THE GRACE OF GENEROSITY

2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV), --But just as you EXCEL in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also EXCEL in this GRACE of GIVING—(All capitals supplied)

(By William G. Johnnson. This selection is excerpted from his 2007 Devotional Book, Jesus, A Heart Full Of Grace, p. 266. All capitals and bold letters are supplied. Punctuation is changed where applicable to eliminate internet incompatibility. )

The love of MONEY has given Christianity a bad name. Many people today see themselves as post-Christian. They were brought up in a Christian framework but abandoned it because they found it wanting. Sometimes these post-Christians, still hungry for God, turn to New Age, Buddhism, or Hinduism. Again and again those who feel they have left Christianity behind associate it with an organization concerned primarily with grabbing money from people.

How the church in general and each of us as individual Christians RELATE to MONEY is of vital importance. To get the picture right, we have to START with Jesus of Nazareth, the heavenly borrower. Although He owned the wealth of the universe, He emptied himself. Born into poverty, He spent His time on earth as a poor man. Those (and there were many) who associate Christianity with raking in money have a problem, not with Jesus, but with so-called followers of the Man of Galilee.

And the problem is HUGE. Just as the medieval popes live in luxury on the backs of the peasants, so televangelists (not all, but some prominent ones) live in opulence from their appeals for funds. They build mansions, fly around in private jet planes, breaking their journeys to take the presidential suite in expensive hotels. What an affront to the life and message of Jesus Christ! What a turnoff to people who have their eyes open!

The other side of the coin is that the LIFE and MESSAGE of Jesus touches every aspect of our lives, including the very PRIVATE area of our POCKETBOOK. Grace, which is Jesus, is LAVISH, ABUNDANT, OVERFLOWING, SURPASSING expectations, GENEROUS beyond surprise. Viewed in crassly BUSINESS terms, the PRICE paid for our salvation was incredibly RECKLESS. But that is grace – RECKLESS LOVE.

As grace takes ROOT in our lives, as we YIELD to its influence day by day, it CHANGES us into those with the same RECKLESS, LOVING BEHAVIOR. We GIVE because we DELIGHT to give, because we HAVE to give – not by demand but by an INNER COMPULSION. This is the grace of which Paul wrote to the Corinthians – the grace of generosity. A stingy Christian is an oxymoron.

Lord, today grant me the GRACE of generosity.

Let-s pray: Eternal Father, as we remember our Lord’s life here on this dreadful world, He was a POOR man with no room at the inn, no roof over His wonderful head, and only stones for His pillow. And to die on that cruel cross as a criminal, stripped naked, alone, forsaken by all, shamed and taunted by the mass of humanity - how in the world could He have suffered thus just to save wretched individuals like us, we will never know!!! But we do thank Him forever for going through it all, just so we could have the ASSURANCE, the GUARANTY to live forever in glory and joy with Him. Please help us not to blow away this TITLE DEED (to heaven) that He gave us, by putting it off. Help us to determine to follow Him, wherever and whenever He leads us, confident that He loves us more than His life and WILLING and ABLE to take care of us for always. Please help us to understand that He doesn-t want us to give up our money, possessions, expensive cars, food at our table, or inheritance of our family and loved ones – to understand that He doesn-t want anything from us, because He owns everything. All He wants is for us to KNOW HIM EXPERIENTIALLY, and HOW LOVINGLY and DEEPLY He cares for us. And so we pray for Your WISDOM to understand clearly Your plan for us; for Your VISION so we can see ourselves and others through Your eyes; and for Your HEART so we can have compassion for all Your children (even the mean-spirited, hurtful, and unlovable of the world are Your children). Help us to be a blessing to others, because You have personally demonstrated to us that this is the only way to live. Help us to share Your blessings to those in our sphere of influence, especially to Your suffering children, the poor, the destitute, the precious souls not yet reached by Your gospel of grace, and our needy AUP working students, whose family are too poor, but have Your hope that You will provide. We humbly ask these things in the precious name of Your Eternal Son, who is WORTHY of our praise, laud, and honor forever. Amen.

