Flying by the Instruments by Larry Refsland
I’m not a pilot, but I have done my share of “flying by the seat of my pants!” I read somewhere that when pilots are going through training a simple exercise proves to them the necessity of learning to fly by the instruments. They put the pilot-in-training on a swivel chair, blindfold him, and spin him around. The one in the chair has to try to tell which way he is moving, when he has stopped, and which direction he is facing. The new pilot never gets it right. The reason is, the fluid in the ear canal causes a distortion of balance and perception. The lesson is clear: there are times when your senses tell you one thing, and your instruments another. Believe the instruments! In our daily lives, we can find ourselves off-balance, or unsure of our direction. I’ve found the best instrument panel to use in order to get my proper bearings is the Bible. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” The word of God is a lamp that lights our path and shows us the way to go. It always points the way to God through Jesus. When we look to Him for help, the world stops spinning, and things come into focus. His word gives life and protects us from going off-course. Our feelings can’t always be trusted, but the word of God is 100% reliable. May I encourage you to get familiar with this instrument panel? It will keep you from danger and lead you to abundant life! Friends=Future by Larry Refsland
I’m no psychic, but I probably can predict your future! Everyone wants a glimpse it seems into the future. “Will I be rich?” “Will I marry and have children?” “Will I get that dream job?” I don’t have any special gift to give insight on these specific issues, but there is a method that will give a general idea of how things will go for you. Here it is: “If you show me your friends, I’ll show you your future.” Who you spend time with has a greater impact on your future than you might realize. Hang out with positive people, and you’ll tend to be positive. “Success breeds success,” it’s true, but failure likes company too. Are your friends bringing you down or building you up? Do they help you become better or bitter? Do they have a positive outlook on the world or do they always have something to gripe about? 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Evil company corrupts good manners.” It also says, “A little yeast works through the whole loaf.” I’m not suggesting you completely abandon negative people. After all, some of them just can’t be ignored. But I’m saying make sure you hang out with people who are positive and are going the same direction you want to go. If you don’t have those people in your life right now, make it a matter of prayer. God will direct people into your life that will improve your future, if you just ask him. And, by the way, he’s the best friend you’ll ever have. Beautiful Scars by Larry Refsland
There must be some unwritten rule that says, “If someone shows you their scar, you are obligated to show them yours.” You know what I’m referring to, don’t you? Someone shows you the scar from when they cut their finger. Your response, show them your scar from when you cut your arm. Another person feels compelled to show their appendix scar and before you know it, someone is unbuttoning their shirt to show their open-heart surgery scar! Scars serve as sort of a reminder of some kind of battle. Be it a wartime battle, a fight against disease, or a victory over an accidental injury... scars are a badge of survival. Which is probably is what makes us proud of scars. The Bible records the battle for our souls that was won by Jesus when he was crucified. The disciples and many others saw Jesus after he was resurrected. The proof is Jesus showed them the scars that were on his hands and feet. Jesus’s resurrected body still bore the scars, a reminder of the awful price he paid for our souls and the forgiveness of sin. When he showed his scars, no one could top them! No one had a more fantastic story than Jesus. His scars serve as a reminder of the value of a soul in God’s eyes, your soul. His scars tell us the extent of his love for each and every one of us. Whenever you doubt the love of God, consider the beautiful scars on the feet and hands of Jesus. His love goes beyond what we can ask or imagine and he’s got the marks to prove it! Making the Most of It by Larry Refsland
“Of all the place you’ve lived, what is your favorite?” I posed that question to a lady that was then living in a nursing home. She had moved around a lot during her interesting life. Several states had been home to her as well as living abroad. I expected her to tell me her favorite place was Florida or New Orleans or even Minneapolis. Surprisingly, her answer wasn’t any place that I would think of as exciting or even interesting. Her favorite place, she said, was right there in the nursing home! She told me she had already made up her mind before she had seen her room that she would consider this as her favorite place. She knew that happiness doesn’t depend on how big your house is or how the furniture is arranged. It depends on a decision to look for the best in every situation. The apostle Paul wrote in Acts 26:2, “I think myself happy.” He wrote those words from a prison cell! Paul said he had learned the secret of contentment. The secret was trusting in Christ for strength for each day and hope for the future. How are you looking at the present circumstances? The Bible tells us to look at each day as a day the Lord has made and to rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). As difficult as that may be sometimes, it is possible when we have faith that God is on our side. In Romans 8:31, it says, “If God is for us, who can stand against us?” My prayer is that you will have a day of rejoicing knowing that God loves you and is working all things together for good for them that love Him. Riding a Bike by Larry Refsland
