Why Prayer is Disappointing
“…yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Matthew 26:39
Do you ever feel your prayers are not answered? God’s Word gives us the key in James 4:3: “When you ask, you don’t receive because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
The major reason prayer doesn’t seem to work, is we tend to pray with selfish motives. God promises to meet our needs, but needs and wants can be two very different things. So much prayer is focused on how we can use God to get what we want.
But the greatest example of prayer is found in Jesus. The night before His crucifixion, He asked his Father to spare Him the agony of the cross, but then added, “yet not My will, but Your will.” Prayer is about getting to know the will of God and providing the power to do it.
Why Does God Allow Suffering
“For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one the many will be righteous.”
Romans 5:19
A common question is, “How can a loving God allow so much suffering and evil in the world?” It’s a tough question that philosophers and theologians have struggled with forever. There is no completely adequate answer, but it’s important to remember that God is blamed for a lot of things that man does wrong.
When God created man He gave us all a free will. He didn’t program us as robots to always do what’s right or what He wants. Robots have no choice, but humans do. We can choose to trust and obey God—or do things our own way.
From the first man and woman, each person has chosen to go his or her own way rather than God’s way. The result of man’s sin is disease, suffering, and death.
God has done something pretty dramatic to confront the problem: He humbled Himself to become one of us, in the person of Jesus Christ, to show us how to live. Even more, Christ came to die for us. He identifies with our suffering, while offering us salvation from sin. Through faith in Him, we begin to reverse this cycle of evil and suffering.
Meeting Death
“What man can live and not see death?”
Psalm 89:48
The great Scottish preacher, Peter Marshall, used to tell the legend of the merchant of Baghdad. He sent his servant to the market in the ancient Middle Eastern city. The servant returned, pale and trembling, and the merchant asked him what was wrong. The servant told him he bumped into someone, looked up, and saw Death in a dark hooded robe pointing at him. He asked the merchant, “Please let me borrow your horse so I can flee to Samara where he can’t find me.”
The merchant agreed. Later that day, the merchant went to the crowded market and saw Death standing to the side, and he asked, “Why did you frighten my servant?”
Death responded, “I was only shocked to see him in Baghdad, for tonight I have an appointment with him in Samara.”
We all have a rendezvous with death. For every life, there is death. The statistics on death are 100%. But the fear of death is removed by receiving the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. With faith, we can concentrate on living this life to the fullest.
We all have a rendezvous with death. Are you ready?
The Creator Revealed
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
Romans 1:20
I love the fall—the excitement of football season, the crisp coolness of the morning air, the beauty of the changing leaves. This time of year really invigorates me. It’s easy to be enthusiastic about life when the world around us is so colorful.
The changing of the seasons reminds us that God created a universe where there is order. Fall follows summer every year. The seasons come like clockwork. So dependable is the change, that we take it for granted. The Bible tells us that even if we had no other way of knowing that there is a God, nature alone is enough proof of His existence. Creation shows us God’s power, and so much of His divine nature.
As you enjoy the change of seasons each year, I hope you’ll acknowledge the Creator of such beauty and majesty. He’s a God of order in creation and, best of all, His greatest desire is to have a personal relationship with you.
Sin
“I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”
John 8:34
Have you ever noticed that sin has a way of multiplying in a person’s life? The Bible paints a very graphic picture of a person who becomes entrapped by his own sin. It says, “And he will be held with cords of his sin.” Now what does that mean?
Have you ever seen a little bug caught in a spider’s web? The more that bug struggles to become free, the more entangled in the web it becomes. That’s what this verse is talking about. When a person is trapped by his sin – even when he comes to his senses and recognizes the need to change – he cannot escape by his own strength. He just gets more tangled.
But there’s hope for the person caught in his sin. We can all be set free from bondage by admitting our sin to God and giving Him control of our life through Jesus Christ. Only He can untangle us from the tangled web of sin! Only Jesus truly sets us free.
The Shadow You Cast
“As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.”
Acts 5:15-16
In the early days of the church, the Bible tells us that the apostle, Peter, had become such an influential, powerful man of God, that people would bring the sick on pallets and cots in the streets where he might pass by, in hopes that his shadow would fall over them and, hopefully, they would be healed. Such was the aura of greatness around that man.
What kind of shadow do you cast?
Our shadow goes with us wherever we go, never falling on us, but on someone else. We’re rarely aware of where it falls. We all influence someone—parents influence kids, coaches influence players, teachers influence students.
What kind of shadow do you cast? Is it for good, or for evil? To build up, or tear down? To encourage, or discourage? To help, or to hurt? Does it point people to God, or just to yourself?
As you think about the life that you live, think about the legacy you want to leave. What kind of shadow do you cast?
Making the Most of Your Time
Be careful, then, how you live—not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time.”
