DEFUSING THE SITUATION

MARCH 1 Bible Reading: James 1:12-20

Key Verse: 20 -For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Key Words: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God Have you ever noticed that some people have short fuses? Now a short fuse with an explosive temper is a dangerous thing. James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us three things that reveal Gods fruitfulness (verse 19). 1. We will be quick to listen to others. 2. We will be slow to say what we are thinking. 3. We will be slow to retaliate. Anger does not defuse situations, it ignites them. Im reminded of a situation involving actress Carol Burnett. One day as she was getting out of a cab her coat was caught in the door. The driver was unaware of her plight and slowly began to edge out into the traffic. To keep from being pulled off her feet, the comedienne had to run along side down the block. A passerby noticed her predicament and quickly alerted the driver. He stopped, jumped out, and released Miss Burnetts coat. Are you all right? he asked anxiously. Yes, she gasped, but how much more do I owe you? Her humor and her being slow to wrath defused what could have been a volatile situation. On many occasions a volatile situation can be defused by asking God to help us be slow to wrath. What to do: Today and everyday, ask God to help you fulfill James 1:19-20.

LETS TALK ABOUT RESPECT

MARCH 2 Bible Reading: Psalm 40:1-10
Key Verse: 4 - Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not
the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Key Words: and respecteth not the proud Respect must be earned! How many times have you heard that one? Well, its true, you know, respect cant be demanded; it must be deserved. It comes through

our actions and attitude toward others. The Bible teaches us that we reap what we sow. If I want respect, I must give respect, but the proud only respect three people: me, myself, and I. As a result, they generally only get respect from those three and no more. James Whistler, the Victorian artist, showed scant respect for the hierarchy of any profession. When his poodle fell ill with a throat infection, he sent immediately for the countrys leading ear, nose, and throat specialist, Sir Morell Mackenzie. The great man was not amused when he was shown his patient, but he conducted a thorough examination, wrote out a prescription, and left with his fee. The next day Whistler received a message asking him to call on Mackenzie without delay. Fearing some development in the poodles condition, Whistler hurried to the doctors house. So good of you to come, Mr. Whistler, said Mackenzie as his visitor was shown in. I wanted to see you about having my front door painted. Amen! If I want respect, I must give something a person of pride has a very difficult time doing. What to do: You want respect then respect others!

GIVING CREDIT
MARCH 3
Bible Reading: Luke 11:14-23 Key Verse: 15 - But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the
chief of the devils.

Key Words: he casteth out devils through Beelzebub Have you ever completed a task only to have someone else receive the credit for it? Im sure we have all faced those situations on occasion. There are times I receive credit for what others actually have done the bulk, if not all, the work. Then there are those occasions when others receive the credit for what Ive done. In our text, there are those who refuse to give Jesus the credit that is rightfully due Him. What a shame! There are those who for whatever reason have a difficult time giving others due credit for what they have done. Im reminded of a story I read about a free-lance photographer. The story goes like this: On occasion I do free-lance photography for local newspapers and magazines, and I take great pride in my work. At a party one evening, I was introduced to an extremely pompous gentleman who writes a weekly piece for a publication that had just used one of my pictures. After telling me how he liked the "rather interesting"

composition and tones I had used in my latest work, he said, "You must have a good camera." I then mentioned that I had enjoyed his most recent article, and added, "You must have a good typewriter." The moral of the story is we should give credit where credit is due. Do you do that? I hope so! What to do: Give credit where credit is due and youll never go wrongif you just give God the glory!

BEAUTY
MARCH 4
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 21:1-14 Key Verse: 11 - And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire
unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;

Key Words: And thou seest among the captives a beautiful woman Focus, if you would, on verses 11-14. The principle is that once you take away her beauty, are you still desirous of her? Ive often said, Outer beauty draws attention; inner beauty keeps it. Sam Jarrett wrote for Readers Digest: My wife was grading a science test at home that she had given to her elementary-school class and was reading some of the results to me. The subject was The Human Body, and the first question was: Name one of the major functions of the skin. One child wrote: To keep people who look at you from throwing up. We do live in a world that I call the beauty craze. We spend more money on looking good than just about anything else. But what about that inner beauty of soul and spirit, do we spend time with God making them beautiful? Charles William Eliot (1834-1926), former president of Harvard University, had a birthmark on his face that bothered him greatly. As a young man, he was told that surgeons could do nothing to remove it. Someone described that moment as "the dark hour of his soul." Eliot's mother gave him this helpful advice: "My son, it is not possible for you to get rid of that hardship.... But it is possible for you, with God's help, to grow a mind and soul so big that people will forget to look at your face."

Now, maybe just maybe, this should be our goal rather than all of our time and resources being spent on outer beauty. What to do: Im not opposed to outer beauty. Praise God for it, but outer beauty without inner beauty loses its value. Keep yourself, not only outerly beautiful, but innerly beautiful as well.

