Refreshing

Daily
in God’s Word
Emphasis on

Some Things
To Ponder
 What If?
June 1

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 11:24-31

 Key Verse: Verse 30- “The fruit of the righteous is a
tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."
Key Words: he that winneth souls is wise

Would you not agree with me that being a witness for

Jesus is not just of supreme importance but it is the most
important thing that we as believers can do?
The elementary students sing often “Be a missionary.”
The words go like this, “Be a missionary every day. Tell the
world that Jesus is the Way. The Lord is soon returning, there
is no time to lose; so be a missionary, God’s own emissary, be
a missionary today.”
I read the following story which certainly illustrates
the importance of being a witness.
Bill Faye, an evangelist who was a guest speaker at a
church on Sunday, September 9, 2001, returned to his home
in Denver on Monday, September 10. On his American flight
he saw a stewardess breaking up ice with a wine bottle. He
got up from his seat and asked her if there wasn’t another way
she could more safely do that. He said he was afraid she
would hurt herself. She was moved that he would be so
concerned. He then gave her a gospel tract to read when she
had a spare moment. A short time later she found Bill and
told him that was the sixth gospel tract she had received from
someone. “What does God want from me?” she asked. Bill
responded, “Your life.” A few minutes later he was praying
with her to accept Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and
Savior. After the terrible attack on America on September 11,
2001, Bill looked up the names of those on American Airlines
Flight 11, the first plane that crashed into the World Trade
Center, and the stewardess’ name was listed. On Tuesday,
September 11, 2001, she entered into the eternal presence of
her Lord and Savior!
 What if Bill Faye had not witnessed to the stewardess?
What if we never witness? What if!

What to do:
✞Be a soul-winner every day.

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Principles to Live By
June 2

 Bible Reading: I Corinthians 10:24-33

 Key Verse: Verse 31 - “Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God."
Key Words: do all for the glory of God

Recently I was asked if I have a certain set of

principles or guidelines to guide me through the decision-
making process. When I answered that I did, I was asked to
put these principles in letter form for someone in our church.
Someone else asked me if I would make them public, so here
they are, principles that help me as I make decisions.

1. Always put God first.

2. Remember that winners never quit and quitters
never win.
3. Remember honor is not so much received as it is
achieved.
4. You must have the heart of a dove and the hide of
a rhinoceros.
5. Success is being in and doing the will of God from
the heart.
6. Remember it is better to see a testimony than to
hear one.
7. Remember that you can tell more about others by
giving them privileges rather than responsibilities.
8. Always remember that you don’t have to like
people but you do have to love them.
 9. Remember there are three kinds of people in the
world…those who make things happen; those who
watch things happen; and those who are
wondering what is happening.
10. Remember if you give a man a fish, you feed him
for a day; teach him to fish and you feed him for a
lifetime.

What to do:
✞Live by principles that glorify God.

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America and Greatness

June 3

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 14:20-28

 Key Verse: Verse 23 - “In all labour there is profit: but
the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury."
Key Words: In all labor there is profit

America has become a nation of people who ask,

“What can you do for me?” rather than a nation that asks,
“What can I do for my country?” We see this throughout our
society and even in our church people. As a rule, we aren’t
looking for churches in which we can serve but in churches
where we can be served.
Lyman Abbot wrote, “A nation is made great, not by its
fruitful acres, but by the men who cultivate them; not by its
great forests, but by the men who use them; not by its mines,
but by the men who build and run them. America was a great
land when Columbus discovered it; Americans have made it a
great nation.”
The author of the following is unknown. “Those who
built this nation to its present greatness believed in the
invincibility of intelligence, economy, and hard work. Guided
by Providence, they entered a wilderness with vision,
industry, and courage. They took the forked stick and made a
steel plow. They took the rude sickle and made a reaper.
They took the wagon and made an engine, an automobile, an
airplane, a tractor. They made an iron thread into an ocean
cable, rough type into great color printing presses, and steel
beams into soaring skyscrapers. They made forest trails into
magnificent highways. They put the little red schoolhouse
and the little white church on a thousand hills. America is
great because individual men have freedom and equality;
because individual men have been given the incentive to
create, to produce, and to save, because individual men have
been rewarded for their labor with a generous share of the
goods they helped to produce. America has taken its place
among the great civilizations of history because the
cornerstone upon which the republic rests is the social,
economic, and spiritual betterment of individual man.”
I might add that this all comes by the grace of God.

What to do:
✞Remember, labor makes us strong. Laziness will
make us weak.

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I’m Baffled
June 4

 Bible Reading: I Corinthians 16:1-10

 Key Verse: Verse 2 - “Upon the first day of the week let
every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath

prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I

come."
Key Words: let every one of you

Yes sir and yes ma’am, I’m baffled. I truly am. Not
just me, but other pastors are baffled as well.
It seems as though when our churches want to collect
money for special projects, people open up their wallets and
checkbooks and give generously. For example, someone in
the church is needy and going through a hard time – out
comes the money. When there is a special missions project,
man, do the people give! I read a story that took place during
the Civil War.
Far removed from the Civil War’s action in the little
town of Austin, Nevada, a local election turned into a bonanza
for the Union Army. Two local candidates for mayor,
Democrat Reuel Colt Gridley, who was a Southern
sympathizer, and Republican Dr. H. S. Herrick, a staunch
Union supporter, proposed a friendly wager: Whoever lost the
election would march between Austin and Clifton, Nevada,
carrying a sack of flour, whistling either “Dixie” or “John
Brown’s Body.” Gridley lost; he made the 1.25-mile trek
carrying a 50-pound sack of flour decorated with red, white,
and blue ribbons and flags. Herrick carried Gridley’s coat and
cane, but at the end he wouldn’t accept the flour, leaving
Gridley “holding the bag.” In the local saloon, the two decided
to auction it and send the proceeds to the U.S. Sanitary
Commission fund. The auction turned into a fundraiser, with
one miner after another buying the flour and re-donating it
for another sale. At the end of the day, they had collected over
$4,500, and Gridley still had the sack. He took the show to
cities around the United States. In the end, $275,000 was
raised.
Even in those days of the Civil War when many were
hurting financially, they gave – because it was a special
project.
Now, it’s not the giving to special projects that bothers
the pastors, it’s the lack of giving faithfully week after week to
meet the general needs of God’s work. The money for the
General Fund goes to meet the needs of our children and
children’s ministries, the bus ministry, the Sunday School
ministry, the Prime-Timers ministry, visitation, music, and
the list goes on and on. So the next time the offering plate is
passed, give to the church’s General Fund – it goes to meet
special needs as well.

