A Blessed and Joyful Thanksgiving Season to our friends and readers of EveryDay Life! As you gather with family and friends, may you thankfully remember the faithfulness of God and enjoy ample provision from His hand. Gayle and I are thankful for you and your fellowship with us in this written ministry expression of Christian Communications, Inc. We are appreciative and encouraged by your kind responses and privileged to share the  practical wisdom and wonder of God’s Word with you and the friends with whom you choose to share EveryDay Life.

For our friends in the San Antonio area

I have been invited to speak this Sunday, November 25,  at 9:00 am and 10:30 am at Trinity Church, 5415 N Loop 1604 E (at the Judson exit on NE Loop 1604). It would be our privilege to share the morning’s ministry with you.

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Home and Harvest

Home and harvest are a good place and a great time.

“Eye has not seen . . the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NKJV

Circumstances distracted and misdirected Naomi. Read Ruth 1-4. The book of Ruth is just four brief chapters, but a most amazing story of God’s providence. Naomi, her husband and two sons, experienced a famine in Bethlehem, so they moved to Moab to put the tough times behind. It is usually wrong to assume another place will be better when things are not good where you are. Things weren’t better; they became worse. In tough times, look for lessons not exits.

You can grow more in adversity than in prosperity, but you must keep your problems in perspective and your confidence in God. When I was a young teen, I recall my Father observing, “More people can stand adversity than can handle prosperity.” I have witnessed that truth in many lives.

Uzziah reigned as a king until it was said of him, “He was marvelously helped until he was strong. When he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction for he transgressed against the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 29:15-16 NKJV. Prosperous times have their hazards as can adverse times. Prosperous times might promote a faulty assumption that you need God less, when you may need Him even more. Adverse times can suggest that you can care for yourself better than God has.

Naomi and her family left Bethlehem thinking Moab was their solution, but their problems grew worse there. In Moab, Naomi’s sons married, but later died, as had her husband. When you lose what you love, a famine is a small thing in comparison. She was left in a foreign land with only her Moabite daughters-in-law, but determined to return home to Bethlehem. See the gracious, providential hand of God in her return, “[Naomi] heard in Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread . . now they came to Bethlehem [the House of Bread] at the beginning of the barley harvest.” Ruth 1:6/22 NKJV. What great news to hear and good time to return home. In God’s timing, home and harvest are a good place and a great time.

Naomi inaccurately described her plight, “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” Ruth 1:21 NIV. Her excursion to Moab left her empty; the Lord brought her home in time for harvest, beyond anything she dared imagine. Her pain and loss made her fail to see, “’The Lord has brought me back’ . . at the beginning of the barley harvest!” Your Father will bring you home to blessing, if you let Him. Read Ruth 4:13-17 NKJV. Naomi’s grandson would become the grandfather of David, and the lineage of the Messiah promised to Israel! See Matthew 1.

Like Naomi, you may not yet know what God has prepared for you but this is true, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT. God’s timely harvest will wipe away your loss from the famine. She left in a famine; God brought her home at a time of harvest.

The Bible says you can, “[learn] to be content whatever the circumstances.” Read Philippians 4:11-13/19 NKJV. Contentment is a lesson life teaches learners. Happiness doesn’t come from having all you want; happiness is found in thankfulness for what you have. In tough times, you learn that faith, family, and relationships matter more at all times.

At this Thanksgiving season, be joyful and thankful for a bountiful harvest, whether at hand or still ahead. Now is a good time to enjoy home and harvest when you, “enter His gates with Thanksgiving.” Read Psalm 100:1-5 NIV.

My prayer for you today is that you find God’s place of fullness and stay there in His will.

Devotionals 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 2 Chronicles 29:15-16, adversity, bread, content, harvest, home, home and harvest, lessons, Naomi, Philippians 4:11-13/19, prosperity, Psalm 100:1-5, Ruth, Ruth 1:6, thankfulness, thanksgiving, Uzziah

“That you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV.

“Satisfaction is a more reliable measurement of success than the resulting rewards.”

My thoughts today are about the “illusion of success.”

Success is a worthy goal; no one wants to fail, or need do so. But how do you measure success? It is important that you define success and set accurate benchmarks for measuring that. How else will you know when you achieve it, or recognize when you fail? Do not allow other people’s ideas to determine what success is for you. The world’s values are vastly different from God’s.

Someone has written, “As you climb the ladder of success, be sure your ladder is leaning against the right wall.” Will money be your final proof? Will others’ applause or acclaim convince you of success? I saw a bumper sticker that said, “At the end, the one with the most toys wins!” If that is all your success is about, you will never feel satisfaction. Some success is just an illusion, a reality more akin to failure. Read Luke 12:16-21 NIV.

God certainly intends His best for you. In a letter to the church, John wrote, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV. You cannot truly experience the best of the first two without substantial attention to the latter – “as your soul prospers!”

