WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!
author unknown
On Monday, there were
people fighting against praying in schools. On Tuesday, you would have been
hard pressed to find a school where someone was not praying. On Monday, there
were people who were trying to separate each other by race, sex, color, and
creed. On Tuesday, they were all holding hands. On Monday, we thought we were
secure. On Tuesday, we learned better. On Monday, we were talking about heroes
as being athletes. On Tuesay, we relearned what hero meant. On Monday, people
went to work at the
TO WIN CHRIST
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and
do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:7,8). To “win”
Christ is to attain or acquire a relationship with Him. Our relationship with
Jesus, as with anyone, requires that we remove anything that would interfere
with the relationship.
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ”
(Philippians
Paul understood that to have this relationship with Christ meant discarding
anything in his life that interferred. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless
I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in
the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself
for me” (Galatians
Without Christ at the center of our lives we cannot have great changes in our
lives, fulfill our purpose, cope with sin, or bear fruit. Are changes occurring
in your life? Have you died to self? Are you now living for Christ?
IN GOD WE TRUST
Our money is inscribed with the slogan “In God We Trust.” One
cannot look at a piece of money in our country without seeing these words of
faith. What a blessing it is to live in a country that would stamp such a
message on its money. However, I have a grave concern for the
From the very highest offices in our land to the average citizen on the street,
regard for God and His will seems to be declining. I know that surveys indicate
an interest in spiritual things, but are we just interested without being
willing to take the next step? Actions speak louder than words, and our actions
are saying quite a lot. Has there ever been a time in our history when there
was more immorality than today? There is more materialism, skepticism,
humanism, and other “isms” than ever before. Murder, mayhem, and
crime rule in many of our cities. All is not lost! We still say, “In God
we trust.” We still claim to be “one nation under God.” That
is a start.
What can be done? First, be righteous yourself. God was willing to spare the
cities of
Second, pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1,2; 1 Peter
Finally, express your concerns in appropriate ways. “Let your speech be
alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer
every man” (Colossians 4:6). “But speaking the truth in love, may
grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ”
(Ephesians
May “In God We Trust” be more than a slogan. May it be a way of life.
WATCH YOUR MOUTH!
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which
is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers”
(Ephesians 4:29). “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”
(Proverbs
I sometimes wonder if all of us realize how powerful our words are when directly or indirectly addressed to a person or persons. Abuse can come in many different forms. Not only does abuse come in the form of physical abuse, but also we may be guilty of verbally abusing a person without realizing we are doing it! “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). As Christians, we ought to think about how our words are likely to affect the one to whom they are directed. Many of you know how insensitive and unjust words can crush the spirit. Many of you have felt the pain of a sharp tongue. Because we know how it feels, let us be very careful not to be guilty of using harsh words or of saying anything that would discourage another. We want to use our words to build up others to the glory of God.
ANXIETY
Webster’s New World Dictionary defines anxiety as “feeling uneasy
or worried about what may happen.” What worries you? What do you worry
about when you go to bed at night? What makes you feel uneasy as you go about
your day’s activities? Have you ever known someone who was a “worry
wart”? Every little thing was a subject to be worried about. Most of the
time, anxiety is accompanied by a “what if” mentality. “What
if the car breaks down?” “What if the house catches on fire?”
“What if the kids get in trouble?” “What if the dog chases
the neighbor’s cat?”
Anxiety is a paralyzer. It keeps us from doing what might otherwise be done.
Fear is at the heart of anxiety. Fear of failure, fear of pain, fear of
rejection, fear of the unknown, and fear of the “what if”. “Be
careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians
4:6). “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye
shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” (Matthew
6:25).
The Bible not only warns us against being anxious, God’s word also
prescribes an antidote for anxiety. “Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your
care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:6,7). If fear is the
root cause of anxiety, faith is the way out of it. Do you have faith in the
power of prayer and supplication? Do you believe God will provide “what
ye shall eat and what ye shall drink”? Do you trust that God really “careth
for you”? Satan effectively fights against us when we focus on our fears
instead of placing our faith in God. Don’t allow anxiety to destroy your
health, your relationships, your life, or your soul. “And let the peace
of KGod rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and
be ye thankful” (Colossians
GOD IS
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalms 14:1).
No truer statement has ever been made. Yet, man still insists on trying to
disprove the existence of God. Millions of dollars are spent each year in this
futile attempt as scientists look in every direction they can; from digging
deeper and deeper into the earth’s crust to sending satelites further and
further into space; searching, hoping to find some shread of evidence to show
that God does not exist. But, no matter how long or how far or how hard they
look, they will never disprove the existence of God. However, those who claim
that God does not exist boast that the matter has been settled. All who think
this way are wrong!
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork” (Psalms 19:1). One cannot escape the evidence that God exists. To look in any direction is to see the working of the Almighty. The universe proclaims to all that God exists. In pondering the complex arrangement of the solar system in which the earth is located, one ought to be overwhelmed by the evidence of a divine Maker. Nine planets orbit the sun in different orbits, yet they never collide with each other or with the sun.
“I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalms 139:14). If a thing shows evidence of design, then there must have been one who designed it. The obvious design of a fine watch provers there must have been a watchmaker who designed it. No rational person would contend that a watch was made by no one. How then could any person of sound mind believe that the human body was designed by no one? No machine ever made by man, no matter how complex, can compare with the intricacies of design seen in the human body. Yet, the “scientific” world in general, rejects the tide that the human body was designed by God.
Scientists have tried to account for the existence of the universe apart from God for many centuries. But, they can never prove God does not exist, because He does exist. Only a fool would disagree.
Giving Thanks
God
wants us to have an attitude of thanksgiving in every situation in life. “It
is
a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O
Most
High: To show forth Thy loving-kindness in the morning and Thy faithfulness
every night” (Psalm 92:1,2).
Being able to thank God in everything that comes our way has a powerful impact
upon every
area of our lives. When we learn to thank God, even in times of trials and
problems,
we bring to view life through God’s perspective and our relationship with
him grows even stronger.
A thankful attitude toward God keeps us continually aware of His presence in
our lives.
Whenever we are tempted or face heartache, we are not alone. We stand in the
presence
of an all-knowing and all-loving God. We thank him, based not on feelings, but
based on the fact
of who He is and what He has done and will do for us. When we are able to thank
God no matter what,
our trust in him will become even greater; not only in the dark times, but in
every area of our lives.
A thankful attitude causes us to focus our attention upon God rather than our
circumstances.
When we begin to think God at all times, our problems and frustrations become
smaller and less
significant. As we thank Him and praise Him and focus on an all-powerful God,
we begin to see
that trials and pains are only temporary and light. “For our light
affliction, which is but for a
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”
(2 Corinthians 4:17).
When we give thanks to God in all circumstances, we develop a new sense of
peace and security
knowing that we belong to a God who knows all our needs and that we are hidden
under His
hands of protection.
“and we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who
are the called according to His purpose” (Romans
will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians