Category: Christian Living

5 Ways to Begin the Day With Spiritual Wisdom

Ralphs Boys at SunriseA morning spent in praise and prayer to God and meditating on godly thoughts can set a positive tone for the day. Most people live busy lives and email, phone calls, tasks, and the demands of others quickly fill our time. If we do not carve out time at the beginning of the day to meditate on spiritual things the physical demands of our world can quickly fill our attention and hours. It is often not the evil things that are are greatest problem but the “cares and concerns of the world” that distract us and can lead to our destruction (Matthew 13:22). It seems that when, as a song says, “wake the dawn with praises” we are able to focus our minds on what is most important and keep the challenges of the day in perspective.

Here are 5 good habits to start the day:

  1. Daily Bible Reading. There are many charts that have passages for daily Bible reading. I’ve often suggested Mark Robert’s plan. Don’t worry if it is not January 1st. Just check off each day as you work through the scriptures.  Another options is to read a chapter of Proverbs each day (31 chapters = 31 days). Perhaps devote a month to reading and re-reading a particular book. You do not need a specified format but simply dedication to regular reading.
  2. Bible Class Lesson. I’m not sure that some people realize this but a person does not have to do their Bible class lesson on the drive to the church building or in a frantic hour before leaving for class! Some lessons have daily Bible readings built into the lesson. You can also break the lesson up by questions to do each day or do the reading one day then review and do questions another day, etc. You will find yourself well prepared for Bible class with better questions to ask and points to share with the class.
  3. Wordpoints by Gary Henry. My wife and I have long used Gary Henry’s books Diligently Seeking God and Reaching Forward for morning devotions  with the kids before school. I find his web site Wordpoints a great way to start the day. The messages are brief, biblical, and thought provoking. You may find posts that you want to share with others that can open spiritual discussions. Gary also posts on Twitter.
  4. Around the Web. Jason Hardin posts links to ebook deals and encouraging spiritual articles on his Around the Web posts. I’ve picked up some great free Kindle ebooks and discovered other authors through these posts. He also posts links via Twitter  for Around the Web and his other writing.
  5. Build Your Own. I subscribe to WordPoints, InGodsImage, and other blogs through the Feedly RSS reader. As I find interesting blogs by individuals or on church web sites I subscribe to them in Feedly and browse through the articles using their very user friendly site. It is easy to drop blogs that dry up or no longer hold my interest and adding new blogs is easy. If you do this, please subscribe to GodlyYouth to receive new articles as they are published.

 

Well, Since We’re All Christians…Let Me Tell You This Joke

That was how my friend started his filthy joke. I guess since we were all Christians he thought he wouldn’t ruin his reputation. He felt justified in telling his brothers in Christ something that he wouldn’t tell his non-Christian friends. But this action did harm his reputation among the small audience. It demonstrated that he enjoyed that type of humor but, constrained by what he understood to be appropriate behavior for a Christian, he could only enjoy it himself of fellow Christian confidants. His conviction seemed to be with appearance, not dedication to holiness in God. The oldest of the group said, “Well, I am a Christian and I don’t appreciate that type of humor” to provide much needed correction.

It reminds me of a story of a man in a group who said, “Since there are no ladies present, let me tell you a joke.” Quickly a man arose and said, “There may be no ladies present but there is at least one gentleman and I’ll ask you to wait until I leave before telling your joke.” If you think this is not serious and that God really doesn’t care about such humor, consider Ephesians 5:4

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:3-4 (ESV)

Christians must be Christians among Christians

We should not use our association together to let our guard down but to build each other up! Every act of holiness, meekness, helpfulness, love, compassion, and kindness should be amplified when Christians are together! It is so disappointing to hear of Christians treating their brethren with contempt, unkindness, or apathy. We get enough abuse in the world, the company of Christians should be our place of safety, rest, and building. Yet sometimes when we are among fellow Christians we allow such petty behavior and attitudes to exist as if our brotherhood allows such treatment. We forget that we are a body, under a single head, that is to work in unity and love for one another. Heed the warning of Galatians 5:14-15:

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Christians in the Family

We can see this in families as well. Among husbands and wives, parents and children, where there should be love and edification there is animosity, apathy, and abuse. It seems the attitude is “we are bound together as a family so no matter how I treat or ignore you, you are stuck with me.” Instead of enjoying the bond and building it through love, mutual respect, and edification, they demoralize and demean the others. In the physical family and the family of Christ, this should not be. If Christ commands us to “love our neighbor as ourselves,” do we have any closer neighbors than our spouse, parents, and siblings? I read a quote once that the household of the Christian should be such that even the dog feels blessed to be in it.

