Family Fortune

Chuckle: "Smartness runs in my family. When I went to school I was so smart my teacher was in my class for five years.” --George Burns

Quote: “A house without a roof would scarcely be a more different home, than a family unsheltered by God’s friendship, and the sense of being always rested in His providential care and guidance.” --Horace Bushnell

FAMILY FORTUNE

"Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children and grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God" (1 Timothy 5:3-4 NIV).

When you first saw the title of this lesson, what came to your mind? Was it the amount of money or possessions a family has accumulated? If so, I can understand your mind going in that direction. But let's give it a new meaning -- like, "my family is my fortune," or "how fortunate I am to have my family."

As I grow older and come face to face with the reality that life is fragile and oh so brief, the fleeting time I have to spend with family becomes even more precious. Family members are my greatest fortune.

I'm reminded of a reunion in Casper, Wyoming a few years ago. Gathered there were relatives from my grandmother's side of my family. As we laughed together, played together, shared memories together, and remembered those who are no longer with us, the preciousness of family was reinforced in many ways. As I looked into the faces of relatives whose lives are inextricably linked to mine, and whose lives have richly blessed my life, the beauty and value of family took on a fresh new meaning.

As I thought about our love for each other, I was reminded of God's amazing grace and love for each of us. He loves every member of my family, and yours, so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son to make it possible for our earthly families to experience the greatest reunion of all in heaven that will last for all eternity. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NIV).

Family is obviously the result of God's plan for human reproduction, but beyond that it fulfills the human desire for love and companionship. Family is also the setting within which our religious faith is nurtured through parental examples and teachings. Family is also a symbol of God's relationship to His children as Father as well as a symbol of the church in its relationship to Jesus Christ.

Family relationships do not remain strong automatically. They must be nurtured through love, Bible study, family worship, communication, conflict resolution, and friendships outside the family. I hope you see your family members as your greatest fortune, and I hope you never pass up an opportunity to let each one of them know how much you love and appreciate them. We never know when we will do so for the very last time in this life.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Sympathetic God

Chuckle: A cop to a speeder: "Warning! You want a warning? O.K., I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."

Quote: "None but God can satisfy the longings of an immortal soul; that as the heart was made for Him, so only He can fill it." --Richard C. Trench

"The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he understands how weak we are: he knows we are only dust" (Psalm 103:13-14 NLT).

The term, "sympathy" means the sharing of another person's feelings, as by feeling sorry for his suffering, or a feeling or condition that is the same as that of another. Please keep this definition in mind as we think about this attribute of our God.

A recurring truth of Scripture is that God is omniscient -- all knowing. The very idea that God knows everything about us is both comforting and unnerving, depending upon our relationship with Him. God not only sees and understands what you are going through, He identifies with your trouble in a sympathizing way. If we come to understand that God knows, we have taken the first step in healing a broken life.

We are a fragile people, but God's care is unfailing and eternal. All too often we focus on God as a judge and law-giver while ignoring his compassion and concern for us. Each of us should be thankful that God's love, mercy and grace takes everything about us into account as he deals with us. He will deal with you in a sympathetic and compassionate way, and you can trust him in every circumstance. "He (Jesus) felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36 NLT).

In this passage, Jesus showed his deep love and concern for people who desperately needed a Savior. The beautiful picture of God as the Good Shepherd is often used in Scripture. A shepherd dedicates his life to the care and protection of his sheep, and Jesus gave His very life so that each of us could be saved from the ravages of sin. His love, sympathy, and compassion come through clearly as you read the words of Jesus. He understands what you are going through because "This High Priest (Jesus) of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15 NLT).

By dwelling among us here on earth and experiencing the same trials and temptations as we do, the God Man, Jesus, understands your life experiences and is there to help you through them by the power of his Spirit. By His example, He shows each of us that we do not have to give in and sin, even when we face Satan’s most seductive lure of temptation.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Courage Under Fire

Chuckle: "In 1920 the U. S. Post Office ruled that children could not be sent by parcel post. Makes you wonder what was going on before the ruling!"

Quote: "Courage faces fear and thereby masters it. Cowardice represses fear and is thereby mastered by it." --Martin Luther King

"The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13 NLT).

