Fortify my faith

5-31-2012 by Boyd Bailey “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 There is a subtle and not so subtle sequence of rejection that takes place in a life that’s not surrendered to the Lord. Acknowledgement of obedience is not sufficient without the evidence of action that aligns with holiness. God calls all His children to purity and a productive life around His priorities. Accepting Almighty God’s instruction releases His Holy Spirit’s influence. A life, powered by the Spirit, sees the Lord work. Indeed, there are wise rejections. Reject self-righteousness and accept unpretentious piety. Reject pride and accept humility. Reject bitterness and accept forgiveness. Reject egotistical anger and accept just anger. Reject fear and accept faith. Reject sin and accept sinners. Reject being holier-than-thou and accept holiness. Reject hurt and accept healing. Reject unbelief and accept belief. Reject Satan and accept Jesus. Reject unwise actions. “And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” 1 Samuel 8:7 As we surrender to our Savior Jesus, we will feel the rejection of others. It could be a family member who sees Christ in our life and is convicted of his or her sin. They feel uncomfortable and even angry at being exposed by the light of our loving life. Wise are we not to lower our language to their level with defensiveness. Rather, we accept them as a needy person in need of forgiveness. We love them to the Lord with relentless kindness. Above all, accept first Jesus as your personal Savior and then begin a pattern of accepting His lot for your life. If you can trust Him with your eternal destination, you can trust Him with your earthly destination. Accept the reality of your trials with trust in God’s goodness to give you hope and help for the journey. Accepting God’s game plan—during the good and bad times—unleashes His strength and encouragement. Your acceptance of the Lord’s instruction invites His Holy Spirit’s comfort, conviction and control. “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 Prayer: Dear Lord, by faith I accept You and Your will for my life. Fortify my faith. Related Readings: Job 22:21-23; Zephaniah 3:2; John 13:20; 1 Peter 2:5 God Bless! Logan Stout

Wisdom

5-30-2012 by Boyd Bailey “Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand…” Proverbs 8:1-2 Wisdom is not shy, but it proclaims itself and speaks out in public places. The Lord, speaking to Moses on Mt. Sinai, spoke wisdom loudly with authority, clarity, and finality. John the Baptist boldly cried out repentance and faith in Christ to the crowds. Wisdom is not a secret secluded in solitary confinement waiting to be let out. It calls out publicly and openly. Because wisdom is so easily accessible, it is imperative we listen and learn from its instruction. Sunday morning teachings at your church should be a reservoir of wisdom. If not, consider transferring to a fellowship where access to truth is easy to find. Wisdom drowns out the whispers of gossiping fools, because wisdom has the last word. Listen for wisdom and you will learn how to follow the Lord. “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” Acts 28:31 The way of wisdom works because it invites in God’s blessing. For example, financial wisdom is to avoid debt, save, and pay cash. Relational wisdom is listening with understanding to another’s needs, repeating back what you heard, confirming your comprehension, and if appropriate, offering ideas that may bring benefit. Parenting wisdom is finding couples whose children are upright, and learning from them. Business wisdom is building your enterprise on honesty and integrity, not compromising your convictions for cash. Wisdom has worthy things to say, so listen for it each day and learn. Train your ears to listen for wisdom in sermons and everyday conversations. Expose your eyes to wisdom found in books and in the Bible. Lastly, look for wise behavior to emulate from those who enjoy the fruit of faithful living. Wisdom speaks out, so you can live it out. “Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square.” Proverbs 1:20 Prayer: Where is wisdom trying to get my attention, and how can I apply its truth? Related Readings: Exodus 19; Isaiah 58:1; Matthew 3:3; John 7:37; Hebrews 12:25 God Bless! Logan Stout