THE FUNNY SIDE OF CONCEIT

MARCH 5 Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-8, 16
Key Verses: 3,16 3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is
among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Key Words: 3not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think 16Be not wise in your own conceits Can I confess something to you? I know that a conceited person can be downright nauseating, sickening to the core; but I find myself amused by their conceit. Im reminded of the story about Lady Nancy Astor, the first woman ever seated in the British House of Commons, who encountered a lot of male antagonism but proved herself capable of giving as well as receiving in that arena. Once, at a formal dinner, Lady Astor said to her neighbor that she considered men to be more conceited than women. Noticing that she had been heard around the table, she continued loudly, Its a pity that the most intelligent and learned men attach the least importance to the way they dress. Why, right at this table the most cultivated man is wearing the most clumsily knotted tie! The words were scarcely out of her mouth before every man in the room secretly reached up to adjust his tie. So to all of those who think they are Gods great gift to society, we salute you with a laugh. Thank you for brightening up our day! What to do: Youre not going to change a conceited person so you might as well enjoy them.

LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH NO REGRETS

MARCH 6
Bible Reading: Judges 11:1-11 and verses 30-35 Key Verse: 35 - And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and
said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.

Key Words: I have opened my mouthcannot go back It is better to sleep on what you plan to do than to be kept awake by what youve done. How many times do we find both in the Bible and in our churches people living with regrets because of their choices? In 1904 William Borden, heir to the Borden Dairy Estate, graduated from a Chicago high school a millionaire. His parents gave him a trip around the world. Traveling through Asia, the middle East, and Europe gave Borden a burden for the world's hurting people. Writing home, he said, "I'm going to give my life to prepare for the mission field." When he made this decision, he wrote in the back of his Bible two words: "No Reserves." Turning down high-paying job offers after graduating from Yale University, he entered two more words in his Bible: "No Retreats." Completing studies at Princeton Seminary, Borden sailed for China to work with Muslims, stopping first at Egypt for some preparation. While there he was stricken with cerebral meningitis and died within a month. A waste, you say! Not in God's plan. In his Bible underneath the words "No Reserves" and "No Retreats," he had written the words "No Regrets." We all must live with our choices. Choose so you can live with no regrets. What to do: Todays choices are tomorrows rejoices or regrets.

COVETOUSNESS
(BRINGS WITH IT A 100% GUARANTEE.)
MARCH 7
Bible Reading: Exodus 20:17 and Joshua 7:1-9, 20-26 Key Verse: 17- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbours wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbours.

Key Words: Thou shalt not covet Are you aware of the fact that covetousness always destroys? On every occasion in Gods Word where you find the word covet, covets, coveteth, covetousness you always find death and destructionevery time. No wonder God told His people, Thou shalt not covet. Recently I laid a small circle of poison around a hill of stinging ants. Thinking the tiny granules of poison were food, the ants began to pick them up and carry them throughout the colony. I returned later to see how well the poison was working. Hundreds of the stinging ants were carrying the poison down into their hill. Then I noticed a hole in the circle of poison. Some of the poison was moving the opposite way-away from the hill. Some smaller, non-stinging ants had found this food and were stealing it from their ant neighbors. Thinking they were getting the other ants treasure, they poisoned themselves. When we see someone with more than we have, we must beware. The hunger to beg, borrow, or steal our way into what is theirs may poison us spiritually. Covetousnessa 100% guarantee to destroy!! What to do: Ask God to give you victory over covetousness. Live with contentment.

A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION
Bible Reading: Philippians 1:21-30 MARCH 8
Key Verse: 27- Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that
whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Key Words: striving together for the faith of the gospel Let me begin by saying there are some things I cannot cooperate with. I cant cooperate with the ACLU. I cant cooperate with the Gay & Lesbian Movement. I cant cooperate with those who advocate abortion. I think you get the idea. But

when it comes to our church family and stands against sinnot methodologybut sin, we can accomplish more through cooperation than fighting our wars alone. It reminds me of a story told by Charles Osgood about two ladies who lived in a convalescent center. Each had suffered an incapacitating stroke. Margarets stroke left her left side restricted, while Ruths stroke damaged her right side. Both of these ladies were accomplished pianists but had given up hope of ever playing again. The director of the center sat them down at a piano and encouraged them to play solo pieces together. They did, and a beautiful friendship developed. What a picture of the churchs needing to work together! What one member cannot do alone, perhaps two or more could do togetherin harmony. I think you get the picture. So lets be challenged to work with a spirit of cooperation. We stand together or fall alone. The choice is yours. What to do: When it comes to the gospel let us strive together.

FLEXABILITY
Bible Reading: I Corinthians 10:20-33
the profit of many, that they may be saved.

MARCH 9

Key Verse: 33- Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but Key Words: Even as I please all men in all things As you read these verses, you would think that Paul was a compromiser, which is not the case. Paul understood that to offend is to loose. Have you ever been offended by someone? Now, be honest, after they offended you could they reach you for Christ? Not likely! Paul understood that every bridge has some give. We call it flexibility, and he who is not flexible is very breakable. Years ago, Frank Lloyd Wright was given the impossible task of building the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. No comparable construction job ever before had been undertaken. With patience he laid plans for the immense building in this land of earthquakes and terrible tremors. After carefully reviewing the situation, he found that eight feet below the surface of the ground lay a sixty-foot bed of soft mud. Why not float the great structure on this and in some way make it absorb the shock of an earthquake? After four years of work, amid ridicule and jeers of skeptical onlookers, this most difficult building in the world was completed, and soon arrived the day which tested it completely. The worst earthquake in fifty-two years caused houses

and buildings all around to tumble and fall in ruins. But the Imperial Hotel stood, because it was able to adjust itself to the tremors of the earth. And that is the way Paul was. He did not compromise, but he did not offend either. He knew it was a balancing act. It may not be easy to hold to our standards and yet not offend others in the process, but it can be done. Paul did it! What to do: Be flexible or you will be breakable.

