Christians-- We Aren't Promised Success

by Rachel Dawson

It’s no secret that the American dream is rooted and established on the idea of personal success. Our whole culture is centered upon personal achievement, and it’s become an obsession. We hear endless chatter of success in all different forms-- box office hits, viral blog posts, bestselling books, massive social media followings, promotions at work, big deals signed, showy purchases made, awards and trophies for kids at school or in sports, fame found and status gained… it’s everywhere we look.
For American Christians especially, we run the risk of success becoming an idol we put in higher priority than God in our lives.
“Where did this idea of ‘Christian success’ come from, and why have we equated influence with notoriety?” Rachael Graf asks in her trending article “God Doesn’t Promise You’ll Be Successful” for Relevant.
The irony in all of this for us Christians is that Jesus was the total opposite of what we today would call “successful.” He didn’t have a home, he didn’t have a wife, he didn’t have the label of a king or the security of a stacked bank account, and he wasn’t even very well-liked. “If we really think about it,” Graf says, “Jesus, from the perspective of his culture, was a failure.”
Why do we expect to be successful when our Lord and Savior was anything but?
He never promised us a glamorous, glorified lifestyle if we chose to follow Him. Luke 21:17 says “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” Graf gives even more examples of this: “He told his disciples to take up their crosses and follow him (Matthew 16:24-26). He told them that the gate is narrow and the way is hard (Matt. 7:13-14). He told them that whoever wanted to be the greatest had to be a servant (Mark 10:43-45). He told them that he was going to the cross (Matthew 17:22-23). And he did.”
Not all of the disciples stayed with Jesus. Not surprising, when we consider the challenges guaranteed to face those who associate themselves with such a radical man. It’s not surprising that many Americans haven’t stayed with Jesus either, for the same reason. We want the fame, the fortune, the family, the followers online, the friends in high places, the fancy car in the garage, the fabulous vacations around the world… we don’t necessarily want to give that all up to follow the footsteps of Jesus.
It seems like setting ourselves up for failure in a way, doesn’t it?
Jesus was familiar with failure, Graf says, but He also claimed a truly victorious success over all sin and death through his crucifixion and resurrection.
“We serve a paradoxical God, one who says that worldly gain is loss if it costs you your soul. That in foolishness there is wisdom and that in dying we live. That in failure there is redemption. Jesus does not promise us earthly success if we choose to follow him, because earthly success was never his aim. What he does promise us is a future so glorious that it cannot be fully described in human language (1 Cor. 2:9). Success is not inherently wrong, and achievement is good cause for celebration. But we must remember that if we succeed—at anything—it is only because our abundantly gracious God has allowed us, for His glory. When we let the world define our success instead of Jesus, we fall into idolatry.”
Dr. James Emery White, a Crosswalk.com contributor, shares a striking contrast between worldly success and Biblical success that is helpful for us to keep in mind: “But doesn't the Bible say to judge people by their fruit?  Yes, but not as defined by the world, such as money, success, numbers, buildings, publications, position, title, speaking engagements, notoriety, rankings, sales or press coverage. That is the world's standard of success, not the Bible's. The fruit the Bible has in mind is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).  Is that person loving, joyful and a peacemaker?  How do they handle adversity - with faith or despair?  Would they be considered kind, good and faithful?  Is there a gentleness that surrounds them; are they self-controlled? And interestingly, the qualifications of leadership as outlined by the apostle Paul say nothing of the ability to speak, market yourself, write or inspire.  But it says much about a spirit of humility and a godly character.”
So while it may seem like setting yourself up for failure to focus on things the world doesn’t prioritize, we best live like Jesus when we follow His footsteps and seek to glorify Him above ourselves through all that we say and do. He promises a far greater reward than anything this earth or the American dream could offer us!
What does it look like for you to be successful in your life and faith? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Rachel Dawson is the editor of BibleStudyTools.com
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The Bible's Authority

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. - (Hebrews 4:12)

The Bible holds supreme authority by virtue of its Author, who is the King of creation and thus Ruler over all the earth. The Bible’s authority is inherent in its every word. Scripture is God’s revelation in history. Just as there is no higher authority in an earthly kingdom than a king, there is no higher authority you and I can appeal to than the Word of God in God’s kingdom.

The Bible’s authority is timeless. For example, when we read in Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before Me,”this command has the very same force behind it today that it had when God first thundered these words to Moses more than three thousand years ago. Unfortunately one problem I see as a pastor today is that people disregard God’s Word because to them, it’s just ink on a page.

Our problem is that we weren’t there when God first spoke His Word—because if we had been there, we wouldn’t be so casual about it. To get an idea of the terror that gripped Moses and all of Israel when God gave His commandments, read Hebrews 12:18–21. Even Moses said, “I’m so scared that I can barely even stand” (loosely translated).

The Bible is not simply words about God, it is the Word of God. Many people learn about God from the Bible, which is good—but that is not where you are to stop. The Word of God is the voice of God in print. It is active and alive and sharper than a two-edged sword, able to reach and instruct the deepest recesses and core of who you are (Hebrews 4:12).

