalonians 3:13 ; Revelation 2:3)

 What would I need to do to regain my strength and hope?

(Isaiah 55:1-3; Hosea 6:1-3; Matthew 11:28-30)

 

December 10: Anger And Fear

Anger and fear are two emotions that paralyze our spiritual development and rob us of joy in our walk with Christ.

 Anger usually focuses on our disappointment over occurrences of the past: The violation of our "rights," frustration over how things have turned out, or lack of fulfillment over not having achieved our goals. We either doubt God's ability to manage our lives, or we resent His sovereign intrusion into them:

 "They spoke against God, saying, 'Can God spread a table in the desert?'" (Psalm 78:19)

 "But his subjects hated him [Christ] and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'" (Luke 19:14)

 Fear usually focuses on our anxious anticipation of the future: Do we have what it takes to realize our hopes and aspirations, or will our lives crash in upon us? In the future, will some uninvited calamity make its intrusion? Similar concerns faced the Israelites when they came back from exploring the Promised Land. Tragically, because they refused to take God at His Word, they were diminished and immobilized by fear: "The LORD said to Moses, 'Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites… '

 

"They came back… [and] reported… 'We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit… But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large… But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are,' and 'The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size… We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.'" (Numbers 13 – Selected)

 The opposite of anger is gratitude, and the opposite of fear is rest. If we are thankful and at ease over the fact that God is overseeing the affairs of our lives, we will experience an inner calm and joy. And joy is the necessary "oil" that lubricates the "machinery" of life. Unresolved anger or fear on the other hand, become the "sand" in the machinery, that will in time cause our lives to grind to a halt.

 "The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing." (Proverbs 10:28)

 QUESTION: Would those closest to you say your life is driven by anger and fear, or characterized by gratitude and rest? If the answer is anger and fear, what changes do you need to make at this time?

December 11: Practical Suggestions On How To Spend Time With God

Intimate fellowship with Christ was the purpose of both creation and the cross: "God… has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord… " (1   Corinthians 1:9b) Here are a few suggestions on how to cultivate that intimacy:

 1. Make the time regular — preferably in the morning:

Set a goal of 5 days a week, minimum. Solitude and silence should grace the time. If you are new at it, start with 10 minutes. The time will pass surprisingly quickly and soon you will find yourself expanding it to more.

 2. Have a specific place where you can be alone:

The patioThe carThe bathroomA closet

 3. Include in your time:

WorshipThanksgiving

Confession of sin

Petition (asking God for answers)Intercession (prayers for others) – Make a list of people

 4. Read and meditate over Scripture:

Set up an ordered sequence. I find I get more when I take a slow, measured, and in depth approach, rather than race through a specified number of chapters a day. Begin by meditating from a Psalm and a portion of a Proverb. As your appetite (and allotted time) expands, you may also want to add a segment from the New Testament. Once this pattern is well established, you may then want to add a portion from the Old Testament.

 5. Journal:

Write down what you are gleaning from the Scriptures. I find using different colored pens to circle and underline principles and key words or ideas is helpful.With appropriate passages ask, "What does this text teach me about Jesus?" Write it down.Write out a prayer that relates to the passage. Also, jot down specific answers to prayer.Record applications you are making from your time of prayer and meditation on the Scriptures.

 QUESTION: If you are not consistent in your time alone with God, are you willing to begin now by taking the necessary time and effort to develop constancy in this critical area of your life?

 

December 12: Three Sins That Often Accompany The Blessing Of God1. A LACKADAISICAL APPROACH TO OBEYING GOD'S WORD

 Many of us surrendered ourselves to God in our youthful years – a time when we were "running scared." Scared because we were unsure of our capabilities, and untested in the crucible of life. I suspect that few of us had any idea at that time as to the implications — or demands — of that commitment. However, as we gained the confidence that often accompanies "success," we found our dependence upon God and His Word slowly (almost imperceptibly) waning.