A Better Country

Thought: "Worldly riches are like nuts; many a tooth is broke in cracking them, but never is the stomach filled with eating them." Rabbi Nachman

Bible text: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne (heaven) saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'" Revelation 21:3,4

The Bible tells the story of two wealthy ranchers who lived long ago in the Middle East. Abram and his nephew, Lot, drifted from place to place, looking for a good spot to settle down. By the time they reached the plain of Jordan, they had a problem. “But the land couldn’t support both of them; they had too many possessions...Abram said to Lot...Look around. Isn’t there plenty of land out there? Let’s separate. If you go left, I’ll go right; if you go right, I’ll go left” (Genesis 13:6,8,9 The Message).

This was a fair proposal. It showed Abram’s unselfishness. He was getting to be an old man. Lot should have given Abram first choice. But he didn’t. When he saw the entire well-watered plain of Jordan spread out before him, he got greedy. He chose the whole thing. The Bible says, “He pitched his tent near Sodom” (verse 12). Bad choice. Sodom was the worst place he could have chosen to raise a family. It was notorious for its crime and immorality. The Bible says there were not even ten decent people living there. Later on, when Sodom was finally destroyed, Lot’s wife and most of his family died, along with everyone else there. Lot barely escaped with two of his daughters.

Better than what we see

Abram chose a different city, “...the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10 NASB). Abram's eyes were focused, not on this world’s fame and fortune, but on things of eternal value. No wonder his name is listed among the great in God’s hall of fame in Hebrews 11. The Bible tells about the faithful, “But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them" (Hebrews 11:16 NLT).

God has a place in his heavenly home for you, and anyone else who really wants to live there. The Bible calls it a “better country.” Better than any place on earth. Are you looking for that city?

from www.e-gracenotes.com

Beware: Sharks!

Thought: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Bible text: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

Brian Anderson, 31, was surfing off the coast of Northern Oregon on December 24th, 2005 when a great white shark attacked him. As he was paddling, Anderson said he felt something grab his leg. Without thinking, he punched the big shark in the nose. "That's all I could think to do, and after I did that, it let go," Anderson said. After some frantic paddling Brian finally got to shore, his lacerated leg dripping with blood, shaken, but in good health. Punching the “great white” in the nose saved Anderson from being a shark’s “lunch.” ¹

When I read this story it reminded me of a type of “shark” in the spiritual realm who is always attempting to consume people. The devil is a constant enemy who seeks to hurt and destroy those who can be “caught” through the temptations that are the stock and trade of one who wishes to harm us. There is a way however to fight back, and the Bible makes it clear that using this fool-proof method will send the devil packing. “...submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 New King James).

Two powerful words virtually leap off the page of this small but life-altering text. Let’s look at them both:

Submit -This word means to “yield oneself to the authority or will of another.” ² When we choose to submit to God’s authority in our lives, we are placing our Creator in charge of the outcome. To surrender to the Lord is not always easy, but it’s necessary if we want to effectively deal with the evil one.

Resist - By definition this word means to “to exert oneself so as to counteract or defeat.” ³ At first glance this looks like our work, but when coupled with the following verse it takes on new meaning.

“…All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 Message/Remix).

If we stay connected to God we can have the confidence that we’re in capable hands. Going into the spiritually “shark infested waters” of life would be foolish without this promised protection. So let’s submit and resist. It’s much more effective than a punch in the enemy’s nose!
______________________________

¹ Story Information from ABC News Online
² Merriam Webster Online Dictionary
³ Ibid.

from www.e-gracenotes.com

Yosemite Church

Thought: "...think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in."

"Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God." George Washington Carver

Bible text: "They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy." Psalms 65:8

One morning I had the privilege of watching the sunrise over Half Dome from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park. Glacier Point gives a wonderful panoramic view of the entire western Sierras from its 7200-foot elevation. The unobstructed view of several hundred miles of virgin wilderness, granite buttresses and distant mountains was absolutely breathtaking. From that dizzying height you could peer over the sheer rock wall and see Yosemite Valley, a strip of green verdure squeezed into the mountains nearly 4000 feet below.