Reflection: Do you find yourself convicted by the thought that you, too, take the Word of God too casually? Read and meditate on Hebrews 4:12. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the Bible—and spend some time reading it. Your Word, God, is powerful. Your authority is all-inclusive. Grant me grace as I study Your Word to understand and apply it in my life each day.

Watch Online Videos of Dr. Tony Evans and The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com and Listen to Dr. Tony Evans Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.

God’s Faithfulness

by Max Lucado

Life has many unanswered questions, but be settled about God’s faithfulness to you! Romans 8:32 declares, If God “did not spare his own Son but gave him for us all,” will he not also give you all you need for a Promised Land life? God’s Word is sure!

And 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is the reminder that Scripture is powerful and a useful weapon against any stronghold. “All Scripture is God-breathed…useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

I invite you to join me in a Scripture Memory Challenge. Let’s memorize together the verses in 2 Timothy 3:16-17!  I’ll show you how easy it is at GloryDaysToday.com.

Happiness Habit: Get to Know God Better

By Rick Warren

“For my determined purpose is that I may ... progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.” (Philippians 3:10 AMP)

You were made to live in relationship with God, and if you think you can be joyful without getting to know him better, you’re just fooling yourself. Happiness is found in getting to know God a little bit better every day.

Paul discovered that. He says in Philippians 3:10, “For my determined purpose is that I may ... progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly” (AMP).

There is a difference in knowing about someone and knowing someone. I know more about Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian than I want to, but I don’t really know them. I know my wife and I know my kids because I spend time with them. I have a relationship with them.

Paul became “deeply and intimately acquainted” with God because he had a relationship with him and took the time to get to know him.

You don’t get to know God by accident. It’s a “determined purpose.” It’s something you have to do something about. You have to invest your time in it.

But, we get too busy, and busyness destroys relationships. It destroys your relationship with your family, and it destroys your relationship with God.

To get to know Jesus, you’ve got to spend time with him. If you want to spend time with him, you’ve got to make time for him. Just set aside 10 or 15 minutes of focused time with God in the morning, and make sure you and your mind are not busy. Just be still, and it will make all the difference in the world.

Talk It Over

• What is something you do every day for at least 15 minutes? Is it more important than spending time with God?
• How do you need to adjust your schedule so that you can make time to spend with God?
• What are the distractions that keep you too busy to spend time with God?

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit rickwarren.org

Our Only Boast

by Pastor C.R. Stam
 
 “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Gal.6:14).

St. Paul was once a proud Pharisee, smug in his self-righteousness. In Philippians 3:5,6, he lists some of the things in which he took great pride:

“Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel,of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

But everything was changed since that day when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Suddenly he had seen himself a lost, condemned sinner in the sight of a holy God and had tasted the matchless grace that could reach down from heaven and save even him. He knew now that he could not stand before God in himself, or “on his own two feet,” as we say. His only safety before the bar of God was to take refuge in Christ,as he says in Verse 9:

“And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

Now he knew, as we all should know, that he really had nothing to boast of as far as his own standing before God was concerned. For the rest of his life, however, he did constantly boast of one thing: the cross,where the Christ he had so bitterly persecuted had died for his sins that he (Paul) might be justified before God. All else of which Paul boasted was embraced in the cross of Christ. This too is really the only thing we have to boast of and the most godly saint will enthusiastically join Paul in saying:

“BUT GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD GLORY, SAVE IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME, AND UNTO THE WORLD.”

Enough Love for Two

Author: Unknown

When Kerri was almost two, we found we were expecting another baby. We wanted to get Kerri used to having another child around, hoping she would learn to share and be good to other kids. So, our friend, Millie, brought their little boy over to play with Kerri and she loved Andy a whole lot. They played together and she didn't have trouble sharing her things with him, at all. Andy was about a year old, I guess, and was such a contented little boy.

The day, finally, arrived and we had another baby girl, named Sherri. She was called 'Peanut' all her life, and still is.

On the day we were to go home from the hospital, I had asked my mom to get Kerri dressed for the coming home ride, so that Kerri would feel like this was her baby, too ~ as we had said, all along, to her, "This is your baby, too."

It was mid November and there was a blizzard going on that day. So, Peanut had been wrapped in two big blankets, for the ride home.

As we got into the car, Kerri stood between me and her daddy. (That was back before the days of car seats and children seeing the babies before they came home.) During the ride, Kerri kept looking around the car and seemed sort of confused.

"What's the matter honey?" I asked. "What are you looking for?"

"Where's my baby?" she asked me. I opened the blankets to expose the little tiny face of her sister, to which she replied, "Oh," and looked very disappointed.

We tried to make conversation, with Kerri, on the ride home; fearful, already, that she didn't like her new sibling. Then I realized, to her, a baby was Andy and he was much bigger, and able to play. This little thing was not her idea of a baby.

During the early days of 'welcome home, baby' there were adjustments and I had the job of sorting through some of Kerri's clothes; some to keep, some to pass on, some to get rid of, and some to give back to the people that had loaned them.

One day, while setting to this task, again, Peanut began to fuss and I needed another hand, for sure. Picking up the baby, then I grabbed a diaper and a washcloth (before the days of Pampers and wipes) and settled on the couch to change her. I must have been grumbling about everything needing attention at the same time. I was so frazzled, trying to be a good mom and not to let Kerri feel left out. I had serious doubts that Kerri would ever like Peanut, her new baby.

I must have been near tears, myself, in my frustration, as Kerri approached us. She was very quiet and subdued. (Though, Kerri was never a noisy child and demanded very little of my time.) She had a tear in her eye. So, I asked "What's the matter, honey?"

Then came the answer to my prayers, "Mommy, can we keep her?"

I guess my sorting clothes had been quietly observed by this little girl, full of questions on who stays and who goes; just like with the clothes.

What a day of blessing that was! There have been many times since then that they have fought and wanted to give each other away. But, for today, there was enough love to keep them both.


"Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied." - Jude 1:2

You Ask Why I Follow This Jesus?

Author Unknown

 

You ask why I follow this Jesus?

Why I love Him the way I do?

When the world’s turned away from His teachings

And the people who serve Him are few.

 

It’s not the rewards I’m after

Or gifts I hope to receive

It’s the Presence that calls for commitment

It’s the Spirit I trust and believe.

 

The Lord doesn’t shelter His faithful

Or spare them all suffering and pain,

Like everyone else I have burdens,

And walk through my share of rain.

 

Yet He gives me a plan and a purpose,

And that joy only Christians have known,

I never know what comes tomorrow,

But I do know I’m never alone.

 

It’s the love always there when you need it;

It’s the words that redeem and inspire,

It’s the longing to ever be with Him

That burns in my heart like a fire.

 

So you ask why I love my Lord Jesus?

Well, Friend, that’s so easy to see,

But the one thing that fills me with wonder is

Why Jesus loves someone like me.

 

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” - John 10:27 

Choose Wisely

by shani4jc

"You can't shack up with the devil and expect God to pay your rent."

I'm not sure who originally came up with this saying, but there is a lot of truth in those 14 words.  There may be a lot of truth in those words, but do we live our lives as if we believe that truth?  Speaking for myself, as much as I hate to admit it, I have been known to have a housewarming party or two (who am I kidding...it's too many to count) with Satan and then expect God to pick up the tab.  However, it simply doesn't work that way.  We cannot live a life controlled by Satan and expect God to turn a blind eye to it.  We cannot expect to do God a favor by going to church on Sunday and then live the rest of the week however we choose to and still have Him provide for us, protect us, and give us the best He has to offer us.  Even in our deepest sin, God blesses us, but it is not going to be the way He intended to bless us.  When we settle for a life of sin, we choose to settle for a life of just a trickle of His blessings when what He planned for us was a life of a tsunami of blessings.  Nothing we have ever done and nothing we will ever do will cause God to stop loving us, but when we live a life driven by sin, we limit how much we will experience this love.  It's so easy to live the way we want to and then say God doesn't love us when He doesn't do exactly what we want Him to do.  It's so easy to blame Him for not coming through for us when, in reality, our sin is what has kept Him a bay.  We can say that God isn't who He says He is and that He can't do what He says He can do, but the truth is, our sin keeps us from knowing Him as He really is and from experiencing what He really can do.  The Bible is clear...we cannot serve two masters.  We are either for God or we are not for God. There is no middle ground.  There is no straddling the fence on this issue.  Either God is your master or Satan is your master...the choice is yours.  Choose wisely!

No One Knows the Day or the Hour

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew 24:36

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Anybody who sets a date for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ may be crossing the line of blasphemy. The Bible teaches very clearly and plainly, and our Lord taught, that no one knows the time—no one.

Just before our Lord was taken up into glory the disciples asked Him, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power” (Acts 1:6-7). No one knows the day when Jesus Christ is coming again, but what a glorious day that will be!

ACTION POINT:

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. What encouragement do you need to share with someone today?

A Merciful Delay

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Have you ever wondered why Jesus has not yet returned? I’ll tell you why. Because our Lord is waiting on people to be saved. He’s waiting on your family member, your neighbor, your co-worker, or maybe you, but one of these days soon, and very soon perhaps, Jesus will come.

You see, it is the mercy of God that holds back the Second Coming of Jesus, but the justice of God and the judgment of God require that one day He will come.

Even now, the raging waters of God’s wrath are furiously pounding against the dam of His mercy. And one of these days, the dam of God’s mercy will give way to God’s judgment, and the day of the Lord will come. Our Lord is coming!

ACTION POINT:
Does the Lord’s return make your heart beat faster because you anticipate His coming or dread His coming?

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers. 

God Is Not Politically Correct

by Dr. Larry Ollison 

    

God has not changed. The things He disapproved of during the time of Noah, Abraham, Moses and Paul, He still disapproves of today. God is not an evolving creature that changes His character depending upon His environment. God's Word always has been and will always be true. 

