Courage
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong…”
1 Corinthians 16:13
It has always fascinated me to read the accounts of the Allied invasion at Normandy. It was a day of overwhelming tragedy, and innumerable acts of courage. Hearing the accounts of bravery performed on the beaches by those men who distinguished themselves fighting for freedom, brings awe to all.
But acts of courage don’t occur only on the battlefield. Courageous deeds happen unnoticed on playgrounds, in offices and in homes every day as people stand up for what’s right. Courage is understanding the consequences, and choosing to do the right thing anyway.
About 2,000 years ago a man named Jesus Christ, a man who had never sinned, chose to go to the cross for your sins and mine. It was the ultimate act of courage. And His sacrifice, like the men at Normandy, was done for you. When you finally recognize what His sacrifice means, I encourage you to choose to trust him. He will then give you courage to face every day victoriously.
The Perfect Wish
“So give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people to discern between good and evil.”
1 Kings 3:9
If you had one wish—any wish—what would it be? As kids we used to play a game asking that very question: “If you could make one wish, what would it be?”
I would stay quiet while others said things like lots of money, a big house, or a motorcycle. Then I’d say, “I’d wish for unlimited wishes!” I felt so smart, but looking back it simply revealed incredible selfishness.
Years ago God said to Israel’s young king Solomon, “Ask whatever you wish me to give you.” What an offer! Solomon chose “wisdom to lead and discernment between good and evil.” God was pleased, knowing he could have asked for wealth or long life, so He granted him his wish and wealth and a long life.
Asking God for wisdom is a wise request indeed, for so often with wisdom comes great success and the respect of others. The world is drawn to people who are wise. Remember, God and His Word are the best sources of wisdom.
Patience
“A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.”
Proverbs 14:29
It has been said that life is a test in patience. Where do you struggle with being patient?
I struggle with lines—whether it’s traffic or waiting at a restaurant. I’d rather drive five miles out of the way than sit still in traffic. I get impatient with people when I’m facing a deadline and get interrupted, or when someone says they’ll do something and it doesn’t get done.
Where do you struggle with patience? Do you ever pray, “Lord, give me some patience, now!” Let me suggest a few practical ways to learn patience:
- Take a breath and pray for self-control.
- When people anger you, if possible, retreat for a moment if possible. Take time to back off and get control our your emotions.
- Confront fairly and seek to listen, understand, and, where needed, forgive.
- Remember, the greatest motive for patience is remembering God’s patience with us.
Patience is a precious commodity, for it’s a powerful way to win the respect of others and turn a potential enemy into a friend.
Being Born in the Family that Lasts
“Jesus called for them saying, ‘Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them.’”
Luke 18:16
Few things in life inspire a couple more than giving birth to a child. It’s one of those times even a skeptic tends to believe in God. But as awesome as it is to be blessed with children, it’s doubly awesome to know that your child has been born into the family of God.
This hit home to me on a trip to Israel when my three sons were baptized in the Jordan River as a testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ. My heart was overflowing, knowing that all of them, at different points in their lives, had been born into the family of God through faith in Christ. My wife and I have not only had the blessing of these sons being born into our family, but of knowing that they’re in the family of God forever.
Have your children been born into the family of God? Have you? It comes through faith in Christ. Childbirth is great, but being born into the family that lasts forever is the greatest.
Childlike Faith
“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14
Parents pushed and shoved their children, hoping the famous Man would touch them. His assistants, thinking they were protecting Him from unwanted demands, tried to shoo the kids away, but this important Man was indignant with his assistants. He said, “Let the children come to me.” He took them in His arms and hugged them, and the kids loved Him. The man’s name was Jesus. He showed His well-intentioned disciples how important children are to God.
Question: Dad, Mom, do you make time for your kids like Jesus did—the Man who lived an incredibly busy life but was not too busy for children?
Very often, a child’s importance is shown by giving them a listening ear or a hug, when a little time is what they want and need. When it comes to your kids, ask the Lord to help you be like Jesus. No job is more important than that, even if you’re the Son of God.
What Is The Gospel?
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.’”
Luke 1:19
If you’re not a Christian but you’ve been around Christians, you’ve probably heard the term, “gospel.” But what does it mean?
It means God loves you. He has a purpose for your life. He wants you to have a meaningful life. That’s the great part! Everybody likes that.
But we have a problem experiencing God’s love personally. We’re separated from God because of our sin. Sin is missing the mark of God’s best for our life. It’s living life our way versus God’s way. But the solution is Jesus. He died for our sins. He rose from the dead proving He is God. He is the way to God.
This calls for a decision to believe Jesus is Who He says He is, and to trust Christ alone for salvation and abundant life.
That’s it. Do you believe it? The gospel is the good news of salvation, following the bad news of our sin problem. I hope you’ll believe it and receive it.
Bringing Good Out Of a Bad Situation, Part 2
“…we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;…”
1 Corinthians 4:12
In March of 1999, a 23-year-old man by the name of Steve Sawyer died of AIDS. Most of you wouldn’t know the name, but he shared his story with over 100,000 college students.
He was a hemophiliac, and in the 1980’s he contracted the HIV virus through a blood transfusion. For years he was bitter. What could be more unfair? But in college he accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord, and when AIDS took over he realized he had a short time to live, and wanted to tell as many as possible that, through Christ, he had found peace and ultimate victory. He said, “This is what God has given me to do; my calling was to have AIDS and share the Gospel through AIDS.”
Amazing! If you were suffering like him, could you say that? It’s the power of the Gospel to bring good out of bad situations. After all, AIDS killed Steve but Christ overcame death; and now, so has Steve Sawyer.