My recent release of pastoral responsibilities after more than three decades includes significant reflection about my life to this date, as well as the new season ahead. In both, I share this confidence with the Psalmist, “As for me, I trust in you, O Lord. You are my God. My times are in Your hand.” Psalms 31:14-15. My times have always been; they continue to be – in His hands!

What is the primary reward for a lifetime of industry? I think contentment and satisfaction with what you achieve is a more reliable measurement of success than counting up the external and tangible rewards of your achievement. For me, the things in which I have found the greatest satisfaction and prize any measure of success are family and ministry.

Family. A few years ago we enjoyed a wonderful week in Hawaii with our children, their spouses, and our incredible grandkids. I have never enjoyed a time together more. It was the family, not the place, that made that memorable. I think that Gayle and I will count our success by the fruit of their lives, their faith and values common to our family, the enjoyment one another’s company, and our loving service to the Lord together. I find our life together incredibly satisfying. However anyone else chooses to measure my success or lack thereof, our family and our shared faith are central to my definition of life’s success.

Ministry. I choose to evaluate ministry on the sole basis of obedience and faithfulness to God’s call. Have I done what He asked, and been faithful where He placed me? My honest answer to those questions reveals understanding of my success or failure. I am grateful for whatever measure of outward success experienced these previous years, but in my heart I know that whatever success might be generously attributed, God’s grace and people’s graciousness have been its true source. I have simply tried to obey God and serve Him and others to the best of my large opportunities and smaller abilities. So, I will thank God, my family, and others, and celebrate the years of blessing and privilege that have been, and will yet be extended to me, “as my soul prospers!” If serving God and others are not factors in your list of achievements, your success was merely an illusion.

My prayer for you today is that you value satisfaction in God more than man’s recognition or riches.

Devotionals 3 John 2, faith, family, illusion of success, Luke 12:16-21, measurement, measuring success, ministry, prosperity, Psalm 31:14-15, reflection, satisfaction, success

“The Lord has pleasure in (your) prosperity.” Psalm 35:27 NKJV

“Prosperity may result in material blessings, but it never starts there.”­

My thoughts today are about “soul prosperity.”

Who doesn’t want to prosper – to do better for themselves and family? Let me be clear right at the start; God delights in your prosperity. God blessed Abraham with wealth. Genesis 13:2. God told Joshua how he could be “prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 NIV. God blessed Solomon with such wealth as unequalled before or since. See 1 Kings 10:6-9 NIV. The Bible says plainly, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV. Now that God’s desire and intent for you is settled, let’s consider what prosperity is, and is not.

Have you ever thought of what prosperity might look like for you? To some that may look like more money, more things, bigger house, nicer cars, better job, or a more secure retirement – that kind of things. We would probably all agree that those are nice to have. But is that really enough? Can’t you have some or all of those and still not be truly prosperous?

I think there are other things for which you would readily trade any of those, if that were necessary and possible. Consider less tangible things like peace of mind, contentment, love of family and friends, or satisfaction in the success you enjoy. What are any of those worth? What kind of price tag could you put on those and others like them?

You see, prosperity may result in material blessings, but it never starts there. True wealth always begins in one’s soul – in the heart of the man or woman who is “rich in good works.” Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV. Let me repeat the Bible verse I quoted above. “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV. See Psalm 1:1-3 NLT. If things aren’t right between you and God, you may be wealthy but you are not spiritually prosperous.

Prosperity is not all about hard work. Granted, without your willingness to do so, you leave God without much to bless and multiply. It very much involves your relationship with God and your lifestyle of generosity. Your bank account and earnings alone, as God views it, cannot measure prosperity.

Soul prosperity both results from, and results in, a life of generosity toward God and others. Make no mistake; giving is at the heart of all prosperity. Giving begins with the Tithe, which is “holy unto the Lord,” but does not end there. Leviticus 27:30-33/Luke 11:42 NLT. Generosity toward others is also part of a lifestyle that is blessed with increase. See Matthew 6:38 NIV.

I well remember this caution from my Dad when I was still a teen, “More people can stand adversity than can properly handle prosperity.” Across my lifetime, I have observed that to be more accurate than I would have wished. Read Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV. God delights in your prosperity, but He finds no pleasure in a person’s greed, pride, or unfaithful stewardship. The Bible cautions the person who seeks wealth apart from God, “. . anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Read Luke 12:15-21/1 Timothy 6:6-12 NIV. Be grateful for prosperity; be cautious of its temptations; be faithful in its added accountability. 1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV.

My prayer for you today is to work hard, live generously, and give God all the praise.

