Self Exposure

September 12

Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.

Proverbs 13:16

The Vice Unit had set up a false-front store in order to implement a sting of the neighborhood criminals who had been pawning stolen goods at many of the local pawn shops; anything from electronics to SUVs.

They began their sting by purchasing stolen goods, giving the thieves money in exchange for their merchandise, delaying their arrest until the sting was complete.

Undercover officers marveled at the pride of the crooks. Having established a working relationship with the undercover officers, several criminals began to brag about their proficiency in stealing cars and told of how they had strong-armed many of their victims at the end of a gun. They spoke of their exploits as if they were a badge of honor, never showing remorse for their actions.

The sting lasted eight weeks, netting seventy-two arrests—the team took the dangerous criminals off the streets immediately, but away from their operation, so as not to tip off the others about the storefront sting—which resulted in recovery of all the stolen merchandise and the conviction of each individual arrested.

Behind bars several offenders admitted that their own bragging had been the weapon used to convict them. Had they not been so free with their words they might have received lighter sentences.

†

Proud of their criminal prowess, these offenders brought the full measure of the legal system upon themselves because of self exposure. Their crimes alone would have netted them jail time, yet additional months and years were added to each sentence because of their lack of remorse while bragging about their illegal acts.

A wise man speaks occasionally and a fool doesn’t know when to hold his tongue. Those who speak with knowledge improve the lives of those around them and enrich individual relationships. When we speak out of turn we share from a shallow well, often alienating those around us.

Prayer

“Teach me to posses something of value before I try to share it, Lord. Help me keep from becoming foolish in speech and action. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

 The Perfect Hiding Place!

September 11

But Jehosheba…took Joash…and stole him away... She put him…in a bedroom…so he was not killed. He remained hidden…for six years…

II Kings 11:2, 3

“Okay, Kevin. Count to a hundred by fives!” Jackie told his friend.

“Okay!” Kevin said enthusiastically. Laying his head against his forearm which was against the porch post, he began, “Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty…” About thirty seconds later, “Ninety-five, a hundred! Ready or not, here I come!” And off he went to find his friends.

Jackie watched from his hiding place. There was no way Kevin was going to find him unless he stumbled on him. He’d found the spot quite by accident. His dad had shown him where he kept the dog food a couple years ago in the bin, next to the kennel. Jackie had noticed a void of sorts behind the boards. It was just big enough to allow someone a little room to move. Jackie had wiggled in and pulled a bale of straw against the opening. He remained totally hidden, watching Kevin through the slit in the boards. In a span of about ten minutes Kevin found everyone but him.

Eventually, Kevin got tired of looking and gave up, hollering, “Ollie, Ollie in free!” giving Jackie the signal he had won and could come out of hiding. To everyone’s surprise, Jackie emerged not ten feet from them!

“Holy smokes!” one boy exclaimed. “He’da never found you! That’s the perfect hiding place!”

†

Young children look harmless. But Satan sees them as future threats, and the sooner he can render them impotent or powerless, the better. Consequently, our kids are born into a deadly game of hide and seek.

Until God hollers, “Ollie, Ollie in free!” we, like Jehosheba, need to hide our kids from the enemy’s influence, censoring their activities with wisdom and spiritual insight. We are not keeping them from experiencing life, or sowing wild seeds; we are keeping them from abortion, addiction, sexual immorality, and possible suicide.

We can give them the perfect hiding place in Jesus Christ; He’s the safest place they’ll ever find!

Prayer

“Help me keep my children from the dangers that lurk in the darkness, Lord. Help me be the godly parent they need me to be. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Find And Fulfill Your Purpose

September 10

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

1Corinthians 12:4

Bonnie was a prayer warrior, an intercessor for God. He routinely orchestrated divine appointments to introduce Bonnie to the people He wanted her to pray with and for. She’d gotten used to His conspicuous intervention.

As Bonnie walked through the ‘Old Towne’ district during her lunch hour, a flash of sunlight glinted off the ‘Token’ bracelet on her wrist. Immediately, she began praying for the waitress she’d met two days ago. Following that, she prayed for several others she’d promised to pray for.

This was her prayer bracelet, worn specifically to remind her of her promises to lift the needs of the people she met in her daily routine; people like the struggling single-mom she’d spoken to last week, and the young man who worked in the Human Resources department at one of the local factories. The bracelet had interchangeable charms that she etched the people’s names, as well as one-word reminders.