What to do:
 ✞Give. It’s the way the church meets the financial
needs of the ministry.

A Round Tuit
June 5

 Bible Reading: James 5:1-7

 Key Verse: Verse 1 - Go to now, ye rich men, weep and
howl for your miseries that shall come upon you."
Key Words: Go to now

Whatever you do, don’t lose this Tuit. It’s of great

value. Tuits are not easy to obtain, especially the round ones.
As a matter of fact, they are extremely hard to find. I know,
because I see people looking for them all the time. “Pastor, I’ll
be at church Sunday if I can get a round tuit.” “I’ll teach that
class if I can get a round tuit.” “I’ll get rid of this sinful habit
when I can get a round tuit.” “I’ll get that job done around the
church as soon as I can get a round tuit.”
You see the importance of putting your own personal
round tuit in a safe place? They are especially hard to find
and because they are so rare, they are highly valuable.
Enough of the silliness! Most of us never get a round
tuit because of three things.
1. We are not “mentally organized.” That is a polite
way of saying we are “scatter-brained.”
2. We lack the self-discipline to go out and get the
job done.
3. We attempt things in our own strength rather
than asking God to intercede for us.
But are you aware that the Bible teaches us that God
has given us the ability to mentally organize our thoughts
(Proverbs 16:1); and that He places in us a desire to carry out
that which is mentally organized (Proverbs 13:4)? All we need
to do is commit our work to the Lord and our thoughts shall
be established (Proverbs 16:3).
So why then do we fail so often in things we set out to
accomplish?
 1. Unwise or unrealistic goals. Make your goals
reasonable. It is unrealistic to think you can lose
fifteen pounds in four days, but it is possible to do
it in four months. Set realistic goals in every
aspect of your life.
2. Our goals often oppose God’s will. Are your goals
in accordance with God’s Word and God’s will?
3. We make excuses by saying, “I’m going to do that
as soon as I get around to it.”
So below I have given you a round tuit, so go on and
accomplish things for God’s glory! Quit making excuses!

What to do:
✞Don’t procrastinate! Do it now!

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Going But Not Knowing

June 6

 Bible Reading: Acts 20:17-28

 Key Verse: Verse 22 - “And now, behold, I go bound in
the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things
that shall befall me there:"
Key Words: not knowing the things that shall
befall me

Paul, standing on an Asian beach, is saying goodbye to

his friend. Several of them weep freely and openly, realizing
they would never see him again (at least not on this earth).
The apostle looked from man to man, then looking out to sea,
utters the following words: “And now, behold I go bound in
the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall
befall me there” (Acts 20:22).
What an honest confession! I am going yet I do not
know what will happen to me. Now isn’t that what the
Christian life is all about? Going, yet not knowing, not
necessarily logical, not explainable, but very clear, at least to
us. There isn’t a Christian reading this article who hasn’t
walked down that path before! Abraham certainly had faced
this thing of going and not knowing. “By faith Abraham when
he was called to go out into a place which he should after
receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not
knowing whither he went.”
Some time back, while in Washington, DC, I talked
with a Christian school teacher making $20,000 a year. He
had just the year before made $100,000 but he said, “God
called and I followed, not knowing how my family would
make it.” Are you on the verge of such a decision? Let me
suggest the following.

What to do:
✞Be sure your decision doesn’t contradict Scripture.
✞Be sure your decision is unselfish in its motive.
✞Be sure it is the Lord speaking.

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Face It Head On!

June 7

 Bible Reading: I John 1

 Key Verse: Verse 9 - “If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness."
Key Words: If we confess our sins

Man finds it extremely difficult to accept full

responsibility for his sin. To say, "I was wrong; I’ve no one to
blame but myself” takes courage. The naked truth leaves us
exposed, vulnerable, and feeling alone. For this reason, we
rationalize and make excuses to keep the blame for our
wrongdoing from falling on our shoulders.
 A man was filling out an accident report for his
insurance company because he had carelessly dented the
fender of a parked car. One question on the form was, “What
could the operator of the other vehicle have done to avoid this
accident?” Trying to lay the blame on an innocent party, the
man wrote, “He could have parked somewhere else.”
Another method of hiding our faults from public view
is to change the standards to make it appear we’ve done
nothing amiss. I’m reminded of an army sharpshooter who
visited a small town and was amazed to find on the trees,
walls, fences, and barns many bull’s-eyes with the bullet holes
in the exact centers. Inquiring about this, he was introduced
to the remarkable marksman. “I’ve never seen anything like
it,” said the army man. “It’s incredible! How do you do it?”
“Easy as pie,” replied the local rifleman. “I shoot first and
draw the circle afterwards.”
To admit the truth is painful, but it’s a hurt that heals.
The freedom of forgiveness carries but one condition –
confession. God doesn’t have to know about your
shortcomings for His sake, but humbly admitting them to
Him is absolutely necessary for your sake. No sin can be put
behind your back until you face it head-on.

What to do:
✞Be mature! Confess your sin!

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A Dark Place
June 8

 Bible Reading: I Samuel 22:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 2 - “And every one that was in
distress, and every one that was in debt, and every
one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto
 him; and he became a captain over them: and there
were with him about four hundred men."
Key Words: and he became a captain over him

The cave of Adullam was certainly no Holiday Inn.

