Dear Readers,
Thank you for following these daily devotionals. There are over 700 of you on a regular basis now and almost 10,000 views per month. Wow.
Starting this Sunday (Monday for emial subscribers) I am starting a new series for this Summer on the book of Colossians. This is a meaty book. I think you'll get a lot out of it. The devotionals will not follow the Brookwood Church series on Connections, but I think you'll survive.
We're not publishing a devotional book this year, so if you know of anyone who would be interested in these devotionals, send them over to: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/ or http://www.brookwoodchurch.org/devotional.
God bless and thanks for reading,
Allen White
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Avoiding Bad Advice
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. Psalm 1:1
I find the postures in this verse interesting. You are blessed if you avoid these three postures:
-- Walking in the counsel of the wicked
-- Standing in the way of sinners
-- Sitting in the seat of mockers
Each progressive position causes us to slow down and perhaps listen more: Walk, Stand, Sit. Think about it. When we walk and talk, it’s usually a casual conversation. We’re talking about the weather or shooting the breeze. When we stop to talk, we tend to stand there and talk about things that might interfere with our walking and talking coordination. We’re not in a hurry to get somewhere. We pause to give them a little more of our attention.
Then, there’s sitting. I stopped at McDonald’s for breakfast the other day. The drive thru line was ridiculous, so I parked and walked inside to get my sandwich. As I walked in, I saw a member of the church. I waved. He looked at me like “I know that guy from somewhere.” I walked over and identified myself. We started talking. Then, he said, “Would you like to sit down?” Now I had a dilemma, if I sit down to talk, then there is a possibility that the last car in the drive thru line might be at the pickup window before I have even ordered my food. This would defeat the whole purpose of parking and going inside. I sat down.
We talked for a few minutes. Then, I ordered my sandwich and headed for my car. I walked out of the restaurant wondering if this was actually a God thing that I went inside. I also wondered exactly where that blue minivan was in line at this point. Okay, not really. I don’t remember the color.
I have mentioned these three postures, walking, standing and sitting, in a positive way. But according to the proverb, the blessed person avoids these postures with the wicked, sinners and mockers. Well, doesn’t everybody fit into one of those categories? While none of us is without sin, there is a big difference between occasionally falling short and making sin a lifestyle. The wicked, sinners and mockers fall into the lifestyle side of things.
Who are you walking with? Who are you stopping to consult? Who are you sitting down with? We tell our kids that they will become like the people that they hang around with. So will we. “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33).
To subscribe to this daily devotional by email or RSS feed or leave a comment: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/.
I find the postures in this verse interesting. You are blessed if you avoid these three postures:
-- Walking in the counsel of the wicked
-- Standing in the way of sinners
-- Sitting in the seat of mockers
Each progressive position causes us to slow down and perhaps listen more: Walk, Stand, Sit. Think about it. When we walk and talk, it’s usually a casual conversation. We’re talking about the weather or shooting the breeze. When we stop to talk, we tend to stand there and talk about things that might interfere with our walking and talking coordination. We’re not in a hurry to get somewhere. We pause to give them a little more of our attention.
Then, there’s sitting. I stopped at McDonald’s for breakfast the other day. The drive thru line was ridiculous, so I parked and walked inside to get my sandwich. As I walked in, I saw a member of the church. I waved. He looked at me like “I know that guy from somewhere.” I walked over and identified myself. We started talking. Then, he said, “Would you like to sit down?” Now I had a dilemma, if I sit down to talk, then there is a possibility that the last car in the drive thru line might be at the pickup window before I have even ordered my food. This would defeat the whole purpose of parking and going inside. I sat down.
We talked for a few minutes. Then, I ordered my sandwich and headed for my car. I walked out of the restaurant wondering if this was actually a God thing that I went inside. I also wondered exactly where that blue minivan was in line at this point. Okay, not really. I don’t remember the color.
I have mentioned these three postures, walking, standing and sitting, in a positive way. But according to the proverb, the blessed person avoids these postures with the wicked, sinners and mockers. Well, doesn’t everybody fit into one of those categories? While none of us is without sin, there is a big difference between occasionally falling short and making sin a lifestyle. The wicked, sinners and mockers fall into the lifestyle side of things.
Who are you walking with? Who are you stopping to consult? Who are you sitting down with? We tell our kids that they will become like the people that they hang around with. So will we. “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33).
To subscribe to this daily devotional by email or RSS feed or leave a comment: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Somebody Just Called Me a Fool
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15
The words “fool” and “wise” don’t leave much room for gray. How you approach life makes you one or the other. There is no in-between.
