Worthy Words

Most people have a common desire to be accepted by others. Do you know anyone who doesn’t seek to be accepted? I don’t think I do. Growing up, I felt that I had to perform in order to be accepted. When I was good at something it seemed that others would pay attention—that they would like and accept me. Experience quickly taught me that good performance equaled acceptance while poor performance often meant some kind of rejection. So, driven by the desire to be accepted, I worked to achieve. Still, I was nagged by the suspicion that whatever I did would not be enough. Unfortunately, I also learned this same lesson in church and in a variety of ways. For example, as a kid, I was part of our church’s Bible Drill program. Every Wednesday night, we learned one of the books of the Bible and on Sunday evening we would compete against other. The one who turned to the verse first and read it out loud the most times, would get a gold star by our name on the Bible Drill roster. Another star w

The fastest way to the throne of grace is to pray in such a way as to throw your whole heart and soul into it. You should be straining every muscle—just like Jacob did when he wrestled with the angel. This type of praying is usually generated when we find that our relationships have come against us with hatred. Prayer is the surest and safest method in response to words of hatred. King David had this experience in praying this way when lying tongues were making accusations against his reputation. He chose not to defend himself but rather take his issue to “The Supreme Court” and plead his case before his KING. “Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without cause. In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” (Psalm 109:1-5)

As a believer I’ve not always lived for Christ. But, when the Holy Spirit—God— awakened me to my life of sin; I started my journey as a Christ-follower. I began to internalize the grace of God by my Savior—Jesus—who appeased the wrath of God by dying on a cross for my sin, guilt, and shame and thus making me right with Him. From the moment I was born again I began to live for Christ. He became my one pearl of great price. I value Him so much that I am willing to part with all I have. Jesus has so completely won my heart that it only beats for Him. He is the pattern for my life. I live to bring Him glory. To die for the gospel would be my highest honor. Jesus, the W ord , is the One who has forged my character. Yet, frequently I fall short because of some of the situations I find myself in. Can you identify? In Philippians 1:21 the apostle Paul, who is in prison and chained to Roman guards around the clock, makes this statement, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

It has been said that there are two days that people worry most about but should actually worry least about: Yesterday and Tomorrow. You worry about yesterday—the mistakes you’ve made and what you would like to do over or differently. Yet, there is nothing you can do to change yesterday. Your worries are wasted.  You also worry about tomorrow – the problems it may bring and the challenges you may face. Yet, you cannot control tomorrow. It is out of your grasp. So again, your worries are wasted. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own... —Matthew 6:34. When you do not waste your worries on yesterday or tomorrow, it frees you to live in the present—today. Today, you are able to make decisions about your life. Today, you can set your course, set off in a new direction or alter your course, if necessary. Sure, you will still make your share of mistakes. And, you will still have worries. Each day brings enou