God's Battle

1-31-2013 by Boyd Bailey “The Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands. 1 Samuel 17:47, NASB Life is full of opportunities to do battle on behalf of the Lord. Engagement with fear is a spiritual skirmish waiting to happen, but the Spirit flushes out fear and defeats it with faith. Anger is always set to ambush and battle its foes, but patient forgiveness sees it coming and bypasses its ugly assault. Pride is lurking to pounce on the strong and successful, but humble prayer pushes back relentless reinforcements from hell. Indeed, enemies of God are brought down by God. What battle are you facing that has the best of you? Is it a health issue? Then cry out to your ultimate Healer, Jesus. Is it relational conflict? Then submit to Christ who can restore broken relationships. Perhaps you face a financial giant; go to God and seek godly counsel with transparency and trust, asking both for wisdom and accountability. Heaven has the assistance you need through saints on earth. Look for the Lord’s resources from those who love Him and you. “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15 Our true battle is not with who or what we see, but with the unseen powers and principalities who seek to soil our faith in the Lord. The enemy Satan speaks lies to our minds so we meander around the most meaningful, and struggle with feeling insignificant. However, the truth of God dissolves the devil’s deceptions and replaces them with clarity and confidence in Christ. The war in the heavenlies has already been won, so enlist in the Lord’s army. Your battle is His battle. Therefore, be bold as you battle with the weapons of the Lord’s wisdom and not the foolishness of man. Fire God’s gun of grace with bullets of belief, not blanks of unbelief. Shoot at the ultimate enemy, not at the messenger who is only the bearer of bad news. Take your smooth stone of spiritual service and sling it toward Satan. God directs your efforts to defeat the enemy! “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep me engaged with Your Spirit and power to battle for me. Related Readings: 1 Samuel 2:9; Psalm 44:6-7; Hosea 1:7; 2 Chronicles 14:11

He Is

1-30-2013 by Boyd Bailey “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-46 There is a name that is above every name, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. His name is greater than Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses. His name is larger than life, it overcomes death and reigns for all eternity. The name of the Lord is a strong tower of strength and protection. His name is a nuisance to His enemies and confidence for His children. The name of God is our rear guard and spiritual security. His name is the object of our worship, praise, petition and prayer! We honor God’s name because He is honorable. We humbly and proudly claim to be followers of God, because He has called us to Himself. Some will make fun of our faith, but we know in our heart and from experience that Jesus is a leader worth following. Our Savior Christ Jesus is creditable for His claims are undeniable. Yes, when we speak His name there is no middle ground response. Jesus is either embraced or dismissed. We are defined by Christ’s name. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7 Therefore speak the name of the Lord your God with reverence and awe. Do not misuse His name by apologizing for His commands or by stepping into His shoes as judge. The name of Jesus Christ is our life example. His name is our brand promise of peace, hope and forgiveness to a lost, dying, confused and hurting world. Proclaim the name of God as your true love, the Lover of your soul. Be ready to respond to those who ask you for the reason of your hope in Christ. As you face giants of fear, face them in the name of the Lord Almighty. As you face giants of rejection, face them in the name of the Lord Almighty. As you face giants of shame and guilt, face them in the name of the Lord Almighty. As you face giants of anger, face them in the name of the Lord Almighty. God will deliver your enemies into your hands for His name sake. “For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.” 1 Samuel 12:22 Prayer: Lord Jesus, bless Your name, and all that is within me bless Your holy name. Related Readings: 1 Chronicles 16:10; Job 1:21; Psalm 7:17; Acts 9:28; Romans 10:13

Reviving The Soul

1-29-2013 by Boyd Bailey Reviving The Soul Here’s a great one from Wisdom Hunters! Reviving The Soul... “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7 From time to time our soul needs a revival that only the Word of God can create. Our soul becomes soiled from working in the garden of everyday life, but the washing by the Word removes the impediments to our intimacy with Christ. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word” (Psalm 119:9). His commands cleanse. Our soul can go into a slump like an athlete who is no longer able to execute. So consider a change in your religious routine. Begin journaling or praying out loud the Psalms. Indeed, it is during this funk in our faith that the fire from God's word can remove our apathetic attitudes. “Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces” (Jeremiah 23:29). His word burns away bad attitudes. How is the state of your soul? Do you have energy for eternal matters? Are you motivated to meditate on the Bible? The incorruptible Word of God works wonders on a weary soul. It purifies and solicits salvation. “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:22-23, NKJV). Once your soul is revived, your mind is ready to receive wisdom. Your revitalized relationship with Jesus is a launching pad to process His precepts. The Holy Spirit breathes life into your faith so that you can embrace and understand Holy Scripture. The Bible, to a renewed spirit, is like a smorgasbord for a famished friend whom you invite over for a holiday feast. Let Scripture stimulate your soul and you will grow stronger. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:2-3). Am I committed to my soul’s care? What does my soul need to grow strong and sure? Related Readings: 2 Kings 23:25; Psalm 42:5-7; Matthew 16:26; Hebrews 4:12