Growing up in the United States of America, I have become accustomed to democracy. We vote on everything. In America everyone from school leaders to community leaders to state leaders to national leaders, all are in their positions because they were the most popular. Growing up in this society tends to make one think that if something is popular, it’s right. When it comes to character, righteousness, and the spiritual things of God, nothing could be further from the truth. God's kingdom is not a democracy.

Everything God created was created by and for His Son, Jesus. We were created to fellowship with Him. It may come as a shock to some people, but in the Kingdom of God, God is the King. We don’t vote on the rules. We don’t debate the rules. We don’t argue the rules. Our duty is to willingly obey the rules of the King.

The good news is, God is a good God and He rewards those who believe in Him and receive His Son by faith with eternal life and a multitude of good gifts. God is the God of love. In fact, God is love. God is a good God and He is just. God is light and God is love. However, God is not politically correct nor will He ever be.

 

So the point is this. When you come to the point of decision in your life on any subject, never make your decision because of what is politically correct. Make you decision based on what the Word of God says. Only then will you choose correctly.

Reference Scriptures

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth. (Philippians 2:9-10)

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8)

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (John 1:5)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. (Psalm 7:11)

Stay Away from Strange Women

(Proverbs 5:2-14)
  Her description
God describes the strange woman in verses 2-6. The word strange is equated with the word stranger. She does not behave as a proper Christian young lady should. The stranger was someone from another land and did not know the law of God, therefore, her dress was seductive, her actions were aggressive, and her words were sensual.
  1. She has sweet lips.
She knows what to say to entice a man.
  2. Her mouth is smoother than oil.
She knows exactly how to speak and what to talk about. Some things are not appropriate topics between men and women. When a person is married, they should be careful about complementing the opposite sex, “nice hair,” “nice clothes,” or “nice perfume.” Do not discuss your relationship problems with the opposite sex. Do not discuss bedroom furniture, your empty house, or things that excite you. These are the topics of the strange women.
  3.    Her ways are moveable according to verse 6.
You cannot know what she will do next. You cannot expect her to stay with you. You cannot build your life with her, because you do not know how long she will be around.
  Her effect on your life
In verses 4-14, Solomon tells us a strange women will affect the life of a young man.
1. She will be bitter as wormwood.
The word wormwood means a bitter curse.
  2. She will be as sharp as a two-edged sword.
The word two-edged means “mouth.” She will be sharp tongued. The tongue that is flattering now will tear you up later.
  3. Her feet (her way) is to death - the death of the soul.
Your mind, your will, and your emotions will be affected terribly. Her ways will bring death to your family and marriage.
  4. Her steps take hold on Hell according to verse 5.
Take hold means there is a continual attachment. Your life will be a living Hell if you get involved with this type of women.

Solomon goes on to say in verse 6, that because her ways are moveable, you will be unstable. You will give your honor away according to verse 9. You will live a life that is cruel. You will work hard and make other people wealthy. Strangers will take your hard earned money. In verse 11, he says you will mourn, because you will have sexually transmitted diseases. You will grieve, because you did not listen to wisdom. You will wonder aloud why everyone is happy and you are not, according to verse 14.

How should you respond to her?
God’s Word is clear. Remove far from her. Do not come near her door.

Your Friend,
David Teis

Enjoy Your Married Life

Proverbs 5:15-19
Enjoy Your Married Life

In verses 2-14, God tells us to avoid sexual immorality. In verses 15-19, God tells us to enjoy sex in the marriage relationship. Dr. Wemp preached a message entitled Love, Courtship, Romance, and Sex. He used this particular passage to talk about marital intimacy. God is very clear. He wants us to enjoy the marriage relationship. If we do, it will keep us from sexual sin.
  1. Drink waters out of thine own cistern or your own sink.
God wants you to enjoy your own wife. Ladies, do not get upset when your husband wants to enjoy you, look at you, be with you, and touch you.
  2. Drink running waters out of thine own well.
See to it that your wife has all that she needs to satisfy you. Take care of her, and maintain the well.
  3. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
That very simply means produce children from your loving relationship and have lots of kids.
  4. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
God is definitely against wife swapping. God hates divorce. Read Malachi 2. The indication here is stay with one wife, and let no one else touch her.
  5. Let thy fountain be blessed
Your children will be happy and well spoken of if you stay married to the woman you are married to.
  6. Rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Have fun with the wife you are married to while you are young, sexual fun and otherwise.
  7. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe
Enjoy looking at her. Her beauty and her shape were made for you to enjoy.
  8. Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times.
Think about her all the time, her and only her, as a young couple, and as an old couple. Think about her, and let your thoughts about her satisfy you.
  9. Be thou ravished always with her love.
The word ravished means to be lead about. The idea is be passionate. Allow your passions to run wild with your wife.

God is very clear that the marriage relationship is holy. It is undefiled. It is wonderful. A man and woman should never think of their relationship with one another is dirty or unclean. It is right for a husband to have a passionate, loving desire for his wife. If he is not right with his wife, then it will lead to immorality, which we will discuss in the next lesson.

