Volume 1, Number 2

Theme: Influences of the World

In This Issue:

• The Influence of Fear in Our Faith by Shannon Harden
• Oh Be Careful Little Eyes What You See by Jordan Shouse
• Let Us … Yield Not to Temptation by Ian Harmon

The Influence of Fear in Our Faith

 By Shannon Harden

  “You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.” – Mary Manin Morrissey

 Adults say young people are easily influenced – music, movies, television, clothing, and our peers.  I do not doubt this is true, but I wanted to think about something else we’re influenced by – which usually comes from within ourselves.  Would you consider yourself someone who is easily scared away of doing things you want or should do?  I don’t like discussing obvious ideas, so I started thinking about how fear influences our lives.

 A few years ago at a bible study, we were going around saying what we admired in the other people in the room.  Several people told me they admired my lack of fear and my ability to do many things.  At the time I inwardly thought, “Wow, I must really have them fooled.”  But as I’ve become more aware of people and the world around me, they may actually be right.  The fact is – I do get scared – a lot actually.  But I choose not to let that stop me and in some cases, it drives me to push through that fear.  The way I look at it, fear is the absence of faith.  When talking with my mom about this article she reminded me of the acronym for FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real (Neal Donald Walsch).  So I think she agrees with me.

 Fear comes in many different forms – we may be fearful of love, death, living up to our potential, different cultures, unfamiliar situations, rejection, doing God’s will, and what others might think of us.  Everyone is afraid of something, so fill in the blank for whatever scares you, and be honest with yourself.  Acceptance and honesty is the first step in combating a fear, sin, or failure.  I have seen so many people overcome with their fear that instead of doing what they should they either make excuses or just give up.  Is that the way God wants us to live our lives?  After you accept and understand, you must then become proactive.

 So how do you get past your fear?  Yes, there are some people who live fearlessly through life and end up doing foolish or dangerous things.  That’s not what I’m talking about.  Of course I’ve done a few foolish things in my life, but I’m also VERY thoughtful about my decisions.  Here’s how I remain “fearless” (remember it’s not that I’m fearless, just that I trust in God more than men).  I live with two philosophies to get me through life.  Maybe it can help you get through your fear. 

 First, I have completely adopted 1 Corinthians 13.  I believe Love is a verb.  I don’t believe love is defined the way the world defines it.  It involves the actions of patience, kindness, humility, perseverance, and forgiveness.  Godly love never fails, the world’s view of love does.  This is VERY important in understanding love.  I can love to the best of my ability, but I’m not perfect and neither are people.  They will disappoint you, hurt you, take advantage of you, etc.  But, I believe in choosing to love others even despite all that.  Remember love is selfless and without understanding and accepting that people are imperfect, you won’t truly be able to do this effectively.  With “my enemies” or people who choose not to treat me in a loving way, I have to CONSISTENTLY remind myself of my role of being a humble, forgiving, and selfless person.  Choosing to love, as God describes it, is GREAT practice for getting rid of fear.  If you can love without fear of rejection, what other people think of you, pain, and strife you will be able to diminish fear of other things in your life!  But I caution you – your faith can not be in men, they will fail you every time.  You must love in spite of men (or women) and their inability to sometimes love you back.

 Second, I trust in God.  No matter the pain or strife that comes my way, I fully believe that the people and situations that come into my life are there for a reason.  Maybe I’m supposed to help that person grow or maybe they are meant to help me grow.  Remember we’ve been told that we may have trials which will be a testing of our faith (1 Pet 1:6-7).  Not only that, we’re told to rejoice in our sufferings for what it produces – endurance, character, and hope.

We must change our attitude from that of fear, to one who is truly filled with hope.  Through Christ we can achieve great things (Philippians 4:13).  God has made us to do great things, and we can’t allow our fears to diminish our potential and possibilities.

 Oh Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

 By Jordan Shouse

 A great influencer from the world comes through our eyes. You wouldn’t think much harm could come from eyes, but truthfully they can lead to a great amount of spiritual damage. Jesus spoke about eyes in the famous Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus illuminates the importance of our eyes. “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Jesus shows us the importance of a clear eye. An eye which produces light is clear of sinfulness, error, and wrong. It is an eye which looks upon wholesome, pure, and honorable things. It doesn’t spend its time in front of junk. However, let your eyes gaze upon those things which are sinful, wicked, and filthy in nature, and you’ll find yourself filled with darkness. Do you know why that is? Let me ask you this, what is one of the greatest influences for your thoughts? It is what you see. What my eyes take in influences what my mind dwells upon. When you finish watching a movie or a show or a concert, what does your mind think about for the next few hours? In one way, our eyes are the windows to our mind.

