Emphasis on People

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Refreshingailyin God's Word

PeopleJanuary 2014

Emphasis on


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Hasty People

January 1

Bible Reading: Proverbs 21:1-10Key Verse: Verse 5 - The thoughts of the diligent tendonly to plenteousness; but of every one that is hastyonly to want.Key Words:every one that is hasty only to want

We are often forced into hasty decisions; and while Iknow that on occasion haste is necessary, I do remember thathaste makes waste.

Robert Schuller records the following incident.I remember one winter my dad needed firewood, and

he found a dead tree and sawed it down. In the spring, to hisdismay, new shoots sprouted around the trunk. He said, "Ithought sure it was dead. The leaves had all dropped in thewintertime. It was so cold that twigs snapped as if there were

no life left in the old tree. But now I see that there was still lifeat the taproot." He looked at me and said, "Bob, don't forgetthis important lesson. Never cut a tree down in the wintertime.Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never makeyour most important decisions when you are in your worstmood. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring willcome."

In other words, dont rush to make a decision. When

Im pressed into making a decision quickly, my answer isalways no. There have been times I regretted saying no, butmost of the time the refusal to make other decisions was awise one. Haste can make waste.

What to do:

Be cautious with hasty decisions.


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Surrendered People

January 2

Bible Reading: Isaiah 6:1-9Key Verse: Verse 8 -Also I heard the voice of the Lord,saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?Then said I, Here am I; send me.Key Words:Here am I; send me

"For many years I had been studying art. My wholelife was wrapped up in its pursuit and the thing farthest frommy mind was active Christian service," so spoke Judson W.Van DeVenter. My dream was to become an outstanding andfamous artist. After graduating from college I studieddrawing and painting under a well-known German teacher.To help me financially, I taught school and eventually Ibecame supervisor of art in the public schools of Sharon,Pennsylvania.

It was during this period in my life that a revival washeld in the First Methodist Church of which I was a member.I became very interested in these meetings as a personalworker. It was not very long after that, I was licensed as a laypreacher. God blessed my efforts and many souls were savedin the meetings I conducted. The Spirit of God was stronglyurging me to give up teaching and to enter the evangelisticfield but I would not yield. I still had the burning desire to be

an artist. This battle raged for five years. At last the timecame when I could hold out no longer and I surrendered myall my time and my talents. It was then that a new day wasushered into my life. I became an Evangelist and discoveredthat deep down in my soul was hidden a talent hithertounknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart andtouching a tender chord He caused me to sing songs I hadnever sung before.

I wroteI Surrender All in memory of the time when,after the long struggle, I had surrendered and dedicated mylife to active Christian service for the Lord. It was written inthe home of Mr. George Sebring in East Palestine, Ohio. It


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was Mr. Sebring who later founded the city of Sebring,Florida.

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give;I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all;All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

What to do:Surrender all to Jesus today.

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Rare People

January 3

Bible Reading: James 1:12-17Key Verse: Verse 17 -Every good gift and everyperfect gift is from above, and cometh down from theFather of lights, with whom is no variableness,neither shadow of turning.Key Words: cometh down from the Father

Every good and perfect (maturing) gift comes from theFather. We should be thankful for this -- that God isperfecting and maturing us.

The one thing I have discovered in my years in theministry is that genuine thankfulness is a rarity.

A soldier serving during World War II in the AmericanThird Army was sent to a rest camp after a period of activeservice. When he returned to his outfit, he wrote a letter toGeneral George Patton and thanked him for the splendid carehe had received. General Patton wrote back and thanked himfor his letter. In that letter he said in part, For thirty-fiveyears I have sought to give comfort and convenience to all the


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men in the Armed Forces, but this is the first letter of thanksthat Ive ever received for those thirty-five years of service.There are fewer points in which human nature is lacking thanthat of gratitude.

Matthew Henry, the famous scholar, was onceaccosted by thieves who robbed him of all the possessions hehad on him. He later wrote in his diary, Let me be thankfulfirst because I was never robbed before; second because,although they took my purse, they did not take my life; thirdbecause, although they took my all, it was not much; andfourth because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.

We all have something each and everyday for which we

should be thankful. Should we not begin to put Godsgoodness into words of gratitude?

What to do:Everyday thank God for His goodness.Find one thing a day you can thank someone for.Understand that genuine thankfulness comes from

being filled with the Holy Spirit, not our own self-centered desires (Ephesians 5:18, 20).

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Discerning People

January 4

Bible Reading: Malachi 1Key Verse: Verse 2 - I have loved you, saith the LORD.Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not EsauJacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,Key Words: Wherein hast thou loved us?

The Jewish leaders didn't see themselves as having aproblem. They didn't see themselves as being a problem.They lacked discernment.


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Discernment is the ability to detect and identify realtruth and act upon it. This reminds me of an old Persianproverb.

He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not,is a fool; shun him.He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is achild; teach him.He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep;wake him.He who knows and knows that he knows is wise;follow him.

Discernment would rather stay home at night and reada good book rather than go out with the wrong crowd.Discernment would rather do right and realize that the rewardlies ahead than do wrong and have immediate attention andpopularity. Discernment would rather be called boring anddrive safely than be accepted for misbehavior behind thewheel. Discernment thinks of what is honest, rather thanwhat benefits me personally.

A lack of discernment reveals one of two things.

1. Either the one who lacks discernment is not saved, or2. They are spiritually immature. (Read I Corinthians

2:14-16.)

A Christian without discernment is like a pilotattempting to land a loaded 747 in a dense fog without

instruments or radio: lots of noise, power and goodintentions...until...oh, well, you get the picture.Do you really want discernment but don't know where

to find it?

1. Go to your knees. James 1:5, "If any of you lackwisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all menliberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given

him."2. Go to the Word of God. Psalm 119:98-107, "Thou

through thy commandments hast made me wiser thanmine enemies: for they are ever with me." Verse 99, "I


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have more understanding than all my teachers: for thytestimonies are my meditation." Verse 100, "Iunderstand more than the ancients because I kept thyprecepts."

3. Go to the wise. Discernment is better caught thantaught. Those who have it are highly contagious.

Now go on, get discernment and act upon it. You'll bebetter for it.

What to do:Assume you have discernment. Ask God to reveal toyou if you are lacking in this area.

