September 6
Real Love Is
“[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
1 Corinthians 13:7
What is real love? Well, love is not lust or emotion or sentimentalism. It’s not tolerance, which often translates into intolerance of Godliness and apathy towards evil. So what is love?
The Bible tells us that the highest love is not based on feelings, but a commitment of our will. It is given unconditionally to another person, no matter how they respond to us. The Bible tells us this love is patient and kind. It’s not envious, arrogant, or rude towards others. It’s not selfish or easily angered. It’s not like a resentment accountant who keeps a record of how others have wronged us. Love hates evil and rejoices in the truth. Real love puts up with a lot, and endures it with hope.
The Bible tells us God is love. He shows us this real love perfectly in Jesus, who truly loves you. Yes, Jesus loves you. Have faith in Him and you’ll experience the greatest love you’ve ever known.
September 5
Spiritual Wimps or Spiritual Men
“For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice.”
Genesis 18:19
So many men today are real spiritual wimps. Not spiritual men, but spiritual wimps. Men, if you’re not interested in being a real man, the kind of leader in the home that God is calling you to be, this is not a message for you. Go on being gutless wonders just like so many men out there are when it comes to spiritual leadership in the home. But if you’re interested in being a real man, realize God has called you to lead.
Jesus Christ tells us we’re to be servant leaders—not dictatorial leaders—but servant leaders, like He was with His church and is with His church today. He gave His life for us. So, men, wake up. Our families need us. Our nation needs us to be real men—spiritual leaders in the home. And, remember, you lead your family by allowing Christ to lead you.
September 4
Self-Control
“But [a] fruit of the spirit is…self-control.”
Galatians 5:23
Do you ever say, “It was just too tempting,” or “I wish I hadn’t lost my cool?”
A key to successful living is self-control—controlling our emotions, desires, passions, or our tongue. Self-control is about self-discipline. The Bible compares it to sports. It says, “Run your race to win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.” Self-control is essential to success in living, as well as in sports.
Let me suggest a few ways to learn it:
1. Clarify your purpose—what are you trying to accomplish? Is it to lose a few pounds? Then your decisions will be shaped by that purpose.
2. Be honest with yourself about where you lack self-control. Alcoholics who find victory over booze know the first step is admitting their inability to control the problem.
3. Ask God for self-discipline.
4. Take action on that discipline, one day at a time. Self-control is a real key to successful living.
September 3
How to Hate Evil and Be a Loving Person
“Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Romans 15:9
How can you hate evil and be a loving person?
It sure isn’t easy in today’s world. So often the world teaches us that what is evil is good, and what is good is evil. But the Bible says, “Abhor what is evil and cling to what is good.” Can you do this and be a loving person?
Do you even know what evil is?
Let me suggest this: Jesus is the perfect picture of God in a man. What He says is evil in His Word, is evil. What He says is good, is good. No one has ever hated evil more than Jesus, and no one has ever been more loving than Jesus. His life, His spirit, and His character show us how to hate evil and, at the same time, be a truly loving person. Hate what Jesus hates—sin. And love who Jesus loves – people – all people. This will get you off to a good start in hating evil and being a loving person.
September 2
The Lighthouse
“…he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.”
John 12:35
Tom Landry tells the story of a captain of a battleship who, in the middle of the night, saw the light of another ship coming directly at him. The captain radioed the oncoming ship and said, “Turn south immediately.”
The response was, “You turn south immediately.”
The captain was furious. He radioed back, “This is a battleship. I command you to turn south immediately.”
The response was, “This is the lighthouse. You turn south immediately.”
Often we have an attitude like that captains. We are arrogant towards God and mankind. We expect others to get out of our way and we ignore God’s guidance for living our life. Then, suddenly, we find ourselves shipwrecked and feeling like fools.
Jesus Christ is the lighthouse trying to warn us of danger, and lead us to safety. I encourage you to trust Christ and be willing to follow His leadership in your life. He is the Light that will keep you out of a whole lot of trouble.
September 1
Long-Term Consequences of Sin
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done.
Colossians 3:25
I’m haunted by the biblical story of Sarah and Abraham. God promised them a child to build a great nation. They were past the normal childbearing years, so Sarah had an idea. It was custom in those days that if the husband had a child by his wife’s maid, the child could legally be his wife’s child. So, Sarah said to Abraham, “Sleep with my maid.” He was glad to oblige.
The Egyptian maid had a child. Sarah became insanely jealous and eventually ran the maid and her son off. His name was Ishmael, from which many Arabic people are descendants. Later, God gave Sarah and Abraham a child. He was named Isaac, and from him would come Israel and the Jewish people.
Because Sarah and Abraham did not trust God’s promise, it led to a sibling rivalry between Ishmael and Isaac – rivalry and animosity that exist to this day in the Middle East between Arabs and Jews. Sin brings long-term consequences. Let’s make it easier on ourselves and others. Let’s do things God’s way through faith.