To say that a soldier "showed courage under enemy fire" is a great compliment. But there are many types of enemy fire, much of which come from Satan himself. There are those who would silence us from proclaiming the gospel message of Jesus Christ and would like to see our society totally free from religious influences. It seems there is growing animosity toward Christians and our freedom to express our values and to worship freely may become threatened. We must be bold and courageous even in the face of threatening opposition, and we can take courage from the lives of early New Testament Christians like Peter and John.

In our text, the ruling religious leaders of Israel were doing everything in their power to silence the powerful voices of those proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ. Many were beaten, imprisoned, and even killed for their actions. When you face ridicule and persecution for expressing your faith, take heart because you are not alone and your are not dependent upon your own strength to see you through.

The boldness and courage of Peter and John caused great consternation in the minds of the Ruling Jewish Council. They were amazed that these unschooled and ordinary men were so powerful and articulate in preaching their message. When you feel you are just too "ordinary" to be used of God, forget it. That's the Devil speaking to you. In our day and time, Our Lord needs every Christian to act and speak boldly, in love, as we defend our faith and as we work to elect leaders who will protect our freedoms to do so.

Your power to act and speak boldly is the same power evidenced in the courage of Peter and John. When our lives reflect the characteristics of Jesus in the power of the Spirit, those around us will be amazed by what God is doing through us. A changed life convinces people of Christ's power. One of your greatest testimonies is the difference others see in your life because you belong to Christ. Wouldn't it be wonderful if people around you observed: "We can tell he or she has been with Jesus by the way he/she acts and speaks."

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Courageous Christian Living

Chuckle: After church one Sunday, a young boy said to his mother, “Mom, I’ve decided I want to be a minister when I grow up.” “That’s great,” said the Mom, “But what made you decide to be a minister?” “Well,” the boy replied, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit and listen.”

Quote: “It is a brave act of valour to despise death, but where life is more terrifying than death it is then the truest valour to dare to stay alive.” --Sir Thomas Browne

        

“I command you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NLT).

J. Edger Hoover described courage this way: “It is a priceless ingredient of character. The will to do, the tenacity to overcome all obstacles and finish the course, the strength to cling to inexorable ideals are rooted in courage. It is the outward manifestation of our spiritual development.”

We all admire those who display unusual courage and bravery in the face of danger and/or adversity. Courage is a quality of the mind, and, as such, it ranks among the cardinal virtues. Its opposite, cowardice, ranks among the most serious character flaws. Like the wind, courage can only be seen by its manifestations. We can’t see the wind but are well aware of its effects. We know a person has courage not by his looks or words, but by observing his actions. Courage is not only a Christian duty but a constant for the person who, without reservations, places himself in the hands of God. Courage becomes evident in patient endurance, moral purity, spiritual maturity, and fidelity.

The Scriptures are replete with admonitions for us to be courageous, to stand firm, to be strong, and to depend upon God to provide the strength to endure even in the most difficult of circumstances. The kind of courage God desires motivates us to reach the world for Christ and minister to those in need. Courage gives us the mental, emotional, and spiritual toughness that enables us to stand by our convictions and the necessary strength to build and sustain a free and moral society and nation. It allows us to face the perpetrators of the most heinous evil acts with confidence and moral fortitude.

Godly courage will allow us to stand by our convictions, discern right from wrong, and uphold that which is right in the eyes of God. Listen to the apostle Paul: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV). “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV). “He that loses wealth loses much: But he that loses courage loses all.” –Cervantes

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Truth That Wounds

Chuckle: "Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."

Quote: "A truth that's told with bad intent Beats all the lies you can invent." --William Blake

"Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34 NIV).

Careless and malicious use of the truth can be as devastating to others and to our reputation and witness as outright and intentional dishonesty, not to mention what it does to our spiritual life. Truth can be used as a weapon to hurt someone, and simply because something is true does not mean it should be revealed. Unnecessarily repeating a hurtful truth about someone can destroy their faith in people and cause them to withdraw from the church fellowship.