Life Purpose

1-28-2013 by Boyd Bailey Life Purpose Life Purpose… “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16, NKJV What is your life purpose? What is the Lord’s life purpose for you? Perhaps a good starting point is to glorify God. Glory to God keeps the glory from going to a person, team or institution. It is built-in accountability against pride and envy. Glory to God gives Him the credit due His name and it shows the world who is responsible for your success. I like what one friend said, “I want to glorify God by loving Him completely, loving myself correctly and loving others compassionately” (Ken Boa). The object of our affections receives our attention and energy. And when our motivation behind our efforts is to glorify God, it causes curiosity around those affected. Who is this Lord you love? Why do you have such confidence that Christ cares? How can I experience God like you? Good works, attached to God’s glory, gives a greater purpose to the recipient of grace. “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11). As you humbly serve you are able to show others what Jesus is like. So consider crafting a purpose statement that reflects the Lord’s plan for your life. Use it as a compass to keep you aligned around the Almighty’s priorities for this season of life. Perhaps you write it out and develop its meaning for your children to understand and embrace. Search the Scriptures and find a verse or verses that define your purpose. My purpose is to “Glorify God by being a faithful husband, available father, loyal friend and loving leader.” What’s yours? God brings success when you fulfill His purpose. “For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you” (Joshua 22:3). What is God’s purpose for my life? How can I best bring Him glory in fulfilling His purpose? Related Readings: Psalm 19:1; Isaiah 60:19; John 11:4; Romans 4:20

Come To Me

1-27-2013 by Boyd Bailey “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Sometimes, your soul needs to catch up with your body. There is a disconnect created by distractions and busyness. You are weary of life and work. This soul fatigue will follow you until it finds rest. It is relentless in reminding you what is important and necessary. The warning lights of weariness flash in the face of your faith. You are tired and troubled with nowhere to turn. This is when you can turn your eyes upon Jesus. He offers a constant invitation to come to Him. Burdens bear down on your back of responsibility like a ton of bricks, but Jesus is there to ease the pressure. Health issues assault your body like unceasing fire from the enemy, but Jesus is there to soothe the pain through prayer. Marriage confusion has the best of you and you are ready to give up, but Jesus has the answers as the supreme counselor. Work expectations have overwhelmed your ability to execute the right results, but Jesus is there to impart His wisdom and discernment. Do not let failure talk you into giving up. You can carry on with Christ. Submit to His restful invitation. Take Him at His word and yoke up with His humility and gentleness. His invitation to rest is received by faith. The yoke of Jesus gives hope and encouragement to the soul. Start by aligning your calendar with Jesus time. A partnership with Christ requires time and attention. You cannot maintain a relationship with Him without investing in Him. Jesus went to the mountain to commune with His heavenly Father, and when He came down, large crowds followed Him. Why? People follow leaders they know they can trust. When you spend time with Jesus, you build trustworthiness. You go to the mountains alone to pray, and you come back surrounded by followers. They know you have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). When others know you have been with Jesus, they are reassured that you are depending on Him for wisdom and direction. They can trust that your motives are pure and that this business or ministry is not your deal but His. You gain instruction from Him on how to execute His plan. Followers take great comfort when their leader pauses to pray and takes time to receive the Holy Spirit’s discernment over issues of vision and strategy. Therefore, slow down each day and listen to the voice of the One who created the world with a word. His words are powerful and freeing. They are comforting and convicting. The Word of God will save you from unwise decisions and free you to make wise ones (Proverbs 30:5). Organize your priorities around the priorities of Christ. Get away, and get with Him. Give your soul a break when it is strained under the barrage of activity. Take a step back and reevaluate. This requires faith. Let others into your confidence and trust that they are agents of the Almighty. His angels surround those who fear Him. Be accountable to be alone with Almighty God. This sensitive soul-care reaps temporal and eternal rewards. A well-kept soul results in robust living. Go to Jesus for He is asking you to come. Come quickly to Christ. Your soul deserves to catch up.

God's Silence

1-26-2013 by Boyd Bailey “When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him” (1 Samuel 28:5–6). Sometimes God is silent. He is silent in our prayers. He is silent in our circumstances. He is silent in our relationships, and He is silent in His Word. His silence can be deafening because it seems that His silence is ill timed. In most cases, His silence revolves around a real need you are experiencing. You may feel that God is disinterested or that He does not care. The silence of God can be an overwhelming place to occupy and still trust Him. Your predicament could be like a heavy bar bell on your chest with no spotter available to assist you. You feel all alone and unable to fix the problem or correct the issue. You do not even know where to start. You are in despair, at the tipping point of depression. Anger has clouded your reason, and heaven seems indifferent to your hurt. Or, on the other hand, you are “suffering” from success and prosperity; yet God feels distant and disconnected. You have honored Him in the process, but He has not seemed to honor you with His warm and affirming presence. What is going on? What is God up to? What does He want you to do next for the good of His kingdom? Indeed, God’s silence is your opportunity to remain faithful, even when you are unsure of His intentions for your life. He is God and we are not; therefore, we do not have to pressure ourselves to figure out everything that is going on. Managing the big picture is in His job description, not yours; so rest in His silence. Refuse to become restless, resentful, or rebellious. But still you ask, “Why the silence?” There may be two possible reasons for God’s silence—sin or sanctification; or it may be a combination of both. When God withholds His blessing and direction for your life, it may be the direct consequence of the sin in your life. This is why regular confession and repentance of sin are critical for the follower of Christ. This is like breathing for your soul. Sin is like cotton in the ears of our heart; thus, God’s voice becomes muffled, unclear, and eventually silent. Your removal of sin clears the wax from the ears of your heart. God’s silence may be used for your sanctification. He is in the process of making you more and more like His Son Jesus Christ. This is not always fun, though it is needed to learn God’s ways and His purpose for your life. Even if He is silent, do what you know is right today, and trust Him with the next step for tomorrow. Do not let silence overwhelm you; rather, use it as a springboard to trust God’s faithfulness. “O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent” (Psalm 109:1). Prayer: What do I need to learn during my silent times with the Lord? Will I still trust Him? Related Readings: Psalm 83:1; Isaiah 62:1; John 12:29; 2 Peter 1:18

