HE DID IT

2 Timothy 2:1-10

The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2

At the memorial service for LeRoy Eims, longtime staff member with The Navigators, I pondered why hundreds of colleagues and friends had come from across the US to pay tribute. Why did so many people love him so deeply?

As a young Christ, LeRoy had been challenged to disciple others one on one. He took seriously Paul’s charge to Timothy: “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). LeRoy embraced that clear, simple command of Scripture and practiced it faithfully for more than 50 years.

Scores of people who packed the church that afternoon had lived in LeRoy and Virigina Eims’ home. They had been embraced, encouraged, and instructed by him. As his spiritual children, they had multiplied his ministry by investing themselves in others, just as he had in them.

One sentence in a written tribute captured the essence of the man: “His life was characterized by singleness of purpose, great creativity and a wonderful sense of humor.”

LeRoy’s example spurs us on to a lifetime of faithfully following the Lord. He did it! And by God’s grace, so can we. —david mccasland

It is in loving — not in being loved — the heart is blessed; it is in giving — not in seeking gifts — we find our quest. —anon

You can teach more with your life than with your lips.

BE AN EXAMPLE

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

A high school senior honored as one of the “Best & Brightest” in our community has provided a forceful demonstration of integrity. When his school team was given the word auditorium in a regional spelling bee, Brady Davis glanced down to ponder his response and noticed that the word was printed on the microphone stand. He called this to the attention of the judges who responded with a more difficult word. Brady did what he knew was right whether others noticed or not.

We don’t know when our actions might become an example to others. But if we live each day to honor Jesus, our behavior will model His righteousness, no matter who is watching.

Idealism and enthusiasm are often best expressed by the young. But uprightness and  honor should be goals for Christians of every age. Paul told his young protege Timothy: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Brady Davis says his goal in life is to change the world around him while never compromising himself. We would do well to join him in that pursuit of life, integrity, and exemplary behavior. —david mccasland

I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would  be pure, for there are those who care. I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare. —walter

A good example always makes a good sermon.

NOT BY MIGHT NOR POWER

Romans 10:1-17

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

I could feel the anguish in the words of her letter: “I want so much for my father to come to the Lord. I do my best to be the perfect daughter and to witness to him. Yet I always do something wrong. He’ll go to hell, and it will be my fault.”

No one can doubt that daughter’s love for her dad. She wants what is best for him. But think about it a moment. She can’t make the choice for her father. He must personally receive Christ as his Savior.

There’s something else. In the book of Zechariah, the Lord said, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). We do all we can to be an effective witness and example, but the life-changing work is done by God.

The apostle Paul’s heart was broken over his fellow Jews who had not accepted Christ (Romans 10). Yet he knew it was a decision that only they could make as the Lord moved in their hearts to accept the truth of the Word of God.

What we cannot do to change a heart, the Lord does by His all-powerful Spirit. Our loved one’s salvation does not depend on our perfect witness. So, we mustn’t blame ourselves for not being good enough. God is strong enough to knock down mountains (Zechariah 4:7). If we’re doing our part, we can trust Him to do His. —dce

An operation all divine, by God’s own Spirit given, can plant within a sinful soul a new heart fit for heaven. —hgb

We can plant the seed, but only God can give the harvest.

ACTS OF PRAYER

Luke 11:1-4

Lord, teach us to pray. Luke 11:1

When my children come to me for advice, I consider it an honor to teach them what they need to know. For example, my daughter Julie had to write a poem for school not long ago. As I thought about the best way to assist her, I decided to compose a few lines to help her see how it’s done.

Jesus used the example method when His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Instead of going into a long dissertation on the subject, He said, “When you pray, say, . . .” and He gave them a pattern that also included prayer principles.

That prayer has at least four elements we can learn to use when we pray: Adoration, Confession, Temptation protection, and Supplication.

Let’s consider the ACTS of prayer.

Adoration: “Hallowed be Your name.” We need to give allegiance and respect to our great and awesome God.

Confession: “Forgive us our sins.” God is “faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9).

Tempatation protection: “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Ask for help to say no to sin.

Supplication: “Give us day by day our daily bread.” We should not be afraid to ask God for His provisions.

There’s the example. It’s up to us to follow it. —jdb

Lord, thank You for inviting me to come and talk with You; now help me to revere this time and pray my whole life through. k dehaan

Spend time with the Lord and your day will be well spent.

APPRENTICE IN ADORATION

Psalm 99

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy. Psalm 99:9

As a boy in Sunday school, I used to sing a song written by Horatio Palmer that I suspect would be regarded as hopelessly outmoded today:

Shun evil companions, bad language disdain, God’s name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain.

But those words are as relevant now as they were then, especially because reverence for God’s name and holy things seems to be out of style — even among many Christians.

For example, an article in a magazine for those in children’s ministries suggested that churches could hold an Easter carnival with game booths decorated with streamers and Bible verses. The games included: “Toss-a-Cross” — throw six cross-shaped bean bags. “Cupcake Walk” — land on the right Easter symbol, such as a crown of thorns. “Face Painting” — perhaps with drops of blood? And of course a “Donkey Ride.”

