Where You Lead

Real Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:13

Humility comes from wisdom, huh? There’s a thought I need consider for a little while. I’m not sure why but I’d never really associated those two qualities. Now that I really think about it, I realize that the people I know who I consider truly wise - not simply “smart” - are also humble.

The opposite of a wise person, I suppose, would be a fool. None of us want to be a fool. It’s difficult, though, to look at ourselves through someone else’s eyes so I have to wonder how many times my lack of humility made me a fool in the eyes of others? Given my struggle with humility, I’d guess plenty of times!

I have to remember that when I do something for someone else, I need to keep quiet about it. I must not announce it to anyone. I must not pat myself on the back for being generous or good. I must remember, also, that I don’t need to be the best or get the most attention. Helping and giving is joy on its own.

Most important I must remember that when I succeed, it is only by the grace of God. Everything I accomplish is His work, His goodness, His blessings. Humility means understanding that without God, I am nothing. Humility means that when I am able to serve others, that is God’s gift to me.

Let’s pray today that we have the opportunity to serve and remember to praise God for the opportunity. Let’s serve and give with humility so that are lives are led by true wisdom.

Who’s Number One?

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Galatians 5:13

Do you remember how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples after the Last Supper? Jesus, who they called Lord and Master, knelt down to wash their feet, to serve them.

That is exactly what God expects from us as well. We are to serve one another in love. If I believe that I am better than someone else, by virtue of my money or intelligence or whatever, how will I serve this other person?

I know there are teachings of other faiths or modern day “religions” that proclaim the person to be the ultimate. That kind of thinking feeds into today’s “Me first” and “It’s all about me” mentality. God’s word, though, tells us that we are not number one, that we are here to serve one another.

I think it’s time for me to step outside of my comfort zone and begin to really help others. I’ve put off for too long the work I need to do to reach out and serve those in need of God’s love. Today, I will recommit myself to service for God.

Real Treasure

“Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

Matthew 6:19-20

Everything in this life will pass. We will walk this earth for less than a century; it is the next life that will be eternal. It is the next life that will matter because it is forever.

I’ve been “middle age” for several years now and I can’t deny that I’ve thought about the last part of my life when I’ll need to find a means of financial support beyond a regular job. Will my husband and I have enough “set aside” to carry us through to the end? Interesting, we’ll need enough for 10 or 20 years, maybe a little longer. Yet we seldom give any consideration to to the treasures we’ve stored for the next life that will go far beyond 20 or more years.

You would think that preparing for eternity would count for more than a measly decade or two. You would think that we’d be storing up treasures for eternity from the time we learned about it. Why is it we take for granted our place in heaven, and concentrate on this life? Why do we not trust the Lord to provide for us during our visit here on earth, and spend our time earning our treasure in heaven?

Today, let’s all remember that nothing we have here on earth will go with us into eternity. Let’s never forget that everything we’ve accumulated here on earth will rot away while the good we do and the love we share will go with us into forever. Let’s keep in mind that we need only trust in God to care for us here and that our real treasure awaits us in Heaven.

God’s Word

We must pay more careful attention therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

Hebrews 2:1

Whether you were raised in a Christian home or found Christ later in life, you undoubtedly have read the Bible. You have learned of God’s word. You know his teachings. So why must you continue to read the Bible? After all, it hasn’t changed or been updated, right?

This is the information age and there is no escaping the all of the information being hurled our way. From the internet to 24-hour news channels, we are the most up-to-date society ever. And yet, some of the information that finds its way to us is not truth. Some of it is not only based on lies and propaganda but can be downright harmful.

Only in reading God’s word daily and allowing Him to guide us through the information maze, can we remain on the true path to our Father. Only when we rely on His Word to show us the Way can we maneuver through the misinformation to the truth. This is why it is so vital that we read the Bible every day. This is why we must keep God’s word at the center of our minds and our lives.

Love

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35

Every one of us is capable of loving. We know that and we do love. We love our children, our parents, our spouses. We love our neighbor. But do we love as Jesus has loved us?

Jesus laid down his life for us, no doubt the ultimate act of love. He did that even though we are sinners; He loved us regardless of our faults and flaws. Jesus loves us when we are not so lovable.

I know that I do not love others as Jesus loves me. When I am angry or bitter, Jesus keeps loving me. Yet, when I am faced with a bitter or angry person, I respond with anger or bitterness. Sometimes I just walk away. I do not love that person. I do not show kindness or compassion. I do not love as Jesus loves me.

Lovable people are easy; it’s the bitter, angry person that really tests our love. Those are the people that Jesus wants us to love because they need the love of Christ in their lives. As with every command that Jesus has given us, we can’t pick and choose when to follow and when to ignore. We must follow Christ’s commands always. And that means loving everyone, especially those who are so very unlovable.

