Sunday Prayertime

Dear God, Today I feel led to pray for Christians to stand up for their beliefs when confronted with moral issues. I pray that we will know when, where, and what to say and do to let our voices be heard. I pray that we will be involved in our communities, schools, governments as possible. I pray that we will have the courage and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to do what is right, what is biblical, and what honors you. Thank you for the guidelines you have given us through the Holy Bible. Thank you for the leaders you have provided to inspire, teach, and guide us. Thank you for all of your provisions and blessings. With love and appreciation I come to you, Father. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

[ Starting tomorrow, you will be musing over the Read Through the Old Testament in a year format - starting at the December 8 date. These daily musings will be the basis of a new book release coming in 2016. It is my prayer that you find them helpful. Pray as I am writing this daily devotional study.]

Saturday Prayertime

Dear God, We all make mistakes, all humans that is. We all pay consequences, often not easy to deal with. Some mistakes affect our health, our jobs, our rights, our futures, our comfort, our ministries. They usually touch other people's lives, not just our own. All mistakes give opportunity for life-changing lessons. I pray for anyone and everyone who is spending time with your through this devotional, and for their family members, who have made mistakes and are facing the consequences. May the result be a life that is more dedicated to you, one that is pleasing to you, and a clarity of purpose and calling in the lives that are affected. I pray for mercy, grace, and help in any way needed. May you be glorified. May new ministries and opportunities for witness be evident...and may each one of us be yielded and in tune with your will. Please help us all to become what you have planned for us. Thank you, Father, for your work in our lives and for your protection and blessing. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Short Time - Today is the Day

2 Corinthians 6: 2 (ESV) - "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

The last two musings were upon the time being short. Short until Christ's return for His church, and possibly short for America. We are looking for that glorious appearing of Jesus, but also being fearful that America will soon fall completely under the judging hand of God.

That is why as believers we need to be reignited with the commission that has been given to us - the commission from our Lord to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19 - 20 NASB).

If we truly caught the picture that time is short, if we truly cared about others, if we truly realized the need others have, if we truly realized that God has saved us to share with others - we would be praying, talking, and seeking to share the one true answer with everyone God places in our paths.

Today, ponder (but not for long) how you can make a difference in this "day of salvation" for someone else. Why did I say "but not for long?" Ponder and then GO!

Short Time - American Warning

1 Peter 4:17 (NLT) - "For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?"

Yesterday, I mused over Christ's soon return. It is my belief that I will be alive when He comes to take His saints home. However, there is no guarantee that America will still be here when He comes.

Growing up I often wondered why there is no mention of America in the end time prophecies. Where does this nation fit into the picture of the study of last days. Lately, as I study and watch the unveiling events around us, I am beginning to believe that America may not be on the scene as America.

God is a patient, loving God - but He does have His limits. Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:17 (NLT) - "For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?" Now I know that this is written directly to the saints, and particularly Jesus' church. But, we can glean from this that if God is going to judge those who are in the family of Believers, He will judge those who reject Him also. As we look at the way things have been going in this country since the 1950's, we see a gradual decline away from the God of the Bible. We have changed morality (according to us), we have removed God from our secular (by the way, the concept of a divided religious/secular world is man-made, not Scriptural at all) lives, we have come to the point where we see bad as good and good as bad.

The move to a one-world religion is rapidly taking place in America. We do this under the stance of tolerance and plurality. But, we need to open our eyes and see that the only religious belief that is not tolerated is Christianity.

Today, ponder over the what is happening in the world - and particularly America - when it comes to belief systems. And muse over God's warning of bringing judgment upon those who claim to be His. I pray that it may not be too late for America to return to the God of our fathers. I pray that our children and grandchildren will have to freedom to worship the one true God.

The Time is Short - His Return

1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NLT) - "For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night."

Revelation 22:20 (NLT) - "He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"

It seems like the many devotions, studies, and reading I have been doing over the past couple of weeks all deal with the soon return of Jesus Christ. You might say that this is a strange topic to muse over in the Christmas season. Yet, His return is prophesied the same as His first Coming to Earth.

If you are watching for the signs of His return, we can see that everything man says needs to be in place - is. Howbeit, the return to take His people out before the Tribulation (yes, I am Pre-Trib, Pre- Millennial) does not require any signs. In fact, many scholars believe that even Paul was anticipating the soon return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:17, he speaks of "we who are alive" apparently including himself in this statement). 

Peter in his first letter (chapter 3 verse 3) says, "I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires." There are those who say it has been over 2000 years since Jesus walked on this earth. If He was coming back, He already would have done so. 2000+ years is hardly soon. Yet, in God's economy of time, the Bible states that "But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day." (2 Peter 3:8 NLT). So, one could be safe to say in God's economy, it has only been a little over 2 days since He went away.

Even considering the time that has elapsed here on earth, each day we live brings us one day closer to His return. Each day is a day of Grace for someone to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to share with all we can - because the time is short - and we have a commission to fulfill.

