Dry Wisdom from the Desert Monks

The Desert Monks were an early Christian movement of monks who sold their possessions, left their towns, and lived alone in the deserts of northern Africa. Their wisdom is still alive today, as related in the following story about the Monk.

A long time ago, a desert hunter could not believe his eyes when he came across a group of hermits spending time together at a nearby oasis. Among them was a monk. The wise monk took his chance meeting and teach a great truth.

The monk told the hunter to put an arrow in his bow and shoot it. The hunter did so. The old man told him to do it again. The hunter obeyed. A third time, the monk asked him to shoot an arrow. The hunter blinked, looked at the others, loaded his bow with another arrow, and shot it high and far.

The monk with a rare grin said, “One more time.”

“But if I bend the bow too much, it’ll wear out and break,” the hunter said.

To this, the monk said, “Same with us. Doing God’s work will wear out even the most dedicated followers. They need a break, like we are taking, and so do you.”

The Desert Monks lived by a belief that all Christians needed a break to practice three things to bring them closer to God: solitude, silence, and prayer.

Solitude: Solitude is not enforced loneliness; it’s getting away just to hang out with God. Try carving out some time each day to be alone with God.

Silence: Silence provides mental space for the Holy Spirit to speak and work in our lives ­– no radios, no television, no phones, no background noises to drown out His voice. Try things like reading the Bible in silence, journaling or mentally reflecting on what God says to you.

Prayer: Prayer is not only talking with God, but listening to Him. Allow the practices of solitude and silence to help you in your prayer life.

Christians need to take time off from active ministry every now and then to recharge their spiritual batteries. Use solitude, silence, and prayer to keep your life plugged into the “recharger” – God.

Day 1: Future Generation as an effective witness

Formerly Blind Leading the Blind

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… For I have not come to call the righteous but the sinner. Matthew 9:13-13

An eye surgeon who went to China as a missionary, began preaching in one of China’s hospital. One of the first surgeries he performed was on a man who had been nearly blinded by cataracts. The operation was successful and the man recovered his eyesight.

A few weeks later, this missionary was greatly surprised when 48 blind men showed up on his hospital’s doorstep. These blind men had walked more than 250 miles from a remote area in China to get into the hospital, in order that they might get their sight restored. They had traveled the entire distance holding on to a rope that kept them together. And guess who had held the front end of the rope and led them all the way? It was the man who had his eyesight restored by the missionary surgeon.

Application:

We have been freed from the guilt of sin, and have our “eyes opened.” Are you leading others to same “Great Physician” Jesus Christ? Are you an effective witness? If not, start being a witness today and share what Jesus has done in your life.

Is Salvation Enough?

Why is it that so many people who know Jesus as their personal Savior live as they do not know Him? Unfortunately it is not uncommon to encounter fellow believer whose life is consumed by jealousy, anger, bitterness, or depression. Despite his or her decision to follow Christ, evidence of sin and disobedience indicates the lack of a growing relationship with God.

This brings us to the question, “Is salvation enough?” With your decision to accept Christ you are guaranteed eternal life in heaven. Yet, what does salvation mean for us in our lives on earth?

Paul provides valuable insights in his letter to the Colossians. He writes, “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk with Him” (2:6). Walking with Christ requires a second commitment following your decision to accept salvation. You must choose to submit to His lordship over your life.

Contrary to salvation, submitting to Christ leadership is not a one-time decision. It involves laying your life completely before Him every day.

Is there an emotion, a habit, or an area of your life labeled with a “Keep Out” sign? Do not be afraid to allow God inside. He is the divine creator and Lord of the universe. Will you trust Him to be the Lord of your life? No problem is too large or too small for His concern.

Day 2: Future Generation as Leader of Leaders

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you. Titus 2:7-8

General Eiwson Hower demonstrates the art of leadership with a peace of string. He put it on a table and say: “pull it and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it and it will go nowhere at all.” It’s just that way when it comes to leading people. They need to follow a person who is leading by example.

John Maxwell: “The most important ingredient of leadership is integrity.”

Importance of Integrity:

Ø It builds trust.

Ø It has high influence value.

Ø It facilitates high standards

Ø It results in a solid reputation, not just image.

Ø It means living it myself before leading others.

Ø It helps a leader be credible, not just clever.

Ø It is a hard-won achievement.

Application:

God has put people in our lives, because He trusts us to lead this people in the way that pleases Him. Are we doing the task that God entrusted to us?

Day 3: Future Generation as Conqueror

The Giant Killer

Then David said to the Philistine… “You come to me with a sword and spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts… this day the Lord will deliver you into my hands… and all the earth will know there is a God in Israel” 1 Samuel 17-45-46

David began with one simple but mighty act. He loved God. This was where his faith born – in love for the one who gave him life. Nothing was more important to David than his relationship with God. As a young man, when he faced Goliath, he realized it was his faith that was on trial. Goliath had the ability to crush him; in spite of this David was not overwhelmed by his opponent. David proclaimed his faith in God, and this was where he gained victory.

You may be facing a Goliath in your own life. Feelings of doubt chew at your thoughts and lately you wonder how you will be able to face the challenge. God is close to you, and He will not abandon you.

If David listened to his brothers’ doubting words, he would have suffered defeat. Instead, he put his hope in God.

God has victory in mind for your life. Remember, the true nature of battle is spiritual. The enemy of your soul has one goal and that is to discourage you. Satan wanted to defeat and discourage Israel. However, God trained and raised up a mighty warrior in David, and this is exactly what He want to do in your life. He wants to train you for battle and for the victory!

What was the motivation of David?

Why is He so confident to win regardless of what he has?

Can we see ourselves like David… The Giant Killer?

• Giant killers are NOT OVERWHELMED by the challenge.
• Giant killers FACE the challenge with higher purpose.
• Giant killers are EAGER to win.

Application:

What giants are you facing today? What will be your initial steps to conquer those giants?

The Faith That Conquers

Whatever Goliath you face, the one truth you need to bury deep within your heart is this: God loves you, and when you place your trust in Him, He will not allow you to face defeat. You may go through times of failure. Life may not always turn out the way you planned, but, ultimately, God will be glorified, and you will be blessed.

Every challenge presents an opportunity for God to display His faithfulness and love. Instead of yielding to thoughts of fear and failure, make a commitment to trust God, even when you do not know what the next day will bring. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6)

David’s faith was not based on human understanding. It was founded in the sovereignty of God. Therefore, David knew he could not fail in his quest to defeat the Philistine giants.

How do you gain a conquering faith?

Recall past victories. David recalled how God had delivered him from paw of the lion and grasp of the bear (1Samuel 17:32-37). Spiritual victories are won in your mind. If you cave into feelings of fear, doubt, and misbelieve, you will suffer defeat, because your mental focus shifts from God and His infinite ability to the lies of the enemy. Set focus of your heart, mind, will, and emotions on the truth of God’s Word, and you will gain the victory in every battle.

Reexamine and reaffirm your motives. David did not rush into the battle without assessing the situation. He realized that the battle facing Israel was spiritual in nature not just physical. His primary motivation for seeking the victory was not personal gain. Instead, it was to bring glory to God

If your motives for victory are selfish in nature, God will deal with you. True victory comes as you surrender your life along with your desires, to Christ. Always ask three questions before dealing with any conflict or challenge: “What is my motivation? “What is God’s purpose for me?” and “What really is going on here?”

Reject discouraging words. There was no one to encourage David in his quest to defeat Goliath. The soldiers laughed at him. His brothers were embarrassed by his presence and urged him to go home. Even King Saul doubted David’s ability.

If he had listened to their comments, he would have given up, but he didn’t. He turned his heart toward God, and it was there that he found the encouragement.

Recognize the true nature of the battle. Goliath cursed David when he saw him. “Am I a dog, that you come to with sticks?... Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beast of the field” (1Samuel 17:43-44). David countered these threats with a wonderful reply: “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted… the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hands” (vv45-47). What a victorious to say “God Wins!”

Respond to the challenge with a positive confession. David made a positive confession of faith to those around him. He told the men who criticized, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” To Saul he said, “the Lord who delivered me…will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.” And to Goliath he said, “ I come to you in the name of the Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel.” David’s words were a testimony of faith. He was convinced that he could not lose because God was with him.

Rely on the power of God for the victory. David did not need spear or a javelin to defeat Goliath. All he needed was his faith. A homemade slingshot was the weapon God choose for him. Human strength was not the victor here. God was the one who received the glory.

Reckon the victory. Even before he stepped onto battlefield, David knew he would not lose. You can face any circumstance with confidence and hope, because it is not your strength, wisdom, energy, or power that is the ultimate source of victory. It is God’s ability, and when you place your trust in Him, you tap into an eternal force that cannot be harnessed by any human constraints.

Meet Your Commander N’ Chief

How do we strengthen our character? What methods should we utilize in order to be men and women of integrity? There are few answers as fitting as this: become acquainted with Jesus Christ.

It is wonderful for us to understand and embrace doctrines of faith, grace, justification, and sanctification. They all provide strength to resist sin and a steady arm to help us back up when we fall. But it is much, much better to be familiar with Jesus Christ Himself, to see His face, and to catch a glimpse of His splendor. This, according the J.C. Ryle, “is one secret of eminent holiness.” If we wish to become stronger in resisting sin, what better way than to study Him “who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15)?

