Strong, Powerful, and Breakable

September 26

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of

God.

1 Peter 4:11

Dale and Kieran, two good-willed people, stomped off in different directions 

following an exchange of words meant to wound each other. It didn’t

matter that they hadn’t meant what they’d said or that they couldn’t tell you

why they’d said such hurtful things.

Kieran ran to the bedroom, wondering if Dale really loved her while Dale,

angry with himself, slammed the sliding glass door on his way outside.

He just didn’t get it. He loved Kieran with all his heart, yet he couldn’t

seem to stop himself from blurting out injurious words, words he really didn’t

mean. He didn’t blame Kieran; he knew she was just responding to his hurtful

words.

Twenty minutes into his thoughts, he walked back in the house, went to

the bedroom, and pulled a sobbing Kieran into his arms. “Honey, I’m so sorry.

I don’t know why I said what I said. Can you forgive me?”

“Dale, you make my heart hurt when you speak to me that way,” she shared

through the tears.

h

It’s really quite amazing the amount of physical protection God gave our

heart. It is encased within an intricate cage of flexible bone, perfectly designed

to shield it from injury, wrapped in sinewy, soft tissue, which is resilient and

powerful. Centered between both lungs and liver, it is the strongest muscle in

the body, forcing life-giving blood through miles of arteries and capillaries.

It requires a tremendous amount of trauma to the chest to damage the heart.

And yet a simple word can completely break it.

We have all experienced heartache or heartbreak at some time in our lives,

the empty feeling we think will never go away.

Some wounds take a long time to heal, and relationships can become

strained.

In the worst of cases, the wound may never heal completely.

Peter says we have a choice of what comes out of our mouth. A heart bent

toward God and a disciplined tongue will save unnecessary wounds.

Prayer

“Lord, help me guard my words. The enemy wants

my sharp tongue to surface. Please help me think

ahead before I speak. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 1–800-Who Cares?

September 25

Those who are pure in their own eyes … those whose teeth are

swords …

Proverbs 30:12, 14

“Excuse me, young man. Could you tell me if there—” The elderly gentle-

man began, but was immediately cut off !

“Do I look like a tour guide?” the young man said condescendingly. “Look,

old man, if you want directions, call 1–800-WHO-CARES!” And with that, he

reburied his head in the book he was reading.

Taken aback, the gentleman looked about the mall’s concourse to deter-

mine if there was a pharmacy in the complex; his wife was having an angina

attack. She’d forgotten her pills and needed nitro to relieve the pain and tight-

ness in her chest!

Deciding to try once more, he began, “Young man, I don’t understand your

attitude, nor do I care at this moment to teach you how to respect your elders,

but my wife is in need of medication immediately, and I need to know if there

is a pharmacy in the mall!”

“Oh, dude, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Yeah, there’s one down that hall,” he

said, pointing to his right, “about half way down on the right.”

With that, the gentleman headed that direction, focused on bringing his

wife the care she needed, but determined to revisit the young man if he was

still there when this was over.

h

Every generation has a group of people whose world is so small that they

believe they are the epicenter. Conversely, each generation has become increas-

ingly disrespectful. They have graduated summa cum I couldn’t care less, respond-

ing viciously to those who have done them no harm.

The truth is they are a result of our own teaching. We have relaxed the

boundaries of discipline to the point that we allow blatant disrespect within

our classrooms in deference to lawsuits against well-intended educators in the

name of civil rights. This epidemic has run amok! We have forfeited the right

to civility because we do not wish to deal with the responsibility of changing

matters, leaving it to be inherited by each ensuing generation.

There is not ample room to address this issue correctly here; to say disci-

pline begins at home is a good start.

Prayer

“Help me care about raising caring, respectful children,

Lord. Guide me as I guide them. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Model of Integrity

September 24

In everything set them an example … show integrity

Titus 2:6, 7

The last thing Russ needed was a three-inch rock through his windshield. But

last thing or not, here it came! It shattered the windshield with a loud crack,

creating a lightning-bolt effect across the entire windshield. “You’ve gotta be

kidding!” he groaned. This’ll raise my insurance premiums, was his first thought.

Then he had a second thought and followed the truck until he was able to pull

alongside and motion the driver to pull over.

When stopped, Russ said, “Hey, I’m sorry to bother you, but your trailer

just threw a rock through my windshield.”