Tough and Tender

5-29-2012 by Boyd Bailey “One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.” Psalm 62:11-12 The Lord is all-powerful and all loving. He is tough and tender. Jesus Christ is angry at religious hypocrisy and forgiving toward genuine repentance. He is a strong support in the middle of suffering and provides loving reminders to those who stray from His ways. He is friends with sinners and prays for His enemies. Indeed, Almighty God rules with justice and compassion. His holy heart lovingly leads with wisdom and mercy. Furthermore, we are privileged to trust in Christ and His character. Our image of God illustrates and influences how we treat others. For example, our children need us to be tough and tender. Wise rules and guidelines enforced with a gracious attitude bring out the best results. So, we love them with discipline that teaches the “why” behind the “what”. We explain how the habit of honesty earns the respect and trust of friends. “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.” Ephesians 3:7 Like the positive and negative posts of a battery’s power supply, so the Holy Spirit empowers your faith with the eternal energy of God’s grace and power. So, by faith you stare down suffering with internal righteous resolve. Because you trust Jesus, your faith toughens your commitment to overcome adversity in Christ’s strength. A child born with a debilitating disease is an invitation to learn and model Jesus’ love at the deepest level. Are you troubled by the tension that God is both tough and tender? If so, use this discomfort to place yourself in an aggressive posture of prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in the appropriate way to apply firmness and friendliness in your work relationships. Things and people are normally not as bad or good as they might seem. Your family and friends need to see you tough and tender. By God’s grace be humbly bold! “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Prayer: Heavenly Father, how do you want me to be both tough and tender with my family? Related Readings: Exodus 15:13; Psalm 36:7; Acts 4:33; 6:8; Ephesians 3:18 God Bless! Logan Stout

Stop, Pray, Listen

5-25-2012 We all want clear direction in life, yet we often go crazy looking. Instead, STOP, PRAY, LISTEN, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your every move...then and only then will you walk THE WAY He has inteded for you! Have a blessed Memorial Day Weekend! Logan Stout

Healing

5-23-2012 by Boyd Bailey “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 Hurt cannot be avoided this side of heaven. This is an unfortunate outcome from outside forces; self-absorbed family members, insensitive friends, and self-inflicted wounds. The deepest harm comes from those who should love well, but because of their own unresolved hurt, are emotionally injurious. For example, instead of spouses meeting a very real need to love and respect their wife or husband, they tear down with cutting words. They may withhold affection, while tempting their marriage partner to find affection elsewhere. Sarcasm scars, rejection injures, anger crushes confidence, and dishonesty destroys trust. How do we handle deep hurts that have compounded in crazy cycles over many years? Where do we go when the hurt is so unbearable that we stay scared, implode in anger, and grow a root of bitterness? Fortunately, there is a very real hope for healing found in our loving Heavenly Father and His caring children. Healing doesn’t happen by accident, but begins with an intentional acknowledgment of the need for wholeness by God’s grace. “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 By faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are a precious child of God. He died for you. You are loved by the Lord and by His loving disciples. Confess to Christ your desperate need for His love and forgiveness. Linger long in the accepting arms of Jesus and let Him love you. You are not alone. He was rejected, so you could be accepted. He served, so you could serve and be served. He died, so you could live. His grace heals. Furthermore, listen to the gracious words of others who love the Lord. What they say is sincere and true. Reject the lies of the devil and his followers, but embrace the healing truth of trusted friends and counselors. Emotions can betray, but truth keeps you from straying. Confess your sins to Christ and a few confidantes and forgive those who have brought you shameful hurt. Like a deep wound to the flesh, healing takes time, the pain does not go away immediately, the scab is messy, but the scar is a badge of God’s grace. “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8 Prayer: Heavenly Father bring healing to my wounded heart, and teach me to forgive. Related Readings: Proverbs 12:18; 13:17; Jeremiah 33:6; Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 12:28 God Bless! Logan Stout

Pursue

5-22-2012 by Boyd Bailey “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 The Lord pursues His own with His irresistible love and grace. He is not passive in His pursuit because He knows how aggressively evil engages individuals. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden—God searches to see how His children are doing. He looks out for those He loves, longing to lead them into a growing relationship with His son Jesus. Indeed, the Lord’s pursuits are not trivial, but practical concerning love for His own. Thus, we are motivated to pursue the One who pursues us with eternal energy. How can we ignore romancing Righteousness? How can we chase dreams that leave out the Dream-giver? Wise are we to call on Christ out of a pure heart in pursuit of what He cares about: righteousness, faith, love and peace. This foursome of wisdom plays close to Jesus’ heart. He knows the fruit of wise pursuit propels us toward understanding His will. We pursue the Lord, and in the process His Spirit transforms us into godly followers. “The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.” Proverbs 15:9 Moreover, we pursue righteousness because evil is hot on our heels. Better to turn our back on sin and flee toward faith in our Savior Jesus. When we look for love, we learn how to love. Indeed, we become what we focus on. A life that looks at how Jesus loves begins to love like Jesus loves. If our desire is peace, then we sit at the feet of the Prince of Peace and receive His tranquil trust. We acquire peace by being at peace with God. Lastly, you hunt down heaven’s agenda, because you know what’s best for you and your family. Engaging the eternal is as simple as a moment of meditation on one Scripture verse, an hour of worship, Bible study at church, or a quiet weekend secluded with your Lord Jesus. Be intentional with integrity in little things and you will become a person of integrity in big things. Initiate love and you become loving. By faith integrate righteousness, love, and peace from a pure heart and enjoy Christ’s affirmation. “Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.” Proverbs 13:21 Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for pursing me in love. Keep my pursuits pure. Related Readings: Proverbs 11:19; 21:21; Romans 9:31-32; 1 Timothy 6:11 God Bless! Logan Stout