We should shine as lights into the dark world and demonstrate the holiness of Christ in our lives so that all will know we are Christians. Especially among fellow Christians.

Preparing for Life’s Storms

An farmer advertised for a farm hand but for a long time no one applied for the job. Finally, a young man applied for the position but he was not much to look at. His skills were basic and when asked why he should be hired, the young man replied, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” The farmer did not understand the cryptic answer but hired the young man as there were no others to take the job.

Dust-storm-Texas-1935

For many days the young man did a fine job. One night, the farmer was awakened by a sudden storm. He rushed out the door before realizing he should wake up the young man to help him but, since the storm was very close, he continued rushing to the barn to prepare for the storm. When he ran to cover the straw but found that it was covered with a tarp and staked to the ground. In the barn he found the animals safely in the stall and though there was not threat of a storm that day, the young man prepared in case a storm arose. The farmer then understood the young man’s words, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” The young man knew how to prepare so that when difficult times arose, he was ready to face it. (story source unknown)

Those who are prepared can weather the spiritual storms of life.

Good Foundation

A familiar story to Bible students is found in Luke 6:46-49 contrasting the wise and the foolish man. The wise man built the house on the rock, a good foundation, for stability whereas the foolish man just built on the sand with no thought to the consequences. When a flood came, the wise man’s house remained while the foolish man’s house was destroyed. They didn’t build the houses for the flood, they built the houses to live in. The wise man anticipated potential problems and built a strong foundation to protect the house no matter what would come. To build in this manner required more difficult and thoughtful preparation, harder work, and longer time. A strong foundation provided strength against destructive forces.

Christ built the church on himself, the strongest foundation, Ephesians 2:19-22. As Christians, we are built up on that foundation. We accomplish this by making sure we know the basics of the faith (Hebrews 5:11-6:2) and knowing the reasons for our faith (1 Peter 3:10-17). The knowledge of truth and the application in our life of that truth is the foundation upon which we can build our life.

Prepare for Opposition

In order to prepare for the storms in life that will come, we must build on the foundation of knowledge in practical ways.

Put on Spiritual Armor

The child of God must put on the armor of God describe in Ephesians 6:10-18. The child of God must be dressed to fight for truth and against evil. When dressed for battle, we must expect opposition, Matthew 5:10-12. Though we will be tried and suffer, if we trust God we will not be ashamed, 1 Peter 4:12-19. Though we will suffer for a little time in our battle for right, God will give us strength for the battles and will establish us – give us a good foundation, 1 Peter 5:6-11. Peter says that our sufferings are shared by our brethren around the world and that the devil is prowling around attacking so we must be on guard. If we stand firm, even though we face death, we will be protected by God and can have victory through the blood of Jesus, Revelation 12:10-11.

Conquer False Teaching

It is important to build our knowledge of God’s word so we can recognize, expose, oppose, and resist false teaching that will separate us from God. Even so called religious books can contain error. The Bible warns of people teaching destructive things in the name of Jesus, 2 Peter 2:2-3:

And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Through their greed and and preference of sensual things, things that are felt, they will teach in ways that blaspheme the truth. Error can corrupt godly minds so that things can be taught as “Christian” but is worldliness instead. There can be great dangers in religious bookstores.

Since these dangers abound, we must strive to be holy and watch for the teaching of unstable and ignorant men who “twist the truth to their own destruction,” 2 Peter 3:14-18. We must build ourselves up in the faith to not only save ourselves, but to lead others away from false teaching, Jude 17-23. We should never forget that knowledge is the antidote to error, 2 Timothy 3:1-17.

