Examine Your Ways!

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Bishop E. Earl Jenkins

"Let us examine our ways." Lamentations 3:40 NIV

A guy rushed into a service station one day and asked the manager if he'd a pay phone. The manager nodded, "Sure, over there." The guy inserted a couple of coins, dialed and waited for an answer. Finally someone came on the line. "Uh, sir," he said in a deep voice, "could you use an honest, hard-working young man?"

The station manager couldn't help overhearing the question. After a moment or two the guy said, "Oh, you already have an honest, hard-working young man? Well, okay. Thanks all the same." A broad smile stretched across his face. He hung up the phone and started back to his car, obviously elated.

"Hey, just a minute," the station manager said, "I couldn't help but hear your conversation. Why are you so happy? I thought the man said he already had someone and didn't need you?" The guy smiled. "Well, you see, I am that honest, hard-working young man. I was just checking up on myself!"

If you're serious about walking with God, examine yourself regularly. Are you praying, reading God's Word and renewing your mind daily? How about your attitudes? Are they slipping? Your attitudes send a signal before you've said a word.

They're like traffic lights. Sometimes they flash red, which means 'stop, don't get in my way, I'm too busy to love, help, or care.' Sometimes they flash yellow, which means 'I'm touchy and out-of-sorts, I could go either way.'

Sometimes they flash green, which means, 'Let's go, I'm with you, you can count on me.' The Bible says, "Let us examine our ways...and...return to the Lord."

What needs to be examined regularly? "Our ways!"

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Time For a Check Up?

Time For a Check Up?
Alan Riley

Can you believe it? This year has gone by in a blur! It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in 2009, and now there are just nine weeks left in the year!

Our awareness of the passing of time provides us with an strong incentive to look back and evaluate where we are. Have I reached my personal, professional and spiritual goals for the year? Where am I in my development in those areas? What do I need to do differently to see more progress in these areas between now and the end of the year?

A few weeks ago I had my annual medical checkup. It's not a pleasant experience, especially for someone who just plain doesn't like going to the doctor. But I have seen the sometimes tragic results of NOT catching a medical problem early, so I choose to subject myself to the inconvenience and the discomfort of a medical examination because it is ultimately very important to my health.

Likewise, it is often not a pleasant experience to go through a spiritual checkup, either. None of us likes to take a critical look at ourselves, much less to ask trusted friends or accountability partners to tell us what they see. But I have seen far too many times the tragic results of NOT catching a spiritual problem early, so I choose to subject myself to the inconvenience and the discomfort of a "spiritual examination" because it is ultimately very important to my spiritual health and to my effectiveness as a leader.

In both of Paul's letters to the church at Corinth - a church that had its share of problems and challenges - he stresses the need for an honest self examination. In 1 Corinthians 11:28, the Apostle says that we should carefully examine our lives before we partake of the Lord's supper to be sure that we do not sin against the body and the blood of Christ and bring condemnation upon ourselves.

Then in 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul says: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test." (NIV)

Have you had a spiritual check up lately?

The Elephant In The Church

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Milan Ford

Ever heard this phrase used before: The Elephant In The Room?

I'm sure you have. Around the office water cooler, and perhaps even the dinner table, it's an old English idiom that many of us use to describe an obvious truth that is either being ignored, or at times, rarely being addressed.

As a new admirer of wildlife (courtesy of "Animal Planet"), I realize how impossible it is for an elephant to be ignored. They are the largest land animals in the world, weighing anywhere between 9000-12,000 pounds. The trunk of an elephant can have up to forty thousand individual muscles in it, making it sensitive enough to pick up a blade of grass, yet strong enough to tear down a small tree.

So you would think that if you and I were in a room with an elephant, we would probably know it!

While doing a little soul searching this week, I began to ask myself this question: As Christians, what are the elephants you and I have in the room today? Digging a little deeper...

What is the biggest elephant we have in the church today?

I'm quite sure, depending on who you ask, the answers to that question would differ greatly. Money. Divorce. Racism. Homosexuality. Politics. Sexism. The list is endless.

There is however one "elephant" in particular that we as Christians rarely seem to uncover enough. Despite its size and ability to frighten all in its path, this elephant has been chained to the rooms (and hearts) of every believer by God Himself. It simply cannot be avoided.

That elephant is Accountability.

Romans 12:16 says, "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion."

Can I be honest with you? I have always had a difficult time asking for help. Whether it was from a family member, friend, or even a fellow believer, I have always equated a need for help as a sign of weakness. Nothing like figuring things out on your own...or so I thought.

