I Am Second

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?" ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

I like the concept of “I am Second.”  You see the billboards and the t-shirts with these words and I am sure there are many who see these words and look at them with ridicule. 

I personally think this concept should be taken one step further.  I think my t-shirt should read “I am Last.”  I think this portrays what Jesus was all about.  During His short time here on earth he put himself last.  He loved those who were the least, lost and unloved.  He chose to spend His time with tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers and anyone who was unloved by society. 

In doing this Jesus was teaching us how to be humble.  It's hard to be proud or arrogant when you are hanging out with those in society who are shunned and ignored.  Jesus understood why He was here and His purpose was not to show others how much money he had or how many things he owned.  His purpose was to save the lost and each one of us is exactly that, “lost”.  Until he came to earth and died on a cross we were lost.  We would have remained lost if he hadn't decided that he would put Himself last for us. 

So, I think I will work on being last.  If I do this I will put God first and everyone else second.  Putting myself last just may be the best place to be.

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I want to have a humble heart.  When I start thinking that I am better than others or when I begin to think that the things of this life on earth are important, I ask that you use whatever it takes to get my attention.  I love You Father for loving me enough to care what happens to me in this life.  I praise You for your many blessings.

Scripture:  Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.  All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.  Psalm 25:8-10

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.  Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3

 

Self-Control  

A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is.... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. ~C.S. Lewis

Self-control is necessary because we are in a fight with ourselves and the problem lies within our own heart.  One of my biggest struggles has always been to not retaliate when someone attacks me.  It would be so much easier to just say what I think and not worry about who is hurt by my words or actions. 

Self-control is an essential character trait of the godly person that enables obedience to God’s Word.   “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 The literal Greek meaning of self is “inner strength” and control conveys the idea of allowing sound judgment to control our desires, appetites, thoughts emotions and actions.  When you put the two together sound judgment enables us to determine “what” we should do and “how” we should respond with the inner strength to follow through. 

Jerry Bridges in his book “The Fruitful Life” states it best I think.  “Self-control is the exercise of inner strength under the direction of sound judgment that enables us to do, think, and say the things that are pleasing to God.”

Emotions play a big role in self-control.  These include anger, rage, resentment, self-pity and bitterness. If we have an uncontrolled temper this is a contradiction to our practice of godliness.  An uncontrolled temper damages the self-respect of others, creates bitterness and destroys relationships.  “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.”  Proverbs 16-32  This describes how a patient man is better because he fights a daily battle with self-control, whereas a warrior fights to take the city one day and then moves on to the next battle.

Sound judgment is the beginning of self-control.  In order for us to exercise sound judgment we must first know where our own weakness is.  We are all different and each of us suffers with self-control issues.  Where one person may struggle with self-pity another may struggle with spiritual pride.  We must look inward to determine where our lack of self-control lies and the tool we should use to overcome it is God’s Word. 

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, there are so many times when I lack self-control.  I want my actions to be pleasing in your sight but I know that I must spend time with You.  This is the only way I can be more like You.  I am weak but I know with Your help I can become strong.  Please help me in my weakness.                      

Scripture:   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24

 

 

Goodness  

 

good·ness – the state or quality of being good, moral excellence; virtue.  Kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.  The best part of anything; essence; strength.

You do not wake up one morning a bad person. It happens by a thousand tiny surrenders of self-respect to self-interest. ~Robert Brault

When I think of goodness I often think of my grandmother.  She was a good person.  She didn’t have or own a lot of things but she had a big heart.  I spent many summers with my grandmother and you always knew you were loved when you were around her. 

When I started thinking of my grandmother it made me think of how we learn goodness in this life.  How do children in this day and age learn goodness?  In Galatians 6:10, Paul tells us to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.  In 1 Timothy 5:8 Paul tells Timothy, “but if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied his faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This one verse caught my attention.  We sometimes treat our own families worse than we do strangers.  The thing is, if we are out doing good deeds for others while neglecting the needs of our spouse, parents, or children, we are not practicing the grace of goodness.  The only way children will learn goodness is by our actions.

True goodness is self-sacrificing, not only of money but also of time.  It is also untiring.  True goodness doesn’t look at getting a result from doing good deeds.  True goodness doesn’t look to the recipients of the good deed, but looks to God alone.  Knowing the goodness you do is pleasing to the Father should give us the strength to move forward. 

“And so in the judgment day, the inquiry will be made not into our opinions or professions alone, but into our deeds, as proving the correctness of our faith and the sincerity of our professions.  Never can we know that we are in the right way, except we walk in the footsteps of Him, who did good in all his life and death.  He came from heaven to do good on earth, that we in doing good might tread the path to heaven.”  George Bethune

“Consider your gifts, your talents, your vocation, and your circumstances as a special trust from God with which to serve Him by serving others.”  Jerry Bridges

      
Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, we are called by You to do good deeds for others.  Too many times I get caught up in “what’s in it for me” instead of doing it for Your purpose.  I need Your help in keeping my focus on You.  If my heart is in the right place, I will gladly do for others.  Thank You for Your love and mercy.

