One By One

By David H. Roper

Edward Payson was a famous preacher in a bygone era. One stormy Sunday, he had only one person in his audience. Some months later, his lone attendee called on him: “I was led to the Savior through that service,” he said. “For whenever you talked about sin and salvation, I glanced around to see to whom you referred, but since there was no one there but me, I had no alternative but to lay every word to my own heart and conscience!”

God saves us one by one. If you have access to one, that is your mission field. “Every soul with Christ is a missionary; every soul without Christ is a mission field,” the slogan goes. One person cannot reach the entire world, but we can love our neighbor. “Who is my neighbor?” we ask. The next person we meet along the way.

The Spirit brought Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the Scriptures and needed someone to explain them to him (Acts 8:26-35). The Spirit gave Philip the right words to say, and the eunuch confessed his faith in Christ (v.37).

Ask God to bring you to the one He has prepared. He’ll get you to the right place at the right time to speak to that individual. He will speak through your lips, work through your hands, and fulfill in you the great purpose of His will.

Father, we’ve been called to witness—

Called to speak of Your dear Son;

Holy Spirit, grant discernment;

Lead us to some seeking one. —D. DeHaan

You are a success in God’s kingdom if you are faithful where He has placed you.

Cape Tribulation

By Dennis Fisher

On June 10, 1770, British navigator James Cook’s ship hit a reef off the northeast coast of Australia. He sailed the ship out into deeper water only to hit the reef again, and this time the collision almost sank the ship. This experience moved Cook to write in the ship’s log: “The north point [was named] Cape Tribulation because here began all our troubles.”

Many of us have experienced a trial that has seemed to trigger a string of other trials. The loss of a job, the death of a loved one, an unwanted divorce, or a decline in health could all be part of the list.

Even though a crisis may seem to be our “Cape Tribulation,” God is still sovereign and He most certainly is in control. It is His purpose to use tribulation to build resilience into us. James writes: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3). The word translated “patience” means to have staying power or the ability to endure.

In the midst of your life-changing trial, remember that God is still at work. He wants to use your “Cape Tribulation” experience to build your character. He has promised His grace to see you through (2 Cor. 12:9).

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;

To added affliction He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

—Annie Johnson Flint. © Renewal 1969. Lillenas Publishing

Faith grows best in the winter of trial. —Rutherford

Thoughts On Rain

By Julie Ackerman Link

When torrential downpours beat on the heads of my newly planted petunias, I felt bad for them. I wanted to bring them inside to shelter them from the storm. By the time the rain stopped, their little faces were bowed to the ground from the weight of the water. They looked sad and weak. Within a few hours, however, they perked up and turned their heads skyward. By the next day, they were standing straight and strong.

What a transformation! After pounding them on the head, the rain dripped from their leaves, soaked into the soil, and came up through their stalks, giving them the strength to stand straight.

Because I prefer sunshine, I get annoyed when rain spoils my outdoor plans. I sometimes wrongly think of rain as something negative. But anyone who has experienced drought knows that rain is a blessing. It nourishes the earth for the benefit of both the just and the unjust (Matt. 5:45).

Even when the storms of life hit so hard that we nearly break from the force, the “rain” is not an enemy. Our loving God has allowed it to make us stronger. He uses the water that batters us on the outside to build us up on the inside, so we may stand straight and strong.

Lord, we know that we don’t need to fear the storms
of life. Because You are good, we can trust You
to use even our hard times to build our faith in You.
We lean on You now.

 

The storms that threaten to destroy us God will use to strengthen us.

Can't Do Everything

By Dave Branon

Four-year-old Eliana was helping her mom pick up some of Eliana’s things before bedtime. When Mommy told her to put away the clothes on her bed, Eliana hit her limit. She turned around, put her little hands on her hips, and said, “I can’t do everything!”

Do you ever feel that way with the tasks God has called you to do? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with church involvement, witnessing, and raising a family. We might sigh in exasperation and pray, “Lord, I can’t do everything!”

Yet God’s instructions indicate that His expectations are not overwhelming. For instance, as we deal with others, He gives us this qualifier: “As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18). God understands our limitations. Or this: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord” (Col. 3:23). He’s not asking for perfection that we might impress people, but simply to honor Him with the work we do. And one more: “Let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another” (Gal. 6:4). We are not doing our work as a competition with others, but simply to carry our own load.