Sunday Prayertime

Dear God, Please give me a vision for what You want to do through me, for the role You want me to have in the local ministry of my church, and for the ministry You want to work through me in daily life. Please help me to keep my eyes upon You, not upon other people, things, or circumstances. May Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Saturday Prayertime

Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Thank you, Jesus, for your obedience to the Father. Thank you, God, for Your loving sacrifice. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for Your comforting guidance. Life is so much more with the hope I have in You, Lord. I am so glad that you have provided the way for me to have eternal life in Your presence--in a place where there will be no more tears and no more suffering; a place where there will be unimaginable joy, praise, worship, and peace. I praise You for Who You are and for what You have done. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Real Black Friday

Today is called "Black Friday" in the commercial world. It is the day that businesses seek to see their ledgers show in the black instead of the red. They seek to see how much they can sell to kick start their Christmas sales. Businesses seek to lure as many people into their stores by extravagant sales. Yet, over 2,000 years ago the real Black Friday happened.

It happened in an obscure part of the world, a tiny country under Roman domination. It happened to an obscure, itinerant Rabbi, who spoke such truth and lived so profound a life - that men could not accept Him. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in Israel was taken out and crucified upon a cruel Roman Cross. The Creator of the Universe was killed by His own created beings. Man, involved with jealousy, greed, pride, cowardice, fear, and a love for the darkness instead of the light took the perfect, sinless Son of God out to Golgotha and nailed Him to a cross. They watched as the life-blood of Jesus poured out. And then, this lifeblood spilled out became the very sacrifice for each of us. His blood shed on that Cross became the means that bought us back from this broken world. It was the "red" blood that was the positive side of the ledger that day.

Consider, that on this day the world wants to turn the red into black - while God in His kingdom turned what was black into red. Are you trusting the shed blood of Christ? Muse over what the cross means to you today - on this "Black Friday."

A Thanksgiving Reminder

Today, as we pause to remember all the great and marvelous blessings that God has given to us, let us turn to His Word, and read the great Psalm 100 - a Psalm of Thanksgiving. Take some time today - and focus your thoughts upon the One who is worthy of all thanks, the One who is worthy of our praise. We are blessed, not because of ourselves, but because of Him.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

Sunday Prayertime

Dear God, I worship you and lift up my praise to you, my Creator and Sustainer. Thank you for showing me the things that bind me on this earth. Open my eyes that I may always be mindful of what may hold me in bondage. Help me to resist the things I should. Help me to steer clear of hazards and to draw strength from your Holy Spirit when temptations are enticing me. Please help me to break free...and to experience total freedom in you. Thank you, my gracious God. In the name of my Savior I pray. Amen.

Saturday Prayertime

Dear God, Your Word tells me to "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jer. 33:3). I'm coming to You now, and asking for a closer fellowship with You. I want to know You more; to desire You more; to be an obedient follower and do Your will. I am waiting, listening and watching...yielded to Your will. Bless me Lord, that I may be a blessing to You and to the people around me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Operation Christmas Child - The Power of a Simple Gift

Today, as we draw this week to a close - let me share with you a story from a young boy in Guatemala. Next Monday we will return to our study of Spiritual Warfare. 

“I live in a very poor neighborhood and many times I don’t have the school items that I require at school. I always wanted to have a special pencil with removable leads. I prayed to God for one and some friends at my school laughed at me because I said I prayed for one. However, when I was invited to participate in a special celebration in a Christian church at my village, they gave me a gift where I got school supplies. Among them were two of the special pencils I always wanted to have. Now I’m happy that I have the opportunity to study the Bible lessons and I’m learning a lot from what our teacher explains. I have learned that God cares for me. These lessons came to our village because God is good. Thank you for sending to us these lessons.” - Roberto, 12-years-old*

From this, we gain some insight into the impact that we can have - through the power of a simple gift.

*http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/rss/operation-christmas-child/impact/impact-stories.aspx#.VGOkYpPF8wR

Operation Christmas Child Stories

From the Operation Christmas Child Website* I want to share this story. God uses Operation Christmas Child to touch the lives of Philippine children living in dire conditions.

It smells so strongly of trash and cow dung at the big garbage dump outside of Manila that most people hold handkerchiefs to their noses to block some of the smell. No one wants to visit this area. Muck swallows shoes, leaving people barefoot in the smelly mess.

And yet there are people who live and work here.

These people are lower-class Filipinos. They collect bottles and other pieces of trash to sell. Their houses sit right on the edge of the dump site and are made of trash. While most people crinkle their noses and want to leave, the dump people smile and laugh while the brown concoction on the ground squishes deeper in between their toes.

The children in this area are quiet but happy. Boys run shirtless through small patches of grass with a soccer ball. Girls watch and giggle in their crisp, white school blouses and plaid skirts. They’ve just finished a day of school and walked home under the hot and sticky June sun.

Today, the smiles are a little wider. On the walk home, the children cradle Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes underneath their elbows.

This was a special day at school, a day of surprises. Although the teachers had tried to keep it a secret, the children had found out that they would receive gifts, and they were excited. Before she received her shoe box, 8-year-old Joy listed the things she wanted.

“School supplies … slippers … a pencil case … a pencil … anything that can be used for writing … and shoes.”

She paused between each item as if she was afraid to say that she wanted more than one thing. Only after being prompted did she continue her list.