Here we are, lacking in strength, courage, and patience. Lacking the power to stand, to move forward, and to make a difference in our evil world. We find it so easy to conform to this world and so very difficult to go against the flow. We seem to fall back two steps for every one step we take forward and all our “firm” resolutions turn out short-lived and useless.

This is the beauty of Christ’s sufficiency! In Christ alone “all fullness dwells” (Col. 1:19)—in Him alone do we find all that we need to successfully combat sin. We are strong Christians only in proportion as we lean on Him. It is only when we stop hoping in our own strength and place all our confidence in Christ that we will accomplish great things.

To know Christ and the power of His resurrection is the true secret of spiritual strength. Then only are we armed for life’s battles. Then only are we ready to journey through life, and move forward. Then only will we overcome the world and cause change. “I can do all things,” says Paul, “through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

Our own weakness highlights the power of Christ to strengthen our will! He promises “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) Let us, as the Apostle Paul did, boast all the more gladly in our weaknesses so that the power of Christ might rest on us.

With this in mind what better way is there to fortify our character than to dwell on Jesus Christ? Yet how do we do that? Here are two ways:

1.) Read the Gospels: It would be so beneficial if Christians studied the four Gospels more than they do. Of course, all Scripture is profitable (2 Tim. 3:16), and I don’t mean to esteem the Gospels at the expense of other sections of Scripture. But it would be good for those who are very familiar with the Epistles to become more acquainted with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Why do I say this? Simply, because the Gospels were written that we might familiarize ourselves with Christ. Think about it for a minute, the Holy Spirit has told and retold the story of His life and death, the things that He said and the things that He did, four times over. Four different witnesses have drawn a picture of our Savior and our Helper. Four different inspired hands have communicated to us His ways, His manners, His feelings, His grace, His patience, His wisdom, His love, and His power. How can we ignore such an open invitation to study and internalize these attributes and qualities?

2.) Talk With Him: How many of us wonder that our relationship with Christ isn’t strong when we neglect to invest the time and effort necessary to any friendship? I would challenge you, pick your closest human friend and then imagine what would happen if you invested the same amount of time and effort into that relationship as you do in your relationship with Christ. Would you be just as close? Closer? Or would you barely see each other, barely talk to each other, and barely care that you weren’t? Think of it this way: closeness with Christ will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from getting close to Christ. You decide.

I would encourage you, don’t hesitate to run to Christ this day. He is “a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24), who understands your weaknesses and turns them into strengths. We must be consumed with Christ or we will be consumed with this world and by this world.

Why does God demand sexual purity?

Answer:God isn’t demanding sexual purity because he’s mean and doesn’t want us to have fun. He created sex and wants you to enjoy it at its best. And His best plan is for sex to be enjoyed in marriage, by one man and one woman who have made a commitment to love each other.

Here’s a thought: magsusuot ka ba ng damit na matagal nang hindi nalalabhan or would you prefer yung bagong bili or bagong laba? Siyempre, yung bago!

As with God, He wants us to have the best not second best… ok? Iba si Lord. He loved us so much He died on the cross for us to enjoy purity sa future relationship natin with the opposite sex and especially with Him.

What Does Eternal Life Mean?

There are some events in life that seem to go on forever: the half hour before the end of school each day (especially the last day of school), or the speech you have to make in front of the whole class, or the family dinner that takes so long for everyone to finish when you're waiting to eat dessert. And there are some unbelievable moments—when you finally learn to snowboard or win the game for your team or get a hug from someone you love—that you wish would last forever. While none of these events actually lasts forever, eternal life does. It wouldn't be called eternal if it didn't.

Jesus said, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). This never-ending life is promised to those who believe in Jesus. "But how can this be?" you might ask. "After all, everyone will die at some point." True. But death isn't the end of the story. Jesus promised that someday we'll live forever with him. That means we'll live again after we die.

As a promise that this will happen, we have the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his followers that the Holy Spirit would come and make his home within every person who believes in Jesus. (Don't just take my word for it. Read John 14:15-17, 26.) We're told about the guarantee in Ephesians 1:14. "The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised." That inheritance, which we will receive as God's children, is eternal life.

Eternal life is more than an existence that never ends. It's a quality life that's filled with joy.

In the Star Trek movie Generations, Guinan tells Captain Picard about a place called the Nexus. She describes it this way: "It was like being inside joy, as if joy was something tangible and you could wrap yourself up in it like a blanket."

I don't believe in the Nexus. But I do believe in the new heavens and the New Earth. What will it be like there? Like "being inside joy, as if joy were something tangible and you could wrap yourself up in it like a blanket."