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Post by Parker on Mar 10, 2023 5:51:43 GMT -8
Pride Forgets
Your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. DEUTERONOMY 8:14
A prideful man forgets where he came from. He seems to forget his humble beginnings and dependence on others. He may get promoted, but he forgets who contributed to his success or furthered his career. He gives too much credit to himself and gives too little credit to others.
A prideful man can forget his family. Sometimes he gets so busy in work or play that he doesn’t include the ones who provide the platform for his performance. A prideful man takes his family for granted and ignores their needs. He ignores other people’s feelings and is insensitive, obnoxious, and wrapped up in himself.
A prideful man is not afraid to crush someone’s spirit on his own way to success. He forgets others, but a humble man includes others. A prideful man takes all the credit, but a humble man shares the credit. A prideful man discourages, but a humble man encourages. A prideful man pontificates, but a humble man prays. A prideful man talks too much, but a humble man listens liberally. A prideful man blames, but a humble man takes responsibility. A prideful man is oblivious to good manners and courteous conduct. He is all about himself with little or no regard for the needs of others.
Above all else, a prideful man forgets God. He may talk about God but only to rubber-stamp his plans. He subtly uses God to carry out his agenda and forgets to see God for who He is. Almighty God is high and lifted up. He is holy, and He expects us to love, fear, and obey. A prideful man forgets that God governs the universe and all its inhabitants.
God is engaged with you up to the smallest of details—He knows where you are and where you need to go. He wants you to remember His pristine track record of trustworthiness. His past provision is a predictor of His future faithfulness. A prideful man forgets this; he has amnesia when it comes to the things of the Almighty. A prideful man may say he believes in God, but he acts like an agnostic. He is too busy to create margin for his Master.
At all costs, allow Christ to keep your pride in its place. It can be conquered only with humble dependence on God and obedience to His commands.
A humble man leaves no room for pride and bows before God in prayer. He remembers God’s faithful deliverance from darkness into light. He remembers God’s salvation from sin and self to grace and service. He remembers to love God and people first and his own needs second. He has tremendous recall for good because God is his leader. He remembers how generous God is, and he is generous in return. He understands and remembers what’s important to the Lord and then invests his energies toward God’s initiatives. A humble man remembers to thank others and to pray for them. He is grateful and appeals to heaven on behalf of people.
“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility” (Zephaniah 2:3)
Heavenly Father, keep me humble and teachable. Remind me of Your love and faithfulness.
Related Readings
Proverbs 16:5; 27:2; 29:23; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Galatians 6:3; James 4:6
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 11, 2023 5:57:34 GMT -8
Face Time
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 2 JOHN 12
Some things are best communicated face-to-face. A proposal of marriage, a job interview, a mentor relationship, family time, explaining an issue, showing appreciation… these work best one-on-one. Fear would force us away from direct engagement with people. We sometimes avoid human contact because of overwhelming insecurity, fear of rejection, or busyness. The season of face time with family quickly evaporates. Kids are off with friends, attending college, and then married.
So schedule time daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly with those you love. Invest time and money in face time with your son, your daughter, your wife, your parents, and your friends. Face time is when you see the fear in their eyes and extend the encouragement to continue. Face time allows your smile to shine a ray of hope across a discouraged heart. Face time is your opportunity to discuss those hard issues and to be sure the sincerity of your love shines through. So show up and love on others in person.
Most important, we need face time with our heavenly Father. By faith, the eyes of our soul need to gaze at God. If we chronically miss coming alongside Christ, we burn out in our own strength. We desperately need face time, by faith, with Jesus. We need His affirmation and love, we need His instruction and correction, we need His warm embrace, and we need His discernment and wisdom.
He can give us all of these anytime. Our Savior is spontaneous for our sake. Christ is on call for His children, but we still need structured time with Him. It is imperative that we instill in our lives the discipline of daily face time in prayer and God’s Word. Regular face time with God in Scripture transforms our minds with truth and saves us from the lies of lazy living.
You can tell when someone has been with Jesus. He has peace that brings calm, patience that extends a second chance, and boldness based on wisdom. He has love that forgives, service that is relentless, faith that is strong, and a hope that perseveres. People who have regular face time with Jesus are unique and winsome.
ty. Keep an eye on eternity. Then create face time with family, friends, and those you lead and serve. Trust and intimacy grow when you look into each other’s eyes. Take the time to discuss hard issues in person. Provide constructive and courageous feedback. Forging face time means you care. Faithfulness in face time leads to robust relationships. Enjoy being with Jesus and your friends.
“The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11).
Heavenly Father, I trust You to make up for any time I spend face-to-face with You or with those who love me the most.
