Be A Good Neighbor

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/24q5kv

Have you been a good neighbor lately? Have you taken the time to do something “neighborly”? Has someone shown themselves to be a good neighbor to you lately?

It is so refreshing to be the beneficiary of a good deed. And it is even more satisfying to be the one doing the good deed.

Have you noticed some of the good deeds that neighbors are doing all around us?

· Picking up the newspapers and mail for friends on vacation.

· Stopping to chat while walking around the neighborhood.

· Bringing food for someone who is ill.

· Borrowing a tool or a cup of sugar

· Lending a sympathetic ear for a while.

· Going out of the way to return a lost item.

· Leaving an extra bag of squash on the back porch.

· Drivers waving to one another when meeting on a city street.

Although seemingly insignificant in and of themselves, all of these and many other examples point to a genuine sense of respect and appreciation for one another. True, in some areas one may not find this type of neighborly action between every neighbor. But as a rule, I believe that most people would enjoy having and being neighbors like these. It is just the right thing to do!

The Bible speaks highly of the place of neighbors. In fact, our treatment of neighbors is of principle concern to God. After a scribe asked Jesus about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied in Mark 12:30-31, “…‘you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The scribe replied that “…to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark 12:33.

It isn’t always easy to love our neighbors. From time to time stories appear in the news about feuds that erupted due to neighbors having a dispute over something.

But as we follow the direction that God provides, we become different from others. We become more likeable, even more loveable. After all, if we are to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, lend to those who ask of you and love even your enemies (Matt. 5:38-44) then who wouldn’t want to be our friends?

Paul said to the Romans that “…if there is any other commandment, all are summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Rom. 13:9b-10. And to the Galatians he said, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Gal. 5:14.

To be a good neighbor is not just a noble goal to attain, but it is also what God wants us to be. These passages help us to understand how much importance God places on our actions toward our neighbors.

By showing our love toward our neighbors we also show our love and commitment to God and to Jesus. So, keep up the good work and be on the look out for new opportunities to show yourself to be a good neighbor.

In Our Daily Walk today may we take the time today to seek out our neighbors and thank them for being our friends. And if we don’t know our neighbor, what better time is there than now to go and introduce yourself and begin a long friendship. Being a good neighbor is God’s standard of what we should be.

Our thought for the day: “There’s an ideal height for a backyard fence: just high enough to keep the dogs out but low enough to shake hands over.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

Where Can I Buy Some Wisdom?

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

I have yet to meet the wisest person in the world, but I have certainly met many who easily surpassed me in wisdom. I have listened to a speaker before and became awestruck of his wisdom on the given subject. What did he do to become so wise? Who taught him, or was he just naturally inclined to understand these things? Where can one find what the wise already have? Oh, if we could only just go to the store and buy the amount of wisdom we needed! But, of course, real wisdom is not so easily obtained.

The story of Job shows us various aspects of the wisdom and understanding that man desires to obtain. Chapter 28 of that book shows how man’s ingenuity is unable to grasp wisdom, and his wealth can not purchase understanding.

The chapter begins with an oddly placed description of man’s genius in mining for precious metals and jewels. Unlike the birds of the air that have superior eyesight, or the beasts of the field that have great power, man is able to perceive value within the earth and devises ways of obtaining it.

This is an odd insertion since there is no other mention of mining in the discourses between Job and his friends. However, the point being made is that even though man can tunnel deep within the earth, stop the flow of underground streams, dangle suspended from ropes as they free valuables from the earth, man can not “figure out” wisdom alone.

In verses 12 and 20 one finds similar questions being presented. “But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

If man can not use his own ingenuity to learn wisdom, perhaps he can use his wealth to purchase it. But the second section of this poem laid that hope to rest as well. None of the precious stones or metals can be placed in comparison with wisdom and understanding. They can be obtained, but they are not for purchase.

Job asks in verse 20, “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?” If one can not find wisdom through sifting through the earth nor from purchasing it with valuable items, then where can wisdom be found?

The passage continues saying that wisdom is not found in the land of the living, the deep, or in the sea. Destruction and Death have heard a rumor of wisdom, but they do not possess it. We are left with the conclusion that only in God can man find true wisdom and understanding.

The Lord defines wisdom and understanding as He speaks to man in verse 28 saying, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” That is so simple, yet so many people will never realize the power of that definition. True wisdom comes from God. His ways are always the best ways.

To fully appreciate and understand true wisdom we need to turn away from evil. Many people have tried to be righteous and still follow after the ways of the devil. That is not only hypocritical, but betrays another basic truth from the Bible. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Yes, some people excel in various topics and are even referred to as experts. But in a single glance, God surveys the earth and perfectly fathoms all of the wisdom of the world, while we, as mere mortals, spend a lifetime looking around and scarcely are able to find but only a portion of it. Our “wisdom” pales in comparison to His.

All of man’s advances and intellectual achievements can not provide a full explanation of what we wish to know about God. Neither can our valuables be exchanged for wisdom and understanding. But real wisdom consists of being in a relationship with God where one obeys, submits, worships and serves our Lord, and refrains from evil.

In Our Daily Walk today may we always have an open mind for learning and may we always seek wisdom from God. As we open our Bibles daily, may we anticipate learning something that will equip us for the day’s challenges.

Our thought for the day: “A wise man knows more than he tells, but a fool often tells more than he knows.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

Do You Have An Honest Face?

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

During the 1858 Senate race, Stephen Douglas accused Abraham Lincoln of being two-faced. Quick thinking in his reply, Lincoln said, “If I had another face to wear, do you really think I would be wearing this one?”

While certainly some faces are more “beauty challenged” than others, the charge Douglas was attempting to make was that Honest Abe wasn’t so honest.

Can a person’s honesty be seen in the face? Can you tell just by looking at a person if they are telling the truth or not? Probably not.

Several years ago while living in the Atlanta area my wife went to buy some groceries. When she got ready to write her check, the cashier asked her, “Do you have an Honest Face?” My wife didn’t really know how to react. Of course, she was honest. But what kind of a question is that to ask of a customer?

As it turns out, the Honest Face was a new bank issued card that allowed the stores to know that the person’s checks were good. In that era before ATM machines and computer access to validate balances, the Honest Face system was used to show that the person was trustworthy in that transaction.

But if we can’t really tell honesty by our outward appearance, how can we tell if a person is honest?

Lying is so commonplace in our society that many people lie and don’t give it a second thought. Studies show that cheating and lying are widespread in our schools and universities. Honesty is certainly not the preferred policy in some circles.

Lie detectors are machines that are designed to register variations in a person’s body when a lie is told. But if the person accepts lying as a part of their character, then what variation will be registered? I’ve been in the presence of some people who were extremely convincing in their lies. They lied naturally, that is, the lies became a part of their being.

Listen to Solomon’s wise words in Proverbs 17:4. “An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.” And again in Proverbs 19:22. “What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.” Liars are never good.

But lies are not always found in the words we use. Our actions also give testimony of us. John writes in 1 John 4:20, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” Love God, hate brother = liar.

Friends, our honesty in all aspects of life is essential in our quest to live righteously for God. Yes, we may occasionally miss the mark and lie or deceive, but let us never allow this to be willful or to remain in our lives.

In Revelation 21:8, John places liars in unique and serious company in the following. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Abraham Lincoln was apparently aware that his face was not really attractive. And I love that line he used. “If I had two faces, would I be wearing this one?”

We sometimes are faced with the same question. Which face will I wear today? What attitude will I project on those around me this week? Will I be a hypocrite in my daily life, or will I strive to become more honest and draw the same good from others?

Madame Marie Jeanne Roland is credited with the saying, “If the world despises hypocrites, what must be the estimate of them in heaven?” How true that is! Solomon writes in Proverbs 21:6, “Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.” Lying, deceit and hypocrisy have no place in the Christian life. God raised us up into a new life, free from our old man of sin. Let’s not be tempted to drag out that old face ever again!