Nine-year-old Ralph slowly listed what he wanted, too.

“School supplies, school bag, a T-shirt, shoes and socks.”

All of these are simple things that most American children take for granted. But in impoverished areas like this one, school supplies and basic clothing make a huge difference.

“Education is the only way out,” said Marlin, pastor of the church that arranged the shoe box distribution at the school. “OCC will make a difference for them.”

With new school supplies, the children will have more opportunities in class. But the shoe boxes don’t just offer physical items to make life better for children. The gifts also present an opportunity to learn about the Gospel.

That’s exactly what Ralph did. When he accepted his gift, he also accepted Christ. As he kicks a soccer ball to a friend, his smile isn’t just because of his new toys. Now he has found God’s love.

Ralph and his friends were offered “The Greatest Gift of All” booklet with their gifts, which explains the story of Christ and salvation through Him. Ralph said he is excited to learn more about Jesus. He is blessed because his mother is also a Christian, and she taught him about Christ even before he believed.

Joy also received the booklet, but she didn’t look at it as soon as she received it. She said she wanted to look at it later. When she reads “The Greatest Gift of All,” there is hope that she too will find Christ’s love.

At the end of the day, the smiling faces at the dump pick up their last bottles and throw them into bags. Then they walk the short distance to their houses.

Children have finished playing soccer and are helping to prepare the evening meal. Over dinner, they will talk about their day at school. Parents will see every gift in the shoe boxes, and they, too, will hear about how Jesus loves them.

* http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/occ-impact/

OCC - The Story of Simple Gifts

In an excerpt from his new book, Operation Christmas Child: A Story of Simple Gifts,Franklin Graham talks about the beginnings of what has become a worldwide ministry that has delivered over 100 million shoeboxes to children in over 130 countries.

BIG TROUBLE, BIG TASK, BIG THANKS

Days before Thanksgiving my secretary came through the door with a look on her face that I knew very well. “Do you remember that man from Britain that called you back in the summer asking for shoeboxes? He’s on the phone asking when you’ll be sending them—he’s leaving for Bosnia soon,” she stated with an air of “You’re in big trouble!” I had forgotten about it and now the Christmas season was fast approaching.

I picked up the phone. “Mr. Graham, how many shoeboxes have you collected?” I couldn’t let him down. His cause was worthy, so I said, “David, we’re working on it; I’ll get back to you.” He was thrilled and I was, well, in trouble.

“We’ve got to collect some shoeboxes—fast!” I said. We threw some ideas around and then called Ross Rhoads, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. As always, Ross was glad to help and said, “Tell me what to do.”

“Get a shoebox and fill it with some little toys for kids—maybe some toothpaste and a toothbrush, a hair brush, and sock,” I suggested. “Take it to the pulpit on Sunday and show your congregation. Ask if they will help us collect shoebox gifts for the kids in Bosnia. And by the way, tell them to put a note inside with their picture so the child will know who the box is from—maybe some of the kids will write back.” Ross enthusiastically agreed. Then I called Sean Campbell, our executive director in Canada. “Sean, see what kind of response you can get from a church up there.”

I hung up and forgot about it again, until a few days after Thanksgiving. My secretary walked into my office and announced a call from Ross with that “you’re in trouble” look on her face. “Ross needs to talk to you.”

Picking up the phone, I heard his voice filled with troubled excitement. “Franklin, you’ve got to send someone down here to pick up all of these shoeboxes!”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well, we’ve got shoeboxes stacked up in the gym, in the foyer, and in Sunday school rooms—they’re in the way.”

“So you’ve really been able to collect a few hundred boxes?” I asked.

“A few hundred?” Ross answered. “How about eleven thousand!” I was stunned. Ross had a big church, but eleven thousand in two weeks? He said, “Franklin, this is obviously something the Lord has blessed.”

Reflecting years later, Ross said, “All I did that Sunday morning was to show the congregation a shoebox Carol had packed and asked them to do the same. That afternoon, a member of the church with the Bible Broadcast Network (BBN) interviewed me and gave me the chance to tell about the project. We did not solicit for boxes nor was the church address given. Over the next several days, however, people began bringing shoeboxes to the church and deliveries were made daily by the post office and courier services. The church was known for ‘sending help,’ but

‘receiving’ was not something we were set up for.”

I said a great big thank you to Ross and then placed a call to David and reported the big news. Immediately, I sent my projects director (now vice president of projects and government relations) Kenney Isaacs to Charlotte to assess the situation. He called and said, “Franklin, you’re not going to believe this. People are really excited!”

This response was so overwhelming that Ross suggested I come on Sunday, December 12, to preach and thank the congregation.

HYPHENATED BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY

That was twenty years ago. Two decades have passed—hyphenated by the turn of the century. Not every generation experiences living from one millennium to another. We have now surpassed that milestone and have come into the second decade of the twenty-first century, marking one hundred million shoebox gifts collected and delivered, representing an even larger number who have heard God’s message. When I look back on this project—Operation Christmas Child (OCC)—I think of the Scripture that says, “Oh, what God has done!” (Num. 23:23)

The Lord has blessed this outreach in numbers—monumental numbers. But more important, He has blessed it by changing hearts, one at a time. And in the twentieth year of Operation Christmas Child, we delivered the one hundred millionth shoebox!

