Saturday, May 26, 2007

Do you want victory over your critical attitude?

Do you want victory over your critical attitude?

"Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:8

One of Abraham Lincoln's earliest political enemies was Edward Stanton. In one speech he called Lincoln a "low, cunning clown." In another he said, "It's ridiculous to go to Africa to see a gorilla when you can find one just as easily in Springfield, Illinois." Yet Lincoln never responded. Why? Because "Love is patient, love is kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV). This kind of love is not passive endurance, it's active good will. It's not just standing across the room saying, "That person drives me bananas so I'm going to steer clear of them." No, it's crossing the room and finding a way to physically (or in conversation) embrace them. Lincoln did that. When he was elected President and needed a Secretary of War, guess who he chose? Edward Stanton. When friends asked why, Lincoln said, "Because he's the best man for the job." Years later as the slain President's body lay in state, Edward Stanton looked into the casket and said through his tears, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." His animosity had been broken by Lincoln's long-suffering, non-retaliatory spirit.

Is someone injuring you? Have they chosen a place of opposition in your life? How are you responding? Do you want victory over your critical attitude? Then by an act of your will - forgive them, move toward them with grace and begin to love them. Then watch God bring victory in a way you never could, because "Love [the God kind] never fails."

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Your Reward

Your labour is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58

Sometimes it's easy to forget that this world is not your home! You're going to spend eternity with Christ in a place prepared especially for you (John 14). You're also going to be rewarded for the job you've done. The Bible not only supports that idea. It spells out some of the specifics. Here are three you need to know about today:
(1) Most of your rewards will be received in heaven - not on earth! Yes, there are earthly rewards (Mark 10:30), but God reserves special honour for the day when "each man's work will become evident" and "he shall receive a reward" (1 Corinthians 3:13-14 NAS). Your service now will determine the status then, so give it your best today!
(2) All your rewards will be based on quality, not quantity! We're so impressed with size and volume, noise and numbers, but God has His eye on motive. When He rewards you, it'll be based on what you did with what you had, and the "heart" you put into it. That means everybody has an equal opportunity when it comes to rewards.
(3) Your reward may be postponed, but it'll never be forgotten! Think about that! When you've done what was needed, yet you were ignored and misunderstood, remember, "Your labour is not in vain." When you've done "the right thing," but received neither credit nor acknowledgment, remember, "Your labour is not in vain." When you've served, given, and sacrificed, and then willingly stepped aside for God to get all the glory, remember, "Your labour is not in vain." What an assurance!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Learn To Confront

Learn To Confront

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

If you grew up in a family where confrontation left only wounds, you may have become 'a tap-dancer'. That's a pity, for "iron sharpens iron," and there are definite times when you need to confront, like:
When others stand to be hurt. Paul writes, "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was… wrong" (Galatians 2:11 NIV). Wow! The Clash of the Titans! Listen again, "Before certain men came… [Peter] used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to… separate himself [and]… The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy… even Barnabas was led astray" (Galatians 2:12-13 NIV).
When somebody is settling for less. A woman bought a pair of dingy candlesticks at a yard sale for a dollar. Assuming they were made of pewter, she took them home, dusted them and set them on her table. One day a friend who worked in antiques dropped by; "When are you going to clean those candlesticks?" she asked. "What do you mean?" the woman asked, "I just dusted them yesterday." "Dusted?" laughed her friend. "They need to be buffed and polished. They're silver!" So they got silver polish and clean cloths and went to work, until the dull charcoal veneer yielded a pair of gleaming silver candlesticks. Confrontation - the right kind - removes the tarnish that keeps us from shining as God intended us to. Today ask God to make you willing to confront, and when necessary, to be confronted. Your growth depends on it!

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Caught Unprepared

He will appear a second time… to… those who are waiting for Him."Hebrews 9:28 NIV

When President Eisenhower was vacationing in Denver, he was told about a six year-old boy named Paul Haley who was dying of an incurable cancer. Paul had one great dream - to some day meet the president. "Let's go see him", Eisenhower said to one of his aids. So they drove over to the boy's house.
The flags on the fenders were flying that Sunday afternoon, as the big black limo rolled up. Out stepped the president with his bodyguards and knocked on the door. Paul's father answered, wearing old jeans, a grubby shirt and a full day's growth on his beard. "Can I help ya?" he asked. Eisenhower responded, "Is Paul here? Tell him the President of the United States would like to meet with him." Thrilled, little Paul Haley walked around his father's legs and stood looking up into the face he admired most. The president kneeled down, hugged him and took him out to sit in the presidential limousine. Before they said good-bye they shook hands, then just as suddenly as he appeared - he left.
The neighbours still talk about that day. But one man was not entirely happy about it, that was Paul's dad, Donald Haley, who said: "I'll never forget standing there in those old jeans, a dirty shirt and a grubby beard to meet the president. If only I'd known he was coming."
He just wasn't prepared. Are you? Listen: "He will appear a second time… to those who are waiting for Him" (Hebrews 9:28 NIV). If you want to go - you've got to be ready!