CUCKOO BEHAVIOR

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

There are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 2 Thessalonians 3:11

The European cuckoo bird is a freeloader. When spring comes, it doesn’t construct a home for its yearly brood. Instead, the female invades the nest of some unsuspecting bird and lays her egg there. The cuckoo’s offspring is left to be hatched and cared for by its “foster parent.”

While still featherless and blind, the intruder soon dominates the nest by pushing the rightful occupants over the edge to their death. Then it monopolizes all the attention of its new parents.

The selfish habits of the cuckoo family sound a lot like the irresponsible behavior that existed among believers in the early Thessalonian church (2 Thessalonians 3:11). Those who sponged off others, lived undisciplined lives, and did no work were warned by the apostle Paul to change their ways. Their refusal to work involved more than just being allergic to perspiration. They were referred to as busybodies and disorderly. “They were,” says one commentator, “at nothing working, yet too busily working.”

When we neglect our God-given duties and begin interfering in the affairs of others, the result can be disastrous. Christian, beware of “cuckoo” behavior! Instead, faithfully accomplish the work God has given you to do. —mrdii

We must not meddle in affairs to which we’re not assigned; instead, let’s do our work for God the way He has designed. —anon

No one is unemployed who minds his own business.

LEARNING HOW TO LOVE

1 Corinthians 13

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34

Tracy Morrow, who goes by the name of Ice-T, delights in his role as a controversial rap singer whose lyrics are blasphemous and obscene. Yet, inspired by a truce between two violent ganags in Los Angeles, the Crips and the Bloods, he wrote a surprisingly sentimental song, “Gotta Lotta Love.”

Orphaned when young, and brought up by relatives who considered him a burden, Ice-T never experienced loving care. “I frst found the word love in a gang,” he told an interviewer. “I learned how to love in a gang, not in a family atmosphere.”

No matter how little or how warped the love we may have known in childhood, it is never too late for any of us to learn how to love. In God’s sovereignty we may catch a glimpse of love through some individual or a support group (even a gang!). But to learn the full meaning and reality of true love, we need to look at Calvary’s cross. “By this we know love, because [Jesus] laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16). The death of Jesus, in all of its sacrificial unselfishness, discloses the heights and depths of love.

We will know better how to show love when we think of how much Christ loves us, and when we trust Him as our Savior and Lord. —vcg

Unfailing is Christ’s matchless love, so kind, so pure, so true; and those who come to know that love show love in all they do. —djd

We learn the true meaning of love when we look at how much Christ loved us.

GOLDEN GODS

People often seem to associate “idol worship” with only a statue of some sort – maybe because that is the story written in the bible. However, “idol worship” is very common in our modern day society. There are people bowing down and worshiping statues but the more common “idol worship” today is material possessions and PEOPLE! Many people idolize some celebrity or even boyfriend or girlfriend.

No matter how busy we all are, we all make time for what is most important to us and when you spend more hours and money collecting material possessions, which have no eternal value, and following people instead of God then you are telling God that those things and those people are more important to you than He is. “Idol worship” is breaking the very first commandment.

Dre

Exodus 12:29-42

You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3

God had seized the attention of Pharaoh and the Egyptians with a series of plagues. Now they were dying to be rid of their Hebrew slaves. But God didn’t want the Israelites to leave Egypt empty-handed. After all, they had 400 years of wages due them. So they asked their former masters for articles of silver, gold, and clothing, and they got them. Exodus 12:36 says that the Israelites “plundered the Egyptians.”

It wasn’t long, however, until God’s people fell into idolatry. They used their gold to make a golden calf, which they worshiped while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the law (32:1-4)

This tragic experience highlights the tension that Christians are required to maintain in relation to their possessions. There is much in our society that we may enjoy. But material things can also pose grave dangers when we use them uncritically. Os Guinness says that we are “free to utilize” but “forbidden to idolize.” We are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13), and we must not become so enamored with “the riches of Egypt” that we grow complacent and forget our true calling.

Are we using our material blessings to serve the Lord—or have we become slaves to them? —hwr

I have an old nature that noisily clamors to satisfy empty desire; but God in His goodness has sent me a Helper Who whispers, “Your calling is higher.” —gustafson

Gold can be a helpful servant but a cruel master.

