Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Difficult People

DIFFICULT PEOPLE
Romans 12:18
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

When someone asked John D. Rockefeller, (senator of West Virginia), what is the most valuable skill for employees to possess, he said, “The ability to get along with people.”

We may agree with him. Everyone knows a person who is “difficult”. A person who continually argues, nit picks, and is disagreeable is hard to take—even in small doses. Jesus gave us a command to love one another. But how do we love difficult people?

This important skill is necessary to learn as we walk with Christ. After we learn how to interact with troublemakers, we can pour our energy into different aspects of living. Resolving conflict and putting out personal fires can become second nature to them who follow Jesus. We can follow His model:


1. Matthew 22:18 shows us how to refuse to play games. Jesus realizes He can’t please all people. Make boundaries and stand firm by them. When someone dares you to do that which you know is wrong, walk away. Sometimes no answer speaks louder than using words.


2. We’re to learn how to refuse unrealistic expectations. Playing is fun, but when it conflicts with promises already made, it’s better to decline. It is harder to make amends to someone after breaking a promise than it is to reschedule another time that doesn’t conflict.


3. Matthew 5:38-39 teaches us to “turn the other cheek” when someone hurts us. That means not getting even. We’re not to strike back when someone hurts us.






Give anger a rest by giving the other person some space to calm


down. It takes two people to argue. Walking away ends the debate.


4. It never feels good when someone is angry at us.
Disagreements will happen.








Sometimes the other person refuses to see our point.
Matthew 5:44 offers a solution: prayer.
When we lift our concerns to the Lord in prayer, He will open the eyes of people. Sometimes it is me who needs to learn a lesson, and then I must admit my error.
Take Home Nugget

Romans 12:18 says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” This seems to be at the heart of the matter.
Striving for peace will offset anger. When friends recognize your ambition is peaceful, they will be eager to work with you.

Some people are easy to click with a bond.
Others take every chance to fight.
Some are folks with whom we are fond,
Others need prayer to do what’s right.

J.D. Griffith
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Thursday, June 12, 2008

Whose Battle?

WHOSE BATTLE?
2 Chronicles 20:12-25
"'Oh our God, will You not judge them! For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.'" V. 15: "He [Jahaziel] said, "Listen King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be dismayed because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'"

For some people, when the going gets tough, they roll up their sleeves and get busy. Some whine, “Not fair!” Still others have no clue how to proceed.

God has a plan for victory when troubles seem impossible for us to resolve. Check out King Jehoshaphat’s story in 2 Chronicles chapter 20, in the Bible. He was leading Israel in battle. Their foes were three kingdoms—at one time!
Yikes!

The men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir marched towards Israel, preparing an invasion. King Jehoshaphat had no way to fight against this great assembly of warriors.


The people fasted and prayed. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jehoshaphat’s advisors. “Be not afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Can you imagine Jehoshaphat’s relief?


I urge you to study 2 Chronicles chapter twenty to see how God won the battle for His children. Israel’s enemies killed each other! Now that’s one cool resolution to trouble!
God will do the same for His children today. He’s much better at fighting battles and solving problems than we’ll ever be! We get tired, fatigued and discouraged because we forget to trust God to work out our problems.

We think, it all depends on me. Today, make this your plan: resign from being the manager of the universe.
Let it go; the world will not fall apart if you take a breath of fresh air. As we relax in faith and trust in the person who IS the manager of the universe, we’ll see He runs it well without our “help”.

The message to Jehoshaphat is to “take your position and stand firm.”
We’re not to be discouraged or afraid. A mental attitude of quiet confidence will allow us to stand firm during trouble.
It is never God’s will that we run away from a difficult situation. If we avoid it once, He’ll bring it around again to give us another chance to get it right. God wants us to learn from experience that He is sufficient to lead us through every trouble.

Take Home Nugget

How do we stand firm during trouble? When we’re afraid, we can gather strength by believing: A) God’s character is faithful. He may take us out on a limb, but He won’t let us fall. And
B) God’s Word is faithful. We can count on the promises found in the Bible.

What are you afraid of today that you can trust God to handle?

People swarm around me,
Each wanting something more.
My eyes glued on Jesus see
Victory’s gate with treasures galore.

Dedicated to all the father’s who do battle for their children by J.D. Griffith
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Little Faith + Big God = Awesome Results

LITTLE FAITH+BIG GOD=AWESOME RESULTS
Matthew 17:20, Mark 9:22-24
Maatthew 17:20: "He [Jesus] replied, 'Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'"


Everybody has faith. The difference is what we put our faith in.