DETERRED
Bible Reading: II Timothy 4:1-10 MARCH 10
Key Verse: 10- For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is
departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Key Words: for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world In other words, Demas had become deterred. It did not happen overnight. It was a process. Being deterred is always a process. Achan saw and then coveted. Then he took. Lot looked at Sodom. He then pitched his tent towards Sodom. Then he moved into Sodom. So it was with Demas. In Philemon, Demas was called fellow-laborer. In Colossians 4:14, Paul simply mentioned his name, and then in II Timothy, he was mentioned as having forsaken Paul. The love for the world deterred him and kept him from moving forward. It was 1804. Napoleon Bonaparte stared with frustration across the English Channel towards his nemesis. Behind him was the invincible Grande Armee, nearly 200,000 crack veterans all straining at the leash to crush the hated English. Everything was ready for the invasion: the transport barges, the escort fleet, ammunition, cavalry, artillery, ambulance wagons, and even field bakeries. Every last detail had been meticulously planned. It was merely a matter of crossing the 28 miles of water in a single nights journey. Yet for month after month Napoleon paced the beach at Boulogne, hesitating to act. Finally, after over a year of waiting, he suddenly turned his huge army around and marched it into the heart of Europe. The plan to invade England was laid aside forever. The thing that had stopped the great conqueror at the height of his career was the Royal Navy, Britains wall of oak. Out of sight, just over the horizon, it was nevertheless always foremost in Napoleons doubts. And though the future Emperors own fleet outnumbered the British, he dared not test it. That is the power of deterrence, that the true effectiveness of a strategic system is in the mind of the enemy.

What enemy is deterring you today? Is it fear, doubt, money, love for the world? What is it that has deterred you from your moving forward for God? Today would be a good day to start back on track moving forward for God. What to do: Judge yourself. Ask am I a servant of God more today than I was in the past. If not, youve been deterred. Get back on track.

SOME THOUGHTS ON WORLDLINESS

Bible Reading: I John 2:15-21
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

MARCH 11

Key Verse: 15- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man Key Words: love not the world Dave Rogers, in his article The Strength of a Man, says: The Bible defines worldliness by centering morality where we intuitively know it should be. Worldliness is the lust of the flesh (a passion for sensual satisfaction), the lust of the eyes (an inordinate desire for the finer things of life), and the pride of life (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done). Worldliness, then, is a preoccupation with ease and affluence. It elevates creature comforts to the point of idolatry; large salaries and comfortable life-styles become necessities of life. Worldliness is reading magazines about people who live hedonistic lives and spend too much money on themselves and wanting to be like them. But more importantly, worldliness is simply pride and selfishness in disguises. It is being resentful when someone snubs us or patronizes us or shows off. It means smarting under every slight, challenging every word spoken against us, cringing when another is preferred before us. Worldliness is harboring grudges, nursing grievances, and wallowing in self-pity. These are the ways in which we are most like the world. Love of the world is sin, and Charles Spurgeon says the following regarding sin: If I had a brother who had been murdered, what would you think of me if I daily consorted with the assassin who drove the dagger into my brothers heart; surely I too must be an accomplice in the crime. Sin murdered Christ. Will you be a friend to it? Sin pierced the heart of the Incarnate God; can you love it?

I John 5:4,5 says: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? What to do: Daily, even moment by moment, ask God to reveal worldliness to you and give you victory over it.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE?

Bible Reading: Mark 8:31-38
his own soul?

MARCH 12

Key Verse: 36- For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose Key Words: if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? I have observed two key mistakes people make in regard to what they value. First, Ive noticed at death, whether it be at our imminent death or the death of a loved one, values change. On April 14, 1912, 10:00 p.m. the Titanic crashed into an iceberg in the midAtlantic and four hours later sank. One woman in a life boat asked if she could go back to her room. She was given only three minutes to do so. She hurried down the corridors, already tilting dangerously, through the gambling room piled ankle-deep in money. In her room were her treasures waiting to be taken, but instead, she snatched up three oranges and hurried back to the boat. One hour before she would have naturally chosen diamonds over oranges, but in the face of death, values are seen more clearly. Now, while I would recommend God rather than oranges, I think you get the point that values change. Second, I have found that people have misplaced values. A.E. Hotchner writes: When actress Sophia Loren sobbed to Italian movie director Vittoria De Sica over the theft of her jewelry, he lectured her: Listen to me, Sophia. I am much older than you and if there is one great truth I have learned about life, it is this never cry over anything that cant cry over you.

Not bad advice! Love people and use things or you will end up loving things and using people. Think about it. What to do: Make God first in your value system. Youll never go wrong and you will be glad you did.