Personal study is what is most needed. Study in the Bible. Take advantage of opportunities to grow in your Bible knowledge:

  • Pay attention to the Bible teaching in the church
  • Do your lessons for Bible class
  • Be attentive to sermons, take notes to study and reference later
  • Don’t feed yourself on spiritual “junk food” (false teaching that is empty of truth)
  • Prioritize spiritual growth in your life
  • Make specific goals for spiritual growth

Coming Storm

There is a storm coming. False doctrines are growing. Idolatrous views of God are spreading so that some who think they are serving God are serving a false version of Him. So much “Christian” teaching mixes worldliness and spirituality and encourages too much love of sensual and material things of this world. Ignorance abounds even among Christians. Know God’s word and hold it dear in your heart and even when there is a storm of error, you can have peace.

Regret 3: I Wanted the Courage to Express My Feelings

Several years ago, a former palliative care nurse, Bronnie Ware, wrote a widely circulated article, based on her discussions with dying patients, describing the regrets they shared with her in their final period of life. The top five were featured in an article on her site and she has since turned the article into a book.  Last week the web site addicted2success listed 10 Regrets In Life By Those About To Die. This week I am discussing five of those regrets.

I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win. (Ware)

 Fear of Feelings

Sometimes we live in fear of how others will react to our feelings and so we hide them instead of sharing them. Sometimes wise to restrain our lips (Proverbs 10:19) and a foolish person lets his annoyance be known at once (Proverbs 12:16). However, there are times when we need to speak up to let our voice be heard and to express our feelings. We may need to express our feelings to protect ourselves from the purposeful or accidental actions of others. Sometimes people are anxious to know what we are really feeling, who we really are, and what we think even if it conflicts with their position.

Feelings are part of what makes us human. Feelings are given to us by God as natural expressions of our inner thoughts and desires. Our feelings must be united with our mind to achieve balance in our lives but we should not consider our feelings wrong or evil. We should not trust our feelings completely but also not deny what they are trying to tell the mind. We must exercise wisdom when we reveal our feelings (Proverbs 13:16) and do so in a way that is productive and helpful (1 Corinthians 8:1). We should not fear what we feel and how others will react.

You Cannot Control the Reaction of Others

An important principle I have taught my children is that you can control what you do but you can’t control how others will react. Someone may react negatively to something you did with a positive intention. You are not responsible for how they react. Likewise, expressing your feelings, your reaction to what they are doing may encourage them to change their behavior so that their actions or words are not destructive or hurtful. You are able to express the respect you expect from others and what behavior you will not tolerate. I have had people start yelling in a discussion and I tell them, “I will leave (or hang up) if you do not change your tone and we will have to talk later but I will not allow you to yell at me.” At times I have had to act on that threat and resume the discussion later but it is necessary to tell others what behavior you will not accept.

Words Unsaid

sunset

It is extremely sad to hear someone standing over the casket or grave of a loved one expressing regret over something they didn’t say. Pride may keep us from saying we’re sorry. Some people have difficulty saying “I love you,” “I appreciate you,” or “Thank you.” Simple words that would mean so much to the people in our lives remain unsaid when we do not have the courage to speak these precious feelings. We do not know when we or our loved ones will die. Having lost a lot of special people in my life when I was young, I learned to tell people what I appreciate about what they do or what they mean in my life. Most of all, let people know that you love them. Right now, someone wants to hear that you love them and appreciate them. It might be that elderly person at church, your grandparents, parents, or a friend who is feeling down. If you have such encouragement to give, why not take the courage to do it? Both you and they will feel better for it. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 tells us that love and hate perish with us so leave the love behind with others!

A post I shared on Facebook spoke to taking advantage of the opportunities to express love today and it resonated with a lot of people:

There are many places I thought I’d return to or people I’d see again. If I didn’t think I’d see you again I’d have lingered a little longer, hugged a little tighter, and left a little slower. Enjoy the moment, the places, and people. Things change. The journey continues. Make the memories worth reliving.