If you believe that you are exactly right on something and that you don’t need to listen to anyone else, then you are a fool. I’m not calling you a fool. The Bible is. Sometimes the Bible calls me a fool too.
By contrast, the wise person assumes that they don’t see all of the angles. They know that they have blind spots. They know that evaluating themselves is difficult, because it’s too personal. So, they seek out others and listen to their advice. That doesn’t mean that they take all of the advice they hear, but it does mean that they process their decisions with others and work through things before moving forward.
The fool rushes in. The wise person counts the cost and weighs things out.
What seems right to you these days? What are you actively pursuing that you haven’t talked to anyone else about? We have all made foolish mistakes. Why not seek the counsel of others just to process your decision? You might just come out wiser in the process.
To subscribe to this daily devotional by email or RSS feed or leave a comment: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/.
The words “fool” and “wise” don’t leave much room for gray. How you approach life makes you one or the other. There is no in-between.
If you believe that you are exactly right on something and that you don’t need to listen to anyone else, then you are a fool. I’m not calling you a fool. The Bible is. Sometimes the Bible calls me a fool too.
By contrast, the wise person assumes that they don’t see all of the angles. They know that they have blind spots. They know that evaluating themselves is difficult, because it’s too personal. So, they seek out others and listen to their advice. That doesn’t mean that they take all of the advice they hear, but it does mean that they process their decisions with others and work through things before moving forward.
The fool rushes in. The wise person counts the cost and weighs things out.
What seems right to you these days? What are you actively pursuing that you haven’t talked to anyone else about? We have all made foolish mistakes. Why not seek the counsel of others just to process your decision? You might just come out wiser in the process.
To subscribe to this daily devotional by email or RSS feed or leave a comment: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Who Can You Trust?
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
I have followed a sales trainer for a number of years named Jeffrey. (We’ll call him Jeffrey, because that’s actually his name). He has interesting things to say about motivation and reaching others. In fact, I started writing this devotional blog as well as our Small Groups blog because of Jeffrey. Writing a daily devotional seemed like a daunting task to me. Jeffrey gave some practical tips on the writing process and here we are 12 months into these daily devotionals.
Jeffrey’s goal in life is making sales and making money. But, in that, he has a lot to say about human nature. He writes some interesting things. But, his life is not built on Christ from what I can see. In fact, he uses a coin as a business card. The coin states “In Sales We Trust.” Obviously, that’s a much different foundation from the one I’ve built my life on.
Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing bad about doing business. It makes the world go ‘round, right? We’ve all got to eat.
What I am saying is that when it comes to the foundational things in my life, the things that I stand for, I don’t go to people who are outside of the family of God. While they may be very talented, knowledgeable and successful, the core of my life is built on faith in God, not on a motivational speaker.
Ungodly people don’t understand the things of God. It’s not because they’re bad. The only thing that makes them ungodly is that they don’t have God in their lives. Without God, we were also ungodly once upon a time. People without the Spirit of God cannot understand the things of God.
Now, let me clarify something. If I’m in need of surgery, I want the best surgeon available be it Buddhist, Hindu, Presbyterian or Voodoo priest (okay, maybe I would reconsider the last one). I don’t want a mediocre surgeon just because he’s a Baptist. I want the best available.
But, when it comes to decisions about my life’s direction, I don’t want people with worldly values and mere monetary success. I want to consult with godly people. And, that doesn’t necessarily mean churchgoers in general. I want to surround myself with people who have Christ-like character, who are closely connected to the Father, and who forsake the ways of the world for the ways of the Kingdom.
Who do you admire? What do you aspire to be? Who are the godly and ungodly influences in your life? What advice are you taking?
To subscribe to this daily devotional by email or RSS feed or leave a comment: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/.
I have followed a sales trainer for a number of years named Jeffrey. (We’ll call him Jeffrey, because that’s actually his name). He has interesting things to say about motivation and reaching others. In fact, I started writing this devotional blog as well as our Small Groups blog because of Jeffrey. Writing a daily devotional seemed like a daunting task to me. Jeffrey gave some practical tips on the writing process and here we are 12 months into these daily devotionals.
Jeffrey’s goal in life is making sales and making money. But, in that, he has a lot to say about human nature. He writes some interesting things. But, his life is not built on Christ from what I can see. In fact, he uses a coin as a business card. The coin states “In Sales We Trust.” Obviously, that’s a much different foundation from the one I’ve built my life on.
Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing bad about doing business. It makes the world go ‘round, right? We’ve all got to eat.
What I am saying is that when it comes to the foundational things in my life, the things that I stand for, I don’t go to people who are outside of the family of God. While they may be very talented, knowledgeable and successful, the core of my life is built on faith in God, not on a motivational speaker.
