Refreshing Daily

Emphasis on

in Gods Word

LIFE

April 2014

The Life of Little Humans

April 1 Bible Reading: Psalm 51 Key Verse: Verse 5 - Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Key Words: in sin did my mother conceive me Children, like all of s, !ome in"o "he #orld #i"h a sin na" re$ %he Psalmis" &a'id said, (In sin did my mother conceive me. )n *!rip" re #e do no" find a !on"ras" be"#een (inno!en" !hildren+ and (sinf l ad l"s$+ Pro'erbs ,,:15 says, Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Children are sinners as #ell as ad l"s$ ) ha'e ne'er seen a !hild #ho needed ins"r !"ion on ho# "o sin- i" !omes . i"e na" rally$ ) do b" "ha" any of yo sa" yo r !hild do#n and "a gh" him ho# "o lie$ )" / s" !omes na" rally$ )n his book, ecoverin! the "ost #ools of "earnin!, &o glas Wilson #ri"es, () had "o !onfron" my fi'e year-old da gh"er be!a se of bi""erness "o#ard her bro"her$ )" seems he had !lobbered her earlier in "he day- al"ho gh he #as dis!iplined for his a!"ion, she #as n#illing "o forgi'e$ *o ) . o"ed 0a""he# 1:12-15, (For if ye for!ive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also for!ive you$ but if ye for!ive not men their trespasses, neither will your father for!ive your trespasses. (3ooking a" me she said, (Who is "his 0a""he# g y, any#ay4+ (5o# her . es"ioning of "he s!rip" re #as no" d e "o liberal "heology, b " i" #as a res l" of her nforgi'ing spiri" and her sin na" re$+ 6 r !hildren are sinners and ed !a"ion alone is no" "he ans#er$ All yo ge" #hen yo ed !a"e a sinner is a (!le'er sinner$+ Kno#ledge by i"self does no" make people be""er, b " ra"her i" makes "hem #orse$ 7d !a"ion is no" "he ans#er "o o r problem- 8es s is9 :Romans ;:,<, 5:,<= ) "hink all of yo #o ld agree #i"h me "ha" #e here a" "he

s!hool #an" yo r !hildren "o re!ei'e a >odly ed !a"ion- b " if all #e do is ed !a"e "he mind and ne'er a""emp" "o regenera"e "he hear", #e all ha'e failed, bo"h as s"aff and paren"s$

Wha" "o do: 0ake s re yo r !hildren kno# >od?s plan of sal'a"ion$ 0ake s re "hey nders"and "ha" 8es s is "he key "o life$ @nders"and "ha" #e all ha'e a sin na" re "ha" m s" be deal" #i"h daily- "h s i" is impera"i'e "ha" #e keep o r rela"ionship #i"h >od righ"$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Future Life
April , Bible Reading: )saiah 11:1-11 Key Verse: Verse B % And it shall come to pass in that

day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. Key Words: to recover the remnant of his people
As prophesied by )saiah, 8eremiah :11:12-11=, 7Cekiel :;2:11-,2=, and 8es s Dimself :0a""he# ,2:;,-;;=, "he 8e#ish people are re" rning "o "heir homeland in mass n mbers$ %he 8e#s ha'e defied "ho sands of years of perse! "ion, bloodba"hs, and holo!a s"$ %hey as #ell ha'e defied "he "rend

"o#ard absorp"ion in"o o"her na"ions$ %hey ha'e re"ained "heir ra!ial p ri"y, and are re" rning "o "he promised land as promised before "he 3ord re" rns$ %#o kinds of 8e#s are again pop la"ing )srael$ Erom "he #es" !ome "he (enligh"ened+ 8e#s F "hose #ho are ed !a"ors, do!"ors, la#yers, and ind s"rialis"s$ Erom "he eas" !ome "he deeply religio s or"hodoG 8e#s F passiona"ely de'o"ed "o reb ilding Hion in"o an eG!l si'ely religio s s"a"e$ Bo"h kinds of 8e#s #ill see a promised 0essiah in "he an"i-Chris"$ %he #es"ern 8e#s #ill hail him be!a se he offers "hem a pea!e "rea"y "ha" ass res "hem se! ri"y and freedom from #ar$ %he eas"ern 8e#s #ill embra!e him be!a se he #ill permi" "hem "o reb ild "heir "emple$ 0any "imes in "he pas" people ha'e "ho gh" "ha" "he re" rn of Chris" #as a" hand$ When "he Chris"ian era rea!hed i"s one-"ho sand"h year, many "ho gh" "ha" Chris" #o ld re" rn$ When )slam s#ep" a!ross "he 0iddle 7as", Afri!a, and 7 rope, i" seemed as "ho gh "he 3ord m s" re" rn$ When "he Eren!h Re'ol "ion s"eeped a na"ion in blood and ele'a"ed 5apoleon "o "he "hrone, many !ried o " "ha" "he 3ord?s re" rn is imminen"$ When Di"ler !ame on "he s!ene and "he 8e#s #ere being massa!red by "he "ho sands, again people !ried o ", (%he 3ord is !oming9+ B " one 'i"al fa!"or #as missing in ea!h of "hese si" a"ions$ )srael had no" been re-bir"hed as a na"ion$ %ha" is no longer "he !ase, and "he fa!" "ha" )srael is ba!k in i"s homeland adds more rgen!y "o o r message$ 7nd-"ime e'en"s !an no# "ake "heir l"ima"e shape and "he 3ord?s re" rn is really near$

Wha" "o do: 0ake yo r sal'a"ion s re$ P " yo r priori"ies in order: >od, family, /ob, e"!$ Pray for )srael$

The Food of Life

April ;

Bible Reading: ) Pe"er ,:1-B

Key Verse: Verse , - &s newborn babes, desire the sincere mil' of the word, that ye may !row thereby$. Key Words: desire

)n o r "eG" Pe"er, inspired by "he Doly *piri", "ells s "o desire the sincere mil' of the word. 5o# "his raises an in"eres"ing . es"ion, #hy #o ld one no" desire "he Word of >od4 Well, "he ans#er "o "ha" . es"ion is fo nd in "he firs" 'erse$ 6ne fails "o desire "he Word of >od be!a se "hey are f ll of mali!e, g ile, hypo!risies, en'ies, and e'il speakings$ 5o# #hen one is f ll of !arnal "hings, "hey ha'e no appe"i"e for spiri" al "hings$ %ha" is "he reason Pe"er said "o lay aside "he !arnal so one #ill ha'e an appe"i"e for "he spiri" al$ )f yo ha'e e'er been "o Iello#s"one 5a"ional Park yo ha'e read a sign "ha" reads, (&o 5o" Eeed "he Bears$+ 0os" "o ris"s probably ass me i" is "here "o pro"e!" h mans be!a se mos" people "hink if yo are !lose eno gh "o feed "he bears, yo are in a posi"ion of danger$ %his may be "r e b " "ha" is no" "he reason for "he sign$ %he sign is pos"ed for "he pro"e!"ion of "he bears$ 7a!h fall, #hen "he "o ris"s #ho feed "he bears lea'e, "he park ser'i!e #ill ha'e "o !arry a#ay "he remains of many dead bears be!a se "hey ha'e be!ome dependen" on "he "o ris"s "o feed "hem, and "hey are no longer #illing "o ga"her food for "hemsel'es$ ) ha'e dis!o'ered "ha" many belie'ers are like "he bears$ We gro# dependen" on o"hers s !h as "he pas"or, * nday s!hool "ea!her, and o"her people "o feed s spiri" ally and #e are no longer #illing "o feed o rsel'es$ 7a!h day #e m s" "ake "he ini"ia"i'e "o ga"her "he spiri" al food #e need from >od?s Word, so ) !hallenge yo "o (desire "he milk of >od?s Word "ha" yo may gro# "hereby$+

Wha" "o do: Da'e daily de'o"ions$ P " a C& in yo r !ar of Bible reading$ :We ha'e some a'ailable$= *"ay in >od?s Word99 Be fai"hf l "o >od?s ho se$

A Whining Life

April 2

Bible Reading: 5 mbers 11:1-J Key Verse: Verse 1 % &nd when the people complained, it displeased the "( )$ and the "( ) heard it; and his an!er was 'indled; and the fire of the "( ) burnt amon! them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. Key Words: the people complained Do# . i!kly #e forge" "he blessings of >od9 )srael had been led o " of 7gyp" by >od$ %hey had !rossed "he Red *ea safely F on dry gro nd, ) migh" add$ %hey had #a"!hed as "he army of "he enemy had been !ons med by "ha" same sea$ >od had pro'ided food and #a"er- "heir !lo"hing and shoes #ere seemingly e'erlas"ing$ >od had pro'ided for "hem a land flo#ing #i"h milk and honey, b " ye" "hey #hined$ %hey #hined for "he same reasons #e #hine$ We fo! s on #ha" #e don?" ha'e ra"her "han on #ha" #e do ha'e$ ) read "he follo#ing and fo nd i" "o be a blessing$ ) "r s" yo #ill as #ell$ %he a "hor is nkno#n$
%oday pon a b s, ) sa# a lo'ely maid #i"h golden hair) en'ied her F she seemed so gay, and ho# ) #ished ) #ere so fairWhen s ddenly she rose "o lea'e, ) sa# her hobble do#n "he aisle-

