Read 1 Timothy 6:12 – Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
There are times when men have to fight to keep the faith. It is a personal fight for most of us. Sometimes we have to fight our own insecurities, failings and hurts to keep our salvation in focus. There are days we may not feel like we have changed much from our past. It is our belief in Christ and our profession of Christ as Savior that has saved us. The enemy reminds us of our past to pull us back to it; Christ reminds us of His presence to push us forward to the future He has planned for us. Fight to stay in Christ, and to not be of the world.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Showing posts with label Building Character. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Building Character. Show all posts
Friday, December 31
Thursday, December 30
Men of Character
Read James 2:23 – And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.
Abraham, who had no land, ended up with more land than he could put his eyes upon. Abraham, whose wife was childless and who was into his old age without ever having cribs in the house, ended up with descendents around the world. He was a man at whom the world would have laughed, but he had two things that gave him everything he needed. He had the promises of God, and a belief in those promises. With those two things, he changed not only his world, but our world. God gave to him everything He promised because Abraham believed God’s promise when everything in his life was to the contrary. So what about you and me? Do you believe what you are seeing in your life, or do you believe what God has promised you? Great men are not led by their failures or successes, but by their values and dreams!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Abraham, who had no land, ended up with more land than he could put his eyes upon. Abraham, whose wife was childless and who was into his old age without ever having cribs in the house, ended up with descendents around the world. He was a man at whom the world would have laughed, but he had two things that gave him everything he needed. He had the promises of God, and a belief in those promises. With those two things, he changed not only his world, but our world. God gave to him everything He promised because Abraham believed God’s promise when everything in his life was to the contrary. So what about you and me? Do you believe what you are seeing in your life, or do you believe what God has promised you? Great men are not led by their failures or successes, but by their values and dreams!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Wednesday, December 29
Men of Character
Read Psalm 37:3-4 – Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Our Lord is looking for “trusters,” “good-doers” and “delighters” so that He can bless them. I know the grammar may be wrong, but the truth is that Christ looks for men who will choose His ways over the ways of the world. He is looking for men who will trust Him with all of their hearts. He is looking for men who will do good even when the opportunity to not do good is present. He is looking for men who will delight in doing the work of the Lord rather than living as if it were drudgery. The result of such a man is that God will give that man the desires of his heart.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Our Lord is looking for “trusters,” “good-doers” and “delighters” so that He can bless them. I know the grammar may be wrong, but the truth is that Christ looks for men who will choose His ways over the ways of the world. He is looking for men who will trust Him with all of their hearts. He is looking for men who will do good even when the opportunity to not do good is present. He is looking for men who will delight in doing the work of the Lord rather than living as if it were drudgery. The result of such a man is that God will give that man the desires of his heart.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Tuesday, December 28
Men of Character
Read Revelation 20:12 – And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
One day we will all stand before the Lord and be judged by Him for our walk on earth. Whether we come from a large nation or a small nation, we will be there. Whether we are very poor or have great wealth, we will all be judged. Great and small in every category of life will walk past His throne to give account of their lives on this earth. The common denominator that every man has to meet to have eternal life is that he has accepted Christ as Savior and made Him Lord of his life. Have you accepted His free gift of salvation, and have you lived for Him since that time? His gift to you is His life, and your gift to Him is your life!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
One day we will all stand before the Lord and be judged by Him for our walk on earth. Whether we come from a large nation or a small nation, we will be there. Whether we are very poor or have great wealth, we will all be judged. Great and small in every category of life will walk past His throne to give account of their lives on this earth. The common denominator that every man has to meet to have eternal life is that he has accepted Christ as Savior and made Him Lord of his life. Have you accepted His free gift of salvation, and have you lived for Him since that time? His gift to you is His life, and your gift to Him is your life!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Thursday, December 23
Men of Character
Read Philippians 3:8-9 – What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Catching glimpses of huge mansions owned by notable people with great wealth causes most of us to drool and momentarily wonder about living their life. No one ever came across a missionary like Mark Buntain and wanted what possessions he had, because he had nothing you would want. I don’t remember anyone fighting over the riches of Mother Teresa after her death. She didn’t have anything to fight over! In the Kingdom of Christ, great is not measured by where we live, but how we live. Great is not measured by what we have to sell, but whether we are sold out to Christ!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Catching glimpses of huge mansions owned by notable people with great wealth causes most of us to drool and momentarily wonder about living their life. No one ever came across a missionary like Mark Buntain and wanted what possessions he had, because he had nothing you would want. I don’t remember anyone fighting over the riches of Mother Teresa after her death. She didn’t have anything to fight over! In the Kingdom of Christ, great is not measured by where we live, but how we live. Great is not measured by what we have to sell, but whether we are sold out to Christ!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Wednesday, December 22
Men of Character
Read 2 Chronicles 32:7 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.