 Satan knows this. The world knows this. Why is it there are countless TV shows and movies filled with sinfulness and darkness? Why are there so many billboards along the side of the road with models half dressed? What you see affects your soul. Gazing upon sinful things produces sinful thoughts. John exhorts us to avoid the “lust of the eyes” (1 John 2:16). We are told to set our mind on things above (Col. 3:2), to renew our mind (Eph. 4:23; Rom. 12:2). Pure thoughts, holy thoughts, righteous and godly thoughts all come from setting our eyes on godly things. If my goal is to think godly thoughts, I shouldn’t sit in front of shows which are saturated in sin and lustful temptation. Instead of spending hours looking at that which only brings darkness, what if I spent my time dwelling upon the word (Col. 3:16). The Hebrew writer encouraged us to fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2). You will be tempted and pressured to go to sinful shows or places where people are improperly dressed. For the sake of purity, for the sake of holiness, for the sake of obedience to your God, you must learn to say no. Jesus said that if our eye causes us to stumble, to tear it out (Matt. 5:29). I’m Heaven bound, my goal is God, and NOTHING must cause me to fail. Let’s learn to keep pure and holy in our minds by guarding our eyes. “We are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” (2 Chron. 20:12)

 Let Us…Yield Not to Temptation

 By Ian Harmon

 There’s an old hymn in our hymnal, written by Horatio R. Palmer in 1868, entitled “Yield Not to Temptation.”  This hymn was written in response to why an individual must not yield to temptation, how we must conduct our lives, and what we have to look forward to if we overcome sin.  In this article, I would like to touch briefly on these three topics.

 First, we must not yield to temptation because yielding to it is sin.  In Matthew 4:1, we read that after Jesus was baptized, he “was led up by the Spirit…to be tempted by the devil.”  We are given three separate accounts in which the devil tempted Jesus after already being in the desert for forty days and nights, and having not eaten anything.  Jesus combated all three temptations with a weapon that we all have at our disposal: the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17).  James tells us that we are tempted when we are “drawn away by [our] own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).  LET US yield not to temptation for the fear of death that it may bring.

 Second, we must not associate ourselves with evil companions, nor do anything which may impede our chances of making it to heaven.  If we allow ourselves to be in the company of those who may be stumbling blocks to us, and cause us to sin, then we are doing nothing but harm against our souls.  The apostle Paul warned the Corinthian brethren of this in I Corinthians 15:33-34.  He tells them to “not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’  Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God.  I speak this to your shame.”  He wanted them to come to their senses and realize that in keeping with bad company, they were bringing shame upon themselves.  In keeping with this, we must also guard our speech, and make sure that nothing unwholesome leaves our mouths.  James tells us that we must “bridle” our tongues because it “is a fire” that can easily burn out of control (James 1:26; 3:6).  He tells us that we must make sure that we are not praising God with the same mouth that we curse men.  LET US not associate with evil companions nor do or say anything that may impede our chances of making it to heaven.

 And finally, we must look forward to what will happen to us if we overcome sin.  Through our faith in God, we know that if we overcome temptation, God will give us a crown.  James tells us that “blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (1:12).  God will always to faithful to his promise of eternal life to those who not only love the Lord but also to those who obey his commandments.  LET US always look forward to our crown that awaits us, strive to shun evil companions, do and say what is right, and yield not to temptation.

On the evenings of July 12th – July 15th, it was my good pleasure to share this series of messages with a group of 6th – 8th grade boys. This series served as our evening cabin devotionals at the 2010 FC Missouri Camp. I appreciate the attention and the focus that these young men showed during the study of this very important topic! This material was adapted from Robert Lewis’ book, Raising A Mondern-Day Knight. To those young men, to whom I came to know more personally during the week I leave this personal message:

Guys, Thanks for sharing a little bit of your summer with me. I regret that we were not able to spend even more time together. I left camp not having gotten to know some of you as well as I would have liked, but I hope you will be back next  year and we can continue to work on those relationships.

Remember the invitation that I gave you to come to the Teen and Pre-Teen Studies in Kansas City (depending on whether you have crossed that magical dividing-line called “13″). Watch the fcmocamp.com website for dates, locations and directions. Also, if you ever need to talk about any of the kinds of things that we talked about this week at camp, call me or e-mail me. If you want to write an article for my website, particularly the Remembering My Creator page, send it to me via e-mail.

I know our day’s were filled with lots of good stuff. We were tired at the end of the day. The days ran late and we did not always have the time to cover this material to the degree that I had planned. I am glad to share the material with you here and would challenge you to an even deeper study of it in your own quiet time with God. Feel free to leave your public comments or if you would rather comment to me privately, e-mail them to randy.sexton@achristiansvoice.com. I love you guys and my earnest desire and prayer for you is that you might be saved in the day of judgement and that you will grow spiritually here to become the men God wants you to be. I have no greater joy than to know that you walk in the Lord!

Your Friend and Brother,

Randy Sexton

Monday – The Need for a Model

It is so very important that boys, growing to manhood in our time, receive this message. Our culture is in deep trouble because we have lost our vision for manhood.

There are three important questions that boys growing up in our culture need to know.

What is a man? What process produces a man? How do you know when you’ve become a man? Most, if not all of you,  have dads that will help you answer these questions and ensure that you become a man of strength, heart, conviction and vision.

