The Simple Life


Ecclesiastes 4:6

"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."

I remember going to visit my grandparents when I was a young boy. Neither set of grandparents had a lavish home. I remember visiting my mother's parents in Illinois. My grandmother did not have a big home. I believe she had a two bedroom house, and the porch was converted into another room in which to sleep when we came to visit. Her simple home was nothing you would look back to and wish you could have, but the one thing that stands out in my mind is that she was happy.

My father's parents also had a very small home. They lived in a small town in Shelby, Indiana. Their home was a three bedroom home, but two of the three bedrooms were nothing more than an oversized closet. They lived in that home for several decades and seemed to be very happy living there.

When I look back to both sets of grandparents, I see they did not have big homes or lavish possessions, but what they did have was happiness. I believe their happiness came from living a simple life. They didn't feel they needed all the updated technologies or possessions that others had. Though they didn't have a lot of possessions, their simple life did give them happiness.

The verse above says, "Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit." One of the things many miss in life is the happiness that a simple life brings. You can have your hands full with every possession the world offers, and have all the newest technological gadgets, but if you don't have happiness, you are a very poor person. Too many people get caught up in making their life complex by having to have more, thus they bring strife and discontent into their homes. You will always find that those who tend to live a more simple life will normally have a happier life because they don't have to squabble over "things."

You would be wise not to get caught up in the status game. Be careful that you don't purchase a home that is truly too big for your family. I'm not against bigger homes, but I do feel that sometimes we purchase homes that are too big, and the price of those homes force husband and wife to have to work to pay the bills. Always remember when you purchase a home that eventually your children will be gone. Don't think that you have to have a bigger home just to stay up with someone else.

Furthermore, be careful about falling into the trap of always having to get some gadget or technological device that someone else has. Most of us have, at one time or another, gotten something we really didn't need, and ended up selling it in a yard sale. Learn to wait a while before going out and buying something that someone else has. You will find that many times you really don't need it.

Christian, there is nothing wrong with having things, but don't fall into the trap of having to have something because someone else has it, or getting something for the sake of status. Live within your means. When you learn to keep your life simple, you will find true happiness is easier to obtain.


You're Not Spiritual Enough

Job 1:5

"And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually."

Having godly parents is a great blessing for anyone. Certainly, when you look at Job's children, they could easily say that they had a godly dad. For God to give the commendation to Satan about Job is nothing short of amazing. God said there was no one like Job. God bragged about Job's spirituality. His children had no excuse not to be spiritual themselves.

However, one of the mistakes that Job made was thinking he could be spiritual for his children. It says in the verse above that Job sacrificed burnt offerings for his children just in case they sinned against God. Job felt that he could do for them what they should've done for themselves. Job needed to understand that as much as he loved his children, he could not pass his spirituality down to them like an inheritance.

Parent, you cannot be spiritual enough to pass your spirituality down to your children. Being spiritual is not a possession; it is an action. Far too many parents think their children are spiritual because they serve God. As much as I love my daughter, I cannot pass my spirituality down to her as an inheritance. I am only as spiritual as I am because I do what I'm supposed to do. If your children are going to be spiritual, then they must do spiritual things. Your children will not be spiritual because you are. They will be spiritual because they do right.

However, you can be spiritual enough to influence them in the ways of God. Though you cannot pass your spirituality down to them, you can influence them in the right ways to become what they are supposed to be. This is what you must understand about rearing your children. Your children are not going to become spiritual through osmosis, but you can make sure that all of their influences are spiritual so that they have a better chance of choosing to do spiritual things.

If you want your children to be spiritual, then be sure they're in a constant atmosphere of spirituality. In other words, make your home life a spiritual life. Don't leave your spirituality at church; instead live a spiritual life 24/7. Be sure your children attend spiritual activities. When the youth department at your church has activities, be sure they are involved in those activities so they can have an enjoyable time in a spiritual atmosphere.

Furthermore, be sure your children have spiritual friends. Friends will influence your children more than anything else. One of your responsibilities as a parent is to be sure your children have the right friends. They may not like you telling them not to spend time with a certain person, but it is your responsibility to be sure their friends are spiritual.

Finally, be sure you do spiritual things with them. Every night it would be good to have family devotions. Read the Scriptures and pray with your children on a daily basis. Be sure they have a personal time alone with God.

It would be a wonderful thing if we could put in our will that we are passing our spirituality down to our children, but we can't. So, the best thing you can do is to be sure they are around a spiritual atmosphere and that they do spiritual things. Ultimately, spirituality is their choice, but you can make sure their choice is influenced by spiritual things.


Should I Flee?

Nehemiah 6:11

"And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in."

Opposition is always going to be a part of the ministry. The enemy is never thrilled when God's work is going forward. Nehemiah figured that out early in the project of rebuilding the walls. Two of his chief opponents were Sanballat and Tobiah. These men were evil and were bent on stopping the rebuilding of the walls.

