The Bible NETWork ~ Impacting the World for Christ one post at a time!

SUNDAY DECEMBER 30
“Marriage should be honored by all.” Heb 13:4 NIV
FIGHT FOR YOUR MARRIAGE

When asked the secret of his long, happy marriage, Henry Ford replied, “It’s the same
formula I’ve used in making cars: stick to one model and never quit trying to make
it better.” Pretty good advice, eh? Read the following words carefully: “It wasn’t one action
or one word, but a series of little unresolved spats and quarrels that now makes TV the
solution to the problems of a hard day, and silences us when we should say, ‘I’m sorry,’
or ‘Thank you,’ or ‘You look really nice.’ Today I no longer tell you I love you because the
sound of those words mocks the special meaning they once carried. Now it’s too painful
to remember that those feelings we said we’d never lose were, tear by tear, left in the
past.” What happened? He gets wrapped up in his job, hoping to shore up his self-esteem
by being impressive at work. She gets wrapped up in the kids; she may have a job as well.
And so they pass each other in the driveway and the hallway. But it doesn’t have to be
that way! You can decide to fight for your marriage. It will take time. You’ll have to give
up certain activities that are important to you. It will require some practical vehicle such
as setting a date night, taking a walk, pulling the plug on the television, or just sitting at
the table and talking to each other after dinner. But if you’re willing to change your schedule
and your ways, and if necessary start from scratch believing that a good marriage is
worth it, you can win.

MONDAY DECEMBER 31
“Don’t…lose your balance.” 2Pe 3:17 CEV
STAY IN BALANCE

If you are an “all-or-nothing” person, the word for you today is, “stay in balance.” Serve
God fervently, but don’t forget to love your family and spend time with them. Work hard,
but don’t forget to play, relax, and “smell the roses.” Think regularly about heaven, your
permanent residence, but maximize every moment you have here on earth for God’s glory.
The Bible puts it this way: “You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ” (v.18 NLT). To live a balanced life you must learn to exercise grace in
your dealings with others—and deepen your knowledge of God’s Word. If you strive for one
but neglect the other, your life will be out of balance. The best way to stay in balance is
to develop these two habits: (1) Get regular feedback from the right people. “Then those
who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said”
(Mal 3:16 NLT). We are meant to grow together, not separately. “As iron sharpens iron, so
people can improve each other” (Pr 27:17 NCV). Only as you interact with the right people
and get regular feedback can you become the person God wants you to be. (2) Check
yourself regularly. The Bible says: “Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give
yourselves regular checkups…Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it”
(2Co13:5-6 TM). To be spiritually healthy you must regularly check up on such areas as
your stewardship, fellowship, ministry to others, character, Bible reading and prayer. You’ll
be amazed how these two habits will help you stay spiritually balanced.

NEW YEAR’S DAY – TUESDAY JANUARY 1
“Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Mt 5:3 NKJV
THIS YEAR, LIVE BY THE BEATITUDES (1)

For the next few days let’s look at the Beatitudes (what our attitudes should be). Jesus
said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Now Jesus
wasn’t saying He’s against you having money, He was saying He’s against money having
you. He will actually prosper you so that you can finance and fulfill His purposes in the
earth. But He doesn’t measure the size of your faith by the size of your bank balance. In
one of His parables Jesus called a wealthy man a “fool.” That wasn’t because the man was
rich, it was because he wasn’t “rich toward God” (Lk12:21 NKJV). Old John D. Rockefeller
once said, “I’ve made many millions but they brought me no real happiness. I’d barter
them all for the days I sat on an office stool in Cleveland and counted myself rich on three
dollars a week.” Having more money may give you social status, but serving God gives
you kingdom-significance. Big difference! So keep your focus on what matters and live for
what lasts. In Kemi, Finland, they supposedly built a sprawling ice castle that featured a
theatre, a playground, an art gallery and a chapel. The castle walls were 13 feet high and
stretched for 1,650 feet. The chapel was a popular wedding venue and the theatre could
seat 3,000 people. In it they held rock concerts, musicals, modern dance and opera
recitals. The problem was, its upkeep cost millions of dollars, and it all melted in the spring.
Are you getting the idea? Focus on what lasts, not on what doesn’t.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2
“Blessed are those who mourn.” Mt 5:4 NKJV
THIS YEAR, LIVE BY THE BEATITUDES (2)

