Refreshing Daily in God’s Word

Emphasis on Man

November 2018

The Self-Made Man November 1

Bible Reading: John 3:22-30 Key Verse: Verse 27- "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."

Key Words: A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven

Have you ever heard someone say about himself or ever said about someone else, “They are a self-made man”? Sorry to be the one to tell them that the self-made man doesn’t exist.

We read in Psalm 139:14a, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” If we are made by God, then we aren’t self-made; we are God-made!

Many people have mini TVs in their homes. In the bathroom or the kitchen, a little TV will be available to facilitate some sort of entertainment while they are involved in another activity. In the bathroom, a lady can dress, put on her makeup, and fix her hair, all while watching the news. In the kitchen, dinner can be prepared at the same time a favorite show is on. But these little TVs are not really designed for seeing the big picture. The screens are just too small. When a person really wants to see the full picture in all of its detail, they will watch TV on the bigger TV in the living room – the fifty-four inch…the big screen. In the kitchen or bathroom, you glance, but in the living room you really see because the screen is bigger.

One of the reasons that man believes he is self-made is because he is looking at the small screen of self. But God wants us to look at the big picture and see things as they really are…that we are not self-made, but we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Remember, every ability you have comes from God.

What to do: ✞Look at the big picture and see God, not self.

We Are Not In Charge November 2

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55 Key Verse: Verse 9 - “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Key Words: my ways higher than your ways

Even though one may think they are in charge, they

aren’t. You see, we are not omnipotent (all powerful), we are not omniscient (all knowing), and we are not omnipresent (everywhere at once). Even though some think we should be, only God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent…so He alone is in charge.

Have you ever talked to one of these brilliant PhD-kind-of-people and you don’t know what they’re talking about? You know it’s deep, even though you don’t understand any of it because they’re just communicating on a whole different plane, on a whole different level.

At the heart of many of our dilemmas is our inability to know God’s ways. God says that “as high as the heavens are above the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” They’re not only bigger, they’re higher. His thoughts are at another level.

I remember telling God as a teenager, “God, I’m going to do anything You want, but I will not pastor.” He said, “Um-hmm.”

He’s full of surprises and His ways are not your ways. His thoughts are not your thoughts.

Once again, I find out…I’m really not in charge.

What to do: ✞Let God be in charge. It helps life to run a lot

smoother.

The Friendly Man November 3

Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:16-27 Key Verse: Verse 17 - "A friend loveth at all times, and

a brother is born for adversity." Key Words: a friend loveth at all times

A story from the career of Jackie Robinson: One example of friendship remains with me as vividly

as the moment I first heard of it as a boy. In his first seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson, the first black man to play Major League baseball, faced venom nearly everywhere he traveled--fastballs at his head, spikings on the bases, brutal epithets from the opposing dugouts and from the crowds. During one game in Boston, the taunts and racial slurs seemed to reach a peak. In the midst of this, another Dodger, a Southern white named Pee Wee Reese, called timeout. He walked from his position at shortstop toward Robinson at second base, put his arm around Robinson's shoulder, and stood there with him for what seemed like a long time. The gesture spoke more eloquently than the words: This man is my friend.

The moral of the story is that a true friend walks in when everyone else is walking out.

What to do: ✞Remember having friends begins with being one.

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Choose Carefully November 4

Bible Reading: Acts 17:27-34 Key Verse: Verse 27 - " That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him,

though he be not far from every one of us:" Key Words: That they should seek the Lord

Along with the ability of our minds to receive, process and store information, God has given us the ability to make choices in life. One of those choices is to worship God or not to worship Him.

“Only two choices on the shelf: pleasing God or pleasing self.” ~ Ken Collier

Adam and Eve had a choice: obey God or disobey Him. So it was with Abraham, Jonah, Peter, etc.

In one of the Indiana Jones movies, Indiana was looking for the Holy Grail. When he and his team finally arrived at the site where it was located, he had to go through a number of tests to a specific room where it rested. He weathered death. He had to spell the name of Jehovah correctly in Latin. He had to take a step of faith across a deep precipice. Finally, making it through the test successfully, he came into a room with an assortment of cups. He was faced with the challenge of having to choose which one belongs to the carpenter from Nazareth. His enemies were pursuing him and they too would meet him in the room with an assortment of cups.

There was a guardian knight there, and that guardian knight said that the person who chose the cup must choose carefully. In fact, his exact words were “Choose wisely” because there were consequences tied to the choice. Choosing the wrong cup led to death. Choosing the right cup led to life.

Choices! Now, I’m not concerned about the Holy Grail. My concern is choosing between righteousness and rebellion, obeying God or disobeying Him. It’s a choice we make daily. Choose carefully.

What to do:

✞Remember, first you make your choice, then your choice will make you.

I’m Okay November 5

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 10:10-18 Key Verse: Verse 12 - "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." Key Words: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise

When we compare ourselves to others, it’s natural to

think we are doing okay until we meet someone doing better. But when we look upon Jesus, we all realize we come

up short and that we are not really okay at all. We read in Isaiah 6:1, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” Verse 5, “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone: because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

I’ve got a grandson who loves basketball. He is, to say the least, competitive. Now, at this stage of life he is just over 5 feet but he really would love to dunk the basketball. After trying time after time and coming up short, he came up with another method. He takes an exercise trampoline he got from his grandmother, puts it in front of the basketball goal, gets a running start, hits the trampoline and stuffs the ball down the goal. Now, on his own he was too short but with a little help he reached the goal. On our own, we are all too short. We all need help to reach Heaven…that help only comes through Jesus Christ.

So I don’t bother to compare myself to others, I only look to Jesus and through His blood, I will reach the goal of Heaven.

