emphasis on odds and ends

8/2/2019 Emphasis on Odds and Ends

1/29

DEFUSING THE SITUATIONMARCH 1

Bible Reading: James 1:12-20Key Verse: 20 -For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.Key Words: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God

Have you ever noticed that some people have short fuses? Now a short fusewith an explosive temper is a dangerous thing.

James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us three things that reveal Godsfruitfulness (verse 19).

1. We will be quick to listen to others.2. We will be slow to say what we are thinking.3.

We will be slow to retaliate.Anger does not defuse situations, it ignites them.

Im reminded of a situation involving actress Carol Burnett. One day as she wasgetting out of a cab her coat was caught in the door. The driver was unaware of herplight and slowly began to edge out into the traffic. To keep from being pulled off herfeet, the comedienne had to run along side down the block. A passerby noticed herpredicament and quickly alerted the driver. He stopped, jumped out, and releasedMiss Burnetts coat. Are you all right? he asked anxiously. Yes, she gasped, but

how much more do I owe you?Her humor and her being slow to wrath defused what could have been a volatile

situation. On many occasions a volatile situation can be defused by asking God tohelp us be slow to wrath.

What to do:

Today and everyday, ask God to help you fulfill James 1:19-20.

LETS TALK ABOUT RESPECTMARCH 2

Bible Reading: Psalm 40:1-10Key Verse: 4 - Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not

the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.Key Words: and respecteth not the proud

Respect must be earned! How many times have you heard that one? Well, itstrue, you know, respect cant be demanded; it must be deserved. It comes through


2/29

our actions and attitude toward others. The Bible teaches us that we reap what wesow. If I want respect, I must give respect, but the proud only respect three people:me, myself, and I. As a result, they generally only get respect from those three andno more.

James Whistler, the Victorian artist, showed scant respect for the hierarchy of

any profession. When his poodle fell ill with a throat infection, he sent immediatelyfor the countrys leading ear, nose, and throat specialist, Sir Morell Mackenzie. Thegreat man was not amused when he was shown his patient, but he conducted athorough examination, wrote out a prescription, and left with his fee. The next dayWhistler received a message asking him to call on Mackenzie without delay. Fearingsome development in the poodles condition, Whistler hurried to the doctors house.So good of you to come, Mr. Whistler, said Mackenzie as his visitor was shown in.I wanted to see you about having my front door painted.

Amen! If I want respect, I must give something a person of pride has a verydifficult time doing.

What to do: You want respect then respect others!

GIVING CREDITMARCH 3

Bible Reading: Luke 11:14-23Key Verse: 15 - But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the

chief of the devils.

Key Words: he casteth out devils through Beelzebub

Have you ever completed a task only to have someone else receive the creditfor it? Im sure we have all faced those situations on occasion. There are times Ireceive credit for what others actually have done the bulk, if not all, the work. Thenthere are those occasions when others receive the credit for what Ive done.

In our text, there are those who refuse to give Jesus the credit that is rightfullydue Him. What a shame! There are those who for whatever reason have a difficult

time giving others due credit for what they have done.Im reminded of a story I read about a free-lance photographer. The story goes

like this:On occasion I do free-lance photography for local newspapers and magazines,

and I take great pride in my work. At a party one evening, I was introduced to anextremely pompous gentleman who writes a weekly piece for a publication that had

just used one of my pictures. After telling me how he liked the "rather interesting"


3/29

composition and tones I had used in my latest work, he said, "You must have a goodcamera." I then mentioned that I had enjoyed his most recent article, and added,"You must have a good typewriter."

The moral of the story is we should give credit where credit is due. Do you do

that? I hope so!

What to do: Give credit where credit is due and youll never go wrongif you just

give God the glory!

BEAUTYMARCH 4

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 21:1-14Key Verse: 11 -And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire

unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;Key Words:And thou seest among the captives a beautiful woman

Focus, if you would, on verses 11-14. The principle is that once you take awayher beauty, are you still desirous of her?

Ive often said, Outer beauty draws attention; inner beauty keeps it.Sam Jarrett wrote forReaders Digest:My wife was grading a science test at home that she had given to her

elementary-school class and was reading some of the results to me. The subjectwas The Human Body, and the first question was: Name one of the majorfunctions of the skin.

One child wrote: To keep people who look at you from throwing up.We do live in a world that I call the beauty craze. We spend more money on

looking good than just about anything else. But what about that inner beauty of souland spirit, do we spend time with God making them beautiful?

Charles William Eliot (1834-1926), former president of Harvard University, had abirthmark on his face that bothered him greatly. As a young man, he was told thatsurgeons could do nothing to remove it. Someone described that moment as "thedark hour of his soul."

Eliot's mother gave him this helpful advice: "My son, it is not possible for you toget rid of that hardship.... But it is possible for you, with God's help, to grow a mindand soul so big that people will forget to look at your face."


4/29

Now, maybe just maybe, this should be our goal rather than all of our time andresources being spent on outer beauty.

What to do:

Im not opposed to outer beauty. Praise God for it, but outer beautywithout inner beauty loses its value. Keep yourself, not only outerlybeautiful, but innerly beautiful as well.

THE FUNNY SIDE OF CONCEITMARCH 5

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-8, 16Key Verses: 3,16 3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is

among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to thinksoberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 16Be of thesame mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men oflow estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Key Words: 3not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think 16Be not

wise in your own conceits

Can I confess something to you? I know that a conceited person can bedownright nauseating, sickening to the core; but I find myself amused by theirconceit.