Moses addressed a similar issue with the Israelites: "Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers… He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." (Deuteronomy 8:1, 3) (See Deuteronomy 4:1; 5:32; 6:1-3; 32:46, 47; Psalm 119:4-6; 1   Thessalonians 4:1 , 12)

 2. FORGETFUL INGRATITUDE FOR GOD'S BLESSING

 "Success" we discovered, tended to dull our memory of God's blessings. Thus, it was not uncommon for us to lapse into benign ingratitude: "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands… Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day… But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today." (Deuteronomy 8:2, 11, 18) (See Deuteronomy 7:18; 32:18; Psalm 77:11; 106:7; 2   Peter 1:12 ; 3:1, 2)

 3. TAKING CREDIT UNTO OURSELVES FOR GOD'S PROVISION:

Few among us, it seems, survive the dizzying effects of "success" and still retain childlike humility. (Matthew 18:2-4) "When you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery… You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.'" (Deuteronomy 8:12-14, 17) (See Deuteronomy 9:4; Isaiah 10:12-14; Daniel 4:28-33; 2   Corinthians 4:7 ; Galatians 6:14)

PRAYER: "O Lord, if I have wandered in my passion for you and your word, would you purify me, and rekindle the hunger I once held so dear. I ask for your forgiveness where I have failed to express my gratitude for your blessings. I ask your cleansing for taking personal credit for your bounty. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

 December 13: Seven Guidelines In Helping You Determine The Will Of God

Discerning the will of God can, at times be a bit daunting. No wonder Solomon proclaimed, "A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?" (Proverbs 20:24) (See Proverbs 16:9)

 1. BE SURE YOU ARE OBEYING THE KNOWN WILL OF GOD

For example: "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality… Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1   Thessalonians 4:3 ; 5:18) (Also consider 1   Peter 3:17 ; 4:19; 5:2, and Matthew 22:37-39)

 2. SURRENDER TO THE POINT OF BEING WILLING TO DO ANYTHING HE SAYS

"Going a little farther, [Christ] fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'"

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… " (Matthew 26:39; Philippians 2:5) (See Luke 9:23, 24; 14:26-33; John 12:25, 26)

 3. SEEK GOD'S WILL BASED ON PRINCIPLES FOUND IN HIS WORD

His guidance will never be contrary to His Word. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path… Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me." (Psalm 119:105, 133)

 4. WATCH FOR PROVIDENTIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

If they align with his Word, give them careful consideration. "God gave you a lot of leading, when He gave you a head." (Dawson Trautman)

 5. ASK GOD TO REVEAL HIS WILL

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all… and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts… should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:5-8 – excerpts )

 6. INNER PEACE

"Through prayer, the study of the Word and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgement according to the best of my ability and knowledge. If my mind is at peace and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. I have found this method always effective in trivial or important decisions." (George Mueller)

 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… " (Colossians 3:15a) (See Psalm 29:11; Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; 16:33; Romans 15:13)

 7. GODLY COUNSEL

"Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance… Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked… " (Proverbs 20:18; Psalm 1:1b) (See Proverbs 11:14; 15:22)

 December 14: Eight Questions To Ask When Facing Ethical Decisions

1. IS IT PERMISSIBLE? (If there is a clear Biblical command against it, then it is not permissible.)

 "The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him .… You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love… " (1   John 2:4 ; Gal 5:13)

 2. WILL IT LEAD TO PEACE AND MUTUAL EDIFICATION?

 "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification… If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 14:19; 12:18)

 3. WILL IT BUILD UP OTHER PEOPLE?

 "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others… Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." (1   Corinthians 10:24 ; Romans 15:2)

 4. IS IT PROFITABLE (BENEFICIAL)?

 "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify." (1   Corinthians 10:23 – NASB)

 5. IS IT CONSTRUCTIVE?

 "Love… looks for a way of being constructive… Love builds up." (1   Corinthians 13:4b – Phillips; 1   Corinthians 8:1b )

 6. DOES IT HAVE THE GOOD OF OTHERS AT HEART?

 "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others… Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (1   Corinthians 10:24 ; Philippians 2:3, 4)

 7. WILL IT CAUSE OTHERS TO STUMBLE?

 "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved… " (1   Corinthians 10:32, 33 ) (See 1   Corinthians 8:9 ; Romans 14:13)

 8. DOES IT GLORIFY GOD?

 "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God… " (1   Corinthians 10:31 )

 

December 15: God Responses To Our Prayers In One Of Four Ways

1. "No – Your request is not in God's will."

