Evil’s House

July 22

If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

Proverbs 17:13

Flynn said good-bye to his last guest and closed the door. “Wow! What a

night,” he said, smiling at his wife, Leslie. The grim look on her face alerted

him to something amiss. “What is it?” he asked.

“Someone has taken the cookie jar fund,” came her somber reply. “As

I began washing the dessert dishes, I noticed the lid on the jar was a little

crooked. So out of curiosity I lifted the lid. The money is gone. I know it was

there right before the dinner because I dropped in some change from my purse

right after I got home from the grocery store.” Then she added, “I didn’t want

to say anything while the guests were here because I didn’t want to offend the

innocent parties. What should we do?”

After a moment of thought, Flynn said, “I don’t know that we should do

anything, honey. To find out who took it would require asking each person if

he or she knew anything about the missing money. We would be putting every-

one’s integrity in question, and I’m not sure I’m willing to do that. I’m think-

ing that whoever took it will have to deal with his guilty conscience and that

God will convict him of his evil actions. Let’s just let God handle it,” Flynn

suggested. “We can replace what’s missing so the kids don’t suffer for someone

else’s poor choices and leave it at that.”

h

To repay someone’s generosity by stealing from him is to ensure evil a place in

our heart and house. Evil acts, regardless of the act, give Satan a foothold he

will exploit in an effort to turn it into a stronghold.

If the person remains unrepentant, evil will eventually become a fortress

seeping into every part of his life. It will ultimately bring total destruction to

the entire household, leaving no one unaffected.

Solomon says that the one who commits evil will never be free from it. The

only way to escape evil’s house and Satan’s grip is to bring our actions before

the Lord in repentance. Then follow His leading.

Prayer

“Keep evil from my doorstep and my heart, Lord. Amen.”

 Clear Conscience

July 21

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.

1 Peter 3:14

They called him a whistle blower. As they agency’s head accountant, Wes had

called for an investigation into alleged improprieties. Everyone felt he had

betrayed the agency. They didn’t know what Wes knew. He had discovered

that three of the top executives had embezzled 2.3 million dollars in company

retirement funds.

He’d figured it out while doing an in-depth cross-check of the last two

years’ books. Someone had cooked the books to show bogus market exchanges

after the year-to-date expenditures had been signed off on.

Someone had slanted the books to make it appear the firm had spent mil-

lions on a new office building in the downtown district and that each employee

was a contributing shareholder.

He’d uncovered a trail where thousands of dollars at a time had been

siphoned from the money market investments without anyone’s knowledge.

Wes ran across the discrepancies by checking deposit dates against phony real

estate entries.

When the two-month external investigation proved Wes had been right,

the whistleblower label was replaced with pats on the back and a huge debt

of thanks. Wes had done what was right. In his mind, he couldn’t have done

otherwise.

h

Sometimes doing the right thing requires taking some abuse. But that should

never be the deciding factor in how we proceed. To look the other way when

things are not as they should be is to forfeit character, honesty, and integrity.

Wes could have chosen to ignore his discovery. He could have sim-

ply resigned his position and gone to another agency. He was aware that by

implicating those in authority he was taking a chance on having his character

dragged through the mud. After all, he’d only been with the company a little

over a year, and it was his word against theirs. For a while, it had been a very

lonely stand.

It is better to suffer a while for what is right than live with a troubled heart.

There is no substitute for a clear conscience.

Prayer

“I want to be a person of great integrity, Lord. Help

me to put what’s right ahead of my comfort no matter

the circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, amen. “

 Then Who?

July 20

If anyone … sees his brother in need but has no pity … how can the

love of God be in him?

1 John 3:17

The little girl looked so forlorn. Her mother looked as though she were fight-

ing back tears. A covert glance revealed smudged faces and dirty clothes.

Lord, please send someone to minister to whatever problems they’re facing. Meet

their needs, Sherry silently prayed as the elevator stopped on her floor.

“Why not you?” God softly invited.

Oh, Lord, I’ve got to get to work, she rationalized and stepped off the elevator.

“If not you, then who?” God whispered.

What am I supposed to say? Their personal issues are none of my business, she

argued.

“Compassion is everyone’s business,” came the soft reprisal.