Im reminded of the story about Lady Nancy Astor, the first woman ever seatedin the British House of Commons, who encountered a lot of male antagonism butproved herself capable of giving as well as receiving in that arena. Once, at a

formal dinner, Lady Astor said to her neighbor that she considered men to be moreconceited than women. Noticing that she had been heard around the table, shecontinued loudly, Its a pity that the most intelligent and learned men attach theleast importance to the way they dress. Why, right at this table the most cultivatedman is wearing the most clumsily knotted tie! The words were scarcely out of hermouth before every man in the room secretly reached up to adjust his tie.

So to all of those who think they are Gods great gift to society, we salute you

with a laugh. Thank you for brightening up our day!

What to do: Youre not going to change a conceited person so you might as well

enjoy them.


5/29

LIVEYOUR LIFE WITH NO REGRETSMARCH 6

Bible Reading: Judges 11:1-11 and verses 30-35Key Verse: 35 -And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and

said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them

that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.Key Words: I have opened my mouthcannot go back

It is better to sleep on what you plan to do than to be kept awake by what youve

done.

How many times do we find both in the Bible and in our churches people living

with regrets because of their choices?

In 1904 William Borden, heir to the Borden Dairy Estate, graduated from aChicago high school a millionaire. His parents gave him a trip around the world.

Traveling through Asia, the middle East, and Europe gave Borden a burden for the

world's hurting people. Writing home, he said, "I'm going to give my life to prepare

for the mission field." When he made this decision, he wrote in the back of his Bible

two words: "No Reserves."

Turning down high-paying job offers after graduating from Yale University, he

entered two more words in his Bible: "No Retreats." Completing studies at Princeton

Seminary, Borden sailed for China to work with Muslims, stopping first at Egypt for

some preparation. While there he was stricken with cerebral meningitis and died

within a month. A waste, you say! Not in God's plan. In his Bible underneath the

words "No Reserves" and "No Retreats," he had written the words "No Regrets."

We all must live with our choices. Choose so you can live with no regrets.

What to do: Todays choices are tomorrows rejoices or regrets.


6/29

COVETOUSNESS(BRINGS WITH IT A 100% GUARANTEE.)

MARCH 7

Bible Reading: Exodus 20:17 and Joshua 7:1-9, 20-26Key Verse: 17- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy

neighbours wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass,nor any thing that is thy neighbours.

Key Words: Thou shalt not covet

Are you aware of the fact that covetousness always destroys? On everyoccasion in Gods Word where you find the word covet, covets, coveteth,covetousness you always find death and destructionevery time. No wonder God

told His people, Thou shalt not covet.Recently I laid a small circle of poison around a hill of stinging ants. Thinking thetiny granules of poison were food, the ants began to pick them up and carry themthroughout the colony. I returned later to see how well the poison was working.Hundreds of the stinging ants were carrying the poison down into their hill. Then Inoticed a hole in the circle of poison. Some of the poison was moving the oppositeway-away from the hill. Some smaller, non-stinging ants had found this food andwere stealing it from their ant neighbors. Thinking they were getting the other ants

treasure, they poisoned themselves. When we see someone with more than wehave, we must beware. The hunger to beg, borrow, or steal our way into what istheirs may poison us spiritually.

Covetousnessa 100% guarantee to destroy!!

What to do:

Ask God to give you victory over covetousness. Live with contentment.

A SPIRIT OF COOPERATIONMARCH 8

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:21-30Key Verse: 27- Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that

whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that yestand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Key Words: striving together for the faith of the gospel

Let me begin by saying there are some things I cannot cooperate with. I cantcooperate with the ACLU. I cant cooperate with the Gay & Lesbian Movement. Icant cooperate with those who advocate abortion. I think you get the idea. But


7/29

when it comes to our church family and stands against sinnot methodologybutsin, we can accomplish more through cooperation than fighting our wars alone. Itreminds me of a story told by Charles Osgood about two ladies who lived in aconvalescent center. Each had suffered an incapacitating stroke. Margarets strokeleft her left side restricted, while Ruths stroke damaged her right side. Both of these

ladies were accomplished pianists but had given up hope of ever playing again.The director of the center sat them down at a piano and encouraged them toplay solo pieces together. They did, and a beautiful friendship developed.

What a picture of the churchs needing to work together! What one membercannot do alone, perhaps two or more could do togetherin harmony.

I think you get the picture. So lets be challenged to work with a spirit ofcooperation. We stand together or fall alone. The choice is yours.

What to do: When it comes to the gospel let us strive together.

FLEXABILITY MARCH 9Bible Reading: I Corinthians 10:20-33

Key Verse: 33- Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, butthe profit of many, that they may be saved.

Key Words: Even as I please all men in all things

As you read these verses, you would think that Paul was a compromiser, whichis not the case. Paul understood that to offend is to loose. Have you ever beenoffended by someone? Now, be honest, after they offended you could they reachyou for Christ? Not likely! Paul understood that every bridge has some give. We callit flexibility, and he who is not flexible is very breakable.

Years ago, Frank Lloyd Wright was given the impossible task of building theImperial Hotel in Tokyo. No comparable construction job ever before had beenundertaken. With patience he laid plans for the immense building in this land of

earthquakes and terrible tremors. After carefully reviewing the situation, he foundthat eight feet below the surface of the ground lay a sixty-foot bed of soft mud. Whynot float the great structure on this and in some way make it absorb the shock of anearthquake? After four years of work, amid ridicule and jeers of skeptical onlookers,this most difficult building in the world was completed, and soon arrived the daywhich tested it completely. The worst earthquake in fifty-two years caused houses


8/29

and buildings all around to tumble and fall in ruins. But the Imperial Hotel stood,because it was able to adjust itself to the tremors of the earth.

