October 19: Evaluate Your Life Day

 

October 19:  Evaluate Your Life Day 

Yup, believe it or not, a day has actually been set aside to do just that.  Evaluate Your Life Day was created by the people at Wellcat.com to encourage people to check out what’s going on in their lives, and to set things on the proper course. The folks at Well Cat notwithstanding, God’s word beat them to the punch by a few thousand years.

Passage after passage entreats God’s people to engage in regular and fearless self-examination.  From Lamentations to James, from the Psalms to Philippians, we are urged to “test” ourselves, to “examine” ourselves, and to “search” ourselves.  Why? 

Because the condition of the heart is notoriously hard to assess, and because the stakes could not be higher.  2 Corinthians 13:5 is a classic example:  “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”  We need to be regularly reminded that Jesus is IN us, and we need to regularly search our hearts to confirm that He is actually there.  There is an obvious danger here.  Self-absorption is not recommended.  Constant worry about the state of our souls is not good.  But regular time spent with God’s Spirit, studying His word to reflect on the state of our lives is always time well spent. 

Psalm 119:59 provides wise and pithy counsel:  “When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies…”  And there is the key.  Our self-evaluation must always be rooted in God’s word.  The only standard to which we must compare ourselves is the perfection of Christ, not our friends or our world.  Least of all, ourselves.  This is why we are regularly cautioned not to think to little or too much of ourselves.  Jesus is the standard, and God’s Word is the guide. 

So today, take a moment, and reflect.  How is your soul?  What is your spiritual appetite like?  Are you getting enough rest and exercise?  What relationship needs extra attention?  Start today to make a regular habit of self-examination, looking only to Jesus and His Word as your help.  Only good will come of it.

October 18: No Beard Day

 

October 18:  No Beard Day 

There is perhaps one strong argument for No Beard Day, and that’s its placement some time before the beginning of “Movember” and No Shave November, where men are encouraged to grow some killer facial hair. Perhaps this holiday was brought into existence for no other purpose than to give the ‘contestants’ of Movember and No Shave November a way to get a fresh start.  Would you believe that the laws of God included a no beard day? 

How many laws did God give Moses?  While there is still some debate, the total number hovers somewhere around 613.  For most Protestants, we tend to think in terms of the big 10, the 10 commandments. One group of those 613 have to do with ceremonial cleansing.  Leviticus 14 provides a classic example.  What should a leper do if he is healed and desires re-entry into the community?  Among the many rituals, one includes shaving off all his facial hair, including beards and eyebrows.  I’m certain that October 18’s No Beard Day has no connection to ceremonial cleansing.  But it should give us pause.  Why this emphasis on being “clean?” 

The answer is not hard to imagine.  Clean things and holy things have much in common.  Unclean things or impure things have no place in the presence of God.  Invariably, ceremonies making unclean things clean again involved the sacrifice of animals, and the shedding of blood.  The leper was required to make several sacrifices before re-entering the camp.  All of these practices served one primary purpose, and that was to point us to Jesus.  

None of us can make ourselves clean.  We are all unholy and impure.  Beards notwithstanding, we desperately need to be made clean.  For centuries, God painted a picture for us of how that would happen.  Bloodletting, coupled with acts of faith were the only way.  They remain so today.  On this No Beard Day, take some time to review the practices described in the OT for becoming clean.  As you do, think of Jesus.  Be clean.  Be holy, as He is holy.  And the next time you see a beard, think of Jesus.

October 17: Sweetest Day

 

October 17:  Sweetest Day 

On October 8, 1921, Cleveland Confectioners came together to create a new day to celebrate people’s love of candy and each other. On the first celebration of this day 20,000 boxes of candy were distributed throughout the city--everyone from newsboys, old folks, the poor, and orphans were gifted with delicious treats to help make it the “Sweetest Day” of the year for them.  Officially celebrated on the 17^th, confectioners and greeting card companies have been running with it ever since.

A custom, which originated in Jewish German schools in the 12^th century, is germane to this day.  New students were brought to school and seated on the rabbi’s lap.  A slate was produced upon which the Jewish alphabet was written.  The rabbi and then the child would recite the alphabet, in anticipation of learning how to read the Torah.  Then the rabbi would take a drop of honey and drop it on the slate.  The child would then lick the honey from the slate.  Then a honey cake was produced, which the child and the rabbi then shared.

Imagine a custom like that on your first day of school!  But the point was this.  The word of God is sweet.  Learning about God through His Word is sweet.  “the words of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:9b-10) 

On this Sweetest Day, turn your attention from your significant other, to your Significant Other.  Rekindle your love for God’s word.  Take a big, toothsome bite of God again in His word, and taste how sweet.  You will never be more satisfied or more blessed.  Just for fun, grab your Bible and take a drop of honey and drop it…Ok.  Maybe not, but at least in your mind, do it.  Renew your commitment to His Word, and make it the sweetest day ever.

 

October 16: Boss' Day

 

October 16:  Boss’ Day

Boss’ Day was created by Patricia Bays Haroski in 1958 when she registered it with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce while working as a secretary at State Farm Insurance. The date she selected was her father’s birthday, due in no small part to the fact that she was working for him at the time.

There is a critical lesson here for us.  It is easy to see those in authority over us as tyrants, or as people who only want to use us.  There are times when this may in fact be the case.  But as Christ-followers, we have a unique obligation when it comes to work, and a unique opportunity. 