One of their attacks was to falsely accuse Nehemiah of rebuilding the walls so that he could rebel and become king of Israel. Of course, they spread this rumor trying to scare Nehemiah into quitting. Then they asked Nehemiah to come and meet with them to discuss this accusation. Nehemiah wisely asked himself, "Should such a man as I flee?" Not knowing whether their threats were real, Nehemiah kept on building and did not allow the threats to deter him from what the LORD called him to do.

One of the ugly parts of serving the LORD is dealing with threats. Nobody likes to deal with the threats of the enemy. Sadly, many times these threats come from Christian brethren. As much as we would like to change this from happening, it is part of the ministry and you will have to deal with it. Dealing with these threats will literally make or break your success. Let me give you some advice on what to do when threats come your way.

First, don't run! If you run, then the enemy's threats have succeeded. Their purpose is to get you to stop doing the LORD's work. If you run, you will never know how the LORD will deliver you. Imagine if Nehemiah would have run. The walls would have never been finished, and the motivating story of the Book of Nehemiah would not be here to read. When threats come your way, dig your heals in and decide to stay. You don't know if the threats are empty or real, but most of the time they will be empty threats.

Second, stay focused on the work at hand. In the midst of threats, Nehemiah kept building the wall. He didn't become sidetracked with the threat and pull the workers from the wall to hold their swords; instead, they simply put a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other and kept on building. When threats come, keep doing the LORD's work. Don't stop soul winning, preaching, praying and helping lives to fight the threats. Let the LORD take care of the threats while you keep doing His work. What better way to get the LORD to fight for you than to continue doing His work.

Third, don't negotiate with the opponent. When threats come, part of what they want you to do is to change. Nehemiah kept building the wall and would not meet with these wicked men to discuss the threats. When threats come, there is nothing to talk about. What are you going to discuss; how to compromise? You must determine that you are going to continue doing what you have always done. Don't ever sit at the negotiating table with the opponent. If you do, they win and you lose.

Friend, as much as we don't like this subject, this is a real part of the ministry. I have had to deal with these threats several times in my ministry and have had to help others deal with threats. These three steps have helped me and will help you to keep doing the LORD's work. In the midst of threats always remember 2 Chronicles 20:15, "Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's." Let God fight the battles while you continue doing what the LORD has called and commanded you to do.


So, I Prayed

Nehemiah 2:4

"Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven."

What was the secret to Nehemiah's ability to overcome every obstacle that stood between him and completing the wall of Jerusalem? Was it his position with the king that caused him to be successful? I think not! Was it his ability to plan? I think not! Was it his ability to rally others to his cause? I think not? Was it his ability to outwit the enemy? I think not! Was it his charisma or personality? I think not! Was it his prowess to stand alone? I think not! One who wonders may come up with many good answers that may have contributed to his success, but the answer is found in the verse above when he said, "So I prayed..." This is why he found such great success in building the wall.

Nehemiah's success comes down to one thing; he prayed! Though his talent was part of the reason for his success, it was his prayer life that enhanced that talent. Though bravery was a small portion of his capability to withstand the enemy, it was his prayer life that strengthened him in times of fear. Though his position may have given him access to the king so his petition could be heard, it was his prayer life that caused God to move the heart of the king to listen. Though his leadership ability was one of the best in the Scriptures, it was his prayer life that helped to guide his leadership ability. The greatest attribute of Nehemiah was that he prayed.

Nehemiah's prayer life was more than just a repetition of a prayer list, it was a pouring out of his heart. His prayer life was more than a time that he set aside to pray. His prayer life was a part of his life. He didn't leave his prayer life in the prayer closet, but he took his prayer life with him throughout the day. At a moments notice he was praying to God for a need to be supplied. Whenever he faced any problem, he prayed. That was Nehemiah's great secret to success.

You will only be as successful as your prayer life. Yes, your talent may take you to great heights, but a prayer life will take you to greater heights. Certainly, your charisma may take you places that others would never see, but a prayer life will take you to places that you could not imagine. Without a doubt, your associations with the right people will help you obtain the resources you need, but a prayer life will supply every need when others try to cut off your resources. Your valor may help you to not flinch with the enemy's attack, but a prayer life will bring the enemy's attack to nought. Your determination may help you not quit when faced with great adversity, but your prayer life will help you to overcome all adversity.

Like Nehemiah, it should be said about you, "So, he prayed!" That is the answer to what you face today. You can try every method, philosophy and theory, but prayer is the only thing that will bring you through. I don't know what you face today, but you need to pray. You will find that the hardest thing you will accomplish in your Christian life is having a prayer life, but if you can establish one you will find God's hand will be upon you.

If there is anything I can ever motivate you to do, it would be to pray. More than anything else in the life, your prayer life will determine the degree of success you will have in the Christian life. A prayer life will not demand your time, but you must demand time to pray. Set everything else aside if you must, but pray. It is better to let other things slip, but don't ever let your prayer life slip. Let prayer be at the tip of your tongue in everything you do. Let prayer be the answer to which you run for every obstacle and problem you face.