What to do: ✞Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith

(Hebrews 12:2a)

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The Valuable Man November 6

Bible Reading: Matthew 26:26-41 Key Verse: Verse 34 - "Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice."

Key Words: thou shalt deny me thrice Peter denied the Lord -- not once, but three times!

Why, he even physically attacked a man, cutting off his ear. David committed adultery and had one of his finest soldiers put into the heat of the battle so he would die. Abraham disobeyed God and instructed his wife to lie for his own good. Jacob deceived his father, Isaac, and took his brother’s birthright through deception. Thomas doubted Jesus and questioned Jesus’ command to go to Jerusalem.

Now let me ask you – because Peter denied God, and because David committed adultery, and because Abraham disobeyed God, and because Jacob deceived, and because Thomas doubted – did it decrease their worth? I think not! I read an interesting story some time back that went something like this.

“A well-known speaker started off his message by holding up a $20 bill. He asked the congregation, ‘Who would like this $20 bill?’

“Hands went up everywhere. He said, ‘I am going to give this $20 to one of you - but before I do, I want to do something.’

“He proceeded to crumple the 20 dollar note up. He then asked. ‘Who still wants it?’ Still hands went up all over the auditorium.

“He then said, ‘Before I give it away, I want to do something else.’ He dropped it on the

floor and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. ‘Now, who still wants it?’ Still, hands went up everywhere.

“He then looked at the congregation and said, ‘My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I do to the money, you still want it because in spite of the fact it is crumpled and dirty, it is still worth $20.’ So it is with our lives.

“We fail often, we are dropped, crumpled by the cares of the world, dirtied by our lust and sinful nature, by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless, but we are still valuable to God. God loves us and the worth of our lives is not in what we do, but in Whose we are.”

Dear friend, you as a believer are the child of God. You may have fallen and failed but I encourage you to get up because you are worth much to God.

What to do: ✞More believers crawl upon the shelf than are placed

there by God.

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The Mistaken Man November 7

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-8

Key Verse: Verse 3 - "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Key Words: not to think of himself more highly

A young lady went to her minister one day and confessed, “Pastor, I have to admit I’ve become vain in my thinking. Why, just this morning I looked in the mirror and

admired my beauty.” The elderly minister paused and then said with a smile, “Be at peace, my dear. To be mistaken is not to sin!”

Sometimes we as Christians are a lot like that young woman. We see ourselves through “rose-colored glasses” and fail to hold a proper view of our strengths and weaknesses. As a result, we attempt what we are not cut out to do, or we try to exercise gifts we do not possess. An inflated estimate of our capabilities hinders the Holy Spirit’s work in us and opens the door to embarrassment and failure. We must remember that He gives us our talents and empowers us so that what we accomplish brings glory to God, not to ourselves.

In Romans 12, Paul tells us how to gain a right perspective. He says that we should guard against having an inflated opinion of ourselves, but instead should see our lives in the context of the “mercies of God.” Because we are forgiven sinners through faith in Christ, we can be content to do whatever He chooses. Confident that He accepts us and wants to use us, we are then free to exercise the talents that are most natural to us.

So let’s not envy the achievements of others. Let’s not try to be like someone else. We can avoid being mistaken about our gifts by thinking soberly about ourselves as God gives us the measure of faith. What to do: ✞Use your gifts rather than attempting to use others.

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The Wrong Man November 8

Bible Reading: Isaiah 17:1-11 Key Verse: Verse 10 - "Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the

rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:"

Key Words: thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation

Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings, was asked to address the House Judiciary Subcommittee. The following is part of what he said at the hearing.

“Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

“The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain’s heart.

“In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA – because I don’t believe that they are responsible for my daughter’s death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel’s murder I would be their strongest opponent.

“I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy — it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,

Your words are empty air. You’ve stripped away our heritage,

You’ve outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms,

And precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere,

And ask the question “Why?” You regulate restrictive laws,

Through legislative creed. And yet you fail to understand,

That God is what we need!”

What to do: ✞Pray that Congress as a whole would see our

need for God.

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The Persistent Man November 9

Bible Reading: II Timothy 4:1-8 Key Verse: Verse 7 - " I have fought a good fight, I

have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"

Key Words: I have fought a good fight

They called him Old Hickory because of his tenacity and grit. His mother chose the name Andrew on March 15, 1767, when she gave birth to him in an old run-down shack somewhere in South Carolina. He was a wild, quick-tempered boy who had no interest in school. At the age of 13, Andrew answered the call for soldiers to come fight against the British. He was taken as a prisoner of war before he turned 15. It was then that Old Hickory discovered pain. A British officer scarred his face by hitting him with the butt of his rifle. It seems as though “Old Hickory” had refused to shine the officer’s boots. So it was that Old Hickory was introduced to pain.

Although he bore the scars of that blow for the rest of his life, his fiery disposition never changed. He was indeed a fighter to the core. He chose to settle arguments by dueling rather than by discussion. That is the reason he lived most of

his life with two bullets wedged into his body. Old Hickory’s tenacity brought him national recognition. As a result, politics called and Old Hickory, one never to run from a good fight, answered the challenge. He served a term as Senator and then ran for President, but pain struck again. This time the pain of defeat. He lost a narrow race for the presidency to John Quincy Adams. Four years later he ran again and this time he won. But pain struck again when Rachel, his wife, the love of his life, died two months after his presidential victory.

Sometime later one of the bullets wedged in his body from his dueling days had to be surgically removed. He endured the surgery without any anesthetics.

Even his political career was filled with pain. A nasty scandal split his cabinet, but in spite of the rift over the scandal, he still left office more popular than when he was sworn in.

Old Hickory said, “It was the pain more than anything else which drew from him his greatest qualities.” And so it was in the life of Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States. Pain, he said, had made him great!

