Precious Time

March 19

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what

it says.

James 1:22

“Read the directions, Mikey!” Bruce hollered. “I can’t teach you everything.

Some things you just have to figure out on your own!”

Mikey was a question-a-minute kid, and Bruce didn’t feel up to it right

now. It had been a rough day, and all he wanted was to finish reading his devo-

tions before dinner.

“Dad?” persisted Mikey.

“For God’s sake, Mikey! Stop asking me questions! I told you read the

directions! Can’t you see I’m reading my Bible?”

Mikey saw. But what he heard was, “I don’t have time for you. What I’m

doing is more important.”

Mere seconds after Bruce’s outburst, God spoke to his heart; “My Son is

worth your time, so is yours.”

Bruce found Mikey sitting on the basement steps, rejection written all

over his little face. In his hand was a broken piece of the model he’d been

working on. “I’m so sorry, Mikey,” Bruce spoke softly. “I will always have time

for you,” he said as he wrapped his arm around his son’s shoulders. “Can you

forgive me for the hurtful things I said?”

Mikey’s bright smile and exuberant nod told Bruce this had been the right

thing to do. The next few minutes invested in his son would be priceless!

h

Many times we allow our emotional and physical condition to reign over our

spiritual lives. None of us are innocent. Thank God children are so resilient!

But we can, and do, make the same mistakes with others we encounter on a

daily basis.

The chance to touch hurting people as they pass through our lives is incal-

culable. If slighted, they may not be as forgiving, and the moment may be lost.

God asks us to live out the gospel, to give of ourselves—meaning time and

possibly comfort—in an effort to raise others to a place they have never been,

confident that Someone else has their best interest at heart.

Our actions speak what our words cannot. Whether listening to a wounded

heart or assisting in a physical need, this scripture is a call to action.

Prayer

“In the beginning was the Word. Father, may the Word be

found active and alive in me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Wounds of a Friend

March 18

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are

deceitful.

Proverbs 27:6

As Kevin sat at the bar kindling a conversation with the girl beside him, he

noticed Nathan come through the front door. Just great, he thought through

his alcohol-tainted brain. Now I get to listen to Nathan’s fidelity sermon.

Nathan moved up beside Kevin and spoke just loud enough for Kevin and

the girl to hear. “Hey, Kev. Missy was kinda wonderin’ what time you’d be home

for dinner. She and the kids were hopin’ you’d take them to the movies later.”

Kevin watched his chance for a late-night rendezvous end as the girl got

up and left. “What the hell do you think you’re doin’, Nate?” Kevin said heat-

edly, shoving Nathan against the bar.

“Kev, you’ll regret doin’ somethin’ stupid when you sober up. Come on.

You know an affair won’t solve anything. Missy deserves better than this from

you. All you’re gonna get from this kinda thing is trouble and heartache. The

worst is that Missy and the kids’ll pay the heaviest price.” Nathan led Kevin to

his car and drove him home, thankful that Kevin had not argued. It wasn’t the

first time he’d opposed Kevin’s loose lifestyle. He hoped and prayed it would

be the last.

h

True friends don’t sit idly by and allow us to throw our lives away. When we

care enough to be involved in someone’s life, we have a responsibility to him. If

we see him making mistakes that could harm him or others, we have a respon-

sibility to intervene in love.

Nathan’s strength and wisdom had spoken truth through the alcohol’s

hazy temptation. Only the faithfulness of a true friend had prevented Kevin

from making a huge mistake. Out of all the men in the bar that night, many

whom Kevin considered friends, only one had proven worthy of the definition.

All, save one, thought his actions were acceptable.

True friends tell us the truth. Confronting a friend in love can be uncom-

fortable. But that discomfort is only temporary.

Prayer

“Lord, give me strength to be a true friend. Help me to

never look the other way when a friend’s life is at stake. May

You bless me with a friend as faithful as Jesus. Amen.”

 More Than Acquaintances

March 17

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with

them.

Matthew 18:20

Greg had met Fred on a mission trip to the Gulf Coast. They had become

quick friends in the week they had spent together bringing Jesus’ love to a

hurting community. Determined to keep the friendship alive, they constantly

stayed in touch through e-mails and extended phone calls. Fred and his family

were always part of Greg’s prayers.

Funny how God builds relationships in the kingdom, Greg mused following

this morning’s prayer and devotions. Finished with his devotional time, Greg

decided to listen to some Christian music on satellite radio. Turning on the TV,

he saw it was tuned to a hunting channel he frequently watched. A commercial

was advertising a website for trout fishing enthusiasts. Knowing how much

Fred loved trout fishing and how he was always dragging his preacher, Tink, to

all the local trout streams, he decided to e-mail him the information. 