Your Friend,
David Teis

The Consequences of Immorality - Proverbs 5:20-23

In our introduction to Proverbs 4, we listed some of the consequences of immorality in our nation [the USA].
- We have a fifty percent divorce rate
- We have unstable children
- There are sexually transmitted diseases
- We have a culture filled with unhappy, hurting, and discontented people

In verses 23-27 of Proverbs chapter 5, tells us the sad end of a man who chooses to live an immoral lifestyle.

Let me say that it is obvious that anyone who is involved in any type of sexual perversion will suffer severe consequences. By sexual perversion, I mean anything beyond what God has established, which is one man and one woman. Proverbs 5:20, asks why do you love another woman with passion and not your wife?

Our culture leads men to look and desire things that are contrary to the Word of God. God reminds us in verse 21, that the ways of man are before the Lord. He knows your desires and the right way to fulfill them. He says enjoy your wife. He sees what you are doing elsewhere. He knows everywhere that you are going. One way to avoid sin is by keeping that knowledge in your mind daily.

The self-will of the wicked will bind him. His sin will control him. God does not want us to be controlled by any outside source except Him. He goes on to say, he will die without instruction, which is without correction. His life will never be correct.

Beyond that, He says that the more he sins, the more his sin will bring him down the wrong path. Immorality is devastating to the individual, to the individual’s spouse, and to the individual’s family. Avoid it with everything that is in you.

Daily surrender yourself to the control of the Holy Spirit, and you can overcome this devastating sin.

Your Friend,
David Teis

Proverbs 6 - Do Not Ever Co-Sign a Note

In order to succeed in life, there are certain do’s and don’ts that we must all follow. If we ignore these admonitions, we will find ourselves less than successful. As we study Proverbs 6 and 7, you will see that He warns us over and over again about finances, immorality, and laziness. We will examine these subjects each time they are brought up, so we can get God’s perspective.

Proverbs 6 has six big DO NOTS. Let us look at the first one today:
  Do Not Ever Co-Sign a Note
In thirty-seven years of ministry here in Las Vegas, there have been many times people have asked me to co-sign on a loan. It was to help them out of a tight situation they found themselves in financially. Because of this passage of Scripture, we have made it a policy never to co-sign. If I cannot give someone the money they need, than I should never put my name on a note that will put me in worse financial shape than I am right now. If I cannot give it, I will not lend it.

Verse 1 - God says that you should not go with a friend to a stranger and promise that he will pay with your name as guarantee.

Verse 2 - Your words will trap you. Remember Proverbs 22:11, says, “the borrower is servant to the lender.”

You may be reading this and thinking - What if I have already done this? Solomon answers that question.
1. He says, “Get out of the situation as soon as you can.”

2. Humble yourself before your friend. Tell him you cannot afford this. Often times, our pride causes us to over commit in areas God does not want us to commit.

3. Make sure your friend - the words make sure means to strengthen or to help his pride. Let your friend know he can do it without you. Strengthen him. Let him see he is as good or better than you are and he does not need your help. If he cannot get the loan on his own then you certainly do not want to help him get in worse shape than he is in right now.

4. Solomon goes on to say, this is more important than sleep. He says in verse 4, “Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe.” You are like a roebuck or a gazelle. You are being hunted. Run from co-signing like you would if you were a deer, and you saw a man with a gun aiming it at your head. RUN. RUN. RUN. Never co-sign a loan.

Your Friend,
David Teis

Proverbs 6:6-11 - Do Not Be Lazy

The Christian should be no stranger to hard work. In this passage of Scripture, we are instructed to learn how to live by watching the ant. “Go to the ant thou sluggard.” The wordsluggard means lazy person. He tells us to consider her ways and see them from God’s perspective. She has no one telling her what to do. She is wise enough to know her responsibilities. She does not get involved in everybody else’s job. She is diligent enough to fulfill her responsibilities. She provides herself food for the summer by gathering her food at harvest time.

I hope you enjoy this poem.
  If you want to eat tomorrow, you must not stop today
If you want to fill your table, you must learn to work not play
There is a time to rest, but very first and best
You must labor for your meat, or expect no food to eat
The ant learns to store food in the good time, to assure plenty in the bad time

They never hinder, but always help one another in their work. They unite to accomplish tasks that are too large for one. They store their goods in places that will be protected. They are wise investors. They know how to preserve their hard earned resources. Ants will bite off the end of the grains of corn that they may not grow when they get wet.

Solomon ends this conversation with a sluggard by saying do not waste your life sleeping. You should learn to be a quick riser. The sleeper winds up in poverty, like the person who travels, like a person fit for destruction.

Your Friend,
David Teis

Do Not Hang with the Wicked Man (Proverbs 6:12-15)

In this passage, Solomon describes the wicked man and warns his son Rehoboam to stay away from him.

