Taming the Monster (A Newlife Ministries Devotional)

Taming the Monster

It teaches us to say NO to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. - Titus 2:12 

Are you aware that the vast majority of American homes are inhabited by a monster? It's true. In fact, most homes now have several. Family rooms, bedrooms, and basements are their favorite spots. The older, larger, ones sometimes have four legs; and some of the younger ones hang on walls. Have you guessed? I'm talking about your televisions. And make no mistake about it: they are monsters. 

Like many things in life, your television isn't inherently bad. It has the potential to provide education and entertainment. The problem is, for most of us, the television has transgressed all proper and constructive boundaries in our homes and lives. Consequently, our conversations, our meals, our study time, our attention spans, our sleep-even our sex lives-have been invaded by this household monster.

 You don't need to throw the baby out with the bath water, but it wouldn't hurt to set some boundaries for our TV use, both for us and for our kids.

- Steve Arterburn

"If it weren't for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television, we'd still be eating frozen radio dinners." - Johnny Carson (1925-2005)

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=3c26d4c4-d998-4c4c-8e87-0a0531b0183e&c=d3973de0-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661&ch=d39d3150-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661

Burn Out

Burnout

Are you burned out, or in danger of burn out? Has your life gotten so busy that it takes every ounce of energy on a daily basis simply to keep from falling behind? And you're not doing a very good job of that? 

If so, I understand-it's not a good feeling. Like the dilemma of having a tiger by the tail: let it go and it'll gobble you up; hold on and you're in for a wild ride. According to recent polls, the American workforce is burdened by a great deal of stress; 77 percent reported feeling occasional burnout, which, by the way doesn't discriminate by age, gender, or other common groupings. 

The first thing I would recommend this week if you're feeling burnt out is that you honor that commandment about the Sabbath. Take a day where you spend time worshipping God and the rest of the day away from anything close to your daily grind. Take a walk. Go to a park or the beach. Stop receiving input and give your mind a rest. 

- Steve Arterburn 

"Until a man has found God, he begins at no beginning and works to no end." - H. G. Wells (1866-1946)
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=5bdaa465-11c4-44b3-a9b4-595d925d46bc&c=d3973de0-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661&ch=d39d3150-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661

Developing Self-Control

Developing Self-Control

Developing self-control will help you tremendously as you seek to follow and become more like Jesus. And what we learn in the Bible is that self-control is both a fruit of the Spirit and a part of a larger progression of spiritual growth. 

Peter, who learned some difficult lessons about self-control himself wrote this: "Your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone." (2 Peter 1:5-7) 

Where are you struggling to exert some self-control? Are you struggling to control your temper with your husband, wife, or kids? Are you struggling to work diligently? Or maybe you work so diligently on the job you feel you're entitled to spend your evenings playing video games, watching TV, or closing the door of communication with your family. Are you having a hard time living without that drink? How about your eating or spending habits? I could go on and on, but I think you catch my drift. 

Self-control is a "fruit" that grows in your life when you cling closely to God, allowing his Spirit to flow through you. As you persevere, God will develop his own character in you, including self-control. And remember, you're not alone. Seek help from your pastor, a wise friend, or a counselor-God has put these people in your life to help you in your efforts to be faithful. 

- Steve Arterburn 

"The greatest strength and wealth is self-control." - Pythagoras (6th century B.C.)

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=53358b5a-661e-4795-b3e9-a0cc1bed8f2a&c=d3973de0-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661&ch=d39d3150-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661

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)

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=26e1f0b9-30a8-4f8b-9d87-52d9c5021672&c=d3973de0-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661&ch=d39d3150-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661

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

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=c1cec96d-df8c-4b9c-b7ac-cf379e972bb5&c=d3973de0-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661&ch=d39d3150-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661

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

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=3d773009-b61e-418c-99db-597ab32e3be0&c=d3973de0-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661&ch=d39d3150-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661

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)

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=71db4074-be69-4c3b-8870-59af69ce5263&c=d3973de0-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661&ch=d39d3150-c47c-11e3-9839-d4ae52a68661