Sam Rayburn, one of this nation’s most powerful political leaders, recalled fondly during his latter years the days in 1900 when his father took him in horse and buggy to the train station as he headed off for college. As Sam’s father bid farewell to his son, he handed him $25. Realizing the sacrifice that his father had to make to give him that money, Sam was very touched. But then his dad uttered words that Sam wound fondly remember at later times of crises in his life. “Sam, be a man.”

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Corinth said, “Act like Men.” (1st Corinthians 16:13) They had many problems, including conflicts among Christians who were pledging their allegiance to those who had converted them rather than to Jesus.

My suggestion is that we look at the Knighthood Model of the Medieval Ages to see what lessons we can learn about the process of becoming a man. But ultimately, we are not so concerned about making boys into knights but in determining how a boy becomes the man God wants him to be.

What knighthood offered that is lacking in our culture is a clear, biblically grounded definition of manhood, a process to embrace to achieve manhood, and a ceremony to celebrate a boys passing into manhood.

The “clearly marked path” from boy to man included 3 stages. The first stage was the Page Stage. At age 7 or 8, a boy went to live in a castle and learned of armor and weapons and performed household tasks at the castle. The second state was the Squire Stage. At age 14, a boy traveled with a knight who served as his mentor, instilling in him rigorous discipline. The squire served his knight in the most menial of tasks. The third stage was the Knight State. At age 21, a young man became eligible for knighthood and went through an elaborate initiation to confer it.

The three components that we will study in our cabin devotionals this week are: a vision for manhood, a code of conduct for manhood and a transcendent cause in which to invest your life.

Tuesday – A Vision for Manhood

William Marshal is considered to be the ideal knight, living at the peak of knighthood during the twelfth century. His courage and chivalry is illustrated by an incident that occurred  in May 1197, as he lead an attack against the castle of Milli in France. As the battle burned strong, Marshal observed one of his men caught in the great fork of an attacker and hanging from the neck on a ladder that had been placed against the wall of the castle. Climbing the ladder by himself, Marshal freed his fellow night from his predicament. Historians say that Marshal’s valor proved to be the difference in the valor as his band of knights achieved the victory storming the castle.

Marshal demonstrated other worthy traits common of the knight’s code of conduct. He loved his family. He made provision for each of his 10 children and loved his wife, Isabel, greatly. Two influences in Marshal’s life account for such strong character. Marshal had a powerful mentor in his first cousin, William of Tancarville. He also lived in a  particular kind of culture which offered a clear path to manhood.

The Scriptures speak of another man who demonstrated  a similar strength of character and suggested a clear path to manhood. That man was Moses and the passage is Deuteronomy 11:18-21. Moses identifies the path. Fathers were to lay up his words in their hearts and in their souls and bind them as a sign on their hand and as frontlets between their eyes and to teach them to their sons, talking of them when they sat in their house, when they walked along the road, when they lay upon their beds and when they rose up.  They were to write them on the doorposts of their house and on their gates so that their days and the days of their sons would be multiplied on the which the Lord swore to their fathers to give them, as long as the heaves remained above the earth.

Historians report that the impact of the disciplined, rigorous lifestyle of knighthood at its peak, harnessed the “unrestrained passions of masculinity” mostly for good. Boys were trained from an early age! They were given a code of conduct! Their progress from adolescence to manhood was marked with ceremony and celebration.

Modern culture, on the other hand, does little to harness the energy and passions of men for good. Our culture is marked by some alarming statistics. Did you know that 90% of major crimes are committed by men? Men commit 100% of rapes, 95% of burglaries, 91% of offenses against families, and 94% of drunk drivers are men!

Boys become the men God wants them to be in the presence of a clear vision of manhood. But, “where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained” (Proverbs 29:18). In the past there were three sources for this vision. The community, like the Nuer people of Southern Sudan and various tribes of Native American Indians provided extreme initiations. In the past, the family often provided a vision for sons as they grew to carry on the family name, the family business, family traditions, etc. But today we live in the era of the “absent father.” In the past, churches took a strong stand in proclaiming the role of husbands and fathers. But today, many churches have given in to the feminist ideology and abandoned the teaching of Scripture relative to the man’s responsibility to be the spiritual leader of the family.

Scripture (1st Corinthians 15:45-47) gives us two examples, one positive and one negative, that symbolize the essence of masculinity. Adam illustrates life separated from God and a failed manhood. Adam was influenced by physical direction and based on fleshly desires. Christ, referred to as “the last Adam” in our text, represents life in union with God and a successful manhood. Christ was influenced by spiritual direction and based on faith.

One way to look at the examples of Adam and Christ is to note the defining differences between the two. I would suggest to you that these are components of the answer to the question, “What is a man?”. Robert Lewis in his book states them in terms of rejecting passivity, accepting responsibility, leading courageously and expecting the greater reward. Let us notice each of these in order.

A Real Man  Rejects Passivity.