Eorgi'e 0e When ) Whine

*he had one foo" and #ore a !r "!h, b " as she passed, she smiled$ 6h >od, forgi'e me #hen ) #hine, ) ha'e "#o fee" F "he #orld is mine$ And #hen ) s"opped "o b y some s#ee"s, "he lad #ho ser'ed me had s !h !harmDe seemed "o radia"e good !heer, his manner #as so kind and #arm) said, ()"?s ni!e "o deal #i"h yo , s !h !o r"esy ) seldom find-+ De " rned and said, (6h, "hank yo sir$+ And "hen ) sa# "ha" he #as blind$ 6h >od, forgi'e me #hen ) #hine, ) ha'e "#o eyes F "he #orld is mine$ %hen, #hen #alking do#n "he s"ree", ) sa# a !hild #i"h eyes of bl eDe s"ood and #a"!hed "he o"hers play- i" seemed he kne# no" #ha" "o do) s"opped a momen", "hen ) said, (Why don?" yo /oin "he o"hers, dear4+ De looked ahead #i"ho " a #ord, and "hen ) kne# he !o ld no" hear$ 6h >od, forgi'e me #hen ) #hine, ) ha'e "#o ears F "he #orld is mine$ Wi"h fee" "o "ake me #here )?d go, #i"h eyes "o see "he s nse"?s glo#, Wi"h ears "o hear #ha" ) #o ld kno#$ ) am blessed indeed$ %he #orld is mine F oh, >od forgi'e me #hen ) #hine$

6h 3ord, forgi'e s #hen #e #hine999

Wha" "o do: P " p an () #ill no" #hine+ sign in a prominen" pla!e$ Wri"e do#n all "he reasons yo ha'e "o #hine, and "hen 'isi" "he !an!er #ard of Children?s Dospi"al$ Io #ill s"op yo r #hining in a mega-se!ond$ 7'eryday "hank >od for yo r heal"h$

A Life of Faith
April 5 Bible Reading: >enesis ,,:1-12 Key Verse: Verse , - &nd he said, #a'e now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and !et thee into the land of *oriah; and offer him there for a burnt offerin! upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Key Words: offer him there for a burnt offerin! ) define fai"h as ("aking >od a" Dis Word, in spi"e of my feelings, !ir! ms"an!es or !onse. en!es F ) do #ha" >od?s Word says$+ 5o# ) readily admi", "ha" is no" al#ays easy$ ) m s" !onfess if ) #ere Abraham in "his si" a"ion, i" #o ld no" be easy "o obey- b " Abraham, a!"ing in fai"h, pro!eeded "o do as >od had !ommanded, kno#ing "ha" a righ"eo s >od #o ld do righ"$ *o le" me ask, ho# are yo doing in "he ba""le of li'ing by fai"h4 0any of s need "o be more like "he li""le girl #hom "he farmer fo nd los" in his meado#$ %he farmer said "o her, (&o no" !ry- )?ll "ake yo home$+ %he li""le !hild sn ggled p "o him, and #i"h a smile, said, () kne# yo #o ld- ) #as #ai"ing for yo $+ (Wai"ing for me4+ said "he man$ (Wha" made yo "hink ) #as !oming4+ () #as praying yo #o ld,+ she said$ (Praying4 When ) firs" heard yo , yo #ere saying A B C & 7 E >$ Wha" #as "ha" for4+ *he looked p again and said, ()?m / s" a li""le girl$ ) #as praying all "he le""ers of "he alphabe" and le""ing >od p " "hem "oge"her "he #ay De #an"ed "o$ De kno#s ) #as los", and De kno#s ho# "o p " "hem "oge"her be""er "han ) do$+ When >$ Campbell 0organ #as a yo ng Chris"ian he sed "o 'isi" se'eral elderly ladies on!e a #eek "o read "he Bible "o "hem$ When he !ame "o "he end of 0a""he#?s gospel, 0organ

read, ("o, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the a!e$+ De added, ()sn?" "ha" a #onderf l promise4+ 6ne of "he ladies . i!kly replied, (Io ng man, "ha" is no" a promise$ )" is a fa!"$+

Wha" "o do: 0ake all of yo r de!isions based on >od?s Word F no" on yo r feelings, !ir! ms"an!es or apparen" !onse. en!es$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Priorities
April 1 Bible Reading: Pro'erbs ,;: 1-1, Key Verse: Verse 2 - "abour not to be rich$ cease from thine own wisdom. Key Words: "abor not to be rich %he follo#ing ar"i!le #as sen" "o Ann 3anders and is . i"e re'ealing$ (6n!e pon a "ime, "here #as a brigh" yo ng man #ho de!ided "o be!ome ri!h and s !!essf l$ *o he s" died 'ery hard in !ollege, go" an 0$B$A$, and #en" "o #ork in a pres"igio s firm$ *in!e mos" s !!essf l b sinessmen in "he land had bea "if l #i'es, he #en" o " and go" himself one$ De bo gh" his KChris"ina? a lo'ely home in "he s b rbs$ )n re" rn for bea "if l !lo"hes and elegan" /e#els, she #as a d "if l #ife #ho de'o"ed herself "o "heir !hildren$ *he ne'er sa# m !h of her ri!h, s !!essf l h sband #ho #orked long ho rs and s"ayed o " la"e a" nigh", sharing #ine and eGpensi'e meals #i"h po"en"ial !lien"s in order "o ! l"i'a"e good !onne!"ions$ %here #ere r mors "ha" he #as seen dining #i"h a""ra!"i'e #omen in "he b siness #orld$

0ean#hile, Chris"ina #as gro#ing more lonely and dis!onne!"ed$ 6ne day, af"er looking a" "he emp"iness of her life, she de!ided "o go ba!k "o !ollege and ha'e a !areer$ Af"er #a"!hing her h sband, she kne# she didn?" #an" "o be ri!h and s !!essf l$ *he #as h ngry for some"hing m !h deeper and more meaningf l$ *ome"hing in Chris"ina a#akened as she gained ne# kno#ledge$ And lo and behold, one day in !lass, her eyes lo!ked #i"h "hose of a handsome man #ho #as also looking for some"hing "ha" #o ld gi'e more meaning "o his life$ De #as "ired of "he demands of "he b siness #orld, and like o r heroine, he #an"ed some"hing deeper$ Af"er a year of !on"empla"ion, Chris"ina di'or!ed her h sband :#ho "o "his day is baffled b " b sy= and married "he ni!e man in her !lass$ De be!ame a good s"epfa"her "o her !hildren, #ho #ere deligh"ed "o ha'e a man "o spend "ime #i"h, and he al#ays !ame home from #ork in "ime for a family dinner$ %hey #eren?" ri!h, b " "hey li'ed happily e'er af"er$ %he 7nd$L A Eai"hf l Reader in 0i!higan 3ife is no" abo " money, b " abo " Chris" and "ea!hing o r families "ha" De :Chris"= is "o be pre-eminen"$

Wha" "o do: 7'al a"e yo r priori"ies$

P$*$ %his de'o"ional is by no means !ondoning or appro'ing of di'or!e$ %his is simply an ill s"ra"ion "o re'eal "o s a proper sense of priori"ies$

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Truth
April M

Bible Reading: Pro'erbs 1;

is Key Verse: Verse 1 - i!hteousness 'eepeth him that upri!ht in the way$ but wic'edness overthroweth the sinner.

i!hteousness 'eepeth him that is upri!ht in the way

Key Words: Chap"er "hir"een of Pro'erbs deals #i"h "he s b/e!" of "r "h$ %here is a "r "h abo " lis"ening :'erse 1=, a "r "h abo " li'ing :'erse ,=, a "r "h abo " laCiness :'erse 2=, a "r "h abo " lying :'erse 5=, a "r "h abo " limi"s :'erse 1=, and so i" goes "hro gho " "he !hap"er$ )"?s "he "r "h abo " limi"s ) #o ld like for s "o look a" in "oday?s de'o"ion$ )f yo #o ld look again a" "he #ord righ"eo sness in o r "eG" 'erse, i" is a / di!ial #ord meaning "o make >odly de!isions$ %hen no"i!e "he #ord prigh", i" !arries "he idea of being #hole, no" di'ided$ ) belie'e "he prin!iple is !lear F >odly de!isions keep yo #hole$ 7'ery one of s needs "o se" some limi"s for o r life: "hings #e #ill no" do, pla!es #e #ill no" go, #ords #e #ill no" se, !lo"hing #e #ill no" #ear$ Wi"ho " limi"s #e find o rsel'es in a !ons"an" . andary$ As a boy gro#ing p in so "h Alabama, ) li'ed in an area "ha" allo#ed me "he spa!e "o r n in open fields, b " ) also #as able "o hide in "he #oods$ )" #as !er"ainly a good life for a yo ng boy$ 6ne of "he "hings ) #o ld do #as "o !a"!h "he field larks "ha" #o ld fly in"o "he fields for "heir early morning breakfas"$ ) #o ld p " a !ardboard boG o ", p " a s"i!k nder i" "o hold i" p, "ie a s"ring aro nd "he s"i!k, and "hen ) #o ld "ake "he s"ring and hide$ )n order "o l re "he field larks in"o "he boG, ) #o ld p " one of 0o"her?s homemade bis! i"s nder i"$ * re eno gh, #hen "hey fle# in, "hey !o ldn?" resis" 0om?s bis! i"$ ) #o ld o!!asionally "ag "he birds ) !a gh" #i"h a li""le band aro nd "heir leg$ Io kno#, ) #as !on"in ally !a"!hing some of "he same birds o'er and o'er again$ Io kno#, "he same "hing happens "o s$ *a"an !ons"an"ly p "s o " his l res and be!a se #e ha'e no limi"s, #e !on"in ally find o rsel'es "rapped and in dis"ress$ %oday ) !hallenge yo "o li'e yo r life #i"h limi"s$ %he only o"her op"ion is "o li'e a life of spiri" al defea"$