 "After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill… David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground… He answered, 'While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live… But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.'" (1   Samuel 2:15, 16 , 22, 23)

 2. "Slow – Your request is not in God's will at this time."

 "So the sisters sent word to Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick.'… Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days… So then he told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.'… On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days… When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.'" (John 11:3, 6, 14, 15, 17, 43, 44)

 3. "Grow – Your motives are wrong."

 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:3)

 4. "Go – Your request, timing, and spiritual condition are okay… Yes!"

 "Elijah… prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." (James 5:17b-19)

 And from Romans 8:26-29 we know four truths about prayer:

 1. The Holy Spirit helps us to know what and how to pray (verse 26)

 2. The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (verse 26)

 3. God hears our hearts more than the words in prayer (verse 27)

 4. Prayer is always answered (verses 28-29), though not always according to our agenda.

 "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those

God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

 December 16: Gaining A Biblical Perspective On Life And Death

A few month's ago I was in Dan's office. Athletic trophies were scattered about. Dark, strong wood paneling graced the room. Several photos of projects completed hung on the wall. By any measurement, Dan is a "success." There was a picture of one of his kids playing soccer; the toothless grin of his 7 year old with dad and their trophy trout. At 43, Dan is in the prime of life. Shortly after my visit, I received an email that Dan had contracted cancer, and was headed for Mexico for treatment.

 Then a recent letter from another friend, "[Recently] I experienced massive internal bleeding which resulted in a sudden medical crisis… Three weeks ago I lay on the emergency room table not knowing if I would survive the evening… "

 And another, "I recently had… a minor heart attack… Initially I wasn't even sure I wanted to go to sleep, wondering where I would wake up. I reflected on my life and whether I could joyfully face the possibility of death… "

 I am reminded of the Scriptures' perspective on the brevity of life, and our (often) futile efforts:

 "Man will fade away even while he goes about his business… You turn men back to dust… You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning— though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered… We finish our years with a moan… Each man's life is but a breath. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it… You consume their wealth like a moth-each man is but a breath." (James 1:11b; Psalm 90:3a, 5, 6, 9b; 39:5b; Psalm 39:11b)

 Two of these men have written about their "brush with death" and their new found perspective:

 "I was on the right road and was even traveling at a good speed with a sizable cargo of activity. However, as others, I need an adjustment in my focus, my priorities, my values, my desires, and my willingness to listen to His voice and be obedient to His Words… "

 "I'm not totally giving up on [work] – it's just become less important to me now than the people in my life. I recall what Senator Paul Tsongas said, 'No one on his death bed ever said he didn't spend enough time in the office.' I used to quote that. Now I understand it. There is more to living than work. 'For me to live is Christ… ,' (not work) Paul said, 'and to die is gain.' Of that I have become absolutely convinced… I pray that my 'remaining' might provide an opportunity to develop deeper, lasting relationships, find greater balance in my life, and bring more glory to God."

 December 17: Two Options For A Follower Of Christ

As a follower of Christ, I have two options as to how I will live my life:

 1. By the "clock" — That is, manage my life by such external forces as my

 Commitments

AppointmentsScheduleGoalsActivities

 2. By the "compass" — That is, lead my life by such internal values as my

 Calling

VisionValuesMissionDirection

 Our struggles come when we sense a gap between the clock and the compass; when what we do doesn't contribute to the values we hold most dear. To help determine whether you are a slave to the clock or are guided by the compass, take a few minutes to prayerfully evaluate and answer the following questions:

What is my calling in life? What is my vision? What are my core values? What is my mission in life? What is my direction? Can I defend how I answered the above questions Biblically?

It is God's intention that we are guided primarily by our inner "compass" when it is based on the leading of the Spirit in accordance with the truth and authority of God's Word:

 "Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposely and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17 – Amplified)

 QUESTION: If your life is managed primarily by the "clock," rather than led by the "compass," what changes do you need to make at this time?

