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

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 14
“Like a city with broken-down walls.” Pr 25:28 NLT
SET BOUNDARIES (3)

Permeable boundaries. Well-adjusted people find the right balance between protecting
their personal space, and allowing others to infiltrate, manipulate and dominate them.
They know how to say yes to what’s healthy and no to what’s not. Permeable boundary
people, on the other hand, allow others to permeate their lives at will, siphon off their
time and energy, dictate their options, and deprive them of other important relationships.
Unable to say no, they permit others to make them feel guilty, obligated, uncaring, or
even “unchristian” if they withhold what’s demanded. They inconvenience themselves,
their families and their friendships to facilitate the endless demands of the seemingly
helpless, disempowered, irresponsible user, believing they are being kind and helpful. The
“helper’s” toll is immense, often leading to emotional, physical, social and spiritual overload,
while the “helpee” feels increasingly dependent, irresponsible and entitled, not appreciating,
and sometimes even resenting the helper’s efforts. Permeable boundary people
are unaware that their “open” sign is always illuminated, attracting a deluge of other
people’s needs they feel personally responsible for. They carry the weight of much that’s
wrong in the world, feeling exhausted, anxious, inadequate and guilty, taking it personally
that they can’t do more and fix things. And it leaves them feeling “used.” “A person without
self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Understand this: You can’t take
charge of your own life while you’re overwhelmed feeling responsible for other people’s
lives. Set some boundaries, and live the life God gave you to live!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 15
“I can make it through anything.” Php 4:12 TM
SET BOUNDARIES (4)

Flexible boundaries. Rigid boundaries cause you to shut other people out and live unprepared
and ill equipped for the give-and-take that healthy relationships require. Permeable
boundaries leave you defenseless against “users” who feel entitled to manipulate
you and who expect to be taken care of at your expense. But flexible boundary people
are competent for living their own life, yet with a balanced and healthy interest in others.
They can be generous in sharing their time, compassion and resources, without becoming
overly responsible, or betraying their God-given duty to be the unique person He made
them, just to please others. They say, “I can be in relationship with you, without giving up
being me!” They don’t let you violate their boundaries, and they know how to keep from
violating yours. Unlike rigid people, they bend and adjust as circumstances require, without
becoming overwhelmed, defensive, resentful, blaming or reactive. In tough situations
they roll with the punches, stay focused, and draw on a well of inner strength which God
provides. Paul was such a person: “I've learned…to be…content whatever my circumstances…
I can make it through (adjust to) anything in the One who makes me who I am”
(vv.12-13 TM). People and circumstances don’t control them; they flex, and let God take
charge. They are helpful, but they don’t feel guilty because they can’t “fix” everybody.
Their boundaries enable them to adjust to circumstances. They practice the principle, “Bear
one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2), without over-functioning or being responsible for others.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16
“Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Ps 139:23
DON’T LIVE AN UNEXAMINED LIFE

When you live an unexamined life—it shows! Author Gordon MacDonald writes: “I was
reading authors who were saying that if Christ’s followers don’t grow, it’s because
they don’t make a habit of evaluating their lives. These authors were describing me. I was
always on the go, never looking deeply inside. I never did the kind of reflection that leads
to growth, and I was paying the price—committing the same stupid sins over and over,
living with the same heavy load of guilt. So I made a difficult decision: I decided that each
day I would try to honestly assess my soul’s condition. I would look inside myself and
write down what I saw. Feeling awkward and embarrassed, I started to write. ‘God, here
are some areas of failure in my life. They aren’t going away, so I might as well take a look
at them.’ Or, ‘Here’s a relationship or habit I’m concerned about. It’s not good and I don’t
know how to improve it.’ After writing a paragraph or two I would reflect on what I had
written.” There are benefits to keeping a spiritual diary of your walk with God that you can’t
get any other way: (1) It forces you to slow down and examine the effectiveness of what
you’re doing. (2) It frees you to ask, “Why am I doing this? How do I really feel about it?
What is God saying to me?” (3) By writing even a page a day, in one year you will have a
365-day record of prayers answered and lessons learned!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 17
“I just let Christ take over!” 2Co 12:10 TM
TURN YOUR WEAKNESS INTO A WEAPON

Speaking of his “thorn,” Paul writes: “I was given the gift of a handicap…At first I didn’t
think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it…he told me, ‘My grace is enough;
it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.’ Once I heard that, I
was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the
gift…Now I take my limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut
me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And
so the weaker I get, the stronger I become” (vv.7-10 TM). Paul learned how to turn his
weakness into a weapon by allowing it to drive him closer to God. And that’s a lesson you
must learn too. Eugene Peterson paraphrases Christ’s first beatitude: “You’re blessed
when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule”
(Mt 5:3 TM). Now, you can’t just accept your character flaws and areas of defeat and say,
“Well, I guess that’s just the way I am.” No, you must confront each area of weakness, confess
it, and “let Christ take over.” You will always struggle with one thing or another. Paul
recognized this: “We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our
ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with
us” (2Co 4:7 TM). Like common pottery, fragile, flawed and easily broken, God will use you
as you surrender and allow Him to work through you.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18
“Bring Me an offering.” Ex 25:2 NKJV
THOUGHTS ON THE TABERNACLE (1)