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Winning People

January 5

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-9Key Verse: Verse 1- Wherefore seeing we also arecompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which dothso easily beset us, and let us run with patience therace that is set before us,Key Words: run with patience

A Winner says, Lets find out; a Loser says Nobodyknows.

When a Winner makes a mistake; he says, I waswrong; when a Loser makes a mistake; he says, Itwasnt my fault.

A Winner goes through a problem; a Loser goesaround it and never gets past it.A Winner makes commitments; a Loser makes

promises.


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A Winner says, Im good, but not as good as I oughtto be; a Loser says, Im not as bad as a lot of otherpeople.

A winner listens; a loser just waits until its his turnto talk.

A winner respects those who are superior to him andtries to learn from them; a loser resents those who aresuperior to him, and tries to find chinks in their armor.

A winner explains; a loser explains away.~ Sources Unknown

Suffering from terminal spinal cancer at the age or 47,former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano

spoke with a reporter earlier this year. He looked back on hislife and told a story about himself as a 23-year-old coach of asmall college team.

"Why is winning so important to you?" the playersasked Valvano.

"Because the final score defines you," he said, "Youlose, ergo, you're a loser. You win, ergo, you're a winner."

"No," the players insisted. "Participation is what

matters. Trying your best, regardless of whether you win orlose -- that's what defines you."It took 24 more years of living. It took the coach

bolting up from the mattress three or four times a night withhis T-shirt soaked with sweat and his teeth rattling from thefever chill of chemotherapy and the terror of seeing himselfdie repeatedly in his dreams. It took all that for him to say it:"Those kids were right. It's effort, not result. It's trying. God,

what a great human being I could have been if I'd had thisawareness back then."~ Gary Smith ofSports Illustrated

What to do:Are you doing your best for Jesus? I hope so.


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Credible People

January 6

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:27-37Key Verse: Verse 37- But let your communication be,Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more thanthese cometh of evil.Key Words: But let your communication be, Yea,yea; Nay, nay

March 11, 1942, was a dark desperate day in the PacificTheater. The atmosphere was dark and bleak and the threatof war loomed overhead, the enemy now marching toward thePhilippines as confident as the star band in the Rose BowlParade. Surrender for our soldiers was inevitable. Thebrilliant and bold soldier, Douglas MacArthur, had only threewords for his comrades as he stepped into the escape boatdestined for Australia, "I shall return."

Yes, arriving nine days later in Adelaide, MacArthurremarked, "I came through and I shall return."A little over two and one-half years later, October 20,

1944, to be exact, he stood again on Philippine soil afterlanding safely at Leyte Island. This is what he said, "This isthe voice of freedom, General MacArthur speaking. People ofthe Philippines, I have returned!" MacArthur kept his word.His word was indeed his bond. This was a rare breed of man,

almost extinct today.Let me ask you, do you believe what the used carsalesman is telling you? Why not? Do you believe what themechanic is saying? Why not? Why do we get secondopinions from doctors? Do you believe what pastors say? It iscalled a lack of credibility.

Jurors often have reason to doubt the testimony of thewitness. Parents doubt the word of children. Teachers doubt

the word of their class. The class doubts the word of theteacher. The child doubts the word of their parents.Credibility!!!


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Note what the Scriptures say. Ephesians 4:25,"Wherefore put away lying, speak every man truth with hisneighbor; for we are members one of another." John 8:32,"And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make youfree."

When you reply, "Yes, I will pray for you." Do you?When you say, "I'll be there at a particular time." Are you?When you promise a commitment, do you fulfill it? It is calledcredibility! Let's be credible, people. Amen!

What to do:Be Credible!

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People Who Mean Well

January 7

Bible Reading: Job 2Key Verse: Verse 11-Now when Job's three friendsheard of all this evil that was come upon him, theycame every one from his own place; Eliphaz theTemanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar theNaamathite: for they had made an appointmenttogether to come to mourn with him and to comfort

him.Key Words:Job's three friends

Have you ever had someone who meant to encourageyou but in reality their words had the opposite effect? Well,Jobs three friends would certainly fit into that category. Weknow that they came to mourn with Job and to comfort him,

but their efforts failed miserably.See if you think these words from Eliphaz areencouraging. Job 5:26a, Thou shalt come to thy grave in afull age. Job, you are going to die, but youve lived a good life.How encouraging is that?


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Then how about the words of Bildad found in Job 8:4,If thy children have sinned against him (God), and he havecast them away for their transgression;. Job, have youconsidered that your children died because they were living insin? Now, dont you know those words just brightened Jobsday?

Then Zophar came and shared these words with Job,If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let notwickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. Job 11:14. In essencehe is saying, Job, you are living in sin.

I guess this is where the old saying, With friends likethese, who needs enemies? came from.

People often do have the best of intentions but theirwords seem to discourage rather than encourage.This reminds me of the story of the visiting pastor who

greeted people after the Sunday morning service. The peopleseemed very generous and appreciative of the sermon. Butone lady abruptly stated, Too long! as she filed past thepastor. She then circled back through the line and shouted,Too loud! The two negative comments unnerved the pastor

a bit, but he tried to maintain his composure. When she camethrough a third time her comments were no more flattering.She declared, And it was also boring! At that point thechairman of the deacons intervened and assured the pastorthat this womans remarks should not be taken seriously. Hewhispered, Dont pay anyattention to her. Shes a littlesenile and doesnt know what shes talking about. She justrepeats what other people say. Not very encouraging!! So let

me caution you when you attempt to encourage others, usethe right words.

What to do:Make sure your brain is not in neutral when yourmouth is in gear.

Pray for wisdom.Always be encouraging, and youll always be ablessing.


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Boastful People

January 8

Bible Reading: Proverbs 27:1-7Key Verse: Verse 2 -Let another man praise thee, andnot thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine ownlips.Key Words:Let another man praise thee

I have a little saying in regard to the bragger. "Theboastful person is like eating cold grits, not tasty and hard toswallow."

The story goes that there was a sightseeing bus makingthe rounds through Washington, D. C., and the driver waspointing out spots of interest. As they passed the Pentagonbuilding, he mentioned that it cost taxpayers millions ofdollars and that it took a year and a half to build. Whileeveryone was looking at it, a little old woman piped up: In

Peoria we could have built the same building for less, and itwould have been completed even sooner than that!The next site on the tour was the Justice Department

building. Once again the bus driver said that it cost so manymillions to build and took almost two years to complete. Thewoman repeated: In Peoria we would have done it for lessmoney, and it would have been finished much sooner. Thetour finally came to the Washington Monument, and the

driver just passed slowly by without saying a word. The oldwoman was curious. Hey, she shouted to the driver, whatsthat tall white building back there? The driver looked out thewindow, waited a minute and then said, Search me, lady. Itwasnt there yesterday.

