March 2021 Week 3

Friday

Keep the main thing the main thing

Romans 14: 1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

This past week I was asked by two different people to mentor them. As always I asked what was expected of me and got a fairly general response from both. I then followed up by asking what specific question needed answering so that we could begin to see if I could really be a good match. The first person then proceeded to ask me what was the name of God and then went on to provide me some scripture that tried to demonstrate the importance of knowing the name of God as if it is only one name. I then proceeded to try and explain to him that I as a mentor was not going to debate with him the name of God. We ended up parting ways before we really got started because he was unwilling to keep the main thing the main thing. Too often in life we lose sight of the prize being clouded by things that mean absolutely nothing  when trying to reach the prize.

Thought for the day: Peter was able to walk on water as long as he kept his eyes on Christ. What are the things around you that can cause you to lose sight of the prize?

Thursday

Success in Business

Luke 16: 1-8

It is said that to be successful in business you must first identify the needs of others and meet those needs and that will lead to your success. It is interesting that can be said similarly in that we should put others first and by doing that we will be successful for the Bible teaches that it is our mandate to serve and not be served. He who seeks to be first will be last. There is a testimony that a person moved to a new city around Thanksgiving and was very depressed and lonely. He decided to help distribute thanksgiving baskets and soon forgot all about his loneliness and despair while meeting new friends and soon became a valued member of the community.

Thought for the day:  Seek to meet the needs of others first will result in both your needs and wants being met.

Wednesday March 17

Why Do You Worry?

Philippians 4: 6-7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We spend a significant part of our day worrying. Many of us also spend a significant number of our sleeping hours also worrying. Why do we worry?  A few facts: 1) Worry does not change anything  2) Worry can actually cause us to become sick 3) We can use the time worrying to plan for success. 4) We do not really understand the significance of our relationship with God. God cares for us and loves us and knows what is best for us.

Thought for the day:  We often times spend more time planning for failure and not enough time planning for success.

Tuesday  March 16

Where are you headed?

Proverbs 16: 3  Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.

One of my young friends included this on his facebook page. It is so true.

“I may not be where I want to be but God is taking me where I need to be.”

We too often make plans for the future without first consulting God and we make matters worse by praying to God to make our plans come into reality rather than spending the extra time to ensure that our plans are consistent with the will of God.  Are we listening for God’s direction in our lives.  God has a plan for each of us. It is up to us to listen and follow the plan.

Thought for the day: Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Monday

March 15

God Answers Prayers

2 Samuel 12: 16  David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground

Lesson Objective: To understand that God answers prayers but the answer may not be what we want to hear

Have you ever heard someone say that I have been praying for a particular item for weeks or months and God still has not answered my prayers? I would suggest there are several possible responses:

• Our motives may not be right. James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
• We may not have the patience that we need. Luke 18: 1-8 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
• The answer may be no. David prayed for his son not to die but God said no and his son died. David understood and heard the voice of God
• I like to think that sometimes God says not now because I have something better and he knows best.

Thought for the day:  Before praying ensure that your motives are aligned with the will of God. Then take the time to really listen for his answer which may not be what you want to hear.