Scripture:  “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.  Matthew 6:1-3

Fruit of the Spirit  

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God . . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father in heaven.”  Orson Whitney

How do we go about making sure that the fruit of the Spirit is growing within us?  I love the way God uses everyday life to teach us.  When you plant a fruit tree you don’t immediately have a fruitful harvest.  The branches of your tree are not laden down with fruit waiting to be picked.  Because we live in a fast food, express line world, we expect everything to be easy.  The thing is there is no “Easy Button” where we can skip the hard part and get exactly what we want immediately. 

The same thing happens when you become a Christian. You don’t just automatically know how to have the fruit of the Spirit.  God has given you the Spirit but it has to be nurtured to bear fruit.  There are three things that we have to have in order to grow spiritual fruit.  We must fear God, love God and have a desire for God.  If we are missing one piece it can cause us to view God in the wrong light.  For instance, if we don’t understand the “love” of God then we will begin to think of God as far-off and remote.  If we try to grow in our awareness of the love of God we may begin to see him as an indulgent Father who will not deal with our sin. 

There are key elements needed to grow the fruit bearing tree in your yard just as there are key elements required to grow spiritual fruit.  A tree will grow healthier fruit with water and fertilizer.  The same thing happens with spiritual fruit.  We must pray for growth and meditate on God by spending time with Him in His Word.  We must also fellowship with God which means we need a quiet time every day to meet personally with God.  He speaks to us through reading His Word and we speak to Him through prayer.

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I want to produce an abundance of spiritual fruit in my life.  Please help me to slow down and take the time to meditate on your Word, worship You and fellowship with You.  Too many times I get so caught up in worldly things going on in this life, that I forget there is a much better life for me with You and that should be my main focus. 

Scripture:   Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11

 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.  Psalm 27:4

 

 

Faithfulness  

"Success certainly isn’t achievement of popularity. Success in God’s kingdom is loving God, loving one another, and being faithful to what He’s called us to do.” Gabriel Wilson

Faithfulness:  the act of being true to one’s word, promises and steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant; reliable, trusted or believed.

God is faithful.  The Bible is filled with instances of God’s faithfulness to His people.  In order for us to become more like God in our character, we will need to have faithfulness as a high priority.  In Proverbs 20:6 it states “Many people will profess faithfulness, but very few will demonstrate it.  The reason for this is because it will cost us and few are willing to pay the price.

This means that we must be dependable, honest and ethical in all relationships.  This means not just your family or friends, but also your boss, coworkers and anyone else you come in contact with on a daily basis.

One of the biggest hindrances to any Christian is lying.  Lying is any deceit: in word, act, attitude or silence; in deliberate exaggerations, in distortions of the truth, or in creating false impressions. When we pretend to be something we are not we lie.  I am the first to admit this sin used to confront me daily and still does.  When I rededicated my life to Christ I had to take a hard look at myself and I didn’t like what I saw.  I wanted to fit in so to do that I had to become like everyone else and that wasn’t who I really was.  We can get so caught up in the things of this temporary life that we lose sight of who and Whose we really are. 

Here is an example of how this can happen in our daily life and then become a habit.  Have you ever been given a gift and not really liked it or thought that is just not me? Then that person who gave you the gift comes back and asks if you liked the gift and you lie and say you loved it. Here is another example.  A little girl down the street stopped by and brought a plate of cookies to your house.  A few days later she is riding her bicycle by your house and asks you if you liked the cookies.  So you tell her they were fine, yet you had not even tasted them. 

I know some may think this is going too far in saying these are lies but I think they are.  It is what one writer calls “social lying.” We become so used to fudging the truth here and there that it becomes a habit and then it so easily leads us to bigger lies.  In James 5:17 the story talks about Daniel and his honesty.  Then there is Jesus who one day asked his enemies, “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?” John 8:46.

When you break it down to everyday life instances, the practice of total honesty will help us become more honest and faithful in daily circumstances.  This prepares us for the really big issues.  I am working on this in my life.  It is a struggle I admit, but I know it is what God expects of me.   

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, it is not always easy to be honest and have integrity in this world.  There are so many people that are out to take advantage of others or cheat others out of something.  This pervades our society and it is so easy to get caught up in it and to think that one little lie won’t matter.  It matters to You and that is important to me.  Please help me with this sin in my life.  I want to become more like Jesus and bring faithfulness in to every corner of my life so that others may see it.   Thank you for loving me anyway even when I am not faithful.                    