Dominating the view to the east was the most photographed rock in the world . . . Half Dome. It loomed up into the sky and formed a dark relief for the rising sun. Its unique shape can never be forgotten and is one of the focal points on any trip to Yosemite.

There were just a few people up there that early in the morning. A team of astronomers had spent the night taking pictures of a meteor shower. Naturalists were there along with tourists and some teenagers who had slept over night in the cool mountain air. What impressed me about every person who had gathered for the early sunrise "service" was how quiet they all were. Although there were no signs to be reverent, everyone was hushed and talked in whispers. It was really remarkable.

God's sanctuary

I was then struck with the thought that we were in God's sanctuary, and what a sanctuary it was! The roof was the heavens and it was lit by the sun. Its floor was vast expanses of solid granite, a fitting foundation for the everlasting Lord. And every vista filled the soul with a quiet and reverent awe.

Psalms 65:8 says: "They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy." In this day of cities filled with man-made idols, where the common is considered sacred and the sacred common, it is indeed a blessing to retreat to a place which rightly assigns what we have made to the dust and exalts the Creator of the Universe as the only Person worth exalting.

When we enter the throne room of eternity the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. May we all find a quiet place of awe today, our very own mountain top experience, to worship our God and be silent before His wonderful power, wisdom and majesty.

from www.e-gracenotes.com

“Brian, we love you!”

by Reva Lachica Moore, revawall@bellsouth. net

Last April while I was sitting in a mall restaurant in the Philippines, I looked outside the window and saw my new friend Brian walk past the restaurant. In his hands he held two ice cream cones. Where is Brian going? Thinking that Brian didn’t see the restaurant door, I walked outside and ran after him.
By the time I reached the door, Brian was exiting the mall. Puzzled, I went back inside the restaurant and ran toward the glass window. There, under the canopy of the walkway to the mall, I saw Brian give the ice cream cones to two children. Then Brian disappeared. I hurried back to the restaurant door to look for him. Where did he go? Back in front of the ice cream stand inside the mall, I saw Brian standing in line. Then I saw him give an ice cream cone to a little girl close by.
This was my first time to see the kindness of 24-year-old Brian, the American young man from Sacramento who went with us to the Philippines. I first met Brian three months before our trip. Upon knowing that I came from the Philippines, he expressed his wish to be a missionary in a foreign country.
That day at the mall, Brian’s sympathy toward the “rugby” children showed a genuinely compassionate soul. At first, Brian gave them money but later realized that the children were giving the collected money to a grown up who watched nearby, so he stopped giving money and gave food instead.
The “rugby” children live on the streets of big cities in the Philippines. These children aren't orphans but their families can't provide the basic necessities for them, so they turn to the streets in search of food. Glue sniffing known as "rugby," is a common addiction amongst the street children who sniff this drug to suppress their hunger pains.
In his young age, Brian had big dreams of being extremely successful and wealthy. In a short period of time, he landed a good-paying job and started accumulating expensive things. But one day, Brian gave his heart to Jesus.
Remember the Bible story in Matthew 19: 16 – 24 about the rich young man who came to Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” And Jesus told him to keep the commandments, and the young man said that he had kept the commandments from his youth, but what does he still lack? Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Brian desired to follow Jesus and did what He commanded us to do. He sold almost everything he owned, gave to the poor, and went back to having only basic necessities.
During our next trip to the mall, Brian ordered an extra large pizza, but didn’t share it with anyone. Again, I wondered why. But as we walked out of the mall, I right away understood. The “rugby” children came running to Brian as if they were waiting for him. The group pushed forward forcefully with outstretched hands. Firmly clutching the pizza box, Brian handed a slice to each child. One of the children begged Brian for an extra slice while shouting to his brother nearby, ‘Utol! Utol! May pagkaon!” (Brother! Brother! There’s food!). The brother came. He was so skinny; his ribs stuck out.
On Brian’s arrival day in Manila, he was shocked to see so many children street vendors. He couldn’t believe how they could walk safely among the slow-moving cars, tapping on the windows trying to sell their wares. Brian’s eyes showed so much pity for the poor children. Brian’s generosity also showed when he spent most of his time with the children in church and bought snacks and sporting equipments for them.
In the middle of the week, Pastor Reuben accompanied Brian back to the mall. They brought with them 30 lunch boxes for the “rugby” children. They found a place nearby and they fed them.
One day we went to the beach for a picnic. In no time, a group of children from around the area had gathered around Brian. He gave them snacks, all the while singing “Jesus loves me this I know.” He went swimming with them, offering his shoulders as a diving board. They were so happy. Their screams of joy could be heard blocks away.
After swimming, Brian and Pastor Reuben went to the nearby market to buy food for the children. Each child went home with a loaf of bread and a bag of goodies. They were quite ecstatic to have found a new friend.
On Sabbath morning on our way to church, our van passed by the street near the mall. Due to heavy traffic, our driver stopped the vehicle. From inside the van I saw the same “rugby” children we had seen a few days earlier outside the mall. They were walking outside a restaurant as if looking for food. When suddenly, they spotted Brian who sat by the van window and they ran toward our vehicle.
“Brian! Brian!” The children knocked on the glass window shouting. “Brian, we love you! Brian, we love you!” I was quite moved by their love for the young American who gave them food and love. I believe the name “BRIAN” will be in those children’s minds for a long, long time.