In Our Daily Walk today may we realize that others can see us not only for what we are but also for what we are not. May we seek to always live honestly and be known for our honest lives as well as our honest faces.

Our thought for the day: “There are no degrees of honesty; either you are honest or you are not.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

Have You Considered My Servant?

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

In the opening dialog of the Book of Job, God addresses Satan and says, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8) We usually associate Job with patience, but other insights can be understood from this important statement.

First of all, God shows possession of His servant. “Have you considered My servant Job?” This shows that there is a righteous relationship between the two, and God claims Job as His servant. Job knows and worships God (Job 1:5, 20), and God knows and acknowledges Job.

In one aspect, since God created us, we are all God’s children. But there remains a more important relationship with God that, unfortunately, many will never obtain. To become the “children of God” is dependent on one’s acceptance of God’s offer for redemption. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12) Through faith, repentance, confession and baptism, one meets the conditions of the gift of salvation and becomes an adopted child of God through Jesus. (Eph. 1:5) We should all desire to belong to God. After all, we have been “bought at a price.” (1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23)

Next, God shows the characteristics of His servant. “¼(T)here is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man.” These are wonderful accolades to be showered upon anyone. Like the wisdom of Solomon, the righteousness of Job is exhibited here as being without equal in the world. To be certain, Job was not without sin, but blameless and upright. Just as our elders are to be blameless (1 Tim. 3:2), we understand that perfection is not under consideration, but, rather, the direction, aim and actions of a person’s life. Job’s life was exemplary.

Finally, God shows the depth of wisdom in His servant. “¼(O)ne who fears God and shuns evil.” In chapter 28 we find Job pondering the question, “where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12) He concludes that chapter with the declaration from God, “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. And to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28)

Likewise, Solomon ended Ecclesiastes by saying, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” (Eccl. 12:13-14) Wisdom and understanding come from these two elements: 1) fearing/respecting God through obedience, and 2) staying away from evil.

Friends have you ever considered what God might say about us? “Have you considered My servant _____?”

In Our Daily Walk today may we so live that there will never be doubt as to whom our master is, or how we shall live our lives, or where we place our priorities. May we live so God may confidently say that we are, and shall remain, His servants!

Our thought for the day: “The story is told of a certain church in Europe which was bombed out in World War II. In the explosion, a statue of Christ was mutilated by having the hands blown off. The statue has not been restored. It stands there today with the hands missing. But underneath has been put this well-known sentence: “Christ has not hands but yours.”

May God bless you on your daily walk

The Best Seat

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

When we attend certain events we often find ourselves trying to obtain the best seats. Ten rows up on the 50 yard line, courtside at the basketball game, or front row center for our child’s play. But when we come to worship we often do not think in those same terms.

For years I listened as preachers, song leaders and others made requests that people move down closer to the front instead of staying in the balcony or in the rear seats. Especially when the numbers are down, those pleas certainly made sense. When we sit closer together we tend to sing better, fellowship more and also tend to encourage those who lead us.

However, the best seat in worship is not to be found merely in its location, either front row center, or in the very rear of the auditorium. From our human standpoint, the best seat in worship is the one occupied by you, wherever you choose to sit in worship.

Many choose not to attend worship at all. This is a shame. Their seat goes unused. Their worship and praises to God are not given. Blessings that could be theirs go unclaimed.

Of course, to begin with, some have an inaccurate concept of worship to God. If we view this time as anything less than our righteous, humble worship to God, then we will miss the mark for sure.

Some view worship as simply a time to be seen by others. A few may view this time as means of promoting business relationships. Others may view worship as a “must do” activity not unlike punching a time clock at work. When the hour is up, their duty to God is over. And then there are some who may view this time as a means of self-exaltation.

To be certain, attending and participating in worship is better than not worshipping at all. However, our attitudes must also be prepared as we worship.

For example, having a concept of one place being better than another can create an occasion for favoritism or preferential treatment. James discusses this from the perspective of welcoming others in James 2:1-4. “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”

On the other hand, Jesus addresses this from our point of view in Luke 14:8-11 as we humbly consider our position in life. "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Wherever people decide to sit in our worship assemblies, it does not trouble me. I realize that they have made the commitment to come and worship God and I thank God for that commitment. What does trouble me is to realize that others who were capable of attending had made a decision that hour to stay away from the worship assembly.

No, friends, the best seat in the assembly is not up front, nor is it on the back row. The best seat is the one that you occupy when you come to join others in worship!

In Our Daily Walk today may we never forget that God gave us this day as a gift. Let us continually thank Him and let our light shine so as to allow others to see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven!

Our thought for the day: “True worship is not lip service, but life service.”

May God bless you on your daily walk

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007

What A Great Purchase!

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Most people enjoy a good bargain. In fact, around yard sales and auctions people can get pretty caught up in the treasure finding aspect of finding a great deal.

I’ve been pretty fortunate to come across some good buys from time to time, but generally speaking, I’ve never found that elusive “great” bargain.

Recently a man in Nashville walked into a thrift store in town and found a large rolled up document. But it didn’t have a price so he took it to the clerk and asked how much the item cost. The clerk took a pencil and marked $2.48 on the item’s tag and the man bought it.

It turns out that this document is very rare. In fact, it is one of 200 copies of the Declaration of Independence that was commissioned by President John Quincy Adams in 1820. The man who purchased this great find will auction it off in the future and expects to receive between $200,000 and $350,000. Now that’s a great purchase!

Jesus speaks of a great purchase also. In Matthew 13:45-46 He says, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

This parable is told to illustrate the value of the world to God and to Jesus. The merchant mentioned here represents Jesus, who came to earth to be our Savior. As the merchant, Jesus is looking for that pearl of great value which is represented by the people who are to be in the kingdom.

Now, pearls are unique gems in a couple of ways. First of all, they are organically produced. Instead of being made from pressure in the earth like a diamond, they are fashioned by oysters in the sea. Another difference is that while diamonds are made more valuable by being cut and polished by man, the pearl is valuable just the way it is found. To cut a pearl is to decrease its value.

Pearls are also different in that a diamond or other gem might be found much more easily than a pearl. In New Testament days, pearls were found only by diving 30-40 feet to the oyster beds and searching for them there. Only a few pearls were found per thousand oysters, so this job was not only dangerous, but also not very productive. To find a large, perfectly formed pearl under these conditions was a truly great find.

Back to this short parable. The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant, Jesus, seeking beautiful pearls, people. When he finds that great pearl he sells all and buys it.

Jesus gave His life for each of us. John 15:13-14 records Jesus saying, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

Notice the connection between obedience and being a friend of Jesus. Our Savior gave His life, emptied Himself to purchase the church, the body of Christ. What greater price could be paid for you or for me? There is no greater price. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and does not desire any of us to be lost.

God, likewise, is not interested in anyone missing out on heaven. Peter records in 2 Peter 3:9 that “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Both Jesus and God are committed to seeing us saved from destruction.

One of the most famous verses in the Bible also speaks to this and is found in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” And Paul speaks of that ultimate commitment in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

That man who paid under $3 for a document worth $350,000 made a great purchase. His profit is secured.

But God and Jesus made an even greater purchase when they made it possible for you and for me to be freed from our sins and enter the kingdom of heaven. Friends, God and Jesus see a tremendous value in you. Do you see it also?

In Our Daily Walk today may we take a few minutes today to thank God for sending His Son to die for our sins. May we also remind ourselves that our true value can only be found in serving and obeying God.

Our thought for the day: “Win the man, you win the family; Win the family, you win the home; Win the home and you win the community; Win the community and you win the nation.”

May God bless you on your daily walk

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007