‘There is a time…to give up…to be silent…’ Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 NIV
With the best intentions we rush in where angels fear to tread, instead of recognising when to back off. The bible says there is ‘…a time to heal…to give up…to be silent…’ A time to stop forcing the issue and let God do His work, otherwise you end up creating scars that take years to heal.
As painful as it is, letting go of people and situations you cannot control can be the wisest course of action. For example, all the coercion and coaxing in the world will not change a floundering relationship unless both parties want it to work. And parent, the Bible says, ‘…Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them…’ (Ephesians 6:4 NTL). Learn to choose your battles. Being inflexible about every little issue makes our children angry and rebellious. The same principle applies when you have hurt somebody’s feelings. Apologise, then back off and give them time to come to terms with what has happened.
Ever dealt with a salesperson who tried to sell you something you were not really sold on? The harder they pushed the more you dug your heels in, right? If they’d just backed off the story could have been different. Now, think about the people you love. Are you being pushy and impatient with them? Are you using intimidation to get what you want? Letting go does not mean you stop caring. On the contrary, knowing when to take a ‘hands off’ approach and give God time to work on the situation is a real mark of maturity.
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Responding to Others' Failure 2 Timothy 4:9-18 The apostle Paul was always sacrificing himself for others. He faced hunger, shipwreck, beatings, and imprisonment to carry God's Word to needy people. Consequently, he had every reason to expect the men and women he mentored to be faithful when he experienced a crisis. But Paul endured his Roman prison and trial before a government tribunal virtually alone--only Luke continued to lend support.
Paul's friends probably had reason to stay away, namely, fear that the tribunal would investigate them next, or confidence that the apostle's faith would sustain him better than their inadequate aid. Regardless of the reason, Paul had only these words for his deserters: "May it not be counted against them" (v. 16). He forgave those who had abandoned him.
Paul's words and attitude will sound familiar to believers who know Stephen's story. For preaching the Word and speaking against the religious leaders, Stephen was stoned. Paul, at the time a young Pharisee known as Saul, looked on approvingly. When he later repented following his Damascus Road experience, the memory of Stephen's final words must have provided great comfort: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them"(Acts 7:60).The apostle was forgiven for condemning a man to death.
While resentment and anger seem justified when others fail us, we don't have the right to withhold forgiveness. Regardless of the pain someone inflicted or the loneliness his or her absence caused, God's expectation doesn't change. Believers forgive because Jesus Christ forgave us fully, knowing how often we would fail, hurt, and ignore Him.
There can be no testimony without a test. I am praying to go through this test and come out the other end with a new and better marriage then before.
The Foundation of Unwavering Faith Hebrews 13:1-8 Discouragement and fragmented thinking often accompany troubled times. But we do not have to give in to thoughts that God might have forsaken us. A simple but profound scriptural truth provides the foundation for unwavering faith: When someone places trust in Christ as his or her personal Savior, Jesus intends to build a strong relationship with that person. The Lord plans a spiritual connection that will be intimate and permanent. That is why He promised, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). No matter how we may feel, God is with us.
As great a promise as Jesus' uninterrupted presence is, we have yet another foundational truth on which to rely. We can fully trust His pledge to be with us always because we have also been assured that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (v. 8).
If we think that the Lord has suddenly abandoned us when difficulties arise, then our faith foundation is cracked; we will have trouble trusting anything He says if we believe He is not keeping His Word. The reality is that we are the ones wavering, usually because our circumstances seem so dire. But Jesus and His promises have not changed--He is present, providing for needs, and working good out of all situations every second of our lives. What other friend can we say always remains steady by our side?
Learning from God's Word and looking at His work in our life, we can see His consistency for ourselves. Then we can build unwavering faith on the truth that Jesus is the same forever.
There can be no testimony without a test. I am praying to go through this test and come out the other end with a new and better marriage then before.
C S Lewis offers an eye-opening perspective on pride. He believes that it leads to every other vice. Carefully consider his words: ‘Does this seem to you exaggerated? If so, think it over. I pointed out a moment ago that the more pride one had, the more one disliked pride in others.
In fact if you want to find out how proud you are, the easiest way is to ask yourself, “How much do I dislike it when other people snub me or refuse to take notice of me?” The point is that each persons pride is in competition with everyone else’s pride. It is because I wanted to be the big noise at the party that I am so annoyed at someone else being the big noise.
Now what you want to get to clear is – pride is essentially competitive! It gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking, there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest.’ Wow!
Why does Solomon say, ‘A mans pride [will bring] him low…?’ Because it is easy to fool someone who thinks themselves clever. All you have to do is pander to their ego. Pride can blind you to your own faults, the clear teaching of Scripture, and the pitfalls that lie in your path. So watch for it!
