Jul 18 2016
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Devos

Where to get “good advice”- I get mine from the Bible!

AdviceSome people read manuals – others don’t. My experience is, it pays to check out what the instructions say and it helps to read a manual when you’re having a problem with something. It’s helpful information and usually saves time, effort, money and a lot of personal frustration! Everyone else’s opinion may produce some helpful results, but on the other hand it may yield nothing more than collective ignorance! Gotta admit it – I’m inclined to check the instructions and the manual first!

Now if that’s a helpful approach to solving problems with merchandise and technology, how much more true with issues of “life” and “faith” … My advice? Check out what the Bible says – the infallible Word of God! Here is what I read this morning in the Bible during “Coffee with the Lord”…

“Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise! Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes… The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” (From Psalm 119:153–160 ESV)

Ad hoc advice from anyone and everyone with an opinion may be the approach some take… But not for me! Thanks, but no thanks! I’ll seek the advice and direction given in the infallible Word of God over all the opinions of others, including those who may be self-styled “experts.” The track record of the opinions given by the broader culture isn’t very encouraging… read your newspaper or watch the evening news today!

Jul 18 2016
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Devos

The challenge and privilege of parenting – especially Spiritual parenting!

Entuane - Candice TysonMy friends, Entaune and Candice Tyson just had a beautiful little baby, Timothy Calvin Tyson! When they posted their pic on FB, I responded, “Congratulations you two! Welcome to parenting!”

Every responsible parent dreams, at the birth of their child, of a healthy, happy child that grows one day into a well-adjusted, productive, successful adult. When that baby comes the hard work of parenting begins! First diapers and regular feedings. The slightest whimper will bring an immediate response. Then it’s teething! Later comforting and caring for scrapes and cuts and tear-filled eyes. Later comes the first day of school and then report cards… Then it’s soccer practice. And what can I say about the teen years – perhaps “survival” (a lot of prayer) and “celebration!” College comes with a degree of growing independence (except when there’s a need for dad and mom’s checkbook)! … Then the choice of a spouse… all of it a part of parenting!!! And for Christian parents, all along the way a lot of prayer, guidance, nurturing and counsel… hours and hours of concern and work willingly given!

Thought about all of that this morning as I read these words from a premiere “spiritual parent” this morning…

“The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERYONE MATURE IN CHRIST. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Colossians 1:26–29 ESV)

As someone who has served as a “pastor” for many years, let me tell you those words describe it – the role of a Spiritual parent – Spiritual “fathers” and “mothers” in the faith! Not all of the people who do it have the title of “pastor” either! Many are simply caring fellow Christians who invest hours, prayers, and untiring effort in helping “babes in Christ” grow up and become “mature in Christ!” And it’s worth all the effort too!

So if you’re fulfilling that role in someone’s life… God bless you (and strengthen you)! And if you’ve got someone who is fulling that role in your life, why not pause right now and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God that they’re in your life… and let them know personally how much they mean to you!

Jul 16 2016
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Devos

Oh Lord, Deliver me from the “Scrooge McDuck” spirit! Help me remember,“I cannot serve God and money!”

scrooge mcduckAs followers of Jesus, what we do with money and possessions really matters. If we accept what the Bible teaches, we are NEVER owners – we merely have custody of money and possessions – to use the Biblical term we are “stewards” (managers of what belongs to another – to God)! Psalm 24:1 is one of the clearest statements on this issue: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof – the world and those who dwell therein.” The self-assertive, independent idea of human ownership is really a “pagan” concept. He, the Lord, owns – we merely possess (and are expected to manage or steward) what is His!

The passage I read this morning during “coffee with the Lord” reminded me of that truth!

First of all, it begins with a parable – the parable of the “shrewd manager.” Cryptically it challenges “disciples” to use “unrighteous wealth” and possessions with a “shrewdness” at least equivalent to worldly managers… To “make friends by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may be received into the eternal dwellings.” Wise stewardship is expected is the message!

Then the passage continues: “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MONEY!” (From Luke 16:1-13 ESV)

Oh, I want to remember who really is the Owner of everything! I never want to forget that I am a steward (someone that manages wisely for another)! I never want money or possessions to be the big thing in my life! I want God to be the most important thing in my life – my prime priority! Help me Lord – there are so many messages and forces culturally that tug at my heart and that seek to distort that truth! Help me to be faithful and accountable in the management of what is Your’s! I want to USE money and possessions for the glory of God – I don’t want to abuse them or let them own me! Deliver me from the “Scrooge McDuck” spirit! “I cannot serve God and money!”

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