What are you focusing on today? If you look at the great armies coming at you, it will overwhelm you with fear. If you are gazing at the ferocious kings and leaders of your world, it can be enough to make you want to find a hole in the ground and pull the earth over you. What you focus upon is going to determine your attitude. Look past the evil and ugly of the world we live in and focus on Christ and His Word. He will give you courage to fight. His Word will give you strength to stay in the battle. If your focus is on Christ, you will be able to pass through your battles as if they were mere vapors. Be strong and courageous in Christ!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
What are you focusing on today? If you look at the great armies coming at you, it will overwhelm you with fear. If you are gazing at the ferocious kings and leaders of your world, it can be enough to make you want to find a hole in the ground and pull the earth over you. What you focus upon is going to determine your attitude. Look past the evil and ugly of the world we live in and focus on Christ and His Word. He will give you courage to fight. His Word will give you strength to stay in the battle. If your focus is on Christ, you will be able to pass through your battles as if they were mere vapors. Be strong and courageous in Christ!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Tuesday, December 21
Men of Character
Read Joshua 1:7 – Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Smart men make a plan for their lives. Courageous men follow that plan in tough times to find success. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel to have a plan for success in life. Men who followed God’s plans were thrown into prisons, yet ended up ruling kingdoms. They were cast into dens of lions, yet became princes in strange lands. God’s plan is not to keep you from hard times in life. His plan is to make you a leader in spite of the hard times.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Smart men make a plan for their lives. Courageous men follow that plan in tough times to find success. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel to have a plan for success in life. Men who followed God’s plans were thrown into prisons, yet ended up ruling kingdoms. They were cast into dens of lions, yet became princes in strange lands. God’s plan is not to keep you from hard times in life. His plan is to make you a leader in spite of the hard times.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Friday, December 17
Men of Character
Read Deuteronomy 30:19-20 – This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Everything we are is a matter of the choices we make each day. God lets us choose the way we will go in life. He will not stand over us and force us to pray, go to church, read our Bible, or any of the other things we should do. He will not force us to turn from opportunities to sin or from temptation offered. Rather, He lets us choose what we will do and then we have to live with the consequences of those decisions. He does not even punish us for the bad decisions. The decisions themselves either reward us or punish us. The very ingredient of sin is death. Choose a life committed to Christ so that you can enjoy the blessings of life that follow.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Everything we are is a matter of the choices we make each day. God lets us choose the way we will go in life. He will not stand over us and force us to pray, go to church, read our Bible, or any of the other things we should do. He will not force us to turn from opportunities to sin or from temptation offered. Rather, He lets us choose what we will do and then we have to live with the consequences of those decisions. He does not even punish us for the bad decisions. The decisions themselves either reward us or punish us. The very ingredient of sin is death. Choose a life committed to Christ so that you can enjoy the blessings of life that follow.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Thursday, December 16
Men of Character
Read 1 Corinthians 9:24 – Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
No one runs in a race because they simply needed a different way to spend the day. They run with winning in mind. Winning is a mindset that has to be practiced or it will never be achieved. In training, it is the small wins that help to lead to the big wins. Get a man in a winning mode and it will become part of his game. If a runner does not train to win then distractions will be the winner. The Apostle Paul wants the Christian to get in the race to win, not just to run. To get the prize as a Christian is to become more like Christ and less like you. Anything that distracts you from Him causes you to run a losing race.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
No one runs in a race because they simply needed a different way to spend the day. They run with winning in mind. Winning is a mindset that has to be practiced or it will never be achieved. In training, it is the small wins that help to lead to the big wins. Get a man in a winning mode and it will become part of his game. If a runner does not train to win then distractions will be the winner. The Apostle Paul wants the Christian to get in the race to win, not just to run. To get the prize as a Christian is to become more like Christ and less like you. Anything that distracts you from Him causes you to run a losing race.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Wednesday, December 15
Men of Character
Read 1 Samuel 17:36-37 – “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."