And that is the way Paul was. He did not compromise, but he did not offendeither. He knew it was a balancing act. It may not be easy to hold to our standardsand yet not offend others in the process, but it can be done. Paul did it!

What to do: Be flexible or you will be breakable.

DETERREDMARCH 10

Bible Reading: II Timothy 4:1-10Key Verse: 10- For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is

departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Key Words: for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world

In other words, Demas had become deterred. It did not happen overnight. It was

a process. Being deterred is always a process. Achan saw and then coveted. Thenhe took. Lot looked at Sodom. He then pitched his tent towards Sodom. Then hemoved into Sodom. So it was with Demas.

In Philemon, Demas was called fellow-laborer. In Colossians 4:14, Paul simplymentioned his name, and then in II Timothy, he was mentioned as having forsakenPaul. The love for the world deterred him and kept him from moving forward.

It was 1804. Napoleon Bonaparte stared with frustration across the EnglishChannel towards his nemesis. Behind him was the invincible Grande Armee, nearly200,000 crack veterans all straining at the leash to crush the hated English.Everything was ready for the invasion: the transport barges, the escort fleet,ammunition, cavalry, artillery, ambulance wagons, and even field bakeries. Everylast detail had been meticulously planned. It was merely a matter of crossing the 28miles of water in a single nights journey. Yet for month after month Napoleon pacedthe beach at Boulogne, hesitating to act. Finally, after over a year of waiting, hesuddenly turned his huge army around and marched it into the heart of Europe. The

plan to invade England was laid aside forever. The thing that had stopped the greatconqueror at the height of his career was the Royal Navy, Britains wall of oak. Outof sight, just over the horizon, it was nevertheless always foremost in Napoleonsdoubts. And though the future Emperors own fleet outnumbered the British, hedared not test it. That is the power of deterrence, that the true effectiveness of astrategic system is in the mind of the enemy.


9/29

What enemy is deterring you today? Is it fear, doubt, money, love for the world?What is it that has deterred you from your moving forward for God? Today would bea good day to start back on track moving forward for God.

What to do: Judge yourself. Ask am I a servant of God more today than I was in the

past. If not, youve been deterred. Get back on track.

SOME THOUGHTS ON WORLDLINESSMARCH 11

Bible Reading: I John 2:15-21Key Verse: 15- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man

love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Key Words: love not the world

Dave Rogers, in his article The Strength of a Man, says:

The Bible defines worldliness by centering morality where we intuitively know itshould be. Worldliness is the lust of the flesh (a passion for sensual satisfaction), thelust of the eyes (an inordinate desire for the finer things of life), and the pride of life(self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done).Worldliness, then, is a preoccupation with ease and affluence. It elevates creaturecomforts to the point of idolatry; large salaries and comfortable life-styles becomenecessities of life.

Worldliness is reading magazines about people who live hedonistic lives andspend too much money on themselves and wanting to be like them. But moreimportantly, worldliness is simply pride and selfishness in disguises. It is beingresentful when someone snubs us or patronizes us or shows off. It means smartingunder every slight, challenging every word spoken against us, cringing whenanother is preferred before us. Worldliness is harboring grudges, nursinggrievances, and wallowing in self-pity. These are the ways in which we are most likethe world.

Love of the world is sin, and Charles Spurgeon says the following regarding sin:If I had a brother who had been murdered, what would you think of me if I dailyconsorted with the assassin who drove the dagger into my brothers heart; surely Itoo must be an accomplice in the crime. Sin murdered Christ. Will you be a friend toit? Sin pierced the heart of the Incarnate God; can you love it?


10/29

I John 5:4,5 says:For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and thisis the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomeththe world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

What to do: Daily, even moment by moment, ask God to reveal worldliness to you

and give you victory over it.

WHAT DOYOU VALUE?MARCH 12

Bible Reading: Mark 8:31-38Key Verse: 36- For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose

his own soul?Key Words:if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

I have observed two key mistakes people make in regard to what they value.First, Ive noticed at death, whether it be at our imminent death or the death of a

loved one, values change.

On April 14, 1912, 10:00 p.m. the Titanic crashed into an iceberg in the mid-

Atlantic and four hours later sank. One woman in a life boat asked if she could go

back to her room. She was given only three minutes to do so. She hurried down the

corridors, already tilting dangerously, through the gambling room piled ankle-deep in

money. In her room were her treasures waiting to be taken, but instead, she

snatched up three oranges and hurried back to the boat. One hour before she would

have naturally chosen diamonds over oranges, but in the face of death, values are

seen more clearly.

Now, while I would recommend God rather than oranges, I think you get the

point that values change.

Second, I have found that people have misplaced values.A.E. Hotchner writes:

When actress Sophia Loren sobbed to Italian movie director Vittoria De Sica

over the theft of her jewelry, he lectured her: Listen to me, Sophia. I am much older

than you and if there is one great truth I have learned about life, it is this never cry

over anything that cant cry over you.


11/29

Not bad advice! Love people and use things or you will end up loving things and

using people. Think about it.

What to do:

Make God first in your value system. Youll never go wrong and you willbe glad you did.

NOW

THAT

S

EMBARRASSING

MARCH 13Bible Reading: Joshua 7:1-10

Key Verse: 5-And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for theychased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in thegoing down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

Key Words: for they chased them from before the gate

Have you ever embarrassed yourself? Well, I have more times than I care tothink about.

