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

“The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Jdg 17:6 NLT
THE NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE (1)

You’re never more vulnerable than when you can hide from others. Secrecy is the ideal
breeding ground for deception, leading us into sin. Jesus points out that we love darkness
rather than light because our deeds naturally gravitate toward evil (See Jn 3:19).
There is within us a propensity to sin, so we are called to “walk in the light” where our
motives and actions are transparent and we are encouraged to avoid sin (See1Jn1:7). But
to walk in the light and overcome sin requires people who will hold us accountable. “Fools
think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (Pr 12:15 NLT). Our need for
approval makes us want to hide our struggles. However, our willingness to be genuine
frees us to acknowledge our struggles and overcome them. But the person to whom you
are accountable should be mature, know God’s Word, keep your confidence, and love
you enough to be honest with you. And you need to be open to hear what they tell you.
King Rehoboam “rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of
the young men who had grown up with him” (1Ki 12:8 NLT). He wanted to hear only what
pleased him. So he turned to his equally immature friends who told him what he wanted
to hear, leading him to a decision that caused a major rebellion in Israel. So build a relationship
with someone who’ll tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear!

“The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Jdg 17:6 NLT
THE NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE (2)

There’s no better depiction of our ego-driven nature than this: “The people did whatever
seemed right in their own eyes.” Their philosophy was: “Don’t tell me what to do.”
But that philosophy leaves you without checks or balances, exposing you to the dominating
power of your flesh. We’re all capable of becoming addicted to something. Recognizing
that is a necessary first step to overcoming it. “The sin that so easily entangles”
(Heb 12:1 NIV) may be a weakness for food, money, sex, drugs, alcohol, popularity, toxic
relationships, power, workaholism, etc. When it strikes, you’re much more likely to capitulate
if you’re alone and can act covertly. “If you fall without having a friend nearby, you
are really in trouble” (Ecc 4:10 CEV). You need to “turn on the light” immediately by connecting
with your support system and sharing your situation. Don’t allow the darkness of
isolation to overpower you. “If you fall, your friend can help you up” (v.10 CEV). The pride
that drives you to hide your weakness will keep you permanently weak. The humility to
acknowledge it and ask for help is the key to breaking the vicious cycle. God has blessed
us with mature, caring people who recognize our common struggles and will help us deal
with them. We are part of Christ’s church, and “if one member suffers, all the members suffer
with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1Co 12:26 NAS).
God instructed Moses, “Select…some…honest men who fear God…They will help you
carry the load” (Ex 18:21-22 NLT). Accept the help God provides!

“You have great faith! Your request is granted.” Mt 15:28 NIV
HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT?

Matthew records: “A Canaanite woman…came to him, crying out, ‘Lord…My daughter
is suffering terribly from demon-possession’…He answered, ‘I was sent only to…
Israel…It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she
said, ‘but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus
answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted’” (vv. 22-28 NIV). This
Gentile woman was an outsider, yet she pushed through and got what comfortable insiders
often miss. Talk about hurdles! First, Jesus refused to answer her. Next, He said, “What I
have is only for the Jews.” Finally He said, “It wouldn’t be right to give the children’s bread
to dogs.” Most of us would have walked away offended. Not her! She cried, “Have mercy
on me.” She wasn’t asking for what she deserved, she was crying out for what she needed!
As a result, Jesus removed every obstacle and answered her prayer. And if you persist, He
will do the same for you too. In reality, this woman told Jesus, “Let the children have the
bread, all I need are the crumbs.” Church folks become so complacent that they neglect
the bread, waste the bread, complain about the bread, and sometimes don’t even come
to church to get the bread. But desperate people pick up the crumbs and find life! They
know that if there’s power in the loaf, there’s power in the crumb. And when a crumb is
all you can get, a crumb is all you need. So what do you need from God today? How
badly do you want it?

“The younger son…journeyed to a far country.” Lk 15:13 NKJV
WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH (1)

The story of the Prodigal Son is especially applicable to backsliders. It speaks to those
who have been raised in church, know God’s Word, have felt His presence, understand
His claims, and once served Him. But like the Prodigal, they’ve “gone to the hogs.” Notice,
he’s not called the Prodigal Sinner but the Prodigal Son, because he still belongs in the
family. For the next few days let’s look at why people leave the church. First: Because the
blessings of Father’s house become commonplace. Notice, he didn’t appreciate what he
had until he lost it. Notice also, his father didn’t kick him out of the house, “[he] took his
journey into a far country” (KJV). He left of his own free will and came back the same way.
What’s the point? If God’s love can’t hold you, His power won’t force you! It’s your willing
obedience that God finds pleasure in, not conforming to a set of religious rules because you
are afraid of going to hell. Jesus told the story of a king who planned a wedding feast and
invited different guests. What a privilege. “But they made light of it and went their ways,
one to his own farm, another to his business” (Mt 22:5 NKJV). Are you too busy for God?
Have you gotten used to His blessings and decided you want something different? Be
warned, the road you are on leads to one place only: the hog pen. Stop, turn around,
repent and come home while you still can. No matter how badly you have failed, your
Father is waiting to take you back.