David had learned lessons in private that would make him a public hero. If he would have failed in private, he would have been exposed as a failure in public. Men, if you win the battle of temptation in your private moments, God will give you public victories in life. Too many men will never get to fight in the arena of the Goliaths because they have not destroyed their private lions and bears. Win in private, and you will win in public.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
David had learned lessons in private that would make him a public hero. If he would have failed in private, he would have been exposed as a failure in public. Men, if you win the battle of temptation in your private moments, God will give you public victories in life. Too many men will never get to fight in the arena of the Goliaths because they have not destroyed their private lions and bears. Win in private, and you will win in public.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Tuesday, December 14
Men of Character
Read John 15:1 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
I had a golf lesson recently that was not very pleasant. The teacher brought to light the difference between what I felt I was doing versus what I was actually doing. The result was at first embarrassing and then exciting. Embarrassing because I was judging my swing by wrong principles. Exciting because once he pruned me of the bad habits, I was able to swing and hit the ball correctly. The same is true with our walk with God. Just because you feel something is right does not make it correct. Allow Jesus, the true gardener, to take away what is wrong and show you what is correct. Being a Christian is to daily be more Christ-like, and less you-like!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
I had a golf lesson recently that was not very pleasant. The teacher brought to light the difference between what I felt I was doing versus what I was actually doing. The result was at first embarrassing and then exciting. Embarrassing because I was judging my swing by wrong principles. Exciting because once he pruned me of the bad habits, I was able to swing and hit the ball correctly. The same is true with our walk with God. Just because you feel something is right does not make it correct. Allow Jesus, the true gardener, to take away what is wrong and show you what is correct. Being a Christian is to daily be more Christ-like, and less you-like!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Friday, December 10
Men of Character
Read Ephesians 6:10-11 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
It is important that a warrior be suited up correctly for the battle he will fight. Different battles may demand different gear depending on the place, position and persons in the fight. Yet every situation will demand one key component: Training! It would be foolish for a person to just throw on his battle gear when the Battle is imminent. He could lose his life for not knowing how to protect himself. His very armor could be what trips him in battle! As men of God, start today to know your armor before you meet your enemy.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
It is important that a warrior be suited up correctly for the battle he will fight. Different battles may demand different gear depending on the place, position and persons in the fight. Yet every situation will demand one key component: Training! It would be foolish for a person to just throw on his battle gear when the Battle is imminent. He could lose his life for not knowing how to protect himself. His very armor could be what trips him in battle! As men of God, start today to know your armor before you meet your enemy.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Thursday, December 9
Men of Character
Read Romans 12:1-2 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God’s strategy is not to just have you on the team, but for you to sell out for the team. In this case, it means that you would be willing to do things and think things and be things that you once were not. It is a sacrifice to give up what you know for something new. It will be hard to change your friends, habits and activities for a brand new way of living. Yet think about what Christ did so that we could suit up with Him! He gave up His royalty and took on the filthy losing robe of man. He wore it in humiliation so that you could wear His in pride. Compared to His sacrifice, ours does not match up at all.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
God’s strategy is not to just have you on the team, but for you to sell out for the team. In this case, it means that you would be willing to do things and think things and be things that you once were not. It is a sacrifice to give up what you know for something new. It will be hard to change your friends, habits and activities for a brand new way of living. Yet think about what Christ did so that we could suit up with Him! He gave up His royalty and took on the filthy losing robe of man. He wore it in humiliation so that you could wear His in pride. Compared to His sacrifice, ours does not match up at all.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Wednesday, December 8
Men of Character
Read Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The greatest commitment a man can make with his life is to entrust himself to Jesus Christ. Jesus alone has the power to halt sin and death. He made a commitment to man by giving His life for us. Until we make a commitment to Him, the power of sin still has a grip on our lives. His gift to us is free, but it came to us at a great cost to Him. He is worthy of us making a commitment of our lives to Him. The words of this hymn state it clearly, “He paid a debt He did not owe. I owed a debt I could not pay.”
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
The greatest commitment a man can make with his life is to entrust himself to Jesus Christ. Jesus alone has the power to halt sin and death. He made a commitment to man by giving His life for us. Until we make a commitment to Him, the power of sin still has a grip on our lives. His gift to us is free, but it came to us at a great cost to Him. He is worthy of us making a commitment of our lives to Him. The words of this hymn state it clearly, “He paid a debt He did not owe. I owed a debt I could not pay.”