There are miles of smiles that tell stories about changed lives, miles of oceans away. But it all started with:

One phone call

One request

One shoebox

One church

And one message about the Christmas Child

For one heart at a time

We pray that the heartbeat of the Gospel will stir the hearts of hundreds of millions more.

Come with us on this journey as we tell you about one profound truth that changes one life at a time.

Excerpted from Operation Christmas Child: A Story of Simple Gifts (B&H Publishing, 2013).

OCC - The Back Story

Matthew 19:14 (NKJV) - Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

The concept of Operation Christmas Child began on October 10,1990, when Dave and Jill Cooke of Wrexham, Wales were watching a broadcast on Romanian orphanages. They asked the question: How can we help the real victims, the children, who live in these situations day after day? They knew they could not stop the wars, but they could offer something – the gift of love. Together, they filled a convoy of nine trucks with medical supplies, food, clothing and Christmas gifts for children, and headed into Romania, which had recently been devastated by war. This was the beginning of the world’s largest children’s Christmas program. In 1993, Franklin Graham, International President of Samaritan’s Purse, adopted Operation Christmas Child. Since then, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been delivered to hurting children in more than 135 countries.

Since we were introduced to this ministry, my wife and I have felt our hearts challenged to help reach out to children over the world who may never hear the good news about Jesus without someone taking it to them. Helping them to discover a loving God by receiving a gift from a loving Christian is a blessing that cannot be resisted. Over the years working with Montrose Christian School and the Child Development Center in Rockville, MD. we have been blessed to see many boxes collected and delivered. Moving to North Carolina we have been able to continue this work with Christ the Cornerstone Academy and New Hope Baptist Church in Laurinburg. Working as the Collection center for the area, my wife has been able to continue to to help reach the children.

If you haven't been a part - now is the time to get involved. Go to  http://operationchristmaschild.org and find out how to pack a shoebox and where to take it in your area.

Muse over the truth of Christ's great work, and how you could be a part of this great opportunity.

OCC - Shoeboxes of Joy

Matthew 19:14 (NKJV) - Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

This is National Collection week for Operation Christmas Child - a branch of Samaritan's Purse. The world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child, uses gift-filled shoeboxes to share God’s love in a tangible way with needy children around the world. Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has collected and delivered more than 113 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in over 150 countries through Operation Christmas Child.

In 2014, Samaritan’s Purse hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 10 million children through the Operation Christmas Child project. Shoebox gifts are collected in the United States, Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. More than 500,000 volunteers worldwide, with more than 100,000 of those in the United States, are involved in collecting, shipping, and distributing shoebox gifts. Samaritan’s Purse will deliver the gifts to children in more than 100 countries on six continents. More than 2.8 million children have participated in The Greatest Journey, the 12-lesson discipleship program created by Samaritan’s Purse for children who receive Operation Christmas Child gift boxes. The Greatest Journey is one of the largest discipleship programs in the world, implemented through a global church network to help children know and follow Jesus Christ.

This week I will share about this wonderful outreach for the Kingdom reaching children with the good news of Jesus Christ. For many years my wife and I have taken an active part - from packing a shoebox to collecting to encouraging others to be a part. Reaching a young person can help to shape and change the world.

Today, spend some time praying for this collection week. Pray for those packing boxes, transporting boxes, and for those who will receive these boxes.

Sunday Prayertime

I praise you, O Lord, for your awesome and holy being. I thank you for the life you have given me. I appreciate the beautiful blessings you have provided in the earth around me and the simple, but important, things of life. Thank you for family--my birth family, my extended family, my family of the church. Please forgive me of taking them for granted sometimes, and help me to always show my appreciation and love to them. Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for answering my prayers in the way that you know is best. Thank you for always being here for me. With all my love, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Saturday Prayertime

God, I have to make decisions every day of life. Some are big decisions; others are simple decisions. Please help me not to presume I know everything, but to come to you in faith. Show me who would be a good counselor to keep me accountable and help open my eyes when making weighty decisions. I pray that you will give me wisdom and direction...and spiritual discernment to know what is the right decision. God, thank you for being the great Counselor, for loving me, and for correcting the mistakes I sometimes make. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Sunday Prayertime

I praise You Lord, for Who You are; the Alpha, Omega, Beginning and the End, Savior and Lord, You're my best friend; Creator of all. Thank You for being my best friend forever. Thank You for being my heavenly Father, always present and always there for me. Thank You for being my sustainer and protector. And thank You for saving me and setting me upon the solid Rock--Jesus. In His name I pray. Amen.

