The Parable Of The Sting
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Posted:Aug 14, 2014 5:12 am
Last Updated:Aug 14, 2014 5:14 am 23225 Views
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Read: 1 Peter 2:9-12
They may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 89-90; Romans 14
I can still see Jay Elliott's shocked face as I burst through his front door almost 50 years ago with a gang of bees swirling around me. As I raced out his back door, I realized the bees were gone. Well, sort of I'd left them in Jay's house! Moments later, he came racing out his back door chased by the bees I had brought to him.
I had more than a dozen stings, with little effect. Jay had a different experience. Though he'd been stung only once or twice by my bees, his eyes and throat swelled up in a painful allergic reaction. My actions had caused a lot of pain for my friend.
That's a picture of what's true in our interpersonal relationships too. We hurt others when our actions arenât Christlike. Even after an apology, the sting sticks.
People would be right to expect an absence of harshness and an air of patience from those who follow Christ. We forget sometimes that people struggling with faith, or life, or both, watch Christians with expectation. They hope to see less anger and more mercy, less judgment and more compassion, less criticism and more encouragement. Jesus and Peter told us to live good lives so God is given the glory (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). May our actions and reactions point those around us to our loving Father.
We have found that it's easy to hurt others
with our words or actions. Teach us, Father,
to pause and to think before we speak or act.
Fill us with kindness and care.
May others see less of me and more of Jesus.
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Life-Giving Rain
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Posted:Aug 13, 2014 6:52 am
Last Updated:Aug 13, 2014 6:54 am 22968 Views
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Read: Acts 6:1-10
They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Acts 6:10
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 87-88; Romans 13
During the August heat of 1891, R. G. Dyrenforth arrived in Midland, Texas, determined to blast rain from the sky. Known as a concussionist, he and his team launched and detonated huge balloons filled with explosive gases, fired cannons, and exploded piles of dynamite on the ground shaking both earth and sky. Some believed he made it rain a little, but most said all he caused was noise. The explosive power was impressive but ineffective.
When the early church needed overseers, they sought people with a different kind of power. They chose seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3) to manage the daily distribution of food. One of those was Stephen, a man full of faith and power, [who] did great wonders and signs among the people v.8. When disputes arose, those who argued with Stephen were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke (v.10).
The Bible makes it clear that Stephen's spiritual effectiveness came from being filled with the Holy Spirit, who gave him the right balance of faith, wisdom, and power.
God's Spirit in our lives today replaces the loud noise of self-interest with His gentle, life-giving rain.
Holy Spirit, I want my life to be marked
by Your power. May my words and actions
give life-giving rain to encourage others
to know You and trust You.
In our life for Christ we accomplish nothing without the power of the Spirit.
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Example That Encourages
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Posted:Aug 12, 2014 6:17 am
Last Updated:Aug 12, 2014 6:19 am 23113 Views
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Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-7
I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet . . . . I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
John 13:14-15
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 84-86; Romans 12
The story is told that in the late 1800s a group of European pastors attended D. L. Moody's Bible conference in Massachusetts. Following their custom, they put their shoes outside their room before they slept, expecting them to be cleaned by hotel workers. When Moody saw the shoes, he mentioned the need to others because he knew their custom. But he was met with silence. Moody collected all the shoes and cleaned them himself. A friend who made an unexpected visit to his room revealed what Moody had done. The word spread, and the next few nights others took turns doing the cleaning.
Moody's leadership style of humility inspired others to follow his example. The apostle Paul reminded Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Tim. 2:1-2 niv). When we remember that our strength is a result of God's grace, that keeps us humble. Then in humility we pass on God's truth by being an example that encourages and inspires others to follow.
Jesus Himself is our example of servanthood. He gave His very life for us.
Lord Jesus, I know little about humility.
Show me and teach me as I read about Your
example in Your Word. Give me the grace
to humble myself and serve others.
Humility is the result of knowing God and knowing yourself.
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Power Of Simplicity
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Posted:Aug 11, 2014 4:38 am
Last Updated:Aug 11, 2014 12:31 pm 23110 Views
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Read: Mark 12:28-34
Then one of the scribes came, and . . . asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all?