In our passage, Jesus says that the words we use reveal the condition of our hearts, which is His primary concern. He is interested in what we say and do, but is more interested in the motives behind them. Before we say anything about someone, we should ask ourselves: Will my saying this be pleasing to God, and does it show love and kindness?

From time to time, I have come across Christians who seem to get some sort of perverse pleasure from telling something negative about another person that, although true, can cause terrible pain. Let's think about some ways that Satan can tempt us to misuse the truth in hurtful ways.

A friend may tell you something about himself in confidence, but you find the temptation to share this information with some one else irresistible. You have violated the confidence of a friend and used a truth to destroy a relationship, perhaps for ever.

You may have witnessed the stumbling of a fellow Christian who has fallen into sin. As a fellow believer, what should be your attitude toward that person? As Jesus modeled forgiveness, kindness, and redemption for the woman caught in adultery, we should love and pray for that person and seek to help him/her repent of their sin and return to a Godly lifestyle. We should never shoot our wounded, but help them to heal.

Perhaps you pride yourself in "telling it like it is." But, there's a huge difference in telling it like it is and being pure, holy, and edifying in our speech. Sometimes telling it like it is may not please God. We don't have to share that juicy morsel of gossip just because it turns out to be fact. Our words reveal who we really are deep down in our hearts. If we walk close to Christ, wholesome speech will be the fruit of that relationship. Words of kindness and hurtful words should never come from the same mouth. An untamed tongues reveals an impure heart.

The heart of the problem is a problem of the heart. Let's pray that God will give us hearts and minds modeled after Jesus and make a commitment to never use the truth to damage someone ever again. Being careful about what we say and how we say it is a sign of Christian maturity. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Spirit of Thanksgiving

 

The Spirit of Thanksgiving:

"Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us give a joyous shout to the rock of our salvation! Let us come before Him with thanksgiving. Let us sing Him psalms of praise" (Psalm 95:2 NLT). "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done." (1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV)

Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, millions of Americans will gather to enjoy family, fun, food, and football. Sadly, many will minimize, if not ignore, the spiritual and historical significance of the day. To many, It will be just another day off from work and a day of self-gratification and over indulgence. Many will even refer to it as "turkey day," rather than Thanksgiving Day. And it's so easy for us, as Christians, to fall into this same mindset.

Thanksgiving Day should be a day of rejoicing and is a wonderful time for families to reunite, enjoy one another's company, and feast on the bounty which a merciful and gracious God has made and provided. However, when we see thanksgiving from God's point of view, the day takes on a whole new meaning for us. We will be reminded that thanksgiving should not be a single day, but rather a perpetual condition/attitude of the heart. It should be a day of worship and genuine gratitude toward our loving God.

The apostle Paul reminds us to be thankful at all times and in all circumstances because of our priceless relationship with Christ our Lord and our total dependence upon God in every situation. The following words by an unknown author illustrate an attitude of thanksgiving.

EVERYDAY THANKSGIVING

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are those who are bedridden. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, my children are so loud, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely. Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, please don't forget the original gratefulness to God by early Americans who had suffered so much. Let the spirit of thanksgiving fill your heart as we celebrate one of the oldest American holidays. Happy Thanksgiving! I’ll be back with you on Monday, November 26.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Honoring a Friend

Chuckle: "What papers do I need for my trip to England?" a college student asked the travel agent. "A passport and a visa," was the reply. "I already have the passport, but . . . do you think they'd accept MasterCard?"

Quote: "A real friend is the one who will tell you of your faults and follies in prosperity and assist with his hand and heart in adversity." --Unknown source

Mephibosheth knelt down again and said (to King David), "Why should you care about me?" (2 Samuel 9:8 CEV).

One of the most beautiful stories of love and friendship recorded in the Bible involves the friendship between King David and King Saul's son, Jonathan. Their friendship was steadfast even through the most difficult of circumstances. After Jonathan had been killed in battle, David's concern shifted to Jonathan's family and he sought ways to honor Jonathan's memory by bestowing kindness on his descendents. The only one he could find was a son, Mephibosheth, who was crippled from infancy.

When called before the King, Mephibosheth could not believe or understand why the great King should care about him and show such kindness. But because of his love for his friend, David warmly welcomed Mephibosheth into his home and cared for him. This was David's way of honoring his friend. The unconditional love David had for Jonathon was transferred to Mephibosheth who could not understand why David should care about him.