Fast forward several years, I carried that same mentality while serving in ministry, until one day my elephant of accountability - or should I say the lack thereof - grew bigger than the room I was hiding it in. It cost me (and my family) big time.

As Christians, there is nothing more important than seeking out and embracing the accountability of the friends and loved ones God has placed around us. More often than not, many of us can fall victim to a dangerous belief system that our relationship with Christ (and no one else) is all that we need to be successful in our daily walk with Him.

Although I still consider myself to be a young man, there is one thing I have come to know for certain: Without accountability, the voice of God can sound a lot like your own.

I encourage you today to become a person of accountability. Please do not, under any circumstances, become wise in your own opinion alone. Those who do may unfortunately find themselves surrounded in peanuts the rest of their lives; because when it comes to the elephant of accountability...

...it's here to stay.

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To Gossip Or Not To Gossip

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Cindy Beall

Gossip.
I imagine we've all done it at some point in our lives.

The word gossip as a noun means a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others; a rumor or report of an intimate nature. As a verb it means to relate gossip.

Not the most positive of definitions, I'd say.

And we can't forget what Paul says in Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

I can't tell you how many times I have revealed personal facts about others all in the name of "praying for them". And sometimes? Sometimes I just wanna share some juicy stuff about people, especially if I don't really care for them.

So, how do we do this? Especially us women who tend to be far more relational and sharing.
I think it comes down to motive.

My husband’s and my story has been shared not only by our senior pastor nearly eight years ago, but also by my husband in his messages and by me on my blog. Since that time, many others have shared our story with people they know. I even heard a girl say one time about us, "I feel like I'm gossiping." And to her I replied, "Well, don't. We have this story on the worldwide web so I think you're good." :)

However, sharing personal information about someone who has placed his or her confidence in you would be crossing the line. Disclosing negative things about someone just for spite is highly inappropriate as well.
So, what do you do when you want to share some personal and intimate stuff about others for reasons of genuine prayer?

Ask the person. See if they are comfortable with you sharing the information about them. Let them tell you what they want you to share. You'll find that many are open books and don't care what you tell others. Still others will be more private and ask that you share that "they need prayer." If they don't want you to share their lives with others just say, "I really am not at liberty to say anything out of respect for my friend."

People might get offended and the situation may become a bit awkward because of your honesty but really, that is their problem. Don't make it yours.

Whatever the situation, use your discretion and consider how you would feel if the following information was shared about you. That sure might make you adjust what you are about to say.

Is gossip your struggle?
What other suggestions might you share with others about overcoming a desire to gossip?

The Sideshow

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Milan Ford

As a 33-year old, some may find it strange that I happen to be a big fan of 70's music. Not exactly sure how I actually became one.

I used to think it was because of all those crazy space outfits the bands back then would wear. Or maybe it was because many could argue that the 70's were the last decade real instruments were used or played by artists on stage. You can blame my generation for that.

One thing is for certain: the artists back then were great at telling stories through their music.

A great example of that talent was the 1974 classic hit, Sideshow. By far, one of my favorites. Who can ever forget that famous circus melody and barker announcement, followed by the legendary falsetto voice of Ted Mills, who sung these words ever so softly:

Step right up, hurry, hurry before the show begins, my friends
Stand in line, get your tickets, I hope you will attend
It'll only cost you fifty cents to see
What life has done to those like you and me

Then I first heard those words as a child, I (in ignorance) got excited. An avid fan of the circus, I just knew the singer would begin to talk about some of the trademark attractions I had come to expect and enjoy every time I went to "the big top."

But then came these words:

See the man who's been cryin' for a million years, so many tears (So many tears)
See the girl who's collected broken hearts for souvenirs
It's more exciting than a one man band
The saddest little show in all the land

What? Did I miss something here?

What happened to the human cannonball?
The tightrope walkers?
And of course, those incredible tiger-tamers?

What kind of circus act could have possibly caused all this pain? It took me a while, but I think I found one.

"For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?" (James 3:7-10v)

God has given us all a unique commission to bring forth fresh water to a world dying of thirst.
But more often than not, the water our tongues produce has a tendency to become bitter at times.

As believers, we all have been guilty of using our tongues to lift up prayers and songs of worship to a loving God, while at the same time, using them to attack out friends, family members, co-workers, and yes, even our church leaders.

Let's just be honest for a second; Our tongues can create quite a sideshow.

Like never before, our nation is looking for men and women of wisdom. They're looking for people whose tongues are so fixated on the love and kindness of our God that no matter the circus act, we are always able to give the world a better show.

Remember This: The power our tongues have can change the very course of someone's life.