Mark 12:28
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 81-83; Romans 11:19-36
Few people take time to study the US Internal Revenue Service income tax regulations and for good reason. According to Forbes magazine, in 2013 tax codes surpassed the four million-word mark. In fact, the tax laws have become so complex that even the experts have a hard time processing all the regulations. It's burdensome in its complexity.
The religious leaders in ancient Israel did the same thing in their relationship with God. They made it too complex with laws. The growing burden of religious regulations had increased to the point where even an expert in Moses law struggled to understand its core. When one such leader asked Jesus what mattered most in the Commandments, Jesus responded, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30-31).
The law of Moses was burdensome, but faith in Christ is simple and His burden is light (Matt. 11:30). It's light because God was willing to forgive us and love us. Now He enables us to love Him and our neighbor.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvarys tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, âtis now.
God's love in our heart gives us a heart for Him and others.
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The Upright Thumb
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Posted:Aug 8, 2014 4:15 am
Last Updated:May 13, 2024 10:20 am 23120 Views
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Read: Genesis 6:11-22
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. âGenesis 6:8
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 74-76; Romans 9:16-33
According to an African fable, four fingers and a thumb lived together on a hand. They were inseparable friends. One day, they noticed a gold ring lying next to them and conspired to take it. The thumb said it would be wrong to steal the ring, but the four fingers called him a self-righteous coward and refused to be his friend. That was just fine with the thumb; he wanted nothing to do with their mischief. This is why, the legend goes, the thumb still stands separate from the other fingers.
This tale reminds me that at times we may feel weâre standing alone when wrongdoing surrounds us. In Noahâs day, the earth was filled with violence; every thought in every heart was âevil continuallyâ
(Gen. 6:5,11). Yet âNoah found grace in the eyes of the Lordâ v.8. Fully devoted to God, Noah obeyed Him and built the ark. The Lord, in His grace, spared him and his family.
We too have been shown Godâs grace through His Jesusâ life, death, and resurrection. We have every reason to bring Him honor and stand strong for Him in our daily lives. He is always near, even abiding in us, so we never really stand alone. His âears are open to [our] cryâ (Ps. 34:15).
They show their colors when they stand
For what is true and right;
And those who venture all on God
Are pleasing in His sight. â
Itâs easy to stand with a crowd; it takes courage to stand alone.
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Difficult People
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Posted:Aug 7, 2014 3:21 am
Last Updated:Aug 8, 2014 4:16 am 23193 Views
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Read: Ephesians 4:1-12
Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called . . . bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1-2
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 72-73; Romans 9:1-15
In the book God in the Dock, author C. S. Lewis describes the kind of people we have trouble getting along with. Selfishness, anger, jealousy, or other quirks often sabotage our relationship with them. We sometimes think, Life would be much easier if we didn't have to contend with such difficult people.
Lewis then turns the tables on us by pointing out that these frustrations are what God has to endure with each of us every day. He writes: You are just that sort of person. You also have a fatal flaw in your character. All the hopes and plans of others have again and again shipwrecked on your character just as your hopes and plans have shipwrecked on theirs. This self-awareness should motivate us to try to show the same patience and acceptance to others that God shows to us daily.
In Ephesians, Paul exhorts us to arm ourselves relationally with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love (4:2). The one who is patient is better able to deal with a difficult person without becoming provoked to anger and retaliation. Instead, he or she is able to endure, exhibiting grace in spite of upsetting behavior.
Are there difficult people in your life? Ask God to show His love through you.
Some people can be difficult to love,
And so we do not even try to care;
But God says, Love them just as I've loved you
You'll bring Me glory as My love you share.
See others as God sees you.
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Broken But Beautiful
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Posted:Aug 6, 2014 4:00 am
Last Updated:Aug 6, 2014 4:01 am 23072 Views
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Read: Jeremiah 18:1-6
[The vessel] was marred . . . ; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Jeremiah 18:4
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 70-71; Romans 8:22-39
Recently, my showed me her collection of sea glass. Also known as beach glass, the varied bits of colored glass are sometimes pieces of pottery but often they are pieces of shattered glass bottles. Originally the glass had a purpose, but then it was casually thrown away and became broken.
If the discarded glass ends up in an ocean, its journey is just beginning. As it is relentlessly tossed about by currents and tides, its jagged edges are ground down by the sand and waves and eventually are smoothed away and rounded off. The result is something beautiful. The jewel-like sea glass has found new life and is treasured by collectors and artists.