As I read this beautiful story, I was reminded how unworthy I am to be the recipient of God's unconditional love as demonstrated by the sacrifice of Jesus for my sins. "But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NIV). The psalmist questioned why God should care about mankind. "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, . . .?"  (Psalm 8:3-4 NIV).

No matter how insignificant, unworthy, or unlovable you may feel, any fears you may have regarding God's love for you are unfounded. God has extended you a lasting invitation to come into His presence with assurance and experience His unconditional love through faith in Jesus Christ.

Do you have a precious friend to whom you are deeply indebted for his or her unconditional love, kindness, encouragement, and faithfulness? This story about David, Jonathan, and Mephibosheth should challenges us to examine our friendships and our responsibilities to them and their families. Friendships should never be taken for granted. This Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful for our friends.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Foolishness

Chuckle: What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? The saurus.

Quote: "The fruit of wisdom is Christlikeness, peace, humility, and love; and the root of it is faith in Christ as the manifested wisdom of God." --J. I. Packer

"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 'For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV).

In this passage, Paul makes one thing abundantly clear -- the person who has the Holy Spirit resident within him can understand the world from God's perspective -- that is if he relies upon the Holy Spirit in his discernments. As Christians, we have access to the very mind of Christ through His indwelling Spirit and God's written Word. So, the question is not whether God has given us the ability to discern right from wrong or good from evil; but rather it is whether or not we listen to the Holy Spirit.

In Psalm 15, the psalmist asks the question: "Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?" To state the question another way; "Who will you welcome into your presence to worship you?" In the Psalm, several characteristics are listed for the person God welcomes into His presence. Verse five says, "he who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord." This requirement is one of perspective. This person must first be able to discern what is to be despised and what is to be honored -- what is good and holy in God's sight and what is vile in His sight. Such a man has a clear vision of what is good and what is evil, because he sees the world as God sees it.

As Christians, our spiritual discernment senses can become dulled so that we no longer are offended by ungodly conduct. We can find ourselves compromising our convictions and adopting some of the same moral values that God detests. I venture to say that many of us are not offended by some television programs that would have caused us to turn the TV off in disgust twenty years ago. Not only are we not offended by them, but we may have come to enjoy them. Our moral senses are no longer as keen and discerning as God wants them to be in recognizing right and wrong.

God only invites holy people into his presence for worship that pleases Him. Perhaps each of us should reevaluate our tolerance of evil, ask God's forgiveness if we have compromised our spiritual integrity, and commit ourselves anew to holy living. Then God will invite us into His holy presence for worship. As we seek to live holy lives, God will continue to sharpen our spiritual sensitivity with new abilities to discern between things of the Spirit and things of the world.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

A Saint's Life

Chuckle: In a rural area, a new family called a local official to request the removal of the "Deer Crossing" sign on their road. Their reason was that many deer were being hit by cars and they no longer wanted them to cross there.

Quote: “The only difference between the Saint and the Sinner is that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” --Oscar Wilde

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).

You may ask, who am I anyway? Do I matter? What is my impact? Where is my place? Do I make a difference? When we are in Christ, we have purpose and we can make a difference in our family, church, community, nation, and the world. In Christ, we are new creations designed to do what God planned for us before we were born.

Perhaps you have never thought of yourself as a saint, but he Bible says we are all saints if we know Christ as Savior and Lord. If God says I am a saint, I should live like one. In Romans 1:7 (NIV), we read: "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints." The word "Saint" means to be holy and set apart unto God as his special possession. As a saint, you: (1) have been adopted into God's family; (2) are made holy and blameless; (3) are forgiven of your sins; (4) are sealed by the Holy Spirit; and (5) are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

"The word 'saint' has come far from its original New Testament meaning. When we think of a saint, we think of some stylized human figure depicted in stained glass, or of a person long dead who has been officially declared as an ecclesiastical relic. However, one of the clearest definitions is 'A saint is a dead sinner, revised and edited.'" --Illustrations for Biblical Preaching; Edited by Michael P. Green

For a meaningful life, we need a mindset change. We must believe what God says about us, not what others say, or what we say or think. Don't focus on what we were before Christ, but what we are in Christ. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV).