In wisdom, God has equipped us to do just what He wants us to do—and that’s certainly not everything!

He gives me work that I may seek His rest,

He gives me strength to meet the hardest test;

And as I walk in providential grace,

I find that joy goes with me, at God’s pace. —Gustafson

 

When God gives an assignment, it comes with His enablement.

Wind and Fire

By Julie Ackerman Link

Sometimes when I want to start a fire, the wind puts it out. But when I try to keep a fire burning, wind keeps it going. So, in the first situation, I label wind “bad” because it thwarts my plans; in the other, I label it “good” because it helps me accomplish what I want to get done.

This paradox illustrates how we judge things by the way they affect us. We declare circumstances or people “bad” if they thwart our plans or cause us inconvenience. We judge circumstances or people “good” if we agree with them and they support our cause.

But God is the One who determines what is good or bad, and He does so not by how it affects our plans but by whether or not it accomplishes His. His plan is that we would be “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” And His purpose for us is to “proclaim the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

To accomplish God’s good purpose, we are to respect all people, love other believers, fear God, and honor those who rule over us—even when something doesn’t seem good to us (v.17). These kinds of actions may fan a spark of belief in those who observe our responses to “bad” circumstances and most of all bring praise to God.

 

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here.
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. —Berg

 

When things look bad, remember God is good.

Lousy Comforters

By Poh Fang Chia

I’m often tongue-tied when I attend a funeral or visit someone in the hospital. As soon as I open my mouth, it concerns me that I’m sounding like one of Job’s friends. They were better comforters when they kept their mouths shut rather than when they opened them (Job 2:11-13). Their advice and consolation to Job sounded like the exact words I might have spoken. They argued forcefully and their arguments seemed so pious, leading Philip Yancey to comment: “If today we had only Job 3–37, we would judge the three friends as the true heroes of the book.” But God was angry with them (Job 42:7).

So, it occurred to me to simply keep my mouth shut around the grieving and hurting. But that misses the point.

God was not angry with Job’s friends because they opened their mouths but because they hadn’t spoken accurately about Him (Job 42:7-8). If you and I want to be better comforters, we need to know Jesus better and refrain from attempting to explain the inexplicable.

Sometimes we think that by offering explanations it will alleviate people’s suffering. But there are some answers that only God can provide. When we try to play God, we confound more than we help. In such instances, it’s wiser to humble ourselves before the Lord and affirm with the sufferer that we may not understand God’s ways, but we can trust in His wisdom, power, and love. That was how God answered Job in chapters 38 to 41. He didn’t offer any explanation. He simply reminded Job of who He is.

Oswald Chambers suggests: “The biggest thing you can do for those who are suffering is not to talk platitudes, not to ask questions, but to get into contact with God, and the ‘greater works’ will be done by prayer.”

Diplomas in the Deep

By K.T. Sim

In the early 1900s, a brilliant young man named John left China to pursue an education in the US. He completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in just 5 years. But he was troubled by the question: “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). He ended up enrolling in a seminary, only to be confused by professors who had rejected the Bible.

One night, while searching God’s Word for answers, John’s soul was suddenly transformed. But the seminary rejected his conversion experience and had him confined in an asylum! In the 193 days he was there, he read through the Bible 40 times. Upon his release, he returned to China. While on the ship, he threw overboard all of his diplomas and awards—keeping only his doctorate for his father. Sòng Shàng-Jíe (or John Sung) then devoted his life to winning souls among the Chinese throughout Asia.

To the world, John Sung’s actions were inexplicable. But they would have resonated with Paul, another brilliant student. Trained to be an expert in the law by the nation’s foremost legal mind (Acts 22:3), his credentials were unrivaled (Philippians 3:5-6). But after he met Jesus, his life was radically transformed (Acts 9:1-30). Instead of becoming a professor, he became “a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of good news” (2 Timothy 1:11) to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).

Paul “threw away” all of his diplomas and awards. His rationale? “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless . . . when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage” (Philippians 3:7-8).

The apostle Paul and John Sung knew with certainty that, as Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Do you?