Have you ever helped a child learn to ride a two-wheeled bike? The way most people teach kids how to ride a bike is they have the trainee get on the bike while you, the trainer steady the bike by hanging on to the back of the seat. You encourage the trainee to start pedaling while you continue to steady the child and walk or jog beside them. Pretty soon the trainee gets the hang of it and, after all, you can only run so far, so you let go as the child pedals like mad! Usually, your trainee is concentrating so hard that he doesn’t notice when you actually let go. Eventually, the child realizes he is riding a bike all on his own! Of course, that’s when they fall down! That’s a lot like when we turn our lives over to Jesus Christ. We don’t know all there is to know about trusting him and serving him. But that’s okay because he is there to steady us and keep us going in the right direction. It’s only when we think we can make it without him that we fall. If you’re struggling with how to keep on the right track, ask Jesus to steady you and guide you and keep you from falling. That’s what He wants to do more than anything! Keep pedaling and have confidence that the Lord is able to keep you from falling. If you have fallen, ask Him to help you get back up and get on your bike and ride, friend, ride! When Work Isn't Work by Larry Refsland
How come I feel so exhausted after a weekend of “relaxation”? Maybe it’s because of all the work that goes into relaxing. See if this sounds familiar to you: Before you can go to the “relaxation” spot, you have to go shopping for supplies; the vehicle has to be gassed up and loaded with all sorts of things to help you relax: lawnmower, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrow, etc. Then you have to hook up the boat and load up all the fishing gear. You can either run down to the sporting goods shop to get bait or spend part of your time relaxing by digging for worms. Once you get to the lake, (a relaxing 1-2 hour drive) everything has to be unloaded. The boat has to be launched. You probably need to start a campfire and prepare some food. If you can get the lawn mowed and a few projects completed in time, you just might get to actually do a little fishing! Before long, you’ll be loading it all back up again for the drive home where everything will still need to be unloaded. Sure, it’s a lot of effort, but it doesn’t really seem like work. Maybe it’s because all of this effort is our own choice. Some people believe it’s a lot of work to serve God. Those are the people who serve only from a sense of obligation or perhaps a feeling of guilt. Others find joy in serving God. Those are the people who simply have made a choice to put God first in their lives. Switching from a chore to a choice makes all the difference in whether the effort seems like work or pleasure. When you serve God with a willing heart you will find the rest that God promises. Do you know the definition of faith? I talk a lot about faith, but many people may not know what faith is. Hebrews 11:1-2 says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” In other words, it is an inner confidence that what you are hoping will happen will happen. If you can see it or figure it out, it takes no faith, because faith is being certain of what we do not see.
I don’t have a clue how many computers work, but I have faith that when I click on the mouse, it will open up the document I need. The same is true when I flip on a light switch or the ignition on my car. I don’t know how it all works, I just know it does and I have confidence the lights will go on or my car will run. We will never figure out all the ways God works for us. We will never comprehend the love that made him willing to send his Son to die for us. But in order to have a relationship with Him, we must trust Him. “His ways are not our way. His ways are past finding out” (Romans 11:33). All of us will decide during our lifetime either to accept God’s leadership over our lives or to reject Him. Either way, it takes faith. You either have faith in God, or faith in you yourself. I choose to trust God. He has a track record of coming though for people who trust Him. Put your hope in the Lord. I am confident you won’t be disappointed! “It’s my turn to drive!” “No, it’s mine!” “He always gets to drive!” As soon as a young person gets a learner’s permit, they want to drive. Having gone through driver’s training with four kids and giving them opportunities to be behind the wheel, I don’t feel quite as uncomfortable or out of control sitting on the passenger side. I’m finally getting used to the idea of being a passenger.