Bonnie befriended total strangers on a regular basis for the purpose of asking them if there were needs she could lift in prayer. And for those who expressed a specific need, Bonnie would secretly note it, and begin to lift them before the Lord during her daily routine. She would continue until God released her from praying for that person and need. In this she found purpose.

†

Each of us is purposed by God, as 1Corinthians 12 clearly states. We have specific God-given talents and skills we are meant to put to use each day. Bonnie’s gifting is the ability to create and foster relationships, praying God’s insight into the lives of those within her sphere of influence.

We may not be asked to covertly befriend total strangers for the purpose of prayer, but our purpose is just as important for the work of God’s Kingdom. If you want to feel the fulfillment and pleasure of the Lord, determine to find your gifting, and begin practicing it. What you practice will be what you become proficient in. Become a participant in God’s plan of salvation, find and fulfill your purpose.

Prayer

“Show me what my gifting is, Lord, and teach me how to use that gift to enrich the lives of others. Help me help You advance the Kingdom of Your Christ. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Lying and Dying

September 9

You have not lied just to human beings but to God.

Acts 5:4

The doctors could not find the root cause of Euwan’s illness. About a year and a half ago he’d begun feeling ‘unhealthy’. “I don’t know,” he’d say, “I just don’t feel right. I feel…odd.”

As the days turned into weeks Euwan’s quest to find out what was wrong intensified. He went from his family practitioner to a specialist in viral diseases. But the weeks turned into months, and Euwan grew worse. At this point he was willing to try anything. So he went to a local church, and asked the pastor to pray for him.

Before he prayed, the pastor asked, “When you first noticed the symptoms, what was going on in your life?”

Euwan thought for a bit, and realized that the onset coincided with a business deal he’d brokered. Reluctantly, he told the pastor.

“Well,” the pastor said, “What kind of a deal did you make? Was it fair and beneficial for both sides?”

Instantly Euwan remembered what he’d said to the board members of the company they’d purchased. His own words came back like hammer blows to his heart: “Yes, we intend to keep all your employees…” But as soon as the merger had been completed, Euwan ordered a down-sizing. They had always intended to minimize the workforce to save their company money.

†

Illnesses of this nature happen every day, but mostly aren’t attributed to their root cause. Lying has physiological consequences that can even lead to death. Euwan’s conscience wouldn’t allow him to deny what he’d done, and it had taken a huge toll on him.

When we lie there is only one option that will restore us, physically and spiritually: the truth. God already knows we lied, and is waiting to see what we’re going to do. What we fear most is disclosing the truth to those to whom we’ve lied, because we fear their wrath, but tell them we must.

Whether they forgive us or not, God will, and He is hopeful that we will repent.

What we do with our deceit is up to us.

Prayer

“Lord, if I have lied, help me make it right. Set me free from the bondage of deception, and help me to always speak the truth. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Calling on Angels

September 8

He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Mark 1:13

As Stan shared about the night he came to Christ, I couldn’t help but grin. “My Father-in-law invited me to attend a ‘Firestorm’ conference with him. I thought ‘okay, it’s probably only gonna be a couple hours…no big deal.’ I had no idea it was a three day event! The evangelist the first night seemed to know me personally. I know that because he talked about me all night!” he said, tongue-in-cheek. “I saw him in the halls of the stadium after and asked him to remember me and my battle with alcoholism in his prayers. He surprised me. ‘Let’s pray right now!’ he said. It was awesome! I haven’t had the urge to drink from that moment to this!”

Stan shook his head as he said, “But when I got home I couldn’t find anyone to teach me about Jesus...everyone I approached said, ‘Just read your Bible, Stan. God will help you understand.’ Even my pastor wouldn’t make time for me...”

I could tell he’d been more than a little frustrated as he continued, “Then one day I was reading in Mark where Jesus had been led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, and angels had ministered to him. Right then I remembered that somewhere else I’d read that we would do everything Jesus did. So I said, ‘Lord, I can’t find anyone to teach me about You. Would You please send Your angels to reveal the truth of Your word.’ For the next two months everything I read I understood! It was awesome!”

†

As a babe in Christ, Stan took God’s word as truth. And because of his earnest request, he received.