Love Disciplines

1-25-2013 by Boyd Bailey He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Proverbs 13:24 Love carefully disciplines; apathy silently ignores. Love looks for ways to instruct and improve, while busyness has no time for a tender touch of truth. Do you take the time to discipline your children? Do your offspring encounter your rebuke along with your encouragement? Because we love them, we correct their attitudes and challenge them to better behavior. Rules restrain them from reacting foolishly or in the flesh. How can our children learn to make wise decisions if we do not discipline them to love and obey God? Like a skilled artist with a warm lump of clay, our children are moldable, and their character is pliable in Christ’s hands. We seek consistency in our own character so we have the moral authority and respect to lead them. Your children’s first impression of the Lord is their father and mother; so be an authority who reveals His love. “The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness” (Isaiah 38:19). The branch of a tree is easily bent when it is tender; so start when they are young with yielding to Christ’s lordship. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Foolishness flees from faith and the prayerful punishment of loving parents. “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). Discipline leads to freedom. You may lament the need for respect from your son or daughter. It is your consistent concern for your children’s character growth that invites their respect. “Fathers … disciplined us and we respected them for it” (Hebrews 12:9). Moreover, loving parents honestly inquire, “How do I respond to the Lord’s discipline?” My example of growth from my heavenly Father’s discipline makes me an earthly father worth following. “For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:12 NASB). Prayer: What area of my child’s growth requires me to be more consistent in discipline? Related Readings: Proverbs 23:13–14; 29:15–17; Hebrews 12:6–8; Ephesians 6:4

Be Yourself

1-24-2013 by Boyd Bailey “Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off.” 1 Samuel 17:38-39 Those who are comfortable in their own skin are content in how the Lord has made them. However, those who strive to be someone they’re not end up frustrated, failing to enjoy authentic living. Saul desired to honor David by giving him his armor that worked well in past battles, but what Saul found effective was not the best plan for David. Yes, wise followers of Christ focus on what aligns with the unique. Therefore, those who know themselves can be themselves. Are you at peace in how the Lord has prepared you for the challenges you face? Do your words and mannerisms represent the true you, or are you a masquerade of another man or woman? It is ok to learn from others with a track record of integrity, but ask the Spirit to filter their ideas and actions through the grid of how God has made you. The Lord has placed you in this time and place, so be proud of who you are and where you’re from. Be who God made you. “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:26-27 Be yourself at home and your family will feel free to be themselves. Parents and children who laugh and cry together grow closer together. Be yourself at work and pretense will feel uncomfortable in your workplace. Office politics are precluded where people are at peace in their roles and responsibilities. It is in an environment of authenticity that we feel free to be how God has made us. So you can be content in a career that is the best fit for you. Most of all be yourself in the company of Christ. He will not love you any more than He already does, regardless of what you accomplish or don’t accomplish. You don’t have to prove yourself to God who has already thoroughly accepted you in His son Jesus. Be yourself with your Creator and He will give you insight to be creative for His causes. Clothe yourself in the unique apparel of grace that Almighty God has just for you. He is conforming you into the image of His Son. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Romans 8:29 Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the faith and courage to be who You want me to be. Related Readings: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 106:20; 1 Corinthians 15:29; 1 John 3:2

Walking Wisely

1-23-2013 by Boyd Bailey He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 Do you have a wise woman or man in whom you confide? Is there someone—your dad, mom, a business associate, or teacher—to whom you can go for objective, biblical advice? It is in humility we learn to harvest good sense and wisdom. Gaining God’s perspective is not a one-time event but a lifetime of leaning on others to grow in our understanding. Wisdom comes from walking with the wise, not flirting with fools. Good people engage with good company. There is no separation of being influenced by skilled people with seedy morals during the week and hearing a sermon on Sunday. “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Instead, be intentional toward integrity. Seek out a wise peer, or ask a wise mom if you may call her for counsel. Wisdom walks with willing participants who obey. “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people” (1 Peter 2:15). Beware of fools who talk fast but do not follow through. They may be aware of what is right and talk the talk, but they fail to walk the walk. They ignore integrity. Fools eventually damage relationships. Foolish behavior will come back to bite you; so avoid its influence. What seems like innocent fun eventually inflicts suffering and harms hearts. Fools practice anti-wisdom. “Fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7). So where can you find wise companions? Look for them in church or in respected leadership roles in the community. Vet their resume of wise living by observing the countenance of their spouse, watching how they love their children, and studying their financial management. Jettison foolish friends so you have the capacity to walk with the wise. Ask, “Am I growing in wisdom or floundering with fools?” A wise ruler once said, “It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:5). Prayer: With whom can I walk in wisdom to become more Christlike in my life? Related Readings: Genesis 13:12–13; Ruth 2:23; Acts 2:42; 2 Thessalonians 3:14