Dress For Success

5-21-2012 by Boyd Bailey “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 There is an inner attire Almighty God expects His people to wear. They are adorned with an attitude of compassion, kind words, a humble heart, a gentle demeanor, and patience with people and problems. Each day disciples of Jesus choose to clothe themselves with the character of Christ or remain naked to the world’s influences. Chosen people of God gladly put on spiritual apparel for they want first impressions to point people to Jesus. Jesus loves us lavishly, so we will love, even the unlovely, lavishly. Jesus blankets us with His compassion, so that we will extend the same depth of mercy to those caught up in their cares. Jesus’ kind words, “friend I forgive you” or “I am with you” are examples of how we extend kindness to hurting hearts. His humble heart of service leads us to serve. His gentleness with children changes how we correct and train our children. And Jesus’ patient endurance in adversity gives us hope and faith to persevere. “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3 Are you as conscientious about clothing your inner self with God’s expectations, as you are in dressing to impress the world with its latest fashion statement? Indeed, your outward adornment is an indicator of your inward beauty. So, make sure it is the security of your humble heart that draws attention to your compassionate countenance. Be intentional to cultivate a kind soul, so it spills over into gentle words and patient actions. The Holy Spirit is your faith fashion police reminding you of what’s really important. Spiritual fads come and go, but character built on Christ is steady and sustainable. Some sincere believers get caught up with the Second Coming of Christ but forget to prepare their hearts and lives in the meantime. Thus, dress for spiritual success and the Lord will smile down on your attractive life. Adorn your inner beauty with Christ’s appealing clothing. “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:4 Prayer: Heavenly Father, dress me each day with the beauty of Your holiness and love. Related Readings: Job 40:10; Isaiah 52:1; Matthew 11:29, Luke 6:36; 1 Corinthians 13:4 God Bless! Logan Stout

Expectations

5-20-2012 by Boyd Bailey He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble.” Psalm 10:6 There is no such thing as a trouble-free life. This is naïve, presumptive, and proud. Pride instills false confidence and unrealistic expectations. A man thinks himself immutable and omnipotent to conclude he will always be free from adversity. Jesus said just the opposite. He taught that we are not of this world, therefore the world will hate us (John 15:19). This is not an invitation to a life of ease. It is a guarantee for conflict. The naïve boast of an out of control optimism not based in reality. His house is built on sand, and he will experience loss when the first winds of suffering blow over his life. Pride sets us up for a fall (Proverbs 16:18). There is no way to totally shield ourselves from pain. We who feel overly secure are never safe. There is no opulent home or outrageous bank account that can keep us from the inevitable suffering. Wealth sets us up for disappointment. Boastings are not buttresses, and self-confidence is a sorry security. Our confidence is in Christ, not in our ever-changing life of uncertainty. He has a perfect purpose outside of ourselves. He has a much greater and more massive meaning. We can expect great things from Him because He is great. He is immovable and immutable. We vacillate. We change. We struggle. We doubt. We fear. That is why we cast our lot with the Lord. When life happens and the bottom falls out, we have a solid foundation in our Savior. Pride, on the other hand, brews naïve expectations. This is the ruin of fools. When they succeed, their confidence bloats out of control. There needs to be a dose of humility to bring them back into the realities of everyday life. Indeed, in your success do not seclude yourself from ordinary people. Make sure you engage with those who are still clearing their career path and muddling their way through marriage or struggling to raise kids. Engagement in the lives of others leads us to a more fulfilling life. It is in our success that we are set up to serve others. To give back is to govern like God. This is what He expects. Godly expectations lead us down the road of service and selflessness. So instead of insulating our lives from all danger and risks, we follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. We ask questions like, “What does God think?” “Will this opportunity contribute to my spiritual growth?” “How does my spouse fit into this plan?’ “What is best for my family?” “What will give me the most leverage for the Lord?” We seek to align our expectations with eternity. It is an ongoing process of dying to ourselves and coming alive for the Lord. So do not become disillusioned in your discomfort. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:12-13)”. It is not a life of ease that we need to expect, but a life of obedience. Moreover, do not expect money to be a cure-all. More money applied to naïve expectations sets us up for bitter disappointment. Instead, expect great things from God. Trust Him in and with your troubles. These are expectations for the mature of faith. Wisdom aligns our expectations with His. Expect this. God Bless! Logan Stout