Ephesians 5:15
Do you ever struggle with making the most of your time? Feeling like there’s just not enough time in each day? Well, we have to remember we all have the same amount of time: one hundred sixty-eight hours a week, twenty-four hours a day. The key is making the most of our time. This is a spiritual, as well as practical, issue.
Scripture says, “Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time.” So how do you do that?
List the top three to five priorities of your life. This list will help you prioritize how you spend your time.
Concentrate on what’s most important, and major on the majors. As you approach each day, write down the most important thing you need to do, commit to do it, then go to the second most important thing and do it.
Effective time management is an important discipline to have, in order to live the successful life. So get with it before you run out of time.
The Ultimate Matchmaker
“…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Matthew 6:8
There are a lot of matchmakers—relatives, friends, and internet dating services. TV executives got into the act with their infamous debacle, Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire? What a joke! While there have always been matchmakers, finding the right mate is a big decision. What would you want in a matchmaker?
• Someone who knows you and your interests
• Someone who knows the one you’re to marry and their interests
• Someone who wants the best for you both—not second best
Good news! There’s an ideal matchmaker for everyone. His name is God.
He created you. He knows you and your future mate the best, but you have to know Him and seek His best for your life, first.
If you’re single, wouldn’t you like to have the perfect matchmaker lead you to the ideal match? Or do you think you know yourself and others better than God does? I think not. Let God be your matchmaker. You won’t be disappointed.
Creation or Evolution
“By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
Hebrews 11:3
There’s a lot of discussion today about creation and evolution. It’s really very important, for understanding our origin is central to understanding who we are, why we’re here, and what we’re supposed to do on this planet.
Creation is based on the idea that we’re here by intelligent design, and evolution is based on the idea that we’re here by chance. Which makes the most sense? If I were to tell you that your personal computer actually evolved by chance from an explosion in a factory that makes radios, you’d laugh in my face. Yet, is the computer more complex than a human mind? It’s amazing to me that intelligent people know computers are made by intelligent design, yet when it comes to life and earth’s design they choose to believe “well, it just evolved by chance.” I just don’t have enough faith to believe that. Science helps us fill in some of the details of creation, but God is the intelligent designer behind it all.
Getting Along With Those In-Laws
“Your people shall be my people…”
Ruth 1:16
Perhaps the relationship people struggle with most is getting along with those in-laws. In-laws are the gift we received in marriage—a gift many want to give back.
Even in healthy in-law relationships there will be tensions and challenges. You both love the same person, and the only reason you’re attached is because of that person. That can mean competing interests. In-laws can be made to feel like out-laws. They get to be the brunt of many a tale—especially mothers-in-law—the universal catch-all of abusive humor.
Rather than offering advice on the in-law relationship, I offer four stories in scripture: For a healthy in-law relationship, read about Moses and his father-in-law in Exodus 18, or Ruth and her mother-in-law in the book of Ruth. And if you think you’ve got it bad, take comfort—it could be a lot worse! Read about Jacob and his father-in-law in Genesis 29 and following, or David and the all time worst in-law, King Saul in I Samuel. The good stories inspire us and the bad stories make us think, “I ain’t got it so bad.”
Rest for the Weary
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29
The idea that the pace of life seems to continually increase stress and worry is a universal concept. There seems to be no end to the demands on our time and energy. Are you tired of the rat race?
There is a solution: It isn’t one that offers escape from the demands of life, but one that guarantees rest in the midst of the rat race and the fast pace of life. Jesus says, “Come to me if you are tired and burdened. I’ll make your load lighter, and help you carry your burden.” Jesus offers us rest amidst the stress.
Christ doesn’t always take us out of life’s demanding situations. Instead, He invites us to allow Him to help us handle the demands. He wants to face each day and each challenge with us. Walking with Jesus Christ daily and trusting Him for guidance and wisdom to handle whatever comes, is the way to experience rest in the rat race.
Overcoming Life’s Crisis
“Don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34
In the fine book, Men in Midlife Crisis, Jim Conway uses the Chinese definition of the word, “crisis,” which means “opportunity and danger.” Life has many crises. How we navigate through these turbulent waters means the difference in a shipwrecked life or a life of victory.
You may be in the middle of a crisis or you may face one in the future. It can be a dangerous time, but also a time for great opportunity. The danger is to panic and make rash decisions with negative long-term consequences. The opportunity is to depend on God for strength. To do this calls for:
• Prayer in seeking God’s power
• Bible study in seeking God’s guidance
• Obedience in seeking God’s will
Trust God to guide you through the storm.
And, one more thing: Take things one day at a time for Jesus said: “Don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Are you in a crisis? It’s a time of great danger and opportunity. Be aware of the dangers, but don’t retreat from the crisis. Become a better person in the process.
Is Heaven All We Hope For?
