October 7
Blind From Birth “…by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”
2 Peter 2:19
When I read the story in the New York Times, I couldn’t believe it—a blind receiver in football?
He played for Wofford College during the 2002 season. He said he ran his patterns carefully and looked for a dark fuzzy spot coming towards him. Talk about overcoming adversity—that was amazing!
In an age of self-indulgence and a victimized mindset, this player stood out as an example of hard work and perseverance. He accepted and overcame his adversity, and used it as a motivation rather than an excuse. By doing so, this young man challenged each of us not to be defeated by our limitations.
Wouldn’t all of our lives be more fulfilled and effective if we followed his example? It can happen in each life with God’s help. With God as our strength, we won’t see ourselves as victims but as over-comers. Jesus Christ says, “In this world you’ll have problems, but take heart. I have overcome the world.”
October 6
To Be More Like Jesus “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”
Romans 8:14
There’s a lot of talk these days about core values, those distinctives that identify priorities for your company, your family, or your life. Let me share with you the number one core value in our church: to be more and more like Jesus.
Think about it. Jesus poured his life into the lives of twelve ordinary men, investing most of His time with them. At one point, He even washed their feet—the act of a slave or a servant. He healed the sick. He loved the poor. He was concerned about the widow, the orphan, and the person who was left out. He loved kids. He got angry when the religious leaders put the legalism of the Law before the love of God and the love for people. Even when mankind was murdering Him on the cross, He chose to forgive.
Jesus was totally dedicated to doing the will of God, yet He was loving and compassionate and forgiving with people. Do you have that kind of balance in your life? We all fall short, but what a model to follow His ideal in everyday living.
The number one core value at our church is to be like Jesus in spirit, character, and mission. What’s yours?
October 5
A Fountain Pen“For as he thinks within himself, so is he.”
Proverbs 23:7
Have you heard that the fountain pen is making a comeback? After many years of neglect, fountain pens are once again in vogue. Made of fine materials and carrying a high price tag, they are now part of the well-dressed, executive look.
There is something interesting about fountain pens. They may look great, but unless they’re full of ink, they’re really not very useful. Without the right things on the inside, the outside is useless.
The same is true of people. We spend money and time to make the outside attractive. Looking good outside may impress people, but unless there’s something inside equally attractive, the outside is merely a covering for ugliness. You see, only God knows what is inside of us. He looks at our heart and our spirit. What does He see in you? Is it ugly, or is it good? The good news is, He offers us a gift, His Son, who will make us beautiful from the inside out. Outward appearance is important, but unless there is something good inside, it’s merely a covering for ugliness.
October 4
Marriage And The Future “You shall not do what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes.”
Deuteronomy 12:8
Consider the logical result of same sex marriage. If modern man suddenly decrees that what has been immoral and illegal for thousands of years in every society is now moral and legal, how can we deny a man the right to marry two, three, or four wives – especially since Islam’s Koran teaches this is okay?
If same-sex marriage is right and good after being wrong for thousands of years, how can society deny the right for two consenting adults who want to be married—even though they may be father and daughter, mother and son, or brother and sister? On what basis could society say this is wrong, but same-sex marriage is okay? Same-sex marriage ushers in a multitude of legal quagmires that will result in moral chaos.
Let me suggest something outrageous. Let’s trust God, Who originated marriage as a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman. That’s still, after all these years, the best way to go. Otherwise, we live in a world where each person does what is right in their own eyes. With man’s sin nature, that leads to chaos.
October 3
Oprah “[they] will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”
2 Timothy 4:4
There’s a good possibility that the most influential spiritual leader in America today is Oprah Winfrey. Her spirituality is an eclectic smorgasbord of religious and spiritual ideas. She’s overwhelmingly for universalism. Universalism believes that everyone gets to God their own way—no one religion has exclusive rights on Heaven. It’s the dominant theological idea inside and outside the American church. And Oprah is its most winsome, popular proponent.
It makes me wonder how she would react if Jesus Christ was her featured guest. How would she respond to His outrageous claim, “I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”?
Would she say, “Jesus, there are lots of ways to Heaven.”
Or would she say, “Oh, my goodness, forgive me. I’ve been leading millions down the wrong path.”
It would be an interesting interview—for Jesus’ way to Heaven and Oprah’s way are exact opposites. Who do you think is right?
I’ll go with Jesus.
October 2
Forgiveness “…Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Luke 6:37
Do you sometimes struggle with feelings of bitterness and resentment? Perhaps when a person at work gets a promotion you feel like you deserved, or when a friend or spouse betrays you, feelings of bitterness and resentment floor in. They can take over our thinking.
Let me tell you about a person who had every reason to be bitter. He was accused of being a troublemaker, and He only told the truth. One of His closest aides betrayed Him and turned Him in to the authorities. At His trial, people made up lies about Him. He was beaten by the prison guards. He was sentenced to death by a judge responding to a lynch mob. While He was being executed and people were making fun of Him, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”
I’m talking about Jesus Christ, the Person who had every reason to feel bitter, but chose to forgive. Let Jesus Christ be your model to follow. Ask God to help you forgive that person who has wronged you, and you’ll feel free at last.
October 1
Woe to You Church Hypocrites “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
George Barna, in an article entitled U.S. Christians’ Influence Invisible, states: “Christians don’t impact America because their lives don’t reflect their beliefs…and they aren’t sufficiently different from the people around them to make a difference in the lives of non-believers.”
For more than a decade, studies have consistently shown that Christianity seems to be losing its influence in people’s lives. Rather than shaping the way a person lives, it seems to have little affect at all. Ironically, this occurs at the same time Americans are much more interested in spiritual things.
Hey Christians, wake up! Don’t you realize that the more our character and spirit reflect Jesus, the more people see Him and are drawn to him?
Is your life more a reflection of the culture around you, the spirit and character of Jesus Christ? What would your neighbors say? Your co-workers? Your family? It’s something to think about.