JILLIAN’S CHOICE

Hosea 11:8 (NIV), --How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel ?--

(By William G. Johnnson. This selection is excerpted from his 2007 Devotional Book, Jesus, A Heart Full Of Grace, p. 209. All capitals and bold letters are supplied. Some punctuations are changed to eliminate internet incompatibility)

When a massive wall of water shattered Jillian Searle-s idyllic vacation, she was forced to make a horrific choice no parent should ever have to face: which of her two young sons to save.
Jillian was near her hotel pool with her sons Lachie, 5, and Blake, 2, on the Thai resort island of Phuket when the tsunami of December 26, 2004, struck without warning. –I just heard a terrible roaring, a loud roaring sound, and I turned around and I just saw masses, masses of water coming for us,-- she later told a television reporter in Perth , Australia . –I straightway thought, How am I going to keep my two children alive?—
Realizing that she could not keep the three of them afloat, she was forced to choose which of her boys to hold on to and which one to let go. –I knew I had to let go of one of them, and I just thought I-d better let go of the one that-s the oldest,-- she said.
Amid the churning water Jillian noticed a young woman clinging to a post. She begged the woman to take care of 5-year-old Lachie. As she pried his hand from hers, he pleaded, --Don-t let go of me, Mummy.-- The raging currents wrenched them apart. She looked back at Lachie, who had not yet learned to swim, and thought that was probably the last time she would see him alive.
Meanwhile Jillian-s husband, Brad, watched the terrifying scenario play out from a hotel balcony. He tried to rush to assist, but the rising water had blocked the doors.
When the water subsided, he found Jillian and Blake, and the family began a frantic search for Lachie. –You have to find him, because I let go of him,-- Jillian told her husband. “I gave him to somebody else, and I let go of him … And there is no possible way I can live my life knowing that I took his hand off mine.—
The story had a happy ending. Two hours later the Searles found Lachie with a Thai policeman. He had survived by clinging to a hotel door.
There is Another who longs after His children with inexpressible LOVE. His heart breaks at the thought of separation – separation that not He, but we, choose.
Don-t break His heart today.

Let-s pray: Eternal Father, You know our hearts and our entire beings more than we will ever know ourselves. Oftentimes, we deceive ourselves that everything is all right in our world and we go about, as if we don't need You and Your grace. Please SHAKE us from our stupor and INTERVENE on our behalf to do whatever it takes to separate us from our SINS, from our indifference to Your call to us to become RIGHTEOUS with Your help, and from our proud, selfish attitude. Help us to be forever grateful of Your eternal Love for us that keeps HOLDING ON to us in spite of our stubbornness. Please help us to CHOOSE never to be separated from You for always. Help us to choose Your righteousness, to choose to do right and obey Your will for us, over worldly pleasures, riches, power, position, worldly recognition and anything that will separate us from You. We pray for a HUMBLE HEART and a CONTRITE SPIRIT that we may not sin against You, and so we may see clearly Your plan for us to be a blessing to others. Please change us daily, inside and out, to what You want us to be - a true follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, not only in words but in deeds - TO BE MORE AND MORE LIKE HIM EACH DAY. Help us to put into daily practice Your basic TRUTH: From everyone who has been given much, mu ch will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked (Luke 12:48, NIV). Help us to SHARE Your blessings with Your suffering children, the poor, the destitute, the precious souls not yet reached by Your gospel of grace, and our needy AUP working students, who came from desperately poor families, and with our help, will someday alleviate their hard life. We humbly ask these things in the precious name of Your Eternal Son, to whom be glory, praise and honor forever. Amen