NOW THATS EMBARRASSING

MARCH 13 Bible Reading: Joshua 7:1-10
Key Verse: 5- And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they Key Words: for they chased them from before the gate Have you ever embarrassed yourself? Well, I have more times than I care to think about. I realize that there is a lot of theology in Joshua 7, but for just a moment, think about how embarrassed Joshua and Israel must have been. A nation defeated in battle by a city. How embarrassed they must have been! It is these embarrassing times, as uncomfortable as they may be, that humble us and remind us just how human we are and how much we do rely on the flesh. The author of the following is unknown to me: My sister, Becky, prepared a pasta dish for a dinner party she was giving. In her haste, however, she forgot to refrigerate the spaghetti sauce, and it sat on the counter all day. She was worried about spoilage, but it was too late to cook up another batch. She called the local Poison Control Center and voiced her concern. They advised Becky to boil the sauce again. That night, the phone rang during dinner and a guest volunteered to answer it. Her face dropped as the guest called out, Its the Poison Control Center. They want to know how the spaghetti sauce turned out. Now, that is embarrassing!
chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

So the next time you are embarrassed, remember we all have been where you are. Grin and bear it and learn a lesson in humility. What to do: Do not let embarrassing moments anger you. Youll just embarrass yourself again if you do.

THOSE DREADED TAXES

Bible Reading: Matthew 17:14-27 MARCH 14
Key Verse: 27- Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and
cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Key Words: that take, and give unto them for me and thee I do believe we are to pay our taxes and render unto Caesar what is rightfully Caesars (as long as Caesar stays within the bounds of reason). My problem is not in paying taxes. My problem, like most Americans is the way our money is spent waste, fraud, bailouts how ridiculous. Here in Alabama, as well as in some other states, laws have been passed to rid us of illegal aliens primarily because they are taking jobs and money away from the tax of our dear state. And while I agree that the illegal alien issue needs to be addressed, I see a lot of inconsistencies in our politicians who, in this area, cry out against the illegals because of the loss of jobs and money while there are many of their comrades in politics who are robbing us blind. I wonder who is taking more money and jobs away from Alabama and our nation: illegal aliens or deceptive, fraudulent politicians. I am reminded of a humorous tale Ive heard on several occasions, which goes like this: A robber walked up to a man in Washington D.C. and pointed a gun toward him and said, Give me your money. The man being robbed replied, Im a U.S. Congressman. I dont have any money.

The would-be thief thought for a second and then said, Alright then. Give me MY money! There is a lot of truth in that! What to do: Pay your taxes, but demand honesty and integrity from your politicians!

SOUND LIKE ANYONE YOU KNOW?

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-21 MARCH 15
Key Verse: 21- For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christs. Key Words: For all seek their own The motto of our day is what is in it for me? This certainly is not a new motto. Its as old as Adam and Eve. I recently read the following from an article Learning to Trust by Bernie May. As you read the fable, ask yourself: does this sound like any one you know? For the past forty years Eunice Pike has worked with the Mazatee Indians in south-western Mexico. During this time she discovered some interesting things about these beautiful people. For instance, the people seldom wish someone well. Not only that, they are hesitant to teach one another or to share the gospel with each other. If asked, Who taught you to bake bread? the village baker answers, I just know, meaning he has acquired the knowledge without anyones help. Eunice says this odd behavior stems from the Indians concept of limited good. They believe there is only so much good, so much knowledge, so much love to go around. To teach another means you might drain yourself of knowledge. To love a second child means you have to love the first child less. To wish someone well Have a nice daymeans you have just given away some of your own happiness, which cannot be reacquired. What a warped view, which is the result of a wrong value system and I might add a wrong god as well. I leave you with this thought from I John 4:7,8- Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. What to do: Brighten the corner where you are!

GRAMMAR: IT IS IMPORTANT
MARCH 16 Bible Reading: Acts 24:10-21
Key Verse: 16- And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of
offence toward God, and toward men.

Key Words: void of offence toward God, and toward men Ive had three great influences in life in regard to the importance of proper grammar: first my wife, her motto is If it is worth saying, it is worth saying correctly. Then there is my oldest daughter: Christina Genea. It should have been Christina Grammar. Whenever I hear her say and I know I just said it incorrectly. Third there was Jan Bemarkt, my English professor in collegeI cannot repeat what she called me, not that it was vulgar. It was just embarrassing. These three have taught me the importance of using proper grammar. I have discovered that proper grammar never offends, but improper grammar does! William Safire gives a lighthearted look at grammar and good usage. The following are fumblerules. Mistakes that call attention to the rule: Avoid run-on sentences they are hard to read. No sentence fragments. It behooves us to avoid archaisms. Also, avoid awkward or affected alliteration. Dont use no double negatives. If Ive told you once, Ive told you a thousand times: Resist hyperbole. Avoid commas, that are not necessary. Verbs has to agree with their subjects. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky. Writing carefully, dangling participles should not be used. Kill all exclamation points!!! Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do. Take the bull by the hand, and dont mix metaphors. Dont verb nouns. Never, ever use repetitive redundancies. Last but not least, avoid clichs like the plague. Remember, we are ambassadors for Christ. If it is worth saying, it is worth saying correctly. What to do: None of us are perfect, but ask God to lead you to others who can help you say it right.

