Honest Reflections

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 31:1-33:33, 2 Cor. 3:1-18, Psalm 43:1-5, Proverbs 22:8-9

Daily Verse: “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” Prov. 22:9

Nature of generosity.

People who exemplify generosity, giving to those in need and helping others experience the highest degree of self-fulfillment for one reason, selflessness. Instead of letting their selfishness rule, they put others first, just like God wants us to do.

“The easiest way to offend the dollar is to give it away,” said the Financial Peace University teacher during one of our first lessons on money management. Whenever I find myself in a situation where I can give or keep, I think of his words. Breaking the bond of the mighty dollar happens when we give it away.

Just like when I give my husband the last bite of an appetizer. Sharing pre-dinner snacks at home, we set the plate between us, nibbling and talking. Inevitably, one bite remains, and my husband always does the same thing; he looks at it and looks away, leaving it for me. Exercising generosity, I say, “You can have it.” Giving it away brings more satisfaction than hoarding it.

Practice generosity and experience the satisfaction that comes from giving to another. Replace selfishness with selflessness.

Lord, forgive us for our selfish natures. Help us become more generous with the blessings You give us. Prompt us to share when we want to keep. Please assist us in breaking the bondages that keep us from living life to the fullest. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 28:1-30:31, 2 Cor. 2:12-17, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 22:7

Daily Verse: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Prov. 22:7

Dependent poverty.

“You know there’s a scripture about that in the Bible,” the First Officer said to me. A Christ-follower whose name I can’t remember; his words have never left me. Discussing my enormous credit card debt at the time, the pilot pointed me toward the Bible for the answer to overcoming it.

During Solomon’s time, Israelites sold themselves into slavery to pay off their debts. In today’s world, the modern debtor works to pay off their bills, slave to their lenders. The top reasons for bankruptcy in America come from credit problems, job loss, living beyond means, medical costs, divorce, and unexpected emergencies.

Biblical financial wisdom calls us to save for a rainy day to avoid the monetary pitfalls of this world. Yet, statistics show less than half of Americans have enough savings to cover unexpected expenses.

My First Officer’s words started me on the journey to apply Biblical principles to my finances, leading me out of my debt and freeing me from slavery to my lenders. God’s word shows us how to apply fiscal wisdom to our lives.

Lord, forgive us for ignoring Your financial instructions. Help us to follow the guidance You give us. As we face monetary decisions, help us become obedient to Your commands. Bless our efforts and lead us from the bondage of debt. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 23:1-27:23, 2 Cor. 1:12-2:11, Psalm 41:1-13, Proverbs 22:5-6

Daily Verse: “Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.” Prov. 22:5

Security through wisdom.

People underestimate the wisdom found in the Bible and its ability to help them avoid the thorns and snares of this world. Trusting in one’s knowledge will lead to a rugged journey of self-induced strife.

As someone who struggles against my natural tendency always to assume the worst-case scenario, following my thoughts leads me down a trail of thorns and snares. However, when I ask God to help me view people and scenarios from His perspective, I get a completely different view and avoid the traps of this world.

If we knew the struggles of our enemies, we would view them entirely differently. 

“A shoe is always just a shoe until someone steps into it.” Rob Strasser, Air, A Story of Greatness

Step into Jesus’ shoes and ask Him to light the way for You.  Gain Godly wisdom by pursuing the Savior and let Him guard you from the thorns and snares of this world.

Lord, forgive us for following our wisdom. Give us divine perspective in all we do. Help us to become more like Christ as we use His lens to view the world around us. Steer us from the thorns and snares; show us how You want us to go. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 20:1-22:30, 2 Cor. 1:1-11, Psalm 40:11-17, Proverbs 22:2-4

Daily Verse: “The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.” Prov. 22:2

God’s equality.

No matter what a person’s status in life, whether wealthy or poor, we all have the same Maker. Judging others by their economic status leads to treating people poorly. As followers of Christ, we should treat everyone with respect, remembering God can quickly reduce the rich and raise the poor. Money comes and goes quickly.