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Grief is the price
we pay for love. One author writes: “We wonder when grief hits hard, ‘Why did this
happen? Was it to remind us of the brevity of life? Was it to deepen the faith of those who
carry on?’ It’s hard to answer ‘yes’ when everything seems dark. The most important thing
to us at that moment is to be relieved of the pain. But when we move through adversity
rather than avoid it, we greet it differently. We become willing to let it teach us. Like Joseph,
we see how God can use it for some larger end. Ultimately, mourning means facing what
wounds us in the presence of the only One who can heal us.” The Bible says, “Weeping
may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Ps 30:5). Morning will come;
God has promised it! Your grief will ease with time. The fact that you’re willing to embrace
the pain rather than try to escape it, guarantees that. It’s not that you’ll forget; it’s that
you’ll remember differently—with more gratitude and less grief. This beatitude answers
two questions: (1) What happens to those who die in the Lord? “Let not your heart be troubled…
In my Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you…that
where I am, there ye may be also” (Jn14:1-3). (2) What about those of us who must go on
living? “The…God of all comfort…comforts us…that we may be able to comfort those
who are in any trouble” (2Co 1:3-4 NKJV).

THURSDAY JANUARY 3
“Blessed are the meek.” Mt 5:5 NKJV
THIS YEAR, LIVE BY THE BEATITUDES (3)

In our macho world, meekness is often mistaken for weakness. But Jesus’ definition of
meekness pictures a powerful, majestic stallion that has been brought into submission.
It hasn’t lost any of its stamina. It’s just that whereas it once had a will of its own, it now
yields to the will of another. The breaking process is complete; now it responds to the tug
of the reins. Meekness involves: (1) Sensitivity to God’s presence. In a good marriage two
people often understand each other’s needs without a word having to be spoken. The
time they’ve spent together makes them aware of the things that enrich and the things that
offend, and their devotion to one another makes their marriage a top priority. And it’s the
same in your relationship with God. (2) Surrender to God’s way. The key to breaking stubborn
habits is not fighting them in your own strength. That only keeps your focus on the
problem, intensifying its power. Changing your focus and submitting to God moment by
moment is the key to winning, whether it’s a problem or a hang-up. “Not that we are sufficient
of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is
from God” (2Co 3:5 NKJV). (3) Submission to God’s will. To understand the difference between
submission and selfishness you must ponder these words: “So they come to you
as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do
not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own
gain” (Eze 33:31 NKJV).

FRIDAY JANUARY 4
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
Mt 5:6 NKJV
THIS YEAR, LIVE BY THE BEATITUDES (4)

This beatitude corrects two mistakes we make when it comes to our salvation. The first:
that it’s all about believing. The second: that it’s all about behaving. Actually, it’s about
both! The new birth brings: (1) A position of righteousness. If you stacked up all your good
works until they were as big as a mountain, you’d still come up short of the payment required
to get into heaven. That’s true before you become a Christian, and it’s true after you
become one. If you saw the movie The Passion of the Christ and thought, “Why did He have
to die such a death?” here’s the answer: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2Co 5:21 NIV). The moment
you accept Jesus as your Savior you become “righteous” in God’s eyes. Awesome! (2) A
condition of righteousness. “Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God” (Ro 6:11 NIV).
Salvation is not just a position of righteousness you hold before God, but a condition of
righteousness you live out before others every day. How do you do that? By valuing God’s
will more than your own (See Pr 3:5). By seeking to display the character qualities of Christ
as described in Scripture: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness [and] self-control” (Gal 5:22-23 NAS). You say, “That’s a tall order!” Yes, but we
are not left to do it alone: “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and
more like him” (2Co 3:18 TLB).