The male of the species is naturally, innately aggressive, ready to initiate, explorative, and competitive to achieve physically and psychologically. But his tendency is to be the polar opposite when it comes to the social and spiritual realm. The man who wants to be what God wants him to be has to reject this tendency to be passive. He must actively engage his whole soul, body and mind in the pursuit of spiritual goals and objectives and in leading his family to heaven. In this regard Adam failed to intervene as he stood by and watched the serpent tempt his wife and scripture says, “she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6). Jesus, on the other hand, initiated action. Philippians 2:5-8 speak of Him, emptying, taking the form of a servant, humbling himself, and becoming obedient.

A Real Man Accepts Responsibility.

Adam was given a will to obey (”don’t eat”), a work to do (”till the garden”) an a woman to love (Eve). He failed to accept his responsibility. Jesus was also given a will to obey (His Father’s), a work to do (save the lost) and a woman to love (the church). Jesus accepted His responsibilities and they defined His life as a man!

A Real Man Leads Courageously.

God created man to lead. But in order for us to do so we must “master” our passions. The Apostle Paul said, “But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1st Corinthians 9:27).

A Real Man Expects The Greater Reward.

Manhood is challenging but not burdensome! Manhood was designed by God to be a means of great reward (John 10:10; 1st Corinthians 2:9; 1st Timothy 4:8; 6:6). Those rewards include an honorable name, an “excellent wife,” children who look up to and respect you, the respect of other men an a satisfying and fulfilling life!

Wednesday – A Code of Conduct for Manhood

Perhaps you have heard it said, “You are what you are when no one else is looking.” How true that statement is! We can pretend to be something we are not , but that pretense will not fool God and will only lead the hypocrite into further areas of conflict. Brother Dick Modin had an outstanding message about “Being You” in one of his evening devotionals.

Robert Lewis, in his book, retells the story, “The Catch of a Lifetime,” that initially appeared in the February 1989 Reader’s Digest. In the story, James P. Lenfestey tells of an 11-year-old boy’s fishing adventure with his dad on a New Hampshire lake. As the story goes, the boy caught an amazingly large bass but hooked it two hours before bass season officially opened, so his father made him throw it back. One of the points of the story was that no one else was around, so no one else would have known, but the father insisted that his son abide by the fishing regulations and throw the bass back. Lewis says, “The incident occurred 34 years ago. Never again would the boy catch such a magnificent fish. But what he did catch that day was something much better: a lesson in moral character. For as his father taught him, ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It is only the practice of ethics that is difficult. Do we do right when no one is looking? Do we refuse to cut corners… When a dad imparts a code of conduct, when he establishes boundaries and reinforces truth, a son is forever strengthened… (Proverbs 11:3)”

It is my hope and prayer that each of you has a dad who is imparting a code of conduct to you! I pray that you are seeing a father’s love being demonstrated toward you in how he establishes boundaries for you and how he reinforces truth for you! Because, my brother, you will be strengthened forever!

Let’s illustrate how our culture, despite progress in other areas, has failed to provide an adequate code of conduct for young people. In the 1940’s, major school problems included: talking out of turn, chewing gum, making noise, running in the halls, cutting in line, dress code violations, and littering. Today’s major school problems include: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, pregnancy, suicide, rape, robbery, and assault. What is missing? I would suggest to you that it is a clearly defined, biblically grounded, code of conduct!

The Knight’s Code of Conduct stipulated that he must:

• Be Loyal

• Conduct himself like a champion by showing courage and valor
• Win the love of a woman by his romanticism and chivalry
• Practice generosity

In becoming the man God wants you to be:

You have a will to obey. Ecclesiastes 12: 1, 13 defines that will as remembering your creator in the days of your youth and to live all the days of your life fearing God and keeping His commandments. The Bible is your handbook. The handbook ideals include: loyalty (Hosea 6:6), servant-leadership (Matthew 20:26-27), kindness (Proverbs 19:22), humility (Philippians 2:3), purity (1st Timothy 4:12), honesty (Ephesians 4:25), self-discipline (1st Timothy 4:7-8), excellence (1st Corinthians 9:24), integrity (Proverbs 10:9), and perseverance (Galatians 6:9).

You have a work to do. You will have the opportunity as you grow and mature to determine what gifts and talents you have and make an appropriate selection for your chosen profession. But you will also have the opportunity to discover your spiritual giftedness. Don’t be afraid to try those things that initially seem uncomfortable to you. It is only through the process of growth described in Hebrews 5: 11- 6:3 that your are able to progress beyond the state of being “unskilled in the word of righteousness” to “go on to maturity.”

You will have a woman to love. This will be one of the most important earthly relationships you will ever have! She will play a central role in your life (Genesis 2:18).  One of your chief responsibilities will be to take care of her (Ephesians 5:25-30), to be the provider for your family (1st Timothy 5:8), so that she can “work at home” (Titus 2:5). This is a great need today – for young men to realize their responsibility to prepare appropriately for vocations that will earn them enough to allow their wives to be engaged in the day-to-day care of their homes and children!