____________ _________ _________ ___

A STRONG START ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH!

By Jose P. Orbe, Jr., joeorbe@adventist- pic.org

(From the homily delivered at PIC, June 15, 2007)

We all have come to church this day with one thing in common. Each of us—teacher, student, or even a parent, will START this month of June.

For freshmen, the month of June may mean new relationships: friends, roommates, etc.

Even for returning students, this month may mean a fresh start beginning with resolutions like, "I'll do it better this time." Among the optimistic parents, this month ushers hope when they wish that their students will do better this time. This church, PIC, is also off for a new start this month.

Books and records have to be closed to open new ones. But one thing that can't be separated from START is END. These two reckoning points are inseparable. Only God has been known to have no beginning and no end. From a human standpoint, everything that has beginnings must have endings.

My thoughts race. Is it possible to start right and end wrong? Or to start wrong and end right? Does it necessarily follow that when you start right, you would end right? Or when you start wrong you will end up wrong.

Have there been occasions in your life when you asked, "What happened, have I not started strong?" "Why did I end up this wretched way?" For lovers, "Where did I go wrong, what did I do to make her/him change mind?" What is even alarming is that even the Holy Book recorded men and women who "apparently" started right but ended wrong (cite examples).

Certainly, all starters want to end right. And the Scriptures have starting guides in order for men and women to finish right? Is it okay to do whatever one wishes to do after all the end justifies the mean? Do the Scriptures warrant this? What does the Bible have to offer? Are there indicators for a surefire great finish?

There are four (4) critical points we need to consider if we are to start and remain right with God. And all these four are anchored on the following biblical truths:
1. Only Jesus truly desires our happiness, and He is committed to perform or complete (finish) the good work He has started in us (Philippians 1.6).
2. Only by looking to Jesus can we start, endure, and finish the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12.1,2).

Often times it’s the look that makes the difference between failure and success. It’s not just how you would start this school year, it’s not how you will resolve to teach your students, and it’s not the ways you would apply to get your children achieve better in school, it’s not what you invest in a relationship or undertaking, a strong start isn’t enough to win the race.

Put on your thinking caps and consider this carefully. My finishing the race—my semester, my relationship, my undertaking, my work, my parenting, my job, etc… will be significantly dependent on my capability to keep my focus on Jesus. It’s in the “look unto Jesus” that will maintain my balance. Remember Peter who walked on the sea (relate the short story).

What does it mean to keep our eyes (our focus) on Jesus?

Study with me in Hebrews 12. There are four (4) critical points to consider.

To look unto Jesus means…
1. Recount the experiences of those of have completed the race ahead of us.
2. Resist the extraneous offers of this sinful world.
3. Run with endurance the race of life.
4. Reflect on the encouragements in the life of Jesus.

A prolific Christian writer once penned these words—
If you want to be distressed—look within
If you want to be defeated—look back
If you want to be distracted—look around
If you want to be dismayed—look ahead
If you want to be delivered—LOOK UP!

Think carefully. It’s not the strong start that will bring us to the finish line; it’s how we can keep our balance, our focus on Jesus. Remember, it’s Jesus who will complete the work He has begun. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is the Alpha & Omega. Those who remain in Him shall make it to the finish line and have eternal life (1John 2.24, 25).

To wait can be rewarding

Thought: Patience is the ability to keep your motor idling when you feel like stripping your gears.