“This is where you must go on faith.” A boy’s mother told him as he stood on home plate, nervous for his first at bat. Corbin gritted his teeth and practiced his swing



one more time. I have faith that I can hit the ball, but will God allow me



to get a hit? Corbin thought. He looked towards the pitcher who threw the
ball that began Corbin’s little league career. He will never forget the moment
he swung that bat and hit the ball. CRACK!
The ball flew over second base as Corbin raced to first.


It is possible to be filled with faith and doubt at the same time. We often have faith that God wants us to do something and still be scared to death. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is proceeding to do something in spite of fear. We begin with the faith that we have. Forget holding a rabbit’s foot for luck. In order for faith to work, it must be placed in the Sovereign Lord God, creator of Heaven and Earth. Even when our faith is little, it’s a great place to start.
Jesus says we can ask Him for more faith. The father who wanted Jesus to heal his son said, “Lord I do believe. Help me to overcome my disbelief.” The man’s faith grew on the spot and Jesus healed his son.
No matter how weak or how frail we think our faith is, it’s enough. It’s enough to get us through what we’re facing. It’s enough to complete the vision God planted in our hearts.


Some people say they don’t want to worship God at church or make a commitment to Christ until they understand what faith is all about. They haven’t seen this equation: Little faith plus Big God equals awesome results.



We take our little faith and place it into



our big God. He’ll dazzle us with awesome results.


Take Home Nugget
Matthew 17:20 in the Bible says, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you.” That’s not a lot of faith. In fact, a mustard seed is one of the smallest of all seeds. Study the rest of that verse; mustard seed faith moves mountains! We don’t need great faith to do great things for God.


I have no problem with small faith, Lord.
I trust You and stand behind Your sword.
Scared, but doing what You command,
Trusting You and make my stand.


J.D. Griffith


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Thursday, June 5, 2008

Laughing Matter

LAUGHING MATTER
Proverbs 14:30

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."



“The One enthroned in heaven laughs”. Psalm 2:4.


How cool! We have much in common with our Father, don’t we?


Kids don’t have to be taught laughter; it comes easily—sometimes too easily.


Isn’t it great that our Creator wove a laugh gene into us? He loves laughter, and He loves hearing us laugh. The passage in Proverbs 14:30, in the Bible says, “A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life”. So when someone tells you to “lighten up”, the advice is intended for you to have a long life.
Humor is a funny thing. It’s an amazing tension reliever. It is an antidote to anxiety. It makes stress dissolve. It’s just like a tranquilizer, but without drugs and annoying side effects. Laughter is free! (Unless someone laughs during quiet time, then it can be painful).

President Abraham Lincoln once said when asked how he handled all the stress of the Civil War, “If it hadn’t been for laughter, I could not have made it.”


Many people who live in dire circumstances use laughter to make fun of their problems. It detracts others into laughing at their problems, too. What a super way to cope with trouble.

Laughing distracts people from self-pity. Laughter shapes a new way to look at situations so that they don’t seem so awful. It’s similar to focusing on Jesus instead of circumstances. A new attitude changes the world.


When you learn to laugh at troubles, you never run out of things to laugh at. Life is chocked full of funny things.


Take Home Nugget
Did you ever see the face of an orangutan?

God’s a funny creator, isn’t He?


This proves our Father has a sense of humor. God is forming us into the likeness of His Son each day. Now that gives us license to laugh.
Can you think of a time when Jesus probably laughed?


Times are rough when nothing is funny.
Stepping aside and looking at life a different way
Can be a smart thing to changing focus
And smiles and laughter force frowns away.

J.D. Griffith


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Monday, June 2, 2008

Successful Failures--Lessons in Proverbs (2 of 2)

SUCCESSFUL FAILURES—LESSONS IN PROVERBS (2 OF 2)
Proverbs 20:30, 28:13, Philippians 3:13-14
Proverbs 20:30: "Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being." 28:13: "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but he who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."


The last time, we saw several causes of failure. Today, let’s learn how to flip failure into personal success. After failure strikes, (and it will,) here are some steps to begin again. Just like getting back on a horse after falling off, we can pick ourselves up and brush off the dust after realizing failure.


The least we suffer is bruising our pride; the suffering can be much more intense. But, God is in the business of plucking us out of the pit. Will we have the courage to begin anew? Here are ideas on how to start fresh with dignity:


Accept responsibility. Welcome to the human race—everyone makes mistakes.
Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed the serpent.




God scowled. (Genesis 3:12-19). “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.”

Failure has Benefits—Recognize them. Failure brings people down a peg or two— embarrassment teaches lessons. Try, try again. Everything that’s worthwhile, is worth doing well. This often means doing something over and over—until it’s right. Life is people’s school of learning. What an education! It is often the best source of creativity.

Reflection. If everything were easy, we wouldn’t appreciate many blessings. Failure is one way that God uses for us to reflect on the direction our lives are heading. It’s up to us to evaluate and re-evaluate what’s important. “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.”