Pain humbles the proud, it softens the stubborn, it melts the heart. Pain operates alone; it needs no assistance. By staying it refuses to be ignored, by hurting it reduces its victims to profound anguish.

I have tried and cannot find a single person in Scripture or in history that God ever used who had not been broken by pain. So today could it be, dear believer, that if you are going through pain and have been broken by it, that God is on the verge of greatly using you?

What to do:

✞Pain will either break you or make you. It’s your call.

The Bowing Man November 10

Bible Reading: Romans 14:1-12 Key Verse: Verse 12 - "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

Key Words: So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God

Paul was pointing out to these Roman Christians that everyone must give an account to God. Even those who were judging others would one day bow and be judged. For me, just to think of standing before Jesus is a humbling thing. It reminds me of an illustration I read taken from The King’s Business.

“A number of prominent literary men were assembled in a room in London. The conversation veered to a discussion of some of the great men of the past. One man asked, ‘Gentlemen, what would we do if suddenly Milton entered the room?’ ‘Ah,’ replied another, ‘we would give him a standing ovation.’ ‘And,’ said another, ‘if Shakespeare entered?’ ‘We would rise and crown him master of the literary world.’ And another said, ‘If Jesus entered, what would we do?’ ‘I think,’ said Charles Lamb amid an intense silence, ‘we would fall on our faces!’”

Certainly you must agree with me that, to stand before Jesus will be a humbling experience; for certainly He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Friend, have you ever humbled yourself before Jesus and asked Him to be your Savior? Would you do so today?

He who bows before Jesus as his Savior need not worry about bowing before Him as his judge at the Great White Throne. What to do: ✞It’s wise to remember that one day we will all bow

before God.

Veteran’s Day November 11

Bible Reading: John 15:1-13 Key Verse: Verse 13 - "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Key Words: a man lay down his life for his friends

I realize John 15:13 is talking about our Savior Jesus, who laid down his life so we might live. I can’t read that verse without thinking of our many veterans who have laid down their lives for us.

Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, also known as veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.)

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. Weeks led a delegation to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who supported the idea of National Veterans Day. Weeks led the first national celebration in 1947 in Alabama and annually until his death in 1985. President Reagan honored Weeks at the White House with the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982 as the driving force for the national holiday. Elizabeth

Dole, who prepared the briefing for President Reagan, determined Weeks as the "Father of Veterans Day."

The National Veterans Award, created in 1954, also started in Birmingham. Congressman Rees of Kansas was honored in Alabama as the first recipient of the award for his support offering legislation to make Veterans Day a federal holiday, which marked nine years of effort by Raymond Weeks. Weeks conceived the idea in 1945, petitioned Gen. Eisenhower in 1946, and led the first Veterans Day celebration in 1947 (keeping the official name Armistice Day until Veterans Day was legal in 1954).

Although originally scheduled for celebration on November 11 of every year, starting in 1971 in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. In 1978, it was moved back to its original celebration on November 11. While the legal holiday remains on November 11, if that date happens to be on a Saturday or Sunday, then organizations that formally observe the holiday will normally be closed on the adjacent Friday or Monday, respectively.

While all of this information may be educational, the whole purpose of Veteran’s Day is to recognize and remember those men and women who stood in harm’s way so we could have the freedoms we have today.

To those who served in our military, I thank you and we thank you. May God bless you and may God bless America.

What to do: ✞Pray for our country and honor our veterans.

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The Incomplete Man November 12

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 12:11-27

Key Verse: Verse 14 – "For the body is not one member, but many." Key Words: For the body is not one member, but many

No one is a whole chain. Each one is a link. But take away the link and the chain is broken.

No one is a whole team. Each one is a player. But take away one player and the game is forfeited.

No one is a whole orchestra. Each one is a musician. But take away one musician and the symphony is incomplete.

No one is a whole play. Each one is an actor. But take away one actor and the whole performance suffers.

No one is a whole church. Each one is a member. But take away one member and we all hurt.

No one is a whole staff. Each one is a part. But take away the math teacher and education is lessened.

No one is a whole. While we need you, you need us. We need each other.

So why, then, do we who need each other sometimes attempt to hurt the link that helps hold the chain together? Note these words in Romans 12:10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.”

The Wall Street Journal ran the following article in the format below. I found it interesting. I trust you will as well.

How important are you? More than you think. A rooster minus a hen equals no baby chicks. Kellogg minus a farmer equals no corn flakes. If the nail

factory closes, what good is the hammer factory? The cracker factory is enhanced by the cheese factory and vice versa.. Just as Rogers needed Hammerstein, you need someone, and someone needs you.

What to do: ✞We do need each other; but we need God most of all.

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The Jealous Man November 13

Bible Reading: Proverbs 6:27-35 Key Verse: Verse 34 – "For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance."

Key Words: For jealousy is the rage of a man Like a half-starved dog digging through the foul-

smelling trash is the person caged with jealousy. Trapped by rage he begins to feed himself on the filth of his own imagination. Jealousy, says Solomon in Proverbs 6:34, is the rage of a man.

Here is the way jealousy works. I love something very much, indeed, too much. I pursue it with zeal. I desire it! But the thing I love steps out of my hands and passes on to another. Strangely the feelings of love and zeal begin to change. By the dark transforming power of sin, my love turns to hate. Once I was open, happy, filled to the brim with delight; but now I am filled with rage at someone over

something. Jealousy has now gripped my soul and refuses to turn loose. Thus it was with Cain, he was jealous of Abel. So it was with Saul, he was jealous of David. Thus it was with the Pharisees, as they were jealous of Jesus.

