PATHWAYMAGAZINE

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF LIONS II MAR Page 6 APR 2018 AMERICA’S COMING STORM PTV.ORG Page 12 THE MOST AMAZING PROPHECY IN THE BIBLE Page 16 JESUS: MAN, MYTH, OR MESSIAH? Page 20 DEVOTIONALS Page 24 courageous living in a pagan world

DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS “The most important task a parent or grandparent has is to lead their child or grandchild to faith in Jesus Christ.” Visit ptv.org/thegift to request your copy today WELCOME TO PATHWAY MAGAZINE

In this issue of Pathway Magazine, we are going to take an in depth look at the life and book of a faithful man, Daniel. Daniel's life in Babylon isn’t all that different from ours today. Daniel was taken to a foreign country with foreign gods and told to conform, but he didn’t. He chose to follow God. His example is one we should follow.

As believers in Christ, we are aliens and strangers in this world. Our citizenship is in Heaven, but we are called to be faithful here for as long as the Lord gives us. The book of Daniel should fill us with a sense of urgency to share the gospel, for in this book, we see what God has in store for the end of days.

I hope Daniel’s life will encourage and embolden you to live courageously and faithfully.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Jeffress

4 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 STAFF TABLE OF CONTENTS

Nate Curtis OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF LIONS 6 Editor-in-Chief LISTENER AND VIEWER TESTIMONIES 10 Ginny Lauren Hulette Managing Editor AMERICA’S COMING STORM 12 Patrick Heatherington THE MOST AMAZING PROPHECY IN THE BIBLE 16 Director of Marketing & Operations JESUS: MAN, MYTH, OR MESSIAH? 20

Derrick Jeter DAILY DEVOTIONALS 24 Writer Jennifer Stair CONNECT WITH US Writer Joseph Sneed TELEVISION Writer • TBN Saturdays 9:30p Central | Sundays 1p Central Kariss Lynch • TCT Writer Sundays 9a Central • DAYSTAR Vickie Sterling Sundays 5p Central | Fridays 9p Central Digital Producer Visit ptv.org/station-locator/ to find a station near you. Victoria Manley Customer Service RADIO Lana Couch • American Family Radio Network • Bott Radio Network | 12p Central Donor Care Associate • Christian Satellite Network (CSN) Shea Lowery • Salem Media Group Donor Care Associate • Sirius XM Family Talk | 4:30p Central Visit ptv.org/station-locator/ to find a station Darren Starr near you. Digital Editor DIGITAL Dian Williams • Facebook: @drjeffress Administrator • Twitter: @robertjeffress • Apple/Android/Windows Apps Michael Baker • ptv.org Logistics Coordinator • Podcast • Oneplace.com Abigail Miller • Apple TV Social Media Coordinator • iCampus.firstdallas.org

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 5 OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF LIONS Excerpted from dr. robert jeffress' series, courageous living in a pagan world: a study of the book of daniel

6 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 eter Cartwright was a But in chapter six, instead of preacher in the 1800s. deposing Daniel along with the Legend says that before outgoing king, Darius recognized one sermon, an associate Daniel’s courageous spirit. What set Pwarned him that General Andrew Daniel apart? Jackson (later, President Jackson) DILIGENCE was in attendance. Because he was a captive from To his shock, Cartwright loudly Judah, Daniel was a slave to the responded, “Who is General Babylonian kings. But instead of Jackson? If he does not repent of growing bitter, he chose to serve his sins and become converted, he them faithfully for many years. will go to hell like anyone else.” Part of his faithfulness involved

COURAGE IS DOING WHAT IS RIGHT WITHOUT REGARD FOR CONSEQUENCES.

The congregation gasped, expecting speaking hard truths to his masters, Jackson to challenge Cartwright to trusting God with the results. a duel. However, after the service, General Jackson congratulated When Persia conquered Babylon, Cartwright on his courage.1 the new king Darius recognized Daniel’s skill, diligence, and Courage is doing what is right courage, and appointed him without regard for consequences. commissioner over one-third of his The book of Daniel is a primer on empire (6:2). Daniel continued to courage, with chapter six giving work diligently for his new boss. the prime example. Let’s examine Eventually, Darius planned to place this chapter to see how to be Daniel over his entire empire (6:3). courageous in our own lives. Working faithfully for a long time Courage at Work at something worthwhile will always bring a harvest—although In Daniel 5:31, Darius, the leader not always when we want. God of the Medo-Persian Empire, rewards in His timing. conquered Babylon, just as Daniel had predicted.

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 7 DANIEL’S PRAYER LIFE GAVE HIM THE COURAGE TO GO INTO THAT DEN OF LIONS. IT REMINDED HIM THAT ALL THAT REALLY MATTERED IS WHAT GOD THINKS.

However, when promotions and obedience to Jehovah illegal (6:5). payoffs do come, so does jealousy But they did so under the guise of and attacks from unprincipled patriotism (6:6–8). They proposed people. You need character to stand a decree to King Darius that would firm. forbid prayer to anyone except CHARACTER the king for 30 days. This played upon the king’s ego, as well as his Some of the other bureaucrats pragmatism. So Darius signed the (called satraps) had been passed injunction, “according to the law of over for promotion and became the Medes and Persians, which may jealous of Daniel. So, they not be revoked” (6:8). Not even the conspired to catch him in some king could change this law. scandal (Daniel 6:4). However, Daniel was godly. He was not How did Daniel respond? perfect, but there was nothing in BOLDNESS his life to disqualify him from his work. When Daniel heard the news, he prayed with the windows open, as Courage in Public always (6:10). He changed nothing in his routine. He was not about Since the satraps could find nothing to waiver in his devotion to the wrong with Daniel’s professional Eternal King because of some life, they turned instead to his temporary ruler. faith. They conspired to make

8 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 DISCIPLINE 27:59–60, 65–66). And just as For many years, Daniel had God delivered Jesus alive from the prayed three times a day to God. tomb, He did so for Daniel (Daniel Daniel understood the critical 6:21–23)! In a sense, Daniel was principle of carving out time for brought back from the dead. communication with the Lord. We will most likely never be thrown CONSISTENCY into a pit full of starving lions. But Daniel did not develop a prayer we can learn several principles on life the moment trouble arose. He how to face adversity from Daniel’s had nurtured it for decades. It takes example. 100 years to grow a redwood—it REFUSE TO BE PARALYZED BY FEAR takes 6 months to grow a squash. When Satan throws his flaming To withstand the storms of life, arrow of fear, block it with faith develop the life-long discipline of (Ephesians 6:16). God may not prayer. deliver you from death, but your Courage in Storms Heavenly Father will accomplish His perfect purpose in your life and When Daniel’s enemies discovered He will bring you safely home. that he had broken the law by praying to God, they gleefully KEEP A CLEAR CONSCIENCE reported the news to Darius Obeying God as best you can (6:11–13). The king realized that in every area of life gives you he had been tricked, but too late. incredible courage to face adversity. But before he had Daniel thrown Suffering for your own sins brings into a den of lions as punishment, no reward, and it saps your strength he told him, “Your God whom you (1 Peter 2:20). constantly serve will Himself deliver REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH GOD you” (6:16). Through Daniel’s godly witness over many years, he Daniel’s prayer life gave him the had impacted the most powerful courage to go into that den of lions. man in the world. It reminded him that all that really matters is what God thinks. This The lion’s den was Daniel’s tomb. attitude will give you the same A stone was rolled over its entrance, courage to face the lions in your and a royal seal was placed on the life, as well as the courage to speak stone so that no one would remove as boldly as a lion in a pagan world. it (6:17). A similar fate happened 1. M.H. Chamberlin, “Rev. Peter Cartwright, D.D.,” Illinois to Jesus, many years later (Matthew State Historical Society, Volume 7, (Springfield, IL: Phillips Brothers, State Printers. 1902), page 54.

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 9 LISTENER AND VIEWER TESTIMONIES

Anne from Florida read Dr. Jeffress’ She uses what she learns from the book, A Place Called Heaven, program to help teach her Sunday and she said the message of hope school class. She says: found in the book inspired her to “I have learned so much from your share the gospel with others. She teaching and I use what I learn says: when I teach my Sunday school “It is very easy to become a ‘tired’ class. In fact, at our last fellowship believer and let that feeling of gathering I served communion tiredness rule your life. But after because I remembered during your I read your book, A Place Called lesson on the Lord's Supper that it Heaven, I made it my goal to speak does not say anywhere in the Bible to other people about the hope we that a woman could not serve have only in Jesus. communion. It was a very special time for the ladies in our class and I feel like you have given me many thanked me for doing it. I encouragement to fight the good cannot thank you enough for helping fight. me personally become more rooted I believe that good fight—that in God’s Word and equipping me to experience of sharing the gospel share it with others.” message—is the spark tired believers ken from oklahoma shared this need to escape the weariness. And moving story of his daughter so I gave your book to a friend of Kaylen’s road to salvation after mine and now she is using it to help reading Dr. Jeffress’ book,The others!” Gift: The Gospel For Children, and Karen from Georgia found out the impact it has had on both their about the daily radio broadcast lives. He says: of Pathway to Victory from a co- “Just a few weeks prior to the worker, and now Karen listens to announcement that my wife and I Pathway to Victory on her way to were separating, my friend gave my work each day.

10 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 daughter, Kaylen, a copy of the book, again, we turned back to The Gift. The Gift, by Dr. Robert Jeffress. She said, after a moment of intense thought, ‘Well, why wouldn’t anyone My friend said he was inspired by want to have Jesus live in their the Holy Spirit to share The Gift heart?’ with us and help myself and my daughter turn to the Cross and Jesus Kaylen turned to me and said, ‘I for guidance. would like to become saved, Dad.’ We spoke about that for a minute I turned back to the path that I just to make sure that she in fact for so long had neglected to follow. knew exactly what it meant. And Kaylen and I began attending using the words from The Gift church, praying, and reading the still flowing through her mind, she Bible. We both were intensely prayed the prayer of salvation. affected by how, even in the darkest I know that every parent believes times, God was moving in our lives their child is particularly and guiding us. extraordinary, but honestly this was As I was being renewed by Jesus’ the best prayer of salvation I have love, my daughter was watching. As ever heard any person or even a the Lord was providing the calm in pastor say. She had asked to say it the storm, my daughter was finding out loud, and had said it with such peace. And as she saw her dad in a genuine meaning and feeling that church, and then her grandparents it came directly from her heart.” following, she started herself affecting lives around her with her innocent but passionate faith in Him. SHARE YOUR STORY One evening, Kaylen and I read The Visit ptv.org today and Gift together and I noticed her mind was racing. After coming home from share your story of how church the following day, she began Pathway to Victory has asking questions about salvation and impacted your life.

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 11 AMERICA’SAMERICA’S COMINGCOMING STORMSTORM DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS

Last year, America was struck by predictions to know how we should three devastating hurricanes— prepare for the coming future storm Harvey, Irma, and Maria—one today. right after the other. Because of modern meteorology, we knew Past “Monster Storms” these monsters were coming well in In Daniel chapter 7, God used advance. However, despite all the terrifying creatures to represent warning signs, many people were kingdoms that would conquer Israel still caught unprepared. (7:15–17). And just like hurricanes, these monsters came from a stormy Daniel chapter 7 predicts another sea (7:2–3). In the Bible, turbulent super-storm. It will be catastrophic, oceans represent Gentile nations, but it should come as no surprise. fighting amongst themselves. Out In a way, Daniel was a spiritual of this strife, beasts arose: Babylon meteorologist. He gazed down the as a winged lion (7:4), Medo-Persia corridor of history and predicted as a lopsided bear (7:5), Greece as a the rise and fall of many nations, four-headed, four-winged leopard as well as the coming of the (7:6), and Rome as a ten-horned, Messiah. Let’s examine Daniel’s past iron-toothed monster (7:7).

12 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 I LOVE AMERICA AND AM THANKFUL FOR OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE. HOWEVER, I PREDICT A DAY IS COMING WHEN WE WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN OBEYING OUR AMERICA’S GOVERNMENT AND OBEYING GOD.

Daniel was 100% correct in his Spirit inspired both books. They fit predictions. The first three came— beautifully together. Both describe one right after the other. However, the beast (Rome) as coming out of COMING chapter 7 of Daniel focuses on a the sea with 10 horns (Daniel 7:7; fourth beast: Rome. Revelation 13:1; 17:3, 7). Both inform us that the horns represent Rome conquered Jerusalem in 63 rulers (Daniel 7:24; Revelation BC and was itself conquered in 17:12). Both describe another AD 1453. But it did not die. We ruler who will arise and will receive STORM see vestiges of Roman influence power from the first 10 (Daniel 7:8, in our laws, in our alphabet, and 24; Revelation 17:13). even in many of the words we use today. And the Bible tells us that Both describe how this new ruler this dormant empire will one day will try to change God’s laws and fully come back to life, but in a will speak blasphemies against God different form (Revelation 13:3, (Daniel 7:8, 11, 20, 25; Revelation 12, 14; 17:8–11). The storm that 13:5–6; 17:3). Both visions inform once overtook Israel will eventually us that this final ruler will persecute engulf the world (Daniel 7:23; God’s people for three and a half Revelation 13:7–8). Daniel paints years (Daniel 7:21, 25; Revelation a detailed picture of this revived 13:5–10; 17:6–7). empire. But another book of the Bible gives even more detail: the Both inform us that this final ruler book of Revelation. By looking at will be eternally destroyed (Daniel these two visions together we gain 7:11, 22, 26; Revelation 17:8, 11, a clear image of the future coming 14; 19:20; 20:10). And both tell tsunami. us that God’s people will rule with the Messiah forever after the ruler’s Detailed Forecast destruction (Daniel 7:13–14, 18, 22, 27; Revelation 17:14; 20:4–6; Daniel was written 600 years 21:7; 22:3–5). before Revelation, but the Holy

