Refreshing

Daily
in Gods Word
Emphasis on
 What Have You Done?
October 1

Bible Reading: Genesis 3:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 13 - And the LORD God said unto
the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the
woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Key Words: What is this that thou hast done

Sometimes mankind does some foolish and stupid

things like Eve when she fell for Satans lies or like Cain who
slew Abel (Genesis 4:10) or maybe like Abram who deceived
Pharoah telling him his wife was his sister (Genesis 12:18).
Yes, we can do some very foolish things.
Members of a Virginia volunteer fire department were
so proud of their expensive new Hurst tool (known as the
Jaws of Life) that they held a special demonstration last
October to show how it could cut into an automobile and
rescue people trapped inside. As an appreciative crowd
looked on, two fire-fighters quickly ripped a door from a 1966
Buick. They pulled its steering wheel through the windshield
and knocked out all the windows.
At that point, a voice cried out, Hey, what have you
done to my car?
The man was livid, reported one onlooker. He had
good reason to be upset. The firefighters, in their enthusiasm,
had cut up the wrong car. Their president promised that the
department would pay the owner for the loss of his car. It
was just a mistake, the chief kept saying, just a mistake.
It was just a mistake, but you have to ask, What in the
world have you done?

What to do:
Remember the old sayingmeasure twice, cut once.
Yes, that is a good idea.
 What Good is It?
October 2

Bible Reading: Genesis 25:19-34

Key Verse: Verse 32- And Esau said, Behold, I am at
the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright
do to me?
Key Words: what profit shall this birthright do to
me

Esau was weary from working in the forest, faint, tired and
hungry. He was so weary and faint he thought he was going to
die unless he got some food. Jacob seized the moment to ask
Esau to sell him the birthright for a bowl of soup which Esau
did. His thinking was that the birthright was useless to him
anyway if he died.
Esau made a major decision when he should have waited.
Its dangerous to make major decisions when one is
discouraged, sick, tired and even giddy with excitement. (See
Hezekiah and his tour he gave to the enemy after he learned
God had given him fifteen years of additional life.) Esau made
his decision at the wrong time.
Thomas Nelson told the following.I remember one
winter my dad needed firewood, and he found a dead tree and
sawed it down. In the spring, to his dismay, new shoots
sprouted around the trunk. He said, I thought sure it was
dead. The leaves had all dropped in the wintertime. It was so
cold that twigs snapped as if there was no life left in the old
tree. But now I see that there was still life at the taproot. He
looked at me and said, Bob, dont forget this important
lesson. Never cut down a tree in the wintertime. Never make
a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most
important decisions when you are in your worst mood. Wait.
Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.

What to do:
 Timing is everything. Make sure its Gods timing.
What Shall I Do?
October 3

Bible Reading: Exodus 17:1-7

Key Verse: Verse 4 And Moses cried unto the LORD,
saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be
almost ready to stone me.
Key Words: What shall I do unto this people

Try to imagine the frustration Moses must have felt as

he dealt with the children of Israel.
Have you ever been bewildered by a situation and
wondered, Now what do I do? Reminds me of a humorous
story I read some time back.
Harry Truman enjoyed telling about the man who was
hit on the head at work. The blow was so severe he was
knocked unconscious for an extended period of time. His
family, convinced he was dead, called the funeral home and
asked the local undertaker to pick him up at the hospital,
which he did. Early the following morning this dear man
suddenly awoke and sat straight up in the casket. Confused,
he blinked several times and looked around, trying to put the
whole thing together. He thought, If Im alive, what in the
world am I doing in this soft, satin-filled box? And if Im
dead, why do I have to go to the bathroom?
I think he was bewildered, dont you? Moses was
bewildered about what to do with the murmuring Israelites.
Strangely enough , I for one, understand.

What to do:
When you dont know what to do, turn to God.
 What is Become of Him?
October 4

Bible Reading: Exodus 32:1-6

Key Verse: Verse 1 And when the people saw that
Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the
people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and
said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go
before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought
us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is
become of him.
Key Words: we wot not what is become of him

When Moses failed to show in what the Jewish people

thought was an appropriate amount of time, they began to do
their own thing. They made idols, they declared a feast, they
ate and drank, and then they played. Without proper
guidance and leadership, people will always tend to do wrong.
In America, we have the constitution by which those
who lead us and those who are our judges are to lead and
render decisions. But as we know all too well that the
constitution must be not only obeyed but understood by those
in leadership. If not, we are bound to be headed in the wrong
direction on a one way street to destruction.
In 1789 an uncertain George Washington is urged to
seek the presidency by Governor Morris, a Pennsylvania
delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Morris writes
Washington: No constitution is the same on paper and in life.
The exercise of authority depends upon personal character.
Your cool steady temper is indispensably necessary to give a
firm and manly tone to the new government.
Its the leader or leaders that will determine in what
direction the government, home, business and yes, even the
church will go. Yes, we do have Gods word, but it will only
guide us right as we obey it.
What to do:
If you are in a position of leadership, lead!! If not,
people will ask what has become of him.