When it came time to build the Old Testament tabernacle, God said to Moses, “Do all
things according to the pattern which I showed you” (See Ex 25:40). Whether you’re
building a relationship, a career, a business or a ministry, it will always require several
elements: Sacrifice. The building of the tabernacle begins with these words: “Speak to the
children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly
with his heart you shall take My offering.” Question: why would a God who is rich enough
to pave His streets with gold, ask you for an offering? Because only when you have a personal
investment in something, will you give it your full attention, treasure it, prioritize it
and protect it.
Pastor, ask the Lord for the plan, then ask the people for the money, not vice versa.
Teach your people to live by this principle: “Give till it hurts, give till it stops hurting, give
till it feels good.” Paul wrote about the generosity of the Christians in Macedonia: “They
are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with
abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not
only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They
begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing…They even did more than we had
hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God
wanted them to do” (2Co 8:2-5 NLT). So, are you willing to sacrifice?

MONDAY NOVEMBER 19
“Make everything according to the pattern I have shown you.”
Ex 25:40 NLT
THOUGHTS ON THE TABERNACLE (2)

The second element that marked the building of the Old Testament tabernacle was
excellence. God condemns perfectionism because it stifles our creativity and robs us
of all sense of progress. And Jesus condemned those who gave to impress others. “When
you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you,
they have their reward” (Mt 6:2 NKJV). But if you think this means you can just offer God
anything you feel like, you’re sorely mistaken. When it comes to serving, God wants you
to aspire to excellence. God said to Moses: “And this is the offering which you shall take
from them: gold, silver, and bronze…And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell
among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and
the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it” (Ex 25:3-9 NKJV). Why did God
ask for gold? Because He won’t accept anything sloppy or second-rate. Guess where Jesus
sat when He went to church? Beside the treasury, watching people give. Luke records:
“Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus
said, ‘this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny
part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has’” (Lk 21:2-4 NLT).
So, give God your best!

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20
“Go into all the world and preach.” Mk16:15 NKJV
THOUGHTS ON THE TABERNACLE (3)

The third element in the building of the tabernacle was equal access. The word “tabernacle”
means “tent of meeting.” It’s where God met and interacted with His people. So
He positioned it in the middle of the camp, surrounded by each of the twelve tribes. Everybody
had to be able to stand in the door of their tent and see God at work. Why? Because
God dwelt and worked in the midst of all twelve tribes! There’s an important lesson here
for us. God doesn’t see a white church or a black church or a yellow church or a brown
church. Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). We have been called to provide
everybody, regardless of culture, color or creed, with equal access to God through Christ.
There’s a cute story about two kids playing church when one says to the other, “What
abomination does your family belong to?” When God shows us a great truth or specific
revelation we must share it, not put a fence around it. The last thing Jesus said to His disciples
was, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” And what did
they do? “They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming
the word through the accompanying signs” (Mk 16:20 NKJV). Just because your
church has a certain theology and worship style, doesn’t mean you get to ride first class
while others travel in the caboose. No, when God makes someone a member of His redeemed
family, you must treat them as your brother and sister. So try to remember that!

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 21
“I will give you…right desires.” Eze 36:26 TLB
FINANCIAL FREEDOM

The Millionaire Next Door is a bestselling book about two people living on the same
street, in comparable homes, working at similar jobs. But by age fifty, one is financially
secure while the other is drowning in debt. Their problem isn’t money; it’s unwillingness
to defer gratification. We want what we want now! Many times we associate happiness
with spending, so when we feel down we go shopping. Think about it: When you got your
last bonus or tax refund, was your first thought—“What can I buy?” Be honest! Paul says,
“Do not conform to…this [world’s value system]…be transformed by…renewing your
mind” (Ro 12:2 NIV). When it comes to money, you must ask God to give you “right desires.”
Robert Orben said, “Every morning I read the Forbes magazine list of the richest
people in America and if my name isn't on it, I get up and go to work!” The Bible says, “Do
not despise…small beginnings” (Zec 4:10 NLT). Big things are a culmination of small
ones. So: Give God the first tenth of your income, save 10 percent, and live on the rest (See
Pr 3:9). As your earnings grow, invest 50 percent of the increase in a “financial freedom
account.” Once you stop spending every penny you earn and start saving, an interesting
dynamic comes into play. The act of disciplining yourself to save even modest amounts
will empower you financially, spiritually, and emotionally. One theologian said, “Selfrespect
is the root of discipline. Your sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to
yourself.” In addition to helping you achieve financial freedom, self-control enriches every
area of your life.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 22
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
Pr 16:9 NIV
FOUR LESSONS LEARNED ON YOUR JOURNEY (1)

Remember needing a road atlas when you took a trip? Now you just program your
destination into the car’s GPS and it tells you where and when to turn, how far to the
next gas station, and when you’ll arrive. No guessing, confusion and wrong decisions; just
choose the shortest or fastest route and it will get you there. As a follower of Christ you
have a divine GPS, which is the Holy Spirit. He chooses the route and the timing, and guarantees
that you’ll get to your destination. By listening to Him you learn four valuable lessons.
Let’s look at them: First, you learn to depend on God rather than yourself. Assuming
you know all the twists and turns of life makes you act without consulting God. Samson
believed he’d “figured how the system worked.” When Delilah sold him out and the
Philistines bound him with ropes, he thought he’d handle things the way he always did:
“‘I will do as before and shake myself free.’ But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him”
(Jdg 16:20 NLT). Living victoriously means living in total dependence on God, not yourself.
Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (Jn15:5 NKJV). Second, you change your
perspective. You may not always look where you’re going, but you will always end up
going where you’re looking! Your perspective determines your choices and direction in life.
After paying dearly for following his lower impulses, David changed his perspective and
prayed, “My eyes are fixed on you…Lord” (Ps141:8 NIV). You should pray that too.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 23
“Call to me and I will…tell you…things you do not know.” Jer 33:3 NIV
FOUR LESSONS LEARNED ON YOUR JOURNEY (2)

Third, you learn the secret of prayer. Do you feel lost in unfamiliar territory, uncertain as
to what your next move should be? God uses such times to get your attention, call you
back to Himself and encourage you to lean on Him, your unfailing source of strength
and wisdom. Stop trying to figure everything out by yourself! God says, “Call to me and I
will answer you and tell you…things you do not know.” Take your problem to the Lord
and ask Him for a solution; He won’t disappoint you. “The prayer of a righteous person is
powerful and effective” (Jas 5:16 NIV). Fourth, you learn the power of patience. When the
Holy Spirit gives you direction and puts a goal or dream in your heart, it’s easy to be quick
on the trigger and want it to happen overnight. Timing is crucial. And it’s under God’s control,
not yours! Waiting for God’s timing isn’t wasting time, it’s essential in developing two
qualities you need—faith and hope. “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait
for it patiently” (Ro 8:25 NIV). While you are learning patience, God is at work arranging
things on your behalf, and also producing Christlike qualities in you. The Psalmist said
that his hope was in God. What’s your hope in? Good luck? The economy? The doctor’s
prognosis? As long as your hope is in anything other than God’s unfailing love and goodness,
you’ll wrestle with uncertainty. What’s the answer? “Their hearts are steadfast, trusting
in the Lord” (Ps112:7 NIV).

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24
“I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”
Php 4:11 NLT
THE SECRET OF SATISFACTION

If money guaranteed happiness, wouldn’t the rich be happier than everybody else?
Studies show that often they’re not. Happy people don’t follow money, they follow their
God-given passion. In What Happy People Know, Dr. Dan Baker writes: “The man in front
of me seemed to have it all: money, freedom, friends and family. But he didn’t have the
one thing he wanted most—happiness. His home life would horrify most people—alienated
kids, a wife who resented his obsession with work, no time to kick back.” What was this
man’s biggest concern? Keeping what he had! Maybe you’re reading this, thinking, “Yeah,
but that doesn’t apply to me. In his situation I know I could be happy!” No, money can’t
buy happiness; regardless of how much you have, it’s never enough. Fear will always
whisper, “Unless you get more you won’t be secure.” So what’s the secret of happiness?
Paul writes: “For I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to
live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every
situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything
through Christ, who gives me strength” (vv.11-13 NLT). When you pursue God’s
purpose for your life, money is secondary. Your real status symbols are salvation, spiritual
growth, a secure home, special friends, and the satisfaction of doing what God called you
to do. Watchman Nee said, “I have never met a soul who has set out to satisfy the Lord,
and has not been satisfied himself.”