Saturday Prayertime

God, I come to you seeking your face, searching for answers so I can do something about the problems. There is so much turmoil in the world. There have been so many disasters, many beyond man's control. I pray that You will broaden the minds the people affected by each incident and open their eyes to see what you want them to learn. And I pray that they will respond in the right way. I know that you sometimes allow pressures in my life to bring attention to an issue you want me to take care of too. I pray today, that you as my Loving Father will make known anything that stands in the way of fellowship between you and I. I want to turn from any wrongdoing, and "step up to the plate" to do the right thing, no matter how great or how simple it may seem. I praise you for who you are, for all you do, and for the fellowship we share through prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Financial Burnout Restoration

"He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.' For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place...." Mark 6:31-32 (HCSB)

As we are looking at the epidemic of burnout in today's clime, we have sought ways from Dr. Richard Swenson's book Margin on how we can restore balance in our lives. we have mused over Emotional, Physical, and Time restoration, and today we will ponder Financial restoration. Again, Dr. Swenson lists 16 prescriptions, we will consider a couple of them.

We need to be people who are moving counter to our culture - the one that teaches us to spend and get. We need to learn to live within our harvest, in other words - make do with what we have. This is not easy, nor popular today. Consider all the ads designed to make us feel that we need the latest whatever to live a happy life. we have to discipline our desires and redefine what we see as needs.

So, what can we do? First we must either/or increase our income or decrease our spending. If we can't increase our income, we must "bite the bullet" and decrease our spending. This causes us to make a budget - and then stick to it. I have OCD tendencies and when I set up something like this I become very structured to do it - it is a compulsion. As a TV character Monk used to say - "It is a blessing and a curse." Budget in savings, discard use of credit cards, resist the impulses when watching TV or shopping. Consider the usefulness of what you are seeking to spend money on.

Most importantly, put the Kingdom first. We need to give tithes and offerings to God through His church and other Kingdom related enterprises. Matthew 6:33, Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount reminds us to "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."

Today, ponder over the needs you have in the financial realm, and then consider how you can gain control over these. When our finances are in balance, we reduce the possibility of burnout or restore our personal balance in life.

* Material used this week is from Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. Published by NavPress:Colorado Springs CO. 1992

Time Burnout Restoration

"He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.' For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place...." Mark 6:31-32 (HCSB)

As we are looking at the epidemic of burnout in today's clime, we have sought ways from Dr. Richard Swenson's book Margin on how we can restore balance in our lives. we have mused over Emotional and Physical restoration, and today we will ponder Time restoration.

In his book, Dr. Swenson lists 16 prescriptions for restoring balance to our lives. And, once again I will just touch on a couple of these. A few of these can be considered a "duh" if we are honest. To regain balance we need to learn to say "no." We need to prune our time from trying to accomplish all things to setting true priorities - and then seeking to achieve these. It may mean we need to turn off the mind vacuum (television), it may mean we need to seek more simplicity, we need to expect the unexpected.

We often seek to attempt to much only to feel frustrated and a failure in our attempts. We need to develop a plan to not only do the right things, but to do the right things right. Don't compare yourself to someone else - Paul makes a good point about this in 2 Corinthians 10:12, where he states "For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding." Do what you are capable of doing.

Finally, if you are a Type A personality [like me], train yourself to create buffer zones and free time in your life. Learn to smile, listen to others as they speak, stand in the longer line, and generally force yourself to make room for slowing down. Be sure to use this time to ponder and thank God. One thing I am learning is to relish the journey as well as the destination. Am I there - no. Am I still working on it - yes.

Today, muse over the points given for emotional, physical, and time restoration in your life. Attempt to develop one new habit. It will be hard, but in the long run being restored from burnout will be one of the greatest releases and refreshments you will ever know.

* Material used this week is from Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. Published by NavPress:Colorado Springs CO. 1992

Physical Burnout Restoration

"He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.' For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place...." Mark 6:31-32 (HCSB)

As we are meditating over the need for restoration in a burned out life, we looked at emotional restoration. Today, Dr. Swenson encourages us in physical restoration. In his book, Margins, he lists 29 prescriptions that can help to relieve the stress and burn from our daily lives. Again, I will share just a couple. I encourage you to seek out a copy of this book to see all the ways that a person can be restored in burnout.

This is a hard one for most folks. In this area, we must take personal responsibility and learn to change our habits. We must value the importance of sleep and develop healthy sleeping patterns. A good way to help induce a good night's sleep is to add exercise to your daily regimen. 

To help restore physical balance we need to seek to fix our nutritional part of life. I have personally learned to watch and develop a healthier eating lifestyle. Decrease the amount of sugars, avoid overeating, and seek a balanced diet. This means a definite change in eating styles. A number of great websites are available to help you determine the proper percentages and sizes of meals. Your doctor will be more than glad to help you develop a healthy eating regimen. [I know, this is meddlin', but I have learned and have changed into a healthy eating lifestyle - it works].

Another balance is exercise. This helps with your general health and also with weight loss. Check with your doctor and develop a healthy exercise program. One of the very best is walking - just 10 minutes a couple of times a day can make a major difference in how you feel and look. In all these areas, be realistic - it took a long tome to get where you are, and it will take some time to see the difference in your life.

Muse over what changes you (or your friend) can make in these areas of emotional and physical margins to begin the restoration process from burnout. And, don't just think about them - apply what God is leading you to do.

* Material used this week is from Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. Published by NavPress:Colorado Springs CO. 1992

Emotional Burnout Restoration

"He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.' For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place...." Mark 6:31-32 (HCSB)

A good book dealing with restoring ourselves from burnout is by Richard Swenson. MD. called Margin.* He teaches that we need to find the space between our load and our limits. We need to put ourselves in God's hands and find out the space He desires for us to rest in Him. Today, let us muse over our emotional restoration.