“We’re all one paycheck away from homelessness,” a friend said years ago while walking to work in New York City, discussing the people living in the doorways, layers of clothing warming their bodies, worldly possessions sitting next to them in bags.

Losing everything happens quickly; one lousy investment, a house fire without insurance, or a tragic accident can bankrupt the wealthiest people. Just like one good investment, a new job, or an unexpected financial blessing can raise someone from poverty.

Either way, God created both and allows the circumstances in our lives for a reason. Treating everyone as equal in the Lord’s eyes matters more than how much money they possess. The things of this world will pass away, but the treasures of the Lord never will.

Lord, forgive us for putting too much emphasis on financial status and not enough recognition of Your creation. Help us love everyone we meet equally for You, knowing money doesn’t matter as much as people. Poor or rich, let us love them all well for You. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 16:1-19:29, 1 Cor. 16:1-24, Psalm 40:1-10,Proverbs 22:1

Daily Verse: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” Prov. 22:1

Good reputation.

Earning and maintaining a good reputation takes effort and time to build but only a moment to destroy. Wise people recognize the value of living up to their word, exemplifying dependability, and taking responsibility for their actions.

Today’s verse reminds me of a young entrepreneur friend entering ninth grade this fall. A crafter like myself, she does one-day events throughout the summer. Her most recent craft show, scheduled on a day with a 115-degree heat index in the hot Virginia summer, tested her reputation.

“I can’t cancel, Mom; my reputation’s on the line. People won’t want me at their shows if I cancel.”  She told her mother, who asked her to cancel because of the intense heat.

In the end, the organizers canceled the show. Still, my young business friend recognized the need to live up to her commitment and thus develop a good reputation in the crafting community.

Work to earn a good reputation, live up to your commitments, and become well-respected.

Lord, thank You for showing us the value of a good reputation. Help us become well-respected people in our communities as we live up to our commitments, keep our word, and exemplify Christ in all we do. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 12:1-15:35, 1 Cor.  15:29-58, Psalm 39:1-13, Proverbs 21:30-31

Daily Verse: “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.” Prov. 21:30

Sovereignty of God.

No human plan can win against the Lord. If God doesn’t ordain it, plans won’t succeed.    For instance, have you experienced a time when no matter what you do, nothing works?

Sometimes that happens when I’m trying to write. Pulling out my laptop, opening Word and my saved web pages, intent on putting my thoughts to my blog, I get stopped. Word won’t work, the internet doesn’t connect, or the screen freezes when I try to save my blog. Stubborn, I keep trying, and finally, the point hits me, God doesn’t want me writing now, or He doesn’t want me to publish what I wrote.

Eventually, I get the message, delete the words, close my computer, and ask the Lord what He would rather have me doing. Sometimes I nap; other times, I feel compelled to reach out to a friend or do something for my husband. God’s plans succeed where mine fail.

Trust God’s direction; if you seem to hit a dead end in your activity, ask the Lord which way He wants you to go. Trust the Maker’s navigations, knowing in His will; you will always succeed.

Lord, forgive us for trying to force our agenda on You.  Help our spirit tune into Your guidance as we move through our day. When we run into a dead end, help us quickly seek Your input into how we should go. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 8:1-11:20, 1 Cor. 15:1-28, Psalm 38:1-22, Proverbs 21:28-29

Daily Verse: “A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.” Prov. 21:29

Genuine righteousness.

Living a consistent lifestyle for Christ pleases God. Starting my day in Scripture, developing friendships with other believers who hold me accountable, continually allowing God to search my heart for impurities, confessing my sin, and trying again help me stay focused on the Lord.

People who put on a bold front reflect a hardened heart, viewing God and others with contempt, contrasting with a righteous lifestyle. The villain in every action movie comes to mind. Not caring about anyone but themselves and their wants, wicked people disregard the needs of others for their own sake.