In a similar way, a broken life can be renewed when it is touched by Gods love and grace. In the Old Testament, we read that when the prophet Jeremiah watched a potter working, he noticed that if an object was marred the potter simply reshaped it (Jer. 18:1-6). God explained that in His hands the people of ancient Israel were like clay, which He would shape as He saw best.
We are never too badly broken for God to reshape. He loves us in spite of our imperfections and past mistakes, and He desires to make us beautiful.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
When melted by trial, we can be fully molded by the Potter.
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Broken But Beautiful
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Posted:Aug 6, 2014 3:58 am
Last Updated:Aug 6, 2014 3:59 am 23153 Views
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Read: Jeremiah 18:1-6
[The vessel] was marred . . . ; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Jeremiah 18:4
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 70-71; Romans 8:22-39
Recently, my showed me her collection of sea glass. Also known as beach glass, the varied bits of colored glass are sometimes pieces of pottery but often they are pieces of shattered glass bottles. Originally the glass had a purpose, but then it was casually thrown away and became broken.
If the discarded glass ends up in an ocean, its journey is just beginning. As it is relentlessly tossed about by currents and tides, its jagged edges are ground down by the sand and waves and eventually are smoothed away and rounded off. The result is something beautiful. The jewel-like sea glass has found new life and is treasured by collectors and artists.
In a similar way, a broken life can be renewed when it is touched by God's love and grace. In the Old Testament, we read that when the prophet Jeremiah watched a potter working, he noticed that if an object was marred the potter simply reshaped it (Jer. 18:1-6). God explained that in His hands the people of ancient Israel were like clay, which He would shape as He saw best.
We are never too badly broken for God to reshape. He loves us in spite of our imperfections and past mistakes, and He desires to make us beautiful.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
When melted by trial, we can be fully molded by the Potter.
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Breaking Free
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Posted:Aug 5, 2014 6:35 am
Last Updated:Aug 5, 2014 6:37 am 22976 Views
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Read: Romans 8:1-11
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 68-69; Romans 8:1-21
The elephant is the largest land animal on earth and one of the most powerful. Yet it takes only a strong rope to restrain one. Here's how it works. When the elephant is young, he is tied to a large tree. For weeks, he will strain and pull, but the rope holds him fast. So eventually he gives up.
Then, when the elephant reaches his full size and strength, he won't struggle to get free, for once he feels resistance, he stops. He still believes he's held captive and can't break free.
Satan can play a similar trick on us to hold us captive. The Bible assures us that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:1). We have been set free from the law of sin and death (v.2). But the enemy of our soul tries to make us believe we are still dominated by sin.
What shall we do then? Reflect on what Christ has done. He died for our sins and declared an end to sin's control over us (v.3). He rose from the dead and gave us the Holy Spirit. Now we are empowered to live victoriously in Him because the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in [us] (v.11).
In Christ, we are set free.
He has our salvation wrought,
He our captive souls has bought,
He has reconciled to God,
He has washed us in His blood.
Experience true freedom take every thought captive in obedience to Christ.
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All We Need To Know
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Posted:Aug 4, 2014 5:13 am
Last Updated:Aug 4, 2014 5:15 am 22822 Views
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Read: Romans 7:18-25
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells. Romans 7:18
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 66-67; Romans 7
In a Fernando Ortega rendition of Just As I Am, Billy Grahams voice can be heard faintly in the background. Dr. Graham is reminiscing about an illness during which he believed he was dying. As he mused on his past, he realized what a great sinner he was and how much he continues to need God's daily forgiveness.
Billy Graham was putting an end to the notion that apart from God weâre okay. We can feel good about ourselves, but that confidence must come from the knowledge that we're greatly loved of God (John 3:16), not that we're very good Rom. 7.18.
The first step in becoming a truly good person as a follower of Christ is to stop pretending that we're good on our own and to ask God to make us as good as we can be. We will fail many times, but He will keep growing us and changing us. God is faithful andâin His time and in His way He'll do it.
In his final years, the writer of Amazing Grace, John Newton, suffered from dementia and lamented the loss of his memory. Yet he confided, I do remember two things: I am a great sinner, and Jesus is a great Savior. When it comes to faith, those are the only things anyone needs to know.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
Gods grace accepted is Gods peace experienced.
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