1. He is naughty.
He is worthless and good for nothing. It literally means he is a man of Belial.
  2. He is a troublemaker.
He is wicked. The word wicked means troublemaker, self-willed. He causes problems for others.
  3. He walks with a forward mouth.
Forward is a King James word which means crooked or distorted. You cannot trust what is coming out of his mouth. He says one thing to one person and another thing to another person. He is comfortable with distorting the truth.
  4. He will tell you much by his body language.

a. The Bible says, “He winketh with his eyes,”
Watch what he is looking at, and what he will not look at. Be careful about the man who will not look you square in the eye.

b. “He speaketh with his feet,”
Where he is going, tells you a lot about who he is.

c. “he teacheth with his fingers;”
His fingers are grasping on to things that he should not be grabbing on to.
  5. He has forwardness or perverseness in his heart. He devices mischief continually.
He uses his time to cause evil for others. This brings him peace. Be careful of the guy who wants revenge. He delights in causing division according to verse 14.
  6. His end is described in verse 15. His calamity will come suddenly. His disaster will come without notice. He shall be broken with no one to recover.

Stay away from the wicked man.

Your Friend,
David Teis

Do Not Be Part of What God Hates (Proverbs 6:17-19)

This passage of Scripture, describes six things God hates and seven that are an abomination to Him. Let us look at them:

1. A proud look
We should always be thankful and never be proud. Pride indicates that I had something to do with my success. The truth of the matter is all glory should go to God for anything that is accomplished in our lives. We have what we have because of God’s mercy and God’s grace.
  2. A lying tongue
You need to always speak the truth. You do not always need to speak. There is no reason to be deceptive. That does not mean that we should be unkind to someone. Our lips should be seasoned with grace. Lying to cover up your sin or to make yourself look good is something that God hates.
  3. Hands that shed innocent blood
It is sad the number of murders we have in our nation on a yearly basis. It is terrible that we refer to murder as abortion. Abortion is the worst type of murder there is, because it is shedding the life of an innocent child who cannot do anything to protect itself. God hates the shedding of innocent blood. There is a difference between capital punishment and abortion. The difference is innocent blood. God has given the government the power to take care of wicked people, and He has ordained capital punishment.
  4. A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
This describes the person that gets pleasure out of hurting others. Revenge has no place in the Christian’s heart.
  5. Feet that be swift running to mischief - that is evil
God hates those that are looking to do wrong.
  6. A false witness that speaketh lies
It is one thing to not tell the truth. God hates that, but here, He specifically says He hates those who tell lies about other people.
  7. He that soweth discord among the brethren
God hates it when someone causes division between brothers and sisters in Christ.

Do not be part of something that God hates.

Your Friend,
David Teis

Do not forget the commandments of GOD

Today, many people talk about the fact that we are free from the law and that is true. The only way a person can get to Heaven is by putting their faith and trust in what Jesus Christ did for us. He suffered, died, and paid the penalty of our sin in our place. He rose from the dead and was seen by hundreds of people. The only way you can get to Heaven is by calling on Him and asking Him to be your Lord, Saviour, and God.

 

However, that does not discount the commandments of God. God has given us commandments and statues in order to benefit our lives. However, we are not saved by keeping the commandments; commandments give us God’s view point of life. If you want to know God’s opinion, study the law of God.

In this passage, we are told to keep the law of God close (verse 21). If we do, it will benefit us in several ways:

1. It will lead you as you travel.

2. It will guard you as you sleep.

3. It will talk to you when you are awake.

4. It will be a lamp to enlighten you along your path.

5. It will be a light to show you where to go and how to avoid tragedy.

6. It will show you how to really live.

Do not forget the commandments of God.

Your Friend,

David Teis

Proverbs 21:20

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. -Proverbs 21:20

Over 30 years ago, Ron England of Los Angeles, California, bet his brother he could save a million pennies. Twenty thousand rolls of pennies, 13 boxes, a full garage, and 30 years later, England won that bet.

As a result, he now has $10,000 in pennies, and that's the good news. The bad news is that England couldn't find anyone to take his 3.5 tons of accumulated copper without costing him a "pretty penny," so to speak. Now, England is stuck with a million pennies.

Saving your money is a good thing, although you might not want to use the approach mentioned above. The bottom line is that in our country, most people actually spend more each month than they earn. Some people can operate under these circumstances because of their wealth. But this is not true for most of us.

Proverbs 21:20 says that a wise man or woman saves, but a fool gets paid and spends everything he or she has. Or a wise person keeps his or her valuables safe in their home, but a fool puts everything out in the yard to sell. 

Whether your income is large or small, it's wise to save a portion. That rainy day will probably come when you need it most for a car repair, doctor visit, or something else. 

Be prepared for what may come so that you can have "stores of choice food and oil" in your house when the need arises. 

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for taking care of you in your time of need. Dedicate to Him your tithes and offerings, and ask Him to bless the money you save for a "rainy day."

Proverb 16:9

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. --Proverb 16:9

You may not remember this, but disabled skiing was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Winter Olympics. A television program preceding the Olympics featured blind skiers being trained for slalom skiing, a discipline that involves skiing between poles spaced close together causing quicker and shorter turns.

It sounded impossible for them, but paired with seeing skiers, the blind skiers were taught on flats how to make right and left turns. When that was mastered, then they were taken to the slalom slope, where their seeing partners skied alongside them and shouted, "Left! Right!"

Because the blind skiers obeyed the commands of those who could see and therefore determine their next move, they were able to navigate the course and cross the finish line. Success or failure was dependent on how much trust the skiers had in their partners.

This is such a great picture of the Christian life, don't you think? We are blind as we navigate our way through this life. On our own, we don't know what lies ahead, which turns to take, or where the finish line is. But Jesus knows the way. He is the only One who can be trusted to see us through and guide our steps.

You may have taken some wrong turns in life. You may have experienced catastrophe when you chose to go your own way. But it's not too late to ask Him to lead you on the right path toward victory in Him! Trust His Word and the Holy Spirit to give you the direction you need to finish the course.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Jesus, take my hand, walk beside me, and lead me on this journey through life. Thank You for being my "eyes" when I can't see what's in front of me or where to go! I praise You for determining each of my steps.

Bless And Do Not Curse

Bless And Do Not Curse
May today’s inspirational message abundantly bless you and greatly inform you. We pray that you will be the better for having read this message. If blessed by today’s message, please share so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Bless And Do Not Curse aDevotion.org
ROMANS 12:14 NLT 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.
(Fallen) human nature retaliates. If someone wrongs us, we want revenge.
But children of God, who have the love of God in their hearts, should act differently (Romans 5:5).
1 PETER 3:9 NLT 9 Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
We have been delivered from the power of darkness and placed in the Kingdom of Love, where Jesus is Lord (Colossians 1:13). Our King desires that all people be blessed (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9).
God loves the whole world. We are His representatives to give them that message (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). We cannot win the world by cursing them. We are supposed to love them.
JOHN 13:34 NLT 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
We are to love as Jesus loved. Even when treated badly, He never cursed those who mistreated Him.
LUKE 23:34a NLT 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."
People do evil because they are trapped in spiritual darkness. Our only real enemy is the devil and his forces, not people.
EPHESIANS 6:12 NLT 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Just as Jesus was mistreated, we will not avoid being mistreated in this life.
JOHN 15:17-21 NLT 17 This is my command: Love each other. 18 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? 'A slave is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me.
1 PETER 2:19-23 NLT 19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
We can expect to suffer the same things Jesus did in life, primarily rejection and mistreatment. (Note that Jesus never suffered sickness or lack during His life, until He died on the cross for us.)
Yet in all this, we can rejoice, knowing that God our Father is just, and He will protect us and reward us for doing His will.
SAY THIS: God loves me, so I can love others, even when they act unlovely.

Watch Ye - 1 Corinthians 16:13

Watch Ye - 1 Corinthians 16:13

INTRODUCTION

In Bible times, cities would often build towers to watch the gates to avoid dangers looming from without (Isaiah 21:8
). Watchmen would take turns watching the gate. These watchmen were responsible for sounding a trumpet should any danger appear (Ezekiel 33:6
). The apostle Paul in his writings applied a spiritual application to this literal act of being a watchman. Just as cities needed men willingly staying awake and alert while others slept or were busy in their daily routines, churches need believers sober and watchful while others might be cumbered about with the cares of this world. Today’s watchmen must use their voices like a trumpet to sound the alarm when danger nears.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): You would warn others not paying attention if they were about to fall over an object they did not see. God’s people can spiritually trip and fall by not paying attention to God’s word or by not obeying God. We should be willing to warn them by using God’s word to instruct them.
• (For everyone): God incorporated specific pronouns to convey His truths. For example, ye conveys the plural. When Paul said, “Watch ye,” to whom was he speaking? Why is it important that we realize Paul was speaking to a group of believers rather than only to an individual?
• Why does your church, family, and community need you to be a watchman? Are there some people in each group who are sleeping during these times of danger? What should you do?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to make you a faithful watchman.
• Ask the Lord to give you a better understanding of watching.

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The Bad Citizenship of Good People

"Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.” - James 4:17 

In our spiritual life, our home life, and our church life, we have duties to perform and commitments to keep. The same is true in our national life. Some people say, "I don't see the perfect candidate, so I'm not voting." If we don't speak – who's left to speak? Jesus said we're to "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's." Our Caesar is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Our government requires our vote.

If a person chooses not to participate when and where the battle is enjoined, then in my estimation, that's disobedience to the Lord. One vote can make a difference.

When is it Right to Disobey?

Over the last few devotionals, we have learned the importance God places on obedience to various authorities.  And an appropriate question is whether there is ever a time when we draw the line when it comes to obeying men. In the Book of Acts, Peter and John got in trouble for preaching Christ. In Acts 5:29, when they were told not to preach anymore, Peter answered and said this, "We ought to obey God rather than men." That is where you draw the line. If you are ever asked to do something that would cause you to be disobedient to God or that would cause you to violate your conscience (not your preference, but your conscience), that is where you draw the line. Paul made a statement that he lived in good conscience before God and before men. Your conscience deals with things you truly believe in your heart are morally right and wrong. If you go against your conscience in one of those things, then that is sin. Stand your ground when it comes to conscience and obedience to God. If people ask you to do something that violates either of these two things—then it is time to take a stand for what you know is right. For example, in many nations of the world, it is illegal to share your faith. It is illegal to win people to Christ.  But Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." We have an allegiance to a higher authority. And when the authorities are telling us to do something that would cause us to disobey God, we obey God, not men.

