FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST

It was my wife’s birthday, and a friend surprised her with a beautiful bouquet of roses. As I sat across from her, I could smell their beautiful fragrance. “What a picture of a true Christian,” I thought. The Bible tells us “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” A Christian, like the flowers, should be overflowing with a fragrance of Christ. But what happens when another person’s words or actions hurt us? It is very easy to respond harshly when we or a loved one is hurt. We can say things we regret and be even more destructive than we realize at the moment.

Christ loved us even while we were still lost in sin. Because we have received that undeserved love, we can extend it to those who wound us. His love in us becomes a healing fragrance that brings peace instead of pain, restoration instead of division, and hope instead of despair. Choose patience over anger. Offer kindness instead of retaliation. When we live this way, our lives become a testimony that points others to the One whose love never fails. No matter what wounds you carry or what fresh hurts may come, let Christ’s love flow through you. In a world full of bitterness, be the sweet aroma that draws people to Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I pray that You will help me to always be like Christ when I am hurting. Help me to forgive and love everyone as Christ has loved me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

USE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE

            One Sunday a pastor got up to begin the Sunday morning service and realized the pianist was absent. He asked his congregation, “Is there anyone here who can play the piano?” A little girl held up her hand and said, “Yes, preacher. My daddy plays.” Though a regular member, no one realized the man could play the piano. He went to the piano and played each hymn – with one finger. After the service the minister realized that the “pianist” was embarrassed and went to him to apologize. As they talked, the minister learned the man was a famous surgeon who deeply loved the Lord and was willing to use every talent God gave him whenever he could.

                God has given every one of us different gifts, abilities, and talents. We may think that some of them are important while we see others as insignificant. But in God’s eyes they are all critical in our service to Him. The real question is whether we are willing to use everything we have for His glory. Take an honest look at what God has placed in your hands. It may be a professional skill, a simple ability, a listening ear, or a heart of encouragement. Whatever it is, do not hold back. Use everything you have, right where you are, for the Lord who gave it to you. Even the smallest gift, offered with a willing heart, becomes valuable in His service.

Prayer: Father, open my eyes that I may see the needs around me, and with Your help, meet them. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

– Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 1 Timothy 4:14

DENIABILITY

 Years ago, one of the most popular television shows was Mission Impossible. It invited viewers inside of a fascinating intelligence operation to observe the work of highly trained individuals. Jim, the hero, would step into a phone booth, find a tape and play it. The tape would describe a dangerous, life-threatening operation. At the conclusion of the tape, a voice would say, “Jim, in case you choose to accept this assignment, please remember that we will deny that we knew you.” That line perfectly captured the idea of deniability - the act of disowning any connection or responsibility.

God has given every Christian a very special mission. Jesus said in His final command to His disciples: “Go and make disciples” and He makes it unmistakably clear: “I am with you always.” This assurance changes everything about how we live out our mission. We can speak with confidence, love with boldness, and serve with joy because we know we are never alone. When we step out in obedience to share His love and truth, He walks with us. As we witness to our family members, our coworkers, our friends, our neighbors, even strangers, we can be confident that Jesus is there with us. As we faithfully carry out His command to make disciples, we can rest securely in the truth that Jesus is with us -  always.

Prayer: Lord, increase my confidence in You, knowing that You are with me and that Your Spirit empowers me to do Your work. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

– Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:16-20

WRONG WREATH

            A local businessman was excited to open his new office. A friend, wanting to celebrate with him, sent a beautiful floral arrangement. When the businessman walked in on his first day, he was shocked to see a large wreath with the words “Rest in Peace” prominently displayed. Upset and angry, he immediately called the florist, demanding to know who had played such a cruel joke. The florist quickly realized the mistake and apologized. “Unfortunately,” he added, “there is a man buried in the cemetery who has a wreath on his grave that reads ‘Good luck in your new location.’” 

The Apostle Paul knew what it was like to be in the “wrong” place many times - locked in prison, caught in storms at sea, beaten, and stoned. Yet he never wasted time complaining about his circumstances. Instead, he learned a deep secret: “I have learned to be content wherever I am.” He was convinced that he was exactly where God wanted him to be, and that God Himself was with him in every situation.  One day, when our work on earth is finished, we have the same confident hope Paul had. We will leave these earthly bodies and step into the worthwhile new home God has prepared for us.

 

Prayer: Lord, we are grateful that You will never leave us or forsake us no matter where we are or what is going on in our lives as long as we are faithful to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

FINDING THE BEST

            A doctor was reviewing his list of patients, and said to his nurse, “I can’t understand it. We had more patients last year than we have had this year. I wonder where they are going.” “Rather than worry,” said his nurse, “let’s hope for their best.”