In his book, Dr. Swenson lists 14 prescriptions, as he calls them, to take to restore this balance in life. I will mention a few, and I encourage you to seek out this book and read it if you are struggling with burnout in your personal life.

The first I would state is that we need friends. We need those whom we can go to for support. Sometimes this may mean that we need to reconcile with others. Having someone to connect with, talk with, seek encouragement from can help us through a troubling time.

We also need to follow Paul's advice in 1 Corinthians 13:13 - "Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." We need to be rich in faith - "Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 HCSB). We also need to hold fast to our hope - read what Paul says in Romans 5: 2-5 today. And, finally we need to grasp the truth of love. Love heals completely and as Paul admonished us in 1 COrinthians 13:13 above - "the greatest of these is love."

Muse over the truths developed in this short time today. How can you apply them to yourself? How can you help someone around you with these truths? 

* Material used this week is from Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. Published by NavPress:Colorado Springs CO. 1992 

An Epidemic of Burnout

"He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.' For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place...." Mark 6:31-32 (HCSB)

Because of our culture's "pursuit of excellence," we have developed an epidemic of people who are burned out. Burnout is a stressful state characterized by physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, chronic fatigue and lethargy.* In 2007 nearly 54% of Americans fought with people close to them because of stress. 

Burnout is often felt by clergy, doctors, police, and others who work with people in the helping professions. People can put excessive demands upon those who are seeking to help - demands on their time, energy and resources. I have talked with caregivers who also are displaying symptoms of burnout. 

People in burnout can feel cynical and have a strong desire to escape from life. They can experience a false sense of failure, succumb to depression, and endure illnesses brought on by this stress. They can become hypercritical and experience negative feelings toward others.

Some steps that can be taken are: take control of your own schedule, learn to say "no," understand that God will never lead us into overwork, consciously slow down, and learn to set priorities in your life.

Ponder today, do you or someone you know exhibit some of the classic signs of burnout? Over the next couple of days we will talk about developing margins in our lives to help us restore the proper balance that God desires. Muse over your own situation, and pray that God will help you begin to balance out what He wants in your life. Meditate upon what Augustine of Hippo is quoted as saying -"You [God] have created us for Yourself, and our heart cannot be stilled until it finds it rest in You."

* From The Quick Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling by Tim Clinton and Ron Hawkins. 2009. Baker Books:Grand Rapids, MI. page 54.

Sunday Prayertime

Precious Father, today we have moved our clocks back one hour. In this time of year we fall back from Daylight Savings Time. While we may move our clocks and change the times, we can be assured that all time is in Your Hands. You are consistent, You change not. You set the sun, the moon, and the stars in their courses - and they remain constant. You have our time set - our birth and our death. You know our good times and our bad times. Today, help us keep our focus upon You. Upon Your guiding Hand. No matter how man may change the clocks, Your steadfastness continues forever. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Saturday Prayertime

Dear Father in Heaven, Please work in me today to ripen the fruit of the Spirit. Help me to bear this fruit in my life...to show and share love, joy, and peace; to be long-suffering, gentle, and good; to have strong faith; to be meek and temperate, slow to speak and quick to listen. I want to walk in the Spirit so that my life will be pleasing to you and a light in the darkness, that the world may know that you are God. With praise and thanksgiving, in the name of Jesus. Amen

Sifting - Results

“Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31 - 32 (HCSB)

We are looking at the account of Peter's denial so we learn deep truths about this process. We pondered yesterday that the devil cannot sift a believer without Christ's permission. Jesus told Peter ahead of his rejection and denial. Satan is called the "accuser of the brethren" in revelation 12:10. He comes before God and seeks to place accusations against us. He asks to be able to sift believers - especially those that God will use or is using. So, why does God allow this to happen? The answer is - God uses sifted people. He uses the sifting to bring honor and glory to Himself. He uses weak, imperfect people. Every sin we commit as a Christian is a denial of our Lord. 

As I said yesterday, I am so thankful in my life that God did not end the account of Peter here. He was warned, he denied Christ, and he wept bitterly. Feeling condemned, Peter thought that any use by God was over. However, God writes the final word.

When he was sifted, he had some choice s to make after he failed the temptation. He could have rebelled. He could have blamed God for letting him fail. He could have used many excuses, he could have run. And, had he done any of these - he would have failed the test as well as the temptation.

Peter, went out, wept bitter tears and repented to God for what he had done. We know the account in John 21. we see the 3-fold restoration of Christ. The one who denied Christ, after repenting was restored. And the one that denied Christ went on to preach the sermon on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The one who denied Christ was used to open the door to the Gentiles (Acts 10). God didn't throw him away, but when he earnestly repented of his sin - God went on to use him as only a broken believer can be used. To bring honor and glory to Jesus and to build the Kingdom.

Today ponder, have you denied your savior by sin in your life? Do you feel He can never use you again? Have you sought Him in repentance for restoration? If so, look forward to how He will use you once more.