I realize that there is a lot of theology in Joshua 7, but for just a moment, think

about how embarrassed Joshua and Israel must have been. A nation defeated in

battle by a city. How embarrassed they must have been!

It is these embarrassing times, as uncomfortable as they may be, that humble

us and remind us just how human we are and how much we do rely on the flesh.The author of the following is unknown to me:

My sister, Becky, prepared a pasta dish for a dinner party she was giving. In her

haste, however, she forgot to refrigerate the spaghetti sauce, and it sat on the

counter all day. She was worried about spoilage, but it was too late to cook up

another batch. She called the local Poison Control Center and voiced her concern.

They advised Becky to boil the sauce again. That night, the phone rang duringdinner and a guest volunteered to answer it. Her face dropped as the guest called

out, Its the Poison Control Center. They want to know how the spaghetti sauce

turned out.

Now, that is embarrassing!


12/29

So the next time you are embarrassed, remember we all have been where you

are. Grin and bear it and learn a lesson in humility.

What to do:

Do not let embarrassing moments anger you. Youll just embarrassyourself again if you do.

THOSE DREADED TAXES MARCH 14Bible Reading: Matthew 17:14-27

Key Verse: 27- Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, andcast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast openedhis mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for meand thee.

Key Words: that take, and give unto them for me and thee

I do believe we are to pay our taxes and render unto Caesar what is rightfully

Caesars (as long as Caesar stays within the bounds of reason).

My problem is not in paying taxes. My problem, like most Americans is the way

our money is spent waste, fraud, bailouts how ridiculous.

Here in Alabama, as well as in some other states, laws have been passed to rid

us of illegal aliens primarily because they are taking jobs and money away from the

tax of our dear state. And while I agree that the illegal alien issue needs to be

addressed, I see a lot of inconsistencies in our politicians who, in this area, cry out

against the illegals because of the loss of jobs and money while there are many of

their comrades in politics who are robbing us blind. I wonder who is taking more

money and jobs away from Alabama and our nation: illegal aliens or deceptive,

fraudulent politicians.

I am reminded of a humorous tale Ive heard on several occasions, which goeslike this:

A robber walked up to a man in Washington D.C. and pointed a gun toward him

and said, Give me your money.

The man being robbed replied, Im a U.S. Congressman. I dont have any

money.


13/29

The would-be thief thought for a second and then said, Alright then. Give me

MY money!

There is a lot of truth in that!

What to do: Pay your taxes, but demand honesty and integrity from your politicians!

SOUND LIKE ANYONEYOU KNOW?MARCH 15

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-21

Key Verse: 21- For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christs.Key Words: For all seek their own

The motto of our day is what is in it for me? This certainly is not a new motto.Its as old as Adam and Eve.

I recently read the following from an article Learning to Trustby Bernie May. Asyou read the fable, ask yourself: does this sound like any one you know?

For the past forty years Eunice Pike has worked with the Mazatee Indians insouth-western Mexico. During this time she discovered some interesting thingsabout these beautiful people. For instance, the people seldom wish someone well.Not only that, they are hesitant to teach one another or to share the gospel witheach other. If asked, Who taught you to bake bread? the village baker answers, I

just know, meaning he has acquired the knowledge without anyones help. Eunicesays this odd behavior stems from the Indians concept of limited good. Theybelieve there is only so much good, so much knowledge, so much love to go

around. To teach another means you might drain yourself of knowledge. To love asecond child means you have to love the first child less. To wish someone well Have a nice daymeans you have just given away some of your own happiness,which cannot be reacquired.

What a warped view, which is the result of a wrong value system and I mightadd a wrong god as well. I leave you with this thought from I John 4:7,8- Beloved,let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God,

and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

What to do: Brighten the corner where you are!


14/29

GRAMMAR:IT IS IMPORTANTMARCH 16

Bible Reading: Acts 24:10-21Key Verse: 16-And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of

offence toward God, and toward men.

Key Words: void of offence toward God, and toward men

Ive had three great influences in life in regard to the importance of propergrammar: first my wife, her motto is If it is worth saying, it is worth saying correctly.Then there is my oldest daughter: Christina Genea. It should have been ChristinaGrammar. Whenever I hear her say and I know I just said it incorrectly. Third therewas Jan Bemarkt, my English professor in collegeI cannot repeat what she called

me, not that it was vulgar. It was just embarrassing.These three have taught me the importance of using proper grammar. I havediscovered that proper grammar never offends, but improper grammar does!

William Safire gives a lighthearted look at grammar and good usage. Thefollowing are fumblerules. Mistakes that call attention to the rule:

Avoid run-on sentences they are hard to read.No sentence fragments.It behooves us to avoid archaisms.

Also, avoid awkward or affected alliteration.Dont use no double negatives.If Ive told you once, Ive told you a thousand times: Resist hyperbole.

Avoid commas, that are not necessary.Verbs has to agree with their subjects.

Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.Writing carefully, dangling participles should not be used.

Kill all exclamation points!!!Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.Take the bull by the hand, and dont mix metaphors.Dont verb nouns.Never, ever use repetitive redundancies.Last but not least, avoid clichs like the plague.Remember, we are ambassadors for Christ. If it is worth saying, it is worth

saying correctly.

What to do: None of us are perfect, but ask God to lead you to others who can help

you say it right.


15/29

WELL, THAT DIDNT WORK OUT TOO WELLMARCH 17

Bible Reading: II Timothy 3Key Verse: 17- That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good

works.