Go, Influence

By Sheridan Voysey

If you’re a believer in Jesus, you’re called to influence society. Jesus not only calls you to be His friend (John 15:15), but also to be His salt and His light (Matthew 5:13-14).

Salt is well known for two popular uses. We use it as an additive to enhance flavor (think of the saltshaker on your kitchen table), and as a preservative to prevent decay (think of a butcher curing meat to keep it from rotting). Jesus used this metaphor to describe the dual influence everyday people like you and I are to have on the world in His name.

First, we’re to enhance what is good. Wherever we find goodness, beauty, and truth—in our homes, offices, and universities, and in colleagues, politicians, or those in the media—we should affirm it. Most of us know how to voice our disapproval, whether through a forthright comment or a letter of protest. But how many of us write letters of affirmation—going out of our way to encourage a public leader for a good decision?

When we enhance what’s good, we just might find a more welcoming audience when we perform our second influential role—to defeat what is bad. We’re to halt moral decay, to stop society from rotting. We’re to oppose actions, policies, and products that will bring harm to our neighbor, taking a stand against evil. The world may persecute us for this (Matthew 5:10-12), but we’re called to love and serve those who are against us (Matthew 5:43-45).

For evangelical John Stott, Matthew 5:13 was Jesus’ call to social justice: protecting the dignity of the individual, providing civil rights for minorities, and abolishing social and racial discrimination. “Whenever Christians are conscientious citizens,” he said, “they are acting like salt in the community.”

Generous

By Winn Collier

Last year at Christmas, anonymous donors in several US cities surprised shoppers at a department store chain with generosity. In Omaha, Nebraska, manager Ted Straub recounted how many customers went to pick up their layaway items at the store, only to discover that a stranger had already paid for them.

In Indianapolis, assistant manager Edna Deppe recalled how a father—in dirty clothes with three small kids in tow—went to the layaway desk to make a payment, hoping he could finish by Christmas. He was shocked to learn, however, that his entire purchase had been paid in full. Also, the same woman who covered the cost of his purchase had handed out $50 bills on her way out of the store—moments after she had paid the bill for a woman who had been preparing to pay for her purchases at checkout.

We all love stories of radical generosity. When we open the Bible, we discover that it’s full of these kinds of stories. Our God is generous to the core, and so God’s book and God’s people are immersed in generosity.

When God gave instructions for the way Israel was to order her life, generosity was front and center. God made His intentions clear: “There should be no poor among you” (Deuteronomy 15:4). He intended to “greatly bless” His people, and He wanted this blessing to be shared with all (Deuteronomy 15:4,6).

Knowing the way humans operate and that inequalities were sure to take hold, however, God gave Israel detailed principles to encourage her people toward generosity. Once every 7 years, they were to “cancel the debts of everyone” (Deuteronomy 15:1). Instead of being tight-fisted, they were to lend the impoverished whatever they needed (Deuteronomy 15:8). In case this was still unclear, God said plainly, “Give generously to the poor” (Deuteronomy 15:10).

Whenever God’s people live God’s way, generosity abounds.

Holy Imagination

By Sheridan Voysey

In his book The Johns, Victor Malarek reveals the motivations of men who buy the services of prostitutes. In most cases, pornography precedes the transaction. The men watch porn, fantasize about the experience they want, then find a woman who will act out what they desire. The deed follows the fantasy.

Many of us may start thinking how “sick” such men are, as we would never get involved in such “filthy” acts. Jesus confronts such an attitude. While we may not have engaged in the deed of prostitution or viewed pornography, few of us are innocent of lustful fantasy.

It is not wrong to be sexually attracted to another person (temptation is not sin—Hebrews 4:15). God made us sexual beings who long for intimacy. What Jesus condemns is illicit lust—purposely looking at someone other than one’s spouse to stimulate and entertain sexual desire.

The legalists of Jesus’ day had a religion of deeds. In one’s mind, the fantasies could run wild so long as one didn’t “do the deed” of adultery (Exodus 20:14). Jesus taught a religion of the heart. Adultery starts with a fantasy, making the fantasy a sin itself (Matthew 5:28). A man can look lustfully at a woman without touching her. She can still feel like simply an object.