Huddled in this dark cavern were 400 losers. I guess you
could say they were a mob of miserable humanity. You can
read about these 400 losers in I Samuel 22, but in verse 2 of
this chapter it gives us a brief description of these 400
malcontents. “And everyone that was in distress, and
everyone that was in debt, and everyone that was
discontented, gathered themselves unto him [David], and he
became a captain over them; and there were with him about
four hundred men.”
These were tough guys. They would have been the
Israeli Mafia. Now here is David, their leader, who turns this
mob of madmen into an organized, well-disciplined fighting
force, mighty men of valor. Talk about a challenge! These
weren’t the filthy five, nor the nasty nine, nor the dirty dozen.
There are over 400 of these hard-luck hooligans.
Shortly thereafter the group grew to 600, and David
was the den mother for these desperados. He was the general,
master sergeant, and the chaplain all rolled up into one.
David, the little shepherd boy; David, the sweet psalmist of
Israel, became their captain. David pulled off unifying this
band of renegades and they became a great fighting machine.
These were David’s mighty men and many of their names are
listed in the Bible for heroism and dedication.
So what’s the point? All of us face challenges – for
some of you, it’s finances; to others, it’s your children; to still
others, it’s your business and still others, it’s your marriage.
Be encouraged by David who, by God’s grace, pulled together
400 malcontents. You can as well, by God’s grace, overcome
whatever challenges in life you may face. It will take inner
strength, wisdom, discretion, and self-discipline. Ask God for
it because God gives special attention to cries which come
from the dark places in life.
What to do:
✞When in a dark place, don’t despair, call out to
God.
Dealing with the Present
June 9

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 22:1-9

 Key Verse: Verse 6 - “Train up a child in the way he
should go: and when he is old, he will not depart
from it."
Key Words: Train up a child

Every child needs boundaries but the question I am

often asked is how and what boundaries. Let me answer those
questions by listing for you six boundaries every child needs,
but especially the high-spirited child.
1. Always show respect. Never call your child names
such as idiot, dummy, ugly, klutz, fatty, skinny,
shorty, etc. and expect the same from him. Any
disrespect toward others should not be acceptable.
2. Watch how you communicate authority. “Just do
it. Remember I am your mom.” “I’ll show you
because I am your dad.” If you have to remind
your child who and what you are, well, let’s just
say you’re not in control of the situation.
3. Establish reasonable boundaries. Boundaries do
two things. First of all, they establish
expectations; and secondly, they provide
knowledge that these expectations either are or
are not being met.
4. Be clear. Make sure your child knows what is
expected of him.
5. Reinforcement. What the child does good,
compliment and heap praise. When he is bad, let
him know that he has done badly but in a loving
way, rather than saying, “You are a horrible kid,”
which he may be. But I have found that calling
him horrible simply reinforces his horribleness.
Simply say, “You can do better.”
 6. Discipline. I am a firm believer in laying out your
expectations, making them clear, and after that, I
apply the “no warning system.” Most kids know
how many warnings mom and dad give before
they put discipline into action. God told man
what He expected and when man sinned, God
corrected with no warnings. Try it, you will be
pleasantly surprised at the results. But always
discipline out of love, not anger.
May God bless you as you train your child for God’s
glory.

What to do:
✞Remember, training involves action, not just talk.

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Habits
June 10

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:20-27

 Key Verse: Verse 26 - " Ponder the path of thy feet,
and let all thy ways be established."
Key Words: let all thy ways be established

 Thoughts produce acts, acts produce habits, and habits

produce character. ~ Anonymous
 If we realized the extent to which we were mere
walking bundles of habits, we would give more heed to
what they are forming. ~ William James
 First we form habits, and then they form us. ~ Dr. Ron
Gilbert
 Bad habits form a bad spirit. ~ Erwin Lutzer
 Small habits often grow to be bad crimes. ~ Hannah
Moore
 Habits are the best of servants and the worst of
masters. ~ Anonymous
 The Heidelberg Herald published this thought-
provoking story.
An elderly teacher, with a pupil by his side, took a walk
through a forest. Suddenly he stopped and pointed to four
plants close at hand. The first was just beginning to peep
above the ground, the second had rooted itself pretty well into
the earth, the third was a small shrub, while the fourth was a
full-sized tree. The tutor said to his young companion, “Pull
up the first.” The boy did so, eagerly, using only his fingers.
“Now pull up the second.” The youth obeyed, but found the
task more difficult. “Do the same with the third,” he urged.
The boy had to put forth all his strength, and was obliged to
use both arms to uproot it. “And now,” said the master, “try
your hand upon the fourth.” The pupil put his arms around
the trunk of the tall tree and couldn’t even shake its leaves.
“This, my son, is just what happens with our bad habits.
When they are young, we can cast them out more readily with
the help of God; but when they are old, it is hard to uproot
them, though we pray and struggle ever so sincerely.”
Always remember, today bad habits may be fun and
exciting but tomorrow they are our way of life that leads to
sorrow.

What to do:
✞If you’ll keep your “habits” God-honoring then you’ll
make it a habit to glorify God.

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Secular Humanism & A

Scriptural Rebuttal
June 11

 Bible Reading: Philippians 4:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 8 - “Finally, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are
 pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and
if there be any praise, think on these things."
Key Words: think on these things

Revelation 21:1, “And I saw a new heaven and a new

earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed
away; and there was no more sea.”
According to the Council for Secular Humanism,
within the United States, the term “Secular Humanism”
describes a world view with the following elements and
principles:
Need to test beliefs – A conviction that dogmas,
ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social,
must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply
accepted by faith.
Reason, evidence, scientific method – A
commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence and
scientific methods of inquiry in seeking solutions to human
problems and answers to important human questions.
Fulfillment, growth, creativity – A primary
concern with fulfillment, growth and creativity for both the
individual and humankind in general.
Search for truth – A constant search for objective
truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and
experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
This life – A concern for this life (as opposed to an
afterlife) and a commitment to making it meaningful through
better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual
and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who
differ from us.
Ethics – A search for viable individual, social and
political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their
ability to enhance human well-being and individual
responsibility.
Building a better world – A conviction that with
reason, an open exchange of ideas, good will, and tolerance,
progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves
and our children.
 Rebuttal

Need to test beliefs – What is the “rule” or guide by

which one tests their beliefs? We, as believers, as well believe
in testing our beliefs, but not by our own standard but by
God’s Word (I John 4:1; II Corinthians 10:12).
Reason, evidence, scientific method – We
believe without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews
11:6).
Fulfillment, growth, creativity – “For without me
ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Search for truth – John 1:17 and 14:6.
This life – Luke 12:19-21; Revelation 3:17.
Ethics – How about Galatians 5:22-23? Sounds
pretty responsible to me!
Building a better world – God has that planned,
too! Revelation 21:1-5
It just appears to me that the secular humanists are
looking for what we already have: Jesus Christ. May they find
Him as well!!