GOD’s DIVERSE WAYS

Hebrews 11:30-40

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. Jeremiah 10:23

A woman testified, “I was diagnosed as having inoperable cancer, but I trusted God to heal me and He did.” Yet man others in the same situation and with just as much faith have fervently prayed, but they died.

I’m in my middle seventies, feel strong, and am as active as ever. But I know of Christian men my age who are coping with severe physical problems. Does God heal only those with a strong faith? Is good health a sign that God loves one person more than another who isn’t well?

Hebrews 11 answers these questions with a resounding “NO!” It tells of devout believers who were persecuted. Some were miraculously delivered, while others were imprisoned, tortured, and slain. But all of them are cited equally for their fiath. The issue then and now is not God’s love or the strength of one’s faith but God’s soveregnty and wisdom.

My friend Archie walks with difficulty and can’t use his arms very well, but he believes he knows God better than if he had been healed. He testifies of having grace for each day, and he anticipates the day when he will be given his resurrection body.

Yes, God’s ways are diverse. Accepting this is the first step to a stronger faith in Him. —hvl

God has a purpose in our heartaches; the Savior always kows what’s best; we learn so many precious lessons in each sorrow, trial, and test. —jarvis

God tries our faith so that we may try his faithfulness.

HOW TO KNOW THERE’s A GOD

Hebrews 11:1-7

He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

An atheist said to a Quaker, “Have you ever seen God? Have you ever felt God? Have you ever smelled God? And you say you have a God?

After a long pause, the Quaker replied, “Hast thou ever seen thy brains? Hast thou ever felt thy brains? Hast thou ever smelled thy brains? And thou sayest thou hast brains!”

There probably are very few atheists—those who have seriously thought about life and concluded that there is no God.  There are more agnostics—thinking people who say “I don’t know.” The vast majority of individuals, however, affirm—at least intellectually—that God exists.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that recognizing God’s existence is the first step to knowing Him personally. Then we must seek Him and believe that He will reward our quest to know Him.

Our search will ultimately lead us to consider Jesus. He declared, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). He also said that the person who desires to obey God will recognize that He, Jesus, spoke the truth (7:17).

You or someone you know may be at step one: recognizing that God exists. Remember, the Lord rewards those who earnestly seek to know Him. And a personal relationship with Him comes only through faith in Christ. —djd

I searched with all my heart to know if God was really there; He graciously revealed Himself— His mercy, love, and care. —bierema

If you’re looking for God, you’ll find Him in Christ.

WORKING ON THE INSIDE

2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

It was a typical summer Sunday evening service. People were scattered throughout the 500-seat auditorium. There was a testimony time, and several people spoke up, sharing from their hearts what God had done.

Then Buddy stood and talked. He was grateful that he could be in church. When he told us that even though he didn’t have a ride he was glad he was able to walk the mile or so to church, you could hear the others respond in surprise. On this Sunday night when so many had found reasons to stay away from church, Buddy had come alone, one dark step at a time. Buddy is blind.

We can learn a lot from him. He struggles to do things we can do with little effort, but often neglect. He is more aware perhaps than those of us without physical disabilities that “our outward man is perishing” (2 Corinthians 4:16), so he works hard at feeding his “inward man” by meeting with other believers. He knows what the apostle Paul knew: It is only through strong reliance on the Lord that we can succeed in our Christian life.

Buddy did not lose heart when he had to walk to church in his blindness. May his example help us to stop letting outward things halt our inner growth. —jdb

If we seek His hand to guide us and His power to make us strong, He will help us fight life’s battles and will fill our heart with song. —stott

Discipleship requires discipline.

ZEALOUS CHRISTIANS

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. 2 Corinthians 5:11

I read a fable about a dog who loved to chase other animals. He bragged about his great running skill and said he could catch anything. Well, it wasn’t long until his boastful claims were put to the test by a rabbit. With ease the little creature outran his barking pursuer. The other animals, watching with glee, began to laugh. The dog excused himself, however, by saying, “You forget, folks, that I was only running for fun. He was running for his life!”