Turning back, Sherry hesitantly spoke. “Excuse me. I don’t want to offend

you, but it appears as though you could use some help. Is there something I

can do?”

The tears refused to be held back any longer. “I’m sorry,” the mother began.

“It’s been so difficult lately. I lost my job. Cyndi and I have been living in

homeless shelters. I came here in hopes of getting a job, but the way I look, I’m

afraid no one would hire me.”

Reaching into her purse, Sherry pulled out a brush and began brushing

the little girl’s hair, listening as the mother told her story. “Maybe I can help,”

Sherry began.

h

We may not own a business and be able to hire the unemployed or have spare

rooms to offer, but we can still reach out to those in need in whatever capacity

we are able. Whether we choose to see it or not, hardship surrounds us.

The third chapter of John’s first letter deals with how we are to respond

to God’s love. He invites us to mercifully emulate that love to a world in need.

It may take a few extra minutes, and we may be a bit uncomfortable, but

when we encounter someone in need, we should mentally trade places, as if we

ourselves were the one in need. And then remember God’s challenging appeal:

if not you, then who?

Prayer

“Father, thank You for the loving sacrifice that made

me right with You. May You find in me a willingness

to be Your hand of mercy when You call. Amen.”

Hope with a Smile

July 19

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one

another.

John 13:35

Sally awakened at 4:00 a.m., said a hearty “Good morning, Father” as her

feet hit the floor, and headed for the shower. She dressed and headed for the

kitchen to fix breakfast for herself and Tiger. “Hiya, kiddo,” she greeted the big

cat, stroking his sleek fur.

Eggs cooking, she spooned tuna delight into Tiger’s dish. “Eat it all now!”

she said in mock sternness, then chuckled as Tiger cocked his head at her.

Dishes done, she headed out the door, ready to meet the day. She loved the

short drive to work as it often afforded her a beautiful sunrise or a full moon

hanging in the waning night sky.

Sally volunteered in the day surgery unit of the local hospital.

With a smile on her face and a servant’s heart, she set about putting things

in order. “I love the quiet,” she would say. “When I arrive, there’s no one here

but me. I like that.” Arranging doctors’ charts and nurses’ orders, preparing

each room by making sure everything was ready was Sally’s way of ministering

to the staff.

Those rounds complete, Sally took her station in the lobby, greeting every-

one scheduled for surgery. She took names and met needs, adding quiet words

of encouragement and comfort or a prayer offered from a heart that had felt

their pain and known their fears. Sally was the bright spot in their day; she gave

them hope with a smile.

h

A servant’s heart is a precious thing. Out of it flows kindness with compassion

and tenderness through encouragement. It’s born of a deep love for others, a

selfless love like Jesus showed us on Calvary.

Servanthood is this great ability to rid others of their heartache and fear,

rejection and pain, if only for a little while.

Jesus calls those who give of themselves in this way His disciples. And

for good reason. They love with abandon, holding nothing back, lifting others

above the struggles they face. Such an extravagant love makes a remarkable

impact, and it begins with a mind-set that brings hope with a smile.

Prayer

“Help me love like You do, Lord. Use me to brighten

someone else’s day. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”

 It Ceases to Be a Gift

July 18

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us … if it is con-

tributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.

Romans 12:6,8

Bobby was fifty-three and single. He owed two thousand dollars on student

loans, had three credit cards maxed out, and two signature loans totaling sev-

eral thousand dollars. The remarkable thing about his financial situation was

that all this debt was on behalf of other people. Bobby had literally taken on

the cash flow problems of others in an effort to help them out during tough

times. Bobby was a giver; he was always helping others out. People assumed

Bobby was wealthy; no one ever suspected he was going into debt on his or

her behalf.

He’d gotten started in this back-door philanthropy by helping his younger

brother pay off a high-interest loan.

A bean counter of sorts, Bobby enjoyed seeing people set free from the

financial burdens holding them back. When word would come about someone

in need, Bobby offered a gift large enough to meet the need. His credit report

was spotless, so he never had trouble financing his ministry.

One prior beneficiary had gone on to secure a home loan because of Bob-

by’s generosity. He offered to pay everything back, but Bobby had declined his

offer, saying, “If I allow you to pay me back, it ceases to be a gift.”

h

Not many people would consider a small mountain of debt a blessing. But

Bobby did. And each day he went looking for ways to use his gift. Out of the

generosity of his heart, Bobby lifted the burdens of family, friends, and strang-

ers alike, anonymously giving through third parties when practical.