Preparation

5-19-2012 by Boyd Bailey “So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. Nehemiah 2:9 It is very hard to over-prepare. Indeed, most people do not struggle with over-preparation. One’s temptation is to neglect the real need of being thoroughly prepared. When you rush ahead of God, you expose yourself to the nagging details you could have intentionally prayed about and thought through. Pride tends to shun preparation, as it assumes too much and prays too little. When you take the time to prod those areas you are unsure of, you discover insights that are invaluable to success. If, on the other hand, you go off half-cocked with a Pollyannaish naïveté, you are an excellent candidate for disappointment, or even worse, failure. Irresponsible assumptions are foreign to faith because faith thoroughly prepares on one hand and humbly prays on the other. Preparation also includes the involvement of others because you will not accomplish big things for God by yourself. Jesus didn’t. He called the Twelve to join Him. He has also placed people in your life whose hearts have been inexplicable moved to join you in this God-created opportunity. Let them in and do not be intimidated because they possess skills and experiences you don’t. Instead of lamenting the different backgrounds, personalities, and skills that surround you, celebrate them. A well-rounded variety of relationships and resources bring strength to the whole. A true team is diverse, and a secure leader accepts diversity as a key ingredient in the recipe of success. So unfetter your team from the fear of failure by giving them the freedom to try new things and to test long-held assumptions and methods. Help others prepare by removing obstacles. “‘Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people’” (Isaiah 57:14). A team—thoroughly prepared—produces. Prayer is the most potent part of your preparation. You cannot pray too much about your methods and motives. Pray for God to be glorified and for His will to be done. Pray for His provision and resources. Pray for relationships you have yet to enter into that will become critical alliances in your God-sized project. It is through prayer that you persevere in preparation. Change occurs primarily in the person praying. Their faith expands and so does their patience. Their love elevates, while their vision grows. In a phrase, their character receives an extreme makeover. Prayer is the crowning jewel of thorough preparation. Prayer gives you courage to speak boldly and the wisdom to know what to say and how to say it. Prayer holds you back when you need to wait in silence. Prayer is preparation, as it aligns you with the Almighty’s agenda. Thorough preparation is your friend. God does not waste preparation; He blesses it. Therefore, be thoroughly prepared following through with the plan with abandonment and gusto. Weave prayer throughout your preparation as if it were an intricately woven quilt, and then watch God work. Thorough preparation positions you to be used by God. God Bless! Logan Stout

Leaders Learn

5-16-2012 “Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister, and call understanding your kinsman…” Proverbs 7:4 Leaders are learners but when they stop learning they cease to lead wisely. Education is an enlightened envoy for leaders who think ahead and who are engaged in effective execution. If a leader does not assess the facts of a situation and operate in reality, he loses any advantage he might possess. Circumspect living is the life of a leader who is ever learning. He or she continually asks questions like, “How can we better understand what the customer wants and needs?” “How can I get out of the way as the leader, and support the team to be successful?” “How can our organization go from good to great by integrating and sustaining industry best practices?” Leaders that learn ask the right questions, get the most accurate answers, and are able to make the wisest decisions. “But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the LORD.” 1 Kings 22:5 Furthermore, leaders learn by listening to the Lord and to the wisdom found in His Word. Indeed, it is not a one time educational event, but the ongoing purging of pride, pretense, and prayerlessness. Wisdom becomes a beloved sister whom you go to for counsel. Humility grows into a trusted friend with whom you confide. The Holy Bible is your defense and armor against the assault of unwise thinking. Therefore, read, study and apply the Word of God regularly to your life. Read books that bring out bright examples of other leaders worth emulating. Learn by listening to teachers who communicate truth with clarity and conviction. Learn from your mistakes and do not repeat them. Learn forgiveness from your family, service from your friends, and yet learn to love your enemies. “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2 Prayer: What life lessons do I need to currently learn so the Lord can entrust me with further educational opportunities? Related Readings: Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm 90:12; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Timothy 4:13 God Bless! Logan Stout