Wha" "o do: Wri"e do#n yo r limi"s and s"i!k "o "hem$ Pray for >od?s po#er daily "o s"ay #i"hin "hose limi"s$ *"ay a#ay from !ompromising si" a"ions$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Resisting the Spirit

April B

Bible Reading: A!"s M:51-1<

Key Verse: Verse 51 - +e stiffnec'ed and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the ,oly -host$ as your fathers did, so do ye. Key Words: ye do always resist the ,oly -host

%he message of "he dea!on, *"ephen, fo nd in A!"s M is po#erf l and s"raigh"for#ard$ De reminds "he 8e#ish people of ho# "heir fa"hers #andered in "he #ilderness be!a se of disobedien!e, and "hen reminds "hem "ha" "hey as #ell #ere a disobedien" people$ De !alled "hem s"iffne!ked :s" bborn= and n!ir! m!ised in hear" and ears$ %heir hear" and ears #ere !o'ered #i"h old 8e#ish "radi"ions and ri" alism$ As a res l" of "his, "hey resis"ed "he Doly *piri"?s !on'i!"ion and !all "o sal'a"ion$ ) read an in"eres"ing s"ory "ha" may eGplain #hy 8e#s and >en"iles bo"h resis"ed "he Doly *piri"$ (Eor many years 0r$ N 0rs$ 7mman el 6$ 3ago #ere missionaries in Pales"ine$ De #as from "he nor"h of )reland b " #hen !lad in a Pales"inian shepherd?s garb, he !o ld easily pass for an Arabian shepherd$ 6ne day #hile 'isi"ing "he area of Beersheba, 0r$ 3ago en!o n"ered some shepherds si""ing near "he roadside #hile "heir sheep graCed on "he s"ony hillside$ (Do# do yo !all yo r sheep4+ he asked$

)n a lo# 'oi!e, a shepherd ga'e a !all "o his sheep and "he missionary repea"ed "he !all . i"e a!! ra"ely$ %hen 0r$ 3ago borro#ed "he !loak and s"aff of "he shepherd$ Walking among "he graCing sheep, he !alled "he sheep repea"edly, b " no" one sheep e'en lif"ed i"s head from graCing$ %hen "he ("r e+ shepherd #i"ho " !loak or s"aff ga'e "he same !all as "he missionary$ Wha" a differen!e9 )mmedia"ely e'ery sheep lif"ed i"s head and !ame "ro""ing "o "he shepherd$+ )" is said "ha" only a si!k sheep #ill fail "o respond "o "he #ooing of "he shepherd$ %he moral is only "he spiri" ally si!k #ill fail "o heed "he #ooing of "he Doly *piri" and resis" Dis !all$

Wha" "o do: Deed "oday "o "he !on'i!"ion of "he Doly *piri"$ *"ay sensi"i'e "o "he !on'i!"ion and !alling of "he *piri"$ AA%his is done in par" by li'ing a p re, >odly life and s"aying in "he Word and in prayer$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Proving God

April J

Bible Reading: 8eremiah ,;:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 1; % &nd I have seen folly in the prophets of .amaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. Key Words: &nd I have seen folly in the prophets of .amaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.

%he Bible "ea!hes s "ha" "he eGis"en!e of >od !an be pro'en in "hree #ays$

Eirs" of all "hro gh !rea"ion$ We read in Romans 1:,<, For the invisible thin!s of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, bein! understood by the thin!s that are made, even his eternal power and -odhead; so that they are without e/cuse. *e!ondly, >od !an be pro'en "hro gh o r !ons!ien!e$ Romans ,:12-15, For when the -entiles, which have not the law, do by nature the thin!s contained in the law, these, havin! not the law, are a law unto themselves$ 0hich shew the wor' of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearin! witness, and their thou!hts the mean while accusin! or else e/cusin! one another. %hirdly, >od !an be pro'en "hro gh re'ela"ion$ Debre#s 1<:M, #hen said I, "o, I come 1in the volume of the boo' it is written of me2 to do thy will, ( -od. B " ) ha'e fo nd "ha" >od does an eG!ellen" /ob of pro'ing Dimself #hen someone is #illing "o sear!h for Dim #i"h all "heir hear"$ ) remember #hen ) #as in !ollege, #e had a pas"or from )ndia #ho !ame "o !hapel and ga'e his "es"imony of his sal'a"ion eGperien!e$ De said, () desired "o kno# "he "r e and li'ing >od F so ) prayed and asked "he >od Who !rea"ed "he hea'ens abo'e, and "he birds "ha" fly "hro gh "he air, "he >od Who made "he "rees and plan"s, "he >od Who made "he dir" and grass F ) #an" "o kno# "ha" >od$+ 3a"er a missionary !ame by and said, (%he >od Who !rea"ed "he hea'ens abo'e and "he birds "ha" fly "hro gh "he air, "he >od Who !rea"ed "he "rees and plan"s, e'en "he dir" and gro nd #e #alk on F De has sen" me by "o "ell yo ho# yo !an kno# Dim$+ %he pas"or from )ndia said, (%ha" #as no mis"ake$ ) fo nd "he "r e and li'ing >od be!a se ) sear!hed for Dim #i"h all my hear"$+ And so !an yo 9

Wha" "o do: *ear!h for >od #i"h all yo r hear", if yo are nsa'ed and ns re De eGis"s$

As a belie'er, !hallenge "hose #ho do no" belie'e in >od "o pray sin!erely "he prayer of "he pas"or from )ndia$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Determination
April 1<

Bible Reading Psalm 11J:15;-11<

Key Verse: Verse 15M - *any are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. Key Words: *any are my persecutors and mine

enemies

)" is easy "o go do#nhill$ Anyone #ho rides a bike kno#s "ha"$ )" is easy "o go Cipping along on a fla" road- "ha" !alls for 'ery li""le effor"$ B " going phill is ano"her ma""er$ 7'en a sligh" in!line !alls for more de"ermina"ion, and "aking on a s"eep grade !alls for all "he s"reng"h and resol "ion a person has$ B " going do#nhill4 Anyone !an do "ha"$ 0any a !y!lis", fa!ed #i"h a really s"eep hill, #ill simply " rn aro nd and !oas" ba!k "he #ay he !ame$ %he reason, of !o rse, is "ha" he #as no" really going any#here in "he firs" pla!e$ Af"er all, he #as / s" o " for a /oyride$ Being a belie'er, ho#e'er, is no /oyride$ %he psalmis" #as fa!ing a s"iff grade: (0any are my perse! "ors and mine enemies,+ he said$ 7'ery#here he looked he sa# nfriendly fa!es$ %he "emp"a"ion #as "o gi'e p$ (Ie" ) do no" de!line from %hy "es"imonies,+ he added$ 8ohn Phillips "ells "he follo#ing s"ory$ (As a boy ) #as bro gh" p in a "o#n "ha" #as a'idly de'o"ed "o so!!er$ )" #as "he big game$ 6n *a" rday af"ernoons "ho sands of people #o ld flo!k "o "he s"adi m "o see "he #eekly ma"!h$ )n "hose days mos" people #alked, "ook "he o!!asional b s, or rode a bi!y!le$ Very fe# people had !ars$ When "he ma"!h #as o'er and "he !ro#ds po red o " of "he s"adi m, "he side#alks

#o ld be /ammed #i"h people #alking ba!k "o#ard "o#n$ Anyone !o ld ha'e gone with "ha" !ro#d$ A small person !o ld ha'e pi!ked p his legs and been !arried along by "he !ro#d, "he people #ere so "igh"ly pa!ked$ B " "ry going a!ainst i" F "ha" #as differen"$ %o go agains" "he !ro#d !alled for de"ermina"ion$ )" #as a s"r ggle e'ery single s"ep$+ )n spi"e of "he s"r ggle, #e need "he de"ermina"ion of "he psalmis", (Ie" do ) no" de!line from "hy "es"imonies$+

Wha" "o do: Be de"ermined "o follo# "he 3ord$ )" #ill be an phill s"r ggle, b " be de"ermined "o s"ay "he !o rse$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Wasted Time

April 11 Key Verse: Verse 5 - Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine a!e is as nothin! before thee$ verily every man at his best state is alto!ether vanity. .elah. Key Words: Behold, thou hast made my days as a

Bible Reading Psalm ;J

handbreadth; :"he span of "he hand=

3ife on "his ear"h isn?" long so #e sho ld make "he 'ery bes" of i" for >od?s glory$ Do# #o ld yo like "o spend "#o years making phone !alls "o people #ho aren?" home4 *o nd abs rd4 A!!ording "o one "ime managemen" s" dy, "ha"?s ho# m !h "ime "he a'erage person spends "rying "o re" rn !alls "o people #ho ne'er seem "o be in$ 5o" only "ha", #e spend siG mon"hs #ai"ing for "he "raffi! ligh" "o " rn green, and ano"her eigh" mon"hs reading / nk mail$ %hese n s al s"a"is"i!s sho ld