“We have come to believe and know…You.” Jn 6:69 NKJV
WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH (2)

Because the rules of Father’s house seem too restrictive. Many people want Christ’s love
but not His lordship, His blessings but not His commandments. It’s not that He offers
them too little, but that the cost of serving Him seems too high. Maybe you are thinking
that if you’d lived in the days of Christ, walked and talked with Him and heard Him preach,
you would be a better Christian. Think again! “His disciples, when they heard this, said,
‘This is a hard saying’…From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with
Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon
Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also
we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ’” (vv. 60 & 66-69 NKJV). True
discipleship doesn’t result from attending a special service at church. No, it’s progressive.
It’s the result of “coming to believe and know” the Lord as you walk with Him on the mountaintop
and in the valley, in the bad times as well as the good. That’s why Peter wrote:
“Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe…A
stone that causes men to stumble” (1Pe 2:7-8 NIV). Paul puts it this way: “No man can say
that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1Co 12:3). The purpose of the Holy Spirit
working in your life is to bring you into submission to the will of God. And that involves
a relationship—with rules!

“Let us not…judge one another anymore.” Ro 14:13
WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH (3)

Here’s another reason people leave the church: Because of the attitude of some church
members. The older boy in Christ’s parable knew how to be a son, but he didn’t
know how to be a brother. If the jealousy and judgmentalism he showed toward his
brother is anything to go by, it’s little wonder his brother left home in the first place. Paul
writes: “Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no
man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” The Bible says, “He
that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is [no] occasion of stumbling in him”
(1Jn 2:10). Do your attitudes and actions strengthen others or cause them to stumble?
Have you read about Diotrephes? John talked about him: “I wrote to the church, but
Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.
Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with
malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and
forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church” (3Jn 9-10 NKJV). Diotrephes
was a preacher-fighter and a prima donna who wanted only one thing—control! And
John denounced him as “evil,” saying, “He who does evil has not seen God” (v.11 NKJV).
Only eternity will reveal how many people have been driven away from the church by critical,
callous, controlling Christians. Make sure you’re not one of them!

“The years…pass quickly, and then we are gone.” Ps 90:10 NCV
STOP SHORTCHANGING YOUR FAMILY

Eileen Silva Kindig writes: “We talk about lack of time…when what we lack is backbone
to take responsibility for how we spend it…Instead of coming home, we’re escaping
to the office and assembly line to get away from household chores, childcare, and
the demands of relationships…work gives us a buzz. Besides money and freedom, it
provides the satisfaction of a job well done, an outlet for creativity, breezy, low-demand
camaraderie, and intellectual stimulation…All this may be keeping us financially afloat
…but the less time we spend with family, the messier our home life gets.” Time is so
precious that God gives it to us a moment at a time. “The years…pass quickly, and then
we are gone.” So what will you have to look back on? Hours spent working overtime or
hours spent with your loved ones? Kindig recommends seven things: (1) Remember who’s
in charge. Manage your time, don’t let it manage you. Think through commitments before
you make them. Decide what’s important. The urgent seldom is. (2) Schedule in reverse.
Put your real priorities on the calendar first, then add the rest. (3) Drop one thing from
your schedule; for example, spending two afternoons less a month volunteering at the
Boosters’ Club frees you to enjoy lunch with your spouse. (4) Be, rather than do. Think. Pray.
Relax in a chair. (5) Get your spouse’s perspective on how you’re spending your time, and
what may be stealing it. (6) Be honest about your limitations. You can’t manufacture time;
we all get the same amount. (7) Keep a list of your commitments by the phone so you think
twice before adding to it.

“Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.”
Pr 23:16 NLT
HANDLING CRITICISM THE RIGHT WAY (1)

Criticism will make you a better person if you do these three things: (1) Look beyond
the criticism and see the critic. If it’s someone you respect, listen to what they say. If it’s
someone who’s constantly critical, don’t place too much value on what they say; they’re
probably just projecting their frustrations onto you. The story’s told of a twelve-year-old boy
who hadn’t spoken since he was born. After being served oatmeal for breakfast several
weeks in a row, he shouted, “Yuck, I hate this stuff!” His mother jumped up, hugged him
and said, “We thought you couldn’t talk. Why haven’t you ever spoken to us?” Bluntly
he exclaimed, “Because up until now everything’s been okay.” Some folks only talk when
they’re upset. The important question is, does your critic sincerely want to help you?
(2) Try not to take yourself too seriously. Let’s face it, we all do things we regret. But when
you can laugh at yourself and learn from it, you’re growing into maturity. (3) Know the difference
between constructive and destructive criticism. Learn how to interpret criticism by
asking: (a) In what spirit is it given? If your critic’s attitude is kind, rest assured it’s meant
to be constructive. (b) When is the criticism given? When somebody criticizes you publicly,
usually their intentions aren’t the best. (c) Why is the criticism given? “The purposes of a
man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out” (Pr 20:5 NIV).
When people are hurting, they tend to hurt others. So always ask, “Was this criticism given
for my benefit or out of personal hurt?”