Be Still

5-15-2012 by Boyd Bailey “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” Psalm 63:1-3 The God of the universe looks for those who would be with Him. The Lord longs for His children to take time to experience His tender loving presence. Almighty God is not needy, but wants His creation to come before Him in humble dependence. He knows prayer is what’s best for those He bought with His son’s blood. Generosity toward God in daily doses of solitude and communion are the wisest gift. Our presence gratifies God. Like an earthly father revels in the joy of being close to his precious child, so our heavenly Father smiles to see us—His children—sit next to Him. The grace of God is not garnered with a drive-by life. Rather, when we park our lives in His presence and turn off the engine of our activity, we activate His perspective in our heart and mind. We invest in intimacy with our heavenly Father in order to fulfill His agenda in our daily calendar. “For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.” Isaiah 58:2 Furthermore, be careful not to slip into a routine of perfunctory prayers that miss the heart of your Master. Your generosity toward Jesus with your time, doesn’t buy you time to do your own thing. Rather, you engage with Christ, so that He can love you to better understand His heart, and embrace His better way. By exposing your life to the Lord, He bathes your behavior with a body wash of grace and holiness. Your generosity toward God in your time with Him can take on a variety of applications. Maybe you commune with Christ as you walk alone in a stoic cathedral, or perhaps you celebrate Jesus in raucous worship with other Christ followers at Sunday church services. You may engage Him as you stroll in your neighborhood, sit by a quiet fire, rest by a bubbling creek, or as you watch His heavenly handiwork in a brilliant sunrise or sunset. Above all else, be still, know He is God, be loved by Him, and then love on His behalf! “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 Prayer: Heavenly Father, I long to give you my time, to be loved by You and to love. Related Readings: 1 Chronicles 22:19; 2 Chronicles 14:4; Acts 10:2; 17:27 God Bless! Logan Stout

Generosity

5-14-2012 by Boyd Bailey “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Deuteronomy 15:10 Happy heart giving is with a grateful, not begrudging, heart. Greed is exiled to the isle of selfishness, but generosity takes command in the country of contentment. A joyful heart never gets over Jesus’ great gift of salvation, abundant life, and eternal reward. Indeed, a blessed heart cannot help but be a blessing to those without life’s necessities. Oh, how delightful to see other’s needs met for Christ’s sake! Glad giving gets God’s attention. The Lord wants to bless us more when we have been a blessing to the less fortunate. Our abundance isn’t meant for our own accumulation, and our indulgence and insecure facade, but rather it’s to be deployed into rich deeds and aggressive charity. When our heart is free to give, it is free indeed. We are free to forgive debts and offenses. We are free to find ways to engage the poor and needy by meeting their physical and spiritual needs. “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.” 1 Chronicles 29:17 Furthermore, your happy heart giving is contagious to other Christ followers. When they see and experience your hilarious generosity, they want to get in on what the Lord is doing. Your life of liberal giving infects others with life-giving antibodies that fight against the germs of greed. Your integrity leads you to invest in others compelling them to be carriers of Christ’s love and service. Glad giving leads others to the Lord. Are you remaining faithful to do good, even when times have turned bad? Are you still giving to the poor, even when you have become poorer? Joyful generosity needs your participation at small and large levels. Don’t wait until you have a lot to do a lot, on behalf of your Savior Jesus. Happy heart giving is as excited about giving one dollar as it is one thousand. Give generously today and you will most likely give generously in the future. Once your heavenly Father can trust you with a little, He will trust you with more. “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21 Prayer: Lord, who needs my happy heart giving to help meet their needs in Your name? Related Readings: Nehemiah 9:8; 2 Corinthians 8:5; 9:7; Philemon 1:7 God Bless! Logan Stout

Mother's Love

Mother's Love 5-12-2012 by Boyd Bailey “As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children” (1 Thessalonians 2:6b-7). A mother’s love reflects the love of the Lord, deep in its capacity and generous in its application. She awakens in the middle of the night to nurse a hungry infant or care for a sick child. Her intuition injects love at points of pain and in situations that require extensive encouragement. A mother’s love lingers long in conversation and understands with her sensitive heart. She loves, because Christ’s love compels her to love like Him. Moreover, a mother’s love is loyal and longstanding. A child may be in trouble, but Mom is always close by, full of compassion and acceptance. Her love can be blind in its loyalty, but her offspring never doubts where they are welcome. Jesus was rejected by angry, jealous men and abandoned by His closest friends, but His mother was waiting with Him to the bitter end, “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother…” (John 19:25a). A mother’s love even has the capacity to be a mother to those who are not biologically her own. Amazingly, she can informally “adopt” people for a season and love them emotionally, physically, spiritually, and relationally. She opens her home, shares her food, gives her time, dispenses her wisdom, and encourages obedience to follow Christ. Paul experienced this. “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too” (Romans 16:13). Moms sometime mother greatness not their own. Lastly, a mother’s love is gentle, the way God is gentle toward His children. He calls us to love and to lead like Jesus. Love serves people and does not rule with rigor. “God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey” (2 Timothy 2:24, TM). Prayer: Do I model gentle and patient love? Do others feel safe to share their sorrows with me? Related Readings: Genesis 47:12; Ruth 4:16; John 21:15-17; James 3:17 God Bless! Logan Stout