            In the routines of life, it's easy to settle for hoping things turn out for the best. Yet, we have the best – the gift of God’s salvation. His provision in the present and His promise for eternity. David, writing in Psalm 23 said, “You (God) prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.” No matter how difficult our days or how dark our nights, God will provide for our every need.

            And Jesus said, “…if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” When our life on earth ends and we have completed the work that He has for us to do, we have His Word that He will take us to be with Him forever. This transforms mere hope into confident assurance: God cares for us fully now, sustaining us through every trial, and will one day welcome us home forever, where His best is realized without end in His unchanging love. We simply need to ask as did the thief on the cross: “Lord, remember me.”

 

Prayer: Father, we ask for Your salvation now and the assurance of life with You in heaven. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

Where Do I Begin?

A company was well known for its highly effective sales personnel. They were able to outperform all of their competitors by their volume of sales, the new customers they attracted and the loyalty of their old ones.

Once, during an interview, a professor asked the personnel director what he did to attract so many outstanding people to his company. After thinking for a moment he replied, “We give them a water test.”

The professor was surprised. He thought he knew of every pre-employment test available. So, he asked, “What is the water test?”

“Well,” he responded, “before we hire anyone, we take them into a room where the faucet is running, the sink is overflowing and water is pouring onto the floor. We offer the person a mop and say, ‘Mop up the water.’ If they begin to mop up the water without turning off the faucet, we know they are poor problem solvers and decision makers, and they would not be good employees. So, we don’t hire them.”

Too often Christians try to “clean” up their lives without turning “off” old habits and behaviors that lead to sin. If we want to become who God wants us to become, we must turn away from every temptation that can distract, defeat and destroy us. We can solve the problem of sinning by deciding to keep away from evil.

Prayer:  We look to You, Heavenly Father, for insight and guidance as we face the difficult choices of life. May we always recognize our need for Your wisdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:    Reject every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

The Greatest of These

Abraham Lincoln was known for his kindness to everyone. He was often criticized by his associates for being so gracious.

On one occasion one of them said, “With all of the power you have, why don’t you destroy your enemies?”

“Am I not destroying my enemies,” he asked, “when I make them my friends?”

Perhaps there is no more misunderstood or misused word in our world today than the word “love.” Nearly everyone has their own personal meaning for it. For some it has a “sexual” meaning. For others it has an “I like to be with you” meaning. And there are those who see love as demonstrating an unselfish concern for others - helping them when they are unable to help themselves or even provide for themselves.

Paul speaks of a love that is supremely concerned with the best interests and welfare of others. It is a love that makes the needs and concerns of others my very own. It is as though I am saying, “I don’t walk away from the needs of others, I take them with me. If they have a need, it is my need. If they hurt, I hurt. If they are in pain, it is my pain as well. If they have no food, I will share my food with them.”

As Christians we must move beyond the feeling, sentimental and emotional types of love to a love that forces us to do what Jesus would have us to do for others.

Prayer:  Lord, we see in Your life and death the real meaning of love. Strengthen us to live as you lived and to love as You loved so others will see You in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13

"Make Your Plans Large!"

One of my most prized possessions is my mother’s Bible. Shortly after she went to be with the Lord, I was leafing through the well-worn and tear-stained pages. In the margin next to Ephesians 3:20 she had written, “If God is your partner, make your plans large.”

In that passage of Scripture, Paul wrote, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” What power, Paul?

Here Paul is speaking about the mighty power that raised Christ from the dead: the power that is available to Christians that comes from the living God. This power from God enables us to accomplish not only more than is possible for us to do on our own - but we are enabled to accomplish exceedingly abundantly more than we might even be able to ask or think!

God wants to work in and through the lives of His children - you and me. He wants to make His mighty power that raised His Son, Jesus Christ, from the grave available to each of us. So we must expand how we think.

Exceedingly suggests excessiveness and abundantly means overflowing, or an overabundance of something. But he does not end with those words. He continues by adding more than we can ask or think!

 If we sincerely take God at His Word, the only limitations on Christians are the ones we place on God.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it is beyond our abilities to truly understand the “mighty power” that is available to us. Increase our faith so we, in turn, can do more for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20

I Must Know Them!

Years ago there was a king who would leave his palace and walk through the streets of his city dressed as was one of his subjects. His guards feared for his life and often would try to stop him. Said one, “You must not do it for security’s sake!”

