“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” – Proverbs 11:14 NKJV
Seeking counsel is wise, and the quality of the counselor determines the value of the conversation, however, all opinions aren’t equal and the Holy Spirit can guide us to the right ones if we’re willing to listen.
As politically incorrect as it is to say, our country needs men to step up…and I mean real men. There are red flags everywhere, including churches, that our country is suffering from a systemic breakdown of modeling and teaching of biblical manhood. The current flood of allegations of sexual assault being the accepted norm in media, entertainment and government is appalling, and shows that bullies have very few real men to fear anymore as they take advantage of those around them.
There is a poem/prayer written over 100 years ago that recently caught my eye. I can’t say it any better, and therefore, submit these words as a thought and prayer for our country today:
“God give us men! A time like this demands strong minds,
great hearts, true faith, and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Men who possess opinions and will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue
and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty and private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.”
– “God Give Us Men!” by Josiah Gilbert Holland
Is there really freedom in Christ? Yes.
Does Christian liberty allow for different preferences? Yes.
Is Christian liberty designed for self-serving indulgence? No.
Even though self-oriented things are often called liberty, a New Testament liberated life is about God-honoring activity. Consider this verse:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV
The context of the chapter is how the Lord opens the heart and mind at conversion, then continues to transform us as we grow (glory to glory-v.18). Concerning the liberty part, it’s directly tied to the Holy Spirit. Thankfully it’s true that the constraints of the Law were broken, but His presence still guides us with loving boundaries as we go. His leadership will never violate principles established in the scriptures and will always be consistent with God’s character. During His earthly ministry, Jesus modeled what the leadership of the Holy Spirit looked like. Yes, the Temple establishment often challenged Him, but the conflict was never because of pride in His heart; it was because of its presence in theirs.
So how do you view Christian liberty? Is it something just benefitting you, or something tied directly to the Holy Spirit’s leadership? Concerning gray areas, are you willing to stop and ask, “Does it honor the Lord?” How will you follow today?
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14 NKJV
The language and pursuits of the world around us may be coarse and self-serving, but our thoughts and words are to honor the Lord Jesus. May His name be praised today!
What does sufficiency mean for the disciple?
The word “sufficient” means “needed amount”, or “wanted amount”; and in life, there are lots of needs and wants. For example, food and water are needed to live, and of course, humans are designed to work and have purpose. However, the description of sufficiency in the Bible is very different than food, water, and work; it’s an adequacy deep in a person’s spirit. Paul described it this way:
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” – 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 NKJV
Is there a sense of adequacy deep in your spirit? We all have a certain hunger within our heart and Christ is the only sufficient nourishment. Substitutes, like increased attention to “dos” and “don’ts” or various distractions can help temporarily, but ultimately fail. When there’s a deep peace within, there’s a sense of worth and contentment that permeates everything else in life. The Law could never do that, but Christ did, and still does…every day. Will you embrace His sufficiency today? “Our sufficiency is from God…”
What are some pleasing smells?
Cookies baking? Steaks grilling? Fresh coffee brewing? All three are enjoyable, and then there’s a personal level of fragrance too; for example, your wife’s perfume or husband’s aftershave. In life, there are emotions, memories, and mental images tied to aromas. In 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 Paul referenced fragrance this way:
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
As believers, we are the “aroma of Christ”. He continued with word pictures of “Roman Triumph” (parades honoring great generals coming back from foreign battle). In it, a procession moved through Rome to the Coliseum with the victorious general leading the captured enemy. Among them, priests would carry burning incense to fill the route with the fragrance of victory. To the Romans, it was the smell of celebration; to the enemy, a reminder of defeat and impending death in the arena.
So, how’s your “aroma” today? When you leave a conversation, is the lingering impression one of Christ or something else? Paul finished the section (v.17) by saying we’re not to wear Christ in a cheap fashion as ones “peddling the Word of God”, but with a sincere heart “as from God” speaking “in the sight of God”. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father is graciously willing to cleanse us as needed. May we leave a pleasing memory today…
A clear conscience is priceless because it brings a deep sense of serenity. Unfortunately, false accusations, innuendo and unforeseen challenges can cause us to second-guess ourselves. Paul was familiar with all the above. Certain people in the Corinthian church were busy working against him. And at the beginning of his second letter he made this statement:
“For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more importantly toward you.” – 2 Corinthians 1:12 NKJV
On the path of discipleship, evaluation is important, but the key question is, “Evaluation against what?” In the above passage, here’s what we see:
How is your conscience today? Are your goals based on scripture and Jesus’ model of living? Is there a willingness to show the type of grace to others that you hope to receive from them? Have you been honest with God (and yourself) concerning your faith? A clear conscience is priceless…
“A city is built up by the blessing of the upright, but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.” – Proverbs 11:11 HCSB
Never underestimate the power of your presence. There’s a sphere of influence that goes everywhere a disciple of Christ goes; and through lifestyle and words, the Kingdom is communicated.