Self Destruction

5-10-2012 by Boyd Bailey “But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment, whoever does so destroys himself.” Proverbs 6:32 Lack of judgment can lead to self-destruction. There is an inherent life implosion for those who continue down the path of unwise decision-making. The result of poor judgment is self-destruction; the root of poor judgment is self-deception. Pride seems to pursue and capture those who are unwilling to understand and apply wisdom. They deceive themselves into thinking they have it all figured out, without the counsel and accountability of others. For example, adultery is poor judgment, but a sequence of unwise decisions started long before the act of unfaithfulness. Stealing is poor judgment, but the feeling of desperation could have been addressed early on, inspired by personal humility and teachability. Self-destruction can be avoided with openness to Christ and wise counsel. Therefore, listen and learn from those who love you and who love the Lord. “It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:5 Indeed, poor judgment destroys spiritual vitality, tarnishes the trust of others, and can remove the hand of God’s blessing. So how do we avoid poor judgment and its unseemly outcome? One remedy is to repent of self-sufficiency, surrendering in total dependence to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the foundation of faith and hope in Him which fuels our fear of Him, leverages our love for Him, and accelerates our obedience to Him. Self-denial precludes self-deception. A second cure is to invite a reality check from those who know you well and desire good consequences for your life. Ask for their advice and as you discover themes of timely truth, do what they suggest. Lastly, pray over God’s Word, learn from its wisdom, and be transformed by its application. An abundant life awaits you, as you die daily to self and come alive in Christ, act on wise advice, and marinate your mind in Scripture. “And let not your behavior be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God.” Romans 12:2, BBE Prayer: What current decisions do I face that require the wisdom of God and godly counsel from trusted advisors? Related Readings: Genesis 41:39; 2 Samuel 12:1-14; Romans 1:22-24; I Corinthians 15:31-34 God Bless! Logan Stout

5-9-2012 by Boyd Bailey “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:8-9 Creating an economic structure around passion and purpose can be a prayerful and godly goal. It could be converting informal free advice into a formalized fee for coaching, consulting, or counseling. It may mean engaging a hobby of painting, writing, or singing and moving it into the market as a valued product. God gives gifts and skills to create a living. There are times to give away time and expertise, and times to monetize our mission. Money is not our motivation, but it is a by-product of producing value around what wakes us up in the morning. Why waste our lives just working for a paycheck, when we can creatively come up with ways to channel our energies and experiences into an economic endeavor. Christ commends shrewd servants of His who innovate new ways to make friends and influence people. Indeed, we are called to be creative for Christ’s sake. “So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.” His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.” Matthew 25:25-27 You are wise to work in your area of expertise, but avoid ruts that lead to complacency. Pray about how the Lord wants you to steward the relationships, opportunities, and gifts He has given you. Perhaps there is a small group of friends who will pray with you and even invest some seed money to eventually monetize God’s mission for your life. Truly, compared to eternity—life is a blink of an eye, so don’t hesitate on His direction. Sad are servants of Jesus who remain in a scared state of inertia. Instead, follow by faith the sensitive promptings of the Holy Spirit in your heart. Do not allow your head to talk you out of following an unconventional course for your career. The world will watch with admiration a shrewd servant of the Lord, who, with an eye on eternity, invests in people on earth. Your life is attractive when you live out your mission with passion and productivity. Trust God to give you the wisdom to make a living from living for His call. “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Prayer: Lord, how can I monetize my mission for the sake of your Kingdom? Related Readings: Proverbs 22:29; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Timothy 6:17-19 God Bless! Logan Stout

5-6-2012 by Boyd Bailey From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalm 8:2 The lips of children lift up the greatness of God in praise and adoration. They do not know any better than to believe God and take Him at His word. They are trusting and pure in their devotion. It is the children that embraced the coronation of Christ in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. They shouted “Hosanna in the highest,” while the proud religious leaders were indignant (Matthew 21:15). Humility praises Jesus, but pride is silent. Humility invites Jesus, but pride is threatened by Jesus. Humility wants to sit in His lap, but pride rejects His love and affection. Children remind us of the God we have forgotten. We’ve gotten so sophisticated with our Savior that we miss Him. We used to cry out to Him in gratitude over His overwhelming grandeur, but somewhere along the way we have taken Him for granted. Children remind us of God’s greatness. This is their lot. Children live in a constant state of dependency. They depend on their parents for food, clothing, and shelter. Children look to their parents to teach them about God and religion. Hobbies, like enjoying the great outdoors, playing sports, or cultivating an interest in the arts become a committed interest of children with their parents’ prodding encouragement. Parents are a plethora of resources for their children. Boys and girls depend on Mom and Dad for direction regarding what they do well and how they can best excel. Parents are warehouses of wisdom for their offspring. Children who are compliant in learning from and depending on their parents are successful. They may, unknowingly, be building a solid foundation for living. Our relationship with God is no different. We are His children in desperate need of His direction. We may spurn His discipline at times, but we come back because we know He is what we need. We need His wisdom. We need His forgiveness. We need His comfort, love, and hope. We need his perspective to be able to work effectively with people. We need His security found only in Christ. We need His courage in crisis. We need His grace in the middle of criticism. We need His humility to defeat pride. Christians who succeed the most are totally and utterly dependent on Christ. Otherwise, our pride drives us to self-sufficiency and shallow or patronizing praises of God. His greatness decreases as ours increases. Therefore, re-crown Him King daily. By faith, we step away from the throne of our life and humbly bow at His feet, as He sits enthroned and worthy of all praise. Children are the conscience of adults. They remind us of our dependency on Jesus. We are but a grain of sand on the seashore of humanity. Jesus is Lord of all, and we serve and worship Him alone. The lips of children naturally lift up the glory of God. We do so supernaturally by the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot keep quiet because of His lavish love and abundant grace which He pours forth on the faithful. It’s in our childlike faith that God reveals Himself, but He hides the very same from the wise of the world (Luke 10:21). You are a child of God. Therefore, praise and adore His majestic name. God Bless! Logan Stout

5-4-2012 by Boyd Bailey “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: … a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16; 19 The Lord loathes liars and those who stir up dissension because they are masters at sowing seeds of doubt, deception, and discord. Dissenters think the worst of others and pose prideful questions like, “Is he or she really fit for the job?’ “Do they deal with honest intentions?” or “Can this person really be trusted?” A person who stirs up dissension projects their own insecure feelings on the person they are seeking to discredit or even destroy. Like Saul, their own anger, hurt, and jealousy drive them to delusionary conclusions. It is sad to see them suffer under their own mental anguish, absent of trust in the Lord. Their perspective becomes man-centered, while faith in Christ is jettisoned as irrelevant. Those who stir up dissension need to be dealt with directly and with a heart of compassion. “The hot-tempered stir up dissension, but those who are patient calm a quarrel.” Proverbs 15:18, TNIV Therefore, confront in love the one who orchestrates doubt and division among the team. Question their facts and ask them to refrain from gossip and divisive behavior. Lastly, look into your own heart, making sure you are not guilty of lies and deceit. Do not become like your accuser and discredit your integrity. We see shortcomings in others because we struggle with the same familiar sins. It is cause for humility, as we seek the Lord’s strength and forgiveness. By God’s grace turn mischief into maturity, discord into concord, contentiousness into community, and pride into peace. Use your influence to lead yourself and your team to a higher standard of conduct sanctioned by your Lord Jesus. Conflict with the contentious is meant to grow your character. Hate what the Lord hates, while loving offenders through the process. “When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7 Who do I need to confront in love about their divisive behavior? Related Readings: I Samuel 26:1-25; Proverbs 22:10; 26:20; James 3:14-16; 3 John 1:9-10

5-3-2012 by Boyd Bailey “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.” 1 Samuel 1:27-28 A parent’s prayers for their child produce the best results: both in the short-term and the long-term. Smart prayers include their salvation, future spouse, and a sensitive heart to the Spirit’s leading. Faith-focused prayers penetrate pride, dissolve selfishness, and give wisdom. Satan flees in the face of just prayers. Spiritual battles rage for the family’s soul and wise are the parents who engage in a prayer offensive. Indeed, when we pray with our spouse our own hearts are strangely warmed to God, our children, and to each other. There is a mutually compounding benefit when you make prayer an investment priority for your progeny. A child who knows they are prayed for by their mom and dad is confident they are cared about. We build our son or daughter’s self-esteem when we petition heaven on their behalf. Prayer produces confidence. “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” Acts 14:23 How would your heavenly Father have you pray for your children? Perhaps you begin by praying with and for them at meal times and when you tuck them in at night. Obligatory and rote prayers lack spiritual intensity—they even tempt the Lord—but your fervent and righteous prayers rock the worlds of their recipients. Pray boldly for your child to live boldly within a culture of unbelief. Pray they will stand alone when others forsake the faith. Have you given your child over to the Lord in a simple and trusting prayer? You cannot control your child, but you can entrust them to Christ who is all controlling. You must not seek to manipulate your son or daughter, but ask the Holy Spirit to lead them away from temptation and into His path of peace and wisdom. Pray for godly mentors to come into their lives and reinforce what you have taught and modeled for years. Be hopeful and persevere, as your parental prayers offer wisdom and revelation of God! “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:16-17 Prayer: Lord, what prayers can I direct to you on behalf of my child? Related Readings: Genesis 25:21; 1 Chronicles 5:20; Colossians 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:2

Parenting

5-2-2012 by Boyd Bailey “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:33 Outside of a personal faith in Christ, the best gift a parent can give their child is a healthy marriage. This secure and stable environment gives little ones a large amount of peace. A husband and wife who learn to love and respect one another create a culture of calm in their family. Why would a child want to wander from a home where acceptance is assured? A marriage marked by service to each other motivates children to do the same. We have to remind ourselves as a father and a mother that we were first a husband and a wife. Neglect of our marriage responsibilities puts additional pressure on our roles as a dad and mom. Productive parenting flows from a maturing marriage. So, effective parents wisely ask, “How am I investing in my marriage?” “Is it time to get away, before we drift away?” Parents who collaborate with Christ and one other win their child’s heart. “‘Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:3 Has your affection for your child replaced your affection for your spouse? Yes, love for a child is different, but it is not meant to compete with your number one companion. Perhaps you pray regularly as a couple for your children to grow in Christ-like character and then pray the same for your relationship. Prayer promotes peace and creates patience. A joy filled marriage spills over happiness into your home, children, and friendships. Furthermore, your home becomes a haven of hope and trust when you model dependence on the Lord. Your child depends on you to depend on God. When you look to Christ, as a husband and wife, you see truth and grace. The Holy Spirit will lead both of you to do the right things under His leadership. And, the Lord helps you become who you need to be for each other and for your child. So, surrender your marriage to Jesus and watch Him bond you to your spouse and give you wisdom as a parent. “As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5 Prayer: Lord, how can our marriage grow into a great gift to our child? Related Readings: Proverbs 1:8; Matthew 19:10; 1 Corinthians 7:28; Philippians 4:8-9 Logan Stout

5-1-2012 by Boyd Bailey "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 It can be exasperating to parent with calm consistency and effectiveness. However, one thing is true: training and instructing a child in the Lord extinguishes exasperation. Godly guidelines give a gullible heart security and a sense of loving protection. A little one’s innocence tarnishes into guilty pleasures when discipline is withheld or ignored. Thus, a wise parent defines clear standards so their expectations bring joy not sadness. We need boundaries in our behavior as parents so we model humility and wisdom for our children. Indeed, we contribute to a tranquil home culture when we practice, “Do as I say and follow what I do.” Parenting with grace and truth flows from our character and conduct. We confess our angry reaction and ask forgiveness from our son or daughter. We keep our commitments, tell the truth, listen well, love liberally, and obey God. “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:12 What does it look like to train and instruct your child in the Lord? It begins with teaching the tension of fearing and loving the Lord simultaneously. One motivates behavior out of respect—the other out of affection. The fear of the Lord reminds us of the consequences of sin, while loving God invites intimacy. The first is the beginning of wisdom and the latter initiates a relationship. Indeed, our view of God becomes our pattern for parenting. The way you relate to your heavenly Father is how you expect your children to relate to you. Thus: no talking back, no disrespect, disobedience, or dishonesty. You reward a compliant attitude, hard work, instant obedience, and a humble heart. Exasperation exists in a leadership vacuum, but when you step up to serve your family, faith flourishes. Loving accountability causes some angst in the beginning, but reaps peace in the end. “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Prayer: Lord, what area of my life needs consistency, so that I can parent better? Related Readings: Genesis 18:19; Proverbs 22:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Hebrews 13:7 Logan Stout