Devotionals 3 John 2, Abraham. Solomon, adversity, genrosity, giving, Joshua, lifetsyle, Paslm 1:1-3, prosperity, Psalm 35:27

“A person is foolish to . . not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21 NLT

“Success with satisfaction comes from the quality and reality of your relationship with God.”

My thoughts today are about “success with satisfaction.”

Have you ever thought much about success, other than to want to have it? Too many people seem to want people to just think they are successful; do they think they will become successful if people think they are? Someone described such foolishness this way, “Buying stuff you don’t need with money you don’t have to impress people you don’t know, or maybe even like.”

People bankrupt themselves, mortgage their future, add immeasurable stress to life, and often destroying their marriage and family all for an illusion. How foolish to accumulate the “look of success,” expensive houses, luxury cars, extravagant fads and fashion, and lavish vacations. Trappings of wealth do not make you wealthy. In fact, that easily reduces a family or individual to some measure of poverty. Jesus asked a probing question, “Your soul shall be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” Luke 12:20 NKJV.

Now wealth and success are not wrong. What you might do to gain that can be wrong; what the pursuit of that may cost you could be wrong. But here is what the Bible says about wealth and success, “It is God who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV. He would not do that if He disapproves.

God directed Joshua what to do and told him God’s objective and promise of what He would do in response to Joshua’s obedience, “. . that you may be successful wherever you go . . then you will be prosperous and have good success . . for your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-8 NIV. Knowing God and knowing He is with you: priceless!

Here’s the challenge for you along the way to success; the Bible describes a person who gained great wealth, for himself and to his harm, this way, “A person is foolish to store up earthly wealth, but does not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21 NLT. See also Matthew 16:26 NLT. Success without thoughtful examination of its true Source, cause, and higher purpose will never have the added dimension of satisfaction, without which you will not be content however much wealth you acquire or success you achieve.

Success is not best measured by your balance sheet, net worth or possessions; those are just pretty baubles. Will you ever be satisfied with pretty baubles, or do you want a priceless relationship with God? Success with satisfaction comes from the quality and reality of your relationship with God. Success and wealth alone cannot truly satisfy the human heart. Success without God exposes the pain of vanity and the emptiness of one’s soul, when God is not recognized as the source of that success. See Matthew 11:28-30 NIV. The right relationship satisfies.

My prayer for you today is that you are most impressed with what holds eternal value.

Devotionals eternal value, Luke 12:21 NLT, pretty baubles, priceless, prosperity, relationship, satisfaction, success, wealth

“Are You not ruler over all . . of the nations?“ 2 Chronicles 20:6 NAS

“Above pride of nation, be loyal as a servant and soldier of the Lord Jesus.”

My thoughts today are “about God and governments.”

As we celebrate our nation’s birthday and heritage, it seems an appropriate time to consider present world realities. You cannot listen to the news even a little without wondering and worrying about the things happening around the globe.

And what is happening? Global politics, accusations and threats from world leaders, heads of governments strutting across the world stage with boast and bravado, bitter political and religious differences, growing terrorism and brutal violence, ideological alliances and fearful attempts to balance military powers, international rivalries and jealousies, lust for power with the threat of nuclear and biological weapons, apparent impotence of most treaties, truces, and international sanctions, as well as angry, military hostilities in too many diverse locations – all combine to create concern for today and uncertainty for the days ahead. Can governments provide the remedy?

Conflicting voices and partisan opinions tell you the solution to all of this is your vote for their candidate or political party, each one promising you greater security and prosperity for yourself and family. Isn’t that what every citizen wants, whatever their nationality, language, religion, economy, or governmental system? But has that ever worked yet?

Where is God in all of this? Here’s what the Bible says. “He made from one man every nation . . having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” Acts 17:26. Ultimately political summits do not shape the geography of countries. Nor do political leaders alone determine the future of nations. God does! Your informed vote in the political process is important; your faith in God and fervent prayer is yet more consequential and powerful – more far reaching to influence the fate of nations. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV. See 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV.

God caused Israel’s oppressors to fund their exodus from captivity with Moses. Exodus 3:21. Generations later, God opened the heart of Cyrus, King of Persia, to return Israel’s captives to Jerusalem. Ezra 1:1.  In more recent history, was it the world’s nations that carved out territory and national boundaries for Israel in 1948, again returning the Jewish people to their homeland? Or was that the hand of God, and His promise to Israel from centuries before? Job confidently declared, “God makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and disperses them.” Job 12:23-25 NIV.

Here is the sum of this matter of security and prosperity in this day and world. “I will both lie down in peace and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8. God promised every generation, “For unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder . . of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end . . the passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!” Isaiah 9: 6-7. Is it God, or governments? I will go with God! See Philippians 3:20

My prayer for you is: above pride of nation, be loyal as a servant and soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Devotionals global realities, Governments, loyal, national boundaries, national heritage, nations, political parties, prosperity, security, spiritual heritage, vote