When I was a kid, it was rare to see a female driving a car while a male was in it. “Men always drive!” we would hear. Now, times have changed. This idea of wanting to be the driver is a lot like our lives. We want to be in control. We want to steer the direction of our lives—do our own thing. But no matter how experienced we are we will never be able to navigate our lives in the best way without the Lord. Jesus Christ doesn’t want to be a passenger in our lives; he wants to be the driver! He asks us to turn over the controls to Him. That takes faith! But faith is exactly what it takes to have our eternal destination settled. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to man, but the end of it is death.” Proverbs 3:6 promises that if we “acknowledge Him in all our ways, he will direct our path.” Give Jesus the driver’s seat, and let Him take you to the place you could never find on your own. When a hailstorm leaves drifts of tiny balls of ice, I love to watch and see how long it will take for those piles of hail to melt. If it’s going to hail, we hope it’s only pea-sized hail and not softball sized.
You probably remember from science class how hail is formed. Turbulent winds high in the atmosphere toss beads of moisture up and down, and up and down again. The extremely cold air of the upper atmosphere freezes the tiny droplet of water. It starts to fall toward earth and picks up more moisture along the way, only to be tossed back up into the freezing air again. Over and over this happens, each time the droplet adds another layer of ice, until finally it plummets to the earth. Life is a lot like those hailstorms. The storms of life toss us up and down, over and over again. No one, it seems, escapes entirely without a few storms. Storms can, however, serve to build strength into our lives. Just as a hailstone grows larger and larger with each toss of the wind, we can grow stronger and stronger through the experience of life’s storms. The Bible says to “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). Be encouraged today to turn to the Master of the storm in the midst of your adversities. He will help you through it and make you stronger because of it. May God keep you safe in the shelter of his loving arms. I am not a plumber—and that’s okay! Every time I try to fix a plumbing leak, I make it worse! Plumbing is not my thing. There are some things I do quite well, but other things I just don’t have what it takes. So when my faucet is leaking, I call someone who really knows how to fix it. The Bible tells us that all of us have unique gifts and abilities that benefit those around us. None of us can be an expert at everything. Even if we could, when would we have the time to do everything?
There is always going to be a task that we are best off to leave to someone else. On the other hand, each of us has a skill or talent that others need as well. Every person is needed and valuable in God’s economy. The Bible refers to us as a body, with each of us being a different part of the body. The arm, for example, is not the entire body, but the body is not complete without it. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all its parts are many, they form one body.” This description, from I Corinthians 12:14, helps us grasp the value of each human being. We all have a purpose. Just as the body can do more when each part is healthy and being cared for, so each of us can function at our best individually only when those around us are healthy and being looked after. When we help a person in need, we really are helping ourselves, because we are all part of the same body. Take care of yourself today. Someone is depending on what you have to offer, especially if you’re a plumber! May I ask a personal question? What’s the condition of your Bible? Do you have one of those big Family Bibles at your house? Lots of folks have one. They look great on the coffee table or on a special stand. The problem with them is that they rarely get used. Nobody actually reads them. That kind of Bible is more for decoration, like the latest Martha Stewart Living magazine setting just so on your end table.
