God has given each one of us a unique temperament and personality; these God given temperaments and personalities each have tremendous gifts and abilities. Each is unique and designed and planned by God expressly for the purpose here on earth as a member of the family of God. Some of us are introverted calm and quiet while others are oppositely extroverted enthusiastic talkers. This extreme variance of temperaments can often be seen between siblings, parents and children and even twins. As you have gone about your life, working with your siblings, parents, or even your own children you have probably noticed these differences can sometimes cause conflict. While taking two different approaches to the same task or an activity, one may ask “why should I do it his or her way, when my way is just as legitimate and possibly even better.” These two approaches based on different thought processes have just conflicted, neither person’s method is necessarily wrong. These conflicts, though small at first can be detrimental to a healthy relationship.

This is where deference comes into play. Deference, what is it? Deference is yielding to the opinions, wishes or judgment of another person. Deference means controlling my privileges and preferences in order not to offend those God has called me to serve. Deference is a very deliberate act, and comes from the heart. I think my mom was secretly trying to teach me and one of my sisters deference when I was about 12 or 13 years old. My mom assigned one of my sisters and I a job to do together for a whole year. We had to do dishes together. This normally would not have been a big deal except I am a perfectionist, and my sister isn’t so much, she’s more like, let’s get this job done as fast as we can. In case you’re wondering speed and perfection don’t really mix to well. You can imagine some of those few long weeks as we disputed over what methods for washing dishes was best. Deference from the beginning sure would have helped but it was eventually learned.

By not showing deference you are in fact disrespecting another individual. Deference can be shown in many ways, but it will always put others before yourself. This goes against our human nature and unless we are Spirit filled we will struggle to show deference. Paul instructed the Corinthians to show deference to other believers who could not eat meat that had previously been offered to idols. (1 Cor 8 )  This meat may have been cheaper, or more convenient to buy. And while Paul made it clear technically there may not have been anything wrong with eating this meat. He warned in 1 Cor 8:9 “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.” And then in verse 12 adds “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.” This verse here emphasizes how vital it really is to show deference, especially when it comes to not offending the conscience of another believer even calling it sin to not show deference to our brothers and sisters. Deference shows our willingness to live out Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

It is humbling ourselves to the will of God and esteeming others higher than ourselves and laying down our lives to demonstrate the New Life that dwells within us.

Command 34: Be a Servant | Day 238

I scanned an area on the south side of Chicago until I saw what I was looking for—a group of about 25 teenagers near the river! It was a high-crime area, so when I approached them, they all stared at me and wondered what I wanted. I told them I wanted to draw a scenic chalk picture for them that would explain answers to life’s three big questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? and Where am I going? They all expressed interest in this.

As I drew the picture and interacted with the group, I tried hard to learn and remember their names. At first, when I asked for a person’s name, I was usually told a fictitious one and the group laughed. However, I paid close attention when someone called another person by his real name and began using it as well. Soon the entire group wanted to tell me not only their first names, but also their nicknames, which were a real challenge to remember! When I returned the following week, many of them surprised me by asking, “What is my name?” If I correctly remembered a name, I would receive a big smile, but when I was incorrect, there was disappointment.

There are four simple but effective key ways I’ve found to show another person that you are genuinely interested in his life and to earn opportunities to serve him.

1. Show a person’s importance by learning and using his name. This is one of the keys I learned while working with teenagers. A person’s own name is one of the most important words to him in any language.
2. Ask precise questions. Questions should show interest without being “nosey.” We can encourage people to talk about things they are interested in, such as asking a businessman: “How did you get started in your present work?”
3. Listen with your heart, not just your mind. When we receive responses to our questions, we should ponder them and find in them the basis for asking additional questions. The religious teachers in the Temple marveled at the wisdom of 12-year-old Jesus because of the questions that He asked and His answers. (See Luke 2:46–47.)
4. Discern needs and attitudes. When God allows us to discern the root problems a person is struggling with, we should then be prepared to provide precise answers to help him. There are four major areas of need that most people will experience at some point in their lives: marriage conflicts, teenage rebellion, financial pressures, and health problems. If we are able to share practical, lasting solutions in these four areas, we will have an ever-widening ministry.

In our journals this week, let’s write down the names of the people whom God wants us to serve and then list the ways in which we are serving or will begin to serve them. As we choose to follow Christ’s example by placing the needs of others ahead of our own needs, we will fulfill the purposes God has for our lives and achieve true greatness!