When ducklings hatch, they bond with whatever is closest. Usually it's with the mother duck. They relate to her, learn from her, and become like her. But I heard about a duck that bonded with a dog -- it tried to act and be like a dog. A saint is bonded to Jesus and tries to act and be like him. A victorious and significant life comes when I focus on what God says I am and begin to focus on being like Jesus. Each of us should say, "I'm a saint (Christian) and I want to live like it."

"A little boy attended a church that had beautiful stained-glass windows. He was told that the windows contained pictures of Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Luke, Saint John, Saint Paul, and other saints. One day the boy was asked, 'What is a saint?' He replied, 'A saint is a person whom the light shines through.'"

Love, Jerry & Dotse

From Facts to Faith

Chuckle: "My doctor told me to start my exercise program very gradually. So, today, I drove past a store that sells sweat pants."

Quote: "Faith consists in believing not what seems true, but what seems false to our understanding." --Voltaire

"This Good News tells us how God makes us right (righteous) in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, 'It is through faith that a righteous person has (eternal) life'" (Romans 1:17 NLT). "The righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (Romans 3:22 NIV). "So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith" (Hebrews 11:6a NLT).

My heart breaks when I see a person who just cannot (or will not) make the transition from believing the facts about Jesus Christ to placing his/her faith (trust) in Him as personal Lord and Savior. Many of these are good people, morally. The Scriptures, including many words from Jesus Himself, teach us to live clean moral lives as evidenced by integrity, compassion, kindness, and ministry to others. But is living a morally good life enough?

By both words and actions, many have come express their intellectual belief in the facts about Jesus and have adopted His moral teachings as the standard for their lives. In essence they say, "If I do my best to live a good life and treat others as I would like to be treated, then I will be right with God." Nothing could be further from the truth. This attitude begs the question; how good is good enough? Answer: None of us can ever be good enough to please God or earn the salvation of our eternal souls and gain entrance into heaven. Faith is the only way. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

Trying to earn your salvation by any means except sincere faith in Jesus Christ is to proclaim yourself as God and, as such, see yourself as fully capable of preparing for eternity in your own strength. Please don't let Satan entice you into adopting this mindset. Instead, let the love of Christ draw you into placing your faith in Him and Him alone. If being good was the solution to our sin problem, why did Jesus need to die?

Please go back up to our Scripture passages and read them prayerfully with an open mind and allow God's Holy Spirit to give you the courage to begin living by faith every day. If you have not done so, pray to receive Jesus Christ into your life, trust Him as Savior and Lord, and commit your life to Him by serving Him. Then receive the joy which awaits you in Christ.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Grumbling or Gratitude

Chuckle: After a service, a woman shook the pastor's hand and said, "I don't think I'll come back. Every time I come, you sing either 'He Arose' or 'Silent Night.'"

Quote: "Grumbling and gratitude are, for the child of God, in conflict." --Billy Graham

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12-13 NIV).

In his book, "Storm Warning," Billy Graham makes this statement: "Be grateful and you won't grumble -- grumble and you won't be grateful." These words caused me to think about their implications for Christian living. I have found that often many of us Christians allow our appreciation for what God has done for us to diminish and, instead, we concentrate on what we don't have and what He hasn't done for us. This attitude is not new to God's people.

You will remember how God rescued the Israelite slaves from bondage in Egypt and began to lead them toward the Promised Land. Initially, they were excited about their relationship to God and deeply grateful for His goodness and favor He had shown them. However, as they trekked across the desert, it wasn't long until they forgot what God had done for them and began to grumble and complain. Their hearts were no longer filled with gratitude because they no longer had a passion for God. They were no longer grateful. How quickly we can forget God's goodness.

Perhaps you have allowed difficulties in your life to cause you to forget what God has done for you. Perhaps you have forgotten His great love shown when you received His salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Maybe His indwelling Holy Spirit has become a ho-hum reality which you take for granted. You may be grumbling because you have less of this worlds possessions than someone else or you're experiencing a rough patch in life. Instead of feeling close to God and grateful for His love, grace, and mercies, you may feel like grumbling.