Key Words: throughly furnished

Being thoroughly furnished involves more than just one thing. It involvesapplication of all scripture, not just one verse or a verse here and there. It is takingGods Word in context and putting it into practice in my daily life. Then Gods Wordbecomes profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and for instruction.

I read the following. The author is unknown to me.

As a professional animal trainer, I was disturbed when my own dog developed abad habit. Every time I hung my wash out on the clothesline, she would yank itdown. Drastic action was called for. I put a white kitchen towel on the line andwaited. Each time she pulled it off, I scolded her. After two weeks, the towel wasuntouched. Then I hung out a large wash and left to do some errands. When I camehome, my clean clothes were scattered all over the yard. On the line was the whitekitchen towel.

He trained the dog in regard to one thing and in that one thing the dog waspunished. Im afraid thats what many believers do. We get on our pet doctrinesand if people obey it they are great. The problem is they are destroying everythingelse.

So I challenge you to be throughly furnished unto all good works.

What to do: Ask God to help you be a thoroughly furnished believer.

PROVINGYOU ARE WHOYOU SAYYOU AREMARCH 18

Bible Reading: John 4:1-26Key Verse: 26- Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.Key Words: I that speak unto thee am he

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and the Samaritan woman believed him. John4:29 says Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this theChrist?


16/29

Jesus proved who He said He was through His works: healing the sick, raisingthe dead, feeding the five thousand.

The renowned artist Paul Gustave Dore (1821-1883) lost his passport whiletraveling in Europe. When he came to a border crossing, he explained hispredicament to one of the guards. Giving his name to the official, Dore hoped he

would be recognized and allowed to pass. The guard, however, said that manypeople attempted to cross the border by claiming to be persons they were not. Doreinsisted that he was the man he claimed to be.

All right, said the official, well give you a test; and if you pass it well allow youto go through.

Handing him a pencil and a sheet of paper, he told the artist to sketch severalpeasants standing nearby. Dore did so quickly and skillfully that the guard wasconvinced he was indeed who he claimed to be. His work confirmed his word!

So it was and is with Jesus. His works confirm His words.The question is do our works confirm that we are what we say we are? I hope

so.

What to do: Make sure your works confirm your words.

AREYOU LISTENING?MARCH 19

Bible Reading: Isaiah 49:1-12Key Verse: 1- Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD

hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he mademention of my name.

Key Words: Listen, O isles

Have you ever heard the words, Youre not listening to me? Happens often,doesnt it?

Why, even God has to tell us to listen up. In our text, God is calling upon the

people to hear about Jesus even before His birth. Why would God have to tell us tolisten? Could it be that we are poor listeners?Did you know that listening skills is one of the poorest areas on a students

SATs? Are you listening? We have lost the desire to listen. In other words, we onlyhear what we want to hear.

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines atthe White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what wassaid. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person


17/29

who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, I murdered mygrandmother this morning. The guests responded with phrases like, Marvelous!Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir. It was not untilthe end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words wereactually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, Im sure

she had it coming.Finally! Someone listened.Praise God for the good listener. We all should be.

What to do: Ask God to help you be a good listener. But while you are asking, be

thankful that He is listening!

BE CAREFUL WHATYOU WANTYOU MAY GET IT

MARCH 20

Bible Reading: Luke 9:23-36Key Verse: 25- For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose

himself, or be cast away?

Key Words: lose himself, or be cast away

The prodigal son in Luke 15 would be a prime example of someone who heardof all the pleasure in a foreign place and exchanged his soul for pleasure. As a

pastor, I see it happening again and again. We value the world while cheapening thesoul.Once a spider built a beautiful web in an old house. He kept it clean and shiny

so that flies would patronize it. The minute he got a customer he would clean up onhim so the other flies would not get suspicious. Then one day, this fairly intelligent flycame buzzing by the clean web. Old man spider called out, Come in and sit. Butthe fairly intelligent fly said, No sir. I dont see other flies in your house, and I am notgoing in alone!

But presently he saw on the floor below a large crowd of flies dancing around ona piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid if lots of flies weredoing it. So he came in for a landing. Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by,saying, Dont land there, stupid! Thats flypaper! But the fairly intelligent fly shoutedback, Dont be silly. Those flies are dancing. Theres a big crowd there. Everybodysdoing it! That many flies cant be wrong. Well, you know what happened. He diedon the spot. Some of us want to be with the crowd so badly that we end up in a


18/29

mess. What does it profit a fly (or a person) if he escapes the web only to end up inthe glue?

What will you give in exchange for your soul?

What to do: Remember: Lot thought Sodom looked good!

A MAJORITY CAN BE WRONGMARCH 21

Bible Reading: Daniel 3:1-12Key Verse: 7- Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the

cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, thenations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image thatNebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Key Words: all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down andworshipped the golden image

The majority can be wrong. They were wrong in Genesis 6 when every

imagination of their hearts was wrong. In Genesis 11 when they built the tower of

Babel, the majority was wrong. When they crucified Jesus, again the majority was

wrong. Because there is a majority for or against an issue does not mean the

majority is right. So it was in Daniel 3. The majority was clearly wrong. In Exodus

20:5 we read, Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. Clearly the

majority is not always right.In 1844 a medical doctor named Ignas Phillip Semmelweis, who was assistant

director at the Vienna Maternity Hospital, suggested to the doctors that the high rate

of death of patients and new babies was due to the fact that the doctors attending

them were carrying infections from the diseased and dead people whom they had

previously touched. Semmelweis ordered doctors to wash their hands with soap and

water and rinse them in a strong chemical before examining their patients. He tried

to get doctors to wear clean clothes and he battled for clean wards. However, the

majority of doctors disagreed with Semmelweis and they deliberately disobeyed his

orders. In the late nineteenth century, on the basis of the work by Semmelweis,

Joseph Lister began soaking surgery instruments, the operating table, his hands,

and the patients with carbolic acid. The results were astonishing. What was

previously risky surgery now became routine. However, the majority of doctors


19/29

criticized his work also. Today we know that Lister and Semmelweis were right; the

majority of doctors in their day were wrong. Just because the majority believes one

thing does not necessarily mean it is true.