Sifting - The purpose of God

“Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31 - 32 (HCSB)

We are looking at the account of Peter's denial so we learn deep truths about this process. We pondered yesterday that the devil cannot sift a believer without Christ's permission. Jesus told Peter ahead of his rejection and denial. Satan is called the "accuser of the brethren" in revelation 12:10. He comes before God and seeks to place accusations against us. He asks to be able to sift believers - especially those that God will use or is using.

So, why does God allow this to happen? The answer is - God uses sifted people. He uses the sifting to bring honor and glory to Himself. He uses weak, imperfect people. Those who are prideful or strong are sifted to remove these "lumps" in their lives. He allows the sifting so that we can grow and mature in our relationship with Him. We cannot be used until we are broken. When God allows us to be broken (from our pride, self-confidence, self-assurance) then and only then can He use us. David realized this and wrote about being restored following his sin with Bathsheba.

Every sin we commit as a Christian is a denial of our Lord. We defame Judas for his betrayal, yet at the same time God showed us the betrayal by Peter of Jesus. Judas did not repent. Peter went out with bitter tears and felt that God was through with him. No matter what we do in sin, it is a denial of our Lord and Savior.

I am so thankful in my life that God did not end the account of Peter here. He was warned, he denied Christ, and he wept bitterly. Feeling condemned, we will see what God did in the next devotion.

Ponder today, what areas of your life have you denied Jesus. What sins have you allowed to come in, the sifting you have allowed. And look up, your redemption draws near.

Sifting - Permission granted.

“Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31 - 32 (HCSB)

Sifting can be thought of as sifting flour to remove the undesirable lumps. In the Bible, Satan comes and seeks to sift Christians, not to remove the undesirable parts, but to shake our faith so that nothing will be left. In the account of Peter's denial we learn so deep truths about this process.

First, the devil cannot sift a believer without Christ's permission. Jesus told Peter ahead of his rejection and denial. Satan is called the "accuser of the brethren" in revelation 12:10. He comes before God and seeks to place accusations against us. He asks to be able to sift believers - especially those that God will use or is using.

Ponder today over the truth that Satan knows our name, and he seeks to make sure that we are out of service for God. He seeks to shake our faith, to cause doubts, to make us feel inadequate to serve our Father. And when he succeeds in this, we no longer serve, we no longer seek to build the Kingdom, we no longer are useful to God. But, this is not the end of the story. In the truth of redemption, we can see how God can take that which is marred and broken and restore to His usefulness.

Do it - Now. God's Will for us.

"For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose." Philippians 2:13 (HCSB).

John Wesley is credited with saying that "God does nothing redemptively in the world – except through prayer."* This speaks to the issue of God's Sovereignty and Man's Cooperation in His work. Growing up, I was often reminded that we are to pray as if everything depended upon God (and it does), and to work as if everything depended upon us. There is great truth in this concept of balance. Jesus in John 15 reminds us that we can do nothing outside of Him. And in the Great Commission, He reminds us that the work is what we are to do. The quicker that we conform to His will here on earth, the more quickly that Kingdom issues will be accomplished. One of my mentors would say that "We cannot do what God does, and He will not do what we are to do."

We must focus our prayers fervently, passionately on God's Will for today. What is His Will? That we accept Jesus, and then show Him to others. Today, seek out how that you can be a vital link in His Will on Earth. 

*http://www.cwr.org.uk/doc/pdfs/extra/EDWJextraMJ14.pdf 

Stifling the Spirit

Christians cannot commit the sin of blasphemy against the Spirit. Or, as is referred to as the Unpardonable Sin. And, one thing for sure - if you are worried that you have committed it - that is a good sign that you haven't. It is a conscious resistance and decision against the Holy Spirit of God.

However, we as Christians have all been guilty of "quenching the Spirit" as the Apostle Paul warns us against in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. I like the translation in the Holman Christian Standard Bible, it says, "Don’t stifle the Spirit." The Amplified Bible helps us understand this as it renders this verse as, "Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit...." As I was reading this last week, I came across this quote by Anglican Bishop Dr. Handley Moule. He said, "The difference between someone who is quenching the Spirit and someone who is allowing the Spirit to have free course in their life, is the difference between a well in which there is a spring of water choked, and a well in which the obstruction is removed so that the water springs up and fills the well."*

If we allow fears, self-centered expressions, self-centered thoughts, and self-centered minds to control our lives, then we will find that we are stifling the Holy Spirit of God. The danger today in our churches is not that we are going to be "Boiling Believers," but that we will be the "Frozen Chosen."  Let us today seek to find what obstacles are in our "wells" of life and remove them so that the "Water of Life" can freely flow through us.

*https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=473322746039175&story_fbid=612517978786317

Sunday Prayertime

I praise You Lord, for Who You are; the Alpha, Omega, Beginning and the End, Savior and Lord, You're my best friend; Creator of all. Thank You for being my best friend forever. Thank You for being my heavenly Father, always present and always there for me. Thank You for being my sustainer and protector. And thank You for saving me and setting me upon the solid Rock--Jesus. In His name I pray. Amen.