Biblical text: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." (Proverbs 16:32)

An old train on a branch line was puffing and creaking slowly through the countryside when suddenly it lurched to a stop. The only passenger in the three-car train rose quickly to his feet and hurried to find the conductor. "Why have we stopped?" he demanded. "I'm a salesman and i have an appointment in less than an hour in the next town. Surely this old train can make it through the pasture!"

The conductor smiled, "Nothing to worry about, sir. Just a cow on the tracks. Gotta wait her out." The salesman returned to his seat, fuming and fidgeting until the train began to creep forward again about ten minutes later. It chugged along for a mile or two and then ground to a halt once again.

This time the conductor found the salesman. "Don't worry," he said. "We'll be on our way shortly. It's just a temporary delay." The exasperated salesman asked, "What now? Did we catch up to the cow again?"

What the salesman didn't know was that the schedule for this particular train had been made so as to allow for temporary delays and cows on the track! The salesman made his appointment, but he was worn to a frazzle by his own frustration and concern.Allow for delays.

You'll enjoy life's journey more.

Use time wisely

Thought: The greatest possession you have is the 24 hours directly in front of you.

Biblical text: "I thought in my heart, 'God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.'" (Ecclesiastes 3:17 NIV)

Dr. C C Albertson once wrote this about the use of time: "It might be wise for us to take a little inventory of our resources as to time and review our habits of using it. There are 168 hours in each week. Fifty-six of these we spend in sleep. Of the remaining 112 hours, we devote 40 to labor. This leaves 64 hours, of which let us assign 12 hours for our daily meals...

"We have left 52 hours, net, of conscious active life to devote to any purpose to which we are inclined."

Is it too much to say that God requires a tithe of this free time? One tenth of 52 hours is 5.2 hours. How much of this tithe of time do we devote to strictly religious uses?"

If one allowed an hour for church and an hour for a Bible study or prayer meeting each week, that person would still have 192 minutes a week - enough for nearly a half hour each day in prayer and Bible reading. Such a person would still have more than 45 hours a week for life's chores and personal fun!

The old excuse, "I have too little time," doesn't fly. What is more likely the case is this: too little planning of the time we have!

God provides...

'Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet.'-The Ministry of Healing, p. 481 (1905)

When communication isn't the answer...

He who thinks by the inch and talks by the yard deserves to be kicked by the foot.

Biblical text: A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. (Proverbs 18:6 NIV).

What must surely be one of the most frustrating conversations in history was reported in Theatre Arts magazine. A subscriber, desiring to report on a particular upcoming event in his community, dialled "Information" to get the magazine's telephone number.

The operator drawled, "Sorry, but there is nobody listed by the name of 'Theodore Arts.'"

The subscriber insisted: "It's not a person; it's a publication. I want Theatre Arts."The operator responded, this time a little louder. "I told you, we have no listing for Theodore Arts in this city. Perhaps he lives in another city."

By now the subscriber was thoroughly peeved. "Confound it, the word is Theatre: T-H-E-A-T-R-E!"

The operator came back with certainty in her voice, "That's not the way to spell Theodore."

Sometimes there's just no communicating with someone who refuses to hear you, who seems unwilling to understand your point of view, or who simply "doesn't get" what you are trying to say. Rather than give that person a real kick, however, better to hang up and try dialling someone who can hear you and does understand!

Wisdom comes often from listening!

Learn from others' mistakes rather than making them all yourself.

Biblical text: The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15 NIV).

In his autobiography, Lee Iacocca gives others an opportunity to learn from a mistake he once made. In 1956, Ford emphasised auto safety rather than performance and horsepower. The company introduced crash padding for dashboards and sent out a film to explain how much safer the new dashboards were. The narrator on the film claimed the padding was so thick a person could drop an egg on it from a two storey building and it would bounce right off without breaking. As a district assistant sales manager for Ford, Iacocca decided he'd demonstrate this fact!

With 1,100 salesmen watching him, he climbed a high ladder and proceeded to drop an egg on a strip of the dash padding he had placed on the floor of the stage. The egg missed the padding and splattered on the floor. A second egg bounced off his assistant's shoulder. Eggs three and four landed on target, but broke on impact. Finally, with the fifth egg, he got the desired result. Iacocca writes, "I learned two lessons that day. First, never use eggs at a sales rally. And second, never go before our customers without rehearsing what you want to say - as well as what you're going to do - to help sell your product."