SATURDAY JANUARY 5
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Mt 5:7 NKJV
THIS YEAR, LIVE BY THE BEATITUDES (5)

Hurting an enemy puts you beneath them; taking revenge makes you even with them;
forgiving sets you above them. The Bible says, “Never take revenge. Leave that
to…God” (Ro12:19 NLT). Revenge is not sweet; it leaves a bitter taste. It keeps you in such
a constant stew that you’re not able to enjoy God’s blessing. Don’t let that happen to you.
Instead choose to: (1) Forgive and forget. Unforgiveness just keeps you on the treadmill of
resentment. Why is it so important to you to make others wrong and yourself right? If
you’re right but miserable, what good is it? Listen to Christ’s words: “If you forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Mt 6:14 NKJV). Charles Spurgeon
said, “When you bury a mad dog don’t leave his tail above the ground.” So forgive, bury
it and move on. (2) Deal with the root of your anger. Sometimes the source of our anger is
hidden from us; we are “acting out” the unresolved hurts within us. Exaggerated anger is
often displaced anger. Instead of dealing with the person who hurt us, we vent our wrath
on those closest to us. Ask God to show you where the real issue lies and help you to
deal with it. (3) Take back your power. Mercy heals, but unforgiveness makes you a perpetual
victim. Plus, while you’re obsessing over the event and planning your payback,
the other person is out enjoying life. God has promised you justice, so leave it in His
hands. In fact, the only people you should consider getting even with, are those who’ve
helped you.

SUNDAY JANUARY 6
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Mt 5:8 NKJV
THIS YEAR, LIVE BY THE BEATITUDES (6)

Make your heart “a controlled environment,” because what happens there determines
how you respond to life. When it comes to people, pastimes and pursuits, don’t
open yourself to anything that has the potential to take you captive, or to make you cynical
and cold-hearted. If you do, you’ll shut yourself off from God’s blessing. In his book
Next Door Savior, Max Lucado writes: “The countryside was flat and predictable, that’s why
the refinery stood out like a science-fiction city. The function of that maze of machinery is
defined by its name. A refinery takes whatever comes in and purifies it, so that it’s ready
to go out. It does for petroleum what your heart should do for you—remove the bad and
utilize the good. Jesus said, ‘The good man brings good things out of the good stored up
in his heart’ (Lk 6:45 NIV). So here are some questions you need to ask yourself: ‘When
I’m criticized or ignored do I bite back, or bite my tongue? When I’m on overload do I blow
my top, or stay cool? When I hear gossip do I entertain it, silence it or spread it? When
somebody offends me do I harbor a grudge, or choose to forgive?’ It all depends on the
condition of your heart.” When your heart has been purified you’ll begin to “see God”
in people and situations you never noticed Him at work in before. Knowing first-hand the
dangers of spiritual heart disease, the Psalmist wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God”
(Ps 51:10). If you need a spiritual catharsis, spend time in the presence of God.

MONDAY JANUARY 7
“Blessed are the peacemakers.” Mt 5:9 NKJV
THIS YEAR, LIVE BY THE BEATITUDES (7)

The story’s told of two guys who were arguing about religion. One of them finally
shouted, “Okay, you serve God your way and I’ll serve Him His way!” When we make
our opinions a precondition for loving one another, we end up alienating one another.
Much of what we fight about doesn’t matter. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are
My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35 NKJV). It’s not enough to love
peace, you’ve got to become a peacemaker. When a fight erupted in the New Testament
church over eating certain foods, Paul stepped in: “Let us stop passing judgment on one
another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way
of a brother or sister. I am convinced being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing
is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is
unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer
acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore
do not let what you know is good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not
a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human
approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual
edification…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and
God” (Ro14:13-22 NIV). So, be a peacemaker!

