Author: NBibens

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When was the last time you complained about something? We probably don’t have to go too far back in the memory bank to remember. It’s so easy to let the difficulties and trials we face put us in a sour mood, and complaint comes all too easily. Now, when was the last time you complained about another person? Circumstances are one thing, but often we find ourselves complaining about our fellow man—what they did or didn’t do, how they did something, what they said, and so on. But we should be wary of complaining about others—especially other Christians.

James 5:9 says, “Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!”^[1] We may feel justified in our complaints about others, but Scripture warns that such behavior can incur judgment! Instead of sour attitudes and complaints, let’s develop a patient, loving attitude toward others.

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^[1] CSB

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A good leader serves the will of the people, right? Well, maybe not. While we might think such a leader sounds nice, it would be far better for a leader to serve the will of God. 

In 2 Samuel 21, Israel faced a famine because King Saul had slain some of the Gibeonites years earlier. Israel had sworn to spare Gibeon, but Saul didn’t abide by the truce. Why? The Bible says, “Saul had sought to strike [the Gibeonites] down in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah.” Saul should have been more zealous about serving God than pleasing the people. Had he done so, not only could he have pleased God, but he would have been a better ruler for the people! Instead, his actions ended up harming the nation. 

The best leaders are those who serve God first and foremost, not those who try to serve the whims of the masses. 

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Who will take your place when you’re gone? Much as we don’t like to think about it, there will come a day when we either won’t be able to do what we do or we’ll have passed away. And then, someone else will have to do the work that we do. If you’re leading a company, someone else will need to lead it. If you’re teaching a class, someone else will need to teach. If you’re a church leader, someone else will need to fill that role. So what are we doing to prepare for that time?

Deuteronomy 1:38 says, “Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.” Moses’ replacement, Joshua, was to be encouraged in his preparation. Instead of fearing younger people who will replace us one day, we should encourage them, help them, and prepare them for the responsibilities that one day will fall on their shoulders.  

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What type of person wears a crown? Well, a king, of course! When we see the picture of a crown, we immediately associate that with a royal ruler. The crown is so integral to the image of a king that when a new king comes to power, they have a coronation, that is, a crowning ceremony. In 2 Chronicles 23, we read about a coronation that included a crown but something else of great importance. 

When young Joash was made king, the Bible says, “They put the crown on him and gave him the testimony.” The Law of Moses mandated that the king write his own copy of the Law of Moses and keep it with him all his days. That is likely what the testimony was that Joash received. You and I may never wear a crown, but we can treasure God’s Word and let it guide us daily. And truthfully, that blessing is far greater than a crown. 

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As we go through life, we all need help, guidance, and counsel. More importantly, we need good advice and counsel. Not all counsel is good and godly. If heeded, the wrong counsel can lead us down a dangerous and destructive path. In 2 Chronicles 22, a man named Ahaziah ascended to the throne of Judah. In verse four, it says, “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done. For after the death of his father they were his counselors, to his undoing.” Some of Ahaziah’s family and friends had ties to the house of Ahab—a house that had proven to be wicked and rebellious. Ahaziah accepted these ungodly people as counselors; the Bible says such was his undoing. When judgment came to the house of Ahab, Ahaziah lost his life, too! Be wary of who you take counsel from. Choose godly counselors, lest you find yourself caught up in the destruction of the wicked!

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Following Jesus requires some changes. There are attitudes and behaviors we must cast off when we become a Christian. Several passages in the New Testament instruct us to “put away” certain behaviors. For example, Ephesians 4:25 commands us to “put away falsehood.” There is no room for dishonesty and deceit in the life of a Christian. Ephesians 4:31 also instructs us to put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice. As Christians, we must control our emotions, especially those emotions that impact our relationships with others. While things like slander and wrath and bitterness come naturally, we must work to cast off such attitudes. First Peter 2:1 also adds hypocrisy to the list of things to put away. Honesty should permeate the Christian’s life, both in word and action. 

Are there attitudes or behaviors in your life that you need to put away in order to faithfully follow Jesus?

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What is your relationship with God’s Word? For some, the Bible is a stranger. For others, it is a mere acquaintance. But for some, Scripture is a cherished and honored loved one. 

In 1 Peter 1:23, the Apostle writes, “Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God…” Peter gives two amazing descriptions of the Word of God. First, it is living. Scripture isn’t some dead, ancient text. It is powerful and living because it was written by God. Secondly, Peter calls it the “abiding word.” The word for “abide” can mean something like “to dwell” or “lodge.” And what a beautiful picture that presents! God’s Word shouldn’t be an infrequent guest that visits us now and then; it should be an abiding presence—a loved one who dwells with us constantly. When God’s Word is always present, it truly comes alive and transforms our hearts and minds.  

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A successful Christian life requires a proper mindset. First Peter 1:13 says, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Our actions and behaviors are important, but to act faithfully, we must first win the battleground of our minds. Christianity is not merely an academic endeavor; neither is it a mindless existence. Peter says we must prepare our minds, but we prepare our minds to act. But preparation is only part of the battle—we must also be sober-minded. Sobriety of mind is more than just avoiding intoxicants (although that is included!). To be sober-minded is to keep our mind free of those things that distract, hinder, or cloud our judgment. 

If we wish to act in faith, let us prepare our minds with God’s Word and keep our minds clear of things that would pull us away from the Lord!

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Follow your heart. Be true to yourself. Pursue your own inner peace. These and similar ideas are given as common advice, and they sure sound nice. Unfortunately, such ideas are terrible advice. Following our hearts and spirits is a great way to traverse a path of destruction. Sadly, such a path is well traveled. 

Even after being conquered by Babylon, some among the Lord’s people followed their whims instead of turning to God. Some were even supposed prophets!

In Ezekiel 13:2-3 God said to Ezekiel, “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’ Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!” Speaking from the heart and following their own spirit earned those prophets a rebuke from God then and will today as well. Don’t follow your heart—let God’s Word transform your heart to be like His!

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Has there ever been someone in your life who was, well, just a burden? Maybe they always need something, never listen to good advice, or must be bailed out because of their poor choices. Now, have you ever realized you were a burden to someone else?

In Jeremiah 23:33, God said, “When one of this people, or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the Lord?’ you shall say to them, ‘You are the burden, and I will cast you off, declares the Lord.’”

It’s a sad day when the Lord’s people are so stubborn and rebellious that they become a burden to God. And yet, it’s happened before and can happen still. When we want God’s help but refuse to listen to His Word, we can become a burden. Don’t come to the Lord with a deaf ear and hard heart, lest you be cast off as a burden to the Lord!