Jessica and her husband returned the RSVP the day after they received it... clearly marking “Yes” that they would be attending the wedding of a friend. Unfortunately, something came up on the day of the ceremony and the two were unable to honor that commitment. What they got in the mail the next week was astonishing.
It was a bill for $75.90. Sent by the bride and groom to cover the cost of the food that Jessica and her husband didn’t eat (as well as a service charge and tax). The bill said that the newly married couple would have liked a call stating that Jessica wasn’t coming... and that a reimbursement was appropriate.
Can you imagine? Being charged for not honoring a commitment? Being responsible for something we said we’d do but didn’t?
Can you imagine if God held us accountable for breaking promises?
He does.
James 5:12 “But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.” This scripture tells us that God holds us to our commitments... and when we don’t honor them, there’s a price to pay. When we promise and break it... we sin. And there are consequences for that. Before saying yes or no to something... be sure that it’s something that you intend to honor. It’s better to disappoint someone in the short run than God in the long run.
RSVP
Day 35
February 18, 2018
Window Shapes
February 23, 2018
Have you ever wondered why an airplane’s windows are rounded? They weren’t always that way. In fact, early aircraft were well known for their perfectly square panes of glass. However modern technology allowed planes to travel faster and before long some manufacturers found their planes falling apart in the air. The engineers worked hard to find the cause of these breaks and soon found out that it was the squared windows. The corners of the glass were weak spots and couldn’t stay intact at high wind speeds. Thus... the rounded corner window was born. Everything has a weak spot. You do too. Have you ever sat and thought about what it is? What tempts you to do things you shouldn’t? What do you find yourself swearing you won’t repeat but do anyway? The Bible talks about the reason for this in Matthew 26:41. Jesus tells us, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Our flesh is weak. God is strong. And when the speed of life increases... somewhere at the corner of good intentions and willpower... we start to buckle. We don’t possess enough internal fortitude to stand up to the unrelenting pull to sin. However, when we commit to God that we will watch for weak spots and pray for strength when we find them... God gives us the ability to replace temporary satisfaction with long-lasting joy. Don’t wait for your life to crash to make changes... call out to God and round out the windows of your life. You may not be able to stop the pressure but you can build things into your life to prevent it from bringing you down.
Bedside Table
February 22, 2018
Have you stayed in a hotel lately? When was the last time you opened the bedside table drawer to see if there was a Bible in there? According to a recent study, chances are the table will be empty. In 2006, nearly all hotels had the word of God by the bed... but in 2017 that number is less than fifty percent. Why? The answer is sad but simple. In many parts of our world, people feel as though they don’t need God’s word as much. They think of the Bible as a great book of suggestions... but because their lives are going so well they really don’t need to follow what’s in there. When people stop reading it... or specifically asking for it... hotels don’t feel obligated to provide it. Out of sight, out of mind. It’s easy to wonder what the world is coming to... but here’s the saddest truth of all. There are some people that DO have a Bible and never open it. Not having a Bible to read is one thing... not reading the one we have is tragic. Today take some time and start your journey through the scriptures. Maybe start with the life of Christ in Matthew 1:1... dive into the wisdom-filled proverbs... or enjoy the challenges and encouragement that comes from books like Ephesians or Colossians. What lessons did Moses’ life give us? Why did Jesus come? If you’re a believer... recommit to spending time with God daily to grow and gain understanding of God’s heart through His word. A little time with the Bible each day can radically change the direction of your life for the better.
Superman Saves The Day
February 21, 2018
Their home was about to be foreclosed on. There was no hope among them as they packed the boxes up one after another... getting ready to leave the place they loved and grew up in. The home had been in the family since the 1950s... but it looked like the financial trouble the current members of the family found themselves in would be the end of the decades-old connection they had with the house. That is until Superman saved the day. In a dark corner of the garage sat an unmarked and long-forgotten box filled with comic books . In that box sat a copy of Action Comics #1 in great condition. What’s so special about that book? It was the very first appearance of Superman. Street value? Well north of a million dollars. That old comic from someone who lived long ago in the house was going to pay the amount due and keep the property safe. Miracles still happen. Sometimes superheroes save homes. Cancer re-checks come back unexplainably clear. Doomed marriages end in reconciliation not divorce. God hasn’t given up answering prayer... and He does so in any and every way He sees fit. Find yourself praying for something that seems hopeless? God wants to remind you that He is the author or hope. About to give up on something? Ready to quit on someone or yourself? Keep praying... God is working behind the scenes in ways you may not realize. Stay patient. Keep the faith. And don’t quit. And when things seem darkest and you don’t know where to turn... reach out. You’ll find yourself in the loving arms of a Savior who counts your tears and loves you more than you realize. Superman may be able to fly... but only Christ can heal a broken heart and bring joy to the beaten down. Hang in there... God’s got you.