“But,” he replied, “I can’t rule my people unless I know them and how they live.”

What a comfort to know that our God knows us and understands us from having lived a human life in and through His Son. Whatever we face He has faced and whatever path we travel He has traveled. Jesus learned life’s secrets in the school of experience and can now bring us His encouragement, strength, insight and guidance.

We often forget that Jesus gained His knowledge of life’s ways because He was here among “us.” And He is now with His Father and remembers what it is like to be lonely and rejected, abandoned and fearful, alone and afraid, weary and worn out. He understands what it means to be tempted and tried, embarrassed and rejected and even forsaken by His very own brothers.

And it is because He passed through all of these experiences that now, in Heaven, He can be touched with our infirmities, and give us His sympathy, help, hope and understanding. Remember, He has endured and survived whatever His Father brings into our lives.

Prayer: We are grateful, Father, that You know us, understand us and now intercede for us. This gives us confidence to hold on tightly and never give up. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Give Up or Go On?

Little Margie was having a difficult time learning to skate. It seemed as though the skates her father gave her far exceeded the strength and coordination of her legs and muscles. A neighbor watching her fall down and get up was amazed at her tenacity and determination. Finally he said to her, “Why don’t you give up?”

“Because,” she said with tears in her eyes, “my father didn’t give me these skates to give up with but to go on with.”

How like our Heavenly Father. He does not “give” things to us to cause us to fall down, but to help us “go” with Him and grow into the likeness of His Son, our Savior.

We speak often about Paul’s “affliction” - not ever knowing what it was or the problems it may have caused him personally. But we do know that he said, “So I am glad to boast about my weaknesses…for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The great lesson for us to learn from Paul is that if and when we are wiling to admit our weakness, God will fill us with His power and strength. There is always the temptation for us to try to “do it on our own.” It is the natural thing to do. But that is not how God created us. God wants us to depend on Him for everything.

Prayer:  Father, give us a willingness to recognize that in You, with You and through You, we can overcome any weakness that may defeat us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Empty Hands

Alexander the Great left an indelible mark on the world. In his early life he was tutored by Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher, which shaped much of his thinking. By the age of thirty he had created one of the largest empires in the ancient world. He was undefeated in battle and to this day is considered to be a military genius and is remembered as one of history’s greatest commanders. He established over 30 cities as a result of his conquests and was responsible for spreading the Greek language and culture wherever his victories took him.

When individuals died during that period in history, it was customary for their hands to be wrapped in burial cloth. However, he decided that he would not follow that tradition. He said when he died he wanted people to see that his hands were empty.

When asked why, he replied, “After all, we did not bring any money with us when we came into this world and we can’t carry away a single penny.”

Paul echoed the same words. He said we brought nothing into the world with us when we came, and we will certainly not take anything with us when we leave. He wants us to understand that one day whatever we have will be left behind when we go to meet our Redeemer. The goal of the Christian is to lay up treasures in heaven by investing in God’s Kingdom.

Prayer:  Lord, it is natural to want the things of this world. They are attractive and appealing. Enable us to see “things” through Your eyes and use them for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  1 Timothy 6:7

All Together, Now!

One morning on their way to school a group of young boys was walking past a home with a large iron gate. Michael thought he would provide a bit of humor for the group and decided to put his arms and head through the gate and said, “Look at me! My head and hands are on one side of the gate but my heart and body are on the other side.”

Before he could get his head and hands out of the gate, one of his friends slammed the gate, and Michael Faraday was badly hurt. He overcame his injuries and became one of the most influential scientists in history for his contributions in the field of electromagnetism.

Later in life he said, “That experience taught me one thing: My heart, head and hands should always be on the same side.”

This great scientist explained an important truth: there is a path that flows from the heart to the head and from the head to the hands. Simply stated, what begins in our heart usually grows, and in one way or another, spreads outward and ends up dominating the way we live and what we live for.

God’s Word reminds us that we must “not let any part of our body become a tool of wickedness.” So, when our eyes are enticed to look at objects that may lead to temptation and sin, we must immediately look to Him to “deliver us from evil.”

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to realize that sin has a way of beginning with an innocent glance that can lead to everlasting destruction. May we keep our eyes on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Romans 6:12-14

A Word That is Not in God's Word!

 Carl Sandburg was a great American author who won several Pulitzer Prizes for his poetry. Near the end of his life he was asked, “What’s the ugliest word in the English language?”

Without hesitation he answered, “Exclusive!”

But that word is not found in God’s Word. In fact, the Apostle Paul said, “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!” And anyone includes everyone.