“Christ…while being reviled…did not revile in return.”1Pe 2:21-23 NAS
HANDLING CRITICISM THE RIGHT WAY (2)

When it comes to handling criticism the right way you must: (1) Demonstrate emotional
and spiritual maturity. Exhaustion can affect the way you act when you’re
under pressure. Elijah slipped into depression because of it. Queen Jezebel hounded him
relentlessly. Her opposition sapped his strength and caused him to say, “It is enough; now,
O Lord, take away my life” (1Ki19:4). Satan will take advantage of your weariness. When
you’re fatigued you can become overly sensitive and miss the opportunity for growth that
comes with the criticism. (2) Realize that good people get criticized. Jesus was called an
overeater (See Mt11:19); a drinker (See Lk 7:34); a friend of disreputable characters (See
Mt 11:19). People whose opinions are set and whose thinking is off, won’t understand
behavior based on obedience to God. So when your ideas and values clash with theirs,
try to be gracious. (3) Always keep a good attitude. Your own attitude can be more detrimental
to you than somebody else’s. You know what they say: “A chip on your shoulder
usually indicates wood higher up.” Peter writes: “You have been called for this purpose,
since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled,
He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself
to [God] who judges righteously.” Give it to God, and press on!

“It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife.” Pr 20:3 NIV
HANDLING CRITICISM THE RIGHT WAY (3)

When it comes to criticism: (1) Concentrate on your mission and change your mistakes!
Most of us do the opposite; when criticism comes we change our mission and concentrate
on our mistakes. If you run every time you make a mistake, you will never accomplish
anything. Instead you’ll live in constant frustration. The only real mistakes are the
ones from which you learn nothing. So instead of dwelling on your mistakes, count on
making some, growing wiser and moving on to finish the job. There’s an old Arabian
proverb that says, “If you stop every time a dog barks, your road will never end.” Don’t let
your failures become roadblocks—turn them into building blocks. In Proverbs 27 verse 17,
the Bible says, “Iron sharpens iron” (NIV). So pray and grow sharper through criticism.
(2) Spend time with the right people.When you have optional time spend it with those who
build you up, not tear you down. Quality time with the right people will strengthen your
faith and fortify you against the effects of the worst criticism. It will also keep you from
becoming critical yourself. When crows attack a hawk, the hawk doesn’t counterattack.
Instead, it soars higher and higher in ever widening circles until the pests leave it alone.
What a great strategy! Circle above your critics rather than stooping to their level: “It is to
a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” If your attitude is to have
an effect on people it will be because of your example, not your defensiveness.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Ro 8:31 NKJV
HANDLING CRITICISM THE RIGHT WAY (4)

The moment you lift your head above the crowd you’ll attract attention, and not always
the kind you want. Learn from the duck. He stays calm on the surface, keeps
paddling underneath, and lets the water run off his back. Time is on your side. When
Nathaniel asked, concerning Jesus, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip
answered, “Come and see” (Jn1:46 NKJV). Nathaniel did, and he ended up becoming a
disciple. Often, as events unfold, the cause of the criticism will become clear and you’ll be
vindicated. But you must keep going. George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright, certainly
had his critics—but he knew how to handle them. After one opening a critic stood up in
the audience and shouted, “It’s rotten!” To which Shaw stood up and replied, “I agree, but
what are we against so many?” Nobody had more critics than Paul, yet he wrote: “If God
be for us, who can be against us?” Without courage we simply accumulate a collection of
good ideas—and regrets. Most of our missed opportunities wouldn’t have been missed if
we had been willing to push through the criticism and embrace what could have been. All
of us experience fear. But here’s the difference: the winner’s need for progress overwhelms
their reluctance to take a risk. They can live more easily with the memory of having
tried and failed, than not having tried at all. They know that failure is an inevitable part of
success, and failure always brings criticism. And while others fear stepping out into a new
opportunity, the winner fears missing out on it.

“O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.” Ps 25:4 NLT
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

Even simple decisions can be stressful. Ever watch a child struggle to choose between
chocolate or strawberry ice cream? And the bigger decisions, like whom to marry,
which career to choose, whether to buy a house or to undergo high-risk surgery, etc. can
be nerve-racking! But you can reduce your stress level by following these biblical principles:
(1) Do the research. “Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused”
(Pr 18:13 NCV). Get all the facts and avoid making decisions you’ll regret. Knowledge has
never been more accessible; through the Internet, helpful books, and especially God’s
Word: “Your commands…are my constant guide” (Ps 119:98 NLT). (2) Talk to God. “Show
me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.” Consulting God helps prevent
premature decisions, clarifies your priorities and prepares you to hear His counsel. Is
God interested in your decisions? Yes. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights
in every detail of their lives” (Ps 37:23 NLT). (3) Be open to new ideas. Don’t get trapped
in old mind-sets. “Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh
insights” (Pr 18:15 TM). Clinging to the familiar can be crippling. God may choose to lead
you along a new path of fresh insight. So breathe deeply, seek His wisdom, and open up
your heart to receive it. (4) Get advice from trusted friends. “It’s a hard road that’s walked
alone,” says an old Celtic proverb. So follow Solomon’s counsel: “A fool thinks he needs no
advice, but a wise man listens to others” (Pr 12:15 TLB).

“Created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Eph 2:10 NIV
WORKING FOR GOD—HIS WAY

God had a plan for your life before you were born. Indeed, it’s why He brought you into
the world. Simply keeping you “busy” was not His goal. He wants to see you doing
the work He “prepared in advance for you to do.” Joining a worthy cause and working hard
is commendable, but you can end up as a square peg in a round hole, expending time and
energy without achieving the you-shaped purpose God had in mind. He wants you to be
purpose-driven, not work-driven! So: (1) Ask Him to reveal His will to you. “It is God who
works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Php 2:13 NIV). God will
actually create desires within you that guide you toward accomplishing His purpose. It’s
not serendipity or super-spirituality, but God at the helm steering your ship. (2) Expect to
do more than you are capable of. Self-directed activity is self-limited activity. God-directed
activity is unlimited activity. God never calls us to do what we can; He calls us to do what
He can! “[He] is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to
his power that is at work within us” (Eph 3:20 NIV). Listen, act on His promptings, and all
things become possible to you. (3) When the work is demanding, draw on His indwelling
power. Paul says, “I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”
How much divine energy is needed for your assignment? “All His energy.” Awesome!
And it is available to you today.

“That thou mayest know how…to behave…in the house of God.”
1Ti 3:15
HOW TO BEHAVE IN CHURCH

The church is like a garden; it has great potential for growth and beauty. But cultivating
a garden calls for time and labor; it also requires being on the lookout for
weeds and pulling them up before they grow and kill your plants. Two of the most common
weeds in the church are: (1) Favoritism. “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize
how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who
fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel”
(Ac10:34-36 NIV). Peter, who struggled with prejudice, said, “I now realize…that God does
not show favoritism.” How about you? Do you realize that too? Or do you mix only with
“your own kind”? Cliques in church are high treason to the King of Kings. If there’s one
lonely soul in your church, you have work to do! The Bible says that God “gives families
to the lonely” (Ps 68:6 TLB). When people are shy, wounded, insecure, or lacking in trust,
you must reach out and bring them into your circle of fellowship. (2) Gossip. “Don’t speak
evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters” (Jas 4:11 NLT). When you hear gossip
about someone, stop it dead in its tracks. Unless you are willing to talk directly to the person,
don’t talk about them. And don’t let anybody else talk about them either. Gossip is
the art of saying nothing, and leaving nothing unsaid. If you want to promote harmony in
the family, don’t indulge in it.

“I am not able to bear all [this] alone.” Nu 11:14 NKJV
YOU CAN’T DO IT ALONE (1)

One day Moses told God that the job was too big for him. So God told Moses to find
seventy men with leadership ability. Then He said: “I will take of the Spirit that is
upon you and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden…with you” (v.17
NKJV). Understand this: you will never fulfill your dream as long as you are unable or unwilling
to get others to buy into it. Don’t think that because your dream is worthwhile,
people will automatically line up to be part of it. It doesn’t work that way. The same dream
that will bless you, can bury you if you don’t surround yourself with the right people.
Moses said, “I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too
heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now” (vv.14-15 NKJV).
Don’t wait till you’re on the verge of a nervous breakdown or your family is falling apart
before you reach for help.
When God calls someone He always calls others to stand with them. So start looking
around you. You may need just one person, or you may need many. Indeed, the greater
your dream, the greater your team must be. But here’s the good news: the size of your
dream determines the size of the people who will be attracted to it. If you have a big
dream, you have even greater potential for good people to help you. What you need to
do is connect with them, invite them in, transfer the vision and then turn them loose