There’s nothing wrong with these Bibles—it’s one way to silently witness to your faith, and they can serve as a reminder to look to God for help to life’s questions. But the Bibles I like to see are the well-worn ones with lots of highlighting and personal notes written in the margins. Someone said, “If your Bible’s falling apart, you probably aren’t!” I believe that to be true! The Bible is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It is not an outdated book of myths and fables, but the living, active, ever-relevant Word of God. Here’s a challenge for the week: Spend some time everyday reading the Bible. See if it does speak to you and if it helps you. If you don’t have a clue on where to begin, let me suggest the Gospel of John. If you don’t have a Bible, there are plenty of places to get them—even online for free! I’ll be glad to give you one too. Become a student of the Word. It is the manual for life and the living record of God’s plan for successful living. Have an awesome day! by Larry Refsland
What would baseball be without umpires? Anybody who has ever played or watched a baseball game knows how important a good umpire is. They call balls and strikes, indicate whether a ball is in fair or foul territory and decide close plays by declaring a runner either “safe” or “out”. When a good umpire makes the calls, the game is fair and orderly. We may not always like the calls, but for the game to continue we abide by their decisions. The rules of the game are followed and we enjoy the competition. The Bible says that God has given us an umpire to help us live our lives according to the game rules. Here’s what Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The original Greek word for “guard” is the same word from which we get the word “umpire” today. In other words, the peace of God will be the umpire for our hearts and minds as we bring everything to God in prayer. How do we know if we should pursue that relationship, or change careers, or buy that house? Present it to God and follow the peace that he gives. If there is no peace, the umpire is saying, “That’s out of bounds, don’t go there.” If there is a very strong sense of peace, follow it. Don’t forget, the umpire of peace can only be relied upon when we have first brought the situation to God in prayer. I encourage you to be sensitive to God’s umpire of peace to direct your life today. Now, play ball! God is a People Watcher by Larry Refsland
Are you a people watcher like I am? I enjoy going to places where there are lots of people. It’s fascinating to watch and listen to the words and actions of children, parents, friends and lovers. Some will be having the time of their life and others are having a bad day. You can tell who’s in a hurry and who has time on their hands. Some people seem like they are on a mission and others look like they missed the boat. You know, God is also a people-watcher. “The eyes of the Lord are searching to and fro over all the earth, looking for someone He can help” (2 Chronicles 16:9). When I’m people watching, I don’t pay attention to the person who looks like they have it all together. Frankly, they’re boring. I’m more likely to notice the frustrated dad waiting for the kids to catch up to him or the mom that’s digging in her bags for something to keep the baby occupied. God’s eyes are drawn to those that need help as well. You can rest assured that God has taken notice of your situation. Whether you need help with a relationship, finances or a life-controlling problem, he is ready to assist you. The Bible says when we are in distress we should “seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). As I’m people watching, often I see situations where I can lend a hand, open a door or point out the missing person they’re looking for. God is able to come alongside of us and help us as well. Just call upon Him. He’s as close as the mention of His name. Look up to the Lord who is tenderly watching you. This may not be the first day of the year, but it could be the first day of the rest of your life!
It’s easy for us to carry the weight and worry of yesterday into today. The result is always defeat and discouragement. What if we could start with a clean slate? What if the mistakes of our past couldn’t be held against us? What if our tomorrows depended on today instead of yesterday? How would that change your life? According to the Bible, that’s the opportunity God presents to us. When we ask God to forgive our past mistakes and put our trust in Jesus for tomorrow, our past is wiped clean. Isaiah 1:18 says, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be clean; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as white as wool.” In fact, God’s promise is to make us so clean so that, in His eyes, we are spotless and without fault. We can only have victory today and hope for tomorrow when we ask God to take care of yesterday. Every day can be the first day of the rest of your life. No one needs to carry the weight of past sins—Jesus ‘ death paid for those errors. All he asks is that you follow him today and trust him for the future. If your past has weighed you down, ask Christ to erase it with his love and forgiveness. He won’t refuse you. Only then can we live like there’s no yesterday! The Ultimate Thirst Quencher by Larry Refsland