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25
“It is [God] who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” Dt 8:18 NIV
ARE YOU STRESSED OUT ABOUT MONEY? (1)

The story of Elijah being fed by the ravens teaches us that God can take care of us in
a bad economy (See 1Ki 17:1-7). The story of Joseph teaches us that when we follow
God’s plan, we will have all that we need to get us through hard times (See Ge 41:37-57).
One of the dangers of living in a materialistic society is that you feel “entitled” to things,
even when you can’t afford them. To overcome financial anxiety you must practice fiscal
discipline. God doesn’t bless recklessness. You can’t go into debt, then pray that God will
get you out of it. Sometimes He does. But if you don’t learn from your mistakes you’ll just
keep repeating them. A popular radio show in Atlanta is hosted by a guy called Clark
Howard. He begins every program by saying, “Spend less, save more, and don’t get ripped
off.” He talks about banks that charge extortionate rates for credit cards, and tells people
to live within their means. “But I’m used to a certain lifestyle,” you say. Get unused to it! If
you want peace of mind, learn the art of contentment. Does contentment mean you can’t
have ambition? No, it means delaying gratification and enjoying where you are, on your
way to where you’re going. It means learning to live by these words: “I know how to live
on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation,
whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything
through Christ, who gives me strength” (Php 4:12-13 NLT).

MONDAY NOVEMBER 26
“I am the Lord…who teaches you to profit.” Isa 48:17 NAS
ARE YOU STRESSED OUT ABOUT MONEY? (2)

The best way to overcome financial anxiety is by trusting God to meet all your needs.
You say, “That’s nice, but what does God know about my business?” More than you
think! He’s the CEO of the whole world. When it comes to successful systems, nobody
knows more than He. He created the universe in such precise order that if one star moves
two degrees out of orbit without His permission, the whole thing dissolves into cosmic
chaos. Yet when He needs to move a star, He can do it like He did for the wise men that
first Christmas. Wall Street could learn a thing or two from Him! Here’s part of His résumé:
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should
go.” If you want to become more profitable, go into partnership with God. Does that mean
you can just stay home from work, go fishing, and God will pay your mortgage? No, God
doesn’t reward laziness and inefficiency! The story’s told of a pastor who stopped by to
admire the garden of one of his parishioners. “Isn’t God’s handiwork wonderful?” he said.
The parishioner thought about it for a moment and then replied, “Yeah, but you should
have seen it when God had it all by Himself.” Understand this: (1) You’ve got to get up and
go to work. (2) You’ve got to consult God before you make decisions. (3) You’ve got to
honor God with your tithes and offerings (See Mal 3:8-12). (4) When you’ve done your
best, you’ve got to trust God with the rest.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27
“He has commanded us to love one another.” 2Jn v.6 NLT
SHOW YOUR LOVE NOW!

Each morning pray: “Lord, whether or not I get anything else done, help me to spend
this day loving You and loving others, because that’s what Your Word says life is all
about.” If you do that, you’ll treat those around you more graciously—and people will
notice it. You’ll start winning in areas where you’ve lost. The more time you give to someone,
the more you reveal their importance to you. It’s not enough to tell them they’re
important, you must prove it by investing in them. The best way to spell love is T-I-M-E.
Love is not what you think or feel about others; no, it’s how much you give of yourself to
them. Men in particular struggle with this. They say, “I don’t understand my wife and kids.
I provide everything they need. What more could they want?” They want you! They want
your attention! Love concentrates so intently on another that it forgets itself. This kind
of attention says, “I value you enough to give you my most precious asset—my time.” Why
is now the best time to express your love? Because you don’t know how long you’ll
have the opportunity to do so. Circumstances change, people die, children grow up. The
truth is, you’ve no guarantee of tomorrow. If you want to express your love you’d better
do it now. So, who do you need to start spending more time with? What do you need to
cut out of your schedule to make that possible? The best use of life is love, the best expression
of love is time, and the best time to love is now.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2Co 5:7 NAS
LEARNING TO WALK BY FAITH (1)

It’s time to “get with it,” when God tells you the same thing three separate times:
“The just shall live by faith” (See Hab 2:4; Ro1:17; Gal 3:11). This is not a suggestion
for theological debate, it’s His will for your life. Clearly, God has made faith the only way
to live! No alternative is offered. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because
anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who
earnestly seek him” (Heb 11:6 NIV). Let’s take a moment and consider some questions
arising from this life-transforming truth: (1) Who are “the just”? Paul writes, “Know that a
person is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have
put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith” (Gal 2:16 NIV). Justification
(just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned) can’t be earned, it’s a free gift that comes by faith. If you have
placed your trust in Christ then you are fully accepted in God’s eyes. How good is that?
(2) What is “walking”? Paul says, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” Walking requires that
you get up and start moving. You can’t just sit around aimlessly, waiting for the rapture.
Walking involves: Motivation—you’re moved by a purpose. Direction—you’ve chosen a
destination, a goal to reach. Motion—you’re committed to mobilizing your energy and
resources in the pursuit of your God-given destination and purpose. To walk by faith you
must be engaged in consistent, forward movement intended to bring you into God’s
destiny for your life.