Anyone who has experienced deliverance from this horrible parasite knows all too well the damage it can cause. Jealousy will decimate a friendship, dissolve a romance and destroy a marriage. It will shoot tension through the ranks of a staff and even a church. Jealousy will nullify team unity. It will foster bitter competition among choir members or staff members. It causes finger pointing! Jealousy will question motives and it will deplore the success of another.

Jealousy and envy have often been used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Envy begins with empty hands, mourning for what it doesn’t have. Jealousy begins with full hands, and it is threatened by what it loses or thinks it may lose.

May our daily cry to God be, “Lord, keep me clean from jealousy.”

What to do: ✞Remember, jealousy destroys the one that is jealous, not

just the one of whom we are jealous.

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The Respected Man November 14

Bible Reading: Genesis 4:1-8

Key Verse: Verse 5 – "But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell."

Key Words: he had not respect

Respect is something most everyone wants and very few get, but I believe the Bible lays down some basic principles by which respect comes. Please note them with me.

First, we must do right. (Genesis 4:4, see also Galatians 6:7.)

Secondly, we must be right. (Genesis 4:5a) Thirdly, we must act right. (No one will ever

respect childish actions from an adult.) (Genesis 4:5b)

Fourthly, we must live right. (Genesis 4:6-7) Last of all, we must respect others. (Genesis

4:8-10) If you want to be respected, these things must

be in place in your life.

Every Christian says, “Not my will, but thine be done, O Lord.” But do we mean it? In Christianity it is so vital that each of us be respected. Israel would have never listened to Joshua had they not respected him. The church at Philippi would have never listened to Paul had they not respected him. The house of Cornelius would have never listened to Peter had they not respected him.

Today, dear friend, will you commit yourself by God’s grace to work at being respected by others? You may wonder, how do I gain this respect?

A man once parked his car on a street. Up came a boy and looked it over. His eyes were wide with admiration of the beautiful car. “Where did you get this car?” he asked. “My brother gave it to me,” replied the man. “My, I wish...” The man knew the boy was wishing that he had a car like that. But the lad went on and finished the sentence, surprisingly. “I wish I could be a brother like yours. I have a crippled brother that I would like to get a car for.” How do you gain respect? Think more of others than you do yourself.

What to do:

✞Earn respect. It’s not free; it comes at a high price.

The Strengthened Man November 15

Bible Reading: Psalm 11 Key Verse: Verse 5 – "The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth."

Key Words: The Lord trieth the righteous

A young man was fascinated by a moth and performed a little experiment to see what would happen when it was released from its cocoon without a struggle. Using his pocketknife, he slit the enclosure, allowing the insect to emerge freely. However, it had none of the expected color, it couldn’t fly, and it soon died. As he thought about this, he concluded that the pressure exerted on an emerging moth is essential to its proper development – yes, to its very existence! He later learned that through the moth’s struggle to free itself, its body fluids are stimulated, and the luster is developed on its wings. So too for the Christian, life’s pressures can produce positive results.

A dear saint of God, almost a century old, said, “As I look back over my long life, the dealings of God that were bitterest at the time are now sweetest as I remember them and understand His purposes.” The songwriter put it like this: “When fierce temptations try my heart, I’ll sing ‘Jesus is mine!’ And so, though tears at times may start, I’m singing all the time.” Most of us must confess we find it difficult to sing in the time of sorrow, suffering, and trial. Yet, if we would understand that God has a reason for either ordering or allowing every pressure we face, rejoicing would more readily flow from our hearts.

Bitter disappointments, painful suffering, and shattering sorrow, if accepted in faith, can be a means of strengthening our character. What peace is ours when we learn to praise Him for the pressure!

What to do: ✞Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

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The Determined Man November 16

Bible Reading: Joshua 14:6-15

Key Verse: Verse 12 – " Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said." Key Words: give me this mountain

When you hear the word determination, who do you

think of? Several people come to mind, but one Biblical character who stands out to me is Caleb. We read in Joshua 14:12a, “Now therefore give me this mountain.” Caleb had waited forty years for his inheritance from God. He is now eighty-five and more determined than ever to claim the land God had promised him.

Caleb was determined that his life would end well. When we think of Caleb, we should think of the mighty Amazon. Boisterous in its youth, this river is a settled, invincible, and steady flow in its old age.

The Amazon starts three miles high in the snow-swept Andes of Peru. At the source, the river is only seventy miles from the Pacific Ocean, but it travels nearly four thousand miles across the width of the continent toward the Atlantic. In the beginning a tiny trickle tumbles down a mountain and begins a long, eventful journey to the sea. The stream takes its time and as it winds its way, it draws the water of two hundred other streams and brooks into its embrace until it is a full- fledged river. Then it churns through mountain passes, bursts with explosive force into the green wall of the jungle below, and becomes an inland sea, draining nearly half of South America – an area equal to two-thirds of the United

States. At the mouth the banks stand ninety miles apart. When the Amazon reaches the end of its adventurous journey, it refuses to die. The power and drive of the river are so great that it floods the ocean with fresh water up to one hundred miles offshore. Indeed, the current can still be seen two hundred miles out to sea.

Caleb was like the Amazon. At the ripe age of eighty-five, he refused to consider for a moment that he had reached beyond the hoary-headed age and was now well stricken in years. “Well-stricken in nothing,” Caleb would say. “Me? I’m ready to tackle a mountain. Me retire? Retire and play golf? Not me! Give me an untamed mountain. Up to now I’ve just been training. Now I’m ready to start.”

Caleb understood that a winner never quits and a quitter never wins.

We must be determined not to give up in the face of difficult days when as time passes we become more and more the minority. We must occupy until Jesus comes. Be determined to be salt and light until then.

.

What to do: ✞Be determined to live righteously.

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The Carnal Man November 17

Bible Reading: Genesis 19:1-11, 30-38 Key Verse: Verse 8 – "Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof."