Motivation makes a difference in almost everything we do. In fact, it determines the way believers serve the Lord. Some people serve Him halfheartedly because they feel obligated. But there are others who serve with urgency and zeal because they recognize the terrible plight of people lost in sin. They are deeply grateful for God’s saving grace in their lives, so they go all out for the Lord.

That’s the kind of zealous motivation the apostle Paul had. He wrote, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). He then concluded, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (verse 20). Paul meant business. There was much at stake.

May we too be zealous in serving the Lord! —rwd

O make my life one blazing fire of pure and fervent heart-desire the lost to find, the low to raise, And give them cause Thy name to praise. —marshall

Christians on fire for God will attract sinners to the light.

PLEASING GOD

Matthew 5:1-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would we rate the condition of our spiritual life? Even though we may desire to please the Lord, our efforts are so inadequate, our motives often selfish, our faithfulness questionable. No matter how much we do, we fall so far short!

Perhaps these thoughts will encourage you: First, remember how God sees us. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we are completely forgiven and perfect in His sight.

But then there’s our present love-trust relationship with Christ. Perhaps we see ourselves as a meager “1.” We can still please God, though, if our attitude is right. He knows we’re not capable of perfect performance, but He expects the right attitude of heart. Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are those who achieve their potential and never make a mistake.” He said, “Blessed are the poor in the spirit, . . .those who mourn, . . .the meek.” We may have just made a mess of our life, and there may be painful consequences to pay, but we can still please the Lord if we repent and humbly confess our sin.

Because we are in Christ, we are always a “perfect 10.” ANd that should motivate us whenever we get discouraged over our slow spiritual growth. —mrd ii

No condemnation now I dread; I am my Lord’s and He is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine. —wesley

On God’s grading scale, we all rate zero without the perfect one.

HAVE WE LEARNED?

Luke 24:44-53

You shall be witnesses to Me. Acts 1:8

What happens when we keep to ourselves something that, if shared with others, would enrich their lives? We not only fail to increase their happiness, but we rob ourselves of the joy that generosity brings.

Luigi Tarisio, who loved violins passionately, never learned that lesson. He spent his limited income buying the finest instruments he could find. He owned 246 exquisit violins, which were crammed into every corner of his otherwise barren little house. And they were never played! His obsession prevented those instruments from bringing pleasure and inspiration to other music lovers.

Instead of following Luigi’s example, we need to be motivated by the admonition of Proverbs 3:27 to keep ourselves free from the guilt of withholding good. Even more, we should be motivated by grateful obedience to Jesus Christ. And obedience, the Savior assures us, brings joy (John 15:10-11).

As Christians, we have a message that makes the melodies of heaven flood our souls. Our Lord gave us the mandate to share that message with everybody everywhere (Mark 16:15). Are we keeping the heavenly harmonies of saving grace sealed up inside ourselves, or are we obediently letting them ring out through our lips and lives? —vcg

O you who are trusting Jesus, redeemed at infinite cost, are you showing Christ to others and seeking to win the lost? —gilmore

Joy is a byproduct of obedience.

DAD’s HAT

Ephesians 6:1-4

Honor your father. Ephesians 6:2

Amid the celebration, there was tragedy. It was the opening ceremonies of the 1992 summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. One by one the teams entered the stadium and paraded around the track to the cheers of 65,000 people. But in one section of Olympic Stadium, shock and sadness fell as Peter Karnaugh, father of United States swimmer Ron Karnaugh, was stricken with a fatal heart attack.

Five days later, Ron showed up for his race wearing his dad’s hat, which he carefully set aside before his competition began. Why the hat? It was the swimmer’s tribute to his dad, whom he described as “my best friend.” The hat was one his dad had worn when they went fishing and did other things together. Wearing the hat was Ron’s way of honoring his dad for standing beside him, encouraging him, and guiding him. When Ron dove into the water, he did so without his dad’s presence but with his dad’s help.

On this Father’s Day, there are many ways to honor our fathers, as Scripture tells us to do. One way, even if they’re no longer with us, is to show respect for the values they taught us.

What can you do for your dad today to show him the kind of honor the apostle Paul was talking about? —jdb

We’re thankful for our fathers , Lord, they’re special gifts from You; help us to show we honor them by what we say and do. —sper

The best fathers not only give us life but also teach us how to live.