!a se s "o do a "ime- se e'al a"ion$ 6n!e #e re!ogniCe "ha" simple (life main"enan!e+ !an !hip a#ay a" o r "ime in s !h h ge blo!ks, #e #ill see ho# 'i"al i" is "ha" #e don?" b sy o rsel'es (in 'ain+ :Psalm ;J:1=$ Psalm ;J gi'es s some perspe!"i'e$ )n &a'id?s !omplain" "o >od, he said, (#hou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and mine a!e is as nothin! before thee + :'erse 5=$ De mean" "ha" "o an e"ernal >od o r "ime on ear"h is brief$ And De doesn?" #an" s "o #as"e i"$ When #e do, #e "hro# a#ay one of "he mos" pre!io s !ommodi"ies De gi'es s$ 7a!h min "e is an irre"rie'able gif" F an nredeemable sli!e of e"erni"y$ * re, #e ha'e "o make "he phone !alls and #e m s" #ai" a" "he ligh"$ B " #ha" abo " "he res" of o r "ime4 Are #e sing i" "o ad'an!e "he !a se of Chris" and "o enhan!e o r rela"ionship #i"h Dim4 )s o r "ime #ell spen"4

Wha" "o do: @se "ime #isely, for yo !an?" ge" i" ba!k$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Surrender
April 1,

Bible Reading: Romans M:M-,5

Key Verse: Verse ,2 - ( wretched man that I am3 who shall deliver me from the body of this death4 Key Words: ( wretched man that I am3 )f yo r !hild feels inade. a"e, "hey are in good !ompany$ Pa l fel" inade. a"e as #ell, so did 8osh a, and "he lis" !o ld go on and on$ )f yo r !hild has feelings of inade. a!y, read on$ %he !hild #ho ba""les #i"h feelings of inade. a!y and selfdo b" #ill s ally respond in one of fi'e #ays$

6ne of "he mos" !ommon #ays in #hi!h one deals #i"h "heir feelings of inade. a!y and self-do b" is by s rrendering$ %he indi'id al #ho !hooses "his approa!h has !on!l ded "ha" he is a fail re$ Da'ing a!!ep"ed his #or"hlessness, he a""emp"s "o g ard his #o nded ego from f r"her damage by dra#ing in"o a shell of silen!e and loneliness$ %his person ne'er ini"ia"es a !on'ersa"ion- he ne'er en"ers !on"es"s or !ampaigns- he is afraid "o ask a yo ng lady o " on a (da"e$+ %his person #ill ne'er defend his honor #hen "rampled on by o"hers$ De has indeed s rrendered$ 7'ery s!hool !lassroom is pop la"ed #i"h !hildren #ho ha'e admi""ed defea" "o "hemsel'es$ %hey . ie"ly si" in silen!e$ %heir peers simply "hink "hey are shy$ %he !hild #ho li'es a life of s rrender is s ally mis/ dged in "#o #ays$ *in!e he is . ie" and nresponsi'e, some ass me he is (snobbish$+ )magine "ha"9 %he !hild #ho "hinks so li""le of himself is ass med by his peers "o "hink "oo m !h of himself$ *e!ondly, be!a se "he s rrendered !hild seldom speaks, i" is ass med he is no" a ("hinker,+ "ha" he li'es in a #orld of his o#n, #hi!h is no" "r e$ %he !hild #i"h feelings of inade. a!y and self-do b" has fo nd safe"y in (being . ie"$+ When "he s rrendered !hild rea!hes ad l"hood, he #ill find his friend in (a bo""le+ :al!ohol=$ )f "hey do no" mee" someone of "he opposi"e seG, "hey be!ome !on"rolling be!a se of "he la!k of !onfiden!e in "heir abili"y "o (keep "hem+ so "hey " rn "o in"imida"ion "o keep from losing "hem$ %he ans#er for "he (s rrenderer+ is fo nd in "he #ords of Pa l in )) Corin"hians 1,:1<, (for when I am wea', then am I stron!. Pray for o r kids, espe!ially o r s rrenderers$

Wha" "o do: %ea!h yo r !hild "o s rrender "o >od, no" "he flesh$

A Life of Serving One Another

April 1;

Bible Reading: >ala"ians 5:1-1;

Key Verse: Verse 1; - For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Key Words: but by love serve one another

5a" re gi'es s ill s"ra"ions of ho# "o li'e "oge"her$ %he prin!iple is !alled !ommensolism$ )" in'ol'es li'ing "oge"her, b " no" a" "he eGpense of o"hers$ Eor eGample, "here is a small sal" #a"er fish kno#n as "he goby$ %he goby has poor eyesigh" and is defenseless, "h s i" is ' lnerable "o preda"ors$ Do#e'er, "he goby is a s perb digger$ *hrimp, on "he o"her hand, ha'e grea" eyesigh" and good defenses b " are poor diggers, "h s "hey la!k proper shel"er$ Commensolism res l"s in "he goby digging a hole in #hi!h "he "#o li'e "oge"her$ %he shrimp "h s ser'es as "he looko " and pro"e!"or$ 5ei"her li'es a" "he eGpense of "he o"her #i"ho " pro'iding for "he o"her$ %his is "he #ay i" sho ld #ork in "he !h r!h$ We all se o r s"reng"hs and gif"s, and in doing so, #e #ork "oge"her as a body, and all o r #eaknesses are diminished$ Charlie Bro#n on!e asked 3 !y, (Why are #e here on ear"h4+ A momen" of !on"empla"ion #as all "ha" #as ne!essary before 3 !y ans#ered, (Why, #e are here "o ser'e o"her people$+ Charlie Bro#n?s forlorn look faded #i"h his neG" . es"ion, (Well, "hen #hy are o"her people here on ear"h4+ )n par", #e are here "o ser'e one ano"her$ We are "o li'e !ommensally$ Do#e'er, e'en if o"hers don?" ser'e s, #e sho ld no" forfei" o r role as ser'an"s$ %he lo!al !h r!h is in"ended "o harmonio sly li'e "oge"her ser'ing one ano"her F nei"her a" "he eGpense of "he o"her$

Wha" "o do: *er'e one ano"her$

A Life of Boundaries
April 12

Bible Reading: 8osh a 15:1-,<

Key Verse: Verse 1 - #his then was the lot of the tribe of the children of 5udah by their families; even to the border of 6dom the wilderness of 7in southward was the uttermost part of the south coast. Key Words: even to the border Chap"er 15 des!ribes for s "he bo ndaries for "he )sraeli"es$ A bo ndary is a !onfinemen", a limi"$ Bo ndaries promo"e order and se! ri"y$ Wi"ho " bo ndaries #e !o ldn?" play ball, dri'e on "he road, nor !o ld #e li'e in pea!e$ Wi"ho " bo ndaries "here #o ld be !haos$ We as belie'ers ha'e bo ndaries$ %he %en Commandmen"s are bo ndaries$ Paren"s need "o pro'ide bo ndaries for "heir !hildren$ Wi"ho " "hem !hildren #o ld be #ild, rebellio s, and o " of !on"rol$ %he poe" Coleridge #as 'isi"ed by a man #ho had a "heory abo " raising !hildren$ De s"a"ed, () belie'e !hildren sho ld be gi'en a free rein "o "hink and a!" and "h s learn a" an early age "o make "heir o#n de!isions$ %his is "he only #ay "hey !an gro# in"o "heir f ll po"en"ial$+ Coleridge made no !ommen" b " simply led "he man "o his garden$ (Come see my flo#er garden,+ he said$ %he opiniona"ed 'isi"or "ook one look a" "he o'ergro#n garden and remarked, (Why, "ha"?s no"hing b " a yard f ll of #eeds$+ %he #ise poe" de!lared, ()" sed "o be filled #i"h roses, b " "his year ) "ho gh" )?d le" "he garden gro# as i" #illed #i"ho " "ending "o i"$ %his is "he res l"$+ Children, like gardens, #ill no" a "oma"i!ally flo rish$ %hey need daily a""en"ion and !are$ %hey need bo ndaries$ Amen and amen99

Wha" "o do:

 Bo ndaries gi'en #i"h lo'e are no" some"hing yo are doing "o yo r !hild, b " for yo r !hild$

A Life of Avoiding ompromise

April 15

Bible Reading: 8osh a 11

Key Verse: Verse 1< - &nd they drave not out the 8anaanites that dwelt in -e9er$ but the 8anaanites dwell amon! the 6phraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute. Key Words: &nd they drave not out the