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 13 Who will this final ruler be? The How to Prepare for the Storm Antichrist. Let’s look to Daniel I love America and am thankful for 7:25 for a description of what this our Christian heritage. However, worldwide dictator will do: I predict a day is coming when HE WILL SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE MOST we will have to choose between HIGH obeying our government and We in the United States have a hard obeying God. Here is how we must time imagining a political leader prepare: blaspheming the name of God. But RESOLVE TO OBEY GOD OVER remember, when someone speaks GOVERNMENT out against God’s Law, they are When our government makes speaking against God Himself. laws that do not contradict those HE WILL WEAR DOWN THE SAINTS of Almighty God, we must obey those laws. However, if they The Antichrist is going to launch enact legislation at odds with an unprecedented attack against God’s commands, we must follow God’s people—both Jews and those God. We need to teach this to who become Christians during the our children, because the time is Great Tribulation (that seven-year coming when we will have to make period after the Rapture, but before that choice. Christ returns). He will restrict free speech, freedom of worship, and PUSH BACK AGAINST THE RISING TIDE the ability to buy and sell unless When the Antichrist comes, he a person takes the mark of the will not make radical changes. beast on their bodies (Revelation People would not stand for it. And 13:15–17). yet, Revelation 6 states that the HE WILL ALTER THE TIMES AND THE Antichrist will take over power LAWS without a fight. The only way that The Antichrist will try to change happens is if God’s Law, and our what God has established in His personal freedoms, are eroded. And Word. We see examples of this that is why Christians must push happening already. God says, “You back against the lawlessness that is shall not murder.” Yet our laws say paving the way for the final global it’s okay to murder children in the dictator. We do that by voting, by womb. And a few years ago, former running for office, by evangelizing, President Obama cast aside God’s by discipleship, and by prayer. moral law and embraced same-sex When Christ raptures us home, we marriage. want Him to find us faithful.

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PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 15 The Most Amazing Prophecy in the Bible

DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS Have you ever asked someone for Jeremiah’s prophecy, Daniel realized one thing, and instead received that Israel’s exile would last 70 years something completely different— (Jeremiah 25:11–12). Daniel made and better—instead? this discovery in 539 BC when only three years of captivity remained. Well, this happened to Daniel. He asked God for mercy for Israel, But Daniel also knew that Israel and instead received God’s detailed was still wicked. So, in Daniel plan to redeem the world. Let’s 9:3–19, he asked God to forgive look at Daniel 9 to see this amazing them so they could return to the prophecy and what it means for us. land. God did so … and so much more. Let’s look at the amazing The Setting promise God gave in response to In Daniel 9:2, we find Daniel Daniel’s prayer. reading from the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah had been written less than The Countdown a century before, but Daniel already God told Daniel, “Seventy weeks recognized it as Scripture. From have been decreed for your people

16 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 and your holy city” (9:24). The God’s Stopwatch word translated “weeks” actually And God told Daniel when He means “sevens.” Literally, God would begin His 490-year program: decreed seventy “sevens” for “So you are to know and discern Daniel’s people (the Jews) and city that from the issuing of a decree to (Jerusalem). So, what does that restore and rebuild Jerusalem until mean? Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks” Well, 70 x 7 = 490. God had (9:25). declared 490 “somethings” for Israel. From the context, we can We know that King Artaxerxes tell that the “somethings” are years. issued that exact decree in 444 BC1 God had decreed 490 years to (Nehemiah 2:1–8). It then took accomplish His mission. seven “weeks” of years (49 years) to rebuild Jerusalem, and then 62 The Mission “weeks” of years (434 years) until Specifically, God would accomplish Messiah the Prince came. That leads six things (Daniel 9:24): to a grand total of 483 years. So, 483 years from 444 BC (using the Finish the transgression. God will Hebrew length of years)2 comes to end Israel’s unbelief and apostasy. AD 33. Make an end of sin. He will end That is the exact year—and time the Jewish sacrificial system. of year—that Jesus made His Make atonement for iniquity. He triumphal entry into Jerusalem! will pay for sins with the sacrifice Isn’t that incredible! The fact that of the Messiah. Daniel wrote 100 years before the Bring in everlasting righteousness. decree was given, and 550 years He will set up the Messiah’s before Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, everlasting kingdom. displays the supernatural origin of his prophecy. Seal up vision and prophecy. He will fulfill all visions and Mind the Gap prophecies. But there’s more. Daniel also foresaw that Israel would reject Anoint the most holy place. He will their Messiah. When that rejection anoint the Messiah to minister occurred, God pressed “stop” on from the Temple in Jerusalem. His prophecy stopwatch. This

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 17 created an interval of time between more, beginning Israel’s final seven the first 483 years, and the final years. seven years of God’s program for Israel. During this gap, two things During that final seven years—a would happen (Daniel 9:26): period the Bible calls “The Great Tribulation”—God will pour out THE MESSIAH WILL BE CUT OFF His wrath upon unbelieving Israel Over 550 years before the fact, as well as upon the world (9:27). Daniel saw that the Messiah—the But God’s goal in pouring out His Son of God—would be killed like a wrath is to bring about repentance. criminal. That happened a few days after Jesus entered Jerusalem. Our Takeaways THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCE WHO IS TO There are two principles we can COME WILL DESTROY THE CITY AND THE learn from Daniel 9: SANCTUARY GOD HAS A PLAN Who is the Prince to come? The God has a plan for His people Antichrist. But it will not be he Israel. And that plan is big enough who destroys the city. It will be to include their rejection of the the people of the Prince. In the Messiah. God also has a plan for previous article, I mentioned how you, a plan which is big enough to the Antichrist will arise from a include your sins. revived Roman Empire. Therefore, the people of the Prince who is GOD HAS A TIMETABLE to come are the Romans. And God established 490 years for they destroyed Jerusalem in AD Israel. But after 483 years, He hit 70—37 years after Jesus was killed. that pause button … for 2,000 These events created a gap of time. years! But God hasn’t forgotten His And this gap has now extended to promise. At just the right time, He almost 2,000 years. will finish His plan. And He will do the same for you. We are living in the gap, which 1. Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of is sometimes called “The Church Christ (Grand Rapids: Academic Books, 1977), 138–139. Age.” God has taken a break from These dates reflect the most recent scholarship. Some older calculations placed the dates of the beginning and ending of this His dealings with Israel to bring prophecy at 445 BC and AD 32. salvation to the Gentiles. This gap 2. Robert Anderson, The Coming Prince, (London: Hadler and will end when God raptures the Staughton, 1881), 107–110, 112–113. Church to Heaven. Then, God will press His stop-watch button once

18 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 Just in time for Easter

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PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 19 Jesus Man, Myth, or Messiah? BY DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS

20 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 his time of year, many “I and the Father are one.” television specials and news articles speculate about Second, Jesus claimed to forgive Tthe real Jesus. Interestingly, most sins. No other religious leader credible historians agree that Jesus claimed the ability to forgive sins. lived. Most religions believe that Buddha said, “There are no living Jesus was a great teacher. And even beings to whom the Lord Buddha secularists concede that Jesus was a can bring salvation.” But in Mark moral person. 2, Jesus said to a paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (2:5). The But Jesus claimed to be more than religious leaders were astounded. those things. If Jesus was really who “Who can forgive sins but God He claimed to be—not just a man, alone?” (2:7). To prove He had not a myth, but the Messiah—then the power to forgive sins, Jesus that has tremendous implications performed a miracle. “He said to for us today. the paralytic, ‘I say to you, get up,

JESUS IS DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADER WHO HAS EVER LIVED, BECAUSE HE MADE UNIQUE CLAIMS THAT NO OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADER MADE.