WELL, THAT DIDNT WORK OUT TOO WELL

MARCH 17 Bible Reading: II Timothy 3
Key Verse: 17- That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works.

Key Words: throughly furnished Being thoroughly furnished involves more than just one thing. It involves application of all scripture, not just one verse or a verse here and there. It is taking Gods Word in context and putting it into practice in my daily life. Then Gods Word becomes profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and for instruction. I read the following. The author is unknown to me. As a professional animal trainer, I was disturbed when my own dog developed a bad habit. Every time I hung my wash out on the clothesline, she would yank it down. Drastic action was called for. I put a white kitchen towel on the line and waited. Each time she pulled it off, I scolded her. After two weeks, the towel was untouched. Then I hung out a large wash and left to do some errands. When I came home, my clean clothes were scattered all over the yard. On the line was the white kitchen towel. He trained the dog in regard to one thing and in that one thing the dog was punished. Im afraid thats what many believers do. We get on our pet doctrines and if people obey it they are great. The problem is they are destroying everything else. So I challenge you to be throughly furnished unto all good works. What to do: Ask God to help you be a thoroughly furnished believer.

PROVING YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE

MARCH 18
Bible Reading: John 4:1-26 Key Verse: 26- Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. Key Words: I that speak unto thee am he Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and the Samaritan woman believed him. John 4:29 says Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

Jesus proved who He said He was through His works: healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding the five thousand. The renowned artist Paul Gustave Dore (1821-1883) lost his passport while traveling in Europe. When he came to a border crossing, he explained his predicament to one of the guards. Giving his name to the official, Dore hoped he would be recognized and allowed to pass. The guard, however, said that many people attempted to cross the border by claiming to be persons they were not. Dore insisted that he was the man he claimed to be. All right, said the official, well give you a test; and if you pass it well allow you to go through. Handing him a pencil and a sheet of paper, he told the artist to sketch several peasants standing nearby. Dore did so quickly and skillfully that the guard was convinced he was indeed who he claimed to be. His work confirmed his word! So it was and is with Jesus. His works confirm His words. The question is do our works confirm that we are what we say we are? I hope so. What to do: Make sure your works confirm your words.

ARE YOU LISTENING?

MARCH 19
Bible Reading: Isaiah 49:1-12 Key Verse: 1- Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD
hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Key Words: Listen, O isles Have you ever heard the words, Youre not listening to me? Happens often, doesnt it? Why, even God has to tell us to listen up. In our text, God is calling upon the people to hear about Jesus even before His birth. Why would God have to tell us to listen? Could it be that we are poor listeners? Did you know that listening skills is one of the poorest areas on a students SATs? Are you listening? We have lost the desire to listen. In other words, we only hear what we want to hear. The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person

who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, I murdered my grandmother this morning. The guests responded with phrases like, Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir. It was not until the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, Im sure she had it coming. Finally! Someone listened. Praise God for the good listener. We all should be. What to do: Ask God to help you be a good listener. But while you are asking, be thankful that He is listening!

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WANT YOU MAY GET IT

MARCH 20
Bible Reading: Luke 9:23-36 Key Verse: 25- For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose
himself, or be cast away?

Key Words: lose himself, or be cast away The prodigal son in Luke 15 would be a prime example of someone who heard of all the pleasure in a foreign place and exchanged his soul for pleasure. As a pastor, I see it happening again and again. We value the world while cheapening the soul. Once a spider built a beautiful web in an old house. He kept it clean and shiny so that flies would patronize it. The minute he got a customer he would clean up on him so the other flies would not get suspicious. Then one day, this fairly intelligent fly came buzzing by the clean web. Old man spider called out, Come in and sit. But the fairly intelligent fly said, No sir. I dont see other flies in your house, and I am not going in alone! But presently he saw on the floor below a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid if lots of flies were doing it. So he came in for a landing. Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by, saying, Dont land there, stupid! Thats flypaper! But the fairly intelligent fly shouted back, Dont be silly. Those flies are dancing. Theres a big crowd there. Everybodys doing it! That many flies cant be wrong. Well, you know what happened. He died on the spot. Some of us want to be with the crowd so badly that we end up in a

mess. What does it profit a fly (or a person) if he escapes the web only to end up in the glue? What will you give in exchange for your soul? What to do: Remember: Lot thought Sodom looked good!