Amen!

What do to: Go with Gods Word. The majority may lead you astray.

THE LITTLE THINGS DO MATTERMARCH 22

Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 2Key Verse: 15- Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines

have tender grapes.

Key Words: the little foxes, that spoil the vines

Grapes were and are a major part of the fruit industry in Israel. DuringSolomons day a fence would be placed around the field of grapes to keep the foxfrom entering and destroying the grapes. The problem was that the gap between thewires in the fences would allow the smaller foxes to crawl through and destroy thegrapes.

There is a point to this Bible truth. Its usually not what we consider the big sinsthat destroy us. It is the small ones we fail to take care of, such as:

Taking care of that little frustration we have with others before it grows intobitterness. Not taking time to have a close relationship with God today, which grows

into not taking time tomorrow or the next day or the next, which leads usinto walking alone by sight. Remember that walking with God is by faith.

Not having a proper filing system, which leads to not being able to findthings when you need them which leads to confusion and frustration.

Certainly by now you get the idea.Imagine all the obstacles a person might have to overcome if he were to walkfrom New York City to San Francisco. One man who accomplished this rareachievement mentioned a rather surprising difficulty when asked to tell of his biggesthurdle. He said that the toughest part of the trip was not traversing the steep slopesof the mountains or crossing hot, dry, barren stretches of desert. Instead he said,The thing that came the closest to defeating me was the sand in my shoes.


20/29

Oh the little things! Theyve defeated you just about every time. Watch out forthe little things that will destroy your testimony.

What to do:

Keep the little foxes out. They kill your testimony slowly, but surely.

ADVICEMARCH 23

Bible Reading: Proverbs 13:1-10Key Verse: 10- Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.Key Words: with the well advised is wisdom

We get wisdom in several ways. Wisdom can come from Gods Word. It cancome from answered prayer. It can also come from sound advice: With the welladvised is wisdom. Who we take our counsel from is, of course, of utmostimportance. If we accept foolish advice, we will not only look foolish but also be afool.

I am reminded of a story I read in regard to British Vice-Marshal AlexandarAdams. The story went like this:

At the end of the Battle of Britain, British Vice-Marshal Alexandar Adams was drivingto a meeting at his headquarters when he came upon a sign: ROAD CLOSEDUNEXPLODED BOMB. Adams called over the policeman on duty, hoping he mightbe able to suggest an alternate route. Sorry, you cant go through, said thepoliceman as he approached the car. The bomb is likely to go off at any minutenow. Then he caught sight of Adams uniform. Im very sorry, sir, he said, I didntknow you were a wing commander. It is quite all right for you to go through.With advisors like that, who needs enemies! Although that policemanwho wastrained to respect rankmomentarily allowed his deference to a vice-marshal toovercome his good sense, Adams had better sense than to follow his advice.

The moral of the story is clear. Be careful who you take advice from. It could kill

you.

What to do: Take advice from others who have proven themselves over time to

make wise decisions.


21/29

TRUTH-IT NEVER CHANGESMARCH 24

Bible Reading: Proverbs 23: 22-38Key Verse: 23- Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and

understanding.

Key Words: Buy the truth, and sell it not

In a survey taken by the Barna Group, interviewers were asked if they agreedstrongly, agreed somewhat, disagreed somewhat or disagreed strongly with thefollowing statement: There is no such thing as absolute truth. Amazingly, only 28%of the respondents expressed strong belief in absolute truth, and more thansurprisingly, only 23% of the born-again, evangelical Christians accepted this idea!

What a telling revelation. If more than 75% of the followers of Christ say nothing canbe known for certain, does this indicate, as it seems, that they are not convincedthat Jesus existed, that He is who He claimed to be, that His Word is authentic, thatGod created the heavens and earth, or that eternal life awaits the believer? That iswhat the findings appear to mean. If there is not absolute truth, then by definition,nothing can be said to be absolutely true. To the majority, apparently, its all relative.Nothing is certain. Might be. Might not be. Who knows for sure? Take your guessand hope for the best!

Is it any wonder then that so many who say they are Christian are here todayand gone tomorrow for God? St. Augustine said, When regard for the truth hasbeen broken down or even slightly weakened, all things will remain doubtful.

When we fail to believe that Gods Word is absolute truth, humanism prevails,which results in the damnation of souls!

What to do: Love truth, which is Gods Word. It makes you free!

WHAT WE DO DOES EFFECT OTHERSMARCH 25

Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-12Key Verse: 12- Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by

sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Key Words: death passed upon all men

The decisions we make today not only effect us but others also. Adam andEves decision to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree effected all mankind.


22/29

Davids decision to commit adultery affected David, Bathsheba, the servants,Uriah, and certainly the baby boy who died.

The spies decision to give a bad report in Numbers 13 led to 40 years ofwilderness wanderings for Israel.

Our decisions do effect others.