Always remember, when we are boastful we are nottasty and what we say is hard to swallow.

What to do:Praise others, not yourself!


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Organized People

January 9

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 14:33-40Key Verse: Verse 40- Let all things be done decentlyand in order.Key Words: decently and in order

I am a real stickler for organization and structure -planning out today, tomorrow, next week, next yearoh well,you get the picture. I am ever cognizant of the words ofBernard Baruch, Whatever failures I have known, whatevererrors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed inprivate and public life, have been the consequence of actionwithout thought. The best verses (so far as this pastor isconcerned) in Gods Word for motivating us toward structureand organization are found in Ephesians 5:15-17, See that yewalk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming thetime, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise,but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Verses likethis always grab my attention and shake me and say, Wakeup, son.

These are the three evidences I look for in one notbeing structured or organized (not redeeming the time wisely):1) a lack of punctuality, 2) procrastination, and 3) poorplanning.

The story of Charles Schwab and Ivy Lee certainlycome to mind when I think of organization and structure.Schwab was president of Bethlehem Steel. Lee, a consultant,was given the challenge, Show me a way to get more thingsdone with my time. Schwab agreed to pay Lee anythingwithin reason if Lees suggestions worked. Lee later handedSchwab the following plan.

Write down the most important tasks you have to do

tomorrow. Number them in order of importance. When youarrive in the morning, begin immediately on number one, staywith it until the job is finished. Recheck your priorities andbegin on number two, then number three, etc. Make this adaily habit. Send me a check for whatever you think my advice


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is worth. Lee got a check for $25,000 and Bethlehem Steelbecame the largest independent producer of steel during theheyday of the steel industry.

Your choices are two-fold: 1) structure or 2) failure. Iprefer number one, dont you?

What to do:Understand that organization requires a prioritysystem. I prioritize in three ways: that which isnecessary comes first; that which is needful comessecond, and that which is nice is last on the priorityscale.Always remember that a lack of organization onyour part does not necessarily constitute an emergencyon mine.

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Real PeopleJanuary 10

Bible Reading: III JohnKey Verse: Verse 1- The elder unto the wellbelovedGaius, whom I love in the truth.Key Words: truth

Author Ronald Rood tells of an experience that showsthe power of imagination. He said he had visited a 2nd Gradeclass where he gave a slide presentation of a Hawaiian volcano.The pictures showed molten lava pouring into the sea andsteam rising a mile into the air. The scene was so graphic thatthe children could almost hear the roar. Rood then passed apiece of lava for the youngsters to examine. After it washandled by two dozen hands, one little boy brought the rockback to the front. Carefully cradling the material in his hand,he exclaimed with wide eyes, "Mr. Rood, it's still warm!"


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How good it would be if the Biblical accounts of God'speople could come alive like that to us. That's not to say weshould try to fool ourselves or our children by letting ourimaginations run wild. But somehow we need to realize thatthe stories in the Bible are more than just stories. The realitythey express needs to take hold of us. Moses, for instance,knew what it meant to feel insecure. The people he led out ofEgypt cried hot, salty tears that left lines on their wind-blownfaces. These people had hearts that pounded when they werescared. They had headaches when they were tired and hungry.The arteries in their necks bulged when they were angry, andtheir eyes watered when they laughed.

Oh Christian friend, ask God to make the people of theBible and their experiences come alive to you. After all, theywere living, coughing, crying, laughing human beings. Andthey are our examples, for good or for not so good.

What to do:Let God's Word come alive to you.

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Mistaken People

January 11

Bible Reading: Romans 12Key Verse: Verse 3-For I say, through the grace givenunto me, to every man that is among you, not to thinkof himself more highly than he ought to think; but tothink soberly, according as God hath dealt to everyman the measure of faith.Key Words: not to think of himself more highlythan he ought to think


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A young lady went to her minister one day andconfessed, "Pastor, I have to admit I've become vain in mythinking. Why, just this morning I looked in the mirror andadmired my beauty." The elderly minister paused and thensaid with a smile, "Be at peace, my dear. To be mistaken isnot to sin!"

Sometimes, we as Christians are a lot like that youngwoman. We see ourselves through "rose-colored glasses" andfail to hold a proper view of our strengths and weaknesses. Asa result, we attempt what we are not cut out to do, or we try toexercise gifts we do not possess. An inflated estimate of ourcapabilities hinders the Holy Spirit's work in us and opens the

door to embarrassment and failure. We must remember thatHe gives us our talents and empowers us, so that what weaccomplish brings glory to God, not to ourselves.

In Romans 12, Paul tells us how to gain a rightperspective. He says that we should guard against having aninflated opinion of ourselves, but instead should see our livesin the context of the "mercies of God." Because we areforgiven sinners through faith in Christ, we can be confident

to do whatever He chooses. Confident that He accepts us andwants to use us, we are then free to exercise the talents thatare most natural to us.

So let's not envy the achievements of others. Let's nottry to be like someone else. We can avoid being mistakenabout our gifts by thinking soberly about ourselves as Godgives us the measure of faith.

What to do:It is better to humble ourselves before God than bebrought low by Him.


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People of Great Value

January 12

Bible Reading: II Timothy 2:1-11Key Verse: Verse 2-And the things that thou hastheard of me among many witnesses, the samecommit thou to faithful men, who shall be able toteach others also.Key Words: commit thou to faithful men

The wordfaithfulliterally means trustworthy,someone you can count on every time.

As Paul is writing Timothy, he exhorts him to committhe teaching of Gods Word to faithful men. I find that quoteinteresting not scholarly men, or talented men, or even menof great renown; but Gods Word is to be committed to thosewho are faithful.

Solomon warns us in Proverbs 20:6b, ...but a faithful

man who can find? Faithful men are a rarity.It is related one fearfully stormy night a boat waswrecked. As the dawn came, many were seen out in the icywaters, holding on to anything that would prevent them fromsinking. Ed and Will Spencer came upon the scene. Ed was afine swimmer. He swam out and out again until he hadrescued many, and was almost exhausted. He saw a womanholding on to a piece of board and crying for help. They said,

Ed, youd better not go. But it was too much for him. Heswam out into the icy waters and brought her to shore. Thenhe swooned. He was taken to the hospital.

After some hours, he became conscious and said to hisbrother, Will, how many were drowned?

Will replied, I do not know.Then he said, How many did I save?Will replied, Ed, you saved seventeen.

But Ed sadly said, Did I do my best? He wouldbecome unconscious, and every time he asked the samequestion when he would revive, Will, did I do my best?


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Were only doing our best as we are faithful(trustworthy, dependable) to God. So let me ask you, are youdoing your best?

What to do:Do your best for God be faithful in your Biblestudy, prayer life, witnessing, church attendance, andgiving.

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Foolish People

January 13

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-16Key Verse: Verse 15-See then that ye walkcircumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Key Words: See then that ye walk circumspectly,not as fools

Have you ever wondered how to identify a fool? Thereare several ways. Let me give you six of those ways.

1. Fools are unteachable (Proverbs 1:7, 22).2. Fools cant handle prosperity (Proverbs 1:32).3. Fools are constantly living in shame (Proverbs

3:35).4. Fools love foolishness (Proverbs 13:19).5. Fools run in groups (Proverbs 13:20).6. Fools mock (make fun of) sin. Another way of

wording this would be, to a fool sin is fun(Proverbs 14:9).

When D. L. Moody was conducting evangelisticmeetings across the country, he frequently faced hecklers whowere in rather violent disagreement with his tenets. In thefinal service of one campaign, an usher handed the famed


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evangelist a note as he entered the auditorium. Supposing itto be an announcement, Moody quieted the large audienceand prepared to read the notice. He opened it to find a singleword: Fool!

The colorful preacher was equal to the occasion. Saidhe, This is most unusual. I have just been handed a messagewhich consists of but one word, the word fool. I repeat, thisis most unusual. I have often heard of those who have writtenletters and forgotten to sign their names, but this is the firsttime I have ever heard of anyone who signed his name andforgot to write the letter! And, taking advantage of thesituation, Moody promptly changed his sermon to the text:

The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.William Thackeray once said, A fool can no more seehis own folly than he can see his ears.

Today I challenge you to walk with God, youll not findany fools there.

What to do:Daily walk with God! (The word walk means toplease, so daily live pleasing to God.)

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Pessimistic People

January 14

Bible Reading: John 20:24-31Key Verse: Verse 25 - The other disciples thereforesaid unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he saidunto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print ofthe nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails,

and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.Key Words:I will not believe


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If you would look up the wordpessimist, I believe outbeside the word you would find a picture of old Thomas. Weread in John 11:16, Then said Thomas, which is calledDidymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we maydie with him. Weread in John 20:25b, Except I shall see inhis hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into theprint of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will notbelieve. Old Thomas, the pessimist!

I once heard about a farmer who was continuallyoptimistic, seldom discouraged or blue. He had a neighborwho was just the opposite. Grim and gloomy, he faced eachnew morning with a heavy sigh.

The happy, optimistic farmer would see the suncoming up and shout over the roar of the tractor, Look at thebeautiful sun and clear sky! And with a frown, the negativeneighbor would reply, Yeahitll probably scorch the crops.

When clouds would gather and much-needed rainwould start to fall, our positive friend would smile across thefence, Aint thisgreatGod is giving our corn a drink today!Again, the same negative response, Uh huh, but if it doesnt

stop fore long, itll flood and wash everything away.One day the optimist decided to put his pessimisticneighbor to the maximum test. He bought the smartest, mostexpensive bird dog he could find. He trained him to do thingsno other dog on earth could doimpossible feats that wouldsurely astonish anyone.

He invited the pessimist to go duck hunting with him.They sat in the boat, hidden in the duck blind. In came the

ducks. Both men fired and several ducks fell into the water.Go get em! ordered the owner with a gleam in his eye. Thedog leaped out of the boat, walked on the water, and pickedup the birds one by one. Well, what do youthink of that?Unsmiling, the pessimist answered, He cant swim, can he?

The optimist sees a silver lining behind every cloud.But the pessimist sees a cloud behind every silver lining.Which are you? I am convinced a balance of both is needed to

stay level-headed. Let your moderation be known to all men.


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What to do:The choice is yours: optimist or pessimist?

People and Their WordsJanuary 15

Bible Reading: I Kings 12:1-1Key Verse: Verse 7-And they spake unto him, saying,If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and

wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak goodwords to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.?Key Words: speak good words

We know Rehoboam didnt speak good words and, as aresult, the people rebelled (verse 19).

Its never wrong to do right. We are told in Galatians6:10, As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto

all men, especially unto them who are of the household offaith.Good is always associated with God. In Genesis

chapter 1 after God saw each of His creations, He said it wasgood.

In Mark 10:18, Jesus asked the rich man, Why callestthou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.

We are told in Galatians 5:22 that one of the fruits of

the Spirit is goodness.One of the ways I know that I am walking in the Spiritis that I treat people with goodness, and I speak of them forgood. Let me hasten to add, that doesnt always mean peoplelike what we say or do.

My dad used to say before he would spank me, Now,this is for your good. I must admit at the time, I didnt see itthat way; but looking back on it, he, as usual, was right.

Finding good words to say about some people can be adifficult task. Reminds me of a humorous story thatillustrates the point: It seems that St. Peter and the Devil hadan agreementto share the costs of maintaining the fence


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between Heaven and Hell. One weekend there was a bit of abrawl in Hell that got out of hand, and part of the fence wassmashed. It went unfixed for weeks and St. Peter approachedthe Devil about mending it. Nothing happened over the periodof a month. Finally, in exasperation, St. Peter said he wouldsue the Devil if he didnt pay up. Oh retorted the Devil, andwhere are you going to find a lawyer in heaven?

So it is with some peoplegood words are hard tocome by.

What to do:Find something good to say about others, and youwill find they will change their attitude about you.

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Winning People and Losing

PeopleJanuary 16

Bible Reading: I Samuel 17:12-31Key Verse: Verse 29-And David said, What have Inow done? Is there not a cause?Key Words:Is there not a cause?

Notice the difference between Eliab in verse 28 andDavid in verse 29. One had a winning attitude and the otheran attitude of a loser.

A Winner says, Lets find out; a Loser says Nobodyknows.

When a Winner makes a mistake; he says, I was

wrong; when a Loser makes a mistake; he says, Itwasnt my fault.

A Winner goes through a problem; a Loser goesaround it and never gets past it.


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A Winner makes commitments; a Loser makespromises.

A Winner says, Im good, but not as good as I oughtto be; a Loser says, Im not as bad as a lot of otherpeople.

A winner listens; a loser just waits until its his turnto talk.

A winner respects those who are superior to him andtries to learn from them; a loser resents those who aresuperior to him, and tries to find chinks in their armor.

A winner explains; a loser explains away.~ Sources Unknown

Suffering from terminal spinal cancer at the age or 47,former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvanospoke with a reporter earlier this year. He looked back on hislife and told a story about himself as a 23-year-old coach of asmall college team. "Why is winning so important to you?" theplayers asked Valvano.

"Because the final score defines you," he said, "You lose,ergo, you're a loser. You win, ergo, you're a winner.""No," the players insisted. "Participation is what matters.

Trying your best, regardless of whether you win or lose --that's what defines you."

It took 24 more years of living. It took the coach boltingup from the mattress three or four times a night with his T-shirt soaked with sweat and his teeth rattling from the fever

chill of chemotherapy and the terror of seeing himself dierepeatedly in his dreams. It took all that for him to say it:"Those kids were right. It's effort, not result. It's trying. God,what a great human being I could have been if I'd had thisawareness back then."

~ Gary Smith ofSports Illustrated

What to do:Be a winner for the glory of the Lord.


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Unreasonable PeopleJanuary 17

Bible Reading: Isaiah 1:10-20

Key Verse: Verse 18- Come now, and let us reasontogether, saith the LORD: though your sins be asscarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they bered like crimson, they shall be as wool.Key Words: Come now, let us reason together

The plea of God to the nation of Israel was to come toHim and let us reason together. You cant help the hurting,

the lost, or the wayward that are unreasonable.Have you ever dealt with someone who is unreasonable?Some time back I read a story about Abraham Lincoln

and his two sons who were out for an afternoon walk whenthey came upon a walnut tree and found three walnuts. Asthey continued their walk they passed a neighbor who bothheard and saw the two boys crying. The neighbor cried out,Abe, whats wrong with your boys? to which AbrahamLincoln replied, I have three walnuts and both boys wanttwo. Unreasonable! Most people who are unreasonable areself-centered; and as a result, someone gets hurt. Whichraises the question: Have you been hurt by someone? If so,who was the unreasonable one? You or the other person, ormaybe both of you? Remember, it always pays to bereasonable.

What to do:Be reasonable.


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Unprepared People

January 18

Bible Reading: Psalm 1Key Verse: Verse 3-And he shall be like a tree plantedby the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit inhis season; his leaf also shall not wither; andwhatsoever he doeth shall prosper.Key Words:And he shall be like a tree

God compares us to a tree. Those who gain strength from

Gods Word grow, but our strength also grows from adversity

if our faith is founded in Gods Word and not mans wisdom.

I read the following story which was taken from The

Evangel. We were going through a great furniture factory

when our guide pointed out to us a superbly grained and

figured sideboard in the natural wood. He stated, It is the

finest selected timber of its kind. The secret,he said, is this.

The trees from which it was taken grew in a place where they

were exposed to almost constant conflict and storms. What a

suggestive fact! The storm-beaten tree develops the choicest

and finest woven fibers. When it is cut down and the saws lay

bare its exquisitely figured grain, the cabinetmaker selects it as

the material for his finest work. So it is when life is beset by

sorrows and trials. If it withstands the storm, the wind of God

strengthens and beautifies it.Character cannot be developed into its strongest and

most beautiful form without storms and trials.

What to do:Stay the course. A winner is someone who goes

through the trials and doesnt quit.


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Unhappy People

January 19

Bible Reading: I John 1Key Verse: Verse 9- If we confess our sins, he isfaithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanseus from all unrighteousness.Key Words:If we confess

When we become angry with others we tend to do one ofthree things. Some repress their anger, still others suppressanger, but the vast majority resort to a third solutiontheyseek revenge.

Have you ever hungered for a little sweet revenge? I readrecently about a story that took place in 1992. Lady SarahGraham Moon, at the age of fifty-five, was dumped by herBritish aristocratic husband. She sought to get even with himin the following ways. First, she poured gallons of paint on hischerished BMW while it was parked in his girlfriendsdriveway. A week later she cut four inches off the left sleeveon thirty-two of his tailored suits, $1,600 suits I might add.The following week she gave away sixty bottles of his finestwine. Her actions did not go unnoticed, she caught theattention of the press and became somewhat of a celebrity.One lady wrote her to share how she had cleaned the toiletwith her unfaithful husbands toothbrush, then watched with

glee as he brushed his teeth. Of course, none of these cancompare with the revenge of Vera Czermak. When shelearned that her husband had betrayed her, Mrs. Czermakbecame suicidal and decided to jump to her death from theirthird floor apartment in Prague. Surprisingly, she survivedthe jump because she landed on her husband who was leavingthe apartment on his way to work. She lived, he died. Shewas charged with murder and is now serving time in prison.

Oh, by the way, Mrs. Moon was sued by her husband andwon. Vengeance really does not pay. Remember, we said weusually do three things with our anger: we repress it, suppressit, or attempt to get revenge. But there is another thing wecan do with anger which is far better, and that is confess it (I


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John 1:8), and I have found that confession has far betterconsequences than the other methods of handling our anger.

What to do:When someone hurts you, confess it. Leave thevengeance to God.

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Unthankful People

January 20

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:1-17 &I Thessalonians 5:11

Key Verse: Verse 17-And whatsoever ye do in word or

deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, givingthanks to God and the Father by him.Key Words: giving thanks to God

When you go through hard times, are you thankful for

them? Right now youre probably thinking, Youve got to be

kidding! No, Im very serious. We are told to be thankful

for everything. Now, doesnt that include hard times? I mustconfess to you that Im not always thankful for those difficult

situations; but I know in the end God will get the glory and Ill

be a better Christian for having gone through them, and for

that, I am thankful.