Through Christ our Lord,

Bill Gothard

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”

(Matthew 20:26–27).

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Patience is something I’ve had to continually ask God for help with. When irritations towards other people, things, and circumstances arise; patience is sometimes not an immediate response. One of the things I have also learned in this area is that usually when I¹m frustrated with someone, and impatient with that person, it generally comes back to that I¹m lacking patience with myself.

I have a very close relationship with my older sister, but as relationships between sisters usually go, we are very different. She is the type of person who can immediately jump into the middle of anything and flourish. I on the other hand, like to take a slower approach to things.

Processing everything, and taking it step by step before I can reach the same level of enjoyment or ability that she has right at the beginning.

Before we realized our differences, there was no end of frustrations between us. It would usually end with me feeling frustrated with myself, and thinking that I would never be able to do the things she was able to do so easily. When I came to the understanding of how God had made me different from her in this area and was able to accept it; I was then able to build on that, by learning how to have patience with myself and others.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience),

kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”Galatians 5:22

The Creative Power of God’s Word

When ever I study the character quality of creativity I always think of God’s creative power.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” it does not say he made or built the heavens and the earth but instead “God created the heavens and the earth”. The difference between creating and building is pretty obvious. Building something engages only the hands while creating involves the heart and the soul…Now, imagine Gods creative power in just mere words.

As He called upon light, history began. Existence became measurable. And a mighty hand went to work. Canyons were carves. Oceans were dug. Mountains erupted out of flat lands. He must have had a blast. Painting the stripes on the zebra. Hanging the stars in the sky. Putting the gold in the sunset. What creativity! Stretching the neck of the giraffe, putting the flutter in the mockingbirds wings, planting the giggle in the hyena. And then as a finale to a brilliant performance, he created man. With his typical creative flair, he began with a useless mound of dirt and ended up with an invaluable species called a human. How original were his thoughts! A human who had the unique honor to bear the stamp “in His image”. At this point one would be tempted to jump and clap.

“BRAVO!” “UNMATCHABLE!”

But the applause would be premature. If you thought He was imaginary with the sea and stars, wait until you read what creative ideas He had to get His creation to listen to Him:

A ninety year old woman gets pregnant.

Another woman turns to salt.

A flood blankets the earth.

A bush burns ( but doesn’t burn up!)

The Red Sea splits in two.

The walls of Jericho fall.

The sky rains fire.

A donkey talks.

God, still the compassionate creator, woos His creation. Man, the creation, alternately reaches out in repentance and runs in rebellion. It is within this simple scrip that God’s creativity flourishes to this day. There is no other perfect example for creativity besides our God. He has set the standard for creative thinking, planning and speaking.

Through and through, He is the creator. A tireless dreamer and designer.

Punctuality is, on the surface, rather uncomplicated: not easy perhaps, but simple enough.

“Be where you’re supposed to be, when you’re supposed to be there.”

What is so hard to grasp about that? Nothing. All of us know it merely an art of thinking ahead and planning, giving your self time to prepare your food, getting enough rest, having your clothes cleaned and pressed. So that when we tell some one that we will be there we are there, appropriately dressed, fed and in our right mind.

Although we place great importance on punctuality is it perhaps only practice,

Practice in keeping the real appointments of our lives. Let us, for a moment, note the obvious: life is so much more than we see at the first glance.

Life is a mosaic being carefully fitted together by an All Knowing God…a tapestry that He is weaving every day, one thread at a time. We are the threads, the precious stones….

As our great Lord is weaving the masterpiece are we attentive to Him? Have we taken the time to think ahead, to be prepared to meet with Him, to rid ourselves of distractions so that we have the time to be groomed, to be prepared stones, perfectly cut and polished, the threads, vivid, delicate and strong?

We are appalled at the thought of “standing someone up” but why? It shows a major lack of character.

It is proof that something or someone, is or was, more important than the person that we gave our word to.

How many times does this need to happen before it is safe to say that you do not love that person?

In the same way how many times do we need to put God off, failing to meet with Him at appointed

time: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (Prov.8:17)

in the appointed place: “…before the testimony, where I will meet with you.” (Num.17:4),

before it is safe to say that you don’t love God all that much.

Boldness: The quality of standing out strongly and distinctly. If you are a true follower of the King of kings, you have a reason to be bold. You are commanded to be different, set apart from the world and to stand out strongly and distinctly.