Take Edwin Thomas, for instance. Edwin Thomas Booth, that is. At age fifteenhe debuted on the stage playing Tressel to his fathers Richard III. Within a few shortyears he was playing the lead in Shakespearean tragedies throughout the UnitedStates and Europe. He was the Olivier of his time. He brought a spirit of tragedy thatput him in a class by himself. Edwin had a younger brother, John, who was also anactor. Although he could not compare with his older brother, he did give amemorable interpretation of Brutus in the 1863 production of Julius Caesar, by the

New York Winter Garden Theater. Two years later, he performed his last role in atheater when he jumped from the box of a bloodied President Lincoln to the stage ofFords Theater. John Wilkes Booth met the end he deserved. But his murderous lifeplaced a stigma over the life of his brother Edwin. An invisible asterisk now stoodbeside his name in the minds of the people. He was no longer Edwin Thomas Booththe consummate tragedian, but Edwin Booth the brother of the assassin. He retiredfrom the stage to ponder the question why? Edwin Booths life was a tragic accident

simply because of his last name. The sensationalists wouldnt let him separatehimself from the crime.

It is interesting to note that he carried a letter with him that could havevindicated him from the sibling attachment to John Wilkes Booth. It was a letter fromGeneral Adams Budeau, Chief Secretary to General Ulysses S. Grant, thanking himfor a singular act of bravery. It seems that while he was waiting for a train on theplatform at Jersey City, a coach he was about to board bolted forward. He turned in

time to see that a young boy had slipped from the edge of the pressing crowd intothe path of the oncoming train. Without thinking, Edwin raced to the edge of theplatform and, linking his leg around a railing, grabbed the boy by the collar. Thegrateful boy recognized him, but he didnt recognize the boy. It was not until hereceived the letter of thanks that he learned it was Robert Todd Lincoln, the son ofhis brothers future victim.

What we do effects others. So be careful in making your decisions.

What to do: Never make decisions with you in mind but with God in mind.


23/29

SURELY GOODNESS AND MARCYMARCH 26

Bible Reading: Psalm 23Key Verse: 6- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I

will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Key Words: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life

The 23rd Psalm is often read at funerals, but there is no greater promise for theliving than that which one finds in the 23rd Psalm.

In verse 1, there is the promise of provision. In verses 2-4 you find the promise of peace. In verse 5 you find His protection. In verse 6, we see the presence of God.The promise never to leave us or forsake us should be a constant

encouragement for us all (Hebrews 13:5).A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He did not

want her to walk with him, and she wanted to give him a feeling of independence.But she also wanted to know that he was safe. When she expressed her concern toher neighbor, Shirley offered to follow him to school every morning for a while,staying at a distance so he wouldnt notice. Shirley said that since she was up earlywith her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise.

All week long, Shirley and her daughter followed Timmy as he walked to schoolwith another neighborhood girl. As the two children walked and chatted, kickingstones and twigs, Timmys friend said, Have you noticed that lady following us toschool all week? Do you know her?

Timmy replied, Yes, I know who she is. Thats my moms friend ShirleyGoodnest and her little girl Marcy.

Shirley Goodnes. Why is she following us?Well, Timmy explained, every night my mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm. It

says Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life. I guess Illjust have to get used to it.

We might as well get used to it. God is not going to break His promises!

What to do: Be still and know that God is near.


24/29

HE DIDNT - SHE WOULDNTMARCH 27

Bible Reading: Mark 7:1-13Key Verse: 5- Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples

according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Key Words: but eat bread with unwashen hands

Have you ever known someone that, wherever they go, there is trouble? Theyjust have a way of stirring it up. The Pharisees were that way. They were constantlylooking for fault and trying to stir up trouble.

One such man in a more modern era would have been Lord Halifax.Lord Halifax, a former foreign secretary of Great Britain, once shared a railway

compartment with two prim-looking spinsters. A few moments before reaching hisdestination the train passed through a tunnel. In the utter darkness, Halifax kissedthe back of his hand noisily several times. When the train drew into the station, herose, lifted his hand, and in a gentlemanly way said: May I thank whichever one ofyou two ladies I am indebted to for the charming incident in the tunnel. He then beata hasty retreat, leaving the two ladies glaring at each other.

There is one in every crowd. They stir it up and then walk off and leave others tofight it out.

So I caution you to beware of the troublemaker who can stir things up and leaveyou with a new enemy.

What to do: Make sure you have the right ----before going to war.

WHAT ABOUT THEIR STANDARDS?MARCH 28

Bible Reading: I Timothy 2Key Verse: 9- In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,

with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, orcostly array;

Key Words: modest apparel

I do know that we live in some immodest times. Womens clothing is gettinglower on top and higher on the bottom. Some young men wear their pants half waydown their backsides. I also know that many who think they have the higherstandards would be considered very immodest in days gone by.

In Puritan England, all sports events were considered immodest.


25/29

If you celebrated Christmas at all, you were immodest.If you performed religious music--? apart from the church, you were immodest.If you wore lace, frills, or shoe buckles, you were immodest, and this is just a

sampling of the list. So based upon the above list, there is no one, and I repeat, noone who would NOT be considered as being immodest.

The word modest in its purest form means to not overdo it. One should bemodest in dress. One should be modest in their speech and how much they say.One should be modest in their activities and modest in their opinions of others.

One who does not control their tongue is immodest.One who does not control their temper is immodest.One who always complains about the immodesty of others is immodest.I do believe in modesty in dress. The Bible teaches us to be modest in our

dress, but we should put the same modesty into practice in every facet of our lives.