God loves it when we come expectantly, laying claim to His promises! Yet, many of us doubt because we have never seen or experienced the manifestation of an angelic encounter. But just because we have not yet experienced something does not negate its validity. Stan can attest that such occurrences do happen.

For the new or seasoned in Christ, God is waiting to send ministering angels your way. Call out and see. And when you call, wait as a desperate man in the desert. God will send them.

Prayer

“Father God, please send Your angels to minister to my needs. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 We Must Come To Jesus

September 7

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

Jesse died at the age of fifty-one. He’d lived a life of simplicity and had been a generous man. He had a deep abiding love for his family. Jesse also loved horses. There wasn’t a week that went by that you didn’t see Jesse with his kids and grandkids riding in the evening after he returned home from work. Seeing his children raised with good manners, sound moral character, and generous hearts was important to him. But until three weeks before his death, Jesse hadn’t known Jesus as his personal Savior.

At his funeral a gentleman stood and spoke a simple, yet powerful truth, “We all know Jesse was a generous man…in most part because he learned it from his mother. But that generosity wouldn’t have gotten him into Heaven. Had he not accepted the pastor’s offer to make Jesus his Lord and Savior three weeks ago, today would be a dark day. But because of his decision to do that, we can celebrate Jesse’s death!”

“You may be a good person…” he said, making eye contact with each person, but if you don’t know Jesus the way Jesse came to know Him, you’ll spend eternity in Hell, and the day of your funeral will be a dark day. Please think about that,” he said and returned to his seat.

†

Short of accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, laying claim to His righteousness alone, you will discover upon the day of your death that Heaven and Hell are real, that God only inhabits one of them, and that you are going to spend eternity tormented with the knowledge that things could have been different if you’d only made the right decision.

There is no other way to speak this truth; you are either saved by the blood of Jesus, or you will receive a spiritual death sentence the moment you die. To gain salvation, we must come to Jesus.

I urge and invite you to make the right decision today.

Prayer

“Father God, thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, that covers all my sin. I accept that sacrifice, now. Please forgive me, and show me how to live my life for You. Amen.”

 Sowing Forgiveness

September 6

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31, 32

Life on a dairy farm is demanding; two or three milking shifts per day, crop production, and machine maintenance tie farmers to the homestead. Mark had left the farm as soon as he’d turned eighteen…but not because of the hard work.

“I got up each day wondering where Dad was gonna hit me. All I thought about was ending the beatings once and for all, but…” his voiced trailed off. Eventually he continued, “Over the years God replaced the anger with a desire to share the gospel with my parents. Finally, it got to the point that their salvation was all I could think about! So one night after church I took them a Bible...” the tears came again. “Dad said, ‘Is that some magazine or somethin’?’ I told him, ‘No! It’s a book about your salvation, and you can either read it and follow its teaching and have eternal life with Jesus, or you can spend eternity in hell!’ 

I surprised myself speaking that way to Dad,” he said candidly. “I talked about Jesus’ love for them for more than two hours…I shared things I didn’t even know I knew!” His voice carried a note of sadness as he said, “Dad cried a little…but that’s as far as it went with him.” But joy replaced the sorrow as he said, “Mom accepted Jesus into her heart, and I baptized her two days later! I guess I’ll just have to keep praying for Dad.”

†

Too many people identify with Mark’s story. Child abuse steals the soul; it’s not easily forgiven, and next to impossible to forget. In Mark’s case it took twenty years for the anger to abate, allowing the Holy Spirit to move in such a way that Mark became more concerned about his father’s salvation than the memory of his beatings.

In many cases it takes years, but God can heal all wounds. As with the crops on a dairy farm, forgiveness must be sown to produce a harvest. But once sown, Jesus will faithfully help us tend the crop.

Prayer

“Father, today it’s difficult to forgive. Help me continue to walk in forgiveness each day until it becomes complete in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Living as Sacrifices

September 5

For to me, to live is Christ...

Philippians 1:21

“I can’t do this anymore!” Jack all but hollered. “I don’t know what God wants from us? I have no idea what step to take next that would bring resolution to our problems!”

Jack’s frustration stemmed from the ongoing trials he and his wife, Tanna, had been experiencing over the past four years. The unrest in the home, brought on by persistent physical and constant financial struggles, was at a fevered pitch. They rarely went a day without arguing over things that would normally be overlooked as insignificant. And the periods between these arguments was filled with deafening silence.