Ungodly people don’t understand the things of God. It’s not because they’re bad. The only thing that makes them ungodly is that they don’t have God in their lives. Without God, we were also ungodly once upon a time. People without the Spirit of God cannot understand the things of God.
Now, let me clarify something. If I’m in need of surgery, I want the best surgeon available be it Buddhist, Hindu, Presbyterian or Voodoo priest (okay, maybe I would reconsider the last one). I don’t want a mediocre surgeon just because he’s a Baptist. I want the best available.
But, when it comes to decisions about my life’s direction, I don’t want people with worldly values and mere monetary success. I want to consult with godly people. And, that doesn’t necessarily mean churchgoers in general. I want to surround myself with people who have Christ-like character, who are closely connected to the Father, and who forsake the ways of the world for the ways of the Kingdom.
Who do you admire? What do you aspire to be? Who are the godly and ungodly influences in your life? What advice are you taking?
To subscribe to this daily devotional by email or RSS feed or leave a comment: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Playing from the Blindside
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' Matthew 18:16
This passage is one that we typically go to for “church discipline.” Someone has broken the rules concerning what “good Christians” should or should not do, so now they must be disciplined, aka “adios.” I don’t know that I’ve ever seen this process work as well as it could. But, we can learn much from the heart of this.
These instructions from Jesus Himself fall between two parables. The first parable tells of a loving shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep behind to find the one that has strayed. The second parable concerns a servant who is forgiven a tremendous debt by his master. Then, the servant turns around and shakes down a friend who owes him a few bucks.
These parables balance two truths when it comes to confronting other believers. The first is that when someone errs in their ways or is headed down the wrong path, it is our responsibility as his brothers and sisters to get involved. It’s not our place to pawn it off to the pastors. We have the relationship with him. If we love him, we’ll have the conversation.
The second parable balances the responsibility to confront with the nature of our approach. We have been forgiven, which means that we have also erred. If it wasn’t for another believer pointing the way for us, we would still be as lost as a goose. Our responsibility is not to chastise him for his rule breaking. As people who require God’s grace, we extend God’s grace to our brother.
If he won’t hear us, then we go to this verse above. We bring someone along with us. We find a mature believer who would come along with us and talk to them. This doesn’t mean that we solicit every person we know until we find someone who agrees with us. That would turn us into some sort of Christian Goldilocks. “This one’s too hard on him. This one’s too soft. This one’s just right…”
The idea here is not just to find someone to confirm that the offender is off base. This is also someone who confirms that we’re not off base. This is especially important if the other person has offended us or someone close to us. When it gets personal, it’s easy for our objectivity to fly out the window. That trust friend or wise advisor will keep us from making a fool out of ourselves. They might even keep us from the receiving end of confrontation.
Here’s the great thing that happens when we bring another believer into the equation: by adding one other believer, we end up with three. Jesus said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). The community of even just two believers invites the fellowship of Jesus Himself in a unique way.
What situation needs to be confronted in your life? Why have you hesitated? Where do you need to check in with another believer to make sure that you have your head on straight?
To subscribe to this daily devotional by email or RSS feed or leave a comment: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/.
This passage is one that we typically go to for “church discipline.” Someone has broken the rules concerning what “good Christians” should or should not do, so now they must be disciplined, aka “adios.” I don’t know that I’ve ever seen this process work as well as it could. But, we can learn much from the heart of this.
These instructions from Jesus Himself fall between two parables. The first parable tells of a loving shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep behind to find the one that has strayed. The second parable concerns a servant who is forgiven a tremendous debt by his master. Then, the servant turns around and shakes down a friend who owes him a few bucks.
These parables balance two truths when it comes to confronting other believers. The first is that when someone errs in their ways or is headed down the wrong path, it is our responsibility as his brothers and sisters to get involved. It’s not our place to pawn it off to the pastors. We have the relationship with him. If we love him, we’ll have the conversation.
The second parable balances the responsibility to confront with the nature of our approach. We have been forgiven, which means that we have also erred. If it wasn’t for another believer pointing the way for us, we would still be as lost as a goose. Our responsibility is not to chastise him for his rule breaking. As people who require God’s grace, we extend God’s grace to our brother.