Jesus’ remedy to lustful fantasy is radical and practical. The heart follows the eyes (Job 31:7). If your eyes are leading you to sin, then go blind! (Matthew 5:29). Shut your eyes. Divert them. Take them elsewhere before your heart follows them. Forgo the illicit pleasures of this life for the sake of the next (Matthew 5:29).

Jesus’ teaching here is for both sexes. All of us are to cultivate holy imaginations, viewing people as people rather than just objects to be used.

Why We Work

By Bill Crowder

In the late 1660s, Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to re-design St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. According to legend, one day he visited the construction site of this great edifice and was unrecognized by the workers. Wren walked about the site, asking several of the men what they were doing. One worker replied, “I am cutting a piece of stone.” A second worker responded, “I’m earning five shillings two pence a day.” A third, however, had a different perspective: “I am helping Christopher Wren build a magnificent cathedral to the glory of God.” What a contrast in the attitude and motivation of that worker!

Why we do what we do is extremely important, particularly when it comes to our working lives and careers. That’s why Paul challenged the Ephesians to do their work, “not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Eph. 6:6-7).

If we do our work merely to earn a paycheck or satisfy a supervisor, we will fall short of the highest motivation—doing our best as evidence of our devotion to God. So, why do we work? As that laborer told Wren, we work “to the glory of God.”

Be not always wanting

Some other work to do,

But gratefully perform the task

The Lord has given you. —Anon.

No matter who signs your paycheck, you are really working for God.

Good Night!

By Tony Chan

God is not against hard work.  But, when working to the point where commitments to God and family are neglected; then, we should pull ourselves back – and, entrust our worries and anxieties to God.  Sometimes, the most spiritual thing we can do is to let go and get a good night’s sleep.

“It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants His loved ones to get their proper rest.” – Psalm 127:2 (The Living Bible)

“Lord, let me not work till I am physically and emotionally exhausted.  I do not want to lose my focus on You.  Remind me of the need for rest, exercise, and time with You.  Teach me to cast my cares on You.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

All The Time In The World

By Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Do you remember me?” A pause. Vacant eyes. My mother was speaking to Betty, a fellow churchgoer from years past, who now lived at a local nursing home. My mom tried again. “Do you remember my husband? He’s right here.” Betty responded with an excited “Yes,” followed by a look of confusion. As the two women talked, Betty’s mind faded in and out.

Betty’s condition illustrates what the Bible says about our years here on earth. Old age may limit us in some ways (Ecclesiastes 12:3). On the other hand youth is a time of opportunity and possibility. And, believe it or not, the Bible encourages young people to have a good time. Solomon said, “It’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in” (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

There’s just one catch. Solomon balanced his message with this thought: “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Specifically he urged young people to remember God “before the door to life’s opportunities is closed” (Ecclesiastes 12:4), while they were still able to work, before fear overwhelmed them and while they still had energy to serve God (Ecclesiastes 12:5).

The second half of Solomon’s message is important because young people often think they have all the time in the world. Because they are wealthy with the resource of time, they may spend it carelessly.

To guard against this, we can dedicate our younger years to serve passionately within the church, found and foster new ministries, or become globetrotters for God. Regardless of the mission, we need to honor God in our youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1), so that later in life our gray hair will be a crown of glory, achieved by living a godly life (Proverbs 16:31).

Beyond Reciprocity

By Sheridan Voysey

If there’s one law that pervades the world, it’s the law of reciprocity. Simply put, reciprocity is the notion of mutual exchange or fair return. It’s the basis of many social interactions:

• Business: where a fair exchange of goods and services is made between parties.

• Politics: where one country helps another to maintain positive relations, alliances, or other benefits.

• Justice: where people get what they deserve, either in punishment or restitution.

Reciprocity is taught in the Bible (Matthew 7:12). Society couldn’t function without it. It is, however, limited.

For instance, what happens when there’s no mutual benefit? What happens when a friend can’t reciprocate our care or a poor country has nothing to offer a superpower? What do we do with those who can give little back to society—the poor, the intellectually disabled, the mentally ill? Sometimes we can’t repay debts or contribute our fair share, and so the Bible says reciprocity must be tempered by mercy (Matthew 5:7; James 2:13).