Jesus: His Unique Claims pick up your pallet and go home.’ Jesus is different than any other And he got up and immediately religious leader who has ever lived, picked up the pallet and went out” because He made unique claims (2:10–12). that no other religious leader made. Third, Jesus claimed to conquer First, Jesus claimed to be God. No death. Matthew 16:21 says, “Jesus other founder of a major religion began to show His disciples that claimed to be God. Muhammad He must go to Jerusalem, and said, “Surely I am no more than a suffer many things from the elders human apostle.” Moses, Confucius, and chief priests and scribes, and and Buddha said they were pointing be killed, and be raised up on the people to God. But Jesus said He third day.” No other religious leader was God. In John 14:9, Jesus said, has an empty tomb. Confucius, “He who has seen Me has seen the Buddha, Muhammad—none of Father.” In John 10:30, Jesus said, them rose from the dead. Only

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 21 Jesus claimed He would conquer 7:13–14, Jesus said, “Enter through death. And because He did conquer the narrow gate; for the gate is wide death, those who believe in Him and the way is broad that leads to will as well. destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate Fourth, Jesus claimed He would is small and the way is narrow that return to judge the world. No other leads to life, and there are few who religious leader claimed that. But find it.” Jesus said there are two in Matthew 25:31–34, Jesus said, roads that lead to two destinations, “When the Son of Man comes and the majority of people are on in His glory, and all the angels the way to Hell. with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations Third, Jesus offers an exclusive will be gathered before Him; and way to Heaven. Jesus said in John . . . He will put the sheep on His 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, right, and the goats on the left. and the life; no one comes to the Then the King will say to those Father but through Me.” No matter on His right, ‘Come, you who are how sincerely people follow other blessed of My Father, inherit the religions, Jesus said there is only one kingdom prepared for you from the way to go to Heaven, and that is foundation of the world.’” through faith in Him.

Jesus: His Unique Teachings Jesus: His Unique Solution If Jesus Christ is in fact the Messiah, What makes Jesus different than then everything He said is true— every other religious leader? He and we had better pay attention. offers a unique solution to our What did Jesus teach that is unique? deepest dilemma.

First, Jesus taught there are two Almost all major world religions possible eternal destinations. Jesus say that man is flawed. But most said some will go to Heaven, religions say the problem is and some will go to Hell. In selfishness and the solution begins Matthew 25:46, Jesus said that with man. Eastern religions like the unrighteous “will go away Buddhism and Hinduism say that into eternal punishment, but the meditation is the answer. And righteous into eternal life.” though Judaism and Islam are different, they both say the way to Second, and more disturbingly, get right with God is by keeping Jesus taught that most people will rules to earn God’s forgiveness. spend eternity in Hell. In Matthew

22 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 No other religious leader has an empty tomb. Confucius, Buddha, Muhammad—none of them rose from the dead. Only Jesus claimed He would conquer death.

But Christianity says our dilemma is Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “By grace you much more serious than selfishness. have been saved through faith; and Our problem is sin. Romans 3:23 that not of yourselves, it is the gift says, “All have sinned and fall short of God; not as a result of works, of the glory of God.” Not only that, so that no one may boast.” Several Romans 6:23 says we deserve eternal years ago, there was a conference in separation from God. Great Britain about world religions. One afternoon, some leading Some people want to earn God’s scholars were in a heated debate forgiveness, but God requires when C. S. Lewis walked into 100% obedience. James said, the room. He asked, “What’s the “Whoever keeps the whole law and rumpus about?” His colleagues said yet stumbles in one point, he has they were discussing what made become guilty of all” (James 2:10). Christianity unique among world One mistake, and you fail. You have religions. He said, “Oh, that’s easy. to be perfect. It’s grace.”1

You say, “That’s impossible!” What can we do to be right with Exactly. None of us can earn God’s God? Every other religion answers forgiveness. That is why Jesus came that question: Work. But Jesus to live a perfect life and to die on a answers that question: Grace. cross and suffer the separation from 1. Philip Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace? God that we deserve. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1997), 45.

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 23 DAILY DEVOTIONALS

or perhaps even only a few months MARCH 1, 2018 to live. How will I respond to that LIVING WITHOUT REGRETS news? Teach us to number our days, that The fact is, sooner or later you and we may present to You a heart of I are going to die. The question is, how will you respond when you wisdom. hear the news that you only have a —Psalm 90:12 short time left to live? Years ago, a dermatologist called our church office to say he noticed MARCH 2, 2018 a spot on my face that didn’t look quite right. So I made an THE KEY TO DYING WITHOUT appointment to have it biopsied. REGRETS I remember the next 24 hours [Make] the most of your time, awaiting the call of whether it was because the days are evil. cancerous. Both my parents died of cancer, so I spent a restless night —Ephesians 5:16 wondering what the outcome If a doctor were to tell you right would be. As I thought about my now, “You only have six months to future, I was flooded with regrets as live,” would you have any regrets? I contemplated my own mortality. Would you approach your life’s end I thought about regrets I had about with a long list of “if onlys”? Saturdays I'd spent in my office, instead of being at home with my What about your attitude toward young children. I thought about your marriage? Could you say with the regrets I had about certain certainty that you would leave hurtful words I had said to my behind a spouse who had memories mate. I thought about the time I only of the warmth and love you had wasted in front of a television had given them? set, instead of strengthening my What would be your attitude relationship with God. toward your vocation? Would you The next morning, I was relieved be able to say you had a fulfilling to hear that it was only discolored career that gave you a great sense skin. But that relief was tempered of purpose? What about your by the realization that one day I am children? Could you say for sure going to receive the not-so-good that you would leave behind news that I only have a few years children who knew they were a

24 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 DAILY DEVOTIONALS priority in your life? Would you more quickly it goes.” The psalmist be confident that you had instilled put it a little more eloquently in in them the values that would Psalm 90:12: “Teach us to number last a lifetime? What about your our days, that we may present to relationships? Could you say that You a heart of wisdom.” The fact is, you have forgiven all those who every second that passes moves you have hurt you? Could you name closer to that inevitable day of your people who will be in Heaven departure from this world. because of your influence? Now, many of us have trouble And what about your relationship accepting the fact that we are with God? If you knew you were going to die. We may accept it going to be meeting God in the intellectually, but we have a hard next few months, would you be time believing that it is going to filled with excitement or with fear? happen to us. After all, why do I get How do you make sure that you up every morning and spend thirty do not die with regrets? The key minutes on the treadmill instead to dying without regrets is to learn of sleeping? Why do I gag down a how to live without regrets. bowl of bran flakes instead of the McDonald’s sausage biscuit I crave?