The obligation is clear:  “Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” (Colossians 3:22).  Expressions like “suck-up” or “brown-noser” come to mind.  It’s easy to approach work as a dodge, a means to the end of getting what we want.  But our attitude and behavior at work is a direct reflection of our view of God.  God has designed the universe to run on the basis of roles.  Some are in authority over others.  To embrace and reflect that, even when those in authority are not the best, is critical in our relationship to them, to ourselves, and to God.  Treat your boss with the dignity and respect you would God Himself. 

The opportunity is our witness to the world.  It’s easy to love and serve a wonderful boss.  But for those who follow Jesus, we have a different call:   “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.  And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.  (Luke 6:32-36).  Let’s use this Boss’ Day to let our lights shine even brighter.

October 15: Conflict Resolution Day

October 15:  Conflict Resolution Day

Embroiled in any conflicts today?  Then you probably haven’t woke up yet!  Conflict seems endemic to our lives and our world.  Two places seem especially hard hit, families and The Church.  Too often the fruit of those conflicts are devastating, ending in divorce, estranged children, church splits, and blocking on social media. 

Conflict Resolution Day is a global event, intended to promote the concept of peaceful conflict resolution. Created in 2005 by the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR), it is now an annual celebration. 

Rather than think in general terms today, I want you to pick one relationship.  Just one.  What will you do, starting today,  to move toward resolution?  As always, God’s Word provides a way forward.  Let’s unpack what needs to happen.

First, identify the root cause.  What, really, is the problem?  “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (James 4:1)  There is the culprit.  This is where we must begin.  What part must I own? How have I let my emotions take over?  What have I said and done that I now regret?  Where must I seek forgiveness?

Second, but very much related, we need to confess that our pride is keeping us from moving forward.  Pride is ugly.  It was at the root of Satan’s fall from grace, and it is precisely what keeps us from receiving God’s sustaining grace.  After revealing the root cause of our conflicts in James 4, James goes on to say in verse 6: But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Third, you need to go to that person.  Humbly, emotions checked at the door, you need to go and seek reconciliation.  And you need to do it now.  Christ urges us in Matthew 5:23-24:   “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” 

Finally, follow this simple process, especially as it relates to conflicts in the church.  DO NOT TRIANGULATE!  Never talk to someone else about how hard it is with "so-and-so."  Your first words must be to “so-and-so.”  Matthew 18:14-17 lays out the process:  “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” 

Today, determine that there will be no more talking behind someone’s back.  No more gossip.  No more whining disguised as a “prayer request.”  Instead, determine to resolve conflict God’s way.  After all, “blessed are the peacemakers.” 

October 14: World Standards Day

 

October 14:  World Standards Day 

Have you ever considered that part of your destiny is to establish standards?  You were created for that very purpose.  Ephesians 2:10 is crystal clear: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Imagine it.  We were created not merely to provide the moral standards, but to walk in them. And all this happened before we were even a twinkle in our parents’ eyes. 

Throughout the world, there is a set of standards that have been established that companies, organizations, and industries have all agreed to hold up. These standards have been established by mutual agreement between these organizations as part of their participation in the ISO, the International Organization for Standardization. It was these kinds of standards that helped drive the industrial revolution, and today it drives the advancement of all technologies from automotive to telecommunications. World Standards Day celebrates the work of these men and women, and the contribution their work makes to the world at large. 

Funny thing about good standards.  They are hard to hide.  In Paul’s encouragement to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:25 he notes “So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.”  Here is the question.  How can we be people who conspicuously elevate God-honoring standards without being jerks?  For me at least, that’s a tough one!

I think two simple words can point us in the right direction:  teach and model.  The hard part is teaching without being “preachy” and modelling without being “showy.”  Pray for a humble and wise heart.  Ask God’s Spirit to give you what you need to be winsome, to be engaging and loving as you teach and model God-honoring standards.  Remember, most often good behavior is caught before it is taught.  On this world standards day, let God’s people rise up and determine that no one will outdo us in doing good.  And let’s rely on God to be humble and loving as we do so.  Of for the day when we will celebrate God’s Standards Day.  Press on.  It’s coming.

October 13: Train Your Brain Day

 October 13:  Train Your Brain Day

Each day, one “muscle” shapes everything we do and how we experience the world around us. It isn’t an actual muscle, but it is easily more powerful than even the strongest muscle. Our mind can make us sick, or make us well, it can drive us to see deception and paranoia in the actions of others, and it helps us make sense of the world around us. Train Your Brain Day recognizes the power of the mind, and how training it can change our lives dramatically. 

Science tells us that we use only a small percentage of our brain.  Have you imagined what a fully functioning, untouched-by-sin brain could do?  Could we move objects with our mind, dematerialize, or even fly?  While still the stuff of science fiction, the fact remains that we need to train our brains now with one goal in mind.  Transformation. 

Romans 12:2 gives us clear marching orders.  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

Would you like to know God’s will for your life?  In the broadest sense, we already do.  1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, and 1 Peter 2:15 all make clear that God wills for each of us to become like Christ, to give thanks in all things and to do good works so that others might believe.  But our daily walk is another matter.  What job should I take, who should I marry, what major purchases should I make, what school should I go to?  Questions like these and a thousand more abound.  How can we discern God’s will in these things? 

By training your brain.  Simple, but not easy.  Two things are critical.  First, we must implore God’s Spirit to help us break the habit of thinking like the world, and instead, thinking like Jesus.  “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Only God’s Spirit can properly oversee our brain training. 

Second, we must treat God’s word for what it is—sweet honey, precious stones, pure gold.  I know.  I struggle as well.  But we must commit time every day to reading, listening to and studying the word of God. Under the supervision of the Holy Spirit, it is unparalleled in re-training our brains to think and feel and act like Jesus Himself.  So today, recommit to training your brain.  Do so, and your spirit at least, will fly.