The Power of Influence

2 Chronicles 24:1-2

"Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beersheba. And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest."

Jehoiada's influence on Joash's life was great. Joash grew up in a home with a wicked mother. It is simply amazing that he did anything right for the LORD. His father followed Ahab's life and lived wickedly. His mother was a contributor to her husband's lifestyle. In fact, when her husband was killed, she tried to kill all of her children because she wanted the power of the throne of Israel. Simply put, she was a wicked woman.

Yet, Jehoiada, the priest, saved the life of Joash. His influence on this young man's life caused him to do right. In spite of the home in which he was reared, and in spite of his wicked parents, the influence of a man of God on a young man's life caused him to turn out right.

Influence is very important. Whoever gains the influence in someone's life will determine what that person becomes. I look in my life and I can remember several people who had an influence in who I became. Of course, my parents had a great influence in giving me proper character traits. Dr. Jack Hyles had great influence in what type of preacher I became. A layperson, Jack Compton, had a great influence in my work habits. Pastor Rick Flanders had an influence in placing a fire in my heart to travel. A school teacher, Bernadine Fenters, placed a belief in me that God had something for me. These are just a few people who had an influence in my life. If one of them would have abused their influence, I may not be here today, and those whom God has used me to help would not have been helped.

Christian, you should never underestimate the power of influence you have in someone's life. I promise you, some of these names I mentioned above had no idea how much influence they had in my life. There is someone whom God has placed in your life with whom you have influence. It doesn't matter how much influence you have, it's the fact that you have some influence that can change the course of their life.

Moreover, because you have influence in someone's life, you need to be careful to live right. It would be sad if the one whom you influence saw you doing wrong. It would be sad if the moment you did wrong they saw it, and they deemed it okay to do the same wrong because they saw you do it. You must do right all the time because you don't want to be guilty of influencing someone the wrong way.

Furthermore, don't abuse your influence. When you know you have influence in someone's life, you need to be sure that you use that influence for good. God entrusted you to have influence over someone's life, and He will hold you accountable for how you used it.

Influence is a privilege to have, but with this privilege come great responsibility not to lead a person in the wrong way or to cause them to become disillusioned. I encourage you to look at your life and see if there is something you need to change that would cause those with whom you have influence to do wrong. Always live your life as if someone is watching you, because there is someone watching you, and what you do will either cause someone to do right or wrong. Live your life to cause others to do right.


The Spark for Revival

2 Chronicles 7:14

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Revival is certainly needed in our day. You look at society and realize that we are in desperate need of revival. When marriage is under attack by supporters of sodomite marriages; we need a revival. When alcohol flows through the streets of our country like water and is encouraged by the president, sports leagues and liberal preachers alike; we need revival. When the life of a baby in the womb of her mother is of less value than animal life; we need revival. When the morality thermometer is at the bottom and society is not disturbed; we need revival. We could go on and on about the need of revival, and I seriously believe most understand that we need revival.

However, the need for revival doesn't seem to stir God's people to do what it takes to achieve it. According to the verse above, revival is not based upon whether the world does right, it is based upon whether God's people do right. Notice, "If my people,..." It didn't say if the heathen, it said God's people. Revival is totally dependent upon God's people doing what it takes to have revival.

Moreover, the key to the verse above is the word, "humble." God says the spark that starts revival is if God's people will "humble themselves." It takes humility for a person to realize they can't send revival, but revival only comes through the name of Christ. It takes humility for a person to swallow their pride and fall on their face and pray. It takes humility for a person to forsake every other idea that they've learned from books and college to seek the face of God. It takes humility to leave your wicked ways and acknowledge that God's ways are right. Humility is the spark that starts revival.

We say we want to have our prayers answered from Heaven, but we won't humble ourselves. We say we want our sins to be forgiven, but we won't humble ourselves. We say we want our land to be healed, but we won't humble ourselves. We can talk about revival until we are blue in the face, but when you look at the altars of our churches you realize that when they are empty we truly don't want revival. When you look at the prayer closets and see they are empty, you realize it is because we don't honestly want revival. When you look at Christians redefining sin instead of taking God's definition, you quickly realize we don't truly want revival.

Friend, most would say, "Amen" to everything I've written, but you must realize it starts with YOU! You must be the one to humble yourself and do what it takes to spark a revival. You must get rid of your sin to spark the embers of revival. You must be the one who daily prays to spark God to answer prayers. It all starts with personal responsibility.

Revival starts when every individual takes personal responsibility to humble themselves and do what God says is necessary to have revival. Too often we say we want revival, but we look at everyone else and say they need to make these changes. It starts with you today! Do you want revival? Will you humble yourself and forsake your sins? Friend, each one of us needs to look at ourselves honestly, and realize that it doesn't matter what everyone else does, it only matters what we personally do with this verse. If you will honestly humble yourself before God and realize you of yourself cannot send revival, and that your sins have hindered revival and prayerlessness has impeded revival, then your action will be the spark to start revival. I challenge you to be that spark of revival in your world and humble yourself before God.