MARCH 5, 2018 The reason is that I am trying to put off what is inevitable. THE CERTAINTY OF DEATH The fact is, no matter what you and It is the same for all. There is one fate I do, we are going to die. Have you for the righteous and for the wicked. come to that realization? —Ecclesiastes 9:2

If you want to live without any MARCH 6, 2018 regrets, there are a few principles ONE FATE FOR ALL PEOPLE you not only have to believe but grasp with all of your heart. The It is the same for all. There is one fate first principle is the certainty of for the righteous and for the wicked death. . . . There is one fate for all men. Have you come to grips with the —Ecclesiastes 9:2–3 fact that you are going to die? One There are only two kinds of people wise philosopher put it this way: in the world: those who are dead “Life is like a roll of toilet paper— and those who are going to be the closer you get to the end, the dead.

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I want you to say right now, “I am going to die.” No matter what we MARCH 7, 2018 do, eventually our lives on earth THE REALITY OF REGRET will come to an end. Conduct yourselves with wisdom . . . In Psalm 90, Moses said God turns making the most of the opportunity. people back to dust. He sweeps —Colossians 4:5 people away like grass that springs up in the morning, but by evening If you want to experience a regret- it is dry and withered. Seventy years free life, you need to understand are given to us, some may even the reality of regret. reach eighty, but soon we are gone. My father was a dedicated Solomon said it this way in Christian. He was successful in Ecclesiastes 9:2–3, “It is the same his vocation, and he had a family for all. There is one fate for the that loved him. One day he wasn’t righteous and for the wicked; for feeling well, so he went to the the good, for the clean and for the doctor. They did some tests and unclean; for the man who offers a said, “You have pancreatic cancer, sacrifice and for the one who does and you have four months to live.” not sacrifice. . . . There is one fate for all men.” During those last four months of my dad’s life, he poured out a list Don’t misunderstand—there is of “if onlys.” If only he had taken not one eternal destination for all certain trips he wanted to take. people. If only he had maximized certain career opportunities. If only he Some go to Heaven and some go to had said or not said certain things Hell. But Solomon is saying we all to people he loved. As I listened suffer the same fate in that we are to my dad, I realized the power of all going to die. regrets to extinguish the joy of an If you are going to live without any otherwise successful life. regrets, you have to grasp that your By the way, regrets are not reserved final hour is coming. for the dying. Many times, a You are going to die. milestone event in life causes us to realize we have regrets. A child’s graduation makes us regret, “If only I had spent more time with her before she left.” Perhaps a divorce

26 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 DAILY DEVOTIONALS or breakup causes us to lament, “If What amazed me about this only I had spent time strengthening exercise was how quickly the men that relationship.” Or a termination were able to list their regrets. from a job makes us say, “If only I Nobody was staring into space had applied myself more at work.” trying to think of something to Regret is very real, and it can keep write down. Their regrets were at us from the life God wants us to the forefront of their minds. live. God’s Word tells us we are to remove anything that prevents us MARCH 8, 2018 from living the life He has designed for us. In Hebrews 12:1, the writer LAY ASIDE YOUR REGRETS says, “Since we have so great a Let us . . . lay aside every cloud of witnesses surrounding encumbrance and the sin which so us, let us also lay aside every easily entangles us, and let us run encumbrance and the sin which with endurance the race that is set so easily entangles us, and let us before us. run with endurance the race that is set before us.” As we pursue God’s —Hebrews 12:1 will for our lives, we need to lay Sometimes it doesn’t take a aside anything that hinders us from milestone event for us to have living the life God wants for us. regrets in life. And nothing will weigh you down more than regrets. Regrets keep us A few years ago, I was leading from pursuing the kind of life God a men’s Bible study and asked wants us to live. Lay aside your participants to list their three regrets. greatest regrets in life. They said,

• “I regret I didn’t finish college.” MARCH 9, 2018 • “I wish I had spent more time REGRET IS A REMINDER with my wife and children.” For all have sinned and fall short of • “I wish I had pursued my the glory of God. dream of being a professional —Romans 3:23 baseball player.” The word “sin” comes from a Greek • “I wish I had become a word that means to miss the mark. Christian earlier.” Regrets are reminders that we

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 27 DAILY DEVOTIONALS have missed God’s mark. We have fallen short of His standard in our MARCH 12, 2018 marriage, in our finances, in our THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN work, and in our relationships with others and with Him. LIVING WITH REGRETS Child, remember that during your When you experience regrets, don’t life you received your good things, wallow in them but instead act on and likewise Lazarus bad things; but them. now he is being comforted here, and Regrets are like warning lights. In you are in agony. my car, there is a little warning —Luke 16:25 light that occasionally comes on that says, “Change oil.” Sometimes The only thing worse than living when that light comes on, it is not with regrets is spending eternity very convenient to act on it. And it with regrets. In Luke 16, Jesus really becomes a nuisance—every told a story about two men who time I start the car, that warning died: a rich man and a man named light comes on. Lazarus. Lazarus went to Heaven because he depended on God. The There are several ways I can react rich man went to Hell because he to that light. I can ignore it. Or thought he didn’t need God. in my car, I can reach into my glove compartment and hit a reset Jesus described the rich man: “In button. But even if I extinguish the Hades [Hell] he lifted up his eyes, light, I haven’t taken care of the being in torment, and saw Abraham problem. The warning light is not far away and Lazarus in his bosom. the problem; it is only a reminder And he cried out and said, ‘Father that there is something I need to do Abraham, have mercy on me, and to take care of my car. send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool Regrets are a lot like that warning off my tongue, for I am in agony in light. Regrets themselves are not the this flame’” (16:23–24). Abraham problem; regrets are reminders that responds to the rich man, “Child, something in our life is not right remember that during your life and needs correction. you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony” (16:25).

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To me, the most horrible thing Alfred Nobel invented dynamite. about Hell is found in the word He was a Swedish chemist who “remember.” made his fortune by selling the license to dynamite to countries so Jesus says people in Hell will be they could blow one another up. able to remember their lives on earth. They will remember all the One day Alfred Nobel’s brother chances they had to accept Christ died, but instead of printing as Savior but did not. They will Alfred’s brother’s obituary, the remember they could have done newspaper accidentally ran Alfred’s something to prevent their eternal obituary. So Alfred Nobel had the suffering. unusual experience of reading his own obituary. If you are to experience a regret-free life in eternity, you need to take As he read what the newspaper action to make changes in your life wrote about him, Alfred realized right now. that he would be forever

remembered as the inventor of dynamite. He would be known as MARCH 13, 2018 the man responsible for millions of IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO CHANGE people being killed. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is Alfred decided he didn’t want to be a new creature; the old things passed remembered for that, so he took away; behold, new things have come. a large chunk of his fortune and —2 Corinthians 5:17 established the Nobel Prizes. Today, few people know that Alfred Nobel One truth that gives us hope was the inventor of dynamite. about living without regrets is the Instead, they remember him for all possibility of change. the good that he did for humanity.

You may know the name of Alfred Most of us will never achieve Nobel, the founder of the Nobel the fame and fortune of Alfred Prizes, which honor outstanding Nobel—but don’t miss the point. achievements in five areas: chemistry, physics, physiology or The point is we all have the medicine, literature, and work in possibility to change. peace. What you may not know is how the Nobel Prizes got started.