We are here to serve the Lord and we serve by loving His children. Today, let’s try to love as Jesus loves us: totally, completely, unconditionally.

Serving Whom?

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4

Whose opinion do you value? For whom do you live your life?

We are each responsible for following God’s word and being true to Him. We are not beholden to anyone else. While we are instructed to honor our parents and we vow to love our spouses, these are not the people who will judge us or whose approval we should seek. Only God has the power to judge us. Our only concern should be that we please Him.

I remember once chatting with a friend and caught myself more than once passing judgment on someone we both knew. I realized then that I had stepped over a line and that I really had no right to judge any other person, not having insight into their hearts or minds. At that thought, I corrected myself and said, “I guess I’m lucky that God will judge me, and not my neighbors, huh?” My friend understood.

Let’s all remember today that we need to please only God. Let’s leave the judgments to Him so that we can concentrate on simply following him and doing His work.

Choose Your Path

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2

Remember when you were a kid and your mom told you that you’d be judged by the company that you keep? If you’re a parent with kids of at least school age, you’ve no doubt advised your own children the same. And if you are the parent of a teen then you probably worry about the kids your child calls “friends.”

And yet, how much time do we spend with people who bring us down spiritually or mock those things that we hold dear? Right now, I am fortunate because I spend time with people who lift me in my spiritual journey but it wasn’t always the case. For a while, I associated online with a group of adults who were not uplifting at all. Rather than walking away, I tried to fit in and appease them. It only served to bring me down. I had to walk away.

Even as adults we need to be cautious about those with whom we associate. Anyone we call “friend” should bring us closer to God and encourage our spiritual path, not try to persuade us away from it. We can’t avoid those who disagree and we have no right to pass judgment on the beliefs of others but those who refuse to respect our beliefs and mock us are not friends.

I’m going to be even more careful about those I call friends and I’m going to be especially grateful for the real friends who lift me up and help me in my walk with the Lord.

True Faith

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

Hebrews 3:14

I know a lot of Christians who proclaim their faith. I have no reason to doubt them. I know a number of people, too, who lost faith when things went horribly wrong in their lives. They felt that God had betrayed them or walked away. They question why God would let such a thing happen.

Keeping faith during good times is easy. We praise God for the wonderful things in our lives and keep honoring Him. Keeping faith when things go wrong is not so easy. We tend to blame God. We may cry out to Him, asking why He has forgotten about us. Or we may turn away, angry.

True faith does not falter. No matter what happens, no matter how awful events seem to be, we must remain faithful to God, keeping our sights on Christ and believing that our Lord will never forsake us. We must continue to trust God and rely on His love.

Be faithful to God; He is always faithful to us.

Giving Back

Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.

Deuteronomy 16:17

Why is this so hard? Why do I resist? I have no problem giving praise and thanks to God. I’ve gotten in the habit of giving God credit for the good things in my life. I give to my family. So why do I resist giving a percentage of my blessings to God?

So many times I’ve worried about finances and prayed for God’s blessings to see me through. And God does just that. I have no problem “giving” those blessings to utility companies, grocery stores or even a book store or the girl at the makeup counter. And yet, I delay giving back to God who gives me so much. I delay until I have nothing left to give Him, and I must pray again for Him to bless me.

I’ve heard that when you receive a paycheck, you should pay yourself first. I disagree. First, we should pay God, who makes it all possible. God blesses us with ability and work and way to provide for ourselves and our families. We should give back to Him first. And from now on, I will.

Who’s Number Two?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

When I was in grade school, maybe 6th or 7th grade, I read the book “I Am Third” by Gayle Sayers autobiography focusing on his friendship with Brian Piccolo, both professional football players. Not only did the story of these two wonderful men stay with me, but the thought that God is first, my brother is second and I am third left a huge impact on me.

I work very hard every day to make God first in my life. I pray when I wake up and I pray at night before I fall asleep. I pray throughout the day. I make a point of remember God in just about everything I do. And yet I am selfish. Yes, I am.

I have every intention of putting others first and often I do. I’m a mother, after all, and our nature is to tend to our families. The thing is, I hear a lot about “take care of yourself” or no one else will. Or that there’s nothing wrong with a little “me time.” And I buy into that. Why not? It feels good to take care of myself. It’s wonderful when I spend the time and money on special pampering.

I guess the question is, Does it feel as wonderful as when God takes care of me? Is a pedicure as relaxing as God’s love and comfort? No matter what I do for myself, is any of it better than when God does for me? The answer, of course, is no.

I don’t need to put myself or my needs ahead of my family’s or anyone else’s. God tells me to put Him first, to put others second. God tells me that I am third. I know from experience that when I put myself last, He will take care of me better than I can take care of myself.

I must recommit myself to my family, friends and community. I must remember that the only pampering I need is the loving comfort of God.