 December 18: Telling It Like It Is

In our convoluted world of excuse making and blame casting — the mother of all "no fault" societies — we have:

 Ridiculed the absolute truth of God's Word and called it pluralism;

Worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism;Endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle;Exploited the poor and called it the lottery;Neglected the needy and called it self-preservation;Rewarded laziness and called it welfare;Killed our unborn and called it choice;Shot abortionists and called it justice;Neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem;Abused power and called it political savvy;Coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition;Polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression;Ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

 As a people, surely we are under His indictment: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness… " (Isaiah 5:20a)

 If you, as a professed follower of Christ are living Biblically, you are an affront to your non-Christian associates. They don't like what you stand for. Your values, focus and application of Biblical truth angers and annoys them: "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2   Timothy 3:12 )

 When my new neighbor found out I was a follower of Christ, his immediate reaction was, "You and I may have some problems." (My determined purpose is to say less and love more – Such as helping him this morning dig out a leaky water main. And hey! It is working!)

 QUESTION: Are you a cultural Christian or a Biblical Christian? Are your values, world-view, judgments, heart-involvement and lifestyle in line with Biblical truth or have you allowed the allurement – or pressure of the world to bend your values to conform to its seductive powers? "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God remould your minds from within… " (Romans 12:2a – Phillips)

 December 19: I Have Three Questions About David's Sexual Liaison With Batsheba

1. How could David so easily go from victory and magnanimity to cold-blooded murder?

 The answer lies in the unimaginable power of sexual temptation. Believe it, that there is a level of titillation that all of us would find irresistible. Surely we must ask ourselves, "Just what would it take to bring me down?"

 David was at the apex of his power and prestige. Only recently had he danced in the street before the Lord, and had shown unprecedented generosity toward Jonathan's crippled son, Mephibosheth. (2   Samuel 6:12-15 ; 7:1, 2; 9)

 Could it be that David's towering success brought about complacency, (he was lounging when kings routinely go to war), pride, and a false sense of security? "If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1   Corinthians 10:12 ) (See Proverbs 11:2; 16:18; 18:12; 28:14; 29:23; Isaiah 2:11; Daniel 4:30-37)

 2. How could David maintain a religious facade, while leading a double life?

 When Nathan the prophet related a story of injustice to David that mirrored his own heinous sin, his immediate response was one of "righteous" rage, "David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, 'As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay… four times over… '" (2   Samuel 12:5 , 6a)

 I am reminded of Paul's indictment of phony religious types, "People will be lovers of themselves… having a form of godliness but denying its power… " (2   Timothy 3:1a , 5a) (See Matthew 23:25-28)

 3. How could David be so blinded to the long term damage to his family and nation?

 It appears that David secretly believed he could get away with leading a double life. Yet he paid dearly, thus bearing out the Scriptures' warning, "You may be sure that your sin will find you out… Many are the victims she (the immoral woman) has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng… " (Numb. 32:23a; Proverbs 7:26) (See 2   Samuel 12-20 )

 So, how can we ensure that we will not fall into sexual sins, as did David? Here are four suggestions:

 1. Regular exposure to, and application of the Word of God, allowing it to impact our lives at the deepest level. (Hebrews 4:12, 13; James 1:22-25)

2. Daily soul-searching, repentance, and brokenness. (Matthew 5:3, 4; Psalm 139:23, 24; 2   Corinthians 13:5 )

3. Learning what it means to walk moment-by-moment in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:2, 12-14)

4. Careful observation of others who have fallen in order to learn from their mistakes. (Proverbs 1:20-22)

 

December 20: 10 Good Reasons Why We Do Not Want To Twaddle Around With Sin

1. "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment… including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 11:9; 12:14b)

 2. "'Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?' declares the Lord. 'Do not I fill heaven and earth?' declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:24)

 3. "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." (Matthew 12:36)

 4. "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known." (Luke 12:2)

 5. "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:30, 31)

 6. "On the day [of judgment]… God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ… " (Romans 2:16b)

 7. "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat… So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:10, 12)

 8. "God will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts… " (1   Corinthians 4:5b )

 9. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2   Corinthians 5:10 )

 10."Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books… Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:12, 14, 15)

 

—Facts of the Matter