Nothing special, just part of the bond God had cultivated between these two men.

They had been sent out separately as individual disciples to bring the love

of Christ to those in need. God had taken that time to create a lasting bond

between the two. As he sent the e-mail, Greg thanked God for his long-dis-

tance brother in Christ.

h

There is no such thing as a casual relationship in the Lord. We read through-

out the gospel accounts of the apostles being sent out two by two. And the

Epistles show us that the apostles surrounded themselves with like-minded

believers: Paul and Barnabus, John and Polycarp, Peter and John Mark. Even

in the Old Testament, pairings were evident: Esther and Mordecai, Naomi and

Ruth, David and Jonathan, Samuel and Eli. In each of these relationships was

one constant adhesive: God.

As we reflect on the relationships God created in the past, let us revere His

ability to bring us together for the kingdom in this day and age. He will bring

us together in Jesus’ Name and in His power for work yet to be done.

Prayer

“You are the Creator of relationships, Abba, and we give You

thanks for the friends You have given us. Grow our relationships

into kingdom-changing commissions. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Stewards of Our Wounds

March 16

So that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we

ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:4

Wayne shared with the group about the heartache of losing his wife, Janice, to

cancer four years ago. He spoke about her unfailing love for Jesus Christ and

how that had translated into their marriage. He spoke of how God had held

them both while they walked out that long, difficult journey and how God had

comforted him since her death.

Janice never missed an opportunity in her many hospital stays to reveal

the love of God to anyone who would listen. She spoke of His faithfulness

and promises. Nurses and doctors alike came to know the Source of this little

woman’s strength and how she leaned on that Source alone for her answers.

She trusted God to do what was best for her and her family as they worked out

the details of life with a faith that would not be shaken.

As Wayne closed, he could sense healing taking place in the room. God

was using his wounds to minister to others. They were experiencing what he

and Janice had gone through. He could feel the Holy Spirit’s approval.

h

Each of us has a story to tell. Each of us has something to offer because we

have all been wounded to the point of great grief. Some are in the midst of

the pain; others have weathered the storm and are beginning to rise above the

heartache; still others have determined to be good stewards of their wound for

kingdom purposes. They have learned that by sharing their experience, others

receive peace and healing.

The Holy Spirit compels us to comfort our brothers and sisters, not only

believers but also anyone in need. In that moment, we have a choice: to reach

out and share the healing of our wound in order to bring understanding and

healing to those in pain or to hoard the gift so freely given. Today’s text says

that God comforted us for a reason.

Prayer

“God of peace and healing, help me help others who

are going through what You have given me victory

over. Give me opportunities and courage to let the

Spirit move in my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Suit Up for Battle

March 15

Therefore put on the full armor of God.

Ephesians 6:13

Butch pulled the draw straps tighter on his shoulder pads, and then relaced

his cleats. He’d gotten shoved around a little in the first half. It wasn’t going to

happen again if he could help it.

Butch was a lineman in the NFL. His job? Engage the enemy! Butch was

a warrior; he loved the battle! Experience had taught him that his equipment

was crucial to his ability to stand and fight. It had to fit perfectly to allow him

movement, yet protect him from those who would try to do him harm. The

opposing team intended to force their will on Butch and his teammates. This

was a contest of strength and will.

This was also the playoffs! You didn’t get here by giving your second best.

If you were here, you’d given your all—devotion and hard work, continually

doing the right thing over and over and over again, preparing for the battle.

This included never taking the field without the proper equipment.

h

We have a very real enemy. He means to take us out of the fighting. We are in a

battle for souls, and we must engage the enemy if we are to help ourselves and

help save those who are perishing. The victory has been secured, yet there are

those who would be eternally imprisoned if we fail to help liberate them. We

have been asked to stand and fight. And just as Butch, we must be prepared

for each encounter.

Paul tells us to “put on the full armor of God—and pray in the Spirit.”

With preparation and guidance from God, we suit up for battle. To go into

combat unprepared, without our armor or weapons, is to invite premature

death. God has armor for each individual warrior. But it will do no good if it’s

hanging in heaven’s locker room.

Prayer

“Today, I put on Your armor, Lord—the belt of truth; the

breastplate of righteousness; the shoes of the readiness

of the gospel of peace; the helmet of salvation. I take

up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, the

Word of God! And I wield these weapons against

the evil one. In Your Power and Name, amen.”