How wonderful it is to know that the God of love and the love of God are not exclusive. No matter who we are or what we have done, He loves us. No matter where we have been or whom we have traveled with, He loves us. No matter how dirty we get or how often we have disappointed Him, He loves us. He loves us when we are at our best and when we are at our worst. Anyone at anytime can call on Him and He will hear and help!

But Paul follows his statement about God’s gracious invitation with the question: “How can they believe in Him and receive Him if they have never heard of Him?” With this critical question he places a great responsibility on every Christian: We must take the Good News of God’s message of salvation to those who are unsaved. Unless we accept this challenge from Paul, those whom we know that are lost are doomed. We must do for others what others have done for us.

Prayer:  Father, we are so grateful that someone took Paul at his word and shared Your message of salvation with us. Help us to do the same while there is still time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” Romans 10:13-14

Why Do We Suffer?

 Many of us, from time to time, ask ourselves the age-old question: “If God is God, and if God is a great God and if God is a good God and if God is a powerful God, why does He allow bad things to happen to me and others who have good intentions and want to please Him?”

Deep down we do believe that He is a good and great and powerful God. But that question still nags at our innermost thoughts and feelings and from time to time challenges our faith with subtle doubts.

He certainly does have everything under His control, and He does desire our very best. But not all things, such as sorrow and suffering, seem good while we are going through them.

I remember very well my mother’s homemade bread. I would return home from school, l and the entire house would be filled with the aroma of fresh baked bread waiting for some butter and homemade strawberry jam.

But by themselves, I did not like flour, yeast, shortening or baking soda. But when Mom mixed them together, allowed them to “rise” and then baked them in a hot oven, the results were amazing and wonderful.

Is that not how God works? Some pain here. A lot of suffering there. A time of grief. Sorrow for a season.  Financial problems. Discouragement over a loss. That’s God’s mixing everything together for our good and His will.

Prayer:  Father, give us grace and courage to look at our lives the way that You look at them - knowing and believing that everything works for our good and Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:     And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Where Am I Going?

A Bishop in the Church of England, known for his forgetfulness, boarded a train in London. Shortly after the train left the station, he began crawling around his seat and the other seats near him. Fearing for his safety the conductor approached him carefully, tapped him on the shoulder and asked what he was doing.

“I’m looking for my ticket,” said the Bishop.

“Well, that’s not a problem, Bishop. We’ll take care of you. It’s really quite all right,” replied the conductor.

“No, it isn’t,” said the Bishop. “I forgot where I am going!” confessed the Bishop.

“Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord, point out the right road for me to follow,” cried David. He knew that he needed guidance for life’s journey so he went to the ultimate source: God!

What are God’s methods for providing guidance to His children?

His primary guidance system is His Word. If we truly want Him to lead us, we need to go to the “source” of His information. By carefully reading and meditating on His Word, we will gain wisdom and insight on where we are to go.

Then we must spend time in prayer - waiting with a sincere willingness for Him to reveal His path for us.

Prayer:  Lord, we know that You have the path for us to take in life’s journey. As we read Your Word, open our eyes, speak to our hearts and show us the path we are to take. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Psalm 25:1-5

What's In a Number?

When Harlan Sanders turned forty, he realized that he could not point to anything in his life that could be considered a success. Whatever he attempted to do, failed. One day someone said to him, “Harlan, life begins at forty!” It jolted him in such a way that it awakened his faith, and he determined to begin again.

After a time of prayer, he decided to open a service station. Shortly after its opening, he added a luncheonette. One of his meals was fried chicken. To make it tastier he came up with a “special” batter and called it the Harlan Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken. People enjoyed it so much that they soon recommended it to their friends. It brought him fame and fortune, and the Governor of Kentucky made him a Kentucky Colonel. Soon people everywhere were buying the “Colonel’s” Kentucky Fried Chicken.

By God’s grace and the Colonel’s faith, what had been a life of failure and frustration became a life with a future and personal fulfillment. But his new life did not begin at forty. It began when God became a major part of his life’s “recipe.”

When God becomes the main “ingredient” in our life, everything will become new. With Him as the centerpiece and His Word as our guide, we can overcome any obstacle or difficulty that stands in the way of our success.

Prayer:  Let us always remember, Lord, that all things are possible when we trust in You and desire to honor You with the gifts and talents You have given us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

What Are You Doing with My World?

It was Jim’s sixth birthday, and his father wanted him to begin to understand continents and nations. So, he bought him a lighted globe. He was fascinated with the way it glowed in the dark and gently lit his room. And he also enjoyed the time his Dad spent in his room telling him stories about the different countries of the world.