Rewards From Results

1-22-2013 by Boyd Bailey “Do you see how this man [Goliath] keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 1 Samuel 17:25 Rewards come to those who are in tune with God’s right results. This is why it is wise to define what the Lord wants and then stay focused on implementing His action plan. Because David was under the King’s authority he was committed to executing his priorities. The expectations can seem overwhelming, but this is where by faith, God fills in the gaps. It may require twenty years of preparation for twenty minutes of engagement. Rewards come to those who prepare and succeed. Moreover, there is an overarching satisfaction in knowing we follow Christ’s calling. We are slaying by faith the giants of disbelief, fear and inaction in the name of the Lord. Intimidating voices try to shout us down, but we hear the Spirit’s still, small voice of assurance and we stand firm. Our resources may seem inadequate to our critics, but we know the Lord will multiply His provision in a way that exceeds expectations. Our abilities blessed by God get rewarding results! “The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness.” 1 Samuel 26:23 Are you overwhelmed by what is expected of you at work? Has a health issue struck fear into your soul? If so, take your mustard seed of faith and ask your Master Jesus to move the mountains of fear for His sake. Giant obstacles are His opportunity to overcome with His creative solutions. Look outside the box of conventional options and be open to unconventional means. Your intimacy with your heavenly Father grows your influence--even with your enemies. The reward of peace comes from not exchanging it for an unsustainable pace. The reward of hope comes from waiting on the Lord’s provision. The reward of joy comes from your generosity. The reward of rest comes from trusting God with situations out of your control. The reward of relational health comes from investing in others and forgiving their indiscretions. Above all, the reward of your heavenly Father’s favor comes by remaining faithful to His call! “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 Prayer: Master Jesus, take my mustard seed of faith hope and move my mountains of fear for Your sake. Related Readings: Jeremiah 29:12-14; Matthew 10:39-41; Luke 19:17; Acts 11:23

Anger Managed

1-21-2013 by Boyd Bailey “Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.” 1 Samuel 15:10-11 On earth, anger is always an issue. The godly are angered by ungodly actions and the ungodly are angered by godly actions. Samuel became angry over Saul’s disobedience and he grieves in prayer all night, because he knows this grieves God. It deeply disappoints a mentor when their mentee does not thoroughly follow the commands of Christ. Partial obedience is disobedience. Thus, anger is an indicator that the truth needs to be shared with the one who dismissed truth. We are wise not to stuff our anger, but ask our heavenly Father to heal our heart by giving us the courage to lovingly go to the one who has offended us. Stuffed anger incubates ugly stuff, but properly expressed anger invites attractive interactions. We cannot control an offender's reaction to our kind but clear words, but we can control how we communicate. We manage anger productively by not attacking another’s character, but by sharing the facts of how we feel hurt. “A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.” Proverbs 15:1, The Message Moreover, make sure you have all the facts before you confront someone about their indiscretions. It is wise to listen to their side of the story, before you draw your conclusions. You do not want to make things worse by assuming inaccurate information. A person feels respected when they are able to give a response to your concerns. Ask reasonable questions that allow them to explain what seems to be inappropriate action. Love listens, learns, expresses and forgives. Most of all prepare your heart in prayer before you confront someone who has hurt you. Spirit-led confrontation gets the best results. Your offender's accountability is ultimately to the Lord. Jesus is their judge, not you, so trust Him to plant the seeds of your sensitive speech into the soil of their soul. They may not own up immediately to their actions, but that is between them and God. Manage your anger productively with caring confrontation and courageous conversations. “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” Proverbs 18:17, ESV Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the courage to confront when I have been hurt. Related Readings: Proverbs 27:17, 29:11; Mark 3:5; Luke 23:34; Ephesians 4:15, 29-31

Overcoming Criticism

1-18-2013 by Boyd Bailey “When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 1 Samuel 17:28 Criticism will come to committed followers of Christ. Anyone who does anything for Jesus is vulnerable to correction, even criticism. Criticism can be caustic and unjust, flowing from another’s jealous or angry heart. Or criticism can be constructive and just, coming from another’s genuine desire for clarity and understanding. In either case, there is at least a nugget of truth that is an opportunity for character development. The humble learn wise lessons from vocalized concerns. In David’s case his brother did not have a category for David’s military involvement, so Eliab angrily rebuked him as being irresponsible, naive and wicked. Some relatives will only remember us as a rebellious and/or immature teenager, instead of as adults seeking to be a man or woman of God. We are wise to not wrestle with other’s expectations that are stuck in the past. It’s not our responsibility to change a mind that is made up. Let God redeem resentment. “Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him.” Genesis 27:41 Are you crushed by the critical spirit of your spouse? Has criticism at work worn you down? If so, go to your heavenly Father for help. Ask Him to examine your heart for any unseemly motives and to enlighten your mind on how your thinking needs to change. By God’s grace, balance being overly sensitive and shutting down any inkling of inquiry into your ideas and actions. Forgive harsh critics as having their own issues with God--He can handle their heart. Furthermore, protect yourself from a critical spirit. Don’t justify your negative attitude toward another because of their hurtful words. After attempting to communicate with a critic, be respectful, then move on with how the Lord is leading you. By faith, outlast the loudest objectors and over time they will quiet down. Wisdom is proven right by its actions, so the fruit of your character becomes a commercial for Christ. Overcome criticism by faithfulness to God. “Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.” Psalm 17:3 Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me learn from critics and protect me from being critical. Related Readings: Psalm 131:1; Proverbs 15:1, 18:19; Acts 5:17-18; 1 Timothy 5:1