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”
Psalms 19:1
Is heaven all we hope for? Dr. R. G. Lee, one of the 20th century’s greatest preachers, was on his deathbed in a coma when suddenly his eyes opened exclaiming to his daughter, “I see heaven.” She said, “Tell me about it.” To which Rev. Lee replied, “Oh my sermons never did it justice. I see your mother. I see Jesus. It’s so beautiful.” One of this century’s greatest preachers couldn’t do it justice. Human language is simply inadequate to describe it.
I remember standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon and, for a moment, I stood in awe of the grandeur of the sight. I walk on a quiet beach and I’m in awe of God’s creation. But as magnificent as these are, these are nothing compared to heaven.
Imagine being in the presence of the King of the Universe and all who follow Him. What a sight that will be! It will be greater than we can hope or imagine. So don’t miss out. The key for getting there is knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
Suffering
“For God so loved the word that He gave His only begotten Son…”
John 3:16
Do you feel like God is distant and remote? That He’s either unconcerned or doesn’t understand your suffering? Many believe that the toughest blow in life is to lose a spouse or a child, and it’s hard to argue with that.
Have you ever had a child die? God has—His only boy. He understands the pain of a parent when a child dies. Have you ever had a child murdered when they were completely innocent and good? God has. He understands that type of hatred and rejection.
Could there be a greater evil than to murder an innocent man? No, but this will blow your mind: you are guilty of that evil, and so am I. With our sin, we murdered the Son of God. And, amazingly, God in His grace is willing to forgive us, and offer us salvation if we’ll simply confess our sin and trust Christ to change us from the inside out.
God understands our suffering, and He’s given the greatest thing He could to help us through it. It’s called grace through His Son.
Enemies in the Home
“…so that there will not be among you a man or a woman or family or tribe whose heart turns away today from the Lord our God…”
Deuteronomy 29:18
There are many enemies within the home seeking to destroy the family. Let me share a few:
Busyness: Everyone is over-committed, mostly through workaholism and activity-itus. This is true for all ages with our over-organized children’s activities.
Lack of spiritual and moral leadership by the father: Approximately 40% of all births in the U.S. are to single moms. Even in some families that have a dad, he’s often absent or practically non-existent.
Negative influence of media and technology: Kids spend more time with the TV, computer and video games than they do with their parents, and its influence can be overwhelmingly negative. It’s a substitute for family communication. And, now, Internet pornography is devastating marriages and perverting how some men and boys view women.
Parents, a vibrant relationship with God through Jesus Christ is the best way to battle the many enemies within the home.
How to be a Good Boss
“Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”
Colossians 4:1
Here are some Biblical principles for being a good boss:
• Be a person of integrity. People need to be able to trust the boss.
• Make expectations clear. Take the time to teach, train, and respond to questions.
• Hold people accountable. Expecting excellence is good for all.
• Be fair to all concerned. Playing favorites is demoralizing to the troops.
• Lead by building up the team and individual rather than leading through intimidation.
• Genuinely care about the employee’s success just as much as your own. This makes your chance for success far greater.
• Remember, you have to answer to God.
God has entrusted authority to you to serve Him and others through leadership. Jesus was the perfect example of servant leadership when He humbled Himself to become one of His own creations and, even more, so when He gave His life for those He came to lead.
Jesus is the ultimate CEO, the ultimate boss, the ultimate servant leader.
Getting Along with the Boss
“Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative.”
Titus 2:9
Most people have a supervisor or a boss. What principles from God’s Word can help us to get along with our boss?
Submit to his leadership. He or she is the boss. The only time you shouldn’t submit is when the boss urges you to do something immoral or dishonest. Then, if you want to please God, you’ll do what’s right and be willing to face the consequences.
Work heartily to please God. If the goal is to please God, any honorable work is meaningful. You work to please God, and usually the boss is pleased. Every boss is looking for honest, hard-working employees.
Recognize it’s not your job to change your boss, but you can always change bosses. If the boss is immoral or unreasonable, you can find a new boss, or become your own boss. This takes guts and faith but it’s a blessing of a free country. So seek to get along with your boss God’s way, and if you can’t, find a new one.
Committed
“…they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to us in keeping with God’s will.”
2 Corinthians 8:5
I love what Coach Lou Holtz, the former South Carolina football coach, once said about his team at the beginning of a season. He said they remind him of the Kamikaze pilot who flew fifty missions—he was involved, but not committed. He says a lot of players get involved, but time will tell if they’re really committed to helping the team be a success.
On a team, in the office or in the church, we have a lot of folks are involved, but not enough are committed who will get the job done, no matter what it takes. How about you, when it comes to your life and your responsibilities? Are you just involved, or are you committed to do your best for the good of the team, the group, and all concerned? Most of all, are you committed to do your best for the glory of God, to please Him before anyone else? That’s always the key to ultimate success.