********************

What It Is
October 5

Bible Reading: Numbers 13:17-25

Key Verse: Verse 18 And see the land, what it is;
and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be
strong or weak, few or many;
Key Words: And see the land, what it is

Moses sent twelve spies to check out the promised

land; to see what God was going to give them. They indeed
saw that it was land flowing with milk and honey but their
focus was wrong. They focused not on the land but on the
giants that inhabited the land. Because their focus was wrong,
their faith was weak.
We all know what its like to have our car battery go
dead. A powerless battery cannot take you anywhere. So you
put up the hood of your car and pull out some jumper cables.
You get another car whose battery is alive, and get the hood of
that car close to yours. Then you take the cables and connect
that batterys positive with your positive and the negative with
a metal part on your engine. And then there is a transfer of
power and a transfer of life. The living battery sends its life
and its power through the cables to your dead battery. Then
you can turn on your ignition and know that there has been a
transfer of power via the cable. All of a sudden your dead
motor turns over. All of a sudden your dead car can now
move. Why? Because it has power on its own? No. Because
it borrowed power from another. Because it took power from
a living battery.
 The problem with the twelve spies is that ten of them
were living off their own power rather than the power of God.
What a shame.

What to do:
If you live off your own power little will be
accomplished for God. So live off Gods power.

********************

What Have I Done?

October 6

Bible Reading: Numbers 22:22-35

Key Verse: Verse 28 And the LORD opened the
mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What
have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these
three times?
Key Words: What have I done unto thee

This is one of the most intriguing conversations in the

book of Numbers; if not all of the Old Testament. The
donkeys asks, What have I done unto thee? Balaam has
struck the donkey on three separate occasions. The donkey,
weary of being struck, inquired, What have I done unto thee
that thou hast smitten me these three times? Balaam smote
the donkey because he did not realize the donkey was doing
something FOR him, not TO him.
There are times in life one may become angry with
God because we cant see that God isnt doing something TO
me, but FOR me.
We dont get a lot of snow in Birmingham, Alabama,
but I do remember a few years ago when a snow and ice storm
caught everyone unawares. People had to sleep in their
offices; some even had to spend a cold night in their car. But
there is one story I will never forget that came from the storm.
One lady caught a ride from a fellow employee in his four
wheel drive truck. The lady who lived up a steep hill was
dropped off at the corner street from her house because even
the four wheel drive truck couldnt make it up the hill. The
lady began her walk on the icy road; she slipped and fell
cracking her teeth on the ice and receiving a slight head
injury. She was taken by paramedics to the local hospital.
They found there was not just cracked teeth and a slight head
injury, but the beginning of a brain tumor which they were
able to take care of immediately. If she had not fallen on the
slippery ice, the tumor would not have been discovered early
enough to cause only minor damage.
Now I askwhen she fell, was God doing something to
her or for her? I think for her!! Dont you?? So when you go
through times when things seem to be going against you, it
would do you well to think, What is God doing FOR me?

What to do:
Not everything you think is negative is!!

********************

What Nation?
October 7

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-8

Key Verse: Verse 7 For what nation is there so
great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD
our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
Key Words: For what nation is there so great

The nation that is great has God to call upon---verse 7

The nation that is great has the statutes
(commandments) of God---verse 8
The nation that is great has the judgments of God---
verse 8
 The nation that is great has the righteous law of God---
verse 8
Theres a magnificent hotel in the Bahamas. Its
named after the lost city of Atlantis. It is a monstrosity of a
hotel and is viewed as one of the greatest hotels in the world.
There is a water park in the middle of the hotel. In the middle
of the water park is a water slide disguised as a huge Egyptian
pyramid. This pyramid water slide goes straight down at
lightning speed. Lines are always long for this slide. Not only
is it a thriller, but as you go down , you slide through an
aquarium that holds some of the most dangerous fish in the
world. The aquarium is contained by thick glass that acts as a
barrier between the hotel guests and that which would eat
them alive. That slide is a scary drop through a tank of scary
fish, but there is a protective covering to keep the fish away
from the visitors.
Sometimes life is a scary slide. Sometimes there
seems to be trouble all around. But God protects those who
fear Him and delivers them out of their trouble. Sometimes
He keeps us from the trouble altogether; sometimes He lets us
slide right on through. Either way, we come out on the other
side.
We do serve a great God and the nation that is great
has a great God.

What to do:
Take a moment to think about how great God is.
Understand that a nation without God isnt great.

********************

Whats In Your Heart?

October 8

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 2 And thou shalt remember all
 the way which the LORD thy God led thee these
forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to
prove thee, to know what was in thine heart,
whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or
no.
Key Words: What was in thine heart

Weve all heard the credit card commercial, Whats in

your wallet? But the real question is, Whats in your heart?
God had let Israel wander in the wilderness for forty years to
humble them, prove them, and to find out what was in their
hearts.
Whenever a teacher in school gave you a test, they
never had much to say during the test. Things were silent
during the test. The teacher had nothing to say because the
test was designed to show what you knew based on what the
teacher had already taught you.
Once you get a test, you might not hear much from
God. He may be silent. Knowing this, it would be wise for
you to have a lot of conversations with Him before He
administers the test!
Some people have problems passing their tests. In
fact, they keep failing. They quit school. We have a lot of
dropouts in Christianity today because people either get
discouraged due to not passing the test or get weary of
constantly going through them.
Academic tests prove what you have mentally.
Spiritual tests prove what youre made of spiritually and
emotionally. So let me ask, Whats in your heart?

What to do:
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are
the issues of life.
 What Are You Thinking?
October 9
Bible Reading: Judges 11:12-22
Key Verse: Verse 12 And Jephthah sent messengers
unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What
hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against
me to fight in my land?"
Key Words: What hast thou to do with me?

Its noteworthy to remember that Jephthah was a

great warrior, but chose negotiations over fighting. This is
easy to see as you read our Bible reading for today. Its
obvious from studying history that mankind loves war.
Someone has said in all of history that there have only been
200 years where there has been no war occurring.
Jephthah was a mighty warrior, but he would have
preferred to have no war. Jephthahs philosophpy is the same
as mine. Negotiate so as to not have to fight. But if
negotiations fail, fight to win. So Jephthah basically is saying
if you want to go to war, what are you thinking?
A group of academics and historians has compiled this
startling information:
Since 3600 B.C., the world has known only 292 years
of peace! During this period, there have been 14,351 wars
large and small, in which 3.64 billion people have been killed.
The value of the property destroyed is equal to a golden belt
around the world 97.2 miles wide and 33 feet thick. Since 650
B.C., there have also been 1,656 arms races, only 16 of which
have not ended in war. The remainder ended in the economic
collapse of the countries involved.
A few years ago, a Dutch professor took time to
calculate the cost of an enemy soldiers death at different
epochs in history. He estimated that during the reign of
Julius Caesar, to kill an enemy soldier cost less than one
dollar. At the time of Napoleon, it had considerably inflated
to more than $2,000. At the end of the First World War, it
had multiplied several times to reach the figure of some
$17,000. During the Second World War, it was about
$40,000. And in Vietnam, in 1970, to kill an enemy soldier
cost the United States $200,000.

What to do:
Seek peace, and ensue it.

********************

What Have I Done?

October 10

Bible Reading: I Samuel 17:20-31

Key Verse: Verse 29 And David said, What have I
now done? Is there not a cause?
Key Words: What have I now done?

David asked the question, What have I now done? in

response to his oldest brothers rebukes. Then David
responds, Is there not a cause? It was his cause that
motivated him.
Im reminded of a story I heard. It goes something like
this. Im so depressed and I cant get any dates, the 300-
pound man told his minister. Ive tried everything to lose
weight.
I think I can help, said the minister. Be dressed and
ready to go tomorrow at 8 a.m.
Next morning, a beautiful woman knocked on the
mans door. If you can catch me, you can have me, she said,
as she took off. He huffed and puffed after her.
This routine went on everyday for the next five
months. The man lost 115 pounds and felt confident he would
catch the woman the next day. That morning he whipped
open his front door and found a 300-pound woman in a
jogging suit waiting for him. The minister said to tell you,
she began, that if I can catch you, I can have you.
You can always tell what a persons cause is by what
motivates them. So let me ask, What motivates you?
What to do:
Have a Godly cause.

********************

What Can He Have?

October 11

Bible Reading: I Samuel 18:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 8 - And Saul was very wroth,
and the saying displeased him; and he said, They
have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me
they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he
have more but the kingdom?
Key Words: what can he have more but the
kingdom

Envy is when someone wants what you have, and

when you want what someone else has. Jealousy is different.
Its when someone doesnt want you to have what theyve got.
Saul was jealous of David because he didnt want David to
have his kingdom.
Jealousy is destructive; as a result of Sauls jealousy,
not only was Saul himself destroyed but the kingdom was on
the brink of ruin.
I travel some and when I travel by plane, I always ask
for a window seat. It was on a flight to Salt Lake City, Utah,
that I ran into a slight dilemma. As I arrived at my window
seat a young lad no more than ten years old was in my seat,
and making himself at home, I might add. Well, this posed a
problem. He had what was mine and I didnt want him to
have it. No matter how you try to justify it, this is jealousy. It
may be a simple illustration, but yet still thats what jealousy
isme not wanting you to have what is mine. I could have
made a big deal out of it, but rather than making a scene, I let
him have the seat. By the way, Im glad I did. I found out
later that he was the pilots son.
 Now I understand that there is a righteous jealousy.
For example, if someone is after your bank account and you
defend it, that is a righteous jealousy. God said, I have
loved you with a righteous jealousy. He defends and fights
for those who are His.
Needless to say, David wasnt after Sauls kingdom.
Although it would be his in time, Saul was jealous of David
with an unrighteous jealousy.
What to do:

What to do:
Remember a jealousy such as Saul had will destroy.
Be wise. Be godly.

********************

What Should I Do?

October 12

Bible Reading: I Samuel 28:3-18

Key Verse: Verse 15 "And Samuel said to Saul, Why
hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul
answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines
make war against me, and God is departed from me,
and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor
by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou
mayest make known unto me what I shall do."
Key Words: that thou mayest make known unto
me what I shall do

Saul again finds himself between a rock and a hard

place. It appears this is where he spent most of his time as a
king. The Philistines are gathering to battle against Israel and
Saul is afraid and unsure of what Gods will was because the
Lord had departed from him (verse 16).
There are a couple of reasons one may not know Gods
will. First, it could be that its not the right time for God to
reveal it to you. Elijah was told to go and hide himself by the
brook Cherith; and God did not tell him what was next until it
was time. Secondly, it could be that one is like Saul and is out
of Gods will (knew but didnt do).
The problem most of us have, though, is not in
knowing Gods will, but in doing it.
Adam and Eve knew they were not to eat from the
fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but ate it
anyway.
Cain knew to bring a blood sacrifice to God, but failed
to do so anyway.
David knew not to commit adultery with Bathsheba,
but did it anyway.
Saul knew he was to utterly destroy the Amalekites
and all that they had, but failed to do so anyway.
Years ago, I had a sweet couple come to me asking me
to marry them. The problem was that one was saved and the
other wasnt! I took a deep breath and then began to explain
to them the problem of an unequal yoke (II Corinthians 6:14).
The one who was saved said, I know that but I believe that
love will overcome that. I didnt marry them, but they did
find someone who did. The marriage lasted less than three
years. We often attempt to justify why we can disobey God
and all will be well, but it doesnt work that waynever has
and never will.

What to do:
Stay in God's will.

********************

Where Are You From?

October 13
Bible Reading: II Samuel 15:1-6
Key Verse: Verse 2 And Absalom rose up early, and
stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that
 when any man that had a controversy came to the
king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him,
and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy
servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
Key Words: what city art thou

In the South, you never hear people say, What city art
thou? We say, Now where are you from?
Absalom is rebelling against his father David, and he
steals the heart of the people (vs. 6) by doing three things.
First, he meets them at the gate as they enter the city to go
about their daily chores. Secondly, he is friendly and carries
on at least a brief conversation by asking where they are from.
Third, he would shake their hand and give them a kiss of
greeting. ( This was common in their day.)
The problem with Absalom is the same problem we
face today in politics, in the work place, and yes, even in our
churches. We greet people, shake hands, tell them we care
about them, but its all talk; there is a lack of genuine
sincerity.
As a congregation was singing the closing hymn, For
You I am Praying, the speaker turned to a man on the
platform and asked, For whom are you praying? The man
was stunned and said, Why..why I guess Im praying for
anybody. Why do you ask? The speaker replied, Well I just
heard you say, For you I am praying, and I thought you
meant it. Oh no, said the man. Im just singing. It is so
easy to just be singing words and not thinking about what Im
singing.
Let us begin today, this very moment, to be sincere,
share our greetings, and care for others.

What to do:
Remember if we are not sincere with our words and
actions, then we are sincerely wrong.
Do What is Good
October 14
 Bible Reading: II Samuel 19:24-30
Key Verse: Verse 27 - And he hath slandered thy
servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is
as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine
eyes."
Key Words: do therefore what is good in thine
eyes

Mephibosheth is the son of Jonathon. He was also

lame from an accident which had occurred years earlier. After
Jonathons death, David took Mephibosheth and treated him
as a son.
In II Samuel 19, there is rebellion against David, and
Mephibosheth is accused of joining in the rebellion. His reply
to being accused of rebelling is found in verse 27, Do
therefore (to me) what is good in thine eyes.
In verse 28, Mephibosheth tells about the goodness of
David. This is a picture, not only of loyalty, but humility also,
as Mephibosheth points out the goodness of David and the
littleness of himself.
Thats the character of greatness!!
Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a large
Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator
of the service introduced the missionary in eloquent and
glowing terms. He told the large congregation all that Taylor
had accomplished in China, and then presented him as our
illustrious guest. Taylor stood quietly for a moment, and
then opened his message by saying, Dear friends, I am the
little servant of an illustrious Master.
Arent we all?? It just appears though that some have
never come to this rare realization!

What to do:
Its always wise to remember just as faith and works
go together, not for salvation but for service, so do
goodness and humility.
 ********************

Whats the Answer?

October 15
Bible Reading: II Samuel 24:10-17
Key Verse: Verse 13 - So Gad came to David, and told
him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine
come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three
months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee?
or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land?
now advise, and see what answer I shall return to
him that sent me.
Key Words: what answer I shall return to him
that sent me

Whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

David numbered the people which I believe was an act of
pride. See how many we have; see how large we areDavid is
now relying on numbers rather than God. The result of this
sin was three days of pestilences.
We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of
heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace
and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power
as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten
God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved
us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us,
and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our
hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some
superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with
unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel
the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to
pray to the God that made us. ~A. Lincoln, Proclamation of a
Day of National Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, 1863
The answer in life is not in how much we have or how
big we are, but in how much God has and how big He is!!
What to do:
Remember numbers reveal your size, not your
strength.

********************

What Shall I Give Thee?

October 16

Bible Reading: I Kings 3:1-15

Key Verse: Verse 5 - In Gibeon the LORD appeared to
Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask
what I shall give thee.
Key Words: what I shall give thee

David has passed away. Solomon is now the king, and

God asked Solomon, What shall I give thee? The question
from God was what do you need to reign as king. You have to
hear Solomons answer in verse 9--Give me an
understanding heart to judge Thy people.
So often we forget that people belong to God!! If we
are in a position to judge them, we must have an
understanding heart, not a hard heart. The word
understanding is defined for us in verse nine. It means to
discern. We often make decisions based on rules and
regulations, as well we should, but there are times that rules
do not apply and common sense is needed.
Im reminded of the husband driving over 80 mph in a
55 mph speed zone. When he was pulled over by a State
Trooper, the trooper saw immediately why he was speeding.
His wife was having a baby in the back seat. The rule was 55
mph, but common sense said, Not this time. Thats
discernment.
A man was dying in the desert. As he stumbled over a
sand dune he was greeted by a man selling ties. The
dehydrated man begged for water, but the salesman said he
only had ties. In frustration and anger, the weakened man
continued on his journey for survival. In an hour, he reached
an isolated restaurant in the middle of the desert. Was it a
mirage? As he drew closer, he saw it was real. He was
ecstatic. With renewed energy, he ran for the door. He was
stopped at the entrance by a security guard who denied him
entry. The guard said, Im sorry, sir, but you need a necktie
to eat here. Caution must be exercised in assessing relevance
of something without adequately studying our future needs.

What to do:
Ask God to give you an understanding heart.

********************

What Counsel Do You Give?

October 17

Bible Reading: I Kings 12:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 9 - And he said unto them, What
counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who
have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy
father did put upon us lighter?
Key Words: What counsel give ye

Solomon has passed now; Rehoboam, his oldest son,

rules in his stead.
Solomon had placed a great budern on the people to
build the Temple. Taxation and other services were no longer
needed because the Temple was finished.
So Rehoboam sought counsel from his young
advisors who counseled him to make their burden greater.
Bad mistake! Oppressing people never works out well. All
one has to do is look back and study Egypts oppression of the
Jews. Why, even Americas oppression by Britain teaches us
a valuable lesson. Oppression never works out well for the
oppressor. Oppressed people are trapped; if you have
someone trapped, watch out! Their only alternative is to
come out fighting, and so the oppressed Jews did; and Israel
ended up a divided nation.
Some years ago when our girls were young, they talked
us into keeping a stray cat. The cat ended up being named
Tazmania, for he was indeed devilish. One day we needed to
give Tazmania a flea bath. The whole family set out to catch
the little devil. I finally trapped him in a corner. As I closed
in, he began to growl at me. I mean, literally, growl.
Undaunted, I continued my close relationship with him
until finally he knew he was trapped. After which he did what
I never expected; rather than just run, he attackedleaping at
me claws and all! I felt trapped and the fight was on. Thats
what happens when people are oppressed; they feel as if there
is no other option but to attack and fight!
Rehoboam received some bad counsel and the result
was oppression and divisionoppression never pays.
By the way Im not sure who won between Tazmania
and me. All I will say is he got his flea bath and Ive got my
scars.

What to do:
Remember when you back people into a corner, you
are asking for a fight.

What Are You Doing Here?

October 18

Bible Reading: I Kings 19:1-18

Key Verse: Verse 9 - And he came thither unto a
cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the
LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What
 doest thou here, Elijah?
Key Words: What doest thou here

Elijah had fled from Jezebel. Her threat of death had

caused Elijah to run. Its interesting that the famine did not
cause Elijah to panic, nor did his facing the king (Ahab), nor
did the 450 prophets of Baal; but Jezebelshe was a different
story. Elijah had fled and hid; but you cant hide from God.
So God called Elijah out with a still small voice.
Im convinced today that God still speaks to us
through His Word with that still small voice. The problem is
not many are listening.
A Native American was walking down the street with a
businessman one day. The Native American stopped.
Listen! he said.
For what? the businessman replied.
Dont you hear it?
Hear what?
Crickets.
Crickets? I do not hear any crickets.
The Native American continued to try to help the
businessman hear what he heard. Oh, theyre loud. Just
listen! Dont you hear them?
Getting a little disgruntled, the businessman said, I
dont hear any crickets.
The Native American looked around, and right over on
the side, there was a cricket. He went and picked it up.
The businessman looked shocked. I cant believe
that. We are here downtown with all these people. You and I
are talking and you can hear a cricket. I dont know how you
did that.
The Native American reached into his pocket and took
out some change. He threw it on the ground. Twenty people
stopped walking. Then he said, You always hear what you
are tuned into. You are tuned into money; you are going to
hear a penny when its dropped. I am tuned in to nature; I
hear a cricket.
A lot of Christians will miss the still small voice of God
because they are not tuned in.
What to do:
Remember God is still speaking (through His
Word). Are you listening?

********************

What Can I Do For You?

October 19

Bible Reading: II Kings 2:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 9 - And it came to pass, when they
were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask
what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from
thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion
of thy spirit be upon me.
Key Words: what I shall do for thee

Elijah has been taken to heaven in a chariot of fire.

Elisha has now taken his place, and God asks, What shall I do
for thee? Elishas request is that, You can give me a double
portion of Elijahs power, which God did.
Now Elishas request was answered, but we know
thats not always the case. Have you ever asked for something
from God and didnt get it? Let me hasten to say, God
answers every prayer; its just that sometimes He answers no
or not now. He does that for our good.
In James 4:3, we read Ye ask and receive not because
ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Now
we know God doesnt answer a self-centered prayer but there
is something that we often miss in this verse, and its the
meaning of the word amiss. It means diseased, sick, ill. You
could translate that to mean that a self-centered prayer is a
diseased prayer. It is a sick and ill prayer. There is also
another translation that I prefer. If God answered our self-
centered prayers, we would end up diseased, sick and ill. God
answers no for our own protection. Either way though, the
answer to the request is no.
As you read about Elishas request for a double portion
of Gods power upon him, its not self-centered. As you read
chapter 2 of II Kings we see Elisha wanted that power to
glorify God.
There was a little boy who played on a football team
who was something of a goof-off. He never really played hard,
was always lazy, didnt practice diligently, and so he never got
to play.
On the last game of his senior year, the running backs
in front of him all got hurt, so they had to put him in. His
teammates and coaches couldnt believe their eyes; he was
playing like a wild man. They couldnt believe this was the
same kid. After the game, they came over to him to ask him
why he played so well after all those years of goofing off.
Oh, he said, its simple. My father was blind. He died
yesterday, so this is the first day hes ever gotten to see me
play.
See, when you know Daddy is watching, it makes you
want to perform at a higher level. It makes you perform for a
greater reason. God has called you for His kingdom, which is
what you do even beyond the church. Everything you do, you
should do as if Hes watching. You should do it for His glory.

What to do:
Always make your request for Gods glory to be
revealed.
What Advice Do You Have?
October 20

Bible Reading: II Chronicles 10:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 9 - And he said unto them, What
advice give ye that we may return answer to this
people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease
somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?
Key Words: What advice give ye
 The story in II Chronicles is the same as in I Kings 12.
Rehoboam is now the king of Israel. He is seeking advice in
regard to easing the burden Solomon had placed on the
people during the building of the Temple.
I am convinced that Rehoboams mind was already
made up. He knew he was going to levy a heavier burden on
the people rather than heed the caution of the wiser, older
men. He did what he wanted, not what God wanted.
We have lights in our cars today that let us know when
something is not right with our engine. There are lights for
checking the engine, checking the coolant system, and
checking the tires.
One time, my check coolant system light was on and
had been on for four months! I wished that light wouldnt
come on. I didnt want that light to come on. It irritated me
when it came on. But that light still kept coming on. It was
trying to tell me that I had a problem and it was going to keep
blinking until I took it to the manufacturer to check the car
out.
Now, if I wouldnt have ever taken that car to be
checked out, eventually Id have a much bigger problem on
my hands. The light was there to give me a warning that
would drive me to the manufacturer.
The Bible is shining and throwing up various caution
signals and lights. It shows us where we sin and where we
offend God. If we dont go to the Maker and allow Him to
address the issues in our life, we are going to end up with
much bigger problems on our hands in years to come. Isnt
that what happened to Rehoboam? He ended up with a much
bigger problem.

What to do:
Remember you are free to do what you want, but
you are not free to choose the consequences of your
actions.
 ********************

What Are They Doing?

October 21

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 4:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 2 And he spake before his
brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What
do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves?
will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day?
will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the
rubbish which are burned?
Key Words: What do these feeble Jews

The leaders of Babylon were mocking the Jews as they

were rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. They said not
only were they feeble (weak), but they are not willing to do
what it takes to finish the task. They will not sacrifice. If they
cant finish in a day, they will quit. Their workmanship is
poor. Why, even a fox bumping against the wall will bring it
down.
The wall was built because Nehemiah and the Jewish
people stayed on the job rather than listening to their critics.
English evangelist George Whitefield (1714-1770)
learned that it was more important to please God than to
please men. Knowing that he was doing what was honoring to
the Lord kept him from discouragement when he was falsely
accused by his enemies. At one point in his ministry,
Whitefield received a vicious letter accusing him of
wrongdoing. His reply was brief and courteous: I thank you
heartily for your letter. As for what you and my other enemies
are saying against me, I know worse things about myself than
you will ever say about me. With love in Christ, George
Whitefield. He didnt try to defend himself. He was much
more concerned about pleasing the Lord.
Now theres some good advice.
What to do:
Its hard to do the work of God if you are constantly
stopping to listen and respond to your critics.

********************

What Is Man?
October 22

Bible Reading: Psalm 144

Key Verse: Verse 3 - LORD, what is man, that thou
takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou
makest account of him!
Key Words: what is man

David goes on to reply to his own question, What is

man?
Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that
passeth away. David reviews his own life with its
accumulated experiences. He thinks back over the great
events in which he played a part. He thinks of the ups and
downs of life: one moment a national hero, the next an object
of official suspicion and hate; one moment a king, the next a
fugitive; one moment a saint writing psalms, the next a
seducer of another mans wife. He thinks of his days as a
shepherd in the country, of his days as a singer at court, his
days as a soldier in the camp, his days as a sojourner in the
cave. It all seems like a dream. His days have been as a
shadow cast on the wall. It is hard to believe that they have all
come and gone so swiftly.
So what is man? Not much, someone has said. Man
was made from the ground. Hes an earthling, and on his best
day hes just dignified dirt. In fact, every living person is only
worth about $3.57.
Thats why you cant think too highly of yourself. You
are just not worth that much. So when you get in your Benz,
its only $3.57 driving a Benz. Its $3.57 living in the suburbs.
Its $3.57 wearing designer clothes. Its $3.57 with more
money in the bank than you and I are worth.
Without God, we are pretty worthless.

What to do:
Remember while our worth is not much, to God we
are valuableso valuable He sent His Son to die for us.

********************

What Wilt Thou?

October 23

Bible Reading: Esther 5:1-8

Key Verse: Verse 3 - Then said the king unto her,
What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy
request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the
kingdom.
Key Words: What is thy request

Haman was a Gentile thug who happened to hold a

position of leadership. Mordecai, who was a Jewish leader
and also the uncle to Queen Esther, realized unless Esther
interceded for her people with the king, many of them would
soon die on Hamans gallows.
The problem with Esther approaching the king was
one of great concern to her. You see, if she approaches the
king and he doesnt receive her, she will be executed. So
Esther prepares herself and dresses in her royal apparel and
approaches the king, who held out his golden scepter. All is
well. Esthers courage has prevailed. Mordecai and the Jews
will be saved because of the courage of a young ladyyes, the
Jewish queen, Esther.
In the operating room of a large hospital, a young
nurse was completing her first full day of responsibilities.
Youve only removed 11 sponges, doctor, she said to the
surgeon. We used 12. I removed them all, the doctor
declared. Well close the incision now. No, the nurse
objected. We used 12 sponges. Ill take full responsibility,
the surgeon said grimly. Suture! You cant do that! blazed
the nurse. Think of the patient. The surgeon smiled, lifted
his foot, and showed the nurse the 12th sponge. Youll do, he
said.
Its the courage to do the right thing that always wins,
even when it appears as though youve lost. Courage
ultimately comes out victorious.

What to do:
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

********************

What Is Man?
October 24

Bible Reading: Job 7:17-21

Key Verse: Verse 17 - What is man, that thou
shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set
thine heart upon him?
Key Words: What is man that thou shouldest
magnify him

We all know what the word magnify meansto

make larger; to increase size. So those who we think are
really larger than life really arent; God has just made them
appear that way (verses 17-18). Promotion comes from who
you know more than what you know.
When Robert Kennedy was Attorney General he was
reported to greet new lawyers entering the Department with
the following message: This may appear to be a large
organization; but when you do something well, I will hear
about it and it will go on your record. I want you to recall that
I was recently a lowly worker in the Justice Department
myself; but that I now serve as Attorney General, due to
perseverance, long hours, hard work, and the fact that my
brother became President of the United States, not necessarily
in that order.
We also see, on the other hand, God does keep man
humble (verses 20-21). You see, when we think we are larger
than life, God can remove the magnifying glass and let us see
ourselves as we really are.
George Washington Carver, the scientist who
developed hundreds of useful products from the peanut said:
When I was young, I asked God to tell me the mystery of the
universe, but God answered, That knowledge is reserved for
me alone. So I said, God, tell me the mystery of the peanut.
Then God said, Well, George, thats more nearly your size,
and He told me.
So what is man? Whatever God makes us!

What to do:
Remember your size is whatever God wants it to be.

What Can The Righteous Do?

October 25

Bible Reading: Psalm 11

Key Verse: Verse 3 - If the foundations be destroyed,
what can the righteous do?
Key Words: If the foundations be destroyed, what
can the righteous do

David says there is a point of a nations depravity that

a nation can never recover from. If the foundations be
destroyed, what can the righteous do? David cried. The word
foundations comes from a Hebrew word meaning the
settled order of things. David likened society to a building.
The foundation of society is law and order, justice and truth.
If law and order, justice and truth are undermined in a society
then what can the righteous do? In the original text, the form
of the question is such that David can find no answer. Has
America reached that point of no return? I dont know. All I
know is that we as Gods people must stand for truth and
righteousness.
In the premiere issue of Full Armor, Gunnery Sergeant
Tom Shanks told about the Iraqis response to the Marine
invasion during the Persian Gulf War. The Iraqis were told
that to be a U.S. Marine we had to kill one of our relatives,
said Shanks. No wonder we saw Iraqi soldiers surrendering in
groveling fear. Likewise, Satan has spread lies about
Christians and their faith that has given many people a
distorted view of the gospel. As soldiers of the cross, we must
make sure Gods truth is effectively communicated. If not, we
as a nation will, if we havent already, reach the point of no
return at least until the Lords return.

What to do:
What can the righteous do? Stand for law and
order, justice and truth.
What Is This?
October 26

Bible Reading: Joshua 4:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 6 - That this may be a sign among
you, that when your children ask their fathers in time
to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?"
Key Words: What mean ye by these stones

Joshua had one man from each of the twelve tribes of

Israel take one stone from the Jordan River as they passed
through the waters of Jordan that were parted. They further
were told to stack up the stones as a memorial for Israel as a
reminder of what God had done.
 Today we dont need a pile of stones to remind us of
what God has done because we have Gods Word to remind
us.
An unknown writer said, This Book is the mind of
God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of
sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy,
it precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions
are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe,
practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to
support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the travelers
map, the pilgrims staff, the pilots compass, the soldiers
sword, and the Christians character. Here paradise is
restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of
God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and
guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a
mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the
empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself,
for eternity.

What to do:
Remember God and know He is in charge.
What Reward
October 27

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:43-48

Key Verse: Verse 46 - For if ye love them which love
you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans
the same?"
Key Words: What reward have ye

Jesus is teaching His followers on what we know as the

Sermon on the Mount.
Looking down into Galilee and seeing the Roman
soldiers, who no doubt persecuted them, Jesus tells them,
"For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?"
 It's easy to love those that love you; but what about
those who don't love you? They mistreat you. Jesus says you
love them as well. How hard is that?
When we first moved to Birmingham, we lived in the
parsonage directly across the street from the church. It
became very obvious after a very brief ministry that there
were those outside the church, those who lived in the
community that did not want us there. They would drive their
vehicles through our yard. They would gather every Sunday
around the parsonage and play hard rock music while
smoking their cigarettes. On one occasion we even received a
life threatening phone call. They attempted to set the
parsonage on fire and would have succeeded if it had not been
for a neighbor (who was also a member of the church) who
saw them and came to our aid by awakening us from sleep.
We were able to put the fire out before much damage was
incurred. It would have been very easy to be angry and bitter
with them. On one occasion one of the young men that was
attempting to run us off cut his leg severely while attempting
to jump through a glass pane window at the church. He had
broken in and was attempting to get away. We stopped the
bleeding, wrapped his leg and had him carried to the
emergency room. We visited with him in the hospital and
showed him some kindness. When he asked why we were
being kind to him after all he had done to us; we simply said
"the love of Christ constrains us". Amazingly all the
vandalism stopped. Loving your enemy isn't easy, but it is
Christian.

What to do:
If you retaliate in kind, what kind of Christian does
that make you?

********************

What Greatness
 October 28

Bible Reading: Mark 3:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 8 - And from Jerusalem, and from
Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about
Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had
heard what great things he did, came unto him."
Key Words: what great things he did

We tend to throw the word greatness around a lot. For

example: he is a great preacher, they are a great singer, she is
a great seamstress, they are a great teacher.
Not taking anything away from people, but may I
share with you true greatness?
He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the
Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet
He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute,
yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out
demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He
redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is
the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of
death.
Now that my friend is "GREATNESS".

What to do:
Remember true greatness belongs to Jesus solely!!

********************
 What Shall I Do?
October 29

Bible Reading: Luke 10

Key Verse: Verse 25 - And, behold, a certain lawyer
stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what
shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Key Words: what shall I do to inherit eternal life

The young man wanted salvation, not by accepting

Christ but by keeping the law. Salvation only and I mean only
comes through Jesus Christ - not works, not catechism, not
baptism, only Jesus.
Acts 4:12 - " Neither is there salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved."
The whole content of Acts 4 is a reference to Jesus (see
verse 12). The name that Peter has reference to that saves us
is Jesus and Only Jesus.
"An unknown author wrote, "Longfellow could take a
sheet of paper, write a poem on it and make it worth sixty
thousand dollars. That is talent. Rockefeller could sign a
piece of paper and make it worth millions. That is capital. A
seamstress can take material worth $5 and make it into
clothing worth $50. That is skill. A merchant can buy an
article for eighty cents, put it on his counter and sell it for a
dollar. That is business. But God can take a worthless, sinful
life, wash it, cleanse it, put His Holy Spirit within it and make
it a blessing to all humanity. That is salvation. And that
salvation is available for all who choose to accept it.

What to do:
Make sure your salvation comes solely through
Jesus Christ.

********************
 What is Truth?
October 30

Bible Reading: John 18:28-40

Key Verse: Verse 38 - Pilate saith unto him, What is
truth? And when he had said this, he went out again
unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no
fault at all.
Key Words: What is truth

Jesus is in His last days in His earthly ministry; He is

now standing before Pilate. In verse 37, Jesus is responding to
a question from Pilate "Art thou a King then?" Jesus says "for
this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness
unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my
voice". Pilate then asks the endless question "What is truth?"
Pilate 's question revealed at least these things about himself.
First he didn't realize who Jesus was (John 14:6). Secondly
something we all know - Pilate wasn't saved.
May I add here I would rather deal with someone who
has "no truth" than someone who is blinded by partial truth?
Let me explain with an illustration.
Once the Devil was walking along with one of his
cohorts. They saw a man ahead of them pick up something
shiny. "What did he find?" asked the cohort.
"A piece of the truth." the Devil replied.
"Doesn't it bother you that he found a piece of the
truth?" asked the cohort.
"No," said the Devil, "I will see to it that he makes a
religion out of it."
It's always wise to remember that there is no such thing
as partial truth. Partial truth equals a whole lie. So what is
truth? - Jesus.

What to do:
 Memorize John 14:6 - "Jesus saith unto him, I am
the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me."

********************

What Are You Reading?

October 31

Bible Reading: Acts 8:26-37

Key Verse: Verse 30 - And Philip ran thither to him,
and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said,
Understandest thou what thou readest?"
Key Words: Understandest thou what thou
readest

There are two "things needed to help in

understanding the scripture. First and foremost is the Holy
Spirit who is our guide (John 16:13); and secondly there are
times that you need others who are more mature and capable
of teaching those who are "lost" or maybe less mature
spiritually.
My philosophy is simple. All men are my brothers.
Some teach me what to do and others what not to do.
Elizabeth Elliot tells of two adventurers who stopped
by to see her, all loaded with equipment for the rain forest
east of the Andes. They sought no advice, just a few phrases
to converse with the Indians. She writes: "Sometimes we
come to God as the two adventurers came to me - - confident
and, we think, well-informed and well-equipped. But had it
occurred to us that with all our accumulation of stuff,
something is missing?
She suggests that we often ask God for too little. We
know what we need -- a yes or no answer, please, to a simple
question. Or perhaps a road sign. Something quick and easy
to point the way. What we really ought to have is the Guide
himself. Maps, road signs, a few useful phrases are things,
but infinitely better is someone who has been there before and
knows the way.

What to do:
Make sure you know who you're following before
you follow them.

I deeply appreciate the

help of

Mary Parsons

Glenda Myrick
 And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these

people to help, this
devotional would not
have been possible.
Dr. Mike Rouse
 is a ministry of

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road

Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org