Related Readings
Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 5:4; 34:10; Isaiah 26:17; Jude 24
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 12, 2023 5:47:03 GMT -8
Continue Encouragement
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:11
People die a thousand deaths of discouragement as their daily lives sap courage from their hearts. We all need courage, primarily from the resurrected life of Christ. He is our hope. He is our Savior. He is our Lord. He is our life. Because Christ is in you, you may be able to share the dose of courage a friend needs to make it through another day. Don’t underestimate your ability to dispense courage. Your kind word and warm smile are encouraging. So are your generosity, your presence, your listening ear, your investment of time, and your wisdom. Your encouragement builds up others.
When Satan tears people down, you build them up. His goal is the demolition of faith, hope, and love. Your God-given mandate is the building up of faith, hope, and love. Where Satan discourages, you encourage. Like an opponent in a chess match, he is trying to deceive others into thinking they are trapped with no way out. He plays for a checkmate of discouragement, but you have courage and hope in King Jesus. He already has the devil checked, and there’s no possibility of a stalemate. So use eternal encouragement to deliver others from the devil’s delusions. Take courage from God so you can give courage to others. Lead others to this same fountain of eternal encouragement so they can drink from it when no other encouragers are around.
Courage is to the soul what food is to the body. It is satisfying at the time but exhausts itself quickly, so dine at the table of God’s encouragement regularly. His Word is sumptuous, satisfying, and encouraging. Dispense His Word to others in doses of daily encouragement. Human words are hollow compared to the meaty words of Scripture. The Bible is a reality check. It’s full of bold encouragement—when you are immersed in the Holy Scriptures, you are covered with encouragement.
It is not possible to consistently feed on the Bible and not be encouraged! Believe His Word, and you will be encouraged. His promises are true—He has forgiven you, He has accepted you, He loves you, He walks with you, and He desires you. This is encouraging! Be encouraged so that you can encourage others.
Encouraging others is also encouraging. When you see a person breathe a sigh of relief, you are encouraged. When you see them do the wise thing, you are encouraged. You train a child in the way he should go. Then he lives for God, and you are eternally encouraged. Give courage, and you will receive courage. Choose the high road of encouragement over the low road of discouragement. Anyone can discourage, so don’t be just anyone. Be a Barnabas (“son of encouragement”)—God will be pleased, and you and many others will be encouraged.
“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it” (Ezra 10:4).
Heavenly Father, give me courage to continue encouraging others to trust You.
Related Readings
Psalm 10:17; Acts 4:36; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 13, 2023 5:40:24 GMT -8
Exceed Expectations
Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
PHILEMON 21
Exceed expectations because God has done the same for you. He has done everything He said He would do and more. There is nothing halfway about God. He does things right and then throws in some extra, overwhelming us with His grace. Therefore, when God or others ask something of you, go for it with gusto. Exceed expectations. Make it a goal to bring more value to a relationship than you receive.
If someone asks for prayer, pray right then and there. Make it a habit to pray regularly for those in need, especially those who request prayer. Exceed expectations in your prayer for others.
Exceed expectations in your work. Don’t just get by with the minimum requirements, but let your work bring glory to God. What better way to make Christianity attractive than to work with excellence?
When you exceed expectations, you open the door for others to inquire about your motivation—serving and pleasing the Lord Jesus. Exceeded expectations may facilitate advancement in your career. People want to work with and for someone who goes the second mile. They want to reward and hang out with someone who exceeds expectations. When we exceed expectations, we know that at the very least, the One we serve will be satisfied.
Exceed expectations with your attitude. A positive, can-do attitude goes a long way toward making relational deposits. There are a lot of things we cannot control, but our attitude is one thing we can. Go over the top with an attitude of gratitude and generosity. Be exceedingly grateful!
Your marriage provides plenty of chances for you to serve beyond what is expected. Make it a goal to out-serve your spouse. Marriage is an opportunity to give respect. No one complains of too much love and respect in their marriage. You can’t give your wife too much respect or love. Look for creative ways to love and respect her beyond her expectations.
Exceeded expectations in the home make for harmony and contentment. The home is all about others, not you. Yes, there are times you feel the need to be spoiled, but first seek to spoil and serve others. You receive blessings and encouragement beyond measure when you serve in ways that exceed others’ expectations. It’s not a zero-sum game—you don’t keep score of who has done the most for the other lately. Rather, you die to your own expectations so you can exceed your family’s expectations.