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Tuesday, December 7
Men of Character
Read Matthew 20:26-28 – Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Everything we do should be done with the best effort we can muster. We overuse the word “excellence” in our culture. It has entered the church and is a buzz word for those who want to do things well. Excellence has no real measure by which we can judge when a church attains it. When you look at your work or your church do not ask if it is as good as what someone else can do. Ask if it is as good as you can do with what you have at your disposal. It may look like a matchbox compared to Notre Dame, but you’re not in France!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Everything we do should be done with the best effort we can muster. We overuse the word “excellence” in our culture. It has entered the church and is a buzz word for those who want to do things well. Excellence has no real measure by which we can judge when a church attains it. When you look at your work or your church do not ask if it is as good as what someone else can do. Ask if it is as good as you can do with what you have at your disposal. It may look like a matchbox compared to Notre Dame, but you’re not in France!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Friday, December 3
Men of Character
Read Hebrews 6:19 – We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
Hope is like a rope that is lowered into the well of life. Sometimes we feel like we are at the end of our rope. One man said, “When you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on!” Hope is worth holding on to no matter how difficult it may seem. No man can live long without hope. Christ has made a commitment to us. He gave His life for us and, by doing so, redeemed us. He promised that He would return to take us with Him one day. We call this the Blessed Hope of the Church. Make a commitment to look for Him every day and to live your life like you may see Him today!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Hope is like a rope that is lowered into the well of life. Sometimes we feel like we are at the end of our rope. One man said, “When you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on!” Hope is worth holding on to no matter how difficult it may seem. No man can live long without hope. Christ has made a commitment to us. He gave His life for us and, by doing so, redeemed us. He promised that He would return to take us with Him one day. We call this the Blessed Hope of the Church. Make a commitment to look for Him every day and to live your life like you may see Him today!
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Thursday, December 2
Men of Character
Read Daniel 6:5 – Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."
Daniel found himself in a strange land with strange worship and strange demands. Had Daniel chosen to blend into the culture, he may have found life to be easier. He could have been accepted and found life was easier by doing so. The problem is that Daniel had made a commitment to his God. His commitment to God was a value he would not easily release for fear or fun. His commitment jeopardized his life. The end resulted in God using his commitment to make a statement to others about a God who could protect and provide for you even in a den of lions. Great commitments will result in great men! Our commitments forge in us the character that is needed to be great men of God.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Daniel found himself in a strange land with strange worship and strange demands. Had Daniel chosen to blend into the culture, he may have found life to be easier. He could have been accepted and found life was easier by doing so. The problem is that Daniel had made a commitment to his God. His commitment to God was a value he would not easily release for fear or fun. His commitment jeopardized his life. The end resulted in God using his commitment to make a statement to others about a God who could protect and provide for you even in a den of lions. Great commitments will result in great men! Our commitments forge in us the character that is needed to be great men of God.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Wednesday, December 1
Men of Character
Read 2 Chronicles 15:7 – But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
Determination is based on the fact that your work and effort is going to pay off in the end. You will never know how close you come to victory if you quit. Keep praying and working for the Lord and He will make His presence known in your life. You may not feel strong or courageous, but do not go by your feelings. Keep your mind on the reward, not the enemy. God is bigger than your problem and stronger than your enemy.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Determination is based on the fact that your work and effort is going to pay off in the end. You will never know how close you come to victory if you quit. Keep praying and working for the Lord and He will make His presence known in your life. You may not feel strong or courageous, but do not go by your feelings. Keep your mind on the reward, not the enemy. God is bigger than your problem and stronger than your enemy.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Tuesday, November 30
Men of Character
Read 2 Corinthians 6:4-6 – Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love.
It is difficult to act like a servant of God when others treat you badly. Life is full of people who enjoy beating others down physically and verbally. The challenge does not come from those who are cruel, but from ourselves. How will we respond to those who treat us in an unloving manner? As men of God we have to determine that our faith will guide our actions and attitude. If we allow the world to be our barometer for Christian living we will never live as one. Our standard is Christ and His Word. While that may never be easy, it is always right.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
It is difficult to act like a servant of God when others treat you badly. Life is full of people who enjoy beating others down physically and verbally. The challenge does not come from those who are cruel, but from ourselves. How will we respond to those who treat us in an unloving manner? As men of God we have to determine that our faith will guide our actions and attitude. If we allow the world to be our barometer for Christian living we will never live as one. Our standard is Christ and His Word. While that may never be easy, it is always right.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
Saturday, November 27
Men of Character
Read 2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
No matter what you and I do, we will fall short in our presentation to God of our deeds. God is not as concerned with the score, but that we played the game. There are a lot of men who can really score big when it comes to deeds. Others among us are backups, water boys and janitors in the work of the Kingdom. In the day when the championship rings are given out by God, the janitors and water boys will receive the same reward as the superstars. It is not how many points you score, but that you did your part in the game to the best of your ability that matters most.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
No matter what you and I do, we will fall short in our presentation to God of our deeds. God is not as concerned with the score, but that we played the game. There are a lot of men who can really score big when it comes to deeds. Others among us are backups, water boys and janitors in the work of the Kingdom. In the day when the championship rings are given out by God, the janitors and water boys will receive the same reward as the superstars. It is not how many points you score, but that you did your part in the game to the best of your ability that matters most.
– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.
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