When you’re really, really thirsty, what do you reach for? There are so many sports drinks available today. Remember when Gatorade was the only brand? And they only had one flavor? Now it’s big business, and several companies are competing to satisfy athletes and anyone else that works up a thirst. (Speaking of which, pardon me a second… twisting the cap, pour, drink, aaaaah). Now, where was I? Oh yeah, thirst quenchers! The Bible records an incident where Jesus met a thirsty woman at a well. She had come to draw water, but Jesus saw that she was also thirsty for satisfaction, security and love. It turned out that this woman had been consistently turning to men to find fulfillment. She had been married five times and was now living with a man. She had already drawn from at least six masculine wells trying to find satisfaction. Jesus offered her living water that would permanently quench her thirsty heart. This living water, the ultimate thirst quencher, is a relationship with Jesus Christ. He alone can truly satisfy. We cannot hope that another human being will bring us true and lasting joy and happiness. Men and women will let you down. Relationships fail, but Jesus never fails! Nothing can separate us from his love. He loves you unconditionally. He invites you to drink from a relationship with him. That void in your life—the sense that there has to be more, can only be satisfied by turning your life to him. Go to the source of living water, ask Him to fill you up today and be our guide from now on. Knowing the Limits by Larry Refsland
Salespeople, entrepreneurs, and pilots are all familiar with the term “stretching the envelope”. Pushing yourself to the limit of your abilities can be a good way to enhance your skill and increase your income. There is a difference, however, between stretching the envelope and straying outside the envelope altogether. Most everyone has tried to see how far he or she could go before something negative happened. A child will test the limits of his or her parents’ rules. An athlete may try performance enhancement drugs. Anyone with a car has tested the extent of the speed limit at some time. The problem is, it’s sometimes hard to tell if you’re stretching your ability or testing your luck. We all know someone who has suffered an unhappy ending when luck ran out. A study several years ago demonstrated the value of clearly defined boundaries. Two elementary school playgrounds were used to test children’s behavior with or without known boundaries. One playground had no fence, while the other playground was entirely fenced. Researchers observed the children in the fenced playground actually used more of the area and enjoyed themselves within the safe boundaries established for them more than the children in the unfenced playground. Boundaries are designed to keep bad things away from us, as well as to prevent us from straying too far from safety. God has established boundaries so that we can enjoy life more fully. He wants us to experience all the good in life without the harmful consequences that inevitably happen outside of those limits. He loves you enough to offer you his protection so you can be all he wants you to be. A dog is man’s best friend… or is he? When the conversation comes to discussing the family dog, everyone has a story. These amazing animals bring enjoyment and companionship to so many. You may remember a particular dog you had that was very loyal or protective. Or you might be especially fond of a dog for its hunting skill or obedience. Other dogs are just a bundle of energy and really let you know how happy they are to be with you.
Yes, dogs can be very good friends. They don’t judge or criticize you. They quickly forgive you and seem to sense when you need someone to be near. They aren’t giving any advice, but are just being present. The Bible says that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is our faithful companion. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He quickly forgives us and overlooks a multitude of sins because of his great love for us. He did not come to condemn us, but to give us life and that more abundantly! When we are lonely, he is there to talk to. When we are afraid, he’s there to comfort us. When we are happy, he shares our joy. Jesus is that friend. The old hymn reminds us, “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” If you need a friend, one who accepts you just as you are, call on Jesus today! How to Get to Heaven by Larry Refsland
"Don’t leave home without it!” I’m not talking about your American Express card; I’m talking about your map! If you’re going on a trip to a place you’ve never gone before, it’s a good idea to bring along a map. Or you’ll be stopping every so often to ask directions, and you know how embarrassing that can be! Speaking of asking for directions, do you know how to get to Heaven from your town? I’m serious! Some people think the road to heaven is found by doing good deeds. Others would say you take the highway of “trusting your church” to get you there. But, according to the Bible, there is only one road to heaven and that is the person of Jesus Christ. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is death.” Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). The Bible makes clear the point that the way to Heaven is by accepting the free gift of God’s grace by faith. In Romans 10:9 it says if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. In order to say truthfully that Jesus is Lord, you must turn over to Him your life and ask him to lead you the rest of your life. He will lead you to Heaven. You’ll never make it there on your own ability or merit. You must become a follower of Jesus Christ. So go ahead, get out your roadmap to eternity, the Bible, and check the directions. You can get on the right road today by asking him to lead you. Have a safe and joyful journey. Parent Rules by Larry Refsland