TUESDAY JANUARY 8
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”
Mt 5:10 NKJV
THIS YEAR, LIVE BY THE BEATITUDES (8)

In Yellowstone National Park there’s an interesting tree called a Lodgepole Pine. Its cones
can hang on for years before falling off. Even then they remain tightly closed. They open
only when they are in contact with intense heat. Whenever forest fires are raging and all
the trees are being destroyed, the heat opens these particular pine cones. As a result, they
are the first to assist nature in repopulating the forest. Jesus said to His disciples, “Blessed
are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
There’s potential in each of us that’s only released when we’re under pressure or in a fiery
trial. Job discovered this when God permitted Satan to test him. Job lost everything he
had, including his children. And to add insult to injury, he was forced to endure the scorn
of his wife and friends because of his unwavering faith. When it was over, Job, who got
back twice as much as he lost, prayed, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but
now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5 NKJV). It’s one thing to hear how God works based on
somebody else’s experience, it’s another to see it first-hand when you’re wondering, “What
did I do to deserve this?” or asking, “If God’s really there, why am I here?” Why? (1) Because
it’s in the fire that you discover new aspects of God’s care and character. (2) What turns
worthless carbon into diamonds? Heat! Pressure! (3) In the fire you discover that when
others abandon you, God remains faithful.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Ps 56:3 NIV
SHRINK YOUR FEARS

Mary loved being a homemaker. She’d been married for thirty years to John, a successful
businessman. Because John had always taken care of things, Mary had
learned never to take risks. As a result, her biggest fear was that she’d be left alone one
day. Sometimes she would tell her friends, “I hope I go before John because I don’t think
I could handle things by myself.” But then John became ill and Mary was placed in the
position of caring for him, plus having to make all the decisions for them both. It was
nerve-racking at first. But once she put her trust in God and decided to take charge, she
made an interesting discovery: security doesn’t lie in having things, but in handling them!
She found that facing her fears was easy compared to the years she’d spent feeling inadequate,
helpless and dependent. Facing your fears is always easier than living with helplessness.
In fact, when you let fear stop you, you end up living with feelings of dread and
helplessness that are a hundred times worse than if you had just faced your fears and
moved forward. The truth is, if you tell yourself often enough that you can’t do something,
you will be unable to do it—even though you have the talent, time, resources, strategy, and
friends to accomplish it. Only those who say they can, do. Saying you believe in yourself
and the God who lives within you may not guarantee your success, but saying you don’t
will guarantee your failure. So today face your fears head on, and watch them shrink.

THURSDAY JANUARY 10
“If you would believe you would see the glory of God.” Jn 11:40 NKJV
LAZARUS

In the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead you’ll notice three important principles:
(1) Mary and Martha had a close relationship with Jesus before the crisis arose.
When Jesus came to town He stayed at their home and ate at their table. They were givers,
not takers. You can’t refuse to give God a minute of your time, an ounce of your energy,
or a penny of your money, then when trouble comes, say, “Lord, why did You let this happen?”
Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you
desire, and it shall be done for you” (Jn 15:7 NKJV). (2) Having a relationship with Jesus
doesn’t mean you won’t have trouble. But it does mean that you can go to Him with confidence
in times of trouble. Yes, you must pay attention to your career and your family, but
you must also pay attention to the most important relationship of all—the one you have
with the Lord. “If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive
from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases
him” (1Jn 3:21-22 NIV). (3) When you bring Jesus into the situation He will change it. Lazarus
was already dead and buried by the time Jesus got there. Humanly speaking, it was
hopeless. But in moments like these God asks you, “Is there any thing too hard for me?”
(Jer 32:27). If your answer is “No, Lord,” then your problem becomes an opportunity for
Him to demonstrate His love and care for you.