But the Christian faith goes a step further. Beyond reciprocity or mercy, it teaches agape. This is the Greek word used to describe undeserved, sacrificial, no-strings-attached, self-giving love. God’s very nature is agape love (1 John 4:8). He gives good things to the deserving and the undeserving (Matthew 5:44-45). We’re to give without expecting a return (Luke 6:32-36). Jesus described real love as laying down one’s life for others (John 15:12-13), and what can we gain after doing that? Jesus lived out His teaching. He died a cruel death at humanity’s hands, loving even His persecutors to the end (Luke 23:34). His love went beyond any reciprocity (Romans 5:7-8).

Reciprocity has its place. But I need agape. With God’s strength, I want to give it too. Beyond business deals and mutual friendship, I want to give without requiring anything in return.

A Heart of Gratitude

In His Presence: “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The little boy looked up at his father and grinned from ear to ear. He said, “Thanks, Dad!” as he gently rubbed his hand over the new baseball glove and then, with a balled fist, pounded it into the glove’s center.  He had wanted a new glove for weeks, but he didn't know how to ask for one. How did his dad know what he needed?

“Wow, this is great!” An endless line of happy comments came tumbling out of his mouth as he proudly displayed the glove to his mom. “I'll be able to catch Bobby’s infield throws now!  How did you know, Dad? Wanna play some catch?”

Who could resist such a request? Certainly not this father. He was overwhelmed by his son’s gratitude and appreciation.

When was the last time you thanked your heavenly Father for something that He gave to you?  Maybe you are thinking that it doesn't seem like you have received much lately.  It is time to look deeper.

This young boy didn't ask for a new glove because he knew his family was having financial trouble. Instead of lamenting over the difficulty, he became determined to keep using the glove he had. His father, however, had noticed his son’s need and turned to God in prayer. He didn't know how the Lord would answer, but he believed God would. So, he also began to thank God every morning for hearing his prayer and answering this simple request. A few days later, he wasn't surprised when a friend called, telling him that there was extra work that needed to be done at his office. The father jumped at the opportunity, and when he was handed a paycheck, he headed to the nearest sporting goods store. God always meets our needs, and we need to say “Thank You, Lord.”

Your heavenly Father has a solution for your situation. Whenever you express gratitude to Him, His heart is filled with great pleasure because He knows that you have learned how to be thankful in all things.
Thanksgiving is the recognition of God’s goodness with a grateful heart. It is simply gratitude expressed to God for His faithful, loving care.

Life and Submission

By Sheridan Voysey

Jesus taught us to lay down our lives for others. At its most costly moments, I believe this submission of our wills happens in four progressive stages.

The first stage is recognition. We are presented with a need or a person for whom a decision of submission must be made.

The second stage is deliberation. There will be a cost to our submission. At the very least, it will cost us time or money. In the most extreme cases it could cost us our lives. It will almost certainly call our own plans and aspirations into question.

The third stage is relinquishment. If it is God who is beckoning us to sacrifice—not guilt, manipulation, or duty—we will need to release our time, money, dreams, or lives into His hands. Expect to wrestle at this point. Expect to clutch and claw at what you’re about to give up.

And these last two stages are vital in our efforts to reach the final stage of submission itself. If we dismiss the need without a thought, we risk robbing someone of love and disobeying God. If we submit without consideration of cost, we risk offering a commitment without substance.

All of this is an echo of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46). He who relinquished divine privilege to take on human flesh, who said the laying down of life was the true mark of love, who “was crushed with grief” (Matthew 26:38) and sweated at the cost of submission, and who relinquished His body to a cruel cross and nails—He, even He, spent hours wrestling over submission in that garden.

For the Christian, however, submission ultimately results in life. Relinquish your life for Jesus’ sake, and you will find it (Matthew 10:39). The seed that dies produces the harvest (John 12:24). After Jesus’ submission came His resurrection.

Submission is the seed of new life.

A New Day

By Bill Crowder

In a morning meeting I recently attended, the person who opened the gathering began by praying, “Lord, thanks for today. It is the beginning of a new day we have never seen before.” Although the idea seemed obvious, that prayer got me thinking about a couple of different things. First, because each day is a new opportunity, it will be filled with things we cannot anticipate or even prepare for. Therefore, it’s important that we recognize our limitations and lean heavily on God—intentionally choosing to live in His grace and strength rather than relying on our own resources.