Like the apostle Paul expressed in our text, God wants us to be content with our station in life. But more than that, He wants us to walk so close to Him that we will understand what He is trying to teach us by not giving us everything we want when we want it. He wants us to have a passion for Him that results in our knowing, trusting, and obeying Him. However, if our passion for Him is allowed to cool, we will begin grumbling about everything. Like Paul, you should know God wants to give you the strength to do everything He wants you to do. Let's praise Him with gratitude and avoid grumbling.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Dealing with Anxiety and Worry

Chuckle: Driving along I-90, just west of Chicago, I passed a sign posted by the police department: "Report drivers using a cell phone. Please call *99." --Lane Martin

Quote: "Trust God for the unexpected, and let him surprise you by doing the unexplainable." –Unknown source

"Do not worry (be anxious) about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

"A doctor had to give a painful shot to a four-year-old girl. When she learned what the doctor was about to do, her face showed her anxiety and her body tensed. As the doctor picked up what looked to the little girl to be a needle large enough to kill an elephant, she turned her eyes to her father, who then took her hand and fixed his eyes on hers. An expression of confidence and calmness came on her face. She knew she was not alone and found comfort, not in her father's spoken answer, but in his presence with her in her time of trial."

Just imagine never worrying or being anxious about anything ever again! We are tempted to say this is an impossibility; all of us have worries and anxieties in our professional life, our homes, at school, etc. God understands our tendencies to worry and fret, but Paul tells us to turn our worries into prayers. If you want to worry less, then pray more. I believe God intends for worry and prayer to be mutually exclusive. Maybe you are anxious about a financial matter, the health of your child, a rebellious child, your own health, etc. Any situation in life which we see as threatening to our peace and contentment can bring on anxiety and worry. Some people even suffer from panic attacks brought on by extreme anxiety, worry, fear, etc.

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says to us, "So don't worry about everyday life -- whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? . . . Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not" (Matthew 6:25, 27 NLT). Here, Jesus is telling us he is aware of everything we need and promises to meet our needs. To worry is to deny the power of God in our lives, according to Dr. Edward Poldosky. God's Word gives us assurance that he will care for us and meet our every need. When we fail to live by this promise, worry and anxiety creep into our lives and destroy our peace of mind.

God's peace is much different from the worlds peace. Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift -- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27 NLT). True God-given peace is not found in positive thinking, the absence of conflict, or in good feelings. This peace comes from the assurance that God is in complete control and that our citizenship in his kingdom is sealed and sure. God wants you to let him guard your heart and mind against anxiety every day of your life. Just stop worrying, spend more time praying, and experience God's supernatural peace.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Prideful Words

Chuckle: “Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone else sick except the one who has it.”

Quote: “Look out how you use proud words. When you let proud words go, it is not easy to call them back. They wear long boots, hard boots . . . Look out how you use proud words.” –Carl Sandburg

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud” (Proverbs 16:18-19 NIV).

Ingrid Bergman, the stage and screen star, said this about proud words: “There is in the words of Carl Sandburg a primary lesson for individuals and classes and nations alike. All too often, we say the cruel and destructive things—because it is so much easier to be clever than to be kind. But in the long run, proud and angry words are the ones which cause trouble in our homes, our communities and among nations.

Proud words are arrogant, intolerant and savagely ignorant of the great fundamental truths—simplicity, humility and ordinary human decency. They are indeed rough-shod, and it is not easy to call them back.”

Our proverbs passage makes it clear that pride can be ruinous in our lives and leads to a disastrous outcome. When we add the words of James to the equation, the danger of a prideful spirit and arrogant and uncontrolled words becomes abundantly clear. “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26 NIV).

Pride is a deceitful thing. It deceives the proud person into thinking he is not prideful. We can go through life never recognizing that we have it, and wonder why people react to us the way they do. As a Christian, a regular pride check-up, based on God’s Word, is essential if our words are to be encouraging, uplifting and edifying to those around us. Proud people pay little attention to their weaknesses and are often not aware of stumbling blocks that beset others, because the proud person thinks he or she is above the frailties of other people.