Guarding Your Heart

(Proverbs 4:23-27)

When I was a teenager, I heard the children’s song “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. Oh, be careful little ears what you hear. Oh, be careful little feet where you go.” I did not know at that time that that was based on a Bible passage. Proverbs 4:23-27, teaches us how to guard our hearts.

Four principles are outlined here:

1. Keep
Keep means “to guard.” The word heart is talking about the soul of man - his mind, his emotions, and his will. The idea is guard what you think about. Then he goes on to say to do it with all diligence. Work at it. It is not easy to guard your thoughts. However, what you think about will affect your life. Therefore, it is very important that we learn how to guard our thinking process. He does not just give us a simple command to guard what we think about; He tells us how.
  2. Guard what you hear
“Put away from thee a forward mouth and perverse lips put far from thee.” In our world, we are constantly bombarded with different thoughts and philosophies on the radio, on the television, in music, beyond that, on a personal basis through gossip and backbiting. Now we have the world of the internet and ipods. Guard what you listen to, because everything you listen to will affect what you think about.
  3. Guard what you see
In verse 25, “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” In Las Vegas, we have billboards that are very immoral. I tell our men to put down their sin visors to guard what they look at. It is so easy to be led astray by our eyes by billboards, Facebook, the internet, and television. Remember Jesus said if I look on a woman to lust after her, I have committed adultery in my heart. Be careful to guard where your eyes go.
  4. Guard where you go
Then lastly, in verse 26, he tells us to, “Ponder the path of thy feet” or guard where we go. Do not go where temptation abounds. If being somewhere leads you to do wrong, do not go. It is not a wise thing for a man who is battling with drunkenness to go to a restaurant that is perpetually promoting liquor. Just like, it is not a wise thing for someone that has a gambling problem to make Las Vegas their home. I need to guard what I think about. How do I do that? I guard what I listen to, I guard what I watch, and I guard where I go. Do not sway from these principles. Keep them, and it will keep you from evil.

Your Friend,
David Teis

Meeting With God!... on Holy Ground!

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. "- Mark 1:35

... In today's passage we find a lesson that could do more than anything I know to end spiritual burnout among Christians.  We see the tabernacle set up to be a place of fellowship and communion between God and His people.  It was there they rendered their various religious duties to God.  It was also there that God revealed His will to them.
Leviticus 1 begins with the words, "The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting."  The word translated "called" means God spoke in a still, small voice. No lightning and thunder as on Mount Sinai. This was the gentle voice of God.
 
I have found it a great advantage to have a place set aside in my home where I start the day with a time of Bible reading and prayer.  For a few minutes each day that place becomes my Holy Ground.   For me, that place is in front of my computer.... that is my 'Holy Ground'  for communicating with the Holy Spirit .... for seeking His will for Ed Chandler!

I once knew a young man who was determined to have a daily quiet time alone with God,  so he cleaned up a little storage closet next to the furnace room, put a map of the world on the wall, and placed a little rug on the floor so he could kneel and pray.  Other people complained about the house being too crowded, but he'd found his place to privately meet with God.
If you want to have a daily quiet time, there's really nothing that can stop you.   Ed suggests you find a quiet place in your home where it is just you and our Lord.  ... where Jehovah God can speak to you in that still small voice.... where you can seek HIS WILL ...

Prayer

"Lord, let me hear your still, small voice today as I meditate on Your Word.  Show me Your will for my walk with You this day.  Amen."
 
Where can you stake out a place as holy ground to meet the Lord on a daily basis?  I encourage you to find "that place" where there are no distractions, and where  you can listen for 'that still small voice'  Almighty God is waiting to have a little talk with you this day.

The Marks Of a New Life!

Dear friends, 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 4:12-13

You know, a lot of strange and sometimes exciting things can happen to you when you're traveling.  In Genesis 32, we find Jacob traveling back home, and he has an experience that is more than just exciting.  Jacob is met by a host of angels.  Then he receives word that his brother, Esau, is heading his way with four hundred men, and he assumes he's in for a battle, which causes him great fear and distress.  But the most amazing thing of all happened while he was alone at night.  He had a wrestling match with an angel, in which he prevailed, his life was preserved, and God blessed him.

In that encounter with God, his life was changed for all time.  No longer would he be Jacob -- the con man, liar, thief.  He was now Israel, a prince who had power with God. But note something significant.  He doesn't begin to beat his chest and flex his muscles and announce to one and all that he had wrestled with God and prevailed.
 

In deep humility and wonder he says, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared" (32:30). Immediately, he begins to show the marks of a new life.  He is a different person.

Today you may be facing a similar encounter with God. It may have come through a sickness, a heartache, the loss of a job, or some other difficult circumstance.... and it hurts. But the very encounters we resist because of their pain are the ones that can lead us to a changed life and a deeper fellowship with the Lord.

Prayer

"Lord, I submit to your correction as to a dear and loving Father.  Amen. "

We are never closer to God than when we are resisting in a spiritual battle through the power of the Holy Spirit.