One evening his Dad silently slipped into his room thinking that Jim was asleep. He wanted to “borrow” the globe so he could locate the countries that were mentioned during the evening news hour.

As he was leaving, Jim who was not asleep asked, “Dad, what are you doing with my world?”

What a great question for each of us. No doubt God would have each of us answer a similar question: “What are you doing in My world?”

Jesus said that “God loved the world so much that He sent me into the world to save it.” We know that Jesus fulfilled God’s plan for His life; He gave His life on the cross for our salvation. We also know that He is now in heaven with His Father. And we also know that the work that Jesus began is to be carried on by His disciples.

As His disciples, it is important, no it is critical, that we ask ourselves constantly, “What we are we doing in God’s world today to save the lost for whom my Son, your Savior, died?”

Prayer:  Lord, give us an urgency to do Your work in Your world to save the lost. Do not let us rest in Your peace until we bring Your message to someone each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   – For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Time Out!

 One morning in a small town in Switzerland the clock in the tower stopped. Children unaware of what happened naturally thought that they had more time to stop and enjoy the lovely spring day. Secretaries on their way to work stopped to visit with their friends in the little shops that surrounded the square. Men reading their newspapers took some extra time to enjoy their stories. After about thirty minutes, the clock started again and the children, the secretaries and the businessmen, noticing that the hands were moving, ran off to their appointments. These people were late because the clock they trusted pointed to the wrong time.

Each of us has a personal clock ticking inside of us. It has a specific number of “ticks” that God has allocated to each of us that will determine how long we will live. There are times when we think that our clock is pointing to a great number of days that we cannot see or count on. We may have a year in mind when we plan to retire and begin to live a life of ease and do things we have delayed doing.

God’s Word reminds us that “None of us live for ourselves.” God has given each of us the power to make plans and dream dreams: to look forward to the future. But the most important thing we must do is to include God in our plans. Do not forget that “while we live, we live to please the Lord and when we die, we go to be with Him.”

Prayer:  Help us, Father, to listen to the “tricking” of our clock - to always be aware of the fact that we have no assurance of tomorrow. May we make each day count for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.  If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7-8

300, What a Game!

Tombstones are often interesting reminders of what people accomplished in life. One that is very interesting is in Wisconsin. It reads: “He bowled 300 in 1962.”

Do you wonder, as I do, if that was his greatest achievement in life? Or how many games he bowled before he had a perfect game? Or was it his first and last game and it left him so stunned that he never bowled again? We’ll never know.

But one thing we do know is that we will all be remembered for something. Paul made a most interesting observation about life’s accomplishments. He was writing to the Philippians about his achievements. Reading them is like reading the resume of one of the world’s great leaders. They are very impressive. But then he pulls the rug out from under his own feet. After what sounds like someone bragging about what they had done he concludes: “But because of Christ I decided that all of my worldly accomplishments are worth nothing.”

Paul always had it right. More than anything in life he wanted to be known for his relationship with Christ and what he did for Him. Other than knowing and serving Christ, everything to him was “worthless trash.”

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to place You first and foremost in our lives. May we be remembered for what we did for You and through You, because of You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ  and become one with him. Philippians 3:4-11

This Isn't Working Either!

It was Mom’s “Day-A-Way” and Jake and Dad were having the time of their lives. As soon as she left, the games began and were non-stop until it was time for lunch.

After lunch it was time for a nap. But the activities of the morning were so intense that Jake could not settle down. Shades drawn and lights out were not enough. He’d climb out of his bed and look for Dad expecting the fun and games to start again.

Finally, in desperation, Dad decided to lay down with Jake, expecting eyes to become heavy and sleep to come to his rescue. After a few moments, Jake sat straight up in bed and said proudly, “This isn’t working either, is it?”

 God in His eternal wisdom gave each of us a conscience - a moral compass that signals what is right or wrong. No matter where we go in the world, from one culture to another, people know deep inside what is right or wrong. All societies have laws that keep people together and set limits on what is appropriate or how to treat others.

And even though we, as well as others, know what is right and what is expected of us, we desire to do what is wrong. God has planted His standards on everyone’s heart and when any heart becomes troubled - for whatever reason - it is His Holy Spirit beginning to do His work to convict us of our unrighteousness and to turn to Him.

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for “early warning signals” that alert us to Your standards. Make our hearts very sensitive to Your laws and convict us when we do wrong. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. Romans 2:15