If he won’t hear us, then we go to this verse above. We bring someone along with us. We find a mature believer who would come along with us and talk to them. This doesn’t mean that we solicit every person we know until we find someone who agrees with us. That would turn us into some sort of Christian Goldilocks. “This one’s too hard on him. This one’s too soft. This one’s just right…”
The idea here is not just to find someone to confirm that the offender is off base. This is also someone who confirms that we’re not off base. This is especially important if the other person has offended us or someone close to us. When it gets personal, it’s easy for our objectivity to fly out the window. That trust friend or wise advisor will keep us from making a fool out of ourselves. They might even keep us from the receiving end of confrontation.
Here’s the great thing that happens when we bring another believer into the equation: by adding one other believer, we end up with three. Jesus said, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). The community of even just two believers invites the fellowship of Jesus Himself in a unique way.
What situation needs to be confronted in your life? Why have you hesitated? Where do you need to check in with another believer to make sure that you have your head on straight?
To subscribe to this daily devotional by email or RSS feed or leave a comment: http://galatians419.blogspot.com/.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
You Could Get Too Much Advice
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. Proverbs 11:14
There are two extremes when it comes to seeking advice. On one side you have the folks who have to consult every possible person that they know out of fear for making the wrong decision. I have a friend who began the quest of changing the carpet in their house about 20 years ago. They have solicited many opinions over the years. A decision was never made. I don’t believe that the carpet has ever been changed. In fact, I think maybe they have a different house now.
The problem with too much counsel is that you sort of allow too many cooks into the kitchen, if you will. Rather than having one or two great cooks to guide you, you have everybody weighing in. That’s only a great place to be if you don’t really want to make the decision at all.
The other extreme is to just make a decision without any advisors. Whether you just go with your gut or toss and turn for many sleepless nights, you make the decision on your own. Right or wrong, good or bad the decision is yours alone. You will probably be blindsided by something because it’s very difficult for one person to see every side of an issue.
This proverb is advocating something in the middle of that. Again, proverbs are not a money-back guarantee of any kind. But, they do indicate what typically works in most cases.
We are directed to seek out many advisors (but not too many). Obviously, we would need to consult with everyone that the decision would affect. But, we also need to find trusted advisors who have no stake in the matter. They can give us a more objective opinion and help us weigh things out.
Sometimes when we want something badly, it’s easy to invent ways to believe that what we are doing is right. We all need people who know us well enough that they can tell us to cut the bull and look at the situation more realistically.
Who advises you? Do you have people of noble character in your life? Are they experts in their field? Do they share your values and beliefs? Are they a little older than you? Have they given you good advice before? Seek out wise advisors when you make a decision.
There are two extremes when it comes to seeking advice. On one side you have the folks who have to consult every possible person that they know out of fear for making the wrong decision. I have a friend who began the quest of changing the carpet in their house about 20 years ago. They have solicited many opinions over the years. A decision was never made. I don’t believe that the carpet has ever been changed. In fact, I think maybe they have a different house now.
The problem with too much counsel is that you sort of allow too many cooks into the kitchen, if you will. Rather than having one or two great cooks to guide you, you have everybody weighing in. That’s only a great place to be if you don’t really want to make the decision at all.
The other extreme is to just make a decision without any advisors. Whether you just go with your gut or toss and turn for many sleepless nights, you make the decision on your own. Right or wrong, good or bad the decision is yours alone. You will probably be blindsided by something because it’s very difficult for one person to see every side of an issue.
This proverb is advocating something in the middle of that. Again, proverbs are not a money-back guarantee of any kind. But, they do indicate what typically works in most cases.
We are directed to seek out many advisors (but not too many). Obviously, we would need to consult with everyone that the decision would affect. But, we also need to find trusted advisors who have no stake in the matter. They can give us a more objective opinion and help us weigh things out.
Sometimes when we want something badly, it’s easy to invent ways to believe that what we are doing is right. We all need people who know us well enough that they can tell us to cut the bull and look at the situation more realistically.
Who advises you? Do you have people of noble character in your life? Are they experts in their field? Do they share your values and beliefs? Are they a little older than you? Have they given you good advice before? Seek out wise advisors when you make a decision.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Two Tests to Know God’s Will
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
God gives us the ability to know His will, but it requires a couple of on-going tests on our part. These aren’t complicated tests. But, they are challenging.
First, God wants us to be “living sacrifices” to Him. Years ago in Bible college, a chapel speaker made the statement that “It’s easier to die for Christ than to live for Him.” I suppose if you’re dead, then the struggle is over. You get your reward. You get to dwell with Jesus forever. But, to live for Christ, that is a whole other matter. But, this verse isn’t challenging us to pretend to be Jesus. The emphasis is on the sacrifice.