Key Words: I have two daughters

I have never heard a message on or about Lot’s children. Think about this.

Two angels were sent from God to Sodom. The reports of Sodom's sins were found to be true. More! Those vices did not slink down the back alleys of the city, furtive and ashamed. They stalked brazenly along the major thoroughfares. The gay community demanded its rights, and the rulers of society endorsed the “preferences” of the Sodomites as normal and permissible. Their “alternative lifestyle” was endorsed by the laws of the land, and Lot was hired to help enforce those laws.

The streets of Sodom were notoriously vile. Visitors were not safe in the place, not even heavenly visitors, not even when those visitors were guests in the home of a minister of state. God’s judgment must fall.

Lot had never asked if Sodom was a good place to raise children. He just asked if the verdant plains of Jordan were a good place to raise cattle. It would seem Lot had never worried much about the spiritual welfare of his children. He thought his example would be sufficient. After all, he didn’t indulge in those gross sins for which Sodom was famous. He had doubtless told his children about Abraham and God, but he had never wept and prayed for his children’s salvation. He had never cared enough for his children to separate himself from Sodom for their sakes.

Doubtless Lot had sent his children to Sodom’s schools, and allowed them to play with Sodom’s sons. He watched his children imbibe Sodom’s ways and turned a blind eye at Sodom’s vices. He watched his wife become more and more involved in Sodom’s social life. But watch him now! There he goes, running as fast as he can to warn them of impending doom.

At least two of Lot’s daughters had married into Sodomite families. He had lost them! They cared nothing at all for spiritual things. And payday had now arrived. He had sowed worldliness, and he was now reaping worldliness. He had “vexed his righteous soul from day to day” (II Peter 2:8), but little good that could do as long as he continued to live in Sodom. Why couldn’t he see that? Why didn’t he get right with God? Why don’t we?

We see our children absorbing this world’s values. So many of them argue over every little thing. They don’t want the company of God’s people; they prefer their godless friends. We wonder why. If we have modeled our own lifestyle on worldliness, no wonder our children do the same. As the hymn writer puts it,

Room for pleasure, room for business – But, for Christ the Crucified, Not a place where He can enter In the heart for which he died? Lot had a saved soul and a lost life. He made the

world his choice and then wondered why his children made the world their choice. Lot pursued worldly goals. He reaped worldly results.

What to do: ✞Sow carnality, reap sorrow.

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The Politically Correct Man November 18

Bible Reading: Matthew 3:13-30 Key Verse: Verse 13 – "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Key Words: woe unto you

In case you are attempting to be "politically correct," here are a few corrections you might want to consider.

Say “vertically challenged” instead of short. Say “economically marginalized” instead of

poor. Just as the stupid are now “cerebrally

challenged.”

The old are “chronologically gifted.” Use “client of the correctional system” rather

than inmate. “Follicularly challenged” is preferred over bald. There are no longer any lazy people, just those

who are “motivationally dispossessed.” Say “non-waged,” never unemployed. Someone you incorrectly called fat is now a

“person of substance.” Although it may look like a bankrupt savings

and loan, it is actually a “fiscally challenged institution.”

Are you kidding me? My mother never heard nor

knew anything about political correctness when correcting us as children. I remember on one occasion after I had tried one of my many exploits, (this one happened to be filling the tub full of tadpoles) she looked at me and said in her stern voice, “Are you really that dumb or are you pretending?” Not only did my mom not know of political correctness, neither does God. Note Matthew 23:13-15, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”

So much for political correctness! What we need today are those who follow Paul’s admonition to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). And may God bless you as you do so.

What to do: ✞ Be biblically correct and your political views will fall

in line.

The Worrying Man November 19

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-34 Key Verse: Verse 34 – "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Key Words: Take therefore no thought for the morrow Have you ever noticed that there are those who seem to look for things to worry about? Reminds me of the story of the woman who worried about everything...drove her husband crazy. One day she got saved. Her husband rejoiced. Her worrying could now be over. The next day she called him at work and said, “Dear, I’m worried. “ “About what?” he asked. “I’m worried that I don’t have anything to worry about.” Some people just seem to be bent on worrying. For those of you bent on worrying, here are twelve ways to worry scientifically.

1. Never worry over rumors or what “they” say. First get the facts.

2. Know definitely your worry problem. Write it down. Face it.

3. Worry about only one problem at a time. 4. Set a definite day, afternoon, or night for

worrying. 5. Never worry in bed, in the dining room,

living room, or at church. 6. Select an air-conditioned room. Lean back

in an easy chair. 7. Set a time limit. If you must go beyond it,

give yourself credit for time-and-a-half. 8. Never worry with a frowning face. Smile,

sing, or whistle. 9. Never worry when you are tired, sick, angry,

or depressed.

10. Never worry while working, playing, visiting, shopping, or gossiping.

11. There are two times never to worry – when you can help the situation and when you cannot.

12. Never worry alone. Take it to the Lord and leave it there (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I remind you of Luke 18:1 which says, “...that men ought always to pray and not to faint.”

What to do: ✞If you are worrying, you’re not living by faith. If you

are living by faith, you’re not worrying.

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The Humble Man November 20

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-8 Key Verse: Verse 8 – "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

Key Words: then thou shalt have good success

We are told in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

The word success is an interesting word. In our world success is being popular, having fame, having more. But the Hebrew word for success means to place under or to put

under. So Joshua, in essence, is saying that success is when we put ourselves or place ourselves under the authority of God’s Word. Now, there’s a different twist! Success is not being “uppity” but being “under,” under God’s Word.

In his book Be Free, Warren W. Wiersby mentioned the fact that young ministers often visited the great British preacher G. Campbell Morgan to ask him the secret of his success. When someone inquired of him what he told these aspiring pastors, Morgan replied, “I always say to them the same thing—work; hard work; and again, work!”