The Trinity
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Genesis 1:26
In the very first chapter of the Bible, God says, “Let us make man in our image.”
Who do you think “us” and “our” are? There is no indication of God being married, so it’s not His wife. And Angels don’t create, they’re a creation of God. There’s only one logical answer: It’s God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
When Jesus the Son was baptized, God’s Word tells us God the Father spoke from Heaven and said, “This is my son. I’m proud of Him.” Then God the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove. All three were there. All three are one God.
It’s a mystery our finite human minds have a hard time grasping. But the Trinity—God as three in one—fills us with wonder at the unexplainable greatness of God.
Earth Pains
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
Romans 8:22
Things just ain’t what they’re supposed to be. Consider man’s violence against man, the animal kingdom’s survival of the fittest, or pollution poisoning our air and streams. And it’s incredible how the earth, with all its beauty and wonder, can become a destructive force against itself through earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, and floods.
The Bible says, “…the whole creation groans and suffers the pain of childbirth.” See, in the beginning before man sinned, everything was in sync. There was such peace on earth that even man and animals were vegetarians. There was no killing of any kind. But now the earth has entered into a period that God likens to a mother giving birth, and, like childbirth, things will get worse before they get better.
All creation longs for things to be made right, and one day it will be—the day when Jesus returns. It will be a time of salvation and judgment. Judgment will be for those who are not right with God, and salvation for those who are. His arrival will usher in a new age of harmony and peace on earth. Won’t it be great? If you’re ready, yes. If you’re not, no. The key question for you is, will you be ready? The only way to be ready is through faith in Jesus Christ.
Is There Other Life in the Universe?
“Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number…the Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth.”
Isaiah 4:26,28
America’s spaceship on Mars produced magnificent views of space. Scientists are seeing unlimited potential for space exploration, and their excitement is contagious. There’s so much more to know and explore!
Could there be life on other planets? How do these new discoveries affect our view of God? Do we need to revise our understanding of Him?
Well, the answer depends on how big your concept of God is. You see, we need to recognize that God is almighty, far greater than anything the human mind can conceive. The discoveries of science excite us, but it’s even more exciting when we recognize the greatness of the creator of it all. God is limitless. His creative genius surpasses man’s ability to comprehend.
We don’t need to fear science or what’s out there in space, for, in the end, science simply explains to us the creative genius of God. God is over all!
October 10
Symphony
“For You are my rock and my fortress…You will lead me and guide me.”
Psalm 31:3
What is the most important position in the symphony orchestra? Some would say it’s the violins, because they often carry the melody. Others would argue for their favorite instrument. The fact is that the conductor has the most important role of all. Without him, the players would easily go their own way and disharmony and chaos would result. A master conductor leads the symphony to make great music. Without a good conductor, there is no music—only noise.
I have good news for you when it comes to living life successfully. God has provided a master conductor. His name is Jesus Christ. When you submit in faith to His leadership,
He provides perfect direction and guidance for your life. He shows you how to work well with other people.
Why not allow the master conductor to guide your life? Instead of discord and disharmony, He’ll help you hit the right notes every single time!
October 9
Fearing God
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11,12
My father is one of the great blessings in my life. When I was growing up, he never hesitated to give me his approval and express his happiness with me. I never doubted my father’s love and I always wanted to please him. But I still had a healthy fear of him because I knew that if I did wrong, I would face discipline. So, I learned early on that it was a good idea to obey him because it eliminated a lot of punishment. This understanding of my father served as protection for me, as well as motivation to do the right thing.
This is similar to our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Just as discipline from our parents is a sign they love us, God’s discipline is a sign that He loves us. So we want to have a healthy fear of God, that if we do something wrong and displeasing to Him, we will face consequences for it.
“Fearing God” does not mean a cowering anxiety of the Lord; it means having a healthy respect for the loving discipline we receive from a loving Heavenly Father. And in the world in which we live, it surely would be wonderful if more people had a healthy fear of God.
October 8
Real Faith And Rappelling “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God.”
Romans 14:22
There are a lot of definitions of faith. What is real faith in God? Some would say it involves believing what the Bible says about God, but that’s just partial faith. You can believe everything the Bible says is true and not have real faith. So, how?
Well, last year my son took me rappelling. I don’t like open air heights, but he set the ropes, put me in the harness, said he’d hold the ropes from the ground, and I just needed to jump off a 70-foot cliff backwards and everything would be fine. Did I believe the ropes were strong enough to hold me? Yes. Did that mean I had real faith? No. It wasn’t until I jumped and entrusted my life to the sureness of the ropes and the dependability of my son that I had faith. Now, that’s real faith.
We can believe everything in God’s Word is true, but until we completely entrust our life, and our hope for salvation, into the hands of Jesus Christ, it’s not real saving faith. So, do you have real faith?