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what lies behind and reaching MARCH 14, 2018 forward to what lies ahead, I press CHANGE IS POSSIBLE on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Forgetting what lies behind and Jesus.” reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the MARCH 15, 2018 prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. LIVING WITHOUT TIME REGRETS —Philippians 3:13–14 As for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I As you look back on your life, say, “You are my God.” My times are you may say, “I do have some in Your hand. regrets. I have some regrets about —Psalm 31:14–15 my marriage. I have some regrets about what I have done or haven’t Benjamin Franklin once asked, done with my children. I have “Dost thou love life? If so, do not some regrets about my finances. I squander time, for that is the stuff have some regrets about investing life is made of.” my time and money in the things As I have listened to people talk of this world instead of in the about their regrets over the years, I kingdom of God. I have some have noticed how often regrets have regrets about my relationship with to do with our time. God.” People have regrets about too much If that is true for you, then I have time spent at work, time spent some bad news and some good in an unfulfilling relationship, news. The bad news is that you time spent watching television, cannot regain the lost opportunities not enough time spent with their of yesterday. But the good news children, and so on. is there are changes you can make right now that will reshape your I think one reason we sometimes tomorrow and your eternity. You regret issues related to our time is don’t have to live with regrets— the fact that time is a priceless and change is possible! irreplaceable commodity.

I think that is what the Apostle We talk about making time, Paul had in mind when he wrote in borrowing time, or saving time, Philippians 3:13–14, “Forgetting but really none of those things is

30 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 DAILY DEVOTIONALS possible. Every one of us, from for two whole weeks. the president of the United States to the street cleaner, gets the same I remember the chapel speaker amount of time every day. We all quoting this verse. Well, I was get twenty-four hours. And it is certainly numbering the days until impossible to say, “Well, I only I got to see Amy! But that next needed 23 hours today. So I think portion—“and recognize how few I will save an hour and add it on they are”—I didn’t quite grasp. As to tomorrow.” Time doesn’t work an 18-year-old, that phrase made that way, does it? If we want to live no sense to me. How few they are? without regrets, we need to be wise It seemed like an endless amount of about the time we have been given time until I was going to see Amy on earth. again. Those days stretched on as if they would last forever.

MARCH 16, 2018 However, four decades later, my perspective about time has changed NUMBER YOUR DAYS dramatically, and I bet yours has as well. Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to Have you noticed how quickly time spend them as we should. passes? Time is very, very limited. —Psalm 90:12 TLB Do you have any regrets about how you are spending the time that God The psalmist said, “Teach us to has given you? number our days and recognize Scripture quotation marked TLB is taken from The Living how few they are; help us to spend Bible, copyright ©1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used them as we should” (Psalm 90:12 by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. TLB).

I will never forget the first time I MARCH 19, 2018 heard that verse. I was at Baylor University, sitting in freshmen MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME orientation, and my girlfriend, who later became my wife, Amy, was We glide along the tides of time as 100 miles away at the University of swiftly as a racing river and vanish as Texas. It was the first time we had quickly as a dream. ever been separated. We had spent —Psalm 90:5 TLB four years dating in high school and If you want to manage your life now we were going to be separated

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 31 DAILY DEVOTIONALS so that you have no regrets about going to give an account to God for time, it is important to understand how we have spent our time. some biblical principles about your Scripture quotation marked TLB is taken from The Living time. Bible, copyright ©1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. First of all, the Bible teaches us that time is limited on earth. It may take the death of a loved one, an empty MARCH 20, 2018 nest, or a look into the mirror to realize time is marching forward. REDEEM YOUR TIME

Time is very limited. Moses said it TheL ord’s lovingkindnesses indeed this way in Psalm 90:5: “We glide never cease, for His compassions never along the tides of time as swiftly as fail. They are new every morning; a racing river and vanish as quickly great is Your faithfulness. as a dream” (TLB). —Lamentations 3:22–23

Second, the Bible also teaches us Do you want to live in such a way that we are responsible for using that you have no regrets about how our time. Moses’ image of a rapid you spent your time? The Bible says river is a good metaphor for the that it is possible to redeem your passing of time, but we are not time. victims of time. Although you may regret wasting The Bible teaches we are responsible the last five years of your life, the for how we use our time. good news is you don’t have to waste the next five years of your In Matthew 25:14–29, Jesus told life. It is possible to change how the parable of the talents, teaching you are using your time. As author that one day all of us will stand Robert Ringer reminds us, “Life is before God and give an account nothing more than the sum total of of how we used the abilities, the many successful years; a successful money, and the time God gave us. year is nothing more than the sum Someone once said, “Life is like a total of many successful months; coin—you can spend it any way a successful month is nothing you want to, but you can only more than the sum total of many spend it once.” successful weeks; and a successful week is nothing more than the sum We choose how we are going to total of many successful days.” spend our time, and one day we are

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Success in life is not a grand-slam numbers. So he put the rocks in home run, though. It is a matter one by one until he had filled up of consistently hitting those the jar. dependable singles and doubles every day. It is possible to redeem He said, “Do you think the jar is your life and redeem the years by full?” The students said yes. He redeeming your days. And that is said, “Ah.” Then he picked up a why Paul wrote to the Christians bucket of gravel. He poured the at Ephesus, many of whom had gravel into the jar, and it filled up wasted their lives in ungodly living all the places left by the rocks. when they were non-Christians, He said, “Is the jar full?” They said, that they needed to “[make] the “Probably not.” He said, “Good!” most of your time, because the days Then he picked up a bucket of sand are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). and poured it into the jar. The sand Quote from Robert Ringer, “Million Dollar Habits” (New York: filled in the spots left by the rocks Skyhorse, 2014), xii. and the gravel.

He said, “Is the jar full?” The MARCH 21, 2018 students said no. He said, “Good!” THE LESSON OF THE BIG ROCKS He pulled out a quart of water. He poured the water into the jar, and it Do not be foolish, but understand filled up the empty places. what the will of the Lord is. —Ephesians 5:17 Then the instructor said, “The lesson I am teaching you is this: How do you redeem the limited had I not put the big rocks in first, time that God has granted you I never would have been able to fit here on earth? Learn the important them in later.” principles for living without time Illustration from Stephen R. Covey, “First Things First” (New regrets. York: Free Press, 1996).

One principle is the lesson of the big rocks. Stephen Covey tells MARCH 22, 2018 about a time-management seminar in which the instructor had a gallon MAKE TIME FOR THE BIG ROCKS jar and a platter of large rocks. He Be careful how you walk, not as asked the students, “How many unwise men but as wise. rocks do you think I can put into —Ephesians 5:15 this jar?” They shouted different

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The lesson of the big rocks—that we must first make room for the MARCH 23, 2018 things that are most important in our lives and then we fit the smaller MEASURABLE GOALS AND things in the time we have left—is ACTION STEPS the single most important lesson we The vision is yet for the appointed can learn about using our time well. time; It hastens toward the goal and Do you know what most people it will not fail. regret about their time when they —Habakkuk 2:3 come to the end of their lives? A key principle for living without They regret that they never made time regrets is this: turn your time for the big rocks—their most dreams into goals. important things. They allowed their life and their schedule to be A goal is measurable. For example, filled with sand and gravel rather you might say, “I want to have than with the things that were really a comfortable retirement.” That important to them. Of course, is a dream, but it is not a goal. before we can fill our calendars You need to turn that dream into and our lives with our big rocks, something measurable. So instead, we have to identify what those big you could say, “I want to retire rocks are. What is most important by age seventy to a cabin in the in your life? It may be a fulfilling Colorado Mountains, earning 80 marriage or good health, or a great percent of my current income.” relationship with your family, or That is a specific goal. When you expertise in your vocation. Perhaps have a measurable goal, you can it is nurturing friendships or an break it down into action steps. intimate relationship with God. That leads us to another principle You have to figure out what the big about how to live without time rocks are in your life. regrets: make your goals a part of If you could only accomplish three your everyday schedule. things before you die, what would Once you know what you want those things be? Your answer to to achieve and have turned those that question will give you a good things into measurable goals and idea about what the big rocks are action steps, you are ready to start in your life. Learn the lesson of the filling your calendar with the things big rocks. that mean the most to you.