And Morgan lived up to his own advice. He would be in his study every morning at 6 o’clock, finding rich treasures out of his Bible to pass on to God’s people.

So let me close by asking, based upon the Hebrew meaning of the word: Are you successful? Just asking.

What to do: ✞Be successful God’s way.

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The Committed Man November 21

Bible Reading: Psalm 37:1-10 Key Verse: Verse 5 – "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

Key Words: Commit thy ways unto the Lord

The following letter was written by a young Communist to his girlfriend breaking off his relationship with her because of his commitment to the Communist cause. The letter was given to the girl’s father who had the letter published.

“We Communists have a high casualty rate. We are the ones who get shot and hung and ridiculed and fired from

our jobs and in every other way made as uncomfortable as possible. A certain percentage of us get killed or imprisoned. We live in virtual poverty. We turn back to the party every penny we make above what is absolutely necessary to keep us alive.

“We Communists do not have the time or the money for many movies or concerts or T-bone steaks or decent homes or new cars. We’ve been described as fanatics. We are fanatics. Our lives are dominated by one great, overshadowing factor: the struggle for world Communism. We have a philosophy of life which no amount of money can buy. We have a cause to fight for, a definite purpose in life. We subordinate our petty personal selves into a great movement of humanity; and if our personal lives seem hard or our egos appear to suffer through subordination to the party, then we are adequately compensated by the thought that each of us, in his small way, is contributing to something new and true and better for mankind.

“There is one thing in which I am in dead earnest about, and that is the Communist cause. It is my life, my business, my religion, my hobby, my sweetheart, my wife, my mistress, my bread and meat. I work at it in the daytime and dream of it at night. Its hold on me grows, not lessens, as time goes on; therefore, I cannot carry on a friendship, a love affair, or even a conversation without relating it to this force which both drives and guides my life. I evaluate people, looks, ideas, and actions according to how they affect the Communist cause, and by their attitude toward it. I’ve already been in jail because of my ideals, and if necessary, I’m ready to go before a firing squad.”

Oh, Lord, give us believers this kind of commitment for you. Psalm 37:5, “Commit thy ways unto the Lord.”

What to do: ✞ Be committed to the Lord.

Man and Change November 22

Bible Reading: Mark 16

Key Verse: Verse 15 – "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Key Words: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Charles Spurgeon became the pastor of the New Park Street Baptist Chapel in London when he was only nineteen years old. The building boasted a seating capacity of 1,500 but the attendance was less than 200. Within a few years, as many as 23,000 people had come to hear Spurgeon preach and his sermons were being published weekly in English-language newspapers around the world. Nine years after he came to New Park Street they built the Metropolitan Tabernacle to accommodate the large crowds. They established a school to train pastors and began a book distribution business. Metropolitan became one of the most famous and significant religious institutions in 19th century England.

Spurgeon’s ministry was particularly known for successfully attracting people from every walk of life, from the poor of London to members of Parliament. During his thirty-eight years as pastor, he built up the congregation of 6,000 and added 14,692 members to the church.

When author and pastor Leith Anderson attended the Metropolitan Tabernacle in 1972, they had but 87 worshipers present on that particular Sunday. The speaker lamented over the difficulty in reaching people in the immediate community of the church. Much had changed in 75 years. London had changed, the neighborhood had changed, society had changed, all of the world had changed.

But the problem is not “change” because God’s plan has never changed. The problem is that the church no longer carries out God’s plan: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Remember when we used to do that? The problem is we’ve changed!

What to do: ✞ Stay steady and change not.

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Man and Spiritual Maturity November 23

Bible Reading: II Peter 3:11-18 Key Verse: Verse 18 – "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Key Words: But grow in grace

II Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Someone has said that “Maturity begins to grow when you sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself.”

One of the signs of maturity is the ability to disagree without becoming disagreeable.

Someone else has said, “Maturity is the ability to do a job without supervision, finish what you started, carry money without spending it, and bear an injustice without wanting to get even.”

What does it mean to be grown up? It means such things as being fully developed, having marks of wisdom, not just knowledge; the self-discipline and commitment of an authentic walk with Christ seven days a week; the determination to obey God and to submit to the truth of His Word at any cost; the ability to nourish myself as an individual believer in God's Word; the compassion to reach out and care for other people whose needs are different from

my own; the willingness to share in the responsibilities of the household—all of the above with an attitude of a contagious, positive spirit.

We're not unlike the thirteen-year-old kid that's six feet, ten inches in junior high school, whose dad says to him one day, "Son, I think you maybe ought to think about basketball." He has the height for it, but there's not a person who would question his lack of maturity for it. Put him on the same court with Lebron James and he'd get his lunch eaten. James loves that kind of person on the court with him. Why? Not because the kid can't match him in height, but he hasn't the resiliency. He hasn't the maturity. He needs to do what? He needs to grow up. Even if he never grows another inch he has plenty of height to play in any pro basketball team. What he needs is to grow up.

In closing, it’s important to remember that maturity proceeds through four stages: help me, tell me, show me, follow me.

What to do: ✞ Evaluate where you are in the four stages of growth.

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Man and Giving November 24

Bible Reading: Acts 20:28-38

Key Verse: Verse 35 – "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Key Words: It is more blessed to give than to receive

The Bible is full of verses on being a giver. Luke 6:38, Give, and it shall be given unto you; good

measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men to give into your bosom. For with the same

measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Acts 20:35, I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. I Corinthians 16:2, Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store; as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. Just to name a few.

I remember an old preacher saying that one of his members told him he didn’t believe in talking about giving and money, “Good,” said the preacher. “You listen and I’ll talk.”

According to one article entitled “Table Talk,” only four percent of all professing believers give consistently.