Good advice!

Running down others

Text: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).

Thought: Two things are hard on the heart - running upstairs and running down people.
A faculty member at a university once became very distraught over the weaknesses of a particular administrator with whom he had a negative relationship. He allowed himself to think about the man constantly. Hateful, negative thoughts so preoccupied him that it affected the quality of his relationships with his family, his church, and his colleagues. He finally concluded that he needed to leave and accept a teaching appointment elsewhere.

A friend asked him, "Wouldn't you really prefer to teach at this university, if the man were not here?" "Of course," the man responded, "but as long as he is here, then my staying is too disruptive to everything in life. I have to go."

The friend then asked, "Why have you made this administrator the centre of your life?" As much as the man tried to deny the truth of this, he finally had to admit that he had allowed one individual and his weaknesses to distort his entire view of life. Still, it was not the administrator's doing. It was his own. From that day forward, he focussed on his students and his teaching... and he found new joy in his "old job."

When you concentrate on running down others usually the only one that gets run down is you.

Prayer: Lord, may I never cease to remember who You are, and thank You for Your mighty works and enduring love-Amen.

Prayer for help

Bible text: Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, "Here I am." Isaiah 58:9

Thought: When you think there is no one to turn to, God is waiting.

Almighty God, You said through the prophet Isaiah that when I call, You will answer, and while I am speaking, You would hear. I thank You that prayer begins with You. It originates in Your heart, sweeps into my heart, and gives me the boldness to ask for what You desire to give.

In my communion with You, Lord may the desires of my heart be honed by Your greater desires for me. Then, Lord, grant me the desires of my heart. And may my human understanding be surpassed by Your gift of knowledge, my inadequate judgment with Your wisdom, and my limited expectations with Your vision.

May this day be one continuous conversation with You. I ask this not just for my own peace and security, but also for my responsibility to loved ones and friends around me. The margin of human error is an ever-present concern. So I yield my mind, heart, will, and imagination to be channels for the flow of Your divine guidance. Without Your help I will hit wide of the mark. But with Your power, I cannot fail.

Soul-sized Issues

Bible text: Let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:22
Thought: Like cold water to a parched throat so is peace to a weary soul.

Prayer:Sovereign Father, as I begun this new day filled with responsibilities and soul sized issues; I am irresistibly drawn into Your presence by the magnetism of Your love and my need for your guidance. I come to You at Your invitation; in the quiet of intimate communion with You, the tightly wound springs of pressure and stress are released and a profound inner peace fills my heart and mind.

I hear again the impelling cadences of the drumbeat of Your Spirit calling me to press on in the battle for truth, righteousness, and justice. My mind snaps to full attention, and my heart salutes You as Sovereign Lord. You have given me a mind capable of receiving Your mind, an imagination able to envision Your plan and purpose for me, and a will ready to do Your will.

Help me to remember that no problem is too small to escape Your concern and no perplexity is too great to resist Your solutions. I know You will go before me to show me the way, behind me to press me forward, beside me to give me courage, above me to protect me, and within me to give me wisdom and discernment.
Lead on, oh King Eternal…in Your all-powerful name.

Majestic and powerful is God

Bible text: O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth . . . . What is man that You are mindful of him, and the Son of Man that you visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honour. You have made him to have dominion over the work of Your hands.Psalm 8:1,4-6

Thought: Kneel before Jesus and you can stand before anyone

Prayer:Gracious God, ultimate Sovereign of our Nation and Lord of our lives, I am stunned again by Your majesty and the magnitude of the delegated dominion You have entrusted to me. I respond with awe and wonder and begin this day with renewed commitment to serve You.

In a culture that often denies Your sovereignty and worships at the throne of the perpendicular pronoun, help me to exemplify the greatness of servanthood. You have given me a life full of opportunities to serve and enabled me to live at full potential for Your glory. I humbler myself before You and acknowledge that I could not breathe a breath, think a thought, make sound decisions, or press on to excellence without Your power. You alone are the One I seek to please. I have been blessed to be a blessing. And so I greet this day with, "Life’s a privilege!" intentionally and "How may I serve?" incisiveness. Grant me grave and courage to give myself away to You and to others with whom I work this day.