You can exceed what God expects of you. Model this for others. Why just get by with God? A prayer of salvation is just the beginning of your belief and your lifetime love affair with the Lord. He has a treasure trove of adventure waiting for those who will take him at His word and dare to exceed His expectations. So if God asks for 10 percent giving, exceed His minimum requirement. If He asks for one day of Sabbath, give Him daily mini Sabbaths. If He asks for your heart, give Him your life. Go more than one mile for another by giving others what they don’t deserve. Exceed expectation for heaven’s sake.
Heavenly Father, by Your grace I hope to exceed others’ expectations for Your glory.
Related Readings
Luke 17:10; Romans 15:17; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:3
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 14, 2023 5:10:12 GMT -8
Attention to Detail
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
LUKE 12:6-7
Attention to detail means you care. When you show keen interest in something or someone, you demonstrate that you value them. This is what your heavenly Father does. No concern misses His interest. God knows every bird. From the smallest hummingbird to the largest condor, He cares for each one.
Yet a bird’s worth cannot compare with your incredible value. That would be like comparing a sliver of glass to a radiant diamond, a bicycle to a Mercedes, a tiny nest to a huge mansion. It is laughable to consider any similarity in value. God values you as we would the jewelry, the automobile, and the home. Your worth outstrips anything else in all His creation. You are the pinnacle of His portfolio.
You are His most valued asset, and He knows and understands the details of your life. Of course, He is more intimately involved with you than you are. This is reassuring. You may feel trapped in a maze of uncertainty. Life could not be more confusing. Your marriage is in chaos. Your career has hit a dead end. Your finances are at a new low. Moving forward feels like walking through a marsh of molasses. Life is not fun right now, but the One whose eye is on the sparrow has set His heart on you.
His care is beyond your comprehension. He is relentless and reassuring in His compassion. Let Him into the details of your life. He already knows, and He has your best interest in mind. Your heavenly Father knows what is best for you. No need to fear—God is as near as prayer. His attention to detail invites you to trust and lean on Him.
If details are important to God, they should be important to us. But details are not always easy to manage. They can become cumbersome and cranky, a rat’s nest of responsibility. But you can surround yourself with people who are passionate about things that you are not. People’s passion points flush out important details. It may be time for you to trust others with some critical details screaming for your attention. They will probably manage them better than you do anyway. Even though you are still accountable for the results, delegate the responsibility. This will free you up to give broader vision and leadership.
You cannot cover all the details—only God has that capacity. You will go to an early grave if you stay on this obsessive trajectory. A supportive assistant is invaluable, so start there. Keep the big picture in focus, and give close attention only to the smaller details that you alone can manage. Otherwise, you will be average at best in your execution. Most of all, trust God and others with the shepherding of details. But as you trust, provide friendly follow-up. You can do for others what God is doing for you, for He gives loving attention to the details surrounding your life. Replace fear with faith and hope in Him.
“We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name” (Psalm 33:20-21).
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your compassionate care for every detail of my life.
Related Readings
1 Kings 6:38; 1 Chronicles 28:19; Psalm 139:13; Matthew 5:18; 2 Peter 1:21
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 15, 2023 5:31:51 GMT -8
Battle Fatigue
Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.
2 SAMUEL 21:15
When we’re exhausted, we’re excellent candidates for encouragement. We cannot continue alone in our exhaustion. Our body and soul cry out for care. If we ignore exhaustion’s warning signals, we will probably fail. Our health may fail, our judgment may fail, our faculties may fail, our faith may fail. Exhaustion increases the probability of failure.
It is imperative that we recognize our exhaustion and receive help from others. We have to trust that they will keep our best interests in mind. We are unwise if we think we can do everything. This overwhelmed state compromises the quality of our work. Things that we would usually take care of slip through the cracks. In our exhaustion, excellence exits our work and life.
Our character becomes fragile under the weight of exhaustion. As with a clove of garlic in a press, the sweet juices of God’s grace are squeezed out of us, and we are left dry. Our patience becomes thin, and we lash out at those who deserve much better from us. Things that don’t bother us when we are rested soon become stressful. Meaningless arguments fill our minds, leaving no room for pleasant thoughts. Exhaustion pushes us to the edge. We are more likely to listen to foolish talk and make unwise engagements.
In our exhaustion, we are drawn to any understanding ear and any warm body. We tend to relax our conservative convictions. So especially when you are tired, make sure you confide in your spouse, not someone else. Intimacy is meant for marriage, so leverage exhaustion for a deeper relationship with your wife.
Exhaustion is also God’s way of getting your attention. You cannot continue to run ahead of the Lord. He wants much more than surface acknowledgment on Sunday. Exhaustion can engage you with the eternal. You are reminded, in your weakened state, that God is your rock. He is your fortress, your deliverer, your shield, your stronghold, and your salvation. Because God is your refuge, you can rest in Him. You do not have to strive in your own strength. You can be infused with the Almighty’s eternal energy and everlasting love. Your heavenly Father wants to love you wholeheartedly and unconditionally in your exhaustion.