There were more suggestions, to be sure, but why multiply examples of gross irreverence?

Even while deploring such sacrilege, we need to double check our own attitudes and practices. Whether alone or in church, do we find ourselves, as hymnwriter Charles Wesley stated, “lost in wonder, love, and praise” as we meditate on God’s greatness and grace? (Psalm 99:1-3, 9)

If adoring worship is the chief occupation of angels and saints in heaven, we had better regard our present life as an apprenticeship in adoration. —vcg

Those who praise God on earth will feel at home in Heaven.

A REASON FOR OPTIMISM

John 16:16-33

A merry heart does good, like medicine. Proverbs 17:22

The Bible isn’t a psychology textbook, but it gives us the wisest counsel for experiencing happiness here and now. Proverbs 17:22, for example, assures us that a “merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”

That simple statement was recently corroborated by the extensive research of Dr. Daniel Mark, a heart specialist at Duke University. The New York Times article that reported his findings carried this headline: “Optimism Can Mean Life for Heart Patients and Pessimism Death.” The article begins with these words: “A healthy outlook helps heal the heart.”

But another heart specialist, Dr. Nancy Frasure-Smith, who has studied the effect of depression, anxiety, and anger, admitted, “We don’t know how to change negative emotions.”

Faith in God, however, can produce that change. People who look beyond their present difficulty and put their trust in God’s goodness cannot help but be joyful.

It’s significant that our Savior said on several occasions, “Be of good cheer” (Matthew 9:2, 22; Matthew 14:27; Acts 23:11). In full view of life’s many crises, He encourages us with this word of reassurance: “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). —vcg

All your anxiety, all your care bring to the Mercy Seat, leave it there. Never a burden He cannot bear, never a Friend like Jesus. —joy

No matter what happens you can be happy in the Lord.

WHAT’s YOUR LOAD LIMIT?

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

God. . .will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but. . .will also make the way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13

We’ve all seen load-limit signs on highways, bridges, and elevators. Knowning that too much strain can cause severe damage or complete collapse, engineers determine the exact amount of stress various materials and manufactured items can safely endure. Posted warnings tell us not to exceed the maximum load.

Human beings also have their load limits, which vary from person to person. Some people, for example, can bear the pressure of trial and temptation better than others; yet everyone has a breaking point and can take only so much.

At times, circumstances and people seem to be pushing us beyond what we can bear. But the Lord knows our limitations and never allows any difficulties to enter our lives that exceed our strength and ability to endure. This is especially true when we’re enticed by sin. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.”

So when trials and temptations press down on you, take courage! Remember, your heavenly Father knows the limits of your ability to stand up under life’s pressures. Draw upon His strength. No temptation will ever be greater than that! —rwd

When sorrows assail us or terrors draw nigh, His love will not fail us, He’ll guide with His eye; and when we are fainting and ready to fail, He’ll give what is lacking and make us prevail. —anon

If you give in to God, you won’t cave in to sin.

PRAYING LIKE CHRIST

Job 42

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word. John 17:20

With friends like his, Job didn’t need enemies. His three would-be comforters failed miserably in their efforts to ease his pain. Instead of bringing sympathy, they recited a creed of iron and ice that only compounded his anguish.

Yet Job was able to emerge from his cave of pain and confusion in triumph. A significant step toward that victory was his willingness to pray for the very friends who had criticized and accused him. God honored his prayers, and Job had the delight of witnessing his friends’ forgiveness and restoration.

Jesus also prayed for His friends (John 17:9-19), despite their constant failings. With the shadow of the cross falling darkly on Him, Jesus prayed for Peter even though He knew Peter would deny Him within hours (Luke 22:32-34).

Jesus prayed for you and me also (John 17:20-24). His work of prayer, which began before His death and resurrection, continues to this day. Although we sometimes act more like His enemies than His friends, Jesus died for us, reigns in power for us, and still prays for us (Romans 8:34).

Following Christ’s example, we are to pray for our friends and acquaintances — even when they hurt us. Is there someone you can pray for today? —hwr

As we attempt to live like Christ in actions, words, and deeds, we’ll follow His design for prayer and pray for others’ needs. —jdb

Nothing makes us love a person so much as praying for him.

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.

BE KIND

Ephesians 4:31-32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

All structures start with a foundation that everything else is built upon. Ephesians 4:32 provides three commands. The first command is to be kind to one another, the second is to be tenderhearted, and the third is to be forgiving. These commands are like a structure, each item building upon the other with the foundation being forgiveness.

It’s quite difficult to be kind if your heart is not tender. It’s even harder to have a tender heart if you are an unforgiving person. Unforgiveness leads to a calloused heart, and from a calloused heart kindness will not flow.

Here is a reality check: If you are having a difficult time being kind to a particular person and you find your heart is hardened toward them, ask yourself if the underlying cause is failure to forgive. Remember, we forgive others because God forgives us.

Lord, help me to follow Your example in being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.