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One useful tool for time things that are a priority to you. For management is a daily to-do list. example, exercise is important to At the end of the workday or me. I want to live a long life so I can before you go to bed, make a list of be with my family and carry out the everything you need to do the next ministry God has for me. Another day. priority is preaching the Word, so I spend my mornings preparing my We need to be careful when making sermon. Once I put those things daily to-do lists because usually the on my calendar, then I fill in the things we write down are urgent rest of my week with things that things, but not necessarily the things are important but are not the big that will produce long-term success priorities to me, such as a conference in what we want to achieve. or meetings.

Your to-do list needs to help you Do you know why most people have focus on your long-term goals. regrets about time? It is because their calendars are not full enough. MARCH 26, 2018 Your calendar may be running over, but it’s running over with sand and ALLOW YOUR PRIORITIES TO gravel, not with your big rocks. You DETERMINE YOUR SCHEDULE have to determine whether you want your time to be filled up with rocks, Seek first His kingdom and His or with sand and gravel. Learn the righteousness, and all these things will principle of the big rocks and then be added to you. make your goals and action steps a —Matthew 6:33 part of your daily schedule. Do you want to live in such a way that you have no regrets about how MARCH 27, 2018 you spent your time? An important principle of time management is SET REALISTIC TIME GOALS this: allow your most important Six days you shall labor . . . but the priorities to determine your seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord schedule. your God. Take the last hour on Friday to look —Exodus 20:9–10 at the week ahead. Write on your If you want to live without regrets calendar those things over which about how you use your time, you have no control, such as a staff then be realistic in your time- meeting. Then schedule in the management goals.

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People get motivated and say, “I am going to be disciplined about MARCH 28, 2018 my time. No more wasting time.” SUBMIT YOUR SCHEDULE TO GOD So they say, “I will write my first book by next month.” Or, “I will You are just a vapor that appears for never watch television again.” a little while and then vanishes away Those things are unrealistic. Good . . . . You ought to say, “If the Lord time management involves setting wills, we will live and also do this or realistic goals. that.” First of all, your schedule needs to —James 4:14–15 allow time for relaxation. God never intended for us to work 24/7. If you want to live without regrets about how you use your time, God said, “Six days you shall labor then be realistic in your time- . . . but the seventh day is a sabbath management goals. Make sure your of the Lord your God” (Exodus schedule allows time for relaxation 20:9–10). The Sabbath is a day you and bad days. In addition, your quit working. We need to have a time-management schedule needs finish line at the end of every week to allow for interruptions, such as where we say, “I am through with an unexpected phone call or an the week and will obey the principle emergency. of God’s Sabbath.” Second, your schedule needs to When those interruptions happen, allow for bad days. We all have bad we have to trust the sovereignty of days; they are a part of life. You can God. You know, some of Jesus’ most use bad days for other things. famous miracles and most important discourses were interruptions. Sometimes a bad day comes unexpectedly, but there are times He was on His way to do something you can expect bad days. when He was interrupted by For example, the day after your someone with a pressing need. James vacation is probably going to be a 4:13–15 says, “Come now, you who bad day. Other times, such as the say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go day after Christmas, are not going to such and such a city, and spend to be the most productive days. So a year there and engage in business you can anticipate some of your bad and make a profit.’ Yet you do not days and plan accordingly. know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then

36 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 DAILY DEVOTIONALS vanishes away. Instead, you ought My wife, Amy, protested because to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live the girls were already bathed and and also do this or that.’” ready for bed. But I was determined to play with the kids. I had the girls James is not saying there is anything put coats over their pajamas. We wrong with having a schedule or started hitting tennis balls, and it making a plan. But he is saying began to rain. that as you set realistic time goals, remember they are subject to the I said, “Rain won’t hurt you. We are sovereignty of God. making a great memory together.” My daughters began to cry. Finally, I let them go back inside. The next MARCH 29, 2018 morning my younger daughter had LIVING WITHOUT PARENTING a cough that rattled the windows, REGRETS and my older daughter was still mad about missing her show. Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a Maybe you have had a similarly reward. frustrating parenting experience. My motive was pure—trying to —Psalm 127:3 create memories with my kids—but Years ago, I was writing a sermon my method was severely flawed. about parenting, and I was The fact is, all of us want to succeed determined to make memories as parents. And we want to avoid with my children. So I walked regrets about what we did or did into the living room, where my not do with our children. young daughters were on the sofa watching a sitcom. MARCH 30, 2018 The scene went like this: “Hi, girls!” I clicked off the television. “Dad, HOW TO AVOID PARENTING we were watching our favorite REGRETS program!” “We have been watching too much television. Why don’t Now the sons of Eli were worthless we play Monopoly?” “We only men; they did not know the Lord. like checkers.” “Fine, let’s play —1 Samuel 2:12 checkers.” “Dad, we don’t have a All of us want to succeed as parents. checkerboard.” “All right, let’s go And we want to avoid having any outside and play tennis.” regrets about what we did or did

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 37 DAILY DEVOTIONALS not do with our children. But it is possible to come to the end of our APRIL 2, 2018 parenting years having done the SPEND TIME WITH YOUR very best we could, yet still have regrets over what we did or what we CHILDREN failed to do with our children. Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways. If you find that difficult to believe, —Proverbs 23:26 then consider the Old Testament story of a priest named Eli. Eli was This week we will look at specific a faithful priest, but he was a lousy resolves that you can make to avoid father. Even though he devoted regrets about your parenting. One himself to God’s work and taking parenting resolve you can make care of the spiritual needs of Israel, is this: “I am resolved that I will in the process he lost his two sons. spend time with my children.” Eli’s sons were described as Many people come to the end of “worthless men” who “did not their lives and regret the time they know the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:12). didn’t spend with their children. The story of Eli reminds us that Let me suggest ways to spend more the road to parental failure is paved time with your kids so you can with good intentions. avoid parenting regrets. First of all, We are in the process of learning if you want to spend more time how to live without regrets. And with your children, then learn the one of the top regrets people have “go home” principle. When five is the failure to give attention to the thirty rolls around, go home. If you physical, emotional, and spiritual have to attend an evening meeting, needs of their children. then as soon as the meeting ends, instead of chatting with coworkers, We will continue to talk about go home. Think about it: how how to come to the end of your many productive things happen life without any regrets about in the office after five thirty? You parenting. The Bible offers hope for can spend time shuffling papers or your children and grandchildren, organizing your files. But not much regardless of their age. of value happens after five thirty.