Other posts in this series:

Regret 1: I Sacrificed My Dreams to Please Others
Regret 2: Missed Much by Working Too Much
Regret 4: I Miss My Friends
Regret 5: I Wish I Had Let Myself Be Happier

Regret 2: Missed Much by Working Too Much

Several years ago, a former palliative care nurse, Bronnie Ware, wrote a widely circulated article, based on her discussions with dying patients, describing the regrets they shared with her in their final period of life. The top five were featured in an article on her site and she has since turned the article into a book.  Last week the web site addicted2success listed 10 Regrets In Life By Those About To Die. This week I am discussing five of those regrets.

I wish I didn’t work so hard.

This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. (Ware)

Poorly Focused Career Life

office web

Some people have to work hard and unsatisfying jobs to pay for a lifestyle that requires a lot of money. They sacrifice joy of a delightful career in order to have a certain type of car, a second home, or other signs of  wealth. If a person wants to make this sacrifice, they are free to do it. However, many older people, especially men, wish that they would have pursued a career that they enjoyed and not one that required long hours of unpleasant work. Even working your dream job has many tasks and requirements that are not pleasing but overall the job brings satisfaction. Considering the average person works at least forty hours a week at a job (often more), one should pursue a career they enjoy with people that they are pleased to work with.
I don’t think work should be the central part of our life but a means to help us accomplish more important goals. Serving God should be the center of our lives and work can help us accomplish that heavenly work. Ecclesiastes 2:10 and 18-26 speaks bitterly of the hard work one does while he lives only to leave the things he bought with the money he earned to others who might not appreciate or take care of those things. This was work that was performed under a hot sun and often with sorrow and problems that kept him awake at night. Instead, the writer encourages us to enjoy the work at hand, the simple pleasures of life, and a relationship with God. Working hard for money we cannot spend or enjoy is emptiness.

Non-Career Work Priorities

Even outside of the job world, we can keep ourselves so busy that we do not simply enjoy life. We can get involved with very good charities, social organizations, government, and outside activities and not spend adequate time alone or with family. There are many people and organizations that will take as much time as we will give them and ask for more. It is great to get involved with a charity or organization that helps others because of the impact you can have on other people’s lives in making the world a better place (link). However, you need to determine how much time you will give so you can have time for yourself, your loved ones, and other obligations in your life. As in the previous post, you have to learn to say “no” to good things in order to say “yes” to better things. People will not always understand or appreciate your decision but they don’t have to. They have the responsibility for their choices and consequences, you have a responsibility for yours. They may want more out of you, but you must feel free to give what you want and say “no” to what is beyond those bonds.
My kids are involved with band and so my wife and I are involved with the band boosters. We have a great group of parents and a good band. My wife and I were treasurers and I served as vice-president for a couple of years. The booster club really wanted me to be president but I knew the MANY responsibilities of the job. I declined because to do the job well would take away from my work preaching, writing for this blog, work with two camps close to my heart, and time with my family. I had pressure to be president but a stronger desire to do these other things. If I would have taken the job due to guilt or pride, I don’t think I would have done a good job and all of these other areas would have suffered as well. As it was, I determined to be a good booster club member and supported the president who did a great job.

Godly Direction

For a satisfying life, consider the teaching of Ecclesiastes 9:7-10:

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.
Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol [the grave], to which you are going. (ESV)
 The advice is to enjoy the pleasures of a simple life. Enjoy the simple pleasures earned through work that you do with your best effort. Enjoy the people in your life. The book of Ecclesiastes points out how trying to find meaning in life in fame, great wisdom, wealth, or pleasure will only result in sorrow. The real life experiences of people in every generation continue to reinforce the wisdom of this book. Remember this the next time you hear of a beautiful (or handsome), wealthy celebrity who is suffering from substance abuse, alcoholism, depression, or who committed suicide because these things did not bring them happiness. What a contrast when you see some who live in poverty who are smiling because the things they value in life are not things.
Remember the words of 1 Timothy 6:6-10:
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (ESV)
Other posts in this series: