Am I So Important?

Have you noticed lately how the word "I" is paramount in many people's conversation? The main focus is what I want, what I feel, what I need and so on.

In his inauguration speech, U.S. President John F. Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask, what can you do for your country..."

People seem to have forgotten how to put others before themselves. This happens at work, home, school and even church.

Could we learn to say, "I'll ask not what can you do for me, but will ask, What can I do for you?" Can we learn to put "I" second or third instead of first?

Jesus didn’t focus on Himself. His concerns were for the people around Him and what He could do for them. Can we do the same?

The Same Kind of People Live Here!

One day an old man was rocking on his porch when a moving van drove up. The driver asked, "What kind of people live in this town?"

"Well," the old man replied, "What kind of people live where you came from?" The driver responded, "They were the meanest, most unfriendly people you've ever heard of!" The old man sighed, "Drive on, because the same kind of people live here."

The next day another moving van drove by and the driver asked the same question, "What kind of people live in this town?" "Well," the old man asked, "What kind of people live where you came from?" The driver responded, "They were the kindest, friendliest people you've ever seen!" The old man smiled, "You'll love it here, because the same kind of people live here too!"

This old story illustrates that people tend to create their own environment. If they expect to be treated unkindly, they act unkind and bring it upon themselves. Philippians 2:3 counsels, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." This isn't talking about going around with an inferiority complex. Verses 4-7 show that with Jesus Christ in us, we can look out for the interests of others and serve them with outgoing love. We'll be making our town a kinder, friendlier place!

Wait on the Lord

We don’t have to face our difficulties alone.

It is inevitable that we will face difficulty and weariness in this life. Regardless of our circumstances, there is someone to call on who cares for us; someone more powerful than any difficulty before us. The Creator God encourages us by saying, “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). There is nothing God cannot help us with.

God promises to help us work through our problems. That does not mean we won’t have challenges. We will. And God will be right there carefully leading, guiding and intervening in ways not always evident to us. But be assured He is there. He promises, “Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you” (Psalm 37:34).

O Be Careful Little Eyes

The old children’s hymn, “O Be Careful Little Eyes,” admonishes children about what they look at. Are there things that we adults should be careful of seeing? The truth is, our daily lives expose us to many things we should avoid looking at. Perhaps one of the most obvious is the blight of pornography. But, when we carefully evaluate their content, there are a whole host of magazines, television programs and movies we should also avoid viewing.

What we view on a regular basis affects our thinking and our emotions. Unchecked it can lead to sin. We live in a world filled with spiritual darkness. Jesus Christ tells us, “The lamp of the body is the eye… Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness” (Luke 11:34-35). Keep light in your mind by viewing those things that are true, noble, just, pure and lovely and avoid the darkness.

Seeking Perfection

Jesus Christ tells His followers to become perfect (Matthew 5:48). So how do we accomplish that seemingly impossible task? God does not expect us to figure out perfection on our own or to come to our own conclusions about it. God is very specific and has given us His perfect instructions.

Where do we find those perfect instructions? James tells us, “…he who looks into the perfect law of liberty…will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). God’s law is the perfect way for humans to live. We need to study the Bible to know exactly what His laws and instructions are. And why would we not want to follow those as carefully as we possibly could?

Adjust Your Sails

A friend has a beautiful refrigerator magnet that states: “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails.” This saying is an excellent reminder for her, and it can be for us too. Often we have no control over what comes our way in life, but we can adjust our choices, our attitudes and how we handle everything from gentle breezes to the gusts and storms of life.

We should daily adjust our sails in life toward God and living the principles in the Bible (Matthew 4:4). If we do that, we will arrive at the destination God wants for each of us. Happy sailing!

A Hole in the Shape of a Father

Research shows that children with good, loving fathers do better overall in academics and careers, are more socially and emotionally adjusted, and are less likely to be involved in criminal activities. One of the most important things fathers can provide their children is validation, a feeling of worth and of being cared about. The lack of that validation can bestow, as one man wrote, “a hole in my soul in the shape of my dad with unhealed wounds from years of feeling neglected and less than worthy.”

The good news is that all of us have a spiritual Father who loves us and wants the best for us (John 3:16). Make it a point to get to know your spiritual Father better.

This is the Way: Because I Said So!

How many times as a child did we hear our mother say those dreaded words: "Because I said so"? Children are naturally curious, asking questions and expecting immediate answers. However, life does not always provide us with answers when we want them or the answers we may want to hear. We may not even have the level of understanding at that moment for an explanation.

3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

God, as our Heavenly Father, will also supply us with answers, though not always at the moment we ask. Through challenges, He teaches us to trust in Him, and He may later supply us with the answers we are seeking. When faced with a challenge, learn to trust in God for the answers.

This is the Way: Facing Our Challenges

From time to time, do you find yourself overwhelmed, facing challenges in your life? Do you wake in the middle of the night, confused about the future and wishing that when you get out of bed in the morning, all your problems would be gone?

The apostle Paul encourages Christians in 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." In this verse, Paul shows us that we need not worry and fear because God has given those who have His Spirit the tools we need to face these moments. We can carry these words in our heart and our minds, knowing that God loves us and wants us to succeed.

Next time you find yourself overwhelmed, ponder on these comforting words, and know that through God’s guidance, you can face your most overwhelming challenges.

This Is The Way - Did You Finish It?

People seem to begin new projects in a never-ending cycle. We make resolutions about things we wish to accomplish, like lose weight, change a habit or finish a project. However, all too often we do not move past that resolution. Still, we are measured by the answer to the question, “Did you finish it?” We might begin by asking ourselves how many projects did we start in the last year—and how many did we actually finish? To our embarrassment we might find the list of plans much greater than the list of completed projects.

The Bible instructs us to count the cost before we begin a project lest we cannot finish it and are embarrassed with that (Luke 14:28-30). The things we plan to do may not always be physical. A young man recently said that he thought it was about time he turned his mind toward eternal life and God—and then did nothing after saying those words. Make a list of what you intend to do and develop a method of checking up on yourself. You will be amazed how much you actually get done by focusing on what you said you would do. Finish the job!

Something for Nothing?

Some people believe that they can enjoy full success in life while enjoying the luxuries of life. They think they can have glory without sacrifice. Realists know that is not so. Every part of our growth toward wisdom and achievement requires effort and sacrifice. Time, effort, concentration and focus make up the path that leads to the top. Paul knew this principle when he explained that Christians are to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). He saw that sacrifice as a spiritual act of worship in pursuit of the most important goal of all: eternal life.

Anything we may want to achieve in life is worth sacrificing for. If it does not seem so, then it is not a worthy goal. We do have to enjoy life as we move toward things we seek and want, but we must not allow that enjoyment to interfere with the course we are on. The new car, holiday trips or luxuries we want may be nice and alluring, but they can be the paving stones of the path that leads to destruction. Learn the value of sacrifice and the rewards it brings. That is how anyone gets to the top. You can’t have something for nothing.