Thursday – A Transcendent Cause in Which to Invest Your Life

The “conventional vision” equates manhood with what a man does instead of who he is. When men get together, they often introduce themselves by name followed very quickly by a description of what they do for a living (i.e.  “Hi, I am Randy, I am a lawyer.”

In the conventional model, a man’s value is earned, therefore he becomes highly competitive. The drive to accomplish, to win, to out-think, to out-work, to out-earn the other guy motivates him in much of what he does! Often, this evaluation of man’s value creates a lopsided time management system with higher priorities placed on job-related tasks than on family-oriented activities.

Success is the goal in this model of manhood. A level of this type of thinking will be a natural outgrowth of the “work ethic” that God expects all men to innately possess. But When “climbing the corporate ladder” becomes the primary goal of a man’s existence, often a man’s marriage relationship, and his relationships with his kids suffer.

In the conventional model, power is the reward. And often this power becomes “intoxicating,” driving the wedge even deeper between the man and his wife and kids. This component is more appropriate to God’s vision for manhood when the word “power” is replaced with the word “influence.” Corporate success that puts us in a position to influence more people with the gospel is good (what  Paul calls the adorning of the gospel in Titus 2:10).

The final component of this conventional vision is that success brings wealth and affluence. But the down side is that it rarely satisfies! Note in the passage noted below, Solomon’s evaluation of the satisfaction brought by material wealth.

If held in proper balance, this conventional vision of manhood is not altogether wrong, but it is certainly incomplete! It lacks a transcendent cause in which we can invest our lives! It is lacking in a mission which lifts us beyond ourselves. It is laking in a passion which stirs us to self-sacrifice.

Solomon’s commentary on a life lived in the pursuit of earthly pleasures and rewards is found in Ecclesiastes 2:4-11. He says, “I enlarged my my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees…” He also says, “Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem…. I did not with withhold my heart from any pleasure….”  His conclusion at the end of these experiences, “Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.” And then his conclusion at the end of the book, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment. everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

In his book, Robert Lewis tells the story of Bill Smith and how, on a plane trip he met a man who reminded him of himself in his younger days. The point of the story is that men, in the pursuit of this conventional vision of manhood, sometimes lose touch with their families and after a time find that, what they have worked so hard for is at the center of their lives, but everything else is crumbling around them. In the end of the story, Bill Smith explains to his new friend the meaning with which he filled the “hole in his heart” that was left by devoting all his energies in pursuit of the three goals of his life:  to make a lot of money, to meet powerful/influential people and to travel.  His life-changing decision to follow Jesus Christ invested his life with new meaning.

Until you commit your life to a cause that calls forth sacrifice, that is significant beyond the moment and is truly meaningful, no amount of success will satisfy your heart! Jesus is that transcendent cause in which, if you are wise, you will invest your life! Jesus calls forth sacrifice. He calls us all to take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). Jesus is significant beyond the moment. He is the same yesterday, and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus is truly meaningful. He the way, the truth and the life. He is the light of the world and those who follow Him will invest their lives with that more valuable than anything this world has to offer (John 14:6; 8:12).

This is important stuff guys! Please take it to heart! It was my pleasure to share this information with you this week and my challenge to you is this. Take the material that you received at camp this week and drill down deeper into it in your own quiet time with God. Read the scriptures. Think on them, and decide how you will respond. Will you grow spiritually from the the valuable instruction you have received this week and come to camp next year even stronger? Will you continue to build upon the new friendships you have made this week and to deepen the existing relationships? Or Will you simply move back into bad habits that you had before you came to camp and look back upon the week at camp as simply a week of summer fun? My prayer is that you will grow spiritually from your time this week.

Volume 1, Number 1

Theme: Daily Bible Reading

In This Issue:

    •       Daily Appointments With God by Randy Sexton

    •       Try a Bible Study Buddy by Shannon Harden

    •       Daily Meditation upon the Word by Jordan Shouse

Daily Appointments With God

By Randy Sexton

Recently I bought for my Son, Ryan, who just became a Christian, a little book by Michael Kast titled My Faith: Getting To Know God, His Son and His Word, Appointments With God – 150 daily encounters with the Word. On the back cover it says,

“He knows you’re busy. Some days you’re just trying to survive. But what would happen if you took part of every day and met just with him? You know, sort of an ‘appointment with God.’ An encounter with his Word.

Meet with God each day and discover his incredible promises, his charac6ter and his love for you. He’s the One who created time. The One who manages the universe. The One who knows your doubts, your struggles and your heart.

Use this book in your time with God to take an honest look at your faith. You’ll get to know Jesus’ life and teachings. His power. His sacrifice for you. And, you’ll dig into some unbelievably cool stories in his Word. It’s all true.

HE’S WAITING

In each encounter, you’ll write about:

Things to remember

Things God is teaching you

Things to act on

Things to pray about

So, grab your Bible, a pen and this journal. Choose a time and place that work for you. You’ve got a divine appointment. He’s waiting.”