The second thing that occurred to me is that the newness of each day is a gift worth celebrating. Perhaps this concept was what prompted the psalmist to declare, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24).

Of course, we face many unknowns today—and some could be difficult. But the treasure of each brand-new day is so special that Moses was led to write, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (90:12). Every new day is a precious gift. May we thankfully embrace each one with confident trust and humble celebration.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest. —Berg

 

Each new day gives us new reasons to praise the Lord.

Rejecting the Red

By Tom Felten

The world’s biggest sperm bank is turning away redheads. (No, I’m not advocating the use of sperm banks.) Why is Cryos International rejecting “ginger” donors from its ranks? Because not enough clients want red-haired children. In fact, the only country that has a high demand for redheaded donors is Ireland—a land known for people with lovely red locks. Personally, I think red hair reflects the beauty and creativity found in every child—all made in God’s image.

Solomon, in Psalm 127, gives us God’s view of kids: They’re a gift (Psalm 127:3). Regardless of the color of their hair, children are a blessing given to parents to love and care for them (Psalm 103:13). Each child has been specially designed and created by God, and His “workmanship is marvelous” (Psalm 139:14). If children are healthy, with no mental or physical disabilities, they have been carefully created by God. If they’re not healthy, with mental and/ or physical disabilities, they have been carefully created by God (Exodus 4:11). All children have been “woven together in the dark of the womb” under His watchful eye (Psalm 103:15).

In a world where perfection is demanded and people often live vicariously through their children’s appearances and accomplishments, it’s easy for children to be rejected if they don’t measure up. Should kids lovingly be held to reasonable standards and behavior? Absolutely. But God knows our strengths and weaknesses and still loves us. Parents should follow His example.

You might not have children or you might have a whole “quiver . . . full of them” (Psalm 127:5), but as you interact with precious little ones made in God’s image remember that they are a gift! They’re worthy of respect and love and capable of teaching us something about faith (Mark 10:15). They should be received in love and never rejected because of the way God has made them.

Night Crew

By Cindy Hess Kasper

Pat’s first job was working on the night crew at a grocery store. After closing time, he and the other employees stocked the shelves. Pat’s boss had instructed them to always turn the soup cans forward so that the label could be read easily. But he had gone a little further by saying, “Make sure that they’re facing forward—three cans back.” One night as Pat was arranging the shelves, his co-workers began to scoff, “Just make sure the front can is turned the right way. Who’s gonna know?”

It was a moment of decision for the teenager. Should he obey what his boss had asked him to do, or just do what was easy?

We’ve all been in similar situations where we’ve had to make a choice. The apostle Paul encouraged his fellow believers to be obedient even when no one was watching: “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God” (Col. 3:22).

Doing the right thing should not be dependent on whether our employer is around or if anyone else is watching. It’s not always easy or convenient to be obedient. But it’s right.

Remember, “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

Lord, help me to follow Jesus,
To obey Him day by day,
To be His faithful disciple
And please Him in every way. —Fitzhugh

Our character is measured by what we do when no one is looking.

Son Reflectors

What does the moon do? She generates no light. Contrary to the lyrics of the song, this harvest moon cannot shine on. Apart from the sun, the moon is nothing more than a pitch-black, pockmarked rock. But properly positioned, the moon beams. Let her do what she was made to do, and a clod of dirt becomes a source of inspiration, yea, verily, romance. The moon reflects the greater light.

And she’s happy to do so! You never hear the moon complaining. She makes no waves about making waves. Let the cow jump over her or astronauts step on her; she never objects. Even though sunning is accepted while mooning is the butt of bad jokes, you won't hear ol’ Cheeseface grumble. The moon is at peace in her place.  And because she is, soft light touches a dark earth.

What would happen if we accepted our place as Son reflectors?

Such a shift comes so stubbornly, however.  We've been demanding our way and stamping our feet since infancy. Aren't we all born with a default drive set on selfishness?  I want a spouse who makes me happy and coworkers who always ask my opinion. I want weather that suits me and traffic that helps me and a government that serves me. It is all about me. . . .

How can we be bumped off self-center? . . . We move from me-focus to God-focus by pondering Him. Witnessing Him. Following the counsel of the apostle Paul: “Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, [we] are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18 KJV).

Beholding Him changes us.

—originally from It’s Not About Me