2020-11-08
Proverbs 25:17 NLT
Sometimes as Christians, we fall into the trap of focusing exclusively on big stuff like world evangelism, spiritual gifts, and the second coming of Christ. As a result, we end up neglecting the seemingly small things like common courtesy. But the Bible speaks about courtesy – and if it’s in there, it’s important! Someone quipped, “Fish and company stink after three days.” This may explain why Solomon said, “Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.” When your host yawns for the tenth time, looks at his wife and says, “Well, darling, let’s go to bed so these nice folks can go home,” you know you’ve outworn your welcome. “Surely everybody knows that!” you say. No, they don’t; that’s why God addresses it in His Word.
Here are ten rules for being a good guest: (1) Be considerate of the other person’s time. (2) Don’t interrupt when someone else is talking. (3) Don’t dominate the conversation. (4) Don’t arrive too early or stay too late. (5) Set appointed times for visits. (Even good friends like advance notice). (6) Be courteous and congenial without being patronizing. (7) Be honest about time limits for your visits, and make sure it coincides with other people’s schedules. (8) Help your host or hostess clean up after the meal. (9) For visits lasting more than a day, take your hosts out to eat at least one meal. (10) Send a thank-you note or email expressing your appreciation for the gift of their time and kindness. If you want to make friends and keep them – abide by these rules.
Soul food: Matt 6:16-18; Isa 58:1-11; Luke 4:1-13
2020-11-07
Proverbs 17:22 MSG
Author Barbara Johnson said, “Laughter is like changing a baby’s diaper. It doesn’t permanently solve the problem, but it makes things more acceptable for a while.”
One day, comedian/author David Brenner was signing books. A young man handed him a newly purchased copy to be signed and said, “I want to thank you for saving my life.” Without giving it much thought, Brenner replied flippantly, “That’s okay.” But the young man stood his ground and said, “No, I really mean it!” Brenner stopped signing and looked at him. The young man continued: “My father died. He was my best friend. I loved him and couldn’t stop crying for weeks, so I decided to take my own life. The night I was going to do it, I happened to have the television on and you were hosting The Tonight Show. I listened to your opening monologue, and the next thing I knew I was laughing hysterically. I realized then that if I was able to laugh, I was able to live. So I want to thank you for saving my life.”Humbled and grateful, Brenner shook his hand and said, “No, I thank you.”
The Bible says, “A cheerful disposition is good for your health.” Experts confirm that laughter boosts your immune system, enhances your memory and learning abilities, relieves tension, slows your pulse rate and blood pressure, releases endorphins that reduce pain, decreases anxiety and stress, puts people at ease, and brings unity. Furthermore, the effect lasts for eight to twelve hours. It promotes emotional healing, and best of all – it’s fun. That’s why laughter is God’s prescription for stress!
Soul food: 1 Chr 3-5; John 9:1-12; Ps 15; Prov 25:21-22
2020-11-06
John 3:7 NKJV
The Anglican clergyman George Whitefield was as much responsible for the transformation of England and the Great Awakening in America as John and Charles Wesley. In a letter to Benjamin Franklin, who delighted in coming to hear Whitefield speak, he said: “As I find you growing more and more famous in the learned world, I would recommend to your diligent and unprejudiced study the mystery of the new birth. It is a most important study, and when mastered, will richly answer all your pains. I bid you, my friend, remember that One at whose bar we shall both presently appear, hath solemnly declared that without it we shall in no wise see His Kingdom.” That was a very wise recommendation to a man who is noted in the history of the world as being wise.
Jesus said, “You must be born again,” and there has never been a person who earnestly sought the new birth and didn’t find it. Even our seeking is created by the Spirit of God (See John 6:44).
Are you tired of the emptiness and purposelessness of your life? Are you tired of the filthy rags of your own righteousness? Are you willing to trust someone other than yourself? Then look to the cross of Christ. Place your trust in Him and ask Him to come in and be born in you today. You can be born once and die twice, but if you’re born twice, you will only die once. Jesus said, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life” (John 3:36 NKJV).
Soul food: 1 Chr 1-2; John 8:42-59; Ps 123; Prov 25:18-20
2020-11-05
Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV
In his book Why Johnny Can’t Tell Right from Wrong, William Kilpatrick identifies two more child-rearing myths that parents mistakenly fall for: (1) The myth that all moral problems are psychological in nature. In this view, behavioral problems are seen as issues related to self-esteem or unmet psychological needs. The old-fashioned idea that behavioral problems can be the result of “willfulness” on the part of children doesn’t seem to occur to the average child-raising expert. If you look in the index of a typical child-rearing book you will find a great many pages devoted to “self-esteem,” but you’re not likely to find the word “character” very often.
(2) The myth that parents don’t have a right to instill their values in their children. Once again, the standard dogma is that children must create their own values. But children have precious little chance to do that, since the rest of the culture has no qualms about imposing its values on them. Does it make sense for parents to remain neutral bystanders when everyone else from scriptwriters to entertainers, and advertisers to sex educators, insist on selling their values to our children?
When it comes to child-raising, this is what God told His people: “Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Parent, when it comes to instilling spiritual values into your children, ask yourself this: If not you, then who? If not now, then when?
Soul food: 1 John 3:11-5:21; John 8:31-41; Ps 30; Prov 25:13-17
2020-11-04
Deuteronomy 31:13 NIV
In his book, Why Johnny Can’t Tell Right from Wrong, author William Kilpatrick identifies some child-rearing myths that parents buy into: (1) The myth of the “good bad boy.” American literature and films often portray “bad boys” as charming and attractive. Tom Sawyer and Buster Brown are examples from the past; various other lovable brats featured in film and on television are contemporary examples. This strand in the American tradition has such a powerful hold on the imagination that the word “obedience” is very nearly a dirty word.
(2) The myth of natural goodness. This is the idea that virtue will take care of itself if children are just allowed to grow in their own way.
(3) The myth of expert knowledge. In recent decades, parents have deferred to professional authority in the matter of raising children. Unfortunately, the vast majority of child-rearing “experts” subscribe to the myth of natural goodness. So much emphasis has been placed on the unique, creative, and spontaneous nature of children, that parents have come to feel child-rearing means adjusting themselves to their children, rather than having children learn to adjust to the requirements of family life.
Let’s take a moment and observe what God said to the children of Israel about child-rearing: “Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear (reverence and respect) the Lord your God as long as you live.” Note the phrase “must hear it and learn.” That’s not a suggestion for parents – it’s a commandment God has called you to obey if you want your family to be blessed.
Soul food: 1 John 1:1-3:10; John 8:21-30; Ps 86; Prov 25:8-12
2020-11-03
Proverbs 5:15 NIV
Here’s some straight talk about monogamy from one of the wisest men who ever lived, Solomon: “Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer – may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly” (vv.15-23 NIV).
In Solomon’s day, a well or cistern was considered to be as valuable as gold. Clean water was a very precious commodity, so what Solomon is saying is this: “Why drink the polluted water that comes from the sewer of promiscuity, when, if you wait, you can drink the clean water that comes from the well of a devoted spouse?”
Here are two truths you should always keep in mind: (1) True love waits. (2) True love is worth the wait. When tempted to go astray by a fast-living friend, a young Christian woman replied, “Any time I want to become like you, I can. But I can never again become the person I was before I made that decision.”
Soul food: Ezra 9-10; John 8:1-20; Ps 96; Prov 25:1-7