Understanding. Wisdom comes with understanding. Understanding why we failed is the first avenue to avoiding repeating that mistake. If you don’t get it, ask God to show you how to not repeat the mistake—avoiding more failure.

Forget and let go. With eyes on the future, the past is behind us. No one can change the past, so moving forward is a productive way to end self rebuke. Wallowing in self pity never changed a thing.

Brothers and sisters, I cannot consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: By never looking back, my stride forward gets longer. “I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Take Home Nugget
All we can do is abide in Christ and study the Bible for learning His way. But things do go wrong, despite our best efforts. Our future is still side open for success.

Sometimes our plan does not unfold
The way we thought it would;
But God is always in control
To use it for our good. Sper

J.D. Griffith
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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Successful Failure--Lessons in Proverbs 1 of 2

SUCCESSFUL FAILURE- LESSONS IN PROVERBS (1 of 2)
Proverbs 14:12, 15:19, 16:18, 20:30, 27:12

“Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways”. (Proverbs 20:30).


We’re all human; we all fail at times. Amid a chain of victories, a setback is an unwelcome fact, but it will come to everyone. And not just once. We are all growing. Some people grow wiser, some just in age. Maturity comes one day at a time. The ones who are growing in wisdom know how to turn every failure into a learning experience—a stepping stone to future success.




Failure comes from many reasons—some of which are not in our control. Here are five causes of failure:


Plan Ahead. “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” This old saying comes out of “A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them.” Noah’s neighbors didn’t understand why he had to build an ark. “Rain, what’s that?”


Don’t split your pants. Pride bursts more than buttons off a shirt when a person gets too big for his britches. “Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance leads to downfall.” Remain humble, even when others praise you. You’re not “all that!”


Take necessary risks. We fail when we don’t try. Fear of failure leads to being a loser. “Fear of man is a dangerous trap.” God leads us into risks, and some are golden opportunities. He’s our safety net when we walk out on a limb. (Taking chances when obeying Him.) God never promised us smooth sailing, but He did promise us a safe landing.


Don’t stop too soon! Often success is—just around the corner. Often a game is won in the final seconds. A postage stamp sticks until reaching its destination. “A lazy man has trouble all through life.”
Follow God’s advice. The Bible is the owner’s manual for life.
It is packed with instructions and guidelines in all areas of living. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Failure is never final unless you give in to it.

Take Home Nugget
The next succeeding devotion will give insights for starting over—how to flip failure into success. Never despair with failure; it’s a way to grow. Some of us have grown more than we could have imagined!

Life can throw nasty curve balls.
We do our best trying to hit
Every pitch before the ball falls.
God picks us up when we’re in the pit.

J.D. Griffith


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Monday, May 26, 2008

Jesus Prays for You

JESUS PRAYS FOR YOU
John 17, Hebrews 7:25
John 17:20: "My prayer is not for them alone [disciples], but also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, jusy as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world my believe that You sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one: I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me."
We often hear a person say after hearing of another’s grief, “I will pray for you.” How does that make you feel? Do you think, Well, if that’s all the help you can offer—no thanks?








Actually, praying for someone is the most help we can offer—besides actively fixing their problem. Think about it. When someone offers up prayers on our behalf, placing petitions on the Lord’s altar—the Maker of Heaven and Earth is being paged. Jesus intercedes then, on our behalf, to the Father. When we hurt and cannot find words to pray, the Holy Spirit groans our hurt to the Father. (Romans 8:26).

That’s why we’re to give Him thanks and praise after submitting our petitions before Him—because He’s already answered!

WOW!

Jesus taught us how to pray. As we follow His blueprint, (The Lord's Prayer), the Father will give us what’s best. (Romans 8:28). Jesus, Himself, prayed for us! After the Last Supper, He prayed for Himself, then for His disciples. Then, as the hour of His death approached, He prayed for YOU.
No kidding. Check it out: “I pray not only for these, (His disciples), but also for those who believe in Me through their message. May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one with Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.”

Then Jesus went on: “I have given them the glory you have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.” Jesus just empowered us to be God's children.

That’s not all. “Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation.” (John 17:20-24). Jesus wants us all to be with Him—today and always.

WOW! That’s pretty clear: Jesus was with the Father before God created the Earth. So Jesus’ birth as a God-man was an act of divine intervention. Mary was a virgin. This is the proof.

Any questions about to whom you belong? Even Mom and Dad will say that you belong to God—as they do.

Take Home Nugget
How much more do we have to hear before we claim Jesus as our Savior? He’s gone to the ropes for us! In fact, He still prays for us! “Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25).

We cannot know the heart of God unless we have a heart for God.

Dedicated to all our Servicemen and Women. by J.D. Griffith


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