“Oh, man. I’m sorry,” the driver said. “I just left a muddy jobsite. Musta

picked it up there. Look, call my boss, Mr. Keen,” he said, scribbling his boss’s

number on a company business card. “He’ll make it right.”

Skeptical, yet thanking the man, Russ got back in his car and dialed the

number. “Yeah, hi, my name’s Russ Bettencourt. You don’t know me, but one of

your trucks just threw a rock through my windshield. Your driver gave me this

number and said to call you.”

“I’m very sorry Mr. Bettencourt. Do you live in the area?” Keen asked.

Russ answered, “I do,” surprised that the man’s response seemed truly

genuine.

“Good,” he said. “I’ll call Strang and schedule the repairs. Let’s see if we

can’t get it repaired within the week. Can you be reached at the number on my

caller ID?” he asked.

“Yes,” Russ answered.

“Then I’ll call you later with a time and date,” he said, and they both hung up.

True to his word, the new windshield was installed two days later.

h

Integrity is a priceless teacher. When least expected, it will not only bring a

welcome surprise, it will create goodwill, leaving an example of how to respond

under difficult conditions.

Mr. Keen could easily have advised Russ to turn the claim in on his vehicle

insurance, yet he chose to do what he’d been taught: treat people with respect

and exhibit integrity, leave them a model to follow when dealing with others

in the future.

Prayer

“Help me to be a person of integrity, Lord, so

that others will follow the example You provide

them through me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Poor in Christ

September 23

But the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.

Matthew 8:20

Napoleon was neat, clean, and well dressed. But upon closer inspection, you’d

have found that his clothes, although clean and pressed, were threadbare and

meticulously hand patched from within, hiding small holes.

He drove a nondescript sedan with worn tires and duct tape holding the

driver-side mirror in place. Napoleon had been a teacher of music, music being

his second love, Jesus his first.

Napoleon tuned pianos most evenings. He was an interesting man, knowl-

edgeable and well spoken, yet modest, and was often heard to say, “Oh, I just

can’t wait!” and when asked for what, he’d say, “Well, for the day I see Jesus!

Don’t you know?”

I’m not sure where Napoleon lived, but I am sure it was a modest home,

nothing extravagant. You see, not too many people knew of what his love for

Jesus and others led him to do. His meager stipend as a teacher paid his bills;

his piano-tuning money paid others’ bills.

Napoleon was filled with goodwill; he couldn’t seem to give enough to

assuage the desire of his heart. As I said, not too many people knew of his

generosity, for it had all been done anonymously. I’m sure that’s why there were

only six people at his graveside service. To him it wouldn’t have mattered; he

wouldn’t have wanted accolades he felt were meant for Another.

h

Jesus had no material ties to this world, and for good reason. He knew the work

He had to do before His death must be void of distractions.

Napoleon felt the same way. He was a simple man who’d taken literally

what Jesus had said about the cost of following.

Are there things we hang onto a little too tightly, that if asked to give up

we might hesitate?

Jesus didn’t say we had to be poor to follow Him; He did say we had to be

ready to let go of things upon request and to listen for requests.

Do we have any needless distractions? Blessings held on to cease to be

blessings. Are there areas in our lives in which Christ would have us become

poor?

Prayer

“What I have, You provided. Is there anything

You would have me give away for You or learn

to use more in a kingdom way? Amen.”

 The Cost of Grace

September 22

Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!

Romans 6:1, 2

“Where do you get off telling me I need to make changes?” Trip asked heat-

edly. “And what’s so wrong with me looking at this anyway! It’s not as if I’m

cheating on you!” He threw the magazine across the coffee table and sat back

in his chair, smoldering.

“You wait just a minute, Trip. I didn’t make that statement! You said you

wanted to change,” Kerry reminded her husband. “Every time I see you look-

ing at those women, I feel cheap and dirty.” She picked the magazine up off

the floor, holding it toward him. “Do you really think it shouldn’t bother me?”

Tears began to well up. “This can be forgiven. But if you’re going to live closer

to Christ, like you professed you wanted to, you’re going to have to make real

changes. Do you think God approves of this magazine?” she asked, raising it

higher.

That hit home. He’d said he wanted to change, and he’d meant it. But was

this so wrong? No sooner had he posed the question in his mind than he had

his answer. No matter how he wanted to justify his actions, he just couldn’t

picture Jesus flipping through those pages. “I’m sorry,” he said, all the fire gone

out of him.

