He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whosoever heeds correction gains understanding. (Proverbs 15:32)

An officer in the navy had dreamed from childhood of commanding a great battleship one day. He finally achieved his dream and was given commission of the newest and proudest ship in the fleet.

One stormy night, the captain was on duty on the bridge when he spotted a strange light rapidly closing in on his own vessel. As his ship plowed through the giant waves, the light rose and fell just above the horizon of the sea. He ordered his signalman to flash a message to the unidentified craft on his port side. “Alter your course ten degrees to the south.”

Within seconds a reply came back, “Alter your course ten degrees to the north.” Determined that his ship would never take a back seat to another vessel, the captain snapped second order. “Alter your course ten degrees–I am the CAPTAIN!!!” The response beamed back, “Alter your course ten degrees–I am Seaman Third Class Smith.” By this time the light was growing brighter and larger.

Infuriated, the captain grabbed the signal light and personally signaled, “Alter course, I am a battleship.” The response came quickly, “Alter your course-I am a lighthouse.”

There are times when standing on principle can compromise our own security and well-being. Perhaps it is best if we allow God to be our “lighthouse” instead of relying on our own demands. God knows the best route for us in all things.

Holy Creator and Guide, lead us in the ways that will be most beneficial for us. May our own egos be put in place. You have a better plan!

This is love: not that we loved God, but that God loved us and sent the only Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (I John 4:10)

Jesus made it abundantly clear that left no doubt that following Him faithfully might very well demand of most some personal sacrifices, and to many even the supreme sacrifice of death itself. Historically this has been true throughout the history of the church. The pages of the past run red with the blood of martyrs who have been called upon to renounce their beliefs in Jesus Christ or be slaughtered; most have chosen the latter.

Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, was taken by Roman guards to be put to death for his leading of the church. He invited them to share in a feast prior to his execution and upon the completion of the meal, he asked that he be allowed to pray for one hour. The guards overheard his prayers and were brought to repentance through it and as a result, they refused to carry out the orders of execution.

Others came and took Polycarp before the proconsul who ordered him to be burned at the stake. Prior to his execution he was offered one last chance to deny Christ, and his response was, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and he never once wronged me. How then shall I blaspheme the One who has saved me?”

In today’s society, such executions are few and far between, at least in the western world, but many of us are still called to sacrifice. We may be called upon by God to forgo or give up a position which would require us to compromise our faith, or to end a relationship we desire because of a partner who challenges our beliefs in God. When we are challenged in these ways, may we have the strength and courage to stand firm on the promises of God. “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past—only what’s done for Christ will last!”

God of Infinite Wisdom, may our lips never be silent, under any conditions, if silence means a denial of our faith and trust in You!

...Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter now into the joy of the Lord. (Matthew 25:21)

Several centuries ago, the Emperor of Japan commissioned a Japanese artist to paint a particular species of bird for him. Months passed, then years. Finally, the Emperor personally went to the artist’s studio to ask for an explanation.

The artist place a blank canvas on the easel and within fifteen minutes, had completed a painting of a bird. It was a masterpiece! The Emperor, admiring both the painting and the artists skill, asked why there had been such a long delay.

The artist then went from cabinet to cabinet in his studio. He pulled from it arm loads of drawing of feathers, tendons, wings, feet, claws, eyes, beaks-virtually every aspect of the bird, from virtually every angle. He placed these silently before the Emperor, who nodded in understanding. The magnificence of the “whole” can never be greater than the magnificence of any singular detail.

To have an excellent life, strive for an excellent year. Within that year, strive for an excellent month, and within that month, strive for an excellent day. Within that day, strive for an excellent hour. An excellent life is the sum total of many excellent moments.

Creator of all good, guide us minute by minute that our lives may reflect a sum total of excellence in Your sight!

Render therefore to all their dues. (Romans 13:7)

How many ministers do you know? We can probably identify several including the Pastor of our Church, our music minister, youth ministers, assistant ministers, etc. Some churches have visitation ministers, senior ministers and various other specialized ministries.