I don’t know anything about Mr. Kast’s religious background or his positions on theological issues. What he says here “resonates” with me and I appreciate what he has attempted to do in his two Appointments With God journals that I have seen. I have incorporated his approach in my Reflections on My Daily Bible Readings column.

As we launch this new Remembering My Creator page, we invite you to read along! This page is targeted to young people, especially those new in the faith. We have several young Christians who have committed to writing for this page. Writers will include Jordan Shouse, Ian Harmon, and Shannon Harden. We encourage you to launch your own daily appointment with God. Get in the habit of early morning bible reading/journaling and see if it does not improve your prayer life and strengthen your faith!

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them… (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Please continue to read with me young people and post your comments or send your private comments to me at  randy.sexton@achristiansvoice.com. Have a blessed day!

Try a Bible Study Buddy

By Shannon Harden

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” – Matt 4:4

Reading God’s word is an important aspect of growing as a Christian.  But in our day and time it can sometimes seem like something that gets forgotten about.  So, the question is:  How do you keep up with your daily bible schedule and grow from reading God’s word? 

To be honest, keeping up with my reading is the greatest struggle that I have.  Not only do I have to remind myself that I’m not too busy to do anything I set my mind to, but I don’t have the personality that can do a “normal” bible reading schedule.  I think it’s important in our life to figure out what personalities God has given us.  Some love to study independently; some can rise at dawn and do their studying before they start their day.  I am not one of those people.  Feeding ourselves daily with God’s word is so important that we must reflect on what we need to accomplish our goal.  Often we can get into the mindset that we are “too busy” or we just become lazy. 

So for me, the thing that helps me the most is finding a bible study “buddy.”  I realized a long time ago that I need encouragement to do many things in my life.  I just flat out don’t like doing things on my own.  I no longer see this as a weakness, just reality.  God made us as social people, which is why he created another being for Adam in the garden and I believe that’s why we have the church.  We need encouragement and for people to help keep us be accountable.  I personally need that encouragement and accountability in various aspects of my life.  So in a lot of things that I do, I like to find a “buddy.”  I find travel buddies and exercise buddies… why not a bible study buddy? 

So if you struggle with having a consistent bible study maybe finding a friend who will just check in with you to keep you accountable or you can discuss what you’ve learned – will help you to get your spiritual nourishment.  But be forewarned:  you must find a good buddy.  Finding someone who is not encouraging and doesn’t hold you accountable will not help you to improve your daily reading habits.

Daily Meditation upon the Word

by Jordan Shouse

What comes to mind when you think of the word strength? Some may be led to think of body builders who can lift immense weights with ease. Some think of powerful beasts like lions and bears, strong forceful animals. The Kentucky Derby passed by a few months ago. Noticing the horses as they pounded around the course, one could not help but notice the concept of strength. What about a tree? For many, trees are probably low on the list as that which characterizes the concept of strength. However, in the 1st Psalm, the tree is what the writer uses to talk about one who is strong. Notice the passage. Psalm 1:1-3.

While the beginning of this Psalm is a series of actions, built up with a stark contrast, what I want us to focus upon is the tree. Did you notice the detail the writer gave about the tree? It is firmly planted by the water. It yields its fruit. It does not wither. Whatever it does it prospers. Think about the truth behind this symbolism. A tree firmly planted is much like a wall; concrete, solid, and immovable. Cars have wrecked into trees going racing speeds which leaves the car in millions of pieces yet the tree unmoved. Strong winds blow houses to bits, yet the mighty tree with its large roots stands firm. The tree truly is a strong force. But in this passage, the writer is not focusing on trees. He attributes this concept of strength to one who “delights in the law of the Lord. And in His law he meditates day and night.”

I would venture to say that a common goal as Christians is to become strong. I don’t believe anyone has the desire to be weak or feeble. We want strong bodies, strong minds, strong houses; likewise wouldn’t we want strong faith? The Psalmist said that strength is the product of one who meditates in the Word daily.  Do you know what that word meditate means? It doesn’t mean to sit cross legged and hum. Meditate is a lot like chewing. When we chew, we take our time with that which is in our mouths, enjoying the tastes and flavors we are receiving. To meditate upon the Word is to think about the passages I’ve read. Throughout my day, I’m thinking about those verses, allowing them to run through my mind and produce congruent thoughts and attitudes. When I read of the passage in Genesis 6, of God’s command to Noah for the construction of the ark, through my day I may be thinking thoughts like, “What would I have said, or how would I have reacted to such an enormous task and yet a strange command?”

Did you catch the other phrase from the Psalmist in our passage: “day and night.” The Word of God is my fuel for the soul just as food is for the body. Imagine going a day without food. The same is with the Word. The Bible is my source for encouragement, support and strength. The Bible is my firm reminder of my responsibility to the will of God. The Bible is the only source of faith. Stronger faith, deeper faith, grounded faith, just like the mighty roots of a large tree; it all comes from daily reading and meditation of the Bible. Have you read today?