“Don’t smoke, don’t chew, and don’t go with girls that do!” That’s the kind of advice I got as a teenager from my mom and other adults. It seemed like every time I turned around, I was breaking one of the many rules I grew up with. When I married and had kids of my own, we tried to give a more hopeful approach to parenting. My wife and I have tried to raise our kids with only two rules. In fact, these are the same rules we use for children in our church as well. Rule #1: Don’t do something that will hurt yourself. Rule #2: Don’t do something that will hurt someone else. When you boil the Ten Commandments down to its basic premise, you get these two rules. You know, Jesus also reduced the rules and laws of the Bible to two commands. In Mark 12:30-32, he says, first love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Second, love your neighbor as yourself. That’s not too complicated, is it? See, God’s not into rules! He’s into a relationship. That relationship has been initiated by His love for you and me. His command is for us to respond to that love and let that love be reflected in our actions toward others. How difficult is that? About as difficult as diving into a big bowl of ice cream with your favorite topping! When we realize God’s plan is to help us and not to hurt us, we are more willing to accept and respond to His love. So remember, keep it simple—two rules for parenting, two rules for a relationship with God that lead to life! Friday the 13th by Larry Refsland
Black cats crossing your path, walking under ladders, being careful not to step on a crack lest you break your mother’s back! These are all superstitions to most people. But everyone has some kinds of fears. In fact, superstitions are founded in fear. Some fears, however, are healthy. I have a healthy fear of electricity. It makes me cautious around wiring projects. When I was a kid, I had an unhealthy fear of chickens! Yeah, that’s right! Go ahead and laugh! I even had nightmares about them. After almost being forced to help catch chickens at my uncle’s chicken ranch, I gradually outgrew my unhealthy fear of them. Fear can be a powerful force. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God did not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and of a sound mind.” One of the most repeated phrases in the Bible are these words of God to his people, “Fear not!” God would have us trust Him with our worst fears. Psalm 27, King David wrote, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” It goes with these encouraging words, “for in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle, and set me high upon a rock.” Remember, “perfect love drives out fear”, and God loves you perfectly (1 John 4:18). He loves you more than life itself. He will keep you safe even in the valley of the shadow of death. Call upon Him for peace and safety—He will be sure to answer you. Then you will say with King David, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” I couldn’t help but notice the sign on the back of the semi I was following the other day. It said, “Owner/Operator Wanted.” Trucking companies are always looking for an ambitious driver that is willing to assume the responsibility of paying for and maintaining their own rig. The owner/operator assumes the majority of the risk, while the company lines up the loads and takes care of a lot of the paperwork. It’s a pretty good arrangement for the trucker and the company he drives for.
As a follower of Christ, things work a little differently. Driving for God’s fleet starts with turning over the ownership of our life to him. There are no owner/operators driving in God’s kingdom. God owns the whole rig or nothing at all. And who does the driving? Well, Jesus Christ wants to do that! He’s never content with just being along for the ride. He wants to be the operator of your life. See, in God’s Kingdom, we are not the owner or the driver—God is both. He takes us down roads we would never have been without Him. He shows us people and places that he wants us to deliver his good news to. He’ll steer us to situations where we can pick up a load of grief and drop off a load of joy. Everyday is an adventure when you turn over the title and the keys to the Lord Jesus Christ! Give up the owner/operator status in your life and, instead, report for duty as a passenger and follower of Christ. Whether you’re a trucker, a baker, or a homemaker, God wants to be your leader. Have an awesome day! “Trust me.” “Take my word for it.” Have you ever heard these statements? You had a legitimate question, but the answer you got was, “Just trust me.” A lot of people rely only on what other people tell them to be true. Some people depend upon their pastor or priest to tell them what the Bible says. Even though I have a lot of confidence that a clergy person can help us get truth from the Bible and understand it, no one should ever use them as their only source of Biblical truth. I can’t stress enough the value of personal time spent reading the Word of God, the Bible.