Kerry said softly, “I forgive you. But maybe you’d do better telling God.”

h

We can be sure that when we submit our lives to Christ and His care,

we will be convicted by those things that do not merit our attention.

To continue in doing things that mock God is to solicit evil.

Paul was absolutely clear that grace covers every sin we repent of. But he

was also adamant that we do not have licensure to continue living in our old

nature with blatant disregard for Christ-like behavior.

Grace cost God His Son. To repeat our past is to mock the cross. When

we do that, it guarantees moral struggle and dire consequences. Because as

much as God loves us, He hates sin.

Prayer

“Lord, help me put to death anything that is an affront

to You. Forgive me in my weakness and give me strength

to kill any sin that remains. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Imitate the Father

September 21

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.

Matthew 7:12

Crystie and Andrew were still reeling from shock. They had just discovered

that their investment firm had become involved in shady marketing strategies

and had lost all their holdings.

“What are we going do, Andy?” The hurt and anger were apparent in her

voice. “They can’t get away with this!”

“I don’t know, Crystie,” Andrew said, his own thoughts scrambled. Their

broker was supposedly one of their best friends. How could this have happened?

Trying to order his thoughts, Andrew wondered if there was any legal

action they could take that would allow them to recoup their losses. “I’ll con-

tact Jay and ask him what they intend to do for the shareholders. Maybe it’s not

as bad as it appears.” He wasn’t nearly as hopeful as he tried to sound.

“Do you think Jay is mixed up in this too? I mean … ” She just let it drop

in midsentence.

Andrew was quickened in his spirit, remembering how this had all begun.

“Listen, we prayed about this. We were sure God said to move forward. He’s

still in control, and we have to believe He’ll work this out. As far as Jay, I don’t

want to believe he would be involved directly, but regardless, we’re gonna get

through it.” He drew Crystie close and kissed the top of her head.

h

In the parable of the gifts of the Father, Jesus says we have a choice in how we

treat others; He suggests we are capable of doing good.

Some in today’s society are willing to risk other people’s livelihood in an

attempt to profit, not caring how they do so in order to attain their goal.

How we treat each other has to do with where we get our strength and

Who, if anyone other than ourselves, we trust in.

Jesus told those listening to consider how they treated others. He was say-

ing, regardless of how others treat us, we have a choice in how we treat them.

He’s suggesting we imitate the Father.

Prayer

“Lord, it’s not easy dealing with someone who intentionally

sets out to deceive us. Help me extend mercy and grace so

that peace will reign in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Do We Resonate?

September 20

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:19

Wendy was a busy fourth grader with a penchant for making noise. Fortu-

nately for her, Mr. Wren was an imaginative teacher. One day after class, he

pulled Wendy aside. “How would you like to learn to play a musical instru-

ment, Wendy?” he asked. “I believe you would make a wonderful musician.” He

encouraged, “What do you say? Want to give it a try?”

“I don’t know, Mr. Wren.” Her voice was strained as she struggled to relate

the battle within her. “Mom says we don’t have enough money to even rent an

instrument, let alone buy one.” Her disappointment was obvious. “I want to

play the violin, but … ” Her small voice trailed off a moment. Then something

came alive within her. “I really love the way the music resonates when the bow

glides over the strings.”

He could see the glint of a fire in her eyes as he wondered, Where did she

come up with resonates? He shook his head in amazement, smiled, and said,

“Come with me.”

Taking her hand, he led her to Ms. Ostrander’s music room. Entering

the empty classroom, Mr. Wren explained, “We have a new program, Wendy,

where any student who wants to learn to play an instrument can join the band

or orchestra, and the school will provide the instrument. If the school provided

a violin, would you want to learn to play?”

“Ohhh.” Her small hands clasped together in a wishful pose. “Do you

mean it?” she squealed.

“Yes, Wendy. What do you say?” he asked.

“Yes! Yes! Ohhh, yes!” Wendy practically screamed.

h

To resonate means to have a full and pleasing sound.

As the rosined bow is drawn across the violin’s strings, it creates vibrant

sound. When in the hands of a master, the sound is full and pleasing. Yet, in the

hands of an apprentice, the noises emanating from the instrument are some-

what less enchanting.

Only through much practice does the violinist become proficient in pro-

ducing sounds that make the heart glad. If, however, we would attempt to

become more proficient by practicing, both sounds are pleasing to the Lord.

Prayer

“May the music of my heart be pleasing to You, Lord. Teach

me to resonate with fullness for Your pleasure. Amen.”