What to do:
✞Remember, man is not the answer, but the problem
(Isaiah 53:6).

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Stay Fresh
June 12
 Bible Reading: Romans 8:28-39
 Key Verse: Verse 28 – “And we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to
them who are the called according to his purpose."
Key Words: all things work together for good
 Just about every one of us can quote Romans 8:28. I
would venture to say if it’s not your favorite verse, it would
certainly make your list of favorite verses. “And we know that
all things work together for good to them that love God, to
them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans
8:28). This verse is often quoted when we go through trials
and adversities of life, but it is these trials and adversities that
make us “right.”
In the northeastern United States cod fish are not only
delectable, they are a big commercial business. There is a
market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections of the
Midwest and west. But the public demand posed a problem to
those who were responsible for shipping the cod. At first they
froze them but the freezing took away much of the flavor, so
they experimented with shipping them alive in tanks of
seawater; but that proved to be worse than freezing them.
Not only was it more expensive, the cod still lost its flavor and
in addition became soft and mushy. The texture was seriously
affected.
Finally some creative soul solved the problem in a
most unique way. The codfish were placed in a tank of
seawater along with their natural enemy, the catfish. From
the time the cod left the east coast until it arrived at its
western destination, those ornery catfish chased the cod all
over the tank! And you guessed it – when the cod arrived at
the market they were as fresh as when they were first caught.
Now, a question comes to mind: can you name some
catfish swimming in your tank? Maybe you live with your
catfish or work with them on your job. I am convinced that
every believer has at least one catfish in their tank whose call
in life is to keep you fresh for God’s enjoyment. Yes sir, and
yes ma’am, all things do “work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose.”

What to do:
✞Remember, your enemy may be the one keeping you
“fresh” with God.
 Real People
June 13

 Bible Reading: Exodus 14:1-18

 Key Verse: Verse 10 – “And when Pharaoh drew nigh,
the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold,
the Egyptians marched after them; and they were
sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto
the LORD."
Key Words: the children of Israel cried out unto
the Lord

Author Ronald Rood tells of an experience that shows

the power of imagination. He said he had visited a 2nd Grade
class where he gave a slide presentation of a Hawaiian
volcano. The pictures showed molten lava pouring into the
sea and steam rising a mile into the air. The scene was so
graphic that the children could almost hear the roar. Rood
then passed apiece of lava for the youngsters to examine.
After it was handled by two dozen hands, one little boy
brought the rock back to the front. Carefully cradling the
material in his hand, he exclaimed with wide eyes, "Mr. Rood,
it's still warm!"
How good it would be if the Biblical accounts of God's
people could come alive like that to us. That's not to say we
should try to fool ourselves or our children by letting our
imaginations run wild. But somehow we need to realize that
the stories in the Bible are more than just stories. The reality
they express needs to take hold of us. Moses, for instance,
knew what it meant to feel insecure. The people he led out of
Egypt cried hot, salty tears that left lines on their wind-blown
faces. These people had hearts that pounded when they were
scared. They had headaches when they were tired and hungry.
The arteries in their necks bulged when they were angry, and
their eyes watered when they laughed. Oh Christian friend,
ask God to make the people of the Bible and their experiences
come alive to you. After all, they were living, coughing,
crying, laughing human beings. And they are our examples,
for good or for not so good.
What to do:
✞Pray God’s Word will come alive to each of us.

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The Indwelling of the Spirit

June 14

 Bible Reading: Romans 8:1-11

 Key Verse: Verse 11 – “But if the Spirit of him that
raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that
raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken
your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
Key Words: Spirit that dwelleth in you

The Old Testament has much to say about the Holy

Spirit. The Spirit of God is mentioned 88 times in the Old
Testament. The Spirit of God is mentioned in 22 of the 39 Old
Testament books.
In the Old Testament you read about an outpouring of
the Holy Spirit on individuals for special service. Gideon was
such a person for we read in Judges 6:34, “But the Spirit of
the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and
Abiezer was gathered after him.” Speaking of Samson, the
Word of God says in Judges 14:6a, “And the Spirit of the Lord
came mightily upon him.” But in the Old Testament the Spirit
of God did not take up permanent residence in the lives of
people. He would simply come upon them for special service
and then He would leave them. We read in I Samuel 16:14,
“But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul.” In Psalm
51:11 it states, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take
not thy Holy Spirit from me.”
To be born of the flesh produces only what the flesh
can give you. To be spirit-born produces what the Holy Spirit
can conceive in you. To be heaven-bound, you must be
heaven-born.
May God bless you as you allow the Holy Spirit, not
only to live in you, but through you.
What to do:
✞May the Holy Spirit not only live in you but work
through you.

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Digging Wells
June 15

 Bible Reading: Genesis 26:18-32

 Key Verse: Verse 32 – And it came to pass the same
day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him
concerning the well which they had digged, and said
unto him, We have found water."
Key Words: We have found water

A newspaper dated June 13, 1862, made the following

report. "The army of Mississippi has taken a position near
Tupelo, about fifty miles south of Corinth. It is stated that this
is the first point at which a sufficient supply of water could be
obtained. About one hundred wells have already been dug
and more are being dug daily.”
Well-digging was also done in the days of Abraham
and Isaac; ever since Hagar, in the wilderness of Beersheba,
saw a well of water and filled her bottle (Genesis 21:19); ever
since Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water
which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away (Genesis
21:25).
Wells have not always been the same size.
Wells have not always been the same depth.
Wells have not always been the same age.
Wells have not always been dug the same way.
But water, H2O, has always been the same. It is
refreshing for one’s thirst and it is comforting for those who
need comfort on that hot summer day, but spiritual water is
even more refreshing to the soul.
John 4:13-14, “Jesus answered and said unto her,
whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But
whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall
never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in
him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
If you’ve never had this spiritual water, we would be
more than happy to show you where it can be found. If we
can be of assistance to you, please feel free to call on any of us.

What to do:
✞Drink of this spiritual water.

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How to Get Respect

June 16

 Bible Reading: Genesis 4:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 7 – If thou doest well, shalt thou not
be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the
door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt
rule over him."
Key Words: If thou doest well, shalt thou not be
accepted?

Respect is something most everyone wants and very

few get, but I believe the Bible lays down some basic
principles by which respect comes. Please note them with me.
First, we must do right. (Genesis 4:4; see also
Galatians 6:7)
Secondly, we must be right. (Genesis 4:5a)
Thirdly, we must act right. (No one will ever respect
childish actions from an adult.) (Genesis 4:5b)
Fourthly, we must live right. (Genesis 4:6-7)
Last of all, we must respect others. (Genesis 4:8-10)
If you want to be respected, these things must be in
place in your life.
Every Christian says, “Not my will, but thine be done,
O Lord.” But do we mean it? In Christianity it is so vital that
each of us be respected. Israel would have never listened to
Joshua had they not respected him. The church at Philippi
would have never listened to Paul had they not respected him.
The house of Cornelius would have never listened to Peter if
they hadn’t respected him.
Today, dear friend, will you commit yourself by God’s
grace to work at being respected by others? You may wonder,
how do I gain this respect?
A man once parked his car on a street. Up came a boy
and looked it over. His eyes were wide with admiration of the
beautiful car. “Where did you get this car?” he asked. “My
brother gave it to me,” replied the man. “My, I wish…” The
man knew the boy was wishing that he had a car like that; but
the lad went on and finished the sentence surprisingly. “I wish
I could be a brother like yours. I have a crippled brother that I
would like to get a car for.” How do you gain respect? Think
more of others than you do yourself.

What to do:
✞Apply the five Biblical principles listed above.

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Honest Work!
June 17

 Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:23-30

 Key Verse: Verse 28 – “Let him that stole steal no
more: but rather let him labour, working with his
hands the thing which is good, that he may have to
give to him that needeth."
Key Words: steal no more

Is it just my perception, or have people forgotten the

basic rules of honesty? I read recently about a fruit market in
California where a little boy was cramming grapes into his
mouth as fast as he could. His parents were nowhere in sight.
A clerk at the fruit stand watched helplessly, not knowing
what to do as the little fellow pigged out on the grapes. After
awhile the mother appeared and saw what the little fellow was
doing, but it was her rebuke that shocked me. “Johnny,” she
said, “don’t eat so fast.”
Can this really be the kind of society we live in, have
we really forgotten the basic rules of honesty so clearly
expressed in the eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal”
(Exodus 20:15)? Now you don’t have to have a doctorate in
Bible Interpretation to understand that! The Word of God
clearly states that if we take anything that belongs to someone
else or withhold that which rightly belongs to someone else,
we have broken the Word of God. Honest work, earning what
we have, is the teaching of God’s Word.
While we scoff at government hand-outs and rightly
so, we border on being hypocritical if we constantly give to our
children who hold their hand out, not willing to work for what
they want. The command of God’s Word is work, honest
work. II Thessalonians 3:10b, “…that if any would not work,
neither should he eat.” I Timothy 5:8, “But if any provide not
for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath
denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.” Honest work
pays.

What to do:
✞Be honest with all your “doings.”

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Jealousy
June 18

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 6:26-35

 Key Verse: Verse 34 – “For jealousy is the rage of a
man: therefore he will not spare in the day of
vengeance."
Key Words: For jealousy is the rage of a man

Like a half-starved dog digging through the foul-

smelling trash is the person caged with jealousy. Trapped by
rage he begins to feed himself on the filth of his own
imagination. Jealousy has now gripped his soul and refuses to
turn loose. Thus it was with Cain, he was jealous of Abel. So
it was with Saul, he was jealous of David. Thus it was with the
Pharisees, as they were jealous of Jesus.
Anyone who has experienced deliverance from this
horrible parasite knows all too well the damage it can cause.
Jealousy will decimate a friendship, dissolve a romance and
destroy a marriage. It will shoot tension through the ranks of
a staff and even a church. Jealousy will nullify team unity. It
will foster bitter competition among choir members or staff
members. It causes finger pointing! Jealousy will question
motives and it will deplore the success of another.
Jealousy and envy have often been used
interchangeably, but there is a difference. Envy begins with
empty hands, mourning for what it doesn’t have. Jealousy
begins with full hands, and it is threatened by what it loses or
thinks it may lose.
May our daily cry to God be, “Lord, keep me clean
from jealousy.”

What to do:
✞ Be clean from jealousy.

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It Came to Pass
June 19

 Bible Reading: I John 2:15-21

 Key Verse: Verse 17 – “And the world passeth away,
and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God
abideth for ever."
Key Words: And the world passeth away

There are certain abiding elements in the Christian life

which are always constant, unchanging – circumstances
change, moods change, the economy changes – but the truth
of God’s Word abides forever. As we build upon the solid
unchanging Word of God we are able to face the challenges
and changes in this life; for the present is bearable because
the future is secure!
An ancient king once charged his wise men to create a
sentence which could forever be viewed and be appropriate at
all times and in all situations. They finally presented to him
engraved on a stone these words, “And this too shall pass
away.” How true for those who place all their happiness, joy
and peace in this world.
Some years ago a trolley car in Atlanta, Georgia,
bumped into a lamp post called the Eternal Flame of the
Confederacy. The bump caused the flame to go out. In New
York they lit the eternal flame of the United Nations. It stayed
lit about ten minutes before going out. Hitler said his Third
Reich would last 1,000 years; it lasted less than 1,000 days.
Yes, the world will pass away with all of its lusts and
pleasures but the Word of God and those who are born again
will abide forever. Life comes to pass but the best is yet to
come!

What to do:
✞Prioritize your life around Christ. It never passes
away.

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Synthetic Sympathy
June 20

 Bible Reading: James 2:14-26

 Key Verse: Verse 16 – “And one of you say unto them,
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which
are needful to the body; what doth it profit?"
Key Words: what doth it profit?

The key verse is verse 16, “And one of you say unto
them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are
needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Genuine sympathy,
out of a heart of love and compassion, is certainly hard to
come by these days. We seem to be living in a day of
“religion,” not Christianity. In the story told by Christ of the
Good Samaritan, the priest and Levite were religious, but the
Samaritan was “Christian” in his act of sympathy. The
following illustration proves my point.
“Madam,” he apologized in a broken voice, “I wish to
draw your attention to the terrible plight of a poor family in
your neighborhood. The father is dead, the mother is too ill to
work, and the nine children are hungry. Moreover, they are
about to be turned out into the cold streets unless the
neighbors pay their rent.” At this point the neighbor asked,
“And who are you, Sir?” Bowing his head in embarrassment,
he sheepishly said, “I am the landlord.”
The moral of this story is this: Are we truly interested
in others, or are we interested in others because it affects us?
If we knew what hearts are aching for the comforts we
might bring,
If we knew what souls are yearning for the sunshine
we could fling,
If we knew what feet are weary walking pathways
roughly laid,
We would quickly hasten forward stretching forth our
hands to aid.
If we knew what friends around us feel a want they
never tell,
That some word which we have spoken, pained or
wounded where it fell,
We would speak in accents tender to each friend we
chanced to meet,
We would give to each one freely, smiles of sympathy
so sweet.
~ Selected

What to do:
✞Live as a Christian.
 Mismanagement
June 21

 Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:6-16

 Key Verse: Verse 16 – “Redeeming the time, because
the days are evil."
Key Words: Redeeming the time

Some people can't say no to a salesman at the door.

Others have the hardest time passing up a free puppy . . . or
driving by a garage sale without stopping. Now, none of those
are my “weaknesses,” but a good book – now that’s a different
story. I love to read biographies and autobiographies, but I
also love books on time management. I want to be more than
busy, I want to be effective with my time; so I buy books that I
hope can assist me in that area.
I often recall what Bernard Baruch once said:
“Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have
committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and
public life, have been the consequences of action without
thought.”
This reminds me a lot of what Paul said in Ephesians
5:14-16, “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and
arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then
that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” It is verses
like these that reach out and grab me and say, “Hey man,
wake up and get with it.” You see, we are to manage our time,
not let time manage us.
Now, I don’t want to offend anyone but you do know,
don’t you, that always running late is a time management
problem. Your punctuality reflects a lot about your
management skills.
Below are the top ten reasons people mismanage their
time.
 Procrastination (put it off as long as they can)
 Lack of organization (no priority system)
 Not doing first things first
 Attempting too much at once
  Unrealistic time estimates
 Focus on needless details
 Unable to say “no”
 Failure to delegate
 Failure to listen, thus missing important instructions
 Laziness
Well, that’s enough for now. I would write more, but
quite frankly, I just don’t have the time.

What to do:
✞ Time is valuable. Use it wisely.

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Rights Versus Responsibilities

June 22

 Bible Reading: II Timothy 2:1-13

 Key Verse: Verse 2 – “And the things that thou hast
heard of me among many witnesses, the same
commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to
teach others also."
Key Words: who shall be able to teach others also

We live in a day of “rights.” We have children’s rights,

women’s rights, men’s rights, gay rights, animal rights,
environmental rights, minority rights, and the list goes on and
on. Have you ever stopped to consider that with rights we
have responsibilities? In our text, you see that Timothy had a
right to be taught, but he had a responsibility to teach others.
It is so very easy to demand our rights; the hard part is
fulfilling the responsibility once the rights are granted to us.
We as adults have a right to vote, but with that right comes
the responsibility to carry out that right. We have a right to
assemble together on Sunday, but with the right comes the
responsibility to assemble ourselves together.
 I have a right to stand up and proclaim the gospel, but
it is my responsibility to live what I preach. You, as a member
of your local church, have a right to sing in the choir; but it is
your responsibility to be faithful at it. You have a right to have
your Sunday School class, whether it be children, youth,
singles, young marrieds, or other adult classes; but you then
have a responsibility to be faithful and support its activities
and functions. You have a right to invite people to church,
and I hope you do; but you have a responsibility to keep a
Godly testimony so as not to diminish God’s glory and hurt
your’s or your church’s reputation.
Yes, we have rights, but we also have responsibilities.
May God grant you the strength and wisdom as you fulfill
your responsibilities.

What to do:
✞ Don’t just focus on your “right,” focus also on your
responsibility.

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Keep It In Perspective
June 23

 Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 1 – “I therefore, the prisoner of the
Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the
vocation wherewith ye are called,"
Key Words: walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called

If we are to walk worthy we must keep things in

perspective, if life is to be lived for God’s glory. A proper
Biblical perspective is necessary, but we do have a tendency to
take things out of perspective. Let me explain.
A young teenager called her mom at home and
informed her that she was running away to marry the love of
her life. She went on to say, “Mom, if you could meet him you
would love him. He’s in a motorcycle gang and has the most
beautiful tattoos. His hair goes all the way to his belt and his
earrings make him stand out in a crowd.” The mother begged
her daughter not to act hastily, and beseeched her to come
home so that Mom and Dad could reason with her. The
daughter agreed and came home for the purpose of reasoning
with her parents.
Mom cried and pleaded. Dad’s jaws tight and teeth
showing revealed his anger with his daughter. Finally the
daughter said, “If I agree to stay at home and not get married,
will you promise not to stay angry with me over all the events
of the day; and will you promise to forgive me of all the things
that have happened today?” Both Mom and Dad consented.
Then the daughter said, “Well, Mom, Dad, I really am not
running away to get married. There is no guy, much less a guy
in a motorcycle gang with tattoos, long hair, and earrings.
There is no guy in my life at all.” Now Mom and Dad both
breathed a sigh of relief, embraced their daughter and assured
her of their love...which the daughter gladly received. Then
she said, “While there is no guy, no motorcycle gang, no long
hair, no earrings...while these things are not true, it is true
that today I got my report card and I have two Ds and one F.”
At this point neither Mom nor Dad got upset at her grades.
They were still rejoicing in the fact that their daughter was not
running away to marry a guy in a motorcycle gang. That day
the parents got a lesson on keeping things in perspective.
Keep things in perspective.

Pastor’s Note: I do not think Ds and Fs are acceptable,

but they are also not the worst things that could happen.
Remember, problems are nothing more than an opportunity
for improvement.

What to do:
✞ Keep things in perspective.
 Doing Your Best
June 24

 Bible Reading: Philippians 3:14-21

 Key Verse: Verse 14 – “I press toward the mark for
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Key Words: I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

For the apostle Paul, each day was the continuation of

an exciting and challenging race. He wasn=t striving to gain
entrance into heaven; he was confident of being welcomed
there through his faith in Christ=s atoning work on the cross.
The apostle=s concern was to be at his best for the Savior B to
grow in His likeness and to realize in daily experience the
power of his resurrection (Phil 3:10). This meant forgetting
what was behind, letting neither success nor failure hinder his
growth. It meant pressing on till the day he would hear his
Master say, Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Matthew 25:23.
John Baker, a high school junior, surprised everyone
by winning his first cross-country race. He outran the state
champion and set a new record. Later he said that as he was
running he asked himself, AAm I doing my best?@ This
question motivated him to try just a little harder. Rather than
being discouraged by the runner in front of him, he would
determine to pass him B somehow! When he did, he set
another goal of passing the next runner, and the next. By
giving his all and letting nothing distract him, he found an
unexpected reserve of power that ultimately brought him to
victory.
Something of that determination must keep us moving
forward as believers. Victory does not come to those who are
easily turned aside, or who are less than wholehearted in their
commitment and service. Let=s ask ourselves, AAm I doing my
best for Christ?@ This will help us “press toward the mark of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
I=m pressing on the upward way,
 New heights I=m gaining everyday B
Still praying as I=m onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

What to do:
✞Be determined to always do your best for God.

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What’s the Right Word?

June 25

 Bible Reading: II Timothy 2:15-22

 Key Verse: Verse 15 – “Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.."
Key Words: Study to show thyself approved unto
God

According to a well-known story, the noted filmmaker

Samuel Goldwyn didn't know the correct plural of the word
“mongoose.” He needed two of these animals for a scene in a
production, so he asked his secretary what word he should
use. She didn’t know either. He thought for a minute and
then said, “Okay, take a letter to the San Diego Zoo. Have it
read, ‘We’d like to rent a mongoose for use in a motion
picture. And while you’re at it, send us another one.’”
This is more than a cute story. It reminds us that there
are many different ways of saying the same thing. Nowhere
can you find a better example of this than in the Word of God.
The principles of godliness are repeated in hundreds of
different ways. The Lord has given us His truth in various
settings, styles, and language forms. So diverse are His
approaches to the truth that if we can’t figure out the meaning
of a particular Scripture passage, we’ll find it clearly stated
somewhere else in the Bible.
 The issue is not that God couldn’t have spoken once-
and-for-all so that everybody could understand. But He knew
that readers of His Word down through the centuries would
create all kinds of arguments based on words pulled out of
their context. So He gave us a Bible that we can understand
by comparing Scripture with Scripture.
Don’t get lost in arguments about words that aren’t
building you up. Study and read and keep reading until you
grasp the spiritual truth that is always bigger than any one
way of describing it.

What to do:
✞“Study” God’s Word.

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Don’t Get Burned

June 26

 Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 7 – “A time to rend, and a time to
sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;"
Key Words: a time to keep silence

There are some children that simply getting them to

bed can be a nightmare in itself.
I read a story some time back about a dad putting his
little darling to bed: a bedtime story, a doll, a drink of water, a
bedtime prayer, a song, another doll, a kiss, another drink of
water, a trip to the bathroom, a warning, another kiss, and
finally, the threat. Finally dad makes it to his favorite chair,
but before he can stretch out and relax, a piercing scream
comes from little “jitterbug’s” room. Dad makes a mad dash
to the room to find his little joy of continual motion crying,
“What’s wrong?” “What happened?” “I burnt my tongue.”
Baffled, he tried again, “You what?” “I burnt my tongue,” she
yelled. “How did you burn your tongue?” “I licked the night
light.” She simply could not control her curiosity. Rude was
her awakening to the fact that lights are strictly for lighting,
not for licking. She put her tongue where it didn’t belong and
got burned.
Sounds like a lot of people I know!! Solomon said it
best in Ecclesiastes 3:7a, “There is a time to keep silence.”
Solomon goes on to say, “…and a time to speak.” Knowing
when to speak is a real key to proper and godly
communication. When the time is right things will flow very
naturally, very freely. To rush or force the conversation
creates friction and scars that take years to ease. Take the
little fellow who plants his seeds, then digs them up everyday
to see if they are growing. Waiting is the key to productivity.
So often that is true with our words as well.
When the fish aren’t biting, banging on the water with
the oar won’t help. You can’t get sap out of a hoe handle, nor
can a relationship be corrected by legislative force. There are
three important keys to saying what you need to say:
 Right time,
 Right place, and
 Right way.
Take it from one who has learned this lesson the hard
way – keep a bridle on your tongue and relax. If not, you’re
going to get caught with your tongue in the wrong place and
get burned.

What to do:
✞ Apply the three-fold principles for speaking.

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It’s A Matter of Honor

June 27

 Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:1-10

 Key Verse: Verse 2 - “Honour thy father and mother;
which is the first commandment with promise;"
 Key Words: Honour thy father and mother

The word honor means weighty. The idea is that your

words and thoughts carry a lot of weight. The following story
illustrates this point.
I had begged for a hunting dog and after much
pleading, my dad finally consented with the understanding I
would take care of the mutt. Well, several months passed and
as is the norm for kids, I forgot my promise to take care of
“Old Blue.” On one cold winter day, I decided it was just too
cold to feed my hound. That night Dad, for reasons
unbeknownst to me, asked, “Son, are you keeping your word
and taking care of the dog?” I was tempted to lie, but parents
have a God-given gift to look into your eyes and know when
you are lying; so I ‘fessed up to the fact I had neglected my
duties. I was immediately sent out to feed the dog and was
then sent to bed.
The next morning I awoke suddenly sensing that
something was different. I jumped out of bed and dashed
down the hallway to the kitchen window and stared straight
for the dog pen. Old Blue was gone! Dad had given him away
because I failed to keep my word; but in giving Old Blue away,
Dad had kept his word. That day I lost a dog but I gained
honor for my Dad.
You see, raising our children is not a matter of what
our children like or dislike. It is a matter of honor. How can a
parent’s word be weighty when they do not do what they say?

What to do:
✞ Parents, keep your word. Children, honor your
parents.
 It’s Not About Me
June 28

 Bible Reading: II Timothy 4:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 2 - “Preach the word; be instant
in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering and doctrine."
Key Words: Preach the word

Some time back a young pastor asked me how to go

about evaluating the church, its ministry, and even how to go
about evaluating himself. The following is a portion of the
letter I sent to him.
Have definite goals for your church. The achieving of
these goals will be an indication that you are making progress.
The pastor who simply lives from week to week will always
stay discouraged because he doesn’t know where he is going.
II Corinthians 10:7-13 is a clear warning against the
wrong kind of self-evaluation. It is easy for a church to
become a mutual admiration society. The true measure of a
church’s success is not what it is doing compared to other
churches, but is it fulfilling its own potential?
Don’t forget that churches go through stages of
growth, not unlike the human body. The babyhood stage of
the church is new and exciting, much like having a newborn
baby in the house. But then things settle down and you reach
the childhood stage. This is the stage when people seem to
manufacture problems. Next is the spiritual maturity stage.
This is when the church as a whole sees the importance of
soul-winning, faithfulness to God’s house, and they come for
God’s glory.
One word of encouragement: the Lord rarely lets a
pastor see how much good he is doing. When you feel the
most discouraged, God is probably using you in the greatest
way. Be faithful!! God will take care of the rest (I Corinthians
4:2). Always remember, it’s not a popularity contest.
  Preach the Word.,
 Be instant in season and out of season,
 Reprove,
 Rebuke, and
 Exhort...with all longsuffering.
May God bless you as you labor for His glory.

What to do:
✞Apply the above spiritual principles.

****************************************

That One Desire

June 29

 Bible Reading: Philippians 1:21-30

 Key Verse: Verse 21 - “For to me to live is Christ, and
to die is gain.
Key Words: For me to live is Christ

The greatest achievements in life are usually

accomplished by people who have a singular desire that
becomes the ruling passion of all they do. For example, when
Bob Feller was a child, he loved to throw a ball. By the age of
five, he spent hours every day pitching through a hole in the
barn wall. At ten his father bought him all the necessary
equipment and provided him with a playing field on the
family farm. At thirteen he pitched for a local team and
averaged twenty strike-outs a game. At seventeen he began
playing for the Cleveland Indians. As a major leaguer he had
six seasons as a twenty-game winner, three no-hit games,
eleven one-hitters, 266 wins, and he set a record of 348 strike-
outs in one season. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of
Fame. Bob Feller had one desire – baseball!
Something of that same focusing of life can be seen in
every Christian who has been used of God in a special way.
The words of today’s text, perhaps more than any others
penned by the Apostle Paul, express the overruling passion of
his life. In every joy, in every sorrow, in every reversal of
events, in every achievement, he had but one concern – that
he might know Christ, and the power of His resurrection, and
the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10). Is it any
wonder that he stands out among the great Christians of all
time, and that God entrusted to him the writing of nearly half
of the New Testament?

What to do:
✞Fill in the blank: For me to live is ____________.

****************************************

Labels
June 30
 Bible Reading: Acts 24:1-9
 Key Verse: Verse 5 – “For we have found this man a
pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all
the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of
the sect of the Nazarenes:"
Key Words: For we have found this man a
pestilent fellow

Let's play label. It seems to be one of the most

popular games people play. The rules are easy to remember.
Any number of people can play. But the game is especially
appealing to those who are scorners, fault-finders, and those
who tend to love to criticize.
Now labels may vary. There are “temperament” labels.
For example, “She’s choleric,” “He’s moody and hot-
tempered,” etc. There are “emotional” labels: “He’s neurotic,”
“She’s a nervous person,” “He’s a perfectionist.”
But my favorites are the “Spiritual” labels: “He’s a
dictator,” “She’s a Pharisee,” “He has no standards,” “He’s
too strict.” You know those spiritual labels.
Now to be completely honest about it, it is occasionally
helpful to lick a label and stick it on. It saves a bundle of time
and it can communicate a fairly clear picture. However, it is
important that we guard against using a wrong label that
could be dangerous and damaging. If you label Exlax as
chocolate candy, that is bad; so get those labels right when
you label people.
Now the danger in playing label is that you set yourself
up as judge and jury declaring that your third-hand
information is correct. Now when that happens, the game of
label is over and now you begin to play the game of slander.
Pasting labels on people, churches, and schools with only
partial facts, feelings and opinions is not only unfair in the
game of label, it is also unchristian.
Those who really enjoy the game of label are either
immature spiritually or they are unsaved. As a matter of fact,
they are the only ones who play the game. Oh well, I really
don’t like the game of label anyway, so I don’t think I’ll play.
How about you?

What to do:
✞ Don’t play label!

Notes:
Notes:
Notes:
I deeply appreciate the
help of

Mary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these

people to help, this
devotional would not
have been possible.
 is a ministry of

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road

Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org