- Tuesday, 9/3/19 Job 29:2, Oh that I were as in months past... Job 30:1, But now... Quit whining and pining for what was. Deal with what is. God feels that you are able to deal with your present circumstances or
1 Cor 10:13 isn’t true. So, get wisdom, subdue your fears, and march forth to today’s battle. You can!! He’s with you!! Right now, stop, humble yourself, and invite Him to come alongside for the day. Titus 1:5, For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting... The purpose of leadership is to solve problems. If you are in charge of anything (family, business, bus route, class, department), you are there to fix things; to make them better; to run more effectively and efficiently. The boss put you there to make a good thing excellent, or a bad thing better. Are you doing your job?
- Wednesday, 9/4/19 Psalm 145:8-9, The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. If any two verses could sum up our entire Christian duty, it may be these two. Go to it. Reread and copy. Titus 1:5, For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting... Leaders are to be problem solvers. If there is a problem in your sphere of influence, it’s your job to work on it. DO NOT hide behind the lame excuse of “It’s always been that way...” If it’s always been that way under you, shame on you. If you inherited a mess, fix it.
- Thursday, 9/5/19 Joshua 7:1, ...for Achan...took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. This man who was a “nobody” did wrongly, and became part of the problem. Are you making problems or preventing them? Helping or hindering the work? Bringing blessings or bringing death to comrades? Yes, YOUR sin is that big of a deal. Titus 1:5, For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting... How to fix a problem: 1Identify the problem. Investigate and be honest. If you’re part of the problem, man up and admit it. 2Think of a solution. Get advice from your boss or others with wisdom; pray (duh!). 3Devise a solution. Better yet, devise a few and take them to your boss and see what he/she’d like you to do. 4Implement the solution with wisdom. Expect some resistance; unforeseen problems, and BE PATIENT. The “gripes” your subordinates voice may have some legitimacy. 5Use as much tact as possible. How would you like to be treated if you were in the "rank and file"? Hmmm..."do unto others as you would have them do unto you"...I read that somewhere sometime...
- Friday, 9/6/19 Exodus 34:7, [God keeps] mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty... Definitions: transgressions: accidentally doing wrongly. Stepping over the line. A “normal” foul. Sin: purposefully doing wrongly: a flagrant foul. Iniquity: the permission given to self to decide what’s good and bad; switching from player to referee, or even to league commissioner. 1 Kings 11:1-2, But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. Be VERY aware of the possibility of a new relationship affecting a current one; or a relationship with a less important person/thing damaging a relationship of more importance.
- Saturday, 9/7/19 Titus 2:11-12, For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. We’re saved from sin’s penalty by grace; grace also teaches us how to live from sin. We must beware that we do not get “holy enough” or “religious enough.” There’s more sin in our hearts to eradicate. Philippians 4:5-7, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Vv5-6 produce V7. Our boundaries, staying away from extremes of anger or depression (v5) coupled with an awareness of Who’s watching, added to disciplined thinking away from worry but availing ourselves of prayer produces peace, and protects, shields our hearts and minds.
- Sunday, 9/8/19 Romans 14:5, One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Do you KNOW what you say you know? If an unbeliever asked why salvation is not by works, would you show them? Deity of Christ? Which Bible? Standards of dress and activity? Gambling? God’s order in a home? (And a hundred others...) Romans 14:10, 13, But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. We are not responsible for another’s beliefs. However, we must know our stuff. Live what we know. Offer/try to teach those who don’t know or are wrong. Love them in spite of their differences or errors. Be as patient with others as Christ had to be with you when you were a baby Christian.
- Monday, 9/9/19 Proverbs 1:5a, A wise man will hear, and will increase learning. There are two goals here: being wise and increasing in learning. NEVER be satisfied with your level of knowledge nor with your level of performance: you’re NOT wise enough to quit; you’re NOT holy enough to be complacent. Proverbs 1:23a, Turn you at my reproof... A reproof is a negative in life that we usually brought upon ourselves. What is our reaction to “a bad day”? Oftentimes, it’s anger or railing or “letting off steam.” No, we should calm our spirit and ask God to show us what we did wrong to cause the glitch or what we can learn from the glitch.
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