Strength for today

Bible text: You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:3

Thought: Walk boldly and wisely....There is a hand above that will help you on.
- Philip James Bailey

Prayer: Almighty God, You have promised strength for the work of this day, power to handle the pressures, light for the way, patience in problems, help from above, unfading courage, and undying love. In the stresses and strains of living, often I sense my wells have run dry. Life has a way of de-powering me, depleting my resiliency, and draining my patience. People can get me down and perplexities stir me up.

Lord, I pray for a fresh flow of Your strength-strength to think clearly, serve creatively, and endure consistently; strength to fill up diminished human resources; silent strength that flows from Your limitless source, quietly filling them with artesian power.

You never ask me to do more than You will provide the strength to accomplish. So make me a riverbed for the flow of Your creative Spirit. Fill this day with serendipities, unexpected surprises of Your grace. Be Lord of every conversation, the unseen guest at every meeting and the guide of every decision. In the name of Him who is the way, the truth and the life.

Overcoming Pride

Bible text: God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 6:14

Thought: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I try to grasp the glory for myself. It’s so easy to take pride in my accomplishments and what I’ve accumulated in my self-made kingdom of things. Help me to not miss the real purpose of life: to know You and emulate Your love, justice, and righteousness. Help me turn from all my lesser goals of life and focus on Your ultimate calling.

I commit this day to seeking that, which delights You. I want to give You the glory for all I have and am, and for the opportunities to serve You by being a servant to others and caring for what You have entrusted to me.

Make me an example of what it truly means to live life to Your glory and honour. Help me to point to You as the source of all that You have provided and all that You have enabled me to accomplish.

To You be the glory!

Created by God

Bible text: You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Thought: Don't be content with being average. Average is a close to the bottom as it is to the top. - Unknown

Prayer: Holy Father, You created me for Yourself and I realise my heart will remain restless until it rests in You. I confess my ambivalence. I want You to be Lord of my life, and yet sometimes I sense reservation within me. I want Your direction in my life, but at times I feel troubled about losing my own control. I need Your love and yet fear the implications of loving others as You have loved me. But there are times when I am reluctant to ask You to begin a vital spiritual awakening in my own heart.

Yet I am willing to be made willing. Help me to see what my life could be if I loved You with all my heart and removed the self-erected obstacles to trusting You completely. I want to open my mind to think magnificently with wisdom of Your Spirit, commit my will to seek the guidance of Your spirit, and face the challenges of this day with the power of Your Spirit.

More Than Conqueror

Thought: "Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success." - Napolean Hill

Bible text: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
Paul says that as believers in Jesus we are more than conquerors. A conqueror is a winner. He or she has beat out the opposition and come out on top. So, how can one who is on top be more on top? Or, how can a winner be more than a winner?

An old preacher explained it to me this way:

Two boxers agree to a big fight against a tough opponent with a million dollar prize going to the winner. The fight is hard fought going many rounds with each boxer giving it all he has. Eyes are swollen shut. Blood is flowing freely. Punches are landed on the face and body. Finally the fight comes to an end when one boxer knocks out the other. The referee comes in lifts the hand of the boxer left standing and announces the new champ. The promoter of the fight congratulates the winner and hands him a check for the million-dollar prize.

Reaping the Rewards

The boxer retires to his dressing room, gets cleaned up and heads home. When he arrives his wife meets him at the door. She kisses him and congratulates him on a hard-fought fight. He smiles and hands her the million-dollar check. He is a conqueror, but she is more than a conqueror. She gets the spoils of his fight. She gets the benefit of his hard work. She reaps the fruit of the work he sowed.

Jesus has done all the hard work for salvation for us. He lived the perfect life. He resisted the devil’s temptations. He willingly sacrificed His life. He was resurrected and lives forever with the Father in heaven. He is a conqueror.

Jesus gives us the check. We get the spoils. We are more than conquerors. Now that’s a fight we can’t lose. That’s good news!

By Chad McComas. Copyright © 2006 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®