So let go and let Him. Let go of unrealistic expectations that wear you down. Let go of your way of doing things. Let go of your timetable. Let go of relationships that are wearing you out. Engage in activities and relationships that energize you. Yes, you need to be available, but rest in God and leave the rest to Him. Your gracious heavenly Father is the answer to your battle fatigue. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you up by faith, and allow God’s grace to flush out your fears.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5).
Heavenly Father, strengthen me by Your Spirit to persevere under pressure.
Related Readings
Numbers 10:9; 1 Samuel 17:47; Psalm 140:7; Hosea 1:7; James 4:1-10
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 16, 2023 5:56:04 GMT -8
Process Disappointment
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
PSALM 55:22
Process your disappointment, or you will remain in its downward spiral. Let your disappointment drive you toward God and not away from Him. If disappointment is not processed, it harms our heart. It builds up like emotional plaque and blocks the flow of the Holy Spirit from Almighty God to us. The Spirit is quenched, and we are left to function in our own strength. This is a lonely place.
Unprocessed disappointment leads to angry reactions. Whether it leaks out gradually or explodes unexpectedly, it is ugly. It causes others to ask, “Where did that come from? Is he okay?” Disappointed people become dreadful to be around. They are unhappy with themselves and everyone who surrounds them.
Disappointment is here to stay, but we can learn to process it quickly and move beyond its influence. Disappointment may come from a broken promise or an unmet expectation. You may find disappointment when you look in your checkbook or flip through your calendar. You may face it after you step on the scale or make an unwise purchase or commitment. Most disappointments have to do with people. They let you down, they don’t act right, they don’t give you the respect you deserve, or they don’t seem to care.
If disappointment is a fact of life, how can we process it in a healthy manner? How can disappointment work to our advantage instead of our disadvantage? To process disappointment properly, begin by seeking God’s perspective. Align with His view on the matter, asking questions like these: What does God want me to learn from this disappointing situation? How do I need to change? How can I be a blessing to others in the middle of my extreme disappointment? How can I shift my focus away from my disappointment and toward His faithfulness? These questions and others like them help us process disappointment in a way that makes us more dependent on God and less dependent on circumstances. He understands our disappointment and wants to meet us in the middle of our hurt. But He meets with us to move us beyond our disappointment. Connecting with our Savior provides true satisfaction.
So don’t remain stuck in your disappointment. You can stop assigning blame and start laying claim to the Lord. Christ overcame His own extreme disappointment when He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). He cares for you and gave His life on the cross for you. Your Savior Jesus will sustain you in and through your disappointment.
Make regular appointments with your heavenly Father to process your disappointment. Flood your soul with His grace and forgiveness. Pray for those who have let you down, and see them as God sees them—as people who desperately need His care. The way you process disappointment testifies of your trust in Jesus. Therefore, cast your cares on Christ and receive God’s care so you can care for the disappointed. Process your disappointment by the grace of God, for His hope overcomes disappointment.
“Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”. Romans 5:5
Heavenly Father, in my disappointment and my uncertainty of what to do, I lean into You. I need Your grace to forgive and remain faithful.
Related Readings
Psalm 22:5; Isaiah 49:23; 58:11; Jeremiah 2:36; Luke 3:13; Hebrews 13:5
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 17, 2023 5:07:37 GMT -8
Temporary Setbacks
They went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill.
EZRA 4:23-24
Don’t give up. You may be facing a temporary setback, but God’s purposes will not be thwarted. It may seem as if life is on hold and everything has come to a standstill. You have worked so hard to get to this point, and now the opportunity seems to have vanished. Hold it with an open hand, as it may have disappeared. If so, God has something better.
This is not the time to get mad, but glad. What God initiates, He accomplishes. He hasn’t forgotten about you or your circumstances. He is on top of the situation. This is a temporary setback. Now is a good time for you to catch your breath and reflect on the great things He has done so far. You have been running hard, so pause and prepare for the next stage of personal and professional growth. You do not need to venture into opportunities for which your character is not ready. The last thing you want is to move forward without the depth of wisdom, patience, relationships, and operational skills needed to complete the project. Your adversaries’ motive is to crush your project, but God is taking what was meant for evil and using it for good.
Others use unfair criticism as a cheap way to distract you. Ignore their immature insults. Do not lower yourself to their level of behavior. Otherwise, you may never get out. If you become defensive, you’ll just spin your wheels and probably get stuck. Focus on God, not your detractors. He has led you this far, and He will lead you through to completion. If everything were easy, we might take God’s blessings for granted or forgo gratitude to God.
The Lord knows what is best. He knows how to align the hearts of everyone involved in the project. Sometimes there is even an ironic twist. He may eventually use the endorsement, resources, and relationships of your biggest critics. The ones who rolled a boulder onto the road may be the very ones who remove the obstacles and provide your fuel for the journey. Isn’t it just like God to turn the tables?
Obstacles can become opportunities, and adversaries can become advocates. Critics can become cheerleaders, and enemies can become emissaries. A setback can become a tremendous springboard for God’s will. Take heart and keep your head up. It is darkest before the dawn. Hang in there with Jesus, and He will hold you up. Your Savior will sustain you. God’s purposes will not be thwarted, so keep believing and watch Him work.
“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means” (2 Corinthians 8:11).
Heavenly Father, I trust You to complete the work You have started in me. Strengthen me to do the work You have given me to complete.
Related Readings
Exodus 5:13; Nehemiah 2:18; Acts 14:26; Philippians 1:6; James 1:4
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 18, 2023 7:12:36 GMT -8
Ego’s Snare
Absalom’s head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going… During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself.
2 SAMUEL 18:9,18
An overinflated ego can hang you out to dry. It snares your soul and shrivels your heart. Ego entwines a man’s motives with self-interest and self-credit. An ego has an insatiable desire for recognition and power. It is sad to watch. Its need for accolades is an adolescent attitude at its worst. An unchecked ego is an enemy that will lead you down pitiful paths of regret. Left to its own devices, your ego will talk you into things that feel good at the moment but end in humiliation. An out-of-control ego exaggerates self-importance and creates conceit.
Conceit and Christ-centered living are mutually exclusive. I am either letting Jesus call the shots or displaying Him as a facade for my ego-infested life. Unless my Christian vocabulary and behavior are void of ego, I am just using God to get my way for my benefit and my glory. E-G-O stands for Edging God Out. It’s all about me. Evangelists driven by ego solicit converts for their own glory. Teachers motivated by ego are shallow and sentimental even if their words are accurate and deep. Leaders consumed by ego insist on having their way. Everyone recognizes ego’s effect—except the one mastered by its deception. Defuse ego’s illusion with truth before it ruins your life.
Humility, accompanied by confession of your need for God and people, will pin ego to the ground so you can walk unencumbered with Christ. The Holy Spirit transforms a submitted ego and uses it for effective eternal results, so allow God to daily bend your ego toward Him. Eventually, under His influence, you will develop habits that channel your energy into kingdom pursuits. You will finally experience joy in living through service to others and intimacy with your heavenly Father. Money, power, recognition, and control all fade in importance. What becomes valuable is pointing people to Jesus. You become motivated by mercy, humility, and justice.
Ego says yes to self; humility says no. Ego says yes to power; humility says no. Ego says yes to fame; humility says no. Ego says yes to always being right; humility says no. Ego says look at me; humility defers to Jesus. Ego erects monuments to man; humility builds the kingdom of God. Do not allow your ego to estrange you from eternity.
Die to your ego today and live for Christ. Seek out others with whom you can give and receive forgiveness. You can make the first move in forgiveness because you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Pride feeds ego, and humility starves it. A short-term, earthly perspective makes room for ego, but an eternal perspective edges it out. Let Christ convert your ego from a liability to an asset.
“[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26).
Heavenly Father, I invite You to mold my soul into the image of Your Son Jesus Christ. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, I escort ego out, and I humbly depend on You.
Related Readings
Matthew 7:21; John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Hebrews 12:5-6
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 19, 2023 6:51:22 GMT -8
Out-Serve
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
JOHN 13:14-15
Out-serve your wife. This is not natural to our selfish nature. But if you will out-serve your wife, you will start to see positive differences in both of you. She will feel cared for, and you will feel fulfilled. She will feel loved, and you will feel rewarded. She will feel respected, and you will feel significant. Of course, unappreciated service can wear you down over time, but trust God. Allow Him to supply the strength you need to serve. If the Lord is not empowering your service, you will eventually burn out and possibly become resentful. Bitter service does not last, but joyful service does.
Serve your wife out of gratitude to God for giving her to you. Serve her in the routines of life and when she least expects it. Serve her where she wants to be served, not just where you want to serve her. It may be unloading the dishwasher, taking out the garbage, mowing the lawn, maintaining the house, or taking care of the cars. Her service may include keeping the family organized, preparing dinner at home, being on time, keeping a calendar, or planning a trip. If you are unsure, ask her how she likes to be served.
Carry this attitude of out-serving into your occupation. Be a servant in the workplace, especially if you are a leader or manager. Quietly clean up the break room and wipe out the gooey microwave with its hodgepodge of flavors matted to the inside. Service from a sincere heart shows that you value and respect others.
Our Savior modeled service. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His own life in the ultimate act of service. When we enlist in the service of God’s kingdom, we become His full-time servants. Service for the Savior is a thread that runs through the life of everyone who is led by the Lord. If Jesus is your model for leadership and for life, you will serve. He served the least and the greatest, sinners and saints, rich and poor. He served singles and families, the mad and the glad. He served when He was tired and when He was rested. You could not out-serve Jesus because His service was motivated and fueled by His heavenly Father. Intimacy with the Almighty compels you to serve.
Jesus served others even at the point of His greatest need. When engulfed in His own personal crisis, He chose to serve others and not to be served. The night before facing imminent death, He served by washing feet. Use this same selfless strategy of service and watch the world run to Jesus. In the middle of your own Last Supper experience, serve. When you are rejected, serve instead of retaliating. When you are forgotten, serve instead of feeling sorry for yourself. When you are hurt, serve instead of allowing your heart to harden. Serve for Jesus’s sake and not your own. Make it a lifetime goal to out-serve everyone you come in contact with, especially those closest to you.
Out-serving others yields an outstanding outcome. An attitude of service is other-centered and Christ-focused. You can’t out-serve Christ, but you can be a conduit of service on His behalf. Seek to out-serve others for your Savior.
“The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).
Heavenly Father, I desire to follow the example of Jesus and serve others first.
Related Readings
Psalm 133:1; Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3-4; 1 Peter 1:22; 5:5
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 20, 2023 6:03:11 GMT -8
Finish Well
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, “This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.” LUKE 14:28-30
Finishing well requires planning well. To plan well is to understand the cost of commitment. The commitment to follow Christ is not optional, but standard equipment for the Christian. To plan to finish well is to plan to follow Christ daily in humility and sacrifice. Finishing well tomorrow requires finishing well today. Finishing well does not imply a perfect life, but it requires a submitted life. This is a life that’s under the authority of Jesus Christ, so finishing well is all about living as a committed disciple of Christ.
You may start your Christian life ablaze with the fire of your salvation, excited about your fresh new life, and contagious for Christ. However, unless you fuel your enthusiasm by understanding and applying God’s Word, you will burn out. You will not finish well. People may even observe, “I thought you were a Christian. Didn’t you used to attend church?”
Finishing well is about joining with God to accomplish His will. Thus, finishing well is a building process. It is daily discerning God’s best and then following Him wholeheartedly. Finishing well is a process that gradually takes shape. Your faithfulness gives you credibility to invest in others what you have learned. Out of your brokenness, you share with them what works and what doesn’t work. You are more likely to finish well when you are pouring yourself into others, as that provides accountability.
You may have sons-in-law who are looking to you for leadership. You are one of their role models. Don’t take this lightly. Your children and grandchildren will greatly benefit when you finish well. Pace yourself by God’s grace so you can stay in the race until you make it to heaven. Finish well by becoming wiser today than you were yesterday. Love and forgive more today than you have in the past. This is the essence of finishing well. It is becoming more like Jesus in your attitude and actions.
Running this race of righteousness, we shed our sinful acts. Unrighteous anger is replaced with patience, and fear is replaced with trust. Pride is replaced with humility, and addictions are replaced with love. Be encouraged. If you are growing in Christ and building a life of obedience, you are finishing well.
You can finish well despite your soiled track record. God loves to rectify your false starts or your backsliding ways and place you on the road to finishing well. Stop today, turn from yourself, and turn to Christ. It is never too late to finish well. The wreckage from your past may still haunt you at times. But forget what is behind and press forward for the higher calling in Christ. He is your new reason for living. He is your life. He propels you forward to finish well. You will finish well for His sake, for your family’s sake, and for the sake of others. By God’s grace, plan to finish well, and you will.
“After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).
Heavenly Father, grow my daily desire to do Your will and finish well for Your glory.
Related Readings
Genesis 39:6-12; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 12:1-4
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 21, 2023 5:08:30 GMT -8
First Understand
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
PROVERBS 18:2
Fools are quick to offer a cure before they understand the illness. That can be deadly. Offering medicine to someone who develops an allergic reaction could prove fatal. On the other hand, good advice is appropriate for the person and the situation. Anyone can offer an opinion, and fools love airing theirs. It is entertainment to them, for they delight in talking about anything as long as there is an opportunity to talk. However, a babbling fool can get you into trouble, so don’t be impressed by his words. Instead, measure his words by making sure he understands you and your concern.