Multi-Gifted For God

1-17-2013 by Boyd Bailey "One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” 1 Samuel 16:18 God blesses some of His children with multiple gifts. David is a good example of God’s gifting: musical talent, military valor, communication and writing skills, good looks and most importantly, the Lord's favor. Indeed, the gifts of God need the favor of God. Yes, there is a stewardship the Spirit expects of the gifts He gives, since much given requires much. The Spirit yearns for a prayerful administration of abilities for God’s Kingdom. Gifts are given for Him. You may be laboring faithfully on the outskirts of influence, under the radar of where most are focused. Thank the Lord that in your smaller responsibilities you can prepare for larger opportunities. Your gifts take time and intentionality to develop. Therefore, go to great lengths by God’s grace to understand your sweet spot of service for Him. Validate your skills with trusted mentors and peers who can peer into how God has made you. Be comfortable with your gifts. “To accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:19 Is the Lord’s hand of favor on your life? Has your character kept up with your success? In the flesh your gifts will flounder, but under the Spirit’s influence they will flourish. Indeed, it takes God’s work of grace in your inner being for the outward effectiveness of your gifts to enjoy the touch of Jesus. If the lion of anger lurks in your heart it needs to be tamed by grace, patience and forgiveness. If fear has erased your confidence, replace it with disciplined faith in Christ’s calling. Multiple gifts need to be managed prayerfully and productively. So, daily offer your gifts on the altar of the Lord as a sacrifice of praise and worship. When you surrender your abilities to your Savior Jesus, He will multiply them in a timely manner that gives Him the glory. The maturity of your faith will birth additional opportunities to use your gifts. So, wait on the Lord’s work of grace in your heart and His favor will facilitate your multi-giftedness for Him. He will bring opportunities to you, without you having to force matters. Seasoned gifts wait to see God work! “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” 1 Corinthians 12:4 Prayer: Heavenly Father, lead me to steward well Your gifts in my life. Related Readings: Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11; Hebrews 2:4; 1 Peter 4:10

Inner Being

1-16-2013 by Boyd Bailey “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord knows an outward appearance may or may not be an indicator of what’s in the heart. A smile on the outside can still mask a frown on the inside. An outwardly positive attitude may still wrestle with negative feelings from past hurt. A handsome man may maintain an ugly heart, while a beautiful woman can project an unattractive spirit. Good looks do not guarantee a grace filled life. God goes straight to the heart of what matters most: humility, fear of God and love. Is your heart in the hand of your heavenly Father? Like a heat seeking missile, is your heart’s desire hot for the things of God? The praise of people may lead you to think more highly of your contributions than Christ’s. So, invite the Holy Spirit to translate man’s praise into a tool to purify your heart. He will burn away impure motives and replace them with righteous ones. After all, your life is all of grace or none at all. You stay qualified for God by keeping a heart for God. “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 147:10-11 The eyes of men are attracted to attractive Kings of strong stature, but the eyes of the Lord look for humble shepherds with a heart for service. Indeed, we are wise to keep our aspirations in line with Almighty God’s. We don’t obsess with our outward appearance for it fades away, but we do adorn our spirit with the grace of God for its beauty is eternal. Our heavenly Father specializes in making His children cute and adorable. The inner work of the Spirit shapes our soul for God. Therefore, select and follow leaders who are qualified by God. Avoid smooth talkers with a hard heart. Take your time at work to hire not only those who can get the job done, but who get it done with a humble heart. Wait on marriage for the one whose heart seeks the Lord and who seeks to serve others. Ask the Lord to give you a mental and emotional diagnostic to discern a person’s spirit. Better to invest in those with ordinary abilities and looks, but with an extraordinary heart. “He [Christ] will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears.” Isaiah 11:3 Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray my inner self will be beautiful in Your sight. Related Readings: Psalm 44:21, 139:23; Luke 16:15; 1 Peter 3:4; Revelation 2:23