Imagine Abraham preparing his son, Isaac, under God’s direction, as a human sacrifice. Isaac didn’t have much say in the matter. Isaac didn’t need to prepare by reading “101 Keys to being a Good Sacrifice.” He was tied up and placed on the altar. His fate was entirely in the hands of his father and God. God provided another way for Abraham and Isaac that day. But, think about what it means to be a living sacrifice.
A sacrifice has completely surrendered their will. They don’t have grandiose plans for the future. Their future is in the hands of the One they’ve surrendered to. Personal ambition has been cast aside in hope that God will offer something greater. But, this isn’t martyrdom. This is a living sacrifice.
So, think for a minute: how do we go about our daily routine as a living sacrifice? How do we set aside our will and our personal ambition when it comes to our families, our jobs, and our leisure?
That was just step one. The second test is to forsake the opinion and views of this world in exchange for allowing God to renew our minds. We were born with a sinful nature into a sinful world. That’s two strikes against us. Sinful people fit well in a sinful world. But, godly people who are prone to sin have a tougher time.
We have to find ways of turning off the noise around us and allowing God’s thoughts to supersede ours. That’s not as complicated as it sounds.
The world indoctrinates us through media, through thoughts and attitudes, and through temptation. Every electronic device that delivers the world’s viewpoint has an off button. Now, I’m not saying trade in your car for a black buggy and travel back in time to 100 years ago. There was sin back then too.
What I am getting at is that you and I have the ability to control what influences us. We can choose to watch endless hours of TV. We can choose to read and study God’s Word. We can even choose to read inspirational blogs if we want too.
Our minds are renewed by the Word of God. Much of what God’s Word says is counter to what the world says. On some issues, this is a relief. On other issues, it’s a little harder to swallow. But, God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9).
When we surrender our ambitions and agendas and forsake the world’s way of thinking, then we can discern God’s will more clearly. We are no longer drawn toward possessions, pleasure or prestige to define who we are and what we are meant to do. We know that we belong to God and that trumps everything else.
How can you daily surrender yourself and all that you do to God? How can you immerse yourself in God’s Word and tune out the world?
God gives us the ability to know His will, but it requires a couple of on-going tests on our part. These aren’t complicated tests. But, they are challenging.
First, God wants us to be “living sacrifices” to Him. Years ago in Bible college, a chapel speaker made the statement that “It’s easier to die for Christ than to live for Him.” I suppose if you’re dead, then the struggle is over. You get your reward. You get to dwell with Jesus forever. But, to live for Christ, that is a whole other matter. But, this verse isn’t challenging us to pretend to be Jesus. The emphasis is on the sacrifice.
Imagine Abraham preparing his son, Isaac, under God’s direction, as a human sacrifice. Isaac didn’t have much say in the matter. Isaac didn’t need to prepare by reading “101 Keys to being a Good Sacrifice.” He was tied up and placed on the altar. His fate was entirely in the hands of his father and God. God provided another way for Abraham and Isaac that day. But, think about what it means to be a living sacrifice.
A sacrifice has completely surrendered their will. They don’t have grandiose plans for the future. Their future is in the hands of the One they’ve surrendered to. Personal ambition has been cast aside in hope that God will offer something greater. But, this isn’t martyrdom. This is a living sacrifice.
So, think for a minute: how do we go about our daily routine as a living sacrifice? How do we set aside our will and our personal ambition when it comes to our families, our jobs, and our leisure?
That was just step one. The second test is to forsake the opinion and views of this world in exchange for allowing God to renew our minds. We were born with a sinful nature into a sinful world. That’s two strikes against us. Sinful people fit well in a sinful world. But, godly people who are prone to sin have a tougher time.
We have to find ways of turning off the noise around us and allowing God’s thoughts to supersede ours. That’s not as complicated as it sounds.
The world indoctrinates us through media, through thoughts and attitudes, and through temptation. Every electronic device that delivers the world’s viewpoint has an off button. Now, I’m not saying trade in your car for a black buggy and travel back in time to 100 years ago. There was sin back then too.
What I am getting at is that you and I have the ability to control what influences us. We can choose to watch endless hours of TV. We can choose to read and study God’s Word. We can even choose to read inspirational blogs if we want too.
Our minds are renewed by the Word of God. Much of what God’s Word says is counter to what the world says. On some issues, this is a relief. On other issues, it’s a little harder to swallow. But, God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9).
When we surrender our ambitions and agendas and forsake the world’s way of thinking, then we can discern God’s will more clearly. We are no longer drawn toward possessions, pleasure or prestige to define who we are and what we are meant to do. We know that we belong to God and that trumps everything else.
How can you daily surrender yourself and all that you do to God? How can you immerse yourself in God’s Word and tune out the world?
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