At one point, my life was dominated by fear. The only concern I had was, “What will others think of me?” I did not take the time of day to question, “What does God think of me and my life?” If being accepted by others meant breaking off fellowship with the God of the Whole Universe, I chose people over God. This got me nowhere. Not only did I let down the people I longed to please, but I also was never able to attain a personal relationship with God, leaving me completely unsatisfied and unfulfilled. Now, if this sounds like you, I have a few words to encourage you with and hopefully guide you toward the right path, the bold path.

Every one of us has a story. A story of how God has worked in your life, how he changed you from what you were, to where you are now, and how he is continually conforming you to the image of His Son. If you have such a story, God has commanded you to speak in the light, and preach on the housetops, to proclaim his truth to all.

In one of Tom Harmon’s recent messages he told the audience of a time in his life where he was ashamed of the word of God. At the time he denied it of course, but when the rubber hit the road, he knew he was guilty of just that. Until one day someone asked him, “You don’t take the word of God literally do you?” That was the last straw for him, he turned around and said proudly and honestly, “I take it literally, laterally, horizontally, vertically, and any way God says it I take it!” This is the kind of boldness I am talking about.

Now, let’s think about this in human perspectives. Say, someone does something for you that you did not expect, something so kind it changed your life forever. Now, would you be ashamed to be friends with this person, to give credit to this person for doing what they did for you? I sure hope not. And in the same way Jesus gave His life for us, changed us, and brought us into His family. We did not deserve it, and we didn’t even ask for it, but He did. How could we ever be ashamed of Him, how could we ever be afraid to say He is our friend and our Savior?

There will always be people in your life that will question you, your faith, and your standards. They will not understand why you must be different. Next time you are questioned, be bold in your answers, do not apologize for what you believe in, and they will wonder what can cause you to speak without fear of consequences or what others may think. If you are not ashamed of Him, He will not be ashamed of you.

Live like you have a purpose. Walk with a spring in your step, and a smile on your face, and always, always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within you. People want something to live for and to die for. It is better for a man to die standing than to live on his knees. Remember, your life is not an apology it is a statement!

In In relation to all that I’ve said, I have one word of caution. If you are going to be bold and be strong, make sure you know the one you are defending, personally. If you are secretly in the throes of sin and addiction and someone asks, do you believe in the word of God, are you a follower of Christ? What authority do you have to speak against their ways, or say you know God? Make sure you are right with God, a clear conscience makes for a bold person.

I leave with you this exhortation from our Lord Jesus Christ, Mathew 10:26-33 says to you, “Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

I think that true loyalty comes from a heart of love, because without love it is not the same kind of loyalty. You can be loyal to your boss or your job, but it is more out of duty, not because you love them (usually). But if you love someone you will want to stay loyal to them. No matter what may come, and that is true love, true loyalty, to me at least.

In my life, I think the best example or way that I can practice Loyalty is in my devotion to God. Like making sure I find a time each day to spend with Him, no matter how long, just to acknowledge Him as my Lord, my Savior, the one who gives me life each day, and by my spending time with Him, I am letting him know that I am being Loyal in my devotion to Him. Also by fearing Him, if I truly love God and fear Him then I will want to be Loyal to him all the days of my life.

photo via Flickr

It was near the end of my spelling test in elementary school. Once again I looked down at what I had written on my paper for word number seven: “O-N-O-R.” I read it back to myself quietly. It sounded right but something was missing, I was sure!

Time was running out. I closed my eyes tight and tried hard to remember what it should look like. All the correct sounds were there, so what was I missing? I took several frantic glances around the room for any spark of “inspiration,” but soon resorted back to silence and intense thought. Silence! That was it! I knew what was missing: a silent letter. I had skipped the very first part!

Without delay I added the letter and read it again: “HONOR.” Yes, that was it!

Honor is important (and not just for elementary test grades). Do you want to know how to please God? Find out what pleases the Lord. Find out with a relationship with Him. Obeying your parents pleases the Lord. Honoring your parents pleases the Lord (See Colossians 3:20). This “honoring” looks different during different seasons of your life—as a child, as a young adult, as a married man or woman. But the heart of this commandment remains intact throughout all our years.

The fifth commandment, “honor your mother and father,” is the first commandment with a promised attached, “so that you may live long on the earth” (Eph. 6:1-3). We want to have a long life, for things to go well for us, to bring delight to the Lord, and to receive God’s grace. But have we skipped the first part?

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Peter 5:5–7).