DAN THE CHILD OF GOD: April 26 Trained to Discern Hebrews 5:11-14 In today's world, impatience is all too common a trait. We want food, help, and information fast. Just waiting for the computer to boot up or the "next avail-able agent" to answer our call can cause frustration. But the Lord specializes in slow, steady work. He's more interested in a quality outcome than a speedy process.Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of spiritual discernment. When we become Christians, we aren't instantly wise and knowledgeable. It takes a lifetime to grow to maturity. Some believers, however, don't seem to grow up at all. They get older, but their understanding of God's Word never goes very deep. This lack of godly wisdom is caused by ignorance of the Scriptures, apathy and complacency about spiritual things, and a failure to apply biblical truths. Discernment requires time and effort. You can't simply move through life, thoughtlessly reacting to situations yet never learning from them. Take time to reflect on your responses and observe the consequences of your actions and choices. If you feel convicted by what you notice, let that motivate you to begin a lifelong pursuit of the Lord and His ways. Start reading the Bible regularly. And as you do, ask the Lord to open your heart and mind to understand what He's saying. But just reading God's Word isn't enough. Without applying what you've read, all you'll have is head knowledge. Obedience trains us to discern good and evil. Through practice, we learn wisdom and develop spiritual maturity. If you'll begin today and patiently persevere, in time discernment will come. from Dr. Charles Stanley,--Tribute to Jackie Robinson You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. - Ephesians 4:22-24 In 1948 Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. He faced stiff opposition. Pitchers threw at him. Base runners dug their spikes into his shins. Fans mocked him and some even wrote death threats. To endure this mistreatment, you'd have to be a scrapper. Robinson was certainly no exception. He was proud and competitive. But he also knew the right way to fight, and that's what set him apart. Before being allowed to play, Jackie was asked what he'd do if another player hit him on the cheek. He answered, "Sir, I have two cheeks." Robinson knew that real strength, the kind necessary to accomplish truly great things, is demonstrated in meekness and forbearance. With that strength, he changed the face of America's favorite pastime, and in the process, helped change the face of America. We can learn from his example, an inner strength in adversity; not striking back when we're wronged; keeping focus on the task before us. He had a rather Christ-like attitude and example, wouldn't you say? - Steve Arterburn I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Trained to Discern
Hebrews 5:11-14
In today's world, impatience is all too common a trait. We want food, help, and information fast. Just waiting for the computer to boot up or the "next avail-able agent" to answer our call can cause frustration. But the Lord specializes in slow, steady work. He's more interested in a quality outcome than a speedy process.Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of spiritual discernment. When we become Christians, we aren't instantly wise and knowledgeable. It takes a lifetime to grow to maturity. Some believers, however, don't seem to grow up at all. They get older, but their understanding of God's Word never goes very deep.
This lack of godly wisdom is caused by ignorance of the Scriptures, apathy and complacency about spiritual things, and a failure to apply biblical truths. Discernment requires time and effort. You can't simply move through life, thoughtlessly reacting to situations yet never learning from them. Take time to reflect on your responses and observe the consequences of your actions and choices. If you feel convicted by what you notice, let that motivate you to begin a lifelong pursuit of the Lord and His ways. Start reading the Bible regularly. And as you do, ask the Lord to open your heart and mind to understand what He's saying.
But just reading God's Word isn't enough. Without applying what you've read, all you'll have is head knowledge. Obedience trains us to discern good and evil. Through practice, we learn wisdom and develop spiritual maturity. If you'll begin today and patiently persevere, in time discernment will come. from Dr. Charles Stanley,--Tribute to Jackie Robinson
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. - Ephesians 4:22-24
In 1948 Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. He faced stiff opposition. Pitchers threw at him. Base runners dug their spikes into his shins. Fans mocked him and some even wrote death threats.
To endure this mistreatment, you'd have to be a scrapper. Robinson was certainly no exception.
He was proud and competitive. But he also knew the right way to fight, and that's what set him apart. Before being allowed to play, Jackie was asked what he'd do if another player hit him on the cheek. He answered, "Sir, I have two cheeks." Robinson knew that real strength, the kind necessary to accomplish truly great things, is demonstrated in meekness and forbearance. With that strength, he changed the face of America's favorite pastime, and in the process, helped change the face of America.
We can learn from his example, an inner strength in adversity; not striking back when we're wronged; keeping focus on the task before us. He had a rather Christ-like attitude and example, wouldn't you say?
- Steve Arterburn
I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.