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
‘…Respect…Marriage…Be Faithful to your partner…’ Hebrews 13:4 CEV
J Allen Peterson writes: ‘what was once labelled infidelity and carried a stigma, is now an affair – a nice sounding, almost inviting word wrapped in mystery and excitement – a relationship, not a sin. What was once a secret closely guarded – is now…headlines, a TV theme, a bestseller, as common as the cold.’
One hit song goes, ‘I don’t care who’s right or wrong…just help me make it through the night.’ Cheating is viewed as exciting; those who remain faithful are seen as unenlightened or old-fashioned. Well, it is time to call a spade a spade! The Bible says, ‘…respect … marriage … be faithful to your partner, because God will punish anyone who is unfaithful…’ That is a sobering word!
So before you go down that road, remember: 1) infidelity hurts your partner. Seeking fulfilment outside your marriage means that all the time, money and energy you devote to another person, are stolen from your mate. They end up paying for your betrayal 2) infidelity is self-destructive. Lying to somebody who trusts you puts you in a ‘double bind.’ No matter what happens, you lose. When you can’t tell your covenant partner the truth, you end up despising yourself. And the longer you live a lie, the more self-respect you lose 3) infidelity camouflages the real issue. An affair may make you feel attractive and appreciated – temporarily. Meanwhile the real problem keeps growing. Nothing beats caring confrontation and honest sharing, because while the ‘Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow’ (Proverbs 12:19 TM). Contrary to popular thinking, an affair will not simplify your life. It will complicate it in ways you cannot begin to imagine.
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Extract taken from ‘The Word For Today’ for Weds May 10th 06
‘…Troubles Produce Patience. And Patience Produces Character…’ Romans 5: 3-4 NCV
Storms come for a reason. They also come for a season. Discover the reason and grow wiser. Outlast the season and grow stronger; but never quit! Chuck Swindoll writes: ‘Somebody needs to address the other side of Christian life, if for no other reason than to uphold reality. We need to be told that difficulty and pressure are par-for-the-course. No amount of Biblical input, deeper life conference or super-victory seminars will exempt you from struggle.
God promises no bubble of protection. Ask Job, Joseph, Daniel and Paul, and you’ll become acquainted with an ancient word that has almost disappeared in this generation of splashy, always-grinning, a-miracle-a-day spirituality – perseverance! I know of no better partner to dance with when you’re doing the three-steps-forward and two-steps-back number. It’s in the tough times that true character is forged, the life of Christ is reproduced in us, and our flimsy theology is exchanged for a set of convictions that enable us to handle things rather than trying to escape them.
It’s when the bottom falls out and life tries to pound you into a corner of doubt and unbelief, that you need what perseverance produces: a) a willingness to accept whatever comes, knowing that by God’s grace you’ll win and come out stronger b) a determination to stand firm while those around you are falling or running away c) insight to see the character-developing hand of God in it all. Without that, we stumble and fall and God is grieved. With it, we survive and conquer and God is glorified.’ Can you think of one quitter, just one, who ever accomplished anything worthwhile?
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Delboy, An excellent posting and came at the appropriate time. Thank you.
How are you and your family doing these days?
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
Even when it’s spoken in love, the truth can still create tension. That’s why we’ll do anything to avoid confrontation. It’s also why our relationships die on the vine. Following the path of least resistance makes rivers (and people) lose their way because: a) the problem always resurfaces b) untreated, it gets worse c) disappointment infects the relationship d) unexpressed anger leads to bitterness e) our love grows cold.
Avoiding confrontation means failing to use the tools God’s given us to restore harmony. ‘Peace at any price’ is a tactic of satan. Anytime you care enough to confront somebody, he’ll whisper, ‘Why bother? It’ll just make trouble. It’ll sort itself out.’ If you heed satan’s lies you’ll kill the relationship for sure. The Bible says ‘‘‘If your brother sins…reprove him in private…’’’ (Matthew 18:15 NAS). That can mean saying, ‘I love you too much to stand by while you work yourself to death, or ruin your health through lack of exercise and bad eating habits, or settle for too little.’ Or, ‘I care too much about our relationship to let it fizzle out.’ Speaking the truth in love means taking a risk. It requires two fundamental convictions. One: that honesty is more important than avoiding conflict. Two: that the other person’s well-being is more important than their comfort level. The reason God says, ‘…speak the truth…,’ is because any other approach just destroys relationships. So – is there somebody you need to talk to today? If so, pray, then do it!
Excerpt from THE WORD FOR TODAY, UCB (United Christian Broadcasters), PO Box 255, Stoke-On-Trent, ST4 8YY, England. Free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