David, a two-year old with leukemia, was taken by his

mother, Deborah, to Massachusetts General Hospital in

Boston, to see Dr. John Truman who specializes in treating

children with cancer and various blood diseases. Dr. Trumans

prognosis was devastating: He has a 50-50 chance.The countless clinic visits, the blood tests, the

intravenous drugs, the fear and painthe mothers ordeal can


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be almost as bad as the childs because she must stand by,unable to bear the pain herself. David never cried in thewaiting room, and although his friends in the clinic had tohurt him and stick needles in him, he hustled in ahead of hismother with a smile, sure of the welcome he always got. Whenhe was three, David had to have a spinal tapa painfulprocedure at any age. It was explained to him that, because hewas sick, Dr. Truman had to do something to make him better.If it hurts, remember its because he loves you, Deborah said.

The procedure was horrendous. It took three nurses tohold David still, while he yelled and sobbed and struggled.When it was almost over, the tiny boy, soaked in sweat and

tears, looked up at the doctor and gasped, Thank you, Dr.Tooman, for my hurting.Lord, thank you for my hurting.

What to do:In everything give thanks.

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Unprofitable People

January 21

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11Key Verse: Verse 11- Then I looked on all the worksthat my hands had wrought, and on the labour that Ihad laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity andvexation of spirit, and there was no profit under thesun.Key Words: all was vanity

Notice all the personal pronouns in our Scripture readingfor today: I, me, my, mine. Then Solomon says all was vanity.Everything I worked for, everything I labored in, was vanity.Have you ever felt that way?


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Reminds me of a recent news release from Charlotte,North Carolina, which told of a woman who set a world recordwhile playing a convenience store video game. After standingin front of the game for fourteen hours and scoring anunprecedented seven and a half million points on the gamecalled Tapper, the woman was pleased to see a TV crewarriving to record her efforts for posterity. She continued toplay while the crew, alerted by her fianc, prepared to shoot.However, she was appalled to see the video screen suddenlygo blank. While setting up their lights, the camera team hadaccidentally unplugged the game, thus bringing her bid for tenmillion points to an untimely end! The effort to publicize her

achievement became the agent of her ultimate failure.When we seek the attention, when we want the glory,when life and events are about I, me, my, and mine hardtimes will come for God shall always get the glory, not us!

What to do:To God be the glory! See that He gets it.

****************************************

Unforgiving People

January 22

Bible Reading: Mark 11:20-33Key Verse: Verse 26-But if ye do not forgive, neitherwill your Father which is in heaven forgive your

trespasses.Key Words:If ye do not forgive

Have you ever experienced not being forgiven bysomeone? While it hurts and is hard to go through, the one Ipity is the one unwilling to forgive.


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Leo Tolstoy thought he was starting his marriage off onthe right foot when he asked his teenage fiance to read hisdiaries, which spelled out in lurid detail all of his sexualdalliances. He wanted to keep no secrets from Sonya, to beginmarriage with a clean slate, forgiven. Instead, Tolstoysconfession sowed the seeds for a marriage that would be heldtogether by vines of hatred, not love. When he kisses me Imalways thinking, Im not the first woman he has loved, wroteSonya Tolstoy in her own diary. Some of his adolescent flingsshe could forgive, but not his affair with Axinya, a peasantwoman who continued to work on the Tolstoy estate. One ofthese days I shall kill myself with jealousy, Sonya wrote after

seeing the three-year-old son of the peasant woman, thespitting image of her husband. If I could kill him [Tolstoy]and create a new person exactly the same as he is now, Iwould do so happily. Another diary entry dates from January14, 1909. He relishes that peasant wench with her strongfemale body and her sunburnt legs, she allures him just aspowerfully now as she did all those years ago Sonya wrotethose words when Axinya was a shriveled crone of eighty. For

half a century jealousy and unforgiveness had blinded her, inthe process destroying all love for her husband.What a shame!

What to do:Forgive those who refuse to forgive you.

Pastors Note: Just a piece of pastoral advice: public sins,public confession; private sins, private confession. Leo shouldhave confessed to God and lived a pure and clean life fromthat point.


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Flexible PeopleJanuary 23

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 10:20-33Key Verse: Verse 33 - Even as I please all men in

all things, not seeking mine own profit, but

the profit of many, that they may be saved.Key Words:Even as I please all men in all things

As you read these verses, you would think that Paul was a

compromiser, which is not the case. Paul understood that to

offend is to lose. Have you ever been offended by someone?

Now, be honest, after they offended you could they reach youfor Christ? Not likely! Paul understood that every bridge has

some give. We call it flexibility, and he who is not flexible is

very breakable.

Years ago, Frank Lloyd Wright was given the impossible

task of building the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. No comparable

construction job ever before had been undertaken. With

patience he laid plans for the immense building in this land ofearthquakes and terrible tremors. After carefully reviewing the

situation, he found that eight feet below the surface of the

ground lay a sixty-foot bed of soft mud. Why not float the

great structure on this and in some way make it absorb the

shock of an earthquake? After four years of work, amid

ridicule and jeers of skeptical onlookers, this most difficult

building in the world was completed, and soon arrived the daywhich tested it completely. The worst earthquake in fifty-two

years caused houses and buildings all around to tumble and

fall in ruins. But the Imperial Hotel stood, because it was able

to adjust itself to the tremors of the earth.

And that is the way Paul was. He did not compromise, but

he did not offend either. He knew it was a balancing act. It

may not be easy to hold to our standards and yet not offend

others in the process, but it can be done. Paul did it!


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What to do:Be flexible or you will be breakable.

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Sacrificing People

January 24

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 11: 23-33Key Verse: Verse 23-Are they ministers of Christ? (Ispeak as a fool) I am more; in labours moreabundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons morefrequent, in deaths oft.Key Words:Are they ministers of Christ?

There is no question that the church at Corinth was Pauls

heavenly sandpaper. There is also no doubt that Paul had a

great love for them, for he had sacrificed tremendously for

them; but it appears that the church at Corinth had very littleappreciation for Pauls sacrifice.

A harried waitress approached the table where a young

girl was sitting by herself. She quickly asked the girl what she

wanted. How much is an ice cream sundae? the little girl

inquired. The waitress snapped, A dollar seventy-five.

The girl looked at her fistful of change and then asked,

How much is a dish of just plain ice cream?One fifty, retorted the waitress.

Then Ill take the plain ice cream, please, said the

young customer. The waitress returned with the bowl of ice

cream and delivered it with a rude silence. After the little girl

finished her ice cream and left, the waitress went to clear off

the table. To her shame, she found two dimes and five pennies.

Her tip was the exact amount the little girl needed to get asundae rather than just plain ice cream.

In each of our lives, others have made sacrifices for our

well-being. The question is, are we grateful; or do we treat


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those who have sacrificed for us with a rude, unappreciative

spirit?

What to do:Make a list of those who have sacrificed for your benefit.

Send those you list a word of thanks.

Ask God everyday to give you a thankful spirit for others

who have sacrificed that you might have.

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Committed People

January 25

Bible Reading: Psalm 37:1-10Key Verse: Verse 5- Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.Key Words: Commit thy way unto the LORD

The following letter was written by a young Communist

to his girlfriend breaking off his relationship with her because

of his commitment to the Communist cause. The letter was

given to the girls father who had the letter published.

We Communists have a high casualty rate. We are theones who get shot and hung and ridiculed and fired from our

jobs and in every other way made as uncomfortable as

possible. A certain percentage of us get killed or imprisoned.

We live in virtual poverty. We turn back to the party every

penny we make above what is absolutely necessary to keep us

alive.

We Communists do not have the time or the money formany movies or concerts or T-bone steaks or decent homes or

new cars. Weve been described as fanatics. We are fanatics.

Our lives are dominated by one great, overshadowing factor:


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the struggle for world Communism. We have a philosophy of

life which no amount of money can buy. We have a cause to

fight for, a definite purpose in life. We subordinate our petty

personal selves into a great movement of humanity; and if our

personal lives seem hard or our egos appear to suffer throughsubordination to the party, then we are adequately

compensated by the thought that each of us, in his small way,

is contributing to something new and true and better for

mankind.

There is one thing in which I am in dead earnest about,

and that is the Communist cause. It is my life, my business,

my religion, my hobby, my sweetheart, my wife, my mistress,my bread and meat. I work at it in the daytime and dream of it

at night. Its hold on me grows, not lessens, as time goes on;

therefore, I cannot carry on a friendship, a love affair, or even

a conversation without relating it to this force which both

drives and guides my life. I evaluate people, looks, ideas, and

actions according to how they affect the Communist cause,

and by their attitude toward it. Ive already been in jailbecause of my ideals, and if necessary, Im ready to go before

a firing squad.

Oh, Lord, give us believers with commitment for you.

Psalm 37:5, Commit thy ways unto the Lord.

What to do:

Evaluate your commitment to God and His cause.


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Sleeping People

January 26

Bible Reading: Acts 20:7-12Key Verse: Verse 9- And there sat in a window acertain young man named Eutychus, being fallen intoa deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, hesunk down with sleep, and fell down from the thirdloft, and was taken up dead.Key Words: being fallen into a deep sleep

Now, Eutychus is not the only one to fall asleep in church.

I have watched couples nod off in magnificent rhythm. I

mean perfect timing. Why, there are our spiritual church

sleepers, they fall asleep, wake up long enough to say amen

and then doze back off into never-never land. Then there was

the lady who had the strangest wheeze and smile while she

was snoring, it reminded me of a chattering chimpanzee.

Why do people fall asleep in church?

Training: That's right, we were trained as small

children to stretch out on the pew beside our parents

and sleep away. Habits are hard to break.

Physical Factors: Medicines we are on.

Indifference: Some people would rather sleep than

be fed God's Word.

Boredom: Let's face it, some messages can be boring.So much for the diagnosis, what about the remedy?

The Service: Must be conducive for worship: good

music and a few good, hearty amens every now and

then help congregation involvement.

Physical Preparation: Get a good night's rest on

Saturday night, get up on Sunday morning in time to

get ready without a lot of helter skelter.Spiritual Preparation: Take time to have prayer for

the service before coming to church.


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The Speaker: Should be alert and ready, have his

message well-prepared. We are not in the

entertainment business but each message should be

interesting.

I trust you will get the sleep you need, but not in church!!

What to do:

Go to bed on Saturday night and be ready for Sunday.

****************************************

Investing People

January 27

Bible Reading: Romans 16

Key Verse: Verse 1-

I commend unto you Phebe oursister, which is a servant of the church which is atCenchrea:Key Words:I commend unto you

As you read Romans 16, you read a seemingly long list of

names that mean absolutely nothing to the casual reader; but

you have to go beyond the surface and look deeply into the

lives of these thirty-six people and see how Paul had investedhis life in them, mentored them, prayed for them, watched

after themand now here they are, all serving God because

Paul had invested his life in others. There is no greater joy

than investing your life into others for the glory of God.

In his autobiography,Breaking Barriers, syndicated

columnist Carl Rowan tells about a teacher who greatly

influenced his life. Rowan relates: MissThompson reachedinto her desk drawer and pulled out a piece of paper

containing a quote attributed to Chicago architect Daniel

Burnham. I listened intently as she read: Make no little plans;


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they have no magic to stir mens bloodand probably

themselves will not be realized. Make big plans, aim high in

hope and work. Remember that our sons and grandsons are

going to do things that would stagger us. More than thirty

years later, I gave a speech in which I said that FrancesThompson had given me a desperately needed belief in myself.

A newspaper printed the story, and someone mailed the

clipping to my beloved teacher. She wrote me: For years, I

endured my brothers arguments that I hadwasted my life;

that I should have married and had a family. When I read that

you gave me credit for helping to launch a marvelous career, I

put the clipping in front of my brother. After hed read it, Isaid, You see, I didnt really waste mylife, did I?

You never know who you are having an impact on; so

never quit; never give up; always invest your life in others for

Gods service.

What to do:List those who invested their lives in you and sendthem a card of appreciation.

Make a list of those you want to invest your life inand list how that can be done.

Now do it!!!

****************************************

Covetous PeopleJanuary 28

Bible Reading: Exodus 20:17 & Joshua 7:1-9, 20-26

Key Verse: Ex 20:17 - Thou shalt not covet thy

neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thyneighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor hismaidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thingthat is thy neighbour's.Key Words: Thou shalt not covet


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Are you aware of the fact that covetousness always

destroys? On every occasion in Gods Word where you find

the word covet, covets, coveteth, covetousnessyou always find

death and destructionevery time. No wonder God told His

people, Thou shalt not covet.Recently I laid a small circle of poison around a hill of

stinging ants. Thinking the tiny granules of poison were food,

the ants began to pick them up and carry them throughout the

colony. I returned later to see how well the poison was

working. Hundreds of the stinging ants were carrying the

poison down into their hill. Then I noticed a hole in the circle

of poison. Some of the poison was moving the opposite way-away from the hill. Some smaller, non-stinging ants had found

this food and were stealing it from their ant neighbors.

Thinking they were getting the other ants treasure, they

poisoned themselves. When we see someone with more than

we have, we must beware. The hunger to beg, borrow, or steal

our way into what is theirs may poison us spiritually.

Covetousnessa 100% guarantee to destroy!!

What to do:Ask God to give you victory over covetousness. Livewith contentment.

****************************************

Loyal People

January 29

Bible Reading:Joshua 24:14-28

Key Verse: Verse 15- And if it seem evil unto you toserve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye willserve; whether the gods which your fathers servedthat were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of


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the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me

and my house, we will serve the LORD.Key Words: choose you this day whom you willserve

Joshua, chapter twenty-four, the leader of Israel has

gathered all of Israel together and reminds them of all that

God has done for them. He cautions them about all the false

gods in the land, and tells them that they must choose which

god they are going to serve. Divided loyalty never works!!

Louis Adamic, a Yugoslavian boy, came to the United

States at the age of fourteen. He had a great love for writing.His first book,Dynamite, was a history of the American Labor

Conflict. His second book, The Natives Return, was the book

that made Adamic famous. He wrote this book from a visit to

the land of his birth. From that time on, his allegiance was

divided. He wanted to do something for Yugoslavia. Adamic

thought that Stalin was Yugoslavias friend. So he abandoned

his American wages and began to get involved with the

politics in the region of the Balkans. Adamic then renounced

his American citizenship and became a citizen of both the

Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. This made both Stalin, the

Soviet Union leader, and Tito, the Yugoslavian leader, upset

with Adamic. Some months later Adamic was found dead in

his home in Yugoslavia.

After a thorough investigation, Adamics death was

announced as a murder. No one really knows, but his death is

believed to be the result of divided loyalty, between Stalin and

Tito. One newspaper wrote, The moral of Adamics death is

clear: divided loyalty will lead to tragedy.

The spiritual analogy is just as clear. We cannot be loyal

to the world and God. In the words of Joshua, Choose you

this day whom you will serve.


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What to do:Write out your top priorities for life and see how many

are Godly priorities.

****************************************

Tactful People

January 30

Bible Reading:Ephesians 4:1-16

Key Verse: Verse 15 - But speaking the truth in love,may grow up into him in all things, which is thehead, even Christ:Key Words: speaking the truth in love

Wisely labeled The Saving Virtue, tact can grace our

life like the fragrance of a sweet-smelling rose. Tact is

appropriate, attractive, alluring, and appealing; but it is alsorare. Oh, so rare!

Remember the teachers you had who lacked tact? You

wondered each day if this was going to be the day you were

singled out for humiliation.

Remember the salesman you encountered who lacked tact

and the only thing you wanted from him was to be far, far

away?And who can forget the physician who did not consider

you a person, but instead you were Case 35? You were a body

with blood pressure 120/70, height 57, weight 150, and you

need surgery immediately. All of this was spoken in

monotone while he stared at a brown folder stuffed with X-

rays and charts. Brilliant? Yesbut no tact.

Perhaps you heard about the wife who went on a long tripwhich took her to New York, London, Paris, and Rome. She

called home one day to check on her poodle. When she asked

how he was, her husband bluntly blurted out, Well, he died.


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Well, she said through her tears and shock, you didnt have

to say it so tactless. What should I have said? he asked.

You should have broken the news gently. When I called

from New York, you could have said, The dog is on the roof.

The next day when I called from London, you could have said,He fell off the roof. The following day when I called from

Paris, you could have said, The dog is at the vets in the

hospital, and finally, when I called from Rome, you could

have said, Dear, the poodle didnt make it. Then the wife

said, Now learn to be tactful. Then she asked, Hows

mom? Pausing just for a second, he then replied, Dear, your

mom is on the roof.Thats brutal, isnt it? We need to be tactful. Solomon

warns us that a brother offended is harder to be won than a

strong city,and that contentions are like the bars of a

castle.

I read about a shoe salesman who on the first day of his

new job was told by his employer not to say, Your foot is too

big for the shoe. Instead, he was taught to say, Im sorry,maam, but the shoe is just too little for your foot. Both

statements express the same fact, but one was an insult while

the other was tact. Now, tact didnt change her foot size but

it did save face and thats what tact is all about.

What to do:

Think before speaking.

Pray before speaking.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Sticks and stones will break the bones but words can

the spirit.


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Godly People

January 31

Bible Reading: II Peter 1: 1-9Key Verse: Verse 6-And to knowledge temperance;and to temperance patience; and to patiencegodliness;Key Words: godliness

There are three primary definitions of the word godliness.

Some say the word means pietyit does. Still others say thata better definition is that godliness means God-like-nessand

it does. But there is a third definition that I like even more

than those mentioned previously, and that is that godliness

means devotion to God.

Now, it really doesnt matter with me which of the three

definitions you choose if you aspire to be godly. Your life

will change and this thing called the Christian life will then

have some real meaning and purpose to it.

Years ago, a pregnant woman stood in the yard of her

Baltimore, Maryland, home and shook her fist at God in a

torrential rainstorm and shouted vulgarities at God, and

taunted Him to strike her dead if He did indeed exist. After

the lightning did not strike, she turned to her family who

witnessed the unusual ordeal and declared victory because she

had proven that God didnt exist. She would later tell her son,Bill, that she didnt care if he became a drug addict, bank

robber, or even brought home a boyfriend instead of a

girlfriend. All she wanted was for him to never become a

Christian. Bill Murray, son of Madelyn Murray OHare, did

become a Christian, and at the age of thirty-three, his mother

disowned him. His life was transformed from a life of

pornography and alcohol to a life devoted to God. BillMurray said after he was saved, I have the peace Ive longed

for all of my life. He went on to say that Godlessness

siphons away any meaning to life.


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If your Christian life has no meaning, then I challenge

you to put godliness into your character and be devoted to God.

You will find some real peace and meaning to life.

What to do:Add godliness to your character.

Keep a close relationship with God.

Remember worldliness is a devotion to the world,and godliness is a devotion to God. Which of these do

others see in you?


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I deeply appreciate the help of

Mary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to help

this devotional would not have been

possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse


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