Friends Warn Friends

1-15-2013 by Boyd Bailey “Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there.” 1 Samuel 19:1-2 Friends warn friends. They warn them of danger to their physical safety. It could be harm from someone who wants to inflict pain or it may be a circumstance that carries economic risk. It may be the discovery of disloyalty from a mutual friend who threatens a coworker's employment. Loyalty does not withhold information from a friend that can help them make the wisest decision. A loyal friend warns a friend while there is still time to make a safe transition. Do you have a friend who is gullible about someone else’s good will? Is evil crouching at their door waiting to pounce on their uninformed ego? If so, you may be God’s instrument to instruct them in the way to go. Your friend may be so close to the situation that they have allowed their emotions to cloud their good judgment. Because they trust you, you can help them verify their assumptions. Use your relational equity and assist them in taking a step back to wait and pray. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 Furthermore, your warning to your friend may be to cut their relational losses and move on to the Lord’s next assignment. You can lovingly explain the unhealthy organizational culture that is dragging them down. Jealousy, jockeying for position and unscrupulous motives from acquaintances all create anxiety, distrust and fear at home, work, school or church. Your friendship can be a reality check to educate a friend in how to navigate irreverent forces. Most importantly, friends warn friends to not forsake their faith in Jesus Christ. A friend who loves at all times is able to tell the truth in love. Love does not silently sit still while a friend succumbs to Satan’s lies. We fight for our friends on our knees in prayer and with our words in warnings. A friend may need to move into our home as a sanctuary for their souls’ healing, their heart’s refreshment and their mind’s rest. Friends warn friends and help them find the way. “Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 20:42 Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the love and courage to warn my friend of unhealthy influences. Related Readings: Numbers 16:26; 1 Samuel 19:11; Acts 20:31; Hebrews 11:7

A Friend's Rejection

1-14-2013 by Boyd Bailey “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.” Psalm 55:12-14 The worst kind of rejection may be the rejection of a friend. You expect it from an enemy, but not from a friend. It doesn’t make sense that someone you communed with around Christ would come back and crush you with rejection. Rejection integrated with religious pretense is rough. It challenges our trust in people in general, and our faith in God in particular. With a recognized foe you can see it coming, however, with a pretend friend it takes you by surprise. You feel ambushed by unauthentic living. One day you are laughing together around life’s little peculiarities and the next day you are dazed by the anger of an unstable man. It is haunting and humbling at the same time. You don’t know whether to lash back or languish in disillusionment. Friendly betrayal is frightening. Reproaches from those we have been intimate with cut to the quick. They know our strengths and our weaknesses. They know where we are vulnerable. They know how to exploit our struggles, taking advantage of our good will. It is like you have been emotionally naked with someone, and now you feel embarrassed because of his or her indiscretions. What happened to the person you once knew? How could you have been so deceived? It may have been a decade of deceit embedded in your marriage vows. It may have been financial fraud and embezzlement over a long period of time. It may be a hidden addiction that has all the while hijacked your relationship for their creditability. Our Lord Jesus of course had one for whom he trusted to the point of managing the money. He was close to Christ in proximity, but far away in faith. For Judas it was all about the cash. It was money that motivated him in the beginning, and money that was his downfall in the end. Money motivated men may be pleasant on the outside, but they are full of themselves on the inside. They set you up for their own selfish plan. We see it after the fact. It is so clear. But in the beginning we can be easily deceived. Therefore, really get to know someone before you heavily invest. In time they can be trusted. Lastly, avoid the temptation to reject those who have rejected you. This is our natural response. However under the influence of the Holy Spirit our right response is to forgive their failings, regardless of how radical their behavior. We are all candidates for sin, even gross sin. Without God’s grace and the accountability of a committed community of believers, we are deceivers with the best of them. The worst deceivers have been the most deceived. Paul stated well our role toward those trapped in sin, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Yes rejection by a trusted friend is fiendish and false hearted. However we are called to be forgiving and pure hearted. Do not stoop to their standards that are sub par with your Savior’s. By God’s grace rise above rejection! Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the grace to accept those from whom I feel rejected. Related Readings: Isaiah 33:1; Jeremiah 12:6; Matthew 27:3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

Purpose Fulfillment

1-12-2013 by Boyd Bailey “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose to me.” Psalm 57:2 Providence has a personal purpose for His people. Our gracious God guarantees a grant of wisdom into His ways. He wants us to experience His eternal aims for His glory. Paul stated this principle of providential purpose fulfillment crystal clear when he stated with conviction, “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). His purpose fulfillment started when we placed our faith in Jesus. This was our contract with Christ that placed the responsibility of fulfilling His purpose at the feet of our Heavenly Father. Our Lord finishes anything and everything He has begun since our belief in Him. Whatsoever the Lord takes in hand, He will accomplish. So we trust the Almighty with the fulfillment of His purpose for our life. Therefore, it is imperative that we intercede to understand Him. Prayer positions us to harvest heaven’s purpose for our life. We cry out to the Most High because there is nothing, or no one, any higher. He is at the top. He is the divine decision maker. He is our Maker. There is no one else we can go to for an understanding of the purpose of providence for our life than the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is not dumb. We pray because we believe there is a better way than our very limited wisdom. We can get by with the wisdom of the world, but we can thrive with the wisdom of Almighty God. We cry out to Christ because He has adopted us. He is our Heavenly Father from whom we define our purpose by His purpose for us. Prayer pulls out His purpose front and center. Prayer to God is proof of our trust in God. When we send our prayers to heaven, God will send help down from heaven. Unless we pray, as well as trust, our trust will fail us. Trust can become trivial if persistent prayer does not back it up. Prayer brings trust into the reality of God’s promises and purpose for our life. Prayer is potent because it aligns us with the purposes of Almighty God. Moreover, once we understand His personal purpose, we can rest assured of His follow through of its fulfillment on our behalf. Furthermore, put pen to paper and prayerfully define your God-given purpose. Use this definition as a filter for decision-making. This becomes your accountability to God and others to say ‘no’. Lastly, lean into the Lord to lead you in His purpose for your life. Once you have established His purpose for you, leverage that for others. Use your strength of position to help others discover their God-given purpose. Have them list their gifts, skills, passions and experiences. Pray with them of how God wants to collate their assets for Christ. Assure them that their Heavenly Father will fulfill His purpose for them, as He did with His own son at just the right time (Galatians 4:4, NASB). Be patient in the implementation of God’s purpose for your life. Remember you are living His purpose now. No season of life is insignificant in the Lord’s eyes. Don’t wish away where you are today. By faith, you can be sure that Christ is currently fulfilling your purpose. Make sure your goals are God-given and then trust Him with their fulfillment. A prayerful purpose is patient with God!