A MAJORITY CAN BE WRONG

MARCH 21
Bible Reading: Daniel 3:1-12 Key Verse: 7- Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the
cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Key Words: all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image The majority can be wrong. They were wrong in Genesis 6 when every imagination of their hearts was wrong. In Genesis 11 when they built the tower of Babel, the majority was wrong. When they crucified Jesus, again the majority was wrong. Because there is a majority for or against an issue does not mean the majority is right. So it was in Daniel 3. The majority was clearly wrong. In Exodus 20:5 we read, Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. Clearly the majority is not always right. In 1844 a medical doctor named Ignas Phillip Semmelweis, who was assistant director at the Vienna Maternity Hospital, suggested to the doctors that the high rate of death of patients and new babies was due to the fact that the doctors attending them were carrying infections from the diseased and dead people whom they had previously touched. Semmelweis ordered doctors to wash their hands with soap and water and rinse them in a strong chemical before examining their patients. He tried to get doctors to wear clean clothes and he battled for clean wards. However, the majority of doctors disagreed with Semmelweis and they deliberately disobeyed his orders. In the late nineteenth century, on the basis of the work by Semmelweis, Joseph Lister began soaking surgery instruments, the operating table, his hands, and the patients with carbolic acid. The results were astonishing. What was previously risky surgery now became routine. However, the majority of doctors

criticized his work also. Today we know that Lister and Semmelweis were right; the majority of doctors in their day were wrong. Just because the majority believes one thing does not necessarily mean it is true. Amen! What do to: Go with Gods Word. The majority may lead you astray.

THE LITTLE THINGS DO MATTER

MARCH 22
Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 2 Key Verse: 15- Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines
have tender grapes.

Key Words: the little foxes, that spoil the vines Grapes were and are a major part of the fruit industry in Israel. During Solomons day a fence would be placed around the field of grapes to keep the fox from entering and destroying the grapes. The problem was that the gap between the wires in the fences would allow the smaller foxes to crawl through and destroy the grapes. There is a point to this Bible truth. Its usually not what we consider the big sins that destroy us. It is the small ones we fail to take care of, such as: Taking care of that little frustration we have with others before it grows into bitterness. Not taking time to have a close relationship with God today, which grows into not taking time tomorrow or the next day or the next, which leads us into walking alone by sight. Remember that walking with God is by faith. Not having a proper filing system, which leads to not being able to find things when you need them which leads to confusion and frustration. Certainly by now you get the idea. Imagine all the obstacles a person might have to overcome if he were to walk from New York City to San Francisco. One man who accomplished this rare achievement mentioned a rather surprising difficulty when asked to tell of his biggest hurdle. He said that the toughest part of the trip was not traversing the steep slopes of the mountains or crossing hot, dry, barren stretches of desert. Instead he said, The thing that came the closest to defeating me was the sand in my shoes.

Oh the little things! Theyve defeated you just about every time. Watch out for the little things that will destroy your testimony. What to do: Keep the little foxes out. They kill your testimony slowly, but surely.

ADVICE
MARCH 23 Bible Reading: Proverbs 13:1-10
Key Verse: 10- Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Key Words: with the well advised is wisdom We get wisdom in several ways. Wisdom can come from Gods Word. It can come from answered prayer. It can also come from sound advice: With the well advised is wisdom. Who we take our counsel from is, of course, of utmost importance. If we accept foolish advice, we will not only look foolish but also be a fool. I am reminded of a story I read in regard to British Vice-Marshal Alexandar Adams. The story went like this: At the end of the Battle of Britain, British Vice-Marshal Alexandar Adams was driving to a meeting at his headquarters when he came upon a sign: ROAD CLOSED UNEXPLODED BOMB. Adams called over the policeman on duty, hoping he might be able to suggest an alternate route. Sorry, you cant go through, said the policeman as he approached the car. The bomb is likely to go off at any minute now. Then he caught sight of Adams uniform. Im very sorry, sir, he said, I didnt know you were a wing commander. It is quite all right for you to go through. With advisors like that, who needs enemies! Although that policemanwho was trained to respect rankmomentarily allowed his deference to a vice-marshal to overcome his good sense, Adams had better sense than to follow his advice. The moral of the story is clear. Be careful who you take advice from. It could kill you. What to do: Take advice from others who have proven themselves over time to make wise decisions.

TRUTH-IT NEVER CHANGES

MARCH 24 Bible Reading: Proverbs 23: 22-38
Key Verse: 23- Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and
understanding.

Key Words: Buy the truth, and sell it not In a survey taken by the Barna Group, interviewers were asked if they agreed strongly, agreed somewhat, disagreed somewhat or disagreed strongly with the following statement: There is no such thing as absolute truth. Amazingly, only 28% of the respondents expressed strong belief in absolute truth, and more than surprisingly, only 23% of the born-again, evangelical Christians accepted this idea! What a telling revelation. If more than 75% of the followers of Christ say nothing can be known for certain, does this indicate, as it seems, that they are not convinced that Jesus existed, that He is who He claimed to be, that His Word is authentic, that God created the heavens and earth, or that eternal life awaits the believer? That is what the findings appear to mean. If there is not absolute truth, then by definition, nothing can be said to be absolutely true. To the majority, apparently, its all relative. Nothing is certain. Might be. Might not be. Who knows for sure? Take your guess and hope for the best! Is it any wonder then that so many who say they are Christian are here today and gone tomorrow for God? St. Augustine said, When regard for the truth has been broken down or even slightly weakened, all things will remain doubtful. When we fail to believe that Gods Word is absolute truth, humanism prevails, which results in the damnation of souls! What to do: Love truth, which is Gods Word. It makes you free!

WHAT WE DO DOES EFFECT OTHERS

MARCH 25 Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-12
Key Verse: 12- Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by
sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Key Words: death passed upon all men The decisions we make today not only effect us but others also. Adam and Eves decision to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree effected all mankind.

Davids decision to commit adultery affected David, Bathsheba, the servants, Uriah, and certainly the baby boy who died. The spies decision to give a bad report in Numbers 13 led to 40 years of wilderness wanderings for Israel. Our decisions do effect others. Take Edwin Thomas, for instance. Edwin Thomas Booth, that is. At age fifteen he debuted on the stage playing Tressel to his fathers Richard III. Within a few short years he was playing the lead in Shakespearean tragedies throughout the United States and Europe. He was the Olivier of his time. He brought a spirit of tragedy that put him in a class by himself. Edwin had a younger brother, John, who was also an actor. Although he could not compare with his older brother, he did give a memorable interpretation of Brutus in the 1863 production of Julius Caesar, by the New York Winter Garden Theater. Two years later, he performed his last role in a theater when he jumped from the box of a bloodied President Lincoln to the stage of Fords Theater. John Wilkes Booth met the end he deserved. But his murderous life placed a stigma over the life of his brother Edwin. An invisible asterisk now stood beside his name in the minds of the people. He was no longer Edwin Thomas Booth the consummate tragedian, but Edwin Booth the brother of the assassin. He retired from the stage to ponder the question why? Edwin Booths life was a tragic accident simply because of his last name. The sensationalists wouldnt let him separate himself from the crime. It is interesting to note that he carried a letter with him that could have vindicated him from the sibling attachment to John Wilkes Booth. It was a letter from General Adams Budeau, Chief Secretary to General Ulysses S. Grant, thanking him for a singular act of bravery. It seems that while he was waiting for a train on the platform at Jersey City, a coach he was about to board bolted forward. He turned in time to see that a young boy had slipped from the edge of the pressing crowd into the path of the oncoming train. Without thinking, Edwin raced to the edge of the platform and, linking his leg around a railing, grabbed the boy by the collar. The grateful boy recognized him, but he didnt recognize the boy. It was not until he received the letter of thanks that he learned it was Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of his brothers future victim. What we do effects others. So be careful in making your decisions. What to do: Never make decisions with you in mind but with God in mind.

SURELY GOODNESS AND MARCY

MARCH 26 Bible Reading: Psalm 23
Key Verse: 6- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Key Words: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life The 23rd Psalm is often read at funerals, but there is no greater promise for the living than that which one finds in the 23rd Psalm. In verse 1, there is the promise of provision. In verses 2-4 you find the promise of peace. In verse 5 you find His protection. In verse 6, we see the presence of God. The promise never to leave us or forsake us should be a constant encouragement for us all (Hebrews 13:5). A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He did not want her to walk with him, and she wanted to give him a feeling of independence. But she also wanted to know that he was safe. When she expressed her concern to her neighbor, Shirley offered to follow him to school every morning for a while, staying at a distance so he wouldnt notice. Shirley said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise. All week long, Shirley and her daughter followed Timmy as he walked to school with another neighborhood girl. As the two children walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmys friend said, Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her? Timmy replied, Yes, I know who she is. Thats my moms friend Shirley Goodnest and her little girl Marcy. Shirley Goodnes. Why is she following us? Well, Timmy explained, every night my mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm. It says Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life. I guess Ill just have to get used to it. We might as well get used to it. God is not going to break His promises! What to do: Be still and know that God is near.

HE DIDNT - SHE WOULDNT

MARCH 27 Bible Reading: Mark 7:1-13
Key Verse: 5- Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples
according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Key Words: but eat bread with unwashen hands Have you ever known someone that, wherever they go, there is trouble? They just have a way of stirring it up. The Pharisees were that way. They were constantly looking for fault and trying to stir up trouble. One such man in a more modern era would have been Lord Halifax. Lord Halifax, a former foreign secretary of Great Britain, once shared a railway compartment with two prim-looking spinsters. A few moments before reaching his destination the train passed through a tunnel. In the utter darkness, Halifax kissed the back of his hand noisily several times. When the train drew into the station, he rose, lifted his hand, and in a gentlemanly way said: May I thank whichever one of you two ladies I am indebted to for the charming incident in the tunnel. He then beat a hasty retreat, leaving the two ladies glaring at each other. There is one in every crowd. They stir it up and then walk off and leave others to fight it out. So I caution you to beware of the troublemaker who can stir things up and leave you with a new enemy. What to do: Make sure you have the right ----before going to war.

WHAT ABOUT THEIR STANDARDS?

MARCH 28 Bible Reading: I Timothy 2
Key Verse: 9- In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

Key Words: modest apparel I do know that we live in some immodest times. Womens clothing is getting lower on top and higher on the bottom. Some young men wear their pants half way down their backsides. I also know that many who think they have the higher standards would be considered very immodest in days gone by. In Puritan England, all sports events were considered immodest.