The scriptures challenge each of us as individuals to “study to show yourselves approved, a workmen that correctly handles the word of truth.” I encourage you: don’t take my word for it! Check it out for yourselves. Otherwise you will be apt to believe something that may not be true. II Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Bible is a gift from God to us, a gift to be used and applied. Of course you’re not going to understand everything you read. I know I don’t. But God will give you wisdom to understand what you need for the circumstances of your life. Certainly, ask questions of your pastor. He or she will be thrilled to know you’ve been reading the Word. Be a man or woman of the Word. It will change your life because it is the power of God unto salvation. Did anyone ever tell you how to catch a monkey? In some jungle tribes, the method used to catch a monkey was to put some bait in a container that had a hole in the top just big enough for a monkey to slip his hand inside. The catch was that as soon as the monkey grabbed a fistful of food, his hand couldn’t come back out of the hole. He could run away and avoid capture simply by letting go of the bait, but nearly every time, the monkey was unwilling to do it.
There’s a story in the Bible about a man who had a similar problem. This young man was rich. He came to Jesus and asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus’ answer was, “Let go of the riches in your hand!” Was Jesus opposed to wealth? No—hardly! But if wealth and the pursuit of it are more important to you than eternal life, he’s opposed to it. In fact, it’s not just money we hang on to—it can also be relationships, position or status amongst friends or in a community. Pride in who you are or what your abilities are can also take priority over a relationship with God. The Bible says if we seek to save our life we will lose it, but if we give up our life for Him, we will gain it back. What do you have to lose? Jesus challenges us to let go of whatever has become more important than God in our lives. Jesus has promised to gives us all we need, but first we must let go of what we have. He is either Lord of all—all that we possess and aspire to become, or he is not lord at all. May God help us to release those things in our hands and lead us to life today! A team of firefighters returned to a station house to find it was on fire! According to press reports, Firefighters in a Dallas, Texas suburb left some potatoes cooking on the stove when they responded to a fire in the city. The overcooked potatoes started a fire in the kitchen area of the station house. Firefighters from other stations had to be called in to assist in putting the fire out. Officials tried to put a positive spin on the event by reminding the public to not leave food cooking on the stove before stepping out.
The report reminded me of how easy it is for us to be busy putting out other peoples’ fires that we neglect the ones at home. Careers and commitments can become the primary focus of one’s life. Assuming everything is taking care of itself at home, we respond to every need outside of it. It’s a danger nearly everyone must guard against. Those that successfully balance their time and attention between family and career reap the rewards of being able to share their success with the ones they love. After all, what good is it if the whole world thinks you are indispensable, but your family barely knows you? People of faith are called to serve one another, but the circle of service begins with those closest and dearest to us. Like those firefighters in Dallas, we must remember the first fire that needs our attention is the one at home. Prospicience. That was the final word correctly spelled at the 2002 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee championship by then seventh grader, Pratush Bradige. With a name like that, no wonder he was good at spelling! Even spell-check doesn’t recognize the word prospicience, which means “the act of looking forward”.
We all need to practice prospicience. Too often we find ourselves looking at the past a little too long. We can certainly benefit from an occasional glance over our shoulder, but our primary focus should be on what’s ahead. The proportion is well illustrated in your car. The windshield is way bigger than your rear-view mirror. Checking the mirror isn’t nearly as important as looking at the road in front of you. In life, your past can hold you back, whether you’ve had success or failure. Past failures can discourage you from trying again. Past successes can cause us to live on the memory of successes instead of using it to launch us into even greater success. You don’t have to be a great speller to practice prospicience. Everyone can do it. The apostle Paul said it like this: Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 Be a prospicient person by keeping your eyes focused on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the author and finisher of our faith! [Hebrews 12:2] |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
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