One advisor has counseled, “Let us at least give according to our income, lest God make our incomes match our gifts.”

Once, Martin Luther railed against his congregation for being stingy givers. From the pulpit he said, “You ungrateful beasts! You are not worthy of the treasures of the Gospel. If you don’t improve, I will stop preaching rather than cast pearls before swine.”

How would you have liked to have been preached that sermon?

George Muller said, “God judges what we give by what we keep.”

Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Show me your checkbook and I will show you who your “god” is!

What to do: ✞There is no man that cannot give. There is only that

man that will not give.

The Cleaving Man November 25

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:25-32 Key Verse: Verse 25 – "DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word." Key Words: My soul cleaveth unto the dust

If David is the author of Psalm 119, and I believe he is, then something has brought David low. Something now has David lying prostrate on the ground. It could be King Saul’s persecution of David, or Absalom’s rebellion, David’s adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, the death of his baby boy, or even the death of Absalom. Whatever it is, something has humbled David.

Humility is not a bad thing; it cures envy, jealousy, strife, and division – just to name a few of its cures.

Martin Luther reportedly told of two mountain goats who met each other on a narrow ledge just wide enough for one of the animals to pass. On the left was a sheer cliff, and on the right a steep wall. The two were facing each other, and it was impossible to turn or to back up.

How did they solve their dilemma? If they had been people they would have started butting each other until they plunged into the chasm together. But according to Luther, the goats had more sense than that. One of them lay down on the trail and let the other literally walk over him – and both were safe.

So the next time pride raises its ugly head in your heart, defeat it with humility. Remember, humility was good enough for Jesus and David; it ought to be good enough for us as well.

What to do: ✞David’s soul was cleaving unto the dust. Who or

what do you cleave to during your time of adversity or trial?

The Successful Man November 26

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-8 Key Verse: Verse 8 – "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

Key Words: thou shalt have good success

Clarence Jordan was a man of unusual abilities and commitment. He had two Ph.D.s, one in agriculture and one in Greek and Hebrew. So gifted was he, he could have chosen to do anything he wanted. He chose to serve the poor.

In the 1940s, he founded a farm in Americus, Georgia, and called it Koinonia Farm. It was a community for poor whites and poor blacks. As you might guess, such an idea did not go over well in the Deep South of the ’40s.

Ironically, much of the resistance came from good church people who followed the laws of segregation as much as the other folk in town. The town people tried everything to stop Clarence. They tried boycotting him, and slashing workers’ tires when they came to town. Over and over, for fourteen years, they tried to stop him.

Finally, in 1954, the Ku Klux Klan had enough of Clarence Jordan, so they decided to get rid of him once and for all. They came one night with guns and torches and set fire to every building on Koinonia Farm but Clarence’s home, which they riddled with bullets. And they chased off all the families except one black family which refused to leave. Clarence recognized the voices of many of the Klansmen, and, as you might guess, some of them were church people. Another was the local newspaper’s reporter. The next day, the reporter came out to see what remained of the farm. The rubble still smoldered and the land was scorched, but he found Clarence in the field, hoeing and planting.

“I heard the awful news,” he called to Clarence, “and I came out to do a story on the tragedy of your farm closing.” Clarence just kept on hoeing and planting. The reporter kept prodding, kept poking, trying to get a rise from this quietly determined man who seemed to be planting instead of packing his bags. So, finally, the reporter said in a haughty voice, “Well, Dr. Jordan, you got two of them Ph.D.s and you’ve put fourteen years into this farm, and there’s nothing left of it at all. Just how successful do you think you’ve been?”

Clarence stopped hoeing, turned toward the reporter with his penetrating blue eyes, and said quietly but firmly, “About as successful as the cross. Sir, I don’t think you understand us. What we are about is not success but faithfulness. We’re staying. Good day.”

Beginning that day, Clarence and his companions rebuilt Koinonia and the farm is going strong today. Staying faithful in the face of adversity…now that’s success!!

What to do: ✞ Stay faithful to God no matter the cost. Now that’s

success!

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The Assured Man November 27

Bible Reading: John 14:1-14

Key Verse: Verse 2 - “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

Key Words: I go to prepare a place for you

Dr. Charles E. Fuller once announced that he would be speaking the following Sunday on "Heaven." During that week a beautiful letter was received from an old gentleman who was very ill.

"Next Sunday you are to talk about Heaven. I am interested in that land, because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for over fifty-five years. I did not buy it. It was given to me without money and without price. But the Donor purchased it for me at tremendous sacrifice. I am not holding it for speculation since the title is not transferable. It is not a vacant lot.

"For more than half a century I have been sending materials out of which the greatest Architect and Builder of the Universe has been building a home for me which will never need to be remodeled nor repaired because it will suit me perfectly, individually, and will never grow old.

"Termites can never undermine its foundations for they rest on the Rock of Ages. Fire cannot destroy it. Floods cannot wash it away. No locks nor bolts will ever be placed upon its doors, for no vicious person can ever enter that land where my dwelling stands, now almost completed and almost ready for me to enter in and abide in peace eternally, without fear of being ejected.

"There is a valley of deep shadow between where I live and the place of which I shall journey in a very short time. I cannot hope to reach my home in that City of Gold without passing through this dark valley of shadows. But I am not afraid because the best Friend I ever had went through the same valley long, long ago and drove away all its gloom. He has stuck by me through thick and thin, since we first became acquainted fifty-five years ago, and I hold His promise in printed form, never to forsake me or leave me alone. He will be with me as I walk through the valley of shadows, and I shall not lose my way when He is with me.