Scripture:   He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”  Luke 16:10

 

 

Peace  

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. ~Mother Teresa

The news is filled with the tragedy of the shootings in Newtown Connecticut.  My heart breaks for the families who lost loved ones in such a tragic way and especially the many children.  I heard on the news this morning that there is a company that is manufacturing bulletproof backpacks for children.  I asked myself where does the violence stop? 

I would like to share some excerpts from a book I am reading called “The Fruitful Life” by Jerry Bridges.  I pray that it will help you as it has helped me.

“Our God is called the God of peace.  Peace should also be a part of our character because God has promised us His peace.  Peace is a fruit of the Spirit and therefore an evidence of His working in our lives.

Prior to our salvation, and because we were born in sin, our relationship with God was characterized by alienation and enmity (see Colossians 1:21).  We received His wrath.  Upon entering into a personal relationship with God through our faith in Jesus Christ and his death for our sin everything changed.  Instead of leaving us to the mercy of circumstances, He promises to work in all of them for our good (see Romans 8:28).

When tragedy occurs in our lives this usually forces us to turn to the Lord with all our hearts, and when this happens we experience His grace and peace.

Jesus when speaking to the disciples on the evening of His betrayal told them: ‘I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.’  (John 16:33)

In Matthew 10:29-31 Jesus tells us that not even a sparrow can fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father.  Even the hairs on our head are all numbered. No detail is too small that it escapes the Father’s attention.  Jesus now exercises that same watchful care on our behalf. 

The problem is we worry anyway.  Why?  Because we don’t believe.  We aren’t really convinced that the same Jesus who can keep a sparrow in the air knows where our lost luggage is or can find a way to pay that unpaid bill, or heal the hurt of lost loved ones.  We believe that He can deliver us through our difficulties, but we doubt he will.  We let Satan sow the seed of doubt in our minds about His love and care for us.

Philippians 4:6-7 is one of my favorite verses.  We are not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  The result promised when we present our requests to God with thanksgiving is not deliverance but the peace of God.”

If you are in the midst of a trial or tragedy make sure it is not deliverance you seek instead of peace.  Then look to the Holy Spirit to bring you that peace.  Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.  It is His work to produce peace within you.  Your responsibility is to come in prayer, asking for the peace and looking to Him for it.

Another reason we don’t have peace is as Peter tells us, be alert to the Devil, who prowls around looking for someone to devour. The Greek word for devil means “accuser” or “slanderer”.  As the prince of slanderers, he accuses man before God, but he also slanders God to man.  When we start thinking that God doesn’t love us or He wouldn’t have let this happen we are falling into Satan’s trap.  When we do this we assume those thoughts come from our own hearts so in turn we feel guilty for thinking such things about God. We then fight the wrong battle.  Instead of resisting the Devil, we try to deal with our own wicked hearts.  James 4:7 says “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I feel the pain of the losses in the Newtown community.  Sorrow grows in my heart for the many children who died.  We humans have such a hard time understanding.  I pray that you will give me Your peace in the terrible circumstances that are out of my control.  Only You can help us in times like these.              

Scripture:   Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

Joy  

If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.  C. S. Lewis

Joy is not an option.  I know there are days when I don’t feel much joy.  The stresses of life can be a huge hindrance to having joy.  This means that it’s not just the individuals in this life who have the temperament for being joyful.  Each of us are called by God to be joyful in everything we do. 

The problem with having joy is that life interferes.  Sometimes we may have sin in our life that takes away joy.  An example is when David confessed his sin of adultery he prayed, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation” and one of the most important parts of this passage is “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.”  David asks for restoration of joy in his life so that he can bring others to God. It is hard to have joy if we are concerned about how we hurt someone, or if we have a sinful attitude such as envy, resentment, or a critical and unforgiving spirit.  All of these things will block the joy in our lives.

The other hindrance to joy is that we place our confidence in our good works or religious attainment.  Our joy should be grounded in and focused on the assurance of being with Christ one day and that our name is written in heaven.  If we focus too much on what we are doing in God’s name we often allow ourselves to be the source of our joy instead of Christ. 

When God disciplines us it can be painful and not a joyful experience.  The thing is we have to keep our sights on what God intends to do with that discipline.  When we welcome God’s discipline it is with the understanding that this is God’s way of getting rid of sin and its habits.  We have to remember that God disciplines those he loves.

Trials can take our joy but the purpose of them is to exercise our faith.  Our faith grows through trials.

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I want to live a joyful life.  Please remind me of the joy that can be found in the trials of life and also through Your loving discipline.  Help me to not get caught up in the things I do in your name but to always remember the assurance I have in being with Christ one day.                  

Scripture:   Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your  generous Spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.  Psalm 51:9-13