When the trail of life gets long, it often comes down to simply putting-one-foot-in-front-of-the-other. It’s the point where the scenery is no longer inspiring, the small talk isn’t interesting, the pack has gotten heavy and rest seems far, far away. In the life of a disciple, there can be days, weeks, months or even years of working through a long trail; but this reminder rings true:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
If you work with children, it’s not your great stories, or wisdom they’ll remember as much as the quality of the time you spent with them. Maybe you work with adults or students; your teaching can have an impact, but your heart validates the truth and leaves a lasting imprint. Perhaps your main duties are at home or around the community; what an important place to “keep-on-keeping-on”. How you handle situations, relationships, questions, and the “daily-grind” can have a positive influence on someone near you for the rest of their life…literally.
Someone needs you to keep putting-one-foot-in-front-of-the-other today. That could mean finishing a project at work with a good attitude, trying again to restore a broken relationship, revisiting some goals, or setting new ones. Hang in there. Please, hang in there…your labor is not in vain.
God is a God “of order”.
In many ways, we can observe creation and see that God made the universe in a way that’s understandable (laws of physics, etc.). Of course, there are many things we’ve yet to understand, but in what theologians call “General Revelation” we see and know certain things beyond mere cultural explanation. For example, a mom is naturally inclined to love her child, but strangers also instinctively know that she “ought” to love and nurture her child…why? Because it’s hard-wired in us.
In I Corinthians 14, Paul mentions “Godly order” regarding the way church gatherings should be conducted:
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
“Let all things be done decently and in order” – I Cor. 14:33, 40 NKJV
Yes, the definition of proper decency may be up for some debate, but the underlying attitude toward personal conduct shouldn’t be. Pettiness, self-promotion, arrogance, manipulation, pride, etc. should be rejected, not excused and justified. And when those things pop-up, observers often sense that it “ought” not to be that way. Even non-believers can sense it and get confused about what it means to follow Christ.
Are your habits today within the body “decent” and “orderly”? If so, they reflect a heavenly principle, if not, perhaps a moment of prayerful reflection is “in order”.
“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” – Psalm 19:8-9 NKJV
The ways of the Lord aren’t decrees to be complied with reluctantly; they’re ways that are better, more productive, and truly fulfilling. May His name be praised today!
The price of freedom isn’t paid by politicians in a marbled hall, but by service members around the world willing to give their all.
Thanks to all who’ve served our great nation!
The word “love” is often used carelessly.
Many people consider it only regarding affection. In the Bible, however, the word love carries much more weight than just feelings that come and go, it involves an act of the will. It describes a “decided” love between people, love for God, and the love God has for us. As a matter of fact, 1 John 4: 8 says God is love. He doesn’t just show it or express it; it’s His nature. In 1 Corinthians chapter 13 (often called the “Love Chapter”), there’s an incredible list describing God’s type of love. Real love. Eternal love. Divine love. Durable love that withstands the pressures of life’s emotional winds.
So, with that in mind, consider the words in 1 Corinthians 13 matched up with people. This is the practical ways God shows His love every day:
With the anxious, He’s patient.
With the selfish, He’s kind.
With the popular, He’s not envious.
With the distracted, He doesn’t yell.
With the simple, He isn’t arrogant.
With the quiet, He isn’t rude.
With the hurried, He doesn’t seek His own.
With the accuser, He isn’t provoked.
With the repentant, He remembers no wrong.
With the unrepentant, He doesn’t enable.
With the seeking, He rejoices.
With the loving, He bears, believes, hopes and endures.
With the trusting, He never fails.
You are loved. How will you decide to love others today?