Although those around them may be keenly aware of their pride problem, the prideful person may not even be aware of it. The proud suffer from a distorted self image. They exaggerate their own importance and see others in a lessor light. Such pride feeds condescension, rudeness, and even prejudice, Our proud words are only a symptom of what’s going on in our prideful heart, and the solution is a heart makeover which will be reflected in our words and actions.

Jesus said, “The good man (person) brings good things out of the good stored in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Patience Even When Rejected

Chuckle: "I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be with someone."

Quote: Hudson Taylor would tell those who wanted to be missionaries to China that there are three indispensable requirements for a missionary: Patience, Patience, and Patience.

"For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10 NLT).

Like the prophets of old, we need patience when we face disapproval and rejection as Christians. The prophets persevered with patience even when they were laughed at, ridiculed, persecuted, or totally ignored. They stood up and spoke God's message whether it was popular or not without concern for themselves. They spoke whether people wanted to hear it or not. They showed patience as they waited on God to make things right.

Some of us may face ridicule and be otherwise mistreated because we know and love our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be patient with those who treat us unfairly and keep on loving them as Jesus loves them. The dictionary defines patience as: "The capacity to accept, tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry and upset." The patient person takes a long time before he/she looses their cool and blows their top -- even with the person at work who is always hateful and mean -- that cruel kid at school -- that cantankerous family member. Yes, we need to be patient and consider that their actions may be driven by some deep spiritual need.

No one treated Abraham Lincoln with more contempt than did Edwin Stanton, who denounced Lincoln's policies and called him demeaning names. Lincoln said nothing in reply. In fact, he made Stanton his war minister because Stanton was the best man for the job. Lincoln treated him with every courtesy. The years went by, and the night came when an assassin's bullet struck down Lincoln in the Ford's theatre. In a room off to the side where Lincoln's body was taken, stood Stanton that night. As he looked down on the silent, rugged face of the President, Stanton said through his tears, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." Patience, love and understanding conquered in the end.

God's people are to be patient and love others as Jesus has loved us. Genuine love for people will go a long way toward defusing your impatience even when you face rejection and criticism. Just think for a moment about the love Jesus has shown you and the patience He has shown you even before you came to know Him as Savior and Lord. Jesus said, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me" (Matthew 5:11 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Patience When Rejected

Chuckle: "I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be with someone."

Quote: Hudson Taylor would tell those who wanted to be missionaries to China that there are three indispensable requirements for a missionary: Patience, Patience, and Patience.

"For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10 NLT).

Like the prophets of old, we need patience when we face disapproval and rejection as Christians. The prophets persevered with patience even when they were laughed at, ridiculed, persecuted, or totally ignored. They stood up and spoke God's message whether it was popular or not without concern for themselves. They spoke whether people wanted to hear it or not. They showed patience as they waited on God to make things right.

Some of us may face ridicule and be otherwise mistreated because we know and love our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be patient with those who treat us unfairly and keep on loving them as Jesus loves them. The dictionary defines patience as: "The capacity to accept, tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry and upset." The patient person takes a long time before he/she looses their cool and blows their top -- even with the person at work who is always hateful and mean -- that cruel kid at school -- that cantankerous family member. Yes, we need to be patient and consider that their actions may be driven by some deep spiritual need.

No one treated Abraham Lincoln with more contempt than did Edwin Stanton, who denounced Lincoln's policies and called him demeaning names. Lincoln said nothing in reply. In fact, he made Stanton his war minister because Stanton was the best man for the job. Lincoln treated him with every courtesy. The years went by, and the night came when an assassin's bullet struck down Lincoln in the Ford's theatre. In a room off to the side where Lincoln's body was taken, stood Stanton that night. As he looked down on the silent, rugged face of the President, Stanton said through his tears, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." Patience, love and understanding conquered in the end.

God's people are to be patient and love others as Jesus has loved us. Genuine love for people will go a long way toward defusing your impatience even when you face rejection and criticism. Just think for a moment about the love Jesus has shown you and the patience He has shown you even before you came to know Him as Savior and Lord. Jesus said, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me" (Matthew 5:11 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse