Church of the Nazarene

 Supermarket checkout
By Francis J. Kong

A young man was walking through a supermarket to pick up a few things
when he noticed an old lady following him around. Thinking nothing of
it, he ignored her and continued on. Finally he went to the checkout
line, but she got in front of him.

“Pardon me,” she said, “I’m sorry if my staring at you
has made you feel uncomfortable. It’s just that you look just like
my son, who just died recently.”

“I’m very sorry,” replied the young man, “is there
anything I can do for you?”

“Yes,” she said, “As I’m leaving, can you say `Good
bye, Mother!’?

“It would make me feel so much better.”

“Sure,” answered the young man.

As the old woman was leaving, he called out, “Goodbye, Mother!”

As he stepped up to the checkout counter, he saw that his total was
P4,500.

“How can that be?” he asked, “I only purchased a few
things!”

“Your mother said that you would pay for her,” said the clerk.

Do you know that you can tell a lot about a person’s character by
how he or she acts at the supermarket? Michael Josephson from the Web
Site “Character Counts” narrates his experience. Michael says:

I remember being in a crowded store that had a shortage of shopping
carts. A prosperous-looking fellow and his wife were pushing a cart when
another man stopped them. “Excuse me,” the second man said,
“but that’s my cart.”

The first guy looked annoyed and, instead of apologizing, protested,
“But someone took my cart.” His wife glared at him, and he
reluctantly relinquished his ill-gotten gain.

He had ignored the age-old wisdom: “Two wrongs don’t make a
right” in favor of a distorted version of the Golden Rule: “Do
unto others as others have done unto you.”

Then there are the folks who change their mind about buying an item and
put it on the nearest shelf, rationalizing that the store hires people
to put misplaced things back. Schools employ custodians to clean the
halls, but does that mean it’s okay for kids to throw their candy
wrappers on the floor?

Finally, there are the express-line cheaters who enter the “10 items
or less” line with 14 items because they’re in a hurry or they
love having a competitive edge. They count on the fact that no one will
call them on such a moral misdemeanor. And if someone does, they’re
ready to play lawyer: “It depends on what you call an item. These
melons are part of the fruit group so I count them as one.”

Being considerate, playing by the rules, and setting a good example are
important, even in the supermarket.

Michael is right.

Our daily actions really reveal who we are.

No matter how gentlemanly we act when we are rude to the waiters, the
security guards and the janitors then we are rude (period).

I don’t care how give a donation one gives, how charitable a person
is or how beautifully his or her press releases. The photo-ops may be
very impressive. The credentials may be very notable and the titles may
be very prominent but all you need is to look at the way the person
treats his family and you will have a fair indication as to the true
character of the person.

Another accurate indicator is the way a person responds to money. Hah!
Money is the best acid test for character.

And so, whether the issue is money, fame, power, family or something as
trivial as supermarket activities, the character shows.

Do not confuse character for reputation.

Reputation is what people perceive about us whether they are right or
not but character is what and who we really are when nobody is watching.

The Scriptures talk a lot about molding our character so that we may
become Christ-like. And this has a practical reason because as famous
basketball coach John Wooden says: “Ability may get you to the top,
but it takes character to keep you there.” The next time we go to
the supermarket, keep our eyes open not to look at others but to watch
out for ourselves

 We Need Models and Mentors
by Rick Warren

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. Philippians 3:17 (NIV)

People don’t expect you to be perfect – they already know you aren’t. What they want you to be is honest! So let them see your struggles, not just your successes. We usually grow as much from others’ weaknesses as we do from their strengths.

 Lessons from Jonah
I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me.
— Jonah 2:2
The story of Jonah is one of the most discussed and fascinating accounts
in the Bible. But for all the debate, one thing is sure: Jonah did a lot
of soul-searching in that smelly underwater hotel.

All of us can identify. Sometimes life just goes badly. When it does,
like Jonah we need to ask ourselves some hard questions.

Is there sin in my life? In light of Jonah’s blatant disobedience,
God had to do something drastic to catch his attention and lead him to
repentance.

What can I learn from this situation? The wicked people of Nineveh were
enemies of God’s people. Jonah thought they should be judged and not
given a second chance. He obviously needed a lesson in sharing God’s
compassion for the lost. “God saw their works, that they turned from
their evil way; and God relented from the disaster” (Jonah 3:10).

Can I display God’s glory on this? Often our suffering is not about
us but about people seeing the power of God working through our
weakness. Jonah found himself in a helpless situation, yet God used him
to lead a pagan nation to repentance.

Next time you find yourself in a “belly-of-a-whale” problem,
don’t forget to ask the hard questions. It could mean the difference
between despair and deliverance. — Joe Stowell

Though I am His sheep, I am still prone to stray;

So Jesus in love sends afflictions my way;

The lessons I’ve learned in this school of deep pain

Have taught me to follow my Lord once again! — Bosch

READ: Jonah 1
We learn lessons in the school of suffering that we can learn in no
other way.

Seven secrets of stress management

June 16, 2004

Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.’ There were so many
people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”

(Mark 6:31, NLT)

Do you ever feel like your life and schedule is out of control?