What about the policeman on the street? Or how about the members of the state legislature, your congressman, or the judge in his courtroom? Some of these people may not realize that they are ministers set in place by God, but they are. God has decreed that we have a government in place to keep people from robbing and killing each other, and the officials of the government are serving in ministry by what they are called to do. Of course, some of those called can misuse the authority God has given them, but who doesn’t – not even you and I.

Other calls to ministry can be subtle in nature. I personally have been ministered to in great depth by street people who choose a life devoid of technology and politics. And each of us, you and I, are ministers called upon by God to open the eyes of our brothers and sisters. Peter calls us “the Royal Priesthood.”

While you are listening to God’s ministers, put your own name on the list. Whether we realize it or not, when we accepted the call of the Spirit to believe in the word of God, we received an ordination of ministry. The word “minister” means “servant.” You and I are God’s servants. May we each be good stewards under the leadership of the One who knows the way.

God of Power and Might, may we accept the ordination of ministry in humbleness and awe. Lead us to those You would have us serve.

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends. (Job 42: 10)

Prayer can be divided into two main categories – prayer for self and prayer for others, also known as intercessory prayer. James tells us in his epistle that the “fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.” After all, our job as Disciples of Christ is prayer.

All too often our prayers for self are plaintive, self-centered and can be sometimes viewed as “whiny.” This is never found in the prayers of Jesus. When Christ prayed to His Parent, He was seeking only God’s will or they were prayers on behalf of those around Him.

If you feel that your prayers are not being heard or answered, perhaps it’s time to take a close look at how they are formulated. Do you want God to “fix” things for you? Do you want God to drop new high-tech toys in your lap? After all, Jesus clearly said, “Ask and you shall receive.” I think it is what we ask for that sometimes blocks our communication with God. Jesus never asked for anything personal other than God’s will. Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus carefully stated, “Not my will, but Your will…”

I have found that when I lift up others, whether for healing or guidance or peace in their lives, the same thing I pray for on behalf of others comes to me. When others are placed first and uplifted, God bestows showers of blessings on the intercessor.

Holy God of Blessings, may we forget self long enough to lift our brothers and sisters up to You. Heal them and bless them that we, too, might find favor in Your sight.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

A dog once wandered to a preacher’s home, and his three sons played with it, fed it, and soon became quite fond of it. It so happened that the dog had three white hairs in its tail. One day, the preacher and his sons spotted an advertisement in the city newspaper about a lost dog. The description of the stray they had taken in matched perfectly.

The minister later said, “In the presence of my three sons, we carefully separated the three white hairs and removed them from the dog’s tail.”

The real owner of the dog eventually discovered where his stray pooch had gone and he came to claim the dog. The dog showed every sign of recognizing his owner, so the man was ready to take him away. At that point, the minister spoke up and asked, “Didn’t you say that the dog would be known by the three white hairs in its tail?” The owner, unable to find the identifying feature, was forced to admit that this dog didn’t fully fit the description of his lost dog and left.

Years passed and the minister noted with sadness, “We kept the dog, but I lost my three sons for Christ that day.” His sons no longer had confidence in what their father professed to be true.

Remember, your children watch the choices you make in all areas of your life and base their opinion of you on them. Be a person of integrity-one they will admire.

Just and loving God, guide us in the decisions we make so that no one will be stumbled by our walk and fail to see You in our being!

Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

The story is told of a man and woman who gave a sizable contribution to their church to honor the memory of their son who had lost his life in the war. When the announcement was made to the congregation of the generous donation, a woman whispered to her husband, “Let’s give the same amount in honor of each of our boys.”

The husband replied, “What are you talking about? Neither one of our sons was killed in the war.”

“Exactly!“ said the woman. “Let’s give it as an expression of our gratitude to God for sparing their lives!”

What we give to charitable concerns during our life produces benefits in three directions: 1) it helps those in need, 2)it inspires others to give, and, 3) it forms an inner character in the giver–one marked by less selfishness and fewer materialistic tendencies, greater generosity and a heightened awareness of and concern for other people.

Keep in mind that when you give, you are ultimately giving to people, even though your gift might be made to an institution or organization. Churches and other charities are made up of people. Your giving brings sunshine to the lives of others and will return to you.

Most generous God, grant each of us a “giving” heart that we might know the joy Your Son had when He freely gave-even when He gave His life!