In the ancient world, Hittite craftsmen made bows by layering materials that were held together by a simple, but surprisingly strong glue. The “composite” design shot arrows faster and made the bow more durable. Modern technology has made many improvements, but the composite principle discovered long ago still applies (the different properties of each piece forming a strong, diverse union). In the body of Christ, we’re gifted differently and placed together for strength. 1 Corinthians 12 describes it this way:
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Lord. There are differences of ministry, but the same Spirit. There are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NKJV
As a disciple, it’s important to know your strengths and weaknesses. One person may be the wood, and another may be the glue holding it all together. With each having an important job to do, if a component fails, others are affected. On the other hand, when those on either side are strong, the one in-between is supported. We all have purpose because we’re all being fashioned together by the Master Carpenter. May we be strong together today…
“Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is His delight.” – Proverbs 11:1 HCSB
Decisions made while no one is looking is a true measure of someone’s integrity; and a life of honesty is the same regardless of the audience.
Details can be important.
For example, one wrong calculation can cause a spaceship to miss its target by thousands of miles, and a decimal point can change a good business deal to a bad one. As a former Pharisee, Paul was a man who appreciated lists and details, but in 1 Corinthians 10:31 he gives more of a general instruction than a list to check off. Here’s what he wrote:
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
Do the words “whatever” and “all” mean “whatever” and “all”? Yes. Those words mean a disciple’s whole life should be oriented toward glorifying God. They cover the workplace, leisure, watching T.V., posting on social media, etc. They mean a trip to the grocery store can have eternal purpose. Have you ever prayed with someone in the grocery store? You could. If someone shares a deep burden, you could quietly pray with them right there on the cereal aisle; nothing dramatic, just a brief word. They may be surprised as much as you afterward, and God gets glorified.
What routine activity will you be part of today that could bring glory to the Lord? Whatever you do…
Banana peels are slippery.
Thankfully it’s not common to see one on the sidewalks, but there’s a lot of spiritual “banana peels” on a disciple’s path every day. The danger is getting too comfortable with their presence, which can lead to an unexpected “slip & fall”. Paul described it this way:
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” – 1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV
He continued with this thought as well regarding the familiar hazards around us:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such is common to man…” – 1 Corinthians 10:13a NKJV
The context of those comments (v. 12-13) is related to the story of the Hebrews in the Old Testament. He had just referenced them in verses 1-11 and their snares were familiar and forbidden, not sudden surprises. He finishes verse 13 with this:
“…but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13b NKJV
Just because the path is familiar, don’t think a new “banana peel” isn’t waiting around the corner. Step carefully…
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.” – Psalm 19:1-2 NKJV
The more we learn about the expanse of the universe, the more obvious it is that God is beyond description. His dominion is galaxies and star clusters, yet He knows and cares about every detail of our small lives. How truly awesome He is and worthy to be praised!
Often, the body is referenced as God’s temple for promoting better diet and exercise. Indulgence, sloth, drugs, tobacco and alcohol can be problematic of course; however, the verse from which the phrase comes is related to sexual sin. It’s the warning Paul uses to close his thoughts on sexual immorality. Take a look:
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
Exercise and a good diet can be beneficial (and honoring to God), but the diet of the heart and mind should top the priority list. It’s the place where lust begins and desire is cultivated. What’s fed into the mind, takes up residence in God’s dwelling place; the heart. In addition, the part about being “bought at a price” isn’t just a word-picture, it’s for real. Jesus has already paid for the temple. The deed has His name on it and we’re just the caretakers.
Perhaps you need to pause and do a walk-through of the temple. Inappropriate visual habits, unhealthy emotional bonds or other struggles can be conquered through the power of Christ, and it starts with prayer. In Him there is forgiveness and the strength to overcome (Ephesians 2:8-10).
A profitability study can reveal surprising things about a specific market, product, or business. It can determine that a market has changed, confirm a current strategy, or point to the need for changes in products or direction. Now think about this question, “If you viewed your time as something to be invested, what would a profitability study reveal?” Paul declared this:
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” – 1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB
Permissible and profitable are not the same. There are many activities, relationships, and things that are basically “neutral” regarding sin, but low in spiritual value. Even worse, they may be harmful to young or marginal believers. Personal habits and social routines can speak volumes, while doing damage to growth and creditability. If a disciple wants to push the envelope concerning acceptable behavior, there are some questions worth asking:
Are you willing to prayerfully conduct a profitability study on your time, habits and routines? “Not all things are profitable…”
cchrisholland 