8anaanites
Belie'ers m s" realiCe "ha" "hey !anno" !ompromise #i"h e'il$ %he "ribe of 7phraim failed "o nders"and "ha" and s ffered grea"ly be!a se of i" :8 dges 1=$ When yo !ompromise #i"h e'il, yo #eaken yo rself grea"ly$ %he Boy *!o "s of Ameri!a nders"ood "his "r "h$ )n 1JJ, "he Boy *!o "s #ere nder fire in California$ %he Berkeley, California, s!hools !losed "heir doors "o "he Boy *!o "s be!a se "hey ref sed "o admi" homoseG als and a"heis"s$ A / dge in *an"a Ana, California, ordered C b *!o " Pa!k 51J "o re-admi" a"heis" "#ins$ %he "#o boys #ere o s"ed #hen "hey ref sed "o say (>od+ d ring "heir pledge$ All a!ross California people began "o p ll "heir finan!ial s ppor" for "he *!o "s$ )n *an Eran!is!o alone OB2J,<<< #as #i"hdra#n from s ppor" of "he *!o "s be!a se of "heir eG!l sion of homoseG als$ Blake 3e#is, spokesperson for "he Boy *!o "s, said, (0ains"ream families #an" moral 'al es for "heir yo "h$+ De #en" on "o eGplain "ha" "here is no !han!e "ha" "he Boy *!o "s #ill !hange i"s poli!y no ma""er ho# m !h finan!ial s ppor" "hey lose$ De !losed by saying, (6 r 'al es are no" for sale$+ Be!a se "hey "ook a s"rong s"and, people from e'ery !orner of "he @ni"ed *"a"es began "o send in money and, as a res l" of "heir s"and, "he Boy *!o "s #ere m !h be""er off finan!ially in "he end be!a se "hey #o ld no" !ompromise$

We m s", as belie'ers, !ome "o "he pla!e #here #e nders"and !ompromising doesn?" pay$ *"ay "he !o rse, do righ"$ %he psalmis" &a'id said, (I have been youn!, and now am old; yet have I not seen the ri!hteous forsa'en, nor his seed be!!in! bread.+

Wha" "o do: &o righ", al#ays, e'ery "ime$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Ste!ardship
April 11

Bible Reading ) Corin"hians 2

Key Verse: Verse , - *oreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Key Words: *oreover it is required in stewards,

that a man be found faithful.

)n ) Corin"hians !hap"er 2, "he Apos"le Pa l is (defending+ his "es"imony$ %he !h r!h a" Corin"h la!ked nders"anding in "he area of s"e#ardship$ )"?s 'ery easy "o see from reading 'erse 2 "ha" "hey are / dging Pa l?s s"e#ardship in!orre!"ly$ )"?s easy "o see, from looking a" "his !hap"er, some#ha" of #ha" "hey #ere saying abo " Pa l$ %hey had !alled Pa l foolish :'erse 1<=$ %hey had !alled Pa l laCy :'erse 1,=$ %hey had defamed Pa l :'erse 1;=$

%his !ame abo " be!a se "hey sed h man #isdom in "he area of s"e#ardship$

Pas"or Bob &odridge "ho gh" "aking his "#o 'isi"ing nephe#s "o !h r!h #o ld be a grea" and noble deed$ 5ei"her of "he boys, aged siG and nine, had any !h r!h eGperien!e, so Bob looked for#ard "o eGposing "hem "o spiri" al ma""ers$ %he s"ark reali"y of gro#ing p o "side of "he !h r!h sho#ed i"self #hen "he boys !ame do#n for "he !hildren?s sermon$ )n "he middle of Pas"or Bob?s homily "o "he kids, his siG-year-old nephe#, 7ri!, raised his hand and bl r"ed o ", (Do# m !h longer do #e ha'e "o s"ay p here4+ Pas"or Bob pressed on$ 7ri! #as s"ill no" impressed #i"h #ha" he had seen$ %his be!ame mos" e'iden" #hen "he offering pla"es #ere passed$ 3i""le 7ri! #a"!hed #i"h keen in"eres" as "he pla"e made i"s #ay "o#ard him$ When i" rea!hed his hands he asked in an a dible 'oi!e, (Io mean #e go""a pay for "his4+ %r e s"e#ardship is "he realiCa"ion "ha" ) kno# no"hing$ )?m simply "he ser'an" #a"!hing o'er "he 0as"er?s #eal"h "ha" De has en"r s"ed "o me$ *o le" me ask yo : Are yo being a good s"e#ard4

Wha" "o do: RealiCe no"hing "ha" ) ha'e is mine$ )" all belongs "o >od "o do #i"h as De sees fi", no" as ) see fi"$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of A"iding in hrist

April 1M

Bible Reading: 8ohn 15:1-12

Key Verse: Verse M - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall as' what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Key Words: If ye abide in me

As yo read "he *!rip" re reading for "oday, i" be!omes !lear "ha" "he key "o bearing spiri" al fr i" and ha'ing ans#ered prayer is abiding in Chris" :'erses 2 F M=$ %he fr i" and ans#ered prayer are no" "he res l"s of o r s"ri'ing b " o r abiding$ 0issionary pioneer 8$ D dson %aylor of China #as #orking and #orrying so fran"i!ally "ha" his heal"h #as abo " "o break$ 8 s" #hen his friends feared he #as near a breakdo#n, %aylor re!ei'ed a le""er from fello# missionary 8ohn 0!Car"hy "ha" "old of a dis!o'ery 0!Car"hy had made from 8ohn 15 F "he /oy of abiding in Chris"$ 0!Car"hy?s le""er said in par": &bidin!, not strivin! or stru!!lin!; loo'in! off unto ,im; trustin! ,im for present power...this is not new, and yet :tis new to me.... 8hrist literally all seems to me now the power, the only power for service; the only !round for unchan!in! ;oy. As D dson %aylor read "his le""er a" his mission s"a"ion in Chin-kiang on *a" rday, *ep"ember 2, 1B1J, his o#n eyes #ere opened$ (As ) read,+ he re!alled, () sa# i" all$ ) looked "o 8es s, and #hen ) sa#, oh ho# "he /oy flo#ed9+ Wri"ing "o his sis"er in 7ngland, he said: &s to wor', mine was never so plentiful, so responsible, or so difficult; but the wei!ht and strain are all !one. #he last month or more has been perhaps the happiest of my life, and I lon! to tell you a little of what the "ord has done for my soul.... 0hen the a!ony of soul was at its hei!ht, a sentence in a letter from dear *c8arthy was used to remove the scales from my eyes, and the .pirit of -od revealed the truth of our oneness with 5esus as I had never 'nown it before. *c8arthy, who had been much e/ercised by the same sense of failure, but saw the li!ht before I did, wrote 1I quote from memory2$ <But how to !et faith stren!thened4 =ot by strivin! after faith but by restin! on the Faithful (ne.>

Wha" "o do: Abide, no" s"ri'e$

A Life of Purit#
Bible Reading: ) %imo"hy 5:1M-,5

April 1B

Key Verse: Verse ,, - "ay hands suddenly on no man, neither be parta'er of other men>s sins$ 'eep thyself pure. Key Words: 'eep thyself pure

) read re!en"ly abo " "#o s" den"s #ho #ere #alking along a s"ree" in "he Whi"e Chapel &is"ri!" of 3ondon, a se!"ion #here bo"h old and ne# !lo"hes #ere sold$ 6ne s ddenly said "o "he o"her, (Wha" a fi""ing ill s"ra"ion all of "his makes9+ as he poin"ed "o a s i" of !lo"hes hanging on "he ra!k by a #indo#$ A sign read (*ligh"ly *oiled F >rea"ly Red !ed in Pri!e$+ (%ha"?s i"9+ he !on"in ed$ (We ge" soiled by gaCing a" ' lgar pi!" res, reading a !oarse book, or e'en ind lging in dishones" pra!"i!es, and l s"f l "ho gh"s- and so, #hen i" !omes "ime for o r !hara!"er "o be e'al a"ed, #e are grea"ly red !ed in pri!e$+ *ligh" de'ia"ions from "he pa"h of righ"eo sness grea"ly red !e o r 'al e "o >od and o r fello# man$ )n fa!", "hese se!re" sins !an #eaken o r !hara!"er so "ha" #hen #e fa!e a moral !risis, #e !anno" s"and "he "es", and #e fa!e spiri" al defea"$ Af"er a 'iolen" s"orm, a large "ree, #hi!h o'er "he years had be!ome a s"a"ely gian", #as fo nd lying a!ross "he pa"h#ay in a park$ 5o"hing b " a splin"ered s" mp #as lef"$ Close eGamina"ion sho#ed "ha" i" #as ro""en a" "he !ore be!a se "ho sands of inse!"s had ea"en a#ay a" i"s hear"$ %he #eakness of "ha" "ree #as no" bro gh" on by "he s"orm- "he s"orm simply re'ealed "he #eakness "ha" already eGis"ed deep #i"hin "he hear" of "he "ree$ *o i" is in o r life - s"orms and

"rials don?" make s #eak, "hey simply re'eal "he #eakness "ha" is already "here be!a se of sin in o r li'es$ ) "r s" "oday "ha" yo are li'ing a p re and !lean life before >od$ )f no", !onfess yo r sin 1I 5ohn ?$@2 and begin li'ing for

>od "oday$

Wha" "o do: *"ay a#ay from !ompromising si" a"ions$ &e!ide "o li'e p re and dedi!a"e yo rself e'eryday "o p ri"y$ &o no" befriend imp re people$ Pray for p ri"y daily- pray for p ri"y for yo r family$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of redi"ilit#
April 1J

Bible Reading: 0ark J:12-;,

Key Verse: Verse 1B - &nd wheresoever he ta'eth him, he teareth him$ and he foameth, and !nasheth with his teeth, and pineth away$ and I spa'e to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. Key Words: and they could not

7'ery ad l" has a !redi" ra"ing$ %ha" ra"ing is based pon s doing #ha" #e say #e #ill do$ )f #e fail "o do #ha" #e ha'e promised, o r !redi" ra"ing drops$ As a res l", o"hers #ill no" eG"end !redi" "o s be!a se o r #ord is no" good$ We ha'e no !redibili"y$

Credibili"y is in'al able "o "he belie'er$ )f people do no" belie'e o r message be!a se of a la!k of !redibili"y, #e be!ome #eak in o r #i"ness$ %here is a "ale "old of "ha" grea" 7nglish a!"or 0a!ready$ An eminen" prea!her on!e said "o him: () #ish yo #o ld eGplain some"hing "o me$+ (Well, #ha" is i"4 ) don?" kno# "ha" ) !an eGplain any"hing "o a prea!her$+ (Wha" is "he reason for "he differen!e be"#een yo and me4 Io are appearing before !ro#ds nigh" af"er nigh" #i"h fi!"ion, and "he !ro#ds !ome #here'er yo go$ ) am prea!hing "he essen"ial and n!hangeable "r "h, and ) am no" ge""ing any !ro#d a" all$+ 0a!ready?s ans#er #as "his: (%his is . i"e simple$ ) !an "ell yo "he differen!e be"#een s$ ) presen" my fi!"ion as "ho gh i" #ere "r "h- yo presen" yo r "r "h as "ho gh i" #ere fi!"ion$+ %oday, ) !hallenge yo "o be a !redible #i"ness for >od$ Wha" "o do: Be !redible AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Pra#erlessness
April ,<

Bible Reading: 0a""he# ,1:;<-2<

Key Verse: Verse 2< - &nd he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Aeter, 0hat, could ye not watch with me one hour4 Key Words: 0hat, could ye not watch with me one

hour4

&o yo spend "ime daily in prayer4 )f no", #hy no"4 We say #e belie'e in prayer$ )f so, #hy don?" #e p " o r #ords in"o a!"ion4

)n D gh Pri!e D ghes? s"ory, "he (8ity of 6verywhere,+ a man arri'ed in a !i"y one !old morning$ As he go" off "he "rain, "he s"a"ion #as like any o"her s"a"ion #i"h "he !ro#ds and red!aps, eG!ep" "ha" e'erybody #as barefoo"$ %hey #ore no shoes$ De no"i!ed "he !abdri'er #as barefoo"ed$ (Pardon me,+ he asked "he dri'er$ () #as / s" #ondering #hy yo don?" #ear shoes$ &on?" yo belie'e in shoes4+ (* re #e do,+ said "he dri'er$ (Why don?" yo #ear "hem4+ (Ah, "ha"?s "he . es"ion,+ !ame "he reply$ (Why don?" #e #ear shoes4 Why don?" #e4+ A" "he ho"el i" #as "he same$ %he !lerk, bell boys, e'erybody #as barefoo"ed$ )n "he !offee shop he no"i!ed a ni!e-looking fello# a" a "able opposi"e him #ho #as barefoo"ed$ De said, () no"i!e yo aren?" #earing any shoes$ ) #onder #hy$ %hen #hy don?" yo #ear "hem4+ (Ah, "ha"?s "he . es"ion$ Why don?" #e4 Why don?" #e4+ Af"er breakfas" he #alked o " on "he s"ree" in "he sno# b " e'ery person he sa# #as barefoo"ed$ De asked ano"her man abo " i", and poin"ed o " ho# shoes pro"e!" yo r fee" from !old$ %he man said, (We kno# abo " shoes$ *ee "ha" b ilding yonder4 %ha" is a shoe fa!"ory$ We are pro d of "ha" plan" and e'ery #eek #e ga"her "here "o hear "he man in !harge "ell abo " shoes and ho# #onderf l "hey are$+ (%hen #hy don?" yo #ear shoes4+ (Ah, "ha"?s "he . es"ion$+ &on?" #e belie'e in prayer4 &on?" #e kno# #ha" i" !o ld mean in o r li'es4 %hen #hy don?" #e pray4 Ah, "ha"?s "he . es"ion$$$Why don?" #e4 >ood . es"ion, don?" yo agree4

Wha" "o do: *"op making eG! ses and p " prayer in"o a!"ion$

A Life of $arnest Giving

April ,1

Bible Reading: )) Corin"hians B:11-,2

Key Verse: Verse 11 - But than's be to -od, which put the same earnest care into the heart of #itus for you. Key Words: earnest care %he !h r!h a" 8er salem #as going "hro gh a "o gh "ime be!a se of perse! "ion$ Pa l #as led of "he 3ord "o #ri"e "o o"her !h r!hes, in!l ding "he !h r!h a" Corin"h, #hi!h #ere no" h r"ing finan!ially$ As yo !an "ell from "he *!rip" res, %i" s is in !harge of !olle!"ing "he offering for "he !h r!h a" 8er salem from "he !h r!h a" Corin"h$ Pa l en!o rages "he !h r!h "o be / s" as earnes" in "heir gi'ing as %i" s is in his !are for "hem$ 0ark "he #ord earnest$ )" means "o p " yo r money #here yo r mo "h is$ 7arnes" gi'ing is p ""ing a!"ion #i"h yo r #ords$ We all, as belie'ers, sho ld be earnes" in o r gi'ing$ We all sho ld p " o r money #here o r mo "h is9 )n Chile, 0issionary Karen Wrigh" eGperien!ed a biCarre "radi"ion a" "he f neral of a Ca"holi! neighbor$ & ring "he ser'i!e an offering #as !olle!"ed$ %he pries" "hen said, (%hank yo for par"i!ipa"ing in "he sal'a"ion of "his man$+ Af"er hearing "hese #ords and seeing only small !hange in "he offering pla"e, Karen "ho gh": )f "hese people really belie'ed "heir offering #o ld help sa'e "his man, #o ldn?" "hey sa!rifi!e and gi'e more4 *he "hen made her "ho gh"s more personal: ) and many o"hers profess "he "r "h abo " sal'a"ion "hro gh fai"h in Chris", ye" if someone really belie'ed in 8es s, #o ldn?" "hey gi'e more "han a "oken finan!ial gif"4 Wo ldn?" "hey gi'e earnes"ly F no" "o be sa'ed, b " be!a se "hey are sa'ed4

3e" me en!o rage yo "o do some earnes" gi'ing "o >od "hro gh yo r lo!al !h r!h$

Wha" "o do: P " yo r money #here yo r mo "h is$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Trials % Triumphs

April ,,

Bible Reading: A!"s 12:1-,,

Key Verse: Verse ,, - 8onfirmin! the souls of the disciples, and e/hortin! them to continue in the faith, and that we must throu!h much tribulation enter into the 'in!dom of -od. Key Words: throu!h much tribulation Roy 3a rin in his book on A!"s #ri"es: ()" !o ld be ass med, be!a se "hese men #ere ser'an"s of >od, "ha" "hey #ere imm ne "o ab se, danger, hardship, perse! "ion, and dea"h$ B " "his #o ld be a false ass mp"ion be!a se "heir leader, "he 3ord 8es s Chris", had said, KIn the world ye shall have tribulation$ but be of !ood cheer; I have overcome the world? :8ohn 11:;;=$ )" !o ld be ass med "ha" be!a se many are Chris"ians, #ho ha'e made grea" sa!rifi!es, "ha" "hey are no" "o be s b/e!"ed "o "he same diffi! l"ies, diseases and disas"ers "ha" !ome "o o"hers- b " are "o en/oy a sor" of !osmi! imm ni"y "o life?s !ommon "ro bles$ %his, "oo, #o ld be a #rong ass mp"ion$ %here is no promise in o r Chris"ian fai"h #hi!h gi'es imm ni"y "o "he follo#ers of 8es s from "he s fferings, ad'ersi"ies, and disabili"ies of life$ )n fa!", #hen Pa l and Barnabas #ere re" rning "o "heir home base a" An"io!h, a" "he !lose of "heir firs" missionary "hr s" in"o "he >en"ile #orld, "hey s"opped a" "he !i"ies #here "hey had fo nded !h r!hes on "heir #ay in$ %hey !onfirmed "hese belie'ers in "heir fai"h and eGhor"ed "hem "o !on"in e in "heir

ne#ly fo nd fai"h, saying, Kthat we must throu!h much tribulation enter into the 'in!dom of -od> :'erse ,,=$+ )"?s of"en d ring "hese "imes of "rial, "rib la"ion, and diffi! l"y "ha" #e are a" a loss as "o #ha" "o do like "he old #oodsman?s ad'i!e abo " !a"!hing a por! pine: +Wa"!h for "he slapping "ail as yo dash in and drop a large #ash" b o'er him$ %he #ash" b #ill gi'e yo some"hing "o si" on #hile yo ponder yo r neG" mo'e$+ ) don?" al#ays kno# #ha" "he neG" mo'e is, b " ) kno# #ha" i"?s no"- i"?s no" "o . i"$ We keep going "hro gh all of o r "rials, "rib la"ions, and diffi! l"ies n"il #e en"er in"o "he kingdom of >od$

Wha" "o do: &on?" . i"$ Winners ne'er . i" and . i""ers ne'er #in$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Determination
April ,;

Bible Reading: )) Chroni!les ,:1-1<

Key Verse: Verse 1 - &nd .olomon determined to build an house for the name of the "( ), and an house for his 'in!dom. Key Words: &nd .olomon determined to build an

house
&e"ermina"ion is defined as ha'ing a fiGed p rpose$ ) define de"ermina"ion as se""ing o r fa!e like a flin" "o a!!omplish a goal$ *olomon #as de"ermined "o b ild >od a ho se so he se" o " "o a!!omplish #ha" he #as de"ermined "o do$ )f #e are "o be s !!essf l for >od, i" #ill "ake many "hings$$$ de"ermina"ion is one of "hem$

*omeone on!e asked Pa l Dar'ey, "he /o rnalis" and radio !ommen"a"or, "o re'eal "he se!re" of his s !!ess$ () ge" p #hen ) fall do#n,+ said Dar'ey$ %he 1JJ, * mmer 6lympi!s fea" red "#o "remendo sly poignan" momen"s$ Ameri!an sprin"er >ail &e'ers, "he !lear leader in "he 1<<-me"er h rdles, "ripped o'er "he las" barrier$ *he agoniCingly p lled herself "o her knees and !ra#led "he las" fi'e me"ers, finishing fif"h F b " finishing$ 7'en more hear"-rending #as "he 2<<-me"er semifinal in #hi!h Bri"ish r nner &erek Redmond "ore a hams"ring and fell "o "he "ra!k$ De s"r ggled "o his fee" and began "o hobble, de"ermined "o !omple"e "he ra!e$ Dis fa"her ran from "he s"ands "o help him off "he "ra!k, b " "he a"hle"e ref sed "o . i"$ De leaned on his fa"her, and "he "#o limped "o "he finish line "oge"her, "o deafening appla se$ People #ho are no" de"ermined are !ons"an"ly looking for and sing e'ery eG! se "o . i" and no" !omple"e "heir "ask$ ) !hallenge yo "oday: be de"ermined "o find "he !o rse "o #hi!h >od has !alled yo $ Wha" "o do: Remember, #inners ne'er . i" and . i""ers ne'er #in$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Se&ular Humanism

April ,2

Bible Reading: ) Corin"hians 12:;;-2<

Key Verse: Verse 2< - "et all thin!s be done decently and in order. Key Words: decently and in order )n order "o be""er nders"and "he meaning of "he "erm secular humanism #e need "o break "he "erm do#n$ Eirs", secular means #orldly or "ha" #hi!h opposes "he spiri" al and

sa!red$ *e!ondly, "he #ord human means a person or people$ %hirdly, "he s ffiG ism means ho# one "hinks$ *o, se! lar h manism is "he "ho gh" pro!ess of a person #ho opposes "ha" #hi!h is spiri" al or sa!red$ *ome of "he se! lar h manis"s beliefs #o ld be hilario s if i" #asn?" so serio s$ Eor eGampleP *e! lar h manis"s belie'e "ha" "here are no absol "es$ )f "here are no absol "es, ho# !an "hey say absol "ely "ha" "here are none4 Ano"her belief of se! lar h manism is "here is no s !h "hing as "o"al "r "h$ )f "ha" is "he !ase, "hen "heir s"a"emen" "ha" ("here is no s !h "hing as "o"al "r "h+ #o ld be false$ ) read some"ime ba!k abo " a pas"or #ho #as 'isi"ing #i"h a farmer #ho #as a (se! lar h manis"$+ %he pas"or asked, (Can yo no" look a" "he "rees and flo#ers and see "he !rea"ion of >od4+ %o #hi!h "he farmer replied, (%hose "rees and flo#ers aren?" "here$ %hey are / s" a figmen" of yo r imagina"ion$+ %hen "he pas"or said, (Wha" abo " s4 We are s"anding here "alking$ )s "his all / s" a figmen" of o r imagina"ion4+ (Ies sir,+ replied "he h manis"$ %hen "he pas"or #alked a#ay, #en" o'er "o "he old farmer?s milk !o#, "ied a rope aro nd her ne!k, and began "o #alk a#ay #i"h his !o# #hen "he h manis" !ried o ", (Where are yo going #i"h my !o#4+ (Wha" !o#4+ replied "he pas"or, ()"?s / s" a figmen" of yo r imagina"ion9+ When absol "es and "r "h are remo'ed from a so!ie"y, !onf sion and anar!hy reign9

Wha" "o do: )f Chris" r les on "he inside, !onf sion !an?"$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Putting 'p With People

April ,5

Bible Reading: 8ames 1:1-B

Key Verse: Verse 2 - But let patience have her perfect wor', that ye may be perfect and entire, wantin! nothin!. Key Words: But let patience have her perfect wor'

) g ess yo heard abo " "he man #ho prayed, (3ord, please gi'e me pa"ien!e, and #o ld Io please h rry before ) h r" someone4+ P ""ing p #i"h people is no" al#ays easy- and i"?s of"en o r la!k of pa"ien!e #i"h o"hers "ha" !a ses many !onfli!"s, and !an damage "he !a se of Chris"$ A!!ording "o a "radi"ional Debre# s"ory, Abraham #as si""ing o "side his "en" one e'ening #hen he sa# an old man, #eary from age and /o rney, !oming "o#ard him$ Abraham r shed o ", gree"ed him, and "hen in'i"ed him in"o his "en"$ %here he #ashed "he old manQs fee" and ga'e him food and drink$ %he old man immedia"ely began ea"ing #i"ho " saying any prayer or blessing$ *o Abraham asked him, L&onQ" yo #orship >od4L %he old "ra'eler replied, L) #orship fire only and re'eren!e no o"her god$L When he heard "his, Abraham be!ame in!ensed, grabbed "he old man by "he sho lders, and "hre# him o " of his "en" in"o "he !old nigh" air$ When "he old man had depar"ed, >od !alled "o his friend Abraham and asked #here "he s"ranger #as$ Abraham replied, L) for!ed him o " be!a se he did no" #orship yo $L >od ans#ered, L) ha'e s ffered him "hese eigh"y years al"ho gh he dishonors me$ Co ld yo no" end re him one nigh"4L %here is a !a "ion here for s all "o p " p #i"h people>od does, yo kno#9

Wha" "o do: &o n"o o"hers as yo #o ld ha'e "hem do n"o yo $

A Life of Sa&rifi&e
Bible Reading: )) Corin"hians 11:,;-;;

April ,1

Key Verse: Verse ,; - &re they ministers of 8hrist4 1I spea' as a fool2 I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Key Words: &re they ministers of 8hrist4 %here is no . es"ion "ha" "he !h r!h a" Corin"h #as Pa l?s hea'enly sandpaper$ %here is also no do b" "ha" Pa l had a grea" lo'e for "hem, for he had sa!rifi!ed "remendo sly for "hem- b " i" appears "ha" "he !h r!h a" Corin"h had 'ery li""le appre!ia"ion for Pa l?s sa!rifi!e$ A harried #ai"ress approa!hed "he "able #here a yo ng girl #as si""ing by herself$ *he . i!kly asked "he girl #ha" she #an"ed$ (Do# m !h is an i!e !ream s ndae4+ "he li""le girl in. ired$ %he #ai"ress snapped, (A dollar se'en"y-fi'e$+ %he girl looked a" her fis"f l of !hange and "hen asked, (Do# m !h is a dish of / s" plain i!e !ream4+ (6ne fif"y,+ re"or"ed "he #ai"ress$ (%hen )?ll "ake "he plain i!e !ream, please,+ said "he yo ng ! s"omer$ %he #ai"ress re" rned #i"h "he bo#l of i!e !ream and deli'ered i" #i"h a r de silen!e$ Af"er "he li""le girl finished her i!e !ream and lef", "he #ai"ress #en" "o !lear off "he "able$ %o her shame, she fo nd "#o dimes and fi'e pennies$ Der "ip #as "he eGa!" amo n" "he li""le girl needed "o ge" a s ndae ra"her "han / s" plain i!e !ream$ )n ea!h of o r li'es, o"hers ha'e made sa!rifi!es for o r

#ell-being$ %he . es"ion is, are #e gra"ef l- or do #e "rea" "hose #ho ha'e sa!rifi!ed for s #i"h a r de, nappre!ia"i'e spiri"4

Wha" "o do: 0ake a lis" of "hose #ho ha'e sa!rifi!ed for yo r benefi"$ *end "hose yo lis" a #ord of "hanks$ Ask >od e'eryday "o gi'e yo a "hankf l spiri" for o"hers #ho ha'e sa!rifi!ed "ha" yo migh" ha'e$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of a Wrong De&ision

April ,M

Bible Reading: ) Kings 1,:1-1J

Key Verse: Verse 15 - 0herefore the 'in! hear'ened not unto the people; for the cause was from the "( ), that he mi!ht perform his sayin!, which the "( ) spa'e by &hi;ah the .hilonite unto 5eroboam the son of =ebat. Key Words: 0herefore the 'in! hear'ened not

unto the people

Af"er *olomon?s dea"h, his oldes" son, Rehoboam, be!ame king$ & ring his fa"her?s reign he implemen"ed some harsh re. iremen"s of "he people :*ee ) *am el B=$ %he people of )srael re. es"ed "ha" "he harsh re. iremen" be lessened, so Rehoboam "ook "he ma""er before "#o gro ps of !o nselors$ %he older gro p !o nseled him "o lessen "he re. iremen"s #hile "he yo nger gro p re!ommended "ha" he make "he re. iremen"s e'en more harshP#hi!h he did$ )" pro'ed "o be "he #rong de!ision as "he people nder Rehoboam?s leadership rebelled, !a sing a di'ided kingdom #hi!h #e kno# as "he 5or"hern Kingdom and "he *o "hern Kingdom$

