August 11

Complacency vs. Commitment

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12

We need to make certain our marriages are divorce proof. Pastor/author Chuck Swindoll asks a great question: "Are there any termites in your troth?" One of those termites could be complacency.

First Corinthians 10:12 offers a formidable warning to the one who thinks this infestation of termites can't reach into his marriage. How many ministers, missionaries and laymen have fallen into affairs and divorce after allowing romantic complacency to settle into their marriages?
We need to resurrect the true meaning of commitment. In this age of lite beer, lite syrup and lite salad dressing, it's no wonder we exhibit lite commitment, too. But for a Christian, commitment is a sacred vow and promise to God. It's two people who hang in there during the best and worst of times and who won't quit. It's a husband and wife who find working through problems much more rewarding than walking out.

We need to pass on to our children the real definition of commitment while continually exposing the lies that their peers and the media propagate. A person who does not understand his or her ultimate accountability to God has little reason to fulfill a vow or commitment to another human being.

There's another type of complacency we need to address: We need to fight for other marriages besides our own. A growing number of Christians, upon hearing of the hurt and anguish of their friends, do not reach for their Bibles, but, instead, hastily offer a parachute and say, "Bail out!" Or they simply sit by, saying and doing nothing. They just let it happen. Hey, I understand. When there's only a slim thread of hope, what are you going to do?

You and I have got to go to the guy who just left his family and tell him it just isn't going to be that easy. He can't just walk out on them. And that woman in our Sunday School class? She can't leave her husband for this other guy and think things will be business as usual. Plead, beg and pray with them. And get them some help.

Discuss: Do you know any couples who are struggling in their marriages? What can you do to encourage them?

Pray: Form a "'til death do us part" bond with your mate. And keep praying with me that God will purge our land of divorce.

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August 12

Entering Lion's Country (Part One)

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8

I've been smelling lion's breath recently, and have nearly gagged at its odious smell. Where have I been? On a lion country safari? In Kenya? Sudan? At the zoo? No. None of these.

Let's just say I've been in lion country.

Pastor and author A.W. Tozer made numerous visits there. In fact, he may have lived in lion country. After a particularly difficult time, Tozer noted the following: "But I will tell you something-it is a delightful thing when you know that you are close enough to the adversary that you can hear him roar! Too many Christians never get into 'lion country' at all!"
After pondering Tozer's observation, I've concluded that we should charge headlong into lion country. You see, "lion country" is territory controlled by the devil. It is the daily domain of the ruler of this world.
Lions in Africa prey on weak, unsuspecting animals and those straggling behind the protection of the head of the pack. Likewise, the devil prowls about trying to deceive (devour) those with weak convictions and naive beliefs. For example, if a Christian refuses to submit to the accountability of other believers in the local church, he will find himself isolated, delicious prey for the crafty deceiver. He may not be able to defend himself when he's faced with temptation.
How does a lion devour its prey? One bite at a time. I wonder at times if twentieth-century Christians have been anesthetized by prosperity and busy schedules while the enemy chews off three-quarters of their legs!

Far too many Christians are being fooled by the enemy. They have been deceived into thinking that run-of-the-mill Christianity is all there is. Jesus Christ may be a part of their lives, but He isn't Lord of their lives.

I know, because for more than 14 years I was the prey of the enemy. I thought I knew what was best for me. I wanted God only as my emergency Savior, when I was in a crisis and needed Him. And if you're like I was, the lion has you in his jaws.

Discuss:
When was the last time you took a spiritual safari into lion country?
What areas of your life would you say are controlled by God, and what areas are controlled by the devil?

Pray: Ask God to help you be of sober spirit and be on the alert to schemes of the adversary.

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August 13

Entering Lion's Country (Part Two)
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
1 John 5:19

Instead of falling prey to the devil, Christians must be aggressive soldiers recapturing the land for Christ. One goal of our spiritual battle is to prevent our adversary from having any sphere of influence in our lives.

Successful invaders are risk takers. Men and women of faith and action. The victory will go to those who move their faith the 18-inch distance from their heads to their hearts. Many Christians, however, seem to prefer comfort to conflict.

Winston Churchill believed the battlefield is the place where great issues are resolved. And I believe the great issues of our day will only be decided when well-equipped Christians invade lion country. Just as Churchill refused to negotiate until the adversary had capitulated, neither can we afford to give in to temptation or compromise.

As you encroach on the enemy's territory, remember these admonitions from Scripture:
Stand firm and let God's Word be your guide. We have God's assurance that we won't lose the war.(see Eph. 6:14-17).
Pray always and give thanks (see 1 Thess. 5:17,18).
Don't take temptation lightly; flee immorality (see 2 Tim. 2:22).
Walk by faith, not by what you feel and see. God's Word and His promises are either 100 percent true or they are not. Since His Word is true, your faith is the difference. Grab hold of His Word and step out (see 2 Cor. 5:7).

C.T. Studd, a missionary to China, understood the challenge well. He wrote, "Some people want to live within the sound of chapel bells, but I want to run a mission a yard from the gate of hell."
The battle has been tough recently, but I wouldn't trade being in lion country for any of the peace and comfort that depended on compromise.

What about you?

Discuss:
Talk with your mate about enemy territory you want to reclaim as a couple.
Spend some time in prayer asking for God to show you where He wants you to invade.

Pray: Ask Him for wisdom, guidance and power to stand firm in the battle.

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August 14

An Agonizing Decision

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

Our daughter Rebecca was involved in gymnastics, and she was doing well. As her level of skill increased, she was expected to spend more time at the gym. She would train from 4-8:30 P.M., three days a week.

Barbara and I were concerned about the direction this was taking. We realized that, if Rebecca kept moving into higher levels in gymnastics, it would take her away from her family. She was spending more time with her coach than she was with us. And she was fast approaching the turbulent years of adolescence.

While we appreciated gymnastics for the discipline it gave Rebecca, we had other priorities. Ultimately, we felt God was leading us to fortify our relationship with Rebecca before she became a teenager.

The more we prayed the more we realized that, if Rebecca continued in gymnastics, we would not have the time to work with her in areas we considered more important. In a year she would turn 13, and we consider the time just before teen years to be crucial for building character and preparing for the pressures and choices.

After months of agonizing prayer, we decided to pull Rebecca out of gymnastics. While we would not argue with a parent who made an opposite decision, the point I want to make is that we had a vision for the type of woman Rebecca could become-a woman who would walk with God and make an impact for Christ. And we believed that the best place for her to learn and grow and mature was not in a gymnasium but in our home.

As parents, we need to be clear about the character qualities and relationships we are building in our children. Children are a high and holy calling. They are the legacy we leave to the next generation. Neil Postman said, "Our children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." What kind of message are you sending?

Discuss:
What is your vision for the type of people your children will become?
Why not consider listing the qualities you want to see in your children.

Pray: Ask God for His favor as you seek to raise children that will be "living" messages of hope to the next generation