I challenge us all today to examine the words we speak. The jokes we share. The emails we receive. And the ones we decide to forward. The world is taking notes on the kind of acts we are producing.

Don't miss an opportunity to show the world what life in Christ had done for you and me.

Step right up. Hurry, hurry!

Answering the Call to Holiness

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Dr. Betty R. Price

Many Christians do not take holiness seriously. They do not realize that to be holy is a commandment from God. Since God has called us to holiness, we have to will ourselves to live the holy life. In 1 Peter 1:13 -16, we see God's call to holiness: "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"

We also find in II Timothy 1:8-9, "...share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began."

Everything that refers to God is holy. Holiness is the very essence of who He is. Our lives should always exemplify what Jesus' life was like when He lived on earth, because He exemplified what God's life is-a life of holiness. This was evident when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. No matter what Satan tempted Jesus with, or how often Satan tempted Him, Jesus never yielded to him.

Holiness is the quality of life. It should not be confused with two similar terms such as sanctification, which means to be set apart, and righteousness, which means right standing with God. When you were born again, you were made the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us this in II Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." He also writes in 1 Corinthians 1:2, "... to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints..."

God makes us righteous and sanctifies us through Jesus Christ; those are things that He does. But it is up to us to be obedient to His call to holiness. We do not have to do anything to be sanctified, other than to live a sanctified life. Living the sanctified life is called holiness. This is how our character gets established. So Christians can't do anything to be righteous or sanctified, but everything to be holy.

It may seem difficult, but you can be holy, just as God the Father and Jesus are holy. It will take effort because it does not come overnight. You have to train yourself and remove yourself from unholy people, places, things and actions. You have to will yourself to do it. You have to go in the opposite direction of where your flesh or your mind may want to take you. You must remember that God cannot be involved in any kind of sin or immorality. When you get into sin or immorality, you park His power at the door and enter at your own risk.

Christians should desire to be pleasing to God instead of compromising their standards to please others. They must tell themselves, "I can abstain from fornication; I will not commit adultery; I will not worry; I will not overeat; I will not be jealous; I will not be envious; I will not be full of strife; I will not lie; I will not do anything that Jesus wouldn't do because I am holy."

To be victorious in living a life of holiness, you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. You need the Holy Spirit, the power of God, to help you because Satan will oppose you when you commit to obeying the Word of God. You need the supernatural power of God because Satan is a supernatural enemy. It is a supernatural life that God has called you to. It is a life of joy, peace and fulfillment.

The act of holiness is not an impossible task. God would never tell us to do something or be something that is impossible to accomplish. You can be holy; you can count yourself as dead to sin; you can overcome those temptations just as Jesus did because God has already made a way of escape.

Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

So, whatever challenge you're faced with, don't give up. It's a fight all your life. It doesn't matter how many times you fall; get up because one of these times, you're going to get the victory over that temptation so you can be right for God and live the life of holiness as you were called to do.

This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Betty's audio series, "The Character of Christ: Holiness." Please call us at (800) 927-3436 for a complete list of her products.

Isaiah 54:17

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Keeping Yourself Holy and Pure

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Bishop Keith Butler

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:17-18 (KJV)

There are many traps set for the single individual who is living holy. The Bible tells you what to do in a dating relationship that begins to develop into ungodly behavior. 1 Cor. 6:17 says to flee fornication. What does "flee" mean? Flee doesn't mean, "I can deal with it." Flee means get on your running shoes and run. In other words, when you come into a scenario and sense that there is ungodly potential there, don't hang around. Get out of Dodge. That is how you keep yourself holy.

Prayer is essential for the single individual. You have to be prayed up so that you can see trouble coming, and so that you will have strength to flee. Proverbs 6:27 says, "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" Flee that situation.

This is one reason why a born again brother may end a relationship with a born again sister. Men know that they cannot deal with holding on to a woman and stay holy. So, if he dates a single woman a couple of times, and she jumps all on him, he is going to cut it short. He is trying to be saved. If this woman keeps on messing with him he knows he is going to get in trouble. So he decides he cannot see her anymore, and ends it.

That goes the other way too. Here is a single woman living holy before God. She is dating this guy. They have only been out once or twice, and he has his paws all over her. Here is what to do with him: "Sorry Charlie." I'm looking for a holy man. She will not deal with him any further. She is looking for somebody who can exhibit control.

Holiness is self-control. The way to get a godly mate is to exhibit self-control in your life. Nothing is worth losing your testimony over. So, stay in prayer and in the Word. It is there that you will be strengthened to keep yourself holy and pure, and to live a life pleasing to God.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Peter 2:9