Don't Be Jealous of Your Christian Brothers

From my morning reading

The Devil once decided to have a yard sale. He had too many devices and techniques with which to defeat people. Up went hatred on the dealer's table. Rebellion and drunkenness next followed. Then vice after vice was put on the table to be sold. But as one of the Devil's minions placed jealousy on the table, Satan quickly snatched it away. "I can't sell this," he exclaimed. "It's my most valuable weapon!"

There's a lot of truth in that statement. Jealousy is indeed one the Devil's most valuable weapons (see Gal. 5:20). He uses it to discourage people. He gets them to focus on what others have rather than being content with their own possessions.

Jealousy is envy's twin and hostility's first cousin. Jealousy gets people to think thus: Just look at Jim there. He has everything, and he didn't even have to work very hard to get it! But look at me. I've worked hard all my life. And what do I have to show for it? Nothing! I should have what Jim has.

Don't fall into this trap. Life is not fair, and the world does not owe you anything. Some people have more than we do, and they can do more than we can. But remember, others and their possessions are not your primary concern. Rather, becoming more godly should be your foremost priority (see 1 Tim. 4:8 ). Therefore, don't make a bid on jealousy at the Devil's yard sale.

Dear Lord, please help me not to be jealous of others, especially my fellow Christian brothers. Amen.

From God’s Man
A Daily Devotional Guide to Christlike Character
Edited by: Don M. Aycock

No One to Help

From my morning reading

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Several years ago there was a television commercial that had an elderly person acting out this line, "I have fallen and I can't get up." This stirring line was intended to remind us that we all need someone to help us in times of need. For example, in many areas of the country where senior adults reside, they have a "friend call" program. It's designed to have someone check daily on the elderly citizens to account for all of them.

Men need friends who will check on them and to whom they are accountable for their daily actions. Ecclesiastes 4:9 -12 reminds us that "two are better than one." When one must make a decision or keep a commitment, two men can hold each other accountable for their actions. Men also need other men as friends with whom they can discuss the concerns and issues of life. Remember that even the Lone Ranger had a partner who traveled with him and with whom he worked to fight the outlaws of their day.

Father, please help me to be a friend to other men I know. May I also allow other men to befriend me. Amen.

From God’s Man
A Daily Devotional Guide to Christlike Character
Edited by: Don M. Aycock

Discouraged?

I think this is the street I live on. At least I have spent a lot of time there lately. I’m not sure why, I know I could blame others but that’s probably not the solution and probably not the reason.

I read something the other day that got me thinking about this. The author was talking about discouragement. He pointed out that “discouragement is looking back at what has gone wrong rather than focusing on the destination.” The next thing he said is what caught my attention: “Literally, discouragement means to take the courage out of someone.”

That is how I feel. I have lost my courage. I have lost my courage to be a father and husband amongst other things. In stuff, I felt so strong in before I am now afraid to act or move forward. It may be stupid but it’s where I’m at.

My sin is exposed. I admit that I have lingered at the edge of despair.

When I thought of this, I felt very low. How will I recover? Is there a future or do I slowly let go? I talked to someone at church a few weeks ago who was feeling the same way and was being honest about it. He said he wondered sometimes about checking out and checking into the looney bin for a time. That thought doesn’t appeal to me but I have had others.

I reread the section in the book several times. There was exhortation not to live there. God tells me to be strong and courageous. I have to press on through the valley to the other side. God promises He will be with me. Something I read last night reminded me that I need others to walk along with me too. Together we can make it; being strong for each other. One will have strength while another is weak. We need to be encouraged to counter the discouragement.

I tried to think of Scripture that can help bring courage back. Here are a few I found.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
Psalms 31:24

They helped every one his neighbor; and every one said to his brother, be of good courage.
Isaiah 41:6

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
1 Thessalonians 5:14

From these I conclude that I need to draw near to and wait on the Lord and I also need others alongside who can help me regain courage.

Something I heard on the radio this morning reminded me of how important it is that I gain courage back. It’s the chorus of the Sara Groves song Generations. Here is how it goes:

Remind me of this with every decision.
Generations will reap what I sow.
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
to those I will never know.

For those who follow, I will strive do what is right.

Philip

Got Fear?

I heard a sermon the other night that really caught my attention. It was about character, integrity and the fear of God. Part of the message is that as we fear God it will lead to integrity and good character. It was a very challenging message.

So that is the context. What stood out to me was the following passage from Proverbs 1:24-31:

Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.

I have read that passage many times before. What came to mind when I heard it this time is the thought that if we mess around with God and His grace we might find ourselves at the end of our rope with no one including God to help.

Is it possible that we have taken the message of grace too far? We say things like, “God will always forgive.” We talk to people about the need for Christ in their life and then assure them that He will be waiting if they ever decide to follow Him. What if He isn’t?

In Romans 1:28 it talks of the person that God turns over to a reprobate mind. Here is what The People's New Testament says about this verse:

God gave them over to a reprobate mind. A thought is repeated here that has already been hinted, and is often taught in the Scriptures. The man who turns from the truth will be allowed to have his way, will fall deeper and deeper into error, and will reap all the evil consequences of loving darkness rather than light. Those who hate the truth are "given over" to a reprobate mind. A reprobate mind is one rejected of God.

Are there two things in play? Can the sinner have his own way and God just lets him go and quits pursuing him? Is there a time where the sinner having rejected God’s wisdom and counsel finally calls out to God and God not only does not answer but also laughs at the horrible predicament the sinner is in? And if these are true, do we find it hard to accept that God could be so cruel and heartless? Or is God’s response grounded in His holiness which we don’t always share?

If this is true, what about the saint? Because we have received Christ, are we exempt? What if we mess around with God? What if we are stubborn and refuse His counsel? What if we hide sin in our heart; What if we indulge in a few small sins?

We should probably think about what it means to fear God. I have heard many explanations that try to soften it. We want to think of God as loving and kind, which he is, but maybe there is a simple message in the word fear. Maybe the above-cited section from Proverbs gives an indication. Maybe the message is, don’t mess with God and don’t presume too much.

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
(2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV)

I would love to hear what you think.

Philip