When more than a minute passed without her response he silently blamed her…It would be nice if you’d engage!

Locked in his own reasoning-challenged battle, Jack couldn’t know that Tanna’s mind was filled with her own fear-driven thoughts. So, he began building his own argument for his wife’s lack of response…Right, you think this is all ‘MY’ fault! Which wasn’t true, but by this time Satan had planted seeds of guilt and shame over his inability to earn a living. He uttered his last statement aloud, “I’m so tired right now I’d rather be a dead martyr than a living sacrifice.”

†

Sound familiar? Many Christians share Jack’s sentiment, which begs the question: Why does a loving God allow His children to experience this kind of turmoil when He has the power to do otherwise?

Many New Testament scriptures tell us we will suffer, Jesus Himself said it. But, like Jack, we desire an answer that will at least offer comfort in the midst of the conflict.

Paul writes in verse fourteen, “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”

The list of reasons why God allows us to work through our trials is long. But in many cases He knows someone else is watching for our reaction to our circumstances. He believes we have the strength to show the world what a living sacrifice looks like. What we show them is how we choose to respond to life’s trials.

Prayer

“Lord, sometimes I feel it’d be easier dying for You than living through these trying times. Give me Your strength to walk in integrity, as a living sacrifice in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

 The Appointment

September 4

…the Spirit of truth…will guide you...

John 16:13

Intending to take about a half hour break, Rich and Don began preparing a quick lunch on the narrow beach just below the class III rapids they’d just navigated. Not their regular putout, they’d pressed on down stream because Rich had felt an urge to go a bit farther before stopping.

It was Labor Day weekend, and the river was packed. As they watched, group after group of novice rafters struggled to navigate this perilous stretch of Green River rapids. Suddenly, a family of five rounded the bend and entered the gorge. Inexperienced, they were unable to keep the bow of their raft headed down-stream. 

As they hit the rapids the raft slammed against the sheer granite wall and capsized, spilling everyone into the rushing water. The young boy managed to grab onto a huge rock in the center of the river, while dad got the two girls to shore. Mom, however, was nowhere to be seen. Don, trained in river rescue, and Rich, a S.W.A.T. Commander, responded immediately by launching their raft into the lower section of the rapids, heading for the buffeting raft.

“I think I saw something near the stern,” Rich hollered as they stroked against the current. As they reached the wildly bouncing raft, training took over. Rich launched himself into the now half submerged raft and crawled to the stern. Looking over, he found the mother, with only her face above water, struggling to hang on. Pulling her onto the raft, Rich paddled to shore. Not long after, the boy was rescued from his perch on the rock.

†

Many would call what happened destiny, luck, or coincidence. Those who follow Jesus Christ call these ‘divine appointments’. Had Rich and Don not yielded to the subtle urging to press on, that holiday weekend might have ended in tragedy. Thankfully, Rich listened, and showed up for the divine appointment.

God gives His Holy Spirit as a guide to all who follow His Son. The Spirit, gently urges us, knowing when an extra mile down-stream will make all the difference, then He leaves the choice to follow up to us.

Prayer

“Help me to be sensitive to Your urgings, Lord. Teach me to be discerning and obedient. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Truth About Death

September 3

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1John 4:10 KJV

Attending her third family funeral in as many months, Kendra was angry…This isn’t fair! A loving God would never do this! her mind screamed.

The recent deaths had caused Kendra to doubt the existence of God; because if there was, He wouldn’t keep killing the people she loved! And since there was no God, she rejected any notion of salvation through Jesus Christ as well. Friends had told her she was being too analytical, and needed to accept certain things by faith. They’d told her that this side of Heaven there was no such thing as complete understanding. But she wanted proof!

The pastor began the eulogy, “On this side of death we are faced with the greatest decision we will ever make.” Searching the eyes of each mourner, his glance settled on Kendra. “The Bible tells us that our spirit will live forever after our mortal death. If you’re not sure what lies ahead, I challenge you to listen to this message of hope in Jesus Christ. You see, what happens the moment following our last breath on earth will be determined by what we believe. 

Following that breath we will be in the presence of a loving, and holy God. At that moment we will have complete understanding and our choice for eternity will be sealed. We either accepted Jesus' sacrifice and will live with Him or we will realize our horrific mistake and find ourselves apart from God for eternity.”