Today’s text says that each of us is gifted in some way. In it, Paul points out

that we are to use that gift to make other’s lives better. It is God’s desire that we

discover what our gift is, and that we put it to use.

Prayer

“Lord, show me what my gift is, then lead me to

a place of selfless desire to give of myself in light

of Your Great Gift. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 As Is

July 17

Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom.

Proverbs 23:23

The price was attractive, but something didn’t feel right. It could be either a

blessing or a sham. “I don’t know, Michael. This car should cost almost twice

the asking price,” Brice warned. “I can’t tell you what, but something’s not

right.”

“Aw, you’re just jealous ‘cause I found such a sweet deal! I’m buying this

car.” Having made up his mind, Michael secured a loan and purchased the

vehicle.

Three weeks later, the transmission began to slip. Taking the car to a local

dealership, he discovered the previous owner had taken steps to temporarily

hide the mechanical problem in order to sell the car.

Angry at being played for a fool, Michael called the man. “I’m returning

the car! You deceived me!” he accused.

Unfazed, the man responded, “You bought that car as is. As it is now yours,

I don’t care what you do with it. Sell it for all I care!” he said, chuckling as he

hung up.

What had looked like such a sweet deal had become one of the worst deals

Michael had ever made. He should have listened to the wisdom of his friend

and at least had the vehicle checked out before buying it.

h

We live in a world where Satan influences some of the most harmless-looking

people. When we fail to be wise or refuse to listen to wise counsel, we can be

taken in. And to make matters worse, Satan gets us to attack ourselves. “You

deserve a break. Look how sweet this deal is!” he whispers. We shove aside our

doubts and bury the truth in denial for the glitter of the moment.

And when we’ve made the deal, he sits back, laughing. “You knew what

you were getting into. You bought the package as is. Now live with it!”

It’s tempting to sell ourselves short when something appealing, yet toxic,

appears. God exhorts us to purchase the truth and not exchange it for a seduc-

tive lie, to get wisdom and hang on to it with a relentless grip.

Prayer

“Help me listen for the truth in the midst of all the

lies, Lord. Then help me hang on to it. Amen.”

 Help Me Remain Humble

July 16

Have mercy on us, O Lord … for we have endured … much ridicule

from the proud … much contempt from the arrogant.

Psalm 123:3, 4

Kendal’s business partner was one of the most obstinate people he’d ever met.

The fact that he was his brother-in-law only made matters worse. Try as he

might, Kendal couldn’t seem to understand the man’s what-I-say-goes attitude.

He dominated the office; absolutely nobody tested his resolve. Because of his oppressive demeanor, they had lost several good employees over the past year.

No one, including Kendal, could reason with him. He would listen to what

you had to say and then look you straight in the eye and say, “If you have a

problem doing what I told you, I can get someone else in here to do your job!”

Kendal confided to his wife that her brother’s attitude had become so bad

that he didn’t know how much longer he could continue working in the stress-

filled atmosphere.

“Honey, I wake up each day not sure whether to say, ‘Good morning,

Lord’ or ‘Good Lord, it’s morning.

’ I don’t look forward to my work anymore.”

His brother-in-law’s attitude was emotionally draining, and he wasn’t willing

to compromise his sanity much longer. “Help me remain humble, Lord!” he

prayed.

h

Many of us have worked for or know domineering employers who do not

understand how relationships are meant to work from an authority stand-

point. Somewhere along the line, they developed a need to dominate instead

of nurture.

In today’s text, the psalmist petitions God for mercy from the position of

a slave to his master on behalf of a people who have endured rough treatment

at the hand of oppressors.

We are not told how God answered their plea or what action they took, if

any, against those who abused them. We only know they were oppressed.

When faced with heavy-handed authority, Paul instructs us, for the sake

of the oppressors, to gracefully endure persecution (1 Corinthians 4:12), leaving

retribution to God so that He might bring change.

It is okay to cry out to God for relief as long as we remember our humble

witness may be needed a little bit longer.

Prayer

“Save me from oppression, Lord. And until that day,

give me grace to endure. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”