"I hope to hear your sermon on Heaven next Sunday from my home here, but I have no assurance that I shall be able to do so. My ticket to Heaven has no date marked for the journey, no return coupon, and no permit or values. Yes, I am all ready to go and I may not be here while you are talking next Sunday evening, but I shall meet you in Heaven some day."

All I can say is, “Amen, and blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!”

What to do:

✞ Are you sure you are bound for heaven?

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The Righteous Man November 28

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:13-20 Key Verse: Verse 20 - "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Key Words: except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees

I have always been befuddled by some who hold to those standards of righteousness that oppose each other. Let me explain using an article written by Haddon Robinson.

Years ago Joe Bayly, the late Eternity magazine columnist, visited some German Christians who had been devoted soldiers in the German army during World War II. Two of them had been put up for promotion to become second lieutenants in the Nazi army. The commandant told them he would approve the promotion on one condition: that they join the Officers’ Club. Being a member of the club would require them to attend some weekend dances. These young men believed that dancing was wrong because it could lead to immorality. Because of their convictions, they turned down the promotion.

Later in their military careers these same men were assigned to the death camps where thousands of Jews were stuffed into ovens and killed. Even though they did not directly participate in the slaughter, they knew what was going on. Yet they never voiced any protest.

When Joe Bayly talked to them many years after the war, they looked back on their experience with no regrets, convinced that they had made the right decision. For them,

not conforming to social pressure and refusing to dance was an act of righteousness. And conforming to patriotic mass murder and remaining silent while thousands of Jews burned in ovens left them with no feelings of unrighteousness.

When we set our own standard of external righteousness, we are capable of any evil. When we are filled with His righteousness, no good is too great.

Being righteous is hard; being consistently righteous is harder.

What to do: ✞Remember, self-righteousness is easy. Godly

righteousness is not.

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The Kind Man November 29

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:26-32 Key Verse: Verse 32 - "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Key Words: And be ye kind one to another Allan Emery, who has not only been successful in

business but has devoted much of his time to providing leadership to many Christian organizations, is highly respected as a shrewd, yet kind, man. Credit his father.

Allan recalls taking an extended train trip as a youngster. One morning in the dining car, he heard his father, himself an important businessman, comment that the porter seemed to be in pain and walked with a limp. The poor man, it turned out, was suffering from an infected ingrown toenail.

Later in the morning, Allan was surprised to see the porter coming from his parent’s sleeping car. There was a distressed look on his face, and as he passed by big tears fell

from his eyes and cascaded down his cheeks. Going into the men’s lounge, the man put his hands over his face and cried. Allan sat down on the bench beside him and at length asked, “Are you crying because your toe hurts?”

“No,” said the man, “it was because of your daddy.” With great concern, Allan pressed for the story. His

parents had returned from breakfast and immediately approached the porter, asking about his toe. Mr. Emery explained that he wasn’t a doctor, but he might be able to help him. He removed the man’s shoe and sock, and carefully lanced the infected toe, cleaned it, and carefully bandaged it. “It doesn’t hurt at all now,” said the porter through his tears. “It feels fine.”

“Then why are you crying?” “Well, while he was dressing my toe, your daddy asked

me if I loved the Lord Jesus. I told him my mother did but that I did not believe as she did. Then he told me that Jesus loved me and had died for me. As I saw your daddy carefully bandaging my foot, I saw a love that was Jesus’ love and I knew I could believe it. We got down on our knees and we prayed and, now, I know that I am important to Jesus and He loves me.”

With that, the porter burst into tears again. When his sobs subsided, he looked over at Allan and said, “You know, boy, kindness can make you cry.”

Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

What to do: ✞We know the effects of being unkind but often forget

the power of a kind witness. Be kind one to another.

The Man & His Dilemma November 30

Bible Reading: Psalm 25:14-22 Key Verse: Verse 15 – “Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net." Key Words: for he shall pluck my feet out of the net

While you do not find the word dilemma in our text, you surely found David in one. His feet are trapped in a net or at least David feels as though they are. The enemy is rapidly approaching and ready to take their prey; but then there’s the Lord who delivers.

Have you ever found yourself in a dilemma? Maybe we need to begin by defining the word dilemma. Dictionary.com says that a dilemma is having to choose between two equally needed situations. May I translate that for you? Mission impossible. One of these situations will have to be let go.

Now I repeat—have you ever found yourself in a dilemma? Quite honestly, I find myself there several times during the course of a year.

I have said on numerous occasions that being busy and being in a dilemma go hand-in-hand. The only ones who never find themselves in a dilemma are those who are seldom busy and accomplishing little to nothing.

When you find yourself in this situation you pray real hard for grace and understanding on the part of others. Sometimes you get your prayer answered, and some are kind and gracious; and on other occasions you find some graceless and unforgiving. But either way, you learn a lot about people and their spirit during these times of dilemma.

I came across an interesting article that describes what being in a dilemma is like.

Two hunters came across a bear so big they dropped their rifles and ran for cover. One man climbed a tree while the other hid in a nearby cave. The bear was in no hurry to eat, so he sat down between the tree and the cave to reflect

upon his good fortune. Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the hunter in the cave came rushing out, almost ran into the waiting bear, hesitated, and then dashed back in again. The same thing happened a second time. When he emerged for the third time, his companion in the tree frantically called out, “Woody, are you crazy? Stay in the cave till he leaves!” “Can’t,” panted Woody, “there’s another bear in there.” Now that’s a dilemma. Which way do you go?

So the next time you’re in a dilemma, know that you’re not alone. And for those who are disappointed because someone let you down, I trust you will be a gracious forgiver, for we will reap what we sow.

What to do: ✞ May you have understanding when others are in

a dilemma.

I deeply appreciate the help of

Mary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to help, this

devotional would not have been possible.

is a ministry of

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road Birmingham, AL. 35235

(205) 854-2741 www.mountainviewbaptist.org