It was as if God had spoken audibly to Kendra. Her anger, and her façade, melted away as tears streamed down her cheeks.

†

Kendra’s anger over her loss is understandable. However, her analytical assumption about why God allows death is wrong.

Death was never God’s intention. Adam’s disobedience brought that sentence upon humanity. But because of God’s great love for us, provision was made so that we would not live forever in our sin. He sent His Son to die in our place in order that we might not suffer our deserved fate: eternal separation from God due to our sin.

Jesus came to die…to bring peace between God and man. Only His shed blood makes us righteous before a holy God. But that blood must be applied before our last breath. If you have not claimed the blood of Jesus, I invite you to do that now.

Prayer

“Come in to my life today, Lord Jesus… Amen.”

  Lone Ranger Syndrome

September 2

Do not forsake your friend…and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Proverbs 27:10

Blair rarely asked for help with anything. And this morning his do-it-yourself ideology almost cost him his life…

Blair had decided it was time to start cutting firewood for the coming winter. So, loading his chainsaw and other woodcutting tools into his pickup, he headed up on the hill to cut two dead trees he’d spotted during a recent hike.

He notched the first tree in the direction he wanted it to fall and began cutting on the opposite side, just above the notch. Unexpectedly, the tree ‘POPPED!’ and twisted off the stump prematurely, catching him off guard. As he turned to run the tree fell, catching his left leg, pinning him to the ground. 

Feeling around, he determined nothing was broken or bleeding. But no matter how hard he tried, he was unable to free himself. With the realization that his cell phone was out of reach in his jacket pocket, Blair prayed, “God, I need help. I know I shouldn’t have come up here alone, but please send someone to find me.”

Minutes later he heard the low, droning sound of a four wheeler. Up the well road came his neighbor, Fred, who would later tell him that he’d heard the chainsaw, and had come to offer a helping hand.

†

In the long-running 1950s TV western, ‘The Lone Ranger’, the title’s hero fought bad guys and brought them to justice. Sadly, many of us take on the persona of a Lone Ranger, fighting our battles alone, exposing ourselves to pitfalls, dangers, and setbacks that could be avoided if we would only part with our pride.

As today’s text points out, Lone Ranger Syndrome is not part of God’s plan for our lives. In truth, the Lone Ranger wasn’t a loner. His trusted companion, Tonto, was always by his side, ready to help his friend.

God has positioned our ‘Tontos’ within the sound of our voice. But it’s up to us to ask them for help.

Prayer

“Help me to be humble and wise, Lord. Help me put to death this Lone Ranger mentality. And teach me how to ask for help. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Keeping Watch

September 1

Be on guard! Be alert! ...keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back… If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.

Mark 13:33, 35, 36

Tom watched as Warren grabbed his lunch pail and headed for the factory door following the ‘Shift’ whistle that signaled the end of the workday. That man definitely knows when quitting time is. What Tom didn’t know was that Warren worked a second job as shift supervisor at a warehouse across town. Appreciating Warren’s situation, and his strong work ethic, the owner of the warehouse allowed him to start his job a half hour later than normal. Having just thirty minutes to travel the ten miles between locations, Warren kept close track of time.

A second fact Tom wasn’t aware of was that the employees Warren supervised took advantage of his absence during their first half hour of work by lounging around in the break room. A couple of them brazenly used the time to take a nap.

So they were shocked when, today, Warren walked through the door fifteen minutes early, catching them lounging around instead of stocking orders!

Warren had suspected something of the kind and had made special arrangements to leave his factory job early to confirm his suspicions. The lazy employees were given a written notice and warned that any further abuse of company time would see them losing a week of work without pay.

†

Jesus’ words in today’s text are not a suggestion. He speaks them with the ring of warning…because being asleep at His return will cost us more than a written notice in our employment file. Unfortunately, most of us don’t think He’s coming before we lay our head on the pillow tonight.

Belief in Jesus’ warning is paramount to resisting the temptation to fall asleep spiritually. This truth can only be confirmed by being in relationship with the One Who spoke the words. So how do we remain spiritually alert when weariness threatens to shorten our attention span? By keeping watch with Jesus each and every day.

Prayer

“Holy Spirit, help me remain alert and watchful. I want to be wide awake when Jesus returns. Fan the candle of my heart into an eternal flame! In Jesus’ Name, amen.”