FRIDAY JANUARY 11
“Judge nothing before the appointed time.” 1Co 4:5 NIV
HANDLING CRITICISM

Someone once quipped, “Every baseball team could use someone who knows how to
play every position, never strikes out, and never makes an error. The only problem is,
it’s hard to make him set down his hotdog and come out of the spectator stands!” All of
us need the advice and input of others. But you should only consider the advice of a critic
when: (1) you know you are valued by the one who criticizes you; (2) the criticism is not
tainted by his or her personal agenda; (3) the person is not naturally critical of everything;
(4) the person will continue giving support after giving advice; (5) he or she has knowledge
and success in the area of the criticism. What really hurts is the criticism of people who
are important to you. It’s hard to have your dream criticized by those you admire, love
and respect. But if you want to achieve your dream you’ll have to learn how to pay that
price too. On the other hand, Stacy Allison, the first American woman to reach the summit
of Mount Everest, points out that there are times in your life when it’s okay not to
listen to what other people are saying. “If I’d listened to other people I wouldn’t have
climbed Mount Everest.” If you have a God-given promise and purpose, and if your heart
is right, then disregard unjustified criticism and stand on this Scripture: “Judge nothing
before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden
in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive
his praise from God.”

SATURDAY JANUARY 12
“Jesus…touched him.” Mk 1:41 NKJV
THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER’S HAND

It was battered and scarred and the auctioneer thought it hardly worth his while, to waste
much time on the old violin so he held it up with a smile. ‘What am I bidden for this old
violin? Who’ll start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar, who’ll make it two? Two dollars,
and who’ll make it three? Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,’ but no;
from the back of the room a gray haired man came forward and picked up the bow. Then
sweeping the dust from the old violin, and tightening up all the strings, he played a melody
pure and sweet, as sweet as the angels sing. The music ceased and the auctioneer, with
a voice that was quiet and low, said, ‘What am I bid for the old violin?’ and he held it up
with the bow. ‘A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two? Two thousand, and who’ll make
it three? Three thousand once, three thousand twice, going, and gone,’ said he. The people
cheered, but some of them said, ‘We do not quite understand. What changed its
worth?’ Then came the reply, ‘The touch of the Master’s hand.’ And many a man with his
life out of tune, battered and scarred with sin, is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd,
much like the old violin. A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, a game, and he shuffles along:
going once, going twice, he’s going and almost gone. But the Master comes, and the
thoughtless crowd never can quite understand, the worth of the soul, and the change
that’s wrought, by the touch of the Master’s hand.”

SUNDAY JANUARY 13
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.” Ps 143:10 NIV
LET IT GO

When God promises you something and it doesn’t happen right away, it’s easy to
get impatient, start doubting Him and think He needs you to go to work and make
it happen. Abraham did that. God promised him children “as numerous as the stars”
(Ge 22:17 NIV). Tired of waiting, he took matters into his own hands and fathered Ishmael
with his wife’s maidservant, Hagar. And that’s when his troubles began in earnest. Now,
God loved Ishmael and had great plans for him, but Abraham had to let go of him in order
to fulfill God’s will. It was one of the most painful experiences of Abraham’s life. So: (1) Refuse
to let the Enemy send anything into your life that will undermine what you have
been waiting and praying for. (2) Be careful who you take advice from. Fathering Ishmael
was a “good idea” Abraham’s wife Sarah had. (3) Because you are willing to take responsibility
for your actions doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences, long-lasting ones! Be
careful where you lie down; getting up again may not be as easy as you think. (4) There
are things you can give up effortlessly, and other things that will take every ounce of grace
you’ve got. And it’s especially hard to give up something you’re attached to and see yourself
reflected in, like a job you love, a house you’re living in, or a relationship you’re tied
to. But when you’ve gone as far as you can with your “Ishmael” and you’re ready to see
God’s promise fulfilled in your life, you must be willing to let it go.