Saturday Prayertime

Dear God, Thank you for having a purpose for my life and for telling me what Your expectations are through the Bible. I know You must be disappointed with me many times, when I fail to meet Your expectations of me. I can identify with that from a human standpoint. When I expect a family member to be responsible and to do something that they do not do, or when they make wrong choices in life, I am very disappointed. Sometimes I feel frustrated or angry and other times heartbroken. Help me to be kind-hearted and long-suffering with them, like You are with me. Guide me to handle those disappointments with integrity; to remain quiet when I should and to speak up when I should. Please give me the thoughts, words, and actions You want me to have. And God, please forgive me for disappointing You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Stress Relief - Preparation in Solitude

"Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14 (HCSB).

I try to start every morning with some time alone with God. I spend time in reading His Word, and then talking with Him. As I have so often taught - two things to do every day - Read Your Bible and Pray.

You can take time anytime during the day for getting alone with God, but saints down through the ages have found that rising first thing in the morning and spending time with the Father prepares them for whatever comes their way during the day. We start our day God-centered, and then our minds and hearts continue through out the day focusing on Him. He takes this time to help us be prepared for whatever comes our way during the day. He can equip us for the day.

Starting now, plan on setting aside some time first thing in the morning to connect with God. To let Him establish and develop your hearts and minds for what is coming that day. It will reduce the anxiety and frustrations that you will face during the day - because you are prepared.

Stress Relief - God longs for our time

Genesis 1:26 (NKJV) - Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 

We are the only thing listed in the Scriptures that is created in the image of God. And because of this, He wants to spend time intimately with each of us. No other created thing has this privilege. He wants us to come and be quiet with Him. And, when we do this, we will find that He becomes very intimate with us.

It is in these quiet times with God that we see the as Paul refers to Him in Philippians 4:9 - "the God of peace will be with you." He speaks of this in Romans 15:33 also. It is this God of peace who will calm all of our worries, our fears, and the stress of life. He will remove them and give us a calmness of soul and a peace of mind.

Today, take the time to get quiet with Him, alone with Him, and listen to Him - and we shall see Him provide sweet fellowship and shower peace upon our being. Don't rush it - linger and enjoy the presence of God.

Stress Relief - Listening to God's Voice

Mark 6:32 (MSG) - "So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves."

Solitude. We spoke of that yesterday. I pray that you took your list from Monday and got alone with God. We need to consistently find times when we can get into a "remote place by" ourselves. Finding a place that we can draw aside with God and be alone with Him. Jesus spoke of going into our "prayer-closet" to talk with God. He often went out into a solitary place to be alone with God. Why?

There are many distractions in our world today. These distractions will hinder our time with God. Wait you say, I can talk to God any time and any place. Yes you can - and should. However, drawing aside into a solitary place allows you to stop and hear God speaking to you. We spend too much time talking to God instead of God talking to us. We are told about Susanna Wesley - she was the mother of 19 children (two being John and Charles Wesley). She found it hard to find a place of solitude in her small home. She would pull her apron up over her face, and the children soon learned that she was not available at those times. What was she doing? Escaping from the chaos of those around her? She was spending time praying for each of her 19 children, and listening to God for His directions.

Today, take the list you made on Monday, the one that you took before God yesterday, and find a solitary place with this list to hear God directing you. {A word of caution, it may need to be repeated for a number of days before you begin to hear the voice of God over the many distractions that you allow around you.}

Stress Releif - Solitude With God

Matthew 14:22 - 23 (HCSB) - "Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone."

God wants us to release our stress into His hands. Charles Stanley has taught that God wants us to see that the solution for stress is solitude with God. When we learn to release our concerns and cares unto Him, we will discover a great reduction in our level of stress.

We need to start our journey of release and refreshment by going to God and spending time with Him in solitude. Psychology Today addressed this concept by making a difference between loneliness and solitude. "Loneliness is marked by a sense of isolation. Solitude, on the other hand, is a state of being alone without being lonely and can lead to self-awareness."* Biblically, solitude can mean to draw aside and focus entirely upon God without any other distractions. This allows us to totally connect with God. The sweet psalmist David speaks to this in the 16th Psalm. He says in verse 8, "I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved."

Spending time with God in solitude doesn't mean we will never stress again - but it will help us to view our problems and stressors from God's point of view.

Today, look at that list you made on Monday, and consider taking time to be in a solitude relationship with the Father and look at the stressors from His point of view.

* http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/what-is-solitude

STRESSSSSSSSSSS

1 Peter 5:6 - 7 (HCSB) - "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you."

We live in a fallen, sinful world - and because of this we can never escape from the pressures and stress around us.  Some stress (called eustress) is actually good for us. It is the stress that helps us to strive forward, to accomplish things in our life. Other forms of stress (called distress) is not helpful, and causes us physical, emotional and spiritual issues. So, how do we handle stress? Doses God's Word help us any in this?

Peter assures us that we have a God who cares, who is willing and able to handle all of our stress in life. He wants to help us - if we are willing to let Him. So, let us consider over the next few days some important lessons in letting God handle our stress.

Today, ponder over what causes you to be stressful. Make a list of those things that you stress over. Get that list ready, and over the remainder of this week we will seek four important lessons for handing that list over to God.