But wicked never wins against the Lord. Knowing the heart’s motivations, justice comes to those who rebel against the Maker. Everyone faces judgment day, and woe will come for those who live in blatant opposition to God.

Strive each day to do your best. Admit whatever faults you have and work to do better with each day that passes. Lives lived for the Lord will prevail, one day at a time.

Lord, thank You for showing us how to live. As we seek You, let us become more like Jesus each day. Help us become obedient to Your word and direction. Let us follow You well, staying close and living a genuinely righteous life for You. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 4:1-7:21, 1 Cor.14:18-40, Psalm 37:30-40, Proverbs 21:27

Daily Verse: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.” Prov. 21:27

Unacceptable worship.

Offering sacrifices with wicked intent infuriates God. Our Creator knows the motives of our hearts. When we try to manipulate God, we will lose.

Reading through Numbers with a group of friends, chapter fourteen talks about the Israelites’ contempt for God. Complaining about their circumstances, they thought slavery better than the promised land.

“And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.” Numbers 14:11-12

People have turned their hearts from God, following evil desires in our world and country. Calling on God with malicious intent won’t end well, nor trying to manipulate the Creator.

As sinners, humbling ourselves before the Lord and confessing our sins will bring His grace and mercy. But manipulating with evil intentions will bring His wrath.

Lord, forgive us for any evil intent in our hearts. Let us come to You with humble hearts, seeking Your direction and offering our praises in worship. Let our nation become greater and mightier than those who choose evil ways.   IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Job 1:1-3:26, 1 Cor. 14:1-17. Psalm 37:12-29, Proverbs 21:25-26

Daily Verse: “The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.” Prov. 21:25

Results of laziness.

Refusing to work brings ruin. Having the physical ability to work counts as a blessing from the Lord. Raised with a father who had his toes amputated the winter of my birth because of gangrene, I witnessed perseverance in the face of disability. 

Dad didn’t stop working when he lost his toes because of frostbite, which caused the gangrene. When he suffered poor circulation in his leg, never healing from the infection, he lost the limb and still worked. Dad couldn’t do the same jobs he did, no longer running bulldozers or climbing into the cab of his dump truck, but he could monitor the construction gate of our subdivision.

Lazy people choose not to work, wasting their God-given ability. Nothing satisfies more than applying oneself to a task and completing it. Laziness brings ruin, but hard work brings confidence, self-esteem, satisfaction, and more.

Taking the easy way out, coupled with hands that refuse to work, brings nothing but ruin. But putting forth effort and completing a job will get more than monetary rewards.

Lord, forgive us for our laziness. Help us to work hard, giving all the glory to You.  Thank You for the ability to complete tasks and find provision in our efforts. Let us lead well as we dedicate our work to You. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Esther 8:1-10:3, 1 Cor. 12:27-13:13, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 21:23-24

Daily Verse: “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” Prov. 21:23

Controlled speech.

Walking nine holes of golf on a Friday afternoon in 90-plus degrees of weather, I lost control of my speech.  I confronted the couple in front of us because I mistakenly thought they had slowed down play by passing us.  As the situation unfolded, I realized I made a mistake and accused them of something they didn’t do.

To make matters worse, I knew them through their kids who I coached in tennis.

Consumed with shame and embarrassment, I sent a sincere and heartfelt apology which they graciously accepted.  But the humbling from the Lord for my uncontrolled speech taught me a valuable lesson.  Hopefully, I will never let my anger take control of my tongue again.  Only with divine intervention can I accomplish my goal.

Losing control of your speech for whatever reason leads to heartache and remorse.  Before we speak, we must filter our words and ensure they will uplift and encourage the receiver.  If not, we shouldn’t talk.  Following God’s advice will lead to life to the fullest, but when we don’t, we will experience negative consequences.

Lord, forgive us for speaking uncontrollably. Please help us always have the tools we need to control our tongues. Let uplifting and encouraging words come from our mouths and nothing else. IJNIP. Amen.