If you celebrated Christmas at all, you were immodest. If you performed religious music--? apart from the church, you were immodest. If you wore lace, frills, or shoe buckles, you were immodest, and this is just a sampling of the list. So based upon the above list, there is no one, and I repeat, no one who would NOT be considered as being immodest. The word modest in its purest form means to not overdo it. One should be modest in dress. One should be modest in their speech and how much they say. One should be modest in their activities and modest in their opinions of others. One who does not control their tongue is immodest. One who does not control their temper is immodest. One who always complains about the immodesty of others is immodest. I do believe in modesty in dress. The Bible teaches us to be modest in our dress, but we should put the same modesty into practice in every facet of our lives. Remember, back in the Puritan days, you arent modest either. Maybe I have said too much--- and ---. I was just immodest. What to do: Be modest in every point of your life, not just those that suit your fancy.

DRUG STORE JUSTICE

(THE PRESCRIPTION FOR JUSTICE)
MARCH 29 Bible Reading: Psalm 89:1-15
Key Verse: 14- Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth
shall go before thy face.

Key Words: Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne God is just which means he must pronounce judgment on all the unjust. No injustice can go without judgment being pronounced. There is a great example of justice and judgment found in Readers Digests Strange Stories. Dr. Charles Meyer, a German druggist and an educated man, was often called upon to settle disputes in the lawless town of Tucson, Arizona, in the mid-1800s. He owned two booksperhaps the only two in town. Both were in German. One was about setting broken bones; the other was a material medica, dealing with medicinal drugs. Meyer became the towns justice of the peace and set up court in his drugstore. When confronted with a difficult case, he would open his material medica and study

it solemnly. Then he would declare something like, I find here a case quite similar to the one we face. It says that the plaintiff is correct and the defendant is guilty and owes him $1. Case dismissed. People seldom challenged Meyers decisions. If they did, he doubled the fine. A lawyer once demanded a trial by jury. What is a jury? Meyer asked. When told, he sentenced the client to two weeks on a chain gang, cleaning the streets and removing sewage. The lawyer got one week. The druggist-justice asked, Now, how do you like that trial by jury? Another time, after Meyer and a friend had been stopped by the town marshal for exceeding the five-mile-an-hour speed limit behind a team of spirited horses, he fined his friend $15, then doffed his robe, stood before the bench, and fined himself $25. No injustice went unpunished. So it is with God. Be sure your sin will find you out. A just God must always carry out just judgment. Im not sure about you, but it makes me think twice before acting. What to do: Rememberall injustices are known by God. So think twice!

PERMANENT VACATION
Bible Reading: Galatians 5:1-18
consumed one of another.

MARCH 30

Key Verse: 15- But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not Key Words: But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. The New World was still very new indeed when, in 1536, sea captain Richard Hore organized the first pleasure cruise to its shores. Tourist cruises to warm climates were not uncommon then, though they were often disguised as pilgrimages. Hore was the first to see potential profit in the prospect of visiting the newly discovered continent. Hiring two ships and a crew of 90, he announced a sightseeing tour across the ocean. Thirty gentlemen interested in exotic adventure signed on at prices designed to make Hore a rich man. In Newfoundland, one of the ships ran out of provisions, and the passengers began to starve. They tried to live off the land, scavenging herbs and roots. Then one man killed another and feasted on him; soon others began to disappear. Shocked, Captain Hore preached a sermon deploring cannibalism, asking everyone to abstain from it in the future.

That night, a French ship wandered into the harbor and the Englishmen commandeered it for their trip home. None of the survivors ever explained why they couldnt have subsisted on Newfoundlands abundant fish and game, instead of each other. Now, while we deplore such actions as cannibalism, we do not seem to mind consuming others with our hateful words and actions which Paul warns us of. We are not to be cannibals in these areas either. I would agree, wouldnt you? What to do: Be kind not cannibalistic with your words and actions.

CAMPAIGNING TODAY -- DOTE TOMORROW

Bible Reading: Luke 16:14-31
afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

MARCH 31

Key Verse: 23- And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham Key Words: and in hell Salvation is your choice. Choose Christ and receive heaven as your home. Reject Christ and receive hell as your eternal destiny. While the following story is certainly not Scripturally accurate, it does prove a point. While walking down the street one day, a Republican head of state is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance. Welcome to Heaven, says St. Peter. Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so were not sure what to do with you. No problem, just let me in. says the Republican. Well, Id like to, but I have orders from higher up. What well do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity. Really, Ive made up my mind, I want to be in Heaven, says the Republican head of state. Im sorry, but we have our rules. And with that, St. Peter escorts the Republican to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a club and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked

with him, everyone is happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, hug him, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar. Also present is the Devil (a Republican, too), who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that, before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. Now its time to visit Heaven. So twenty-four hours pass with the Republican head of state joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the twentyfour hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. Well, then, youve spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity. He reflects for a minute, then the head of state answers: Well, I would never have thought it, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell. So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down down to Hell. Now the doors open and he is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags. The Devil comes over to the Republican and lays an arm on his neck. I dont understand, stammers the Republican head of state. Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and club and we ate lobseter and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now all there is is a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. The Devil looks at him, smiles, and says, Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted for us! Who have you voted for, Heaven or Hell? The choice is yours. What to do: Make the right choice. Your eternal destiny depends on it.

I deeply appreciate the help of

Cathy Fortenberry Sandy Lancaster Glenda Myrick Mary Parsons John and Tascha Piatt Reba Pontbriand And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to help this devotional would not have been possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse