A Newlife Ministries Devotional: Silencing Unholy Sounds

Silencing Unholy Sounds

You don't need to look very far to find that our culture is bombarded by words-billboards, radio, email, text messaging, internet, television, telephones, the list goes on and on. Some messages are, of course, better than others. Nevertheless, there comes a time when we all need a break from the constant bombardment. 

But how do you find refuge in a world as frenzied as ours? You can't just set up your life in a way that you avoid everything coming at you. Yet it will be good for you to find a way to carve out a time and a place for silence in the midst of the frenzy. 

The Bible tells us to sit still and be silent, and know that God is God. Take a break from the constant chatter of the world. Sit quietly and attentively in God's presence. 

Try it. See if this spiritual discipline doesn't break the power of fear and anxiety in your life. See if it doesn't heighten your awareness of God's presence. See if, in this silence, you can learn to pay less attention to the noise of the world and more attention to what God is trying to say to you. 

Set aside some time this week. Read Psalm 46 slowly and carefully, then sit quietly and let your heart rest in the comforting truth that God is God, and you're not! 

- Steve Arterburn 

"There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it." - Minnie Aumonier (1865-1952)

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From Newlife Ministry: The Blessing of Brokenness

The Blessing of Brokenness

Brokenness is actually a blessing, but too often we're so caught up with wanting to feel better we miss God's best for us. If you're struggling . . . if you feel as if your faith is gone . . . don't miss the blessing that comes with brokenness . . . Here's a story that illustrates what I mean:

There was a young priest who was about to lift the communion cup and bless the cup. It was made of choice crystal. Just when he lifted up the cup, it slipped out of his hand and smashed in pieces onto the floor. He looked up at the senior priest thinking that he would be ridiculed. Instead the senior priest said, "I never knew there were so many beautiful pieces to reflect the light until the cup was broken. How marvelous and beautiful are all the pieces when the light shines on them!"

Like the cup, our broken lives can accentuate the beauty of the light shining through them. For that light is the Lord. What we fear is to be broken or be seen as broken; but as this story illustrates, it is in our brokenness that the light of Christ dazzles-drawing attention to His beauty, and making our lives beautiful as a result. 

And, in the book, Wild at Heart, John Eldredge commented, "But you can't do this at a distance; you can't ask Christ to come into your wound while you remain far from it. You have to go there with him." It's o.k. to be broken; it is in our brokenness that we can bring it to the Lord and experience His touch and healing, and bring hope to our broken heart. 

- Steve Arterburn 

"God can take all the broken pieces and put it back together in a way that is good."- Max Johnson

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Climbing Mount Everest

Every year people die attempting to reach the top of Mt. Everest. Not long ago a man named David Sharp suffered such a fate. What's particularly sad about David, however, is that more than 40 people passed him before he died without offering help. Why? 

Perhaps they didn't want to waste the years of training it took to prepare or maybe they were thinking about the $60,000 cost of the climb. Some were probably intent on conquering the mountain and reaching the top, but that doesn't explain the people who passed David on the way down. Maybe those people thought David was a loser...not worthy to be on the mountain and not worthy of their help. 

Time, money, goals, and pride - these false gods keep us from loving the people in our path. Who are you passing by on your climb to the top of the mountain? What decision will you make next time your neighbor is in need of help? 

- Steve Arterburn 

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. " Mark Twain (1835-1915

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Career Flashpoints

Career Flashpoints

The other day, I was talking to a man about his experience of being fired from his job. After the initial shock had worn off, he grieved for a while, and then he sat around the house and did nothing. Because he had considerable savings, he didn't have to work, so he didn't. Staying home became easier and easier. 

That was ten years ago, and now his savings are depleted. Being fired left him without employment, but his self-imposed sabbatical left him without self-respect. Now he doesn't know what to do with himself. If you lose your job - which a lot of American's are experiencing these days - don't drop out of life. Hang in there. As a matter of fact, this may be an opportunity for what I call a flashpoint. 

Flashpoints are those moments in life when you make a decision that changes everything. And a crossroads moment like the loss of a job offers you the opportunity to make such a decision. Flashpoints are energizing, faith-inducing moments. If you've lost your job, are you thinking of a career change, or know someone who is...think of it as a flashpoint and see what God has in store for you. 

- Steve Arterburn 

"I am not interested in the past. I am interested in the future, for that is where I expect to spend the rest of my life. " - Charles F. Kettering (1876-1958)

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Hiding God's Word

Hiding God's Word

What sorts of things find their way into your heart and mind? If you're exposing yourself to a constant barrage of ungodly words, music, or images, you're not taking full responsibility for your life.You can fill your heart and mind with God's Word, and when you do, you'll create a defense against some of the evil messages the world so frequently sends your way. 

The writer of Psalm 119 declared, "I have tried my best to find you-don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:10-11). "Hiding" God's Word in your heart essentially means memorizing and meditating on the Bible. God uses his Word-the Bible-to speak to you and show you how you ought to live. 

You've been given the responsibility to guard your heart and to keep track of the things you hide inside it. So, what's in there? Anger? Lust? Ugly images from TV, the movies, or the web? Are you harboring bitterness? Greed? Are you envious of others? If you're struggling with these things maybe it's because you have more of the world's wisdom in your heart than the true wisdom of God. 

Are you having a hard time finding God and following his commands? Hiding God's word in your heart will foster spiritual growth by guarding against those things that hurt you and displease God. 

- Steve Arterburn 

"I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me . . . they are cramming for their final." - George Carlin (1937-2008)

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Being Before Doing

Being Before Doing

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. - Psalm 46:10 

Filling our lives with activity and busyness puts us in dangerous territory. Aside from making us emotionally frazzled and physically exhausted, it's also threatening to make us both intellectually and spiritually deficient. 

I'm not suggesting you live a passive life. Nor am I suggesting there's a dichotomy between being and doing. But I am suggesting there's a priority. Why?

 

- Doing creates and perpetuates the myth that we're in control; being acknowledges that God's in control.  

- Doing commits us to safety; being acknowledges that the Christian life is one of faith-and that means one of risk.  

- Doing engenders spiritual pride; being produces humility.  

- Doing is about correcting behavioral patterns; being is about spiritual renewal through knowing God.  

- Doing is about reactionary response; being is about thoughtfully, prayerfully, and intentionally bringing what the Bible teaches to bear upon every aspect of life.

 What are you "being" as you live your life doing? 

- Steve Arterburn 

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon (1940-1980)

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Banishing fear

From New Life Ministries...

Banishing Fear

When we feel threatened in relationships, we tend to become defensive and guarded. On the other hand, when we feel safe, we're far more willing to be open and vulnerable. This is true of our relationships with other people, and it's also true in our relationship with God. 

The apostle John wrote: "Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that [God's] love has not been perfected in us. We love each other as a result of his loving us first." 

If Jesus hadn't paid the price for our sins on the cross, there would be every reason for fear and defensiveness before a holy God. But, God showed His love for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to pay for our sins and free us from them. As a result, it's safe to open yourself to God. 

Jesus has his arms wide open, calling you to come and receive His love. Could there be anything better? His love is real, and waiting to embrace you. His love is ready to transform you and drive the fear from your heart. God is love, and He shows Himself to you in and through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

When you open yourself to God's love, you'll become open to seeing the truth about God and yourself-and you'll no longer need to be afraid. 

- Steve Arterburn 

"Never take counsel of your fears." - Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (1824-1863)

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Where do you place the Risen Christ in your life?

What do you do with the Risen Christ?

The Church of my childhood has chosen to "upstage" a beautiful Risen Christ cross which has hung above the altar since the 1950s. They are reinstalling a window that was taken out at that time for the installation of this cross.   They have stated that the Risen Christ cross will remain in the church. They are now trying to figure out how best to place it.

That got me thinking... Where do I place the Risen Christ in my life?

Where do you place the Risen Christ in your life?

Bearing each other's burdens...

This is from Steve Arturburn of New Life Ministries:

Bearing Each Other's Burdens

We are called to walk alongside others on the journey of discipleship. We serve our brothers and sisters by helping them stay on or return to the path of faithfulness. And we also serve them by making sure we continue in faithfulness. Self-neglect and irresponsibility impose an unfair burden on your brother and sister in Christ, because they're responsible to help you. The body of Christ is not a place of self-sufficiency. It's time we quit believing those lies we've been listening to for so long. The Christian faith is not each person looking out for him or herself. Nor is it the survival of the fittest.

The body of Christ is a place of interdependency. When you share the troubles and problems of others, you're fulfilling the law of love. Our burdens bring us together! As you call on others to help you bear your burdens, you will find your love and appreciation growing. Your weaknesses call forth other's strengths. And when others call on you, you have the opportunity to be an agent of God's mercy and grace, looking for nothing in return.

Do you know someone who is under a heavy burden at this time? What practical way can you come alongside that person and help him or her bear it? Prayerfully consider what God may be calling you to do, then step forward and do it.

- Steve Arterburn

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." - Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

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How do we protect ourselves from ourselves?

Recently, someone who I've known professionally has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.  I can't and won't speak of the specifics of this exact case other than to say that I never would have suspected this person of being in this situation.

Whenever I've heard reports of some adult being accused, it is always an adult I've never met and probably never will meet.  This changed when the person I know was accused.  I was left asking myself this question:

How do we protect ourselves from ourselves?

Recent laws calling on everyone to be a mandatory reporter...

Three different background checks...

No less than two unrelated adults in a room at a time with young people...

Installing windows in solid doors...

Wherever possible, providing separate bathrooms for adults and young people and separate sleeping and shower facilities for overnight settings...

These are all good ways to reduce the chance that something inappropriate will happen but...

It's not THE answer.

These "answers" are almost the equivalent of putting skin cream on a rash when the source of the illness is in the heart.

When our society decides to get back to teaching and modeling moral behavior, we'll see a reversal in these inappropriate relationships.

For people who prefer short blogs...

Hurt people hurt people.
Be a healer, not a hurter.