Things to remember in today’s reading:

• Instructions are given on how the Guilt Offering is to be offered (7:1-10).
• Instructions are given regarding the peace offering (7:11-36).
• The installation of the priesthood is described (8:1-36).
• The first services in the tabernacle are described (9:1-24).

Things God is teaching me in today’s reading:

• The Lord expects one to “take ownership in” his offering and to be focused in how he brings it to the Lord (7:29).
• The inauguration of daily sacrifices in the temple signals God’s coming down upon His altar to dwell intimately with His people.

Things to act on in today’s reading:

• My own hands shall bring the Lord’s food offerings.
• I will shout and fall on my face when I see fire come out from the Lord and consume the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar!

Things to pray about in today’s reading:

• For a reverence and awe for the things of the Lord

Thanks for reading with me dear friend. Have a blessed day!!

– Randy Sexton

Things to remember in today’s reading:

• Paul greets and prays for the saints in Christ who are at Philippi, thanking them for the partnership with him in the gospel (1:1-11).
• Paul reflects upon his imprisonment and how the gospel.is still advancing. He expresses great confidence in the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ to deliver him, whether by life or by death (1:12-30)
• Paul encourages these brethren to unite in love and humility, looking to Christ as the perfect example, and to live as lights in the world (2:1-18).
• Paul offers Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of a service-centered life (2:19-30

Things God is teaching me in today’s reading:

• “Joy” and “affection” and “hope” and “love” and “rejoicing” are words that should be a regular part of the Christian’s vocabulary and of his life!
• Even when in dire physical circumstances, we can be a force for advancing the gospel when we maintain a can do attitude that says, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain!”
• Our manner of life is to be WORTHY of the gospel!
• What a better place this world would be if we all had the “mind of Christ” who took the form of a servant!

Things to act on in today’s reading:

• I will do all things without grumbling or complaining!
• I will do nothing from rivalry, or conceit but in humility I will count others more significant than myself!

Things to pray about in today’s reading:

• For a servant’s heart like Timothy and Epaphroditus had!

Thanks for reading with me dear friend. Have a blessed day!!

– Randy Sexton

Things to remember in today’s reading:

*Jesus teaches the importance of repentance (13:1-3)

*Jesus teaches through the parable of the barren fig tree, the mustard seed and the leaven, and heals another on the Sabbath (13:6-20).

*Jesus teaches that He is the narrow door and weeps over Jerusalem (13:21-35).

*Jesus heals another on the Sabbath and teaches through the parables of the wedding feast and of the great banquet (14:1-24).

Things God is teaching me in today’s reading:

*When sin is committed it must be followed by repentance or doom is the consequence!

*God expects his children to bear fruit and to grow, and to work the works that He has given us to do!

*We should have concern for the lost!

*It is better to be humble than humiliated!

Things to act on in today’s reading:

*I will make each day count in my spiritual growth. I am not yet the man God wants me to be!

Things to pray about in today’s reading:

*Lord, dig around me and put manure on me that I might bear fruit and not be cut down!

Thanks for reading with me dear friend. Have a blessed day!!

– Randy Sexton

Things to remember in today’s reading:

• Ezekiel receives his vision against the “land of Israel” (7:1-27).
• Ezkiel’s vision of idolatrous worship in the temple (8:1-18).
• Ezekiel’s vision of the city-wide slaughter of idolaters (9:1-11).
• Ezekiel’s vision of the destruction of Jerusalem by fire (10:1-22).
• Ezekiel’s vision of the judgment on wicked officials and an oracle of hope before God’s glory departs (11:1-25).

Things God is teaching me in today’s reading:

• These things were done so that they would know that God was in control and this message appears repeatedly (7:4, 9, 27; 11:10, 12)
• How far man call fall from what God intended us to be when he created us and put us in the garden! To cause God to say, “Do you see what they are doing , the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary?” (8:6)
• Even when we are surrounded by evil, God’s people can mount a revival of hope and spirit and faith (11:13-25).

Things to act on in today’s reading:

• As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
• I will preach a message of hope and faith!

Things to pray about in today’s reading:

• For a spirit of kindness!
• For a love of the souls of all!

Thanks for reading with me dear friend. Have a blessed day!!

– Randy Sexton

Things to remember in today’s reading:

• The father makes another appeal to his son to remain sexually pure, warning him to stay far away from the allure of the immoral woman (5:1-23).
• Practical warnings are given about the risks of putting up security for another, of being lazy, and of exhibiting character traits that the Lord hates (6:1-19).
• The father make another appeal to his son to remain sexually pure by seeing past the immediate temptation to the consequences that would result (6:20-35).

Things God is teaching me in today’s reading:

• God created man and woman to enjoy sexual pleasure but it is to be confined to marriage (5:15-20).
• Those who fail to exercise self-discipline and who despise reproof will find themselves groaning at the end of their lives because of what awaits them (5:11-12, 20-22).
• Being a good steward of what God has given us demands that we be prudent in how we commit our resources (16:5).
• God demands of us a good work ethic and character traits that build up and encourage rather than those that tear down and de-moralize (6:6-19)
• We cannot put ourselves into situations of temptation and expect to walk away unscathed (6:20-35).