%his is #hy #e need >od?s #isdom in o r de!isions be!a se e'ery de!ision is po"en"ially a di'isi'e one$ *ome years ago an o'erpass !ollapsed d ring "he nigh" in >reen'ille, Alabama$ A passerby, seeing "he !ollapse, a""emp"ed "o s"op on!oming "raffi! heading for "he o'erpass b " "o no a'ail$ %he firs" !ar, "hinking "he >ood *amari"an #as dr nk, #en" speeding by !rashing o'er "he o'erpass- and as a res l", "#o people died$ %he res l" of #rong de!isions !an be grea"$ %ha"?s "he reason #e need "o pray daily "ha" >od #ill gi'e s spe!ial #isdom and insigh" so "ha" #e !an make "he de!isions De desires ra"her "han making "he de!isions #e desire$

What to do: Ask God to help you make wise decisions, not wrong ones.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of a Pessimist
April ,B

Bible Reading: 8ohn 11:1-1M Key Verse: Verse 11 - #hen said #homas, which is
called )idymus, unto his fellowdisciples, "et us also !o, that we may die with him.

ey Words: "et us !o, that we may die with him

)f yo #ere "o look p "he #ord pessimist, ) belie'e o " beside "he #ord yo #o ld find a pi!" re of old %homas$ We read in 8ohn 11:11, (#hen said #homas, which is called )idymus, unto his fellowdisciples, "et us also !o, that we may die with him$+ We read in 8ohn ,<:,5b, (6/cept I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my fin!er into

the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.+ 6ld %homas, "he pessimis"9 ) on!e heard abo " a farmer #ho #as !on"in ally op"imis"i!, seldom dis!o raged or bl e$ De had a neighbor #ho #as / s" "he opposi"e$ >rim and gloomy, he fa!ed ea!h ne# morning #i"h a hea'y sigh$ %he happy, op"imis"i! farmer #o ld see "he s n !oming p and sho " o'er "he roar of "he "ra!"or, (3ook a" "he bea "if l s n and !lear sky9+ And #i"h a fro#n, "he nega"i'e neighbor #o ld reply, (IeahFi"?ll probably s!or!h "he !rops$+ When !lo ds #o ld ga"her and m !h-needed rain #o ld s"ar" "o fall, o r posi"i'e friend #o ld smile a!ross "he fen!e, (Ain?" "his grea"F>od is gi'ing o r !orn a drink "oday9+ Again, "he same nega"i'e response, (@h h h, b " if i" doesn?" s"op Kfore long, i"?ll flood and #ash e'ery"hing a#ay$+ 6ne day "he op"imis" de!ided "o p " his pessimis"i! neighbor "o "he maGim m "es"$ De bo gh" "he smar"es", mos" eGpensi'e bird dog he !o ld find$ De "rained him "o do "hings no o"her dog on ear"h !o ld doFimpossible fea"s "ha" #o ld s rely as"onish anyone$ De in'i"ed "he pessimis" "o go d !k h n"ing #i"h him$ %hey sa" in "he boa", hidden in "he d !k blind$ )n !ame "he d !ks$ Bo"h men fired and se'eral d !ks fell in"o "he #a"er$ (>o ge" Kem9+ ordered "he o#ner #i"h a gleam in his eye$ %he dog leaped o " of "he boa", #alked on "he #a"er, and pi!ked p "he birds one by one$ (Well, #ha" do yo "hink of "ha"4+ @nsmiling, "he pessimis" ans#ered, (De !an?" s#im, !an he4+ %he op"imis" sees a sil'er lining behind e'ery !lo d$ B " "he pessimis" sees a !lo d behind e'ery sil'er lining$ Whi!h are yo 4 ) am !on'in!ed a balan!e of bo"h is needed "o s"ay le'el-headed$ 3e" yo r modera"ion be kno#n "o all men$

Wha" "o do: 3e" yo r a""i" de also be one of >odliness$ Ask >od "o help yo in "his area$ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A Life of Hope Deferred

April ,J

Bible Reading: Pro'erbs 1;:1-1,

Key Verse: Verse 1, - ,ope deferred ma'eth the heart sic'$ but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Key Words: ,ope deferred

%he #ord deferred means ("o delay or "o remo'e$+ When one looses hope, "hey ha'e los" one of "he "hree grea"es" asse"s a belie'er !an ha'e :fai"h, hope, and !hari"y- 1 Corin"hians 1;:1;=$ %o li'e ones life in s !h a hopeless s"a"e means !er"ain defea"9 )n his book, *an>s .earch for *eanin!, Vik"or Erankl "ells of his years "rapped in "he despi!able horrors of A s!h#i"C and &a!ha $ De #as "ranspor"ed "here like a !aged animal, gi'en "#o min "es "o s"rip naked or be #hipped, e'ery hair #as sha'ed from his body, and he #as !ondemned "o a li'ing dea"h$ Dis fa"her, mo"her, ---and #ife died in "he !amps or #ere sen" "o "he gas o'ens$ Dis eGis"en!e #as f ll of !old, fear, s"ar'a"ion, pain, li!e and 'ermin, deh maniCa"ion, eGha s"ion and "error$ Erankl #ro"e "ha" he #as able "o s r'i'e be!a se he ne'er los" "he . ali"y of hope$ %hose prisoners #ho los" fai"h in "he f " re #ere doomed$ When a prisoner los" hope, Erankl said, he le" himself de!line, be!oming s b/e!" "o men"al and physi!al de!ay$ De #o ld die from "he inside o "$ Erankl said "ha" "his s ally happened . i"e s ddenly$ 6ne morning a prisoner #o ld / s" ref se "o ge" p$ De #o ldn?" ge" dressed or #ash or go o "side "o "he parade gro nds$ 5o amo n" of pleading by his fello# prisoners #o ld help$ 5o "hrea"ening by "he !ap"ors #o ld ha'e any effe!"$ 3osing all hope, he had simply gi'en p$ De #o ld lay "here in his o#n eG!remen" "ill he died$ Ameri!an soldiers la"er "old Erankl "ha" "his beha'ior pa""ern eGis"ed also among prisoners of #ar, and #as !alled (gi'e- p-i" is$+ When a prisoner los" hope, said Erankl, (he los" his spiri" al hold$+

&o no" lose hope9

Wha" "o do: Be s"rong in "he 3ord and in "he po#er of Dis migh"$

A Life of (nvesting )our Life in Others

April ;<

Bible Reading: Romans 11

Key Verse: Verse 1 % I commend unto you Ahebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at 8enchrea$ Key Words: I commend unto you As yo read Romans 11, yo read a seemingly long lis" of names "ha" mean absol "ely no"hing "o "he !as al reader- b " yo ha'e "o go beyond "he s rfa!e and look deeply in"o "he li'es of "hese "hir"y-siG people and see ho# Pa l had in'es"ed his life in "hem, men"ored "hem, prayed for "hem, #a"!hed af"er "hem F and no# here "hey are, all ser'ing >od be!a se Pa l had in'es"ed his life in o"hers$ %here is no grea"er /oy "han in'es"ing yo r life in"o o"hers for "he glory of >od$ )n his a "obiography, Brea'in! Barriers, syndi!a"ed !ol mnis" Carl Ro#an "ells abo " a "ea!her #ho grea"ly infl en!ed his life$ Ro#an rela"es: (0iss %hompson rea!hed in"o her desk dra#er and p lled o " a pie!e of paper !on"aining a . o"e a""rib "ed "o Chi!ago ar!hi"e!" &aniel B rnham$ ) lis"ened in"en"ly as she read: K0ake no li""le plans"hey ha'e no magi! "o s"ir men?s blood and probably "hemsel'es #ill no" be realiCed$ 0ake big plans, aim high in hope and #ork$ Remember "ha" o r sons and grandsons are going "o do "hings "ha" #o ld s"agger s$? 0ore "han "hir"y years la"er, ) ga'e a spee!h in #hi!h ) said "ha" Eran!es %hompson had gi'en me a despera"ely needed belief in myself$ A ne#spaper prin"ed "he s"ory, and someone mailed "he !lipping "o my belo'ed "ea!her$ *he #ro"e me: KEor years, )

end red my bro"her?s arg men"s "ha" ) had #as"ed my life"ha" ) sho ld ha'e married and had a family$ When ) read "ha" yo ga'e me !redi" for helping "o la n!h a mar'elo s !areer, ) p " "he !lipping in fron" of my bro"her$ Af"er he?d read i", ) said, KIo see, ) didn?" really #as"e my life, did )4?+ Io ne'er kno# #ho yo are ha'ing an impa!" on- so ne'er . i"- ne'er gi'e p- al#ays in'es" yo r life in o"hers for >od?s ser'i!e$

Wha" "o do: 3is" "hose #ho in'es"ed "heir li'es in yo and send "hem a !ard of appre!ia"ion$ 0ake a lis" of "hose yo #an" "o in'es" yo r life in and lis" ho# "ha" !an be done$ 5o# do i"999

I deeply appreciate the help of

ary Parsons !lenda yric"

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to help, this devotional would not have been possible.
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