Youthful Courage

1-10-2013 by Boyd Bailey “But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.” 1 Samuel 17:34-35 Courage created in youthful days is most likely appropriated in later days. David, under the authority and canopy of God’s creation, learned courage as a shepherd, the protector of the sheep. Teenagers placed in challenging situations like sports, academics and standing alone morally have an opportunity to be courageous for Christ. These early life lessons become memories of God’s faithfulness etched into their moldable minds. Courage gives confidence. Be careful not to overprotect your child, so that they miss out on seeing the Lord work through their courageous acts of service. Perhaps you encourage them to get a job, so that they can learn how to be like Jesus in the workplace. Or, you allow them to attend public school, so under your prayerful support, they become salt and light to their fellow students and faculty. Better for a teenager to learn courage in your accepting home, so that you can coach them. Challenges are courage builders. “And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.” 1 Timothy 4:12, The Message Have you lost your courageous edge for Christ? What are you attempting that is risky for the Lord? Maybe He is calling you back to get a graduate degree, though its been over 20 years since your college graduation. Your moral courage can become a flood light of faith in spiritually sterile academia. Take heart and courageously keep your marriage commitment or your volunteer assignment. Setbacks are meant to bring us back to bold dependence on God. Be bold for Him! Ask Christ to give you the courage to overcome your fear of rejection, your fear of public speaking or your fear of death. Courage from within understands it's all about Him, not you. You risk misunderstanding and mistreatment for the sake of the gospel, but Christ was courageous for you. Remember your bold initiatives for God right after you tasted His grace for the very first time. Use the memories of your youthful courage as a conduit for boldness. Courage overcomes! “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me Your courage to take risks for You. Related Readings: 2 Samuel 7:27; 2 Chronicles 5:8; Ezra 10:4; Matthew 14:27; Acts 27:25

Sought By God

1-9-2013 by Boyd Bailey “But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler of His people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” 1 Samuel 13:14 God seeks out men and women who are sensitive to His heart. Saul motivated by pride and fear did not keep the Lord's command, so God appointed David as the next King. A leader risks losing the Lord’s respect when he disrespects the Lord’s commands. An individual loses their positive influence on people when their influence with the Almighty wanes. God seeks sincere seekers, so He can entrust them with His favor. He recruits submissive star players for His team. Have you become too familiar with your heavenly Father’s commands? Has your familiarity with the Holy One bred unholy contempt? If so, you can return to God’s good graces with grace based obedience or you can risk being removed from your position of authority. Let your heart rest in the hand of your heavenly Father. You will endure under the mighty hand of God, but, out from under His authority, hope shrivels and His help fades away. So, submit to His authority. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV Keep your heart tender towards God with constant cultivation in the commands of Christ. You remain useful to your heavenly Father by staying sensitive to the Spirit’s promptings. The Lord is not looking at your outward appearance, but at your inward beauty of integrity. Perhaps your mind needs cleansing from the seduction of the sensual and renewed with submission to the Spirit. Also, keep your pride in check with humble acts of service at home. Because the Holy Spirit seeks you out, you are wise to turn toward Him and move in His direction. Obedience to God always moves towards God, while disobedience to God always moves away from God. The Lord may be seeking you out to replace another unwilling servant of His. So, remain humble as opportunities to serve Him open up. Your added responsibilities make you more responsible to represent Christ well. So, surrender to God’s search for your heart. “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” Job 22:21 Prayer: Heavenly Father, as you seek me out, I surrender my heart to You in obedience. Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 30:8; Isaiah 26:12; John 4:23; Philippians 3:3

New Book!!!!

Hey Everyone! I have a new book coming out in the next 45 days! "Stout Advice: The Keys to building self,people, and teams!" The primary reasons I wrote the book were for my boys and for others. For my boys: If anything were to happen to me, I want them to have something they can read to understand their dad and why they have the life they have. For others: I desperately want others to have life on their own terms like I've been blessed with. It's not nearly as difficult to achieve as people think.

Good Overcomes Evil

1-7-2013 by Boyd Bailey “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 Free will is the culprit of sinful humans making evil choices. However, God is not absent in the face of a bad person and evil deeds. Almighty God works in and through atrocities to overcome bad with good. Good overcomes evil when courageous teachers shield innocent children from the bullets of an evil gunman. Good overcomes evil when first responders risk their lives to save lives in a collapsing building destroyed by evil terrorists. Good overcomes evil when hellish wars are fought in the name of freedom to protect the world from evil tyrants. Good overcomes! Yes, we stand astounded when evil captures the headlines, and we ask, “Where is God?”. However, because we exist God exists. He is always with us, Jesus said, even to the ends of the earth, “I am with you.” We leave Him in our self-sufficient pride, but He never leaves or forsakes us. The good in evil calls us to cry out to Christ. We need Him, oh how we need Him in the good days and in the bad days. Because we exist we encounter the evil of a sinner’s free will. “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:5:20-21 Hallelujah, the grace of God through Jesus Christ has overcome sin, sorrow and death! In the face of evil men Jesus laid down His life, only to come back to life and offer forgiveness to the ones who killed Him. Jesus is our model of overcoming evil with good. We lay down our life and in the process we give life. Our enemies scratch their heads--puzzled by grace--when we serve instead of fight. Evil can experience God’s mercy now or His judgment later, but we are His ambassadors for good. Like water over fire or light over darkness we use good to extinguish bad! You are a good goer for God, so go often and go boldly. Detachment from society is a scheme of the devil. Instead, engage evil with good and you will overcome. Detached you lose. Yes, love does guarantee suffering, but better to love often than for your soul to shrivel for lack of service. Just as an athlete leaves it all on the court, leave all your good deeds on the field of life. Heaven is a celebration of a life well spent on earth. Thus while you’re still alive generously do good and you’ll overcome evil. Like Jesus--overcome the evil one by God’s good word--holy Scripture. “Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” Matthew 4:10-11 Prayer: Heavenly Father, use me to be an ambassador of good for You. Related Readings: Jeremiah 1:19; John 16:33; Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 2:14, 5:4-5

Mentoring Young People

1-5-2013 by Boyd Bailey “At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment” (Proverbs 7:6–7). Most young people yearn for someone to invest time and wisdom into them. They know deep in their hearts they need help to handle heartaches. Their naïve knowledge has yet to graduate them from the school of hard knocks; so they need loving and wise instruction. Who in your circle of influence is a candidate for your caring attention? It may be a son or daughter, a colleague at work, or a friend from church. God places people in our lives for a purpose. Perhaps you prayerfully pursue a mentor relationship with a teachable young person. He or she can learn from your mistakes as much or more than from your wise choices. Mentors are not perfect, just wiser from failure and humbled by success. Look around and ask the Lord to lead you to a young person who may be edging toward the wrong direction. Reach out to that young person. By doing so, you will have returned the favor to someone who loved you. Indeed, mentors take time for others because they are eternally grateful for those who took time for them. Gratitude to God is a great reason to go the extra mile with someone younger. Read books together, maybe a book a month for a year. Meet over coffee to discuss how the book challenged your thinking and changed your behavior for the better. A young leader can preclude problems when she is able to model the wise habits of her mentor. Always invite an older adult into your life who can educate you in the ways of God. Moreover, the mentor process is valuable to both parties. It provides accountability, encouragement, love, and obedience to Christ’s commands. Mentor young people so they follow the right path, and in turn help someone else do the same. The Bible says, “Encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children…. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible” (Titus 2:4, 6 nasb). Prayer: Who is the young person in my life to whom the Lord is leading me to invest time, wisdom, and resources? Related Readings: Job 32:6; Psalm 119:9; Matthew 28:20; Titus 2:1–8

Single Focus

1-4-2013 by Boyd Bailey “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” Philippians 3:13 Almighty God is the focus of the faithful. He is the One Thing who needs the attention from those attentive to Christ’s agenda. This focus of faith writes a beautiful script for a surrendered life--like a sharpened pencil it etches clearly, compared to the illegible scribblings of a dull point. A mind focused on what’s ahead is not encumbered with what’s behind. Single focus creates mental stamina. Indeed, focused thinking on God is not distracted by the world’s allure. Is Christ the central point of your plans? Do you anticipate what lies ahead? Your single focus on your heavenly Father’s heart will embolden your heart. Belief in Jesus is the bull’s eye on the target of trust. Always shoot your arrows of action toward the Almighty’s agenda and you will accomplish His purpose for your life. Take hold of Him and He will guide you by His good light. Take hold of integrity and you will walk securely. Take hold of prayer and you’ll hear His voice. “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous.” Psalm 15:1-2 We must beware of separating the sacred from the secular. Our life and work are not silos separated from the grain of God’s goodness. Our salvation is an acorn of faith that grows into an oak tree of mature discipleship. However, the pruning of adversity is necessary to keep us growing in grace. Everything we do is meant to move us toward the Lord’s one thing: progress toward perfection in Christ. Momentary affliction is meant to move us into His deeper affections. Therefore, do for one what you would like to do for many. Trust God that your single focus at home and work will create quality relationships that lead to a quantity of influence for good. Like a laser, your single focus to love can clear away the cloudy cataracts from another’s eyes of fear. Like courageous military personnel, your single focus on humble service can protect you and your family from pride. Your single focus puts fear in the enemy and faith in your heart. “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 Prayer: Heavenly Father, make my focus forward on You and Your priorities. Related Readings: Psalm 105:4; Luke 9:62; 10:42; Acts 2:25; 2 Peter 1:10