Remember, back in the Puritan days, you arent modest either.Maybe I have said too much--- and ---. I was just immodest.

What to do: Be modest in every point of your life, not just those that suit your fancy.

DRUG STORE JUSTICE(THE PRESCRIPTION FOR JUSTICE)

MARCH 29

Bible Reading: Psalm 89:1-15

Key Verse: 14- Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truthshall go before thy face.Key Words: Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne

God is just which means he must pronounce judgment on all the unjust. Noinjustice can go without judgment being pronounced.

There is a great example of justice and judgment found in Readers DigestsStrange Stories.

Dr. Charles Meyer, a German druggist and an educated man, was often calledupon to settle disputes in the lawless town of Tucson, Arizona, in the mid-1800s. Heowned two booksperhaps the only two in town. Both were in German. One wasabout setting broken bones; the other was a material medica, dealing with medicinaldrugs.

Meyer became the towns justice of the peace and set up court in his drugstore.When confronted with a difficult case, he would open his material medica and study


26/29

it solemnly. Then he would declare something like, I find here a case quite similar tothe one we face. It says that the plaintiff is correct and the defendant is guilty andowes him $1. Case dismissed.

People seldom challenged Meyers decisions. If they did, he doubled the fine. Alawyer once demanded a trial by jury. What is a jury? Meyer asked. When told, he

sentenced the client to two weeks on a chain gang, cleaning the streets andremoving sewage. The lawyer got one week. The druggist-justice asked, Now, howdo you like that trial by jury?

Another time, after Meyer and a friend had been stopped by the town marshalfor exceeding the five-mile-an-hour speed limit behind a team of spirited horses, hefined his friend $15, then doffed his robe, stood before the bench, and fined himself$25.

No injustice went unpunished. So it is with God. Be sure your sin will find you

out. A just God must always carry out just judgment. Im not sure about you, but itmakes me think twice before acting.

What to do: Rememberall injustices are known by God. So think twice!

PERMANENT VACATIONMARCH 30

Bible Reading: Galatians 5:1-18Key Verse: 15- But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not

consumed one of another.

Key Words: But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be notconsumed one of another.

The New World was still very new indeed when, in 1536, sea captain RichardHore organized the first pleasure cruise to its shores. Tourist cruises to warmclimates were not uncommon then, though they were often disguised aspilgrimages. Hore was the first to see potential profit in the prospect of visiting thenewly discovered continent. Hiring two ships and a crew of 90, he announced a

sightseeing tour across the ocean. Thirty gentlemen interested in exotic adventuresigned on at prices designed to make Hore a rich man.

In Newfoundland, one of the ships ran out of provisions, and the passengersbegan to starve. They tried to live off the land, scavenging herbs and roots. Thenone man killed another and feasted on him; soon others began to disappear.Shocked, Captain Hore preached a sermon deploring cannibalism, asking everyoneto abstain from it in the future.


27/29

That night, a French ship wandered into the harbor and the Englishmencommandeered it for their trip home. None of the survivors ever explained why theycouldnt have subsisted on Newfoundlands abundant fish and game, instead ofeach other.

Now, while we deplore such actions as cannibalism, we do not seem to mind

consuming others with our hateful words and actions which Paul warns us of. Weare not to be cannibals in these areas either. I would agree, wouldnt you?

What to do: Be kind not cannibalistic with your words and actions.

CAMPAIGNING TODAY -- DOTE TOMORROWMARCH 31

Bible Reading: Luke 16:14-31Key Verse: 23-And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham

afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Key Words: and in hell

Salvation is your choice. Choose Christ and receive heaven as your home.Reject Christ and receive hell as your eternal destiny.

While the following story is certainly not Scripturally accurate, it does prove apoint.

While walking down the street one day, a Republican head of state is tragicallyhit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at theentrance.

Welcome to Heaven, says St. Peter. Before you settle in, it seems there is aproblem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so were notsure what to do with you.

No problem, just let me in. says the Republican.Well, Id like to, but I have orders from higher up. What well do is have you

spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend

eternity.Really, Ive made up my mind, I want to be in Heaven, says the Republican

head of state.Im sorry, but we have our rules. And with that, St. Peter escorts the

Republican to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. The doors openand he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a cluband standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked


28/29

with him, everyone is happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, hug him,and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of thepeople. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar. Alsopresent is the Devil (a Republican, too), who really is a very friendly guy who has agood time dancing and telling jokes.

They are having such a good time that, before he realizes it, it is time to go.Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goesup, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

Now its time to visit Heaven. So twenty-four hours pass with the Republicanhead of state joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playingthe harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the twenty-four hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

Well, then, youve spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your

eternity.He reflects for a minute, then the head of state answers: Well, I would never

have thought it, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better offin Hell.

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down down to Hell.Now the doors open and he is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste andgarbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it

in black bags. The Devil comes over to the Republican and lays an arm on his neck.I dont understand, stammers the Republican head of state. Yesterday I washere and there was a golf course and club and we ate lobseter and caviar anddanced and had a great time. Now all there is is a wasteland full of garbage and myfriends look miserable.

The Devil looks at him, smiles, and says, Yesterday we were campaigning.Today you voted for us!

Who have you voted for, Heaven or Hell? The choice is yours.

What to do: Make the right choice. Your eternal destiny depends on it.


29/29

I deeply appreciate the help of

Cathy Fortenberry

Sandy Lancaster

Glenda Myrick

Mary Parsons

John and Tascha Piatt

Reba Pontbriand

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to help

this devotional would not have been possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse

emphasis on odds and ends

Documents