You can’t eliminate stress, but you can manage it. Jesus Christ experienced enormous stress and pressure, yet it didn’t seem to disturb his peace of mind. In spite of opposition, constant demands, and little privacy, his life reflected a calm sense of balance.

What was his secret? A closer look at his lifestyle reveals seven key “stressbusters”:

Identification: Know who you are (John 8:12) - Eighteen times Jesus publicly defined himself. There was no doubt in his mind as to who he was. If you’re unsure of your identity, you’ll allow others to pressure you into their molds. Trying to be someone you’re not causes stress!

Dedication: Know who you want to please (John 5:30) - You can’t please everyone. Even God can’t! Just about the time you get Crowd A happy, Crowd B will get upset with you. Jesus never let the fear of rejection manipulate him. No one can pressure you without your permission.

Organization: Set clear goals (John 8:14) - Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going.” Preparation prevents pressure but procrastination produces it. You work by either priorities or pressures.

Concentration: Focus on one thing at a time (Luke 4:42-44) - You can’t chase two rabbits at the same time! Jesus knew how to handle interruptions without being distracted from his primary goal.

Delegation: Don’t try to do everything yourself (Mark 3:14) - We get tense when we feel it all depends on us. Jesus enlisted 12 disciples. Don’t allow perfectionism, or the fear that others may do a better job, keep you from involving others in the task.

Meditation: Make a habit of prayer (Mark 1:35) - No matter how busy Jesus got, he found time to get alone to pray everyday. A daily “Quiet Time” is a great stress decompression chamber. Use this time to talk to God about your pressures and problems, evaluate your priorities, and discover the rules for successful living by reading the Bible.

Relaxation: Take time to enjoy life (Mark 6:30-31) - Balance is the key to stress management. Work must be balanced with fun and worship.

Point to ponder: Stress is inevitable – but you can still have peace of mind.

Verse: “Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.’ There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” (Mark 6:31, NLT)

What will you do about it: For the next week, concentrate on this list of seven stress-busters. Take one a day, read the corresponding scripture, and start to incorporate those habits into your life.

Prayer: Ask God to strengthen you and teach you to handle the stresses that come your way.

 God’s Limo

Isaiah 46:3-4 (New Living Tranlation) “Listen to me, all you
who are left in Israel. I created you and have cared for you since
before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime
- until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care
for you. I will carry you along and save you.”

COMMENTARY:

I’ve often wondered if the famous “Footprints” story was inspired
by this beautiful passage in Isaiah. Here Isaiah is relaying
a message from God to His people reminding them that He is faithful.
God tells Israel that His committment to them is life long. It
started before they were born and it will continue long after
their hair has turned white with age.

APPLICATION:

Do you notice what I notice about this message of God to His people?
What I notice is that all the action taking place in this passage
is being done by God. “I created you”…..”I will be your God
all your life”……”I will carry you”……”I will save you.”

It’s as though God has sent a limousine to my house to carry me
through this world. He wants me to accept His invitation to get
in the limo and ride along with Him on the journey of life. He will
take me where I need to go. He will watch the road for potential
dangers and potholes and streer me around them. It sounds simple,
and it is - or it should be.

But I’m not content to stay in the backseat of God’s limo as a passenger
for very long. Some days I like to jump out at a traffic light and
run down some side street. I want to see for myself what’s down
there that He’s not showing me - I might be missing something.
But after a short time of running on my own, I become afraid and
wonder where God is, just as the Israelites did.

Some days I don’t feel like getting out of God’s limo, but I’m
not content to let Him drive. On those days, I like to hop up into
the front seat and wrestle the steering wheel away from Him so
I can drive myself around. I want to control my destiny and decide
for myself where my life should go. But after a few miles of driving
for myself, I become lost and confused, and usually end up in
a ditch.

All of us have an especially hard time turning over the reigns
of our lives to God. We are raised on the principles of indepence,
freedom, and the “self made man or woman.” We like to be tough
and do it our way. “Here’s my plan for my life Lord, you need to
bless it.” That’s how a lot of my prayers through the years must
have sounded to God.

God didn’t promise that the ride with Him would always be smooth,
but He did promise to carry us through the rough spots if we stay
with Him and let Him carry us. He promises the comfort and strength
we will need to survive the potholes in life, if we stay close
to Him and don’t question where He is taking us.

God says, “I made you, I will care for you, I will carry you along
and save you.” If we let Him.

We Need Each Other: To Walk With

Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him. Colossians 2:6 (NIV/NKJV)

*** *** *** ***

The Bible often compares life to a walk, because life is a journey; we’re not sitting still. Throughout the New Testament, we are told to walk in wisdom, love, light, and obedience. We’re told to walk as Jesus walked. We’re also told to walk alongside other people. Here are three reasons to walk with other people:

1. It’s safer. Have you ever walked alone at night through a dark alley or down a lonely country road? It’s a little scary. But if you have another person with you, you immediately feel safer.

2. It’s supportive. Life is not a fifty-yard dash; it’s a marathon. Walking with other people gives you the energy to keep on going until the end.

3. It’s smarter. You learn more by walking with others than by walking alone. If you’re walking alone in the wrong direction, you may never realize it. But if you have a friend alongside you, one of you is likely to recognize you’ve veered off the path and need to find the right direction.

We also learn some important lessons when we walk alongside other people. We learn how to get along with others, how to cooperate.

We also learn how to love. Genesis 2:18 tells us, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (NIV). God hates loneliness, and community is God’s answer to loneliness. When we walk alongside other people, we find a community where we learn how to love. .

Walking alongside other people also teaches us hospitality. 1 Peter 4:9 says, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (NIV). What’s your grumble? What’s your excuse for not opening your home to friends?

Maybe you’ve said, “My home is dirty!”

Well, clean it up!

Or perhaps your excuse is: “My home isn’t big enough.”

Can you put three people in it? Jesus says, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20 NIV).

Everybody has a longing for belonging because God made us for relationships. When we walk alongside other Christians in community, we find that longing satisfied.

Self-Control Is Christ’s Control

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

*** *** *** ***

There’s nothing you can do as well without Christ as you can with him. Any struggle you’re facing will be easier to conquer with his help.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to clean up all your messes before you ask God for help. That’s like curing yourself of a disease before you drive down and see the doctor. Go to God first and get his help in all your battles.

The secret of self-control is Christ’s control. Then, as you face temptations that are too strong for you to resist, remember he is with you and turn them over to him. Remember, Christ provides the power to change your life!

But Jesus will also use two things to help you develop self-control:

1. Avoid temptation. It is just pure common sense: Don’t put yourself in situations where you’ll face temptation. If you struggle with alcohol, don’t go into a bar. If you’re struggling to lose weight, don’t load the refrigerator with ice cream. Do whatever you must to avoid temptation.

2. Make yourself accountable. Find someone who will check up on you, pray for you, and encourage you in the areas where you want to develop more self-control. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (NIV).

If you’re serious about self-control, find another believer you trust and say, “I have this problem. I’ve confessed it to God. I’ve asked forgiveness, and now I want to ask you to help me. Will you be my ‘buddy,’ a person I can call on the phone when I need support and encouragement?”

I believe God intends for every church to be filled with “buddy” relationships where people are accountable to each other, where they help and encourage each other in the Lord.

Having someone hold you accountable is tough, but it works.

 Self-Control Is Not an Option
by Rick Warren

For the grace of God … teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives. Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)

Developing Self-Control

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)

*** *** *** ***

Self-control brings with it the good feeling of competency. Like a finely-tuned precision automobile, your life stays on course with the slightest touch of steering. The results of self-control are confidence and an inner sense of security.

Self-control and self-discipline are also key factors in any success you hope to have in this life. Without self-discipline, you are unlikely to achieve anything of lasting value.

The Apostle Paul realized this when he wrote, “Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:25 GNT)

Olympic athletes train for years in order to have a chance to win a brief moment of glory. But the race we are running is far more important than any earthly athletic event. So self-control is not optional for Christians.

How do we gain true self-control?

1. Admit your problem. The starting point for developing self-control is to face what God has already said about me: I am responsible for my behavior.

James 1:14 (PH) says, “A man’s temptation is due to the pull of his own inward desires, which can be enormously attractive.”
Do you realize what that says? It says you do things because you like to do them! When I do something I know is bad for me, I still do it because I like to do it. I want to do it; it’s an inner desire.

Do you want more self-control? Admit you have a problem and be specific about it. Begin praying specifically about your problem areas.

2. Put your past behind you. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal ….”

This verse exposes a misconception that will keep you from gaining self-control: Once a failure, always a failure.

Failure in the past does not mean you’ll never be able to change. Focusing on past failures, however, does guarantee their repetition. It’s like driving a car and looking in the rearview mirror the whole time. You’re going to collide with what’s ahead of you.

Ask God to help you put your past behind you.

Seeing life from God’s view

May 27 2008

“What is your life?” (James 4:14b, NIV)

How you define life determines your destiny. The way you view life is your life metaphor. It’s your description of how life works and what you expect from it.

It influences your life more than you realize and determines your expectations, values, relationships, goals, and priorities.

To fulfill the purposes God has for you, you will have to base your view on the biblical metaphors of life. These are: Life is a test, and life is a trust.

Life is a test - God continually tests people’s character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Character is both developed and revealed, and all of life is a test.

When you understand that life is a test, you realize that every day is important. God wants you to pass the tests of life, so he never allows the tests to be greater than the grace he gives you to handle them.

Life is a trust - We are to be stewards of whatever God gives us. All we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands. The more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be.

If you treat everything as a trust, God promises three rewards in eternity: affirmation, promotion, and celebration.

If your life metaphor doesn’t line up with God’s, ask him to give you a new perspective - his.

Point to ponder: Life is a test and a trust.

Verse: “What is your life?” (James 4:14b, NIV)

What will you do about it: No matter what trials or tests face you today, thank God that he is using those things to build your character.

Prayer: Ask God to keep you mindful that every day is significant. Ask him to help you pass each test and be a good steward of what he’s entrusted to you.