Things to act on in today’s reading:

• I will rejoice in the relationship I have with my godly wife!
• I will discipline my body and keep it under control!
• I will be prudent in the use of the resources that God has given me.

Things to pray about in today’s reading:

• For hands clean and ready to do the work of the Lord!
• For feet that will endure the Christian race to the end where the crown awaits!
• For continued energy to be an encourager among brothers!

Thanks for reading with me dear friend. Have a blessed day!!

– Randy Sexton

Things to remember in today’s reading:

• Psalm 72 “is a royal psalm, praying that the heirs of David’s line (beginning with Solomon) might have success in the task that God has assigned the kings (namely, ruling God’s people well, protecting the poor and needy, and bringing blessing to all nations of the earth).”
• Psalm 73 “is a wisdom psalm, helping those who sing it to rest content even when unbelievers seem to get along without a care in the world, so that the faithful are tempted to join them. Their help comes from taking to hear where the different life paths of the faithful and unbelievers  are headed; each one is going toward either nearness to God or separation from him, a nearness or separation that will apply both now and in the afterlife.”
• Psalm 74 “is a cry of anguish over a disaster that has befallen God’s people; the temple has been laid ruin (quite possibly the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem). Thus this is a community lament …(and) recounts God’s mighty deeds in the past, especially the exodus; here that recounting serves as a ground for the prayer; do not let the Gentiles scorn the God who has done such things.” (ESV Study Bible, pp.1025-1028)

Things God is teaching me in today’s reading:

• God defends the cause of the poor, gives deliverance to the children of the needy and crushes the oppressor (72:4)
• All kings fall down before Him and all nations serve Him (72:11)
• We should praise God for the wondrous things He has done (72:18).
• Sometimes we are envious when we see the prosperity of the wicked but, when we go into the sanctuary of God, we understand and we discern their end (73:3,16-17).
• God will hold our right hand and He will guide us with His counsel if He remains the strength of our hearts and our portion forever (73:23, 26).
• Psalm 74 reminds me that sometimes we lament our condition, thinking God has “cast us off” (1) and that “his anger smokes against us.” (1) Perhaps we even think that our lives are “perpetual ruins” (3) as the foe scoffs and reviles God’s name (10)! At times like this it helps to remember that God is “working salvation in the midst of the earth” (12), that he “divided the sea” (13), “crushed the heads of Leviathan” (14), “fixed the boundaries of the earth” (17),  and that He has “regard for the covenant” (20) and takes care of the downtrodden and the poor and needy among His people (21)!

Things to act on in today’s reading:

• I will praise God for the wondrous things He has done!
• I will not envy the prosperity of the wicked!
• I will seek God’s counsel and allow Him to be the strength of my heart!

Things to pray about in today’s reading:

• For eyes that see the wonder of God’s creation!
• For ears that listen for God’s voice and His instruction!
• For a heart that beats in unison with God’s people!

Thanks for reading with me dear friend. Have a blessed day!!

– Randy Sexton

Things to remember in today’s reading:

• A description of what happens to Jeroboam for his disobedience in wanting two houses instead of the one he was promised (14:1-20).
• The events that have been occurring simultaneously in Judah are described (14:21-31).
• The reigns of Abijam and Asa, kings of Judah are described (15:1-24).
• The reigns of Nadab, Baasa, Elah, Zimri, Omri, and Ahab, kings of Israel are described (15:25-16:34).
• “Elijah is introduced… His first task is to tackle the problem of Baal worship that Ahab has introduced into Israel in 16:31-32, and to demonstrate beyond all doubt that Baal is no more a god in any real sense than are Jeroboam’s bull calves (17:1-24) (ESV Study Bible, p. 632).
• Elijah challenges and defeats the prophets of Baal (18:1-46).

Things God is teaching me in today’s reading:

• God makes it clear how differently He treats the house of David, “because for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem” (15:4).
• In history, both sacred and political, we see the rise and fall of nations. If history teaches us anything, it is that God determines the course of events, not any king, or president or any other political official!
• Idolatrous worship was at the root of Israel’s problems. It can be the cause of problems in our relationship with God as well!
• What the Lord promises, He fulfills! (God commanded Joshua to pronounce a curse on anyone who might rebuild Jericho, Joshua 6:26) We see Hiel of Bethel reaping the consequences when he built Jericho in the days of Ahab’s reign in Israel, 1^st Kings 16:34.
• “…it is the Lord, not Baal or any other “god,” who controls both life and death, both fertility and infertility.” (IBID).

Things to act on in today’s reading:

• I will recognize and praise God as the determiner of the course of events!
• I will be careful to allow no idols to come between me and my God!
• I will do what God has asked of me, believing that He will do what He has promised for me!

Things to pray about in today’s reading:

• For a stronger faith!
• For a deeper love!
• For a focused hope!

Thanks for reading with me dear friend. Have a blessed day!!

– Randy Sexton