Look for time-tested principles, such as “Avoid disciplining your child in anger.” The last thing you need is foolish advice based on an individual opinion. Look for wisdom from someone who looks you in the eyes with empathy. Take the time to validate their ideas from a variety of respected sources. Invite influence from those who draw their wisdom from the Word of God, and avoid people who talk too much. It is impossible to understand without listening. An unsure heart does not need a quick fix, but a listening ear. Those seeking wisdom need someone who listens with understanding.
So be very cautious in what you say and how you communicate your care. Ask, “Why do you want to do this? What does your wife think? Is this what you really want to do? What do you think God is telling you?”
Additionally, you can’t go wrong by offering prayer support. The most appropriate counsel for you to offer may be to pray with the person seeking wisdom. Ask God to give them His divine counsel and directive. The wisdom of God, obtained in prayer, is the most valuable and accurate advice. Others will thank you for your wisdom when, in reality, you listened with understanding and empathy and then prayed with them for their discernment. Your advice may not sound as eloquent as a fool’s self-serving soliloquy, but it is much more soothing for the soul.
Don’t seek to impress others with your wise words. Instead, gain their trust and respect by truly seeking to understand their hopes and dreams. Learn what makes them afraid and what gives them peace. Find out where happiness and contentment reside for them. This level of intimate understanding gives you insight into their personality, temperament, and past experiences, and that will shed light on their present behavior. Wait to offer opinions until you thoroughly understand the person or situation. It’s okay to wait. Wisdom comes to those who seek understanding first. Therefore, pray to see others as God does. Look for the good, and don’t be naive about the bad.
Throughout your quest for understanding, continue to ask God what He thinks. Listen to Him, for the Lord’s insight is understanding at its best.
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
Heavenly Father, grow my patience so I will listen and understand before I offer advice.
Related Readings
Proverbs 2:2-9; 3:5-6; Colossians 1:9; James 1:19-20; 2 Peter 3:16
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 22, 2023 6:31:48 GMT -8
Considered Trustworthy
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
1 TIMOTHY 1:12
God’s primary prerequisite for service is trustworthiness. He is not looking for the most gifted, the most talented, the wealthiest, the most attractive, or the most popular. God is interested in bestowing His blessing on those who can be trusted.
Being in a position where God can trust you is a humbling place. His trust is both energizing and daunting. The God of the universe trusts you to implement His will for your life and to represent Him well through your good name and your faithfulness. He trusts you with His reputation, His truth, His children, His wisdom, His church, His Spirit, His work, and His kingdom.
You serve and love a trusting heavenly Father who enjoys extending Himself to those who can be trusted. Therefore, do not shrink back from God’s trust. He has given you this opportunity because He trusts you. Your role is to represent Him responsibly, so be quick to give Him the credit for the success you are experiencing. Remain trustworthy, and continue to bathe each day in prayer and thanksgiving.
Seek wisdom and counsel from those who are wiser and more experienced than you, for a trustworthy individual is teachable. You are a lifetime learner who understands the need to grow. Education and experience are tools for developing and extending your trustworthiness. Daniel trusted God in the middle of his test. “The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” (Daniel 6:23).
People trust others who are trusted by God. The character qualities that are attractive to God are the same traits that elicit the trust of family, friends, and coworkers. Your good name is your most valuable asset. Guard it with a God-fearing vigilance. People love and respect you. This is a much greater honor than fame or fortune. People follow those they trust.
“I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone” (Titus 3:8).
So let your life and actions—not just your words—prove you are trustworthy. Do more than what’s expected. Keep your word and follow through. Attention to the little things builds big blessings. Above all else, focus on being rather than doing. Be who you are in Christ, and the proper doing will follow. In Christ, you are loved, accepted, forgiven, and trusted. Trust Him and others, and you will be trusted by both.
“Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1 Timothy 3:1-3).
Heavenly Father, I desire to be Your trustworthy servant, whom You can trust with Your blessings.
Related Readings
Exodus 18:21; Psalm 145:13; Luke 16:11-12; 19:17; 1 Timothy 1:15
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 23, 2023 6:13:30 GMT -8
Second Chances
Jesus straightened up and asked her…
“Has no one condemned you?”
“No one sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
JOHN 8:10-11
God is into second chances. You may not feel as if you deserve a second chance, and from a limited human perspective, you may not. This is the residue of sin. Sin, after it runs its course, leaves you in a distasteful position. You feel beat-up and used. You are embarrassed and ashamed. The only recourse seems to be to wallow in your guilt and shame while receiving verbal pelts from the “righteous.” This is not where God wants you to remain.
Yes, sin brings guilt. Yes, there are those who will rub it in your face. Yes, sin brings consequences you may have to live with in this life and the next. Yet in Christ you are not condemned. You are not condemned! Christ was condemned on the cross for the crimes of mankind. He is your passageway to freedom from sin’s condemnation.
This is the beauty of laying your life prostrate before Jesus. He does not pelt you with stones of self-righteousness. Instead, Jesus lifts up the broken sinner and puts him back together. He lifts you out of your unrighteousness and into His righteousness. Grace gives you a second chance.
We will all mess up. There is no doubt about this. But Lord willing, we will learn from our failures and not continue in sin. Confessing our sin and repenting brings freedom from condemnation. To be caught in sin and then continue in sin is condemnation. It is foolish. A fool gambles with God’s patience. When confronted by God, capitulate. This is wisdom. Let Him lift you up, and then go and sin no more. There is no more condemnation in Christ.
There is a little bit of Pharisee in all of us—the condescending attitude that elevates us over the ones we condemn. This is the nature of pride. It is twisted in its motivation. I publicly criticize your sin to justify my private sin. But what is done in the darkness will come to light. It just takes time, and God is not limited by time.
Be quick to confess your own sin before judging other people’s sin. This is a prerequisite. It is a big enough job to keep a clean account of one’s own sins, much less try to manage the accounts of other people’s sin. Most likely you do not have the time or expertise to take on someone else’s sin management. Your example of confessing and repenting of your own sin will be much more helpful for them. By God’s grace you can provide a safe environment for others to work through and exit their sin. Transparency leads to healing. Give others permission to be real.
Concealed sin kills, but repentance leads to healing. When people are hurting, hold back from hitting them over the head with the Bible. You will hurt one day and need acceptance for healing. Give others a second chance—God has done this for you and for them. Second chances are God’s way. By following the way of God, everyone wins!
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving second chances. Give me grace to do the same.
Related Readings
Jonah 2; Lamentations 3:21-23; John 3:17; Romans 8:1-2,34
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 24, 2023 4:47:15 GMT -8
A Wise Listener
Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you… Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
EXODUS 18:19,24
God sends people your way who offer great advice. Listen intently because you never know who may be speaking on behalf of God. You may trust these people, or you may not. Either way, do not allow pride to keep you from listening to what they say. Wisdom can come from the unlikeliest of sources, so listen with discernment. Wise listening requires thinking. The intent of wise listening is to separate the wheat from the chaff.
For example, you may be laboring away unnecessarily in stress and anxiety. Your stress may be self-inflicted. You may need a better system for processing people’s needs. You may also be trapped in the never-ending cycle of busyness. Your life and organization are more complex than they were just six months ago. You need a better process for handling issues and complaints. People are starting to grumble. You’re weary, and they are frustrated. The most obvious adjustment may be involving others to help you serve the people or the enterprise more effectively. Choose now to recruit and train others.
Do not try to talk your way out of your responsibilities. Rather, listen to those who are offering you advice and prayerfully consider their counsel. This may be the optimum time for you to let go and trust others. Your long-term security is not based on what you can control but on what you can give away.
Who in your life is currently offering you advice and counsel? Is it your wife, your father or father-in-law, or your mother or mother-in-law? Is it your boss, your employee, or your friend? Are you truly listening, or are you just going through the motions and not really adjusting or modifying your behavior?
There is a very good chance that the methods you have employed up to now will not propel you into the future. This time of uncertainty may provide a good opportunity to evaluate the basics of your life and work. What is the purpose? What do you do best? What is your capacity? Do you value quality over quantity? Do relationships have priority over tasks? What is your motive? This honest self-evaluation, coupled with the counsel of others, will help take you to the next level of living.
In addition, take time to listen to God. He offers clear guidance in the Holy Bible, and many, many times He speaks directly to you through other people’s advice. Don’t be afraid to ask someone, “What do you think?” Pray about the response and then value them and the Lord by acting on counsel that you believe is a word from God.
If you do not take the time for wise listening, you will succumb to foolish living. A wise listener is open to change. Without change for the better, we become worse. Listen, for God is speaking. This is wise and healthy living. Wise counsel continues for the wise listener, but it ceases for the one who chooses not to listen. We learn when we listen. God is “all about” advice and “all over” a wise listener!
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5).
Heavenly Father, give me the patience and humility to listen more and talk less.
Related Readings
Exodus 14:14; Proverbs 12:15; Titus 3:1-2; James 1:19,22
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
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