You can start today to live without Second, negotiate with your parenting regrets. boss for a flexible schedule. A

growing number of corporations have flextime policies, allowing

38 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 DAILY DEVOTIONALS employees to choose schedules that that time and not let anyone are more family friendly. Maybe intrude on it. We have caller ID, you would value more time off DVRs, and other great technologies rather than a raise, or maybe you today we can use to help manage could consider asking for an extra our time. Remember, if you don’t week of unpaid vacation to coincide set your priorities about your time, with your children’s school calendar. then somebody else will. Negotiate if you can for a flexible schedule so that you can spend Second, stay focused on your more time with your children. children when you are with them. Your children can sense when you are physically present but not there APRIL 3, 2018 mentally. They know when you are physically at the ball game, SET YOUR AGENDA AND STAY but your mind is someplace else. FOCUSED Refuse to allow that to happen. Bring [your children] up in the When you are with your kids, stay discipline and instruction of the focused on your kids. Don’t stare Lord. at your phone, don’t relive the argument you had with your mate —Ephesians 6:4 or your boss, and don’t think about Many people come to the end everything you have to do. Stay of their lives and regret that they focused on your children. didn’t spend much time with their children. What are some things APRIL 4, 2018 that you can do to spend more time with your kids so you can avoid BUILD LASTING MEMORIES WITH parenting regrets? YOUR CHILDREN First, refuse to allow other people I thank my God in all my to set your agenda when it comes remembrance of you. to your family. A mentor once told —Philippians 1:3 me, “Robert, you had better set your priorities in life, or somebody If you want to parent your else will set them for you.” And children in such a way that you that is certainly important when have no regrets, then I urge you to it comes to your children. If you make this critical resolve: “I will are going to dedicate time to your build lasting memories with my children, then you have to guard children.” You want your children

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There are three Rs of making great DO RIDICULOUS THINGS WITH memories with your children. I will YOUR KIDS share two of them today and the Enjoy life with [those] whom you love third one tomorrow. all the days of your fleeting life which The first R is routine. Build He has given to you under the sun. routines into your family schedule. —Ecclesiastes 9:9 Maybe you eat a certain meal together. Maybe you have a routine If you want to live without with your kids at bedtime, such as parenting regrets, then learn the reading a story from the Bible and three Rs of making memories with praying with them. Or perhaps you your children. Yesterday, we looked set aside one night each week as at routine and ritual. The third R is family movie night. I believe one the ridiculous. reason that God instituted so many While rituals and routines give routines in the Old Testament stability, the ridiculous things was to give His people a sense you do with your kids provide of security, especially during the excitement and spontaneity. Do years they were exiled from their something your kids don’t expect homeland. Every family needs but will remember. routine to give stability. For example, when I was six my The second R stands for ritual. parents took me to Six Flags for Every family should have some the day. When we headed toward rituals—traditions that range from the gate to go home, my parents how you celebrate birthdays to said, “We have a surprise for you. what you do for the holidays. We are not going home. Instead, One ritual that can be healthy for we are going to the airport to fly to your family is an annual family New York City!” I was so excited. vacation. A vacation is a great Looking back, I see their strategy: opportunity for your family to they wanted to tire me out so I concentrate on loving one another would sleep on the airplane. But and listening to one another, away boy, what a surprise! from the normal routines of life. You don’t have to be wealthy to create surprises for your kids. It can be as simple as waking them up for

40 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 DAILY DEVOTIONALS a pajama-night ice cream cone at a by God. His or her physical, drive-through. emotional, and spiritual bents in life were uniquely created and In Ecclesiastes 9:9, Solomon says in designed by God. Because each effect, “You only have such a short individual child has been created time here on earth; why not devote to be unique, one key to parenting your time and energy to enjoying without regrets is to develop and the person who means the most to maximize your child’s uniqueness. you in life?” This truth applies to spending time with your children. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a Why don’t you devote your time, child in the way he should go, even energy, and resources to the people when he is old he will not depart you love most? That is a key to from it.” This is not a promise that parenting without regrets. if you parent correctly, your child will never rebel. Instead, it means to train up each child according to APRIL 6, 2018 his or her unique bent in life.

DISCOVER AND DEVELOP YOUR For example, if your child is a CHILD’S GIFTS natural-born athlete, then don’t try You formed my inward parts; You to turn him into a musician. The wove me in my mother’s womb. Bible says to train each of your kids —Psalm 139:13 in the unique way God created that child.

Do you want to parent your children in such a way that when APRIL 9, 2018 you look back on your life, you have no parenting regrets? TRAIN UP YOUR CHILDREN Then I urge you to make this Train up a child in the way he should resolve that is essential to parenting go, even when he is old he will not without regrets: “I resolve to depart from it. discover and develop my child’s —Proverbs 22:6 gifts.” Each of your children was hand-stitched by the Lord with a How do you train your kids in the unique personality and gifts. In unique way God has shaped them? Psalm 139:13, the psalmist said, Let me mention several keys. “You formed my inward parts; You First of all, ask the right questions wove me in my mother’s womb.” about your child. Do you really Your child was woven together

PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 41 DAILY DEVOTIONALS know your child? Could you answer questions such as, Who are my APRIL 10, 2018 children’s heroes? What gives my EXERCISE APPROPRIATE child energy? What are my child’s greatest dreams? Ask the right DISCIPLINE WITH YOUR questions to discover your child’s CHILDREN unique bent. He who withholds his rod hates his Second, help your children realize son, but he who loves him disciplines their bent. My parents were willing him diligently. to sacrifice time and finances to —Proverbs 13:24 help me discover my bent. One day If you want to live in such a way I asked, “Dad, could I learn how that you have no regrets in the way to play the accordion?” He said, that you parented your children, “Sure.” My parents hauled me all then I encourage you to make over Dallas to perform. That was this resolve: “I resolve to exercise my unique bent, and it gave me appropriate discipline with my skills to be able to stand before an children.” We see this truth in the audience. Old Testament priest Eli. The Bible Third, accept the results. Your child shows us mistakes Eli made with his may not follow the exact path you kids that hopefully we will avoid. had envisioned for them. Instead of First of all, Eli did not begin early trying to force your child to fit the enough to discipline his kids. Eli mold you created for them, help did eventually rebuke his sons, but them maximize their own gifts. he waited until his sons were adults When my younger daughter before he corrected them—and by was 17, her dream was to go to that time, it was much too late. Broadway. That is her unique bent. Proverbs 13:24 says, “He who So I said, “If that is what you want withholds his rod hates his son, but to do, then I will help you in any he who loves him disciplines him way I can.” The key to parenting diligently.” without regrets is to be able to That word “diligently” means at the say at the end of your parenting early dawn. As parents, we need to years, “I discovered, accepted, and begin the process of discipline early maximized my child’s unique, God- in our children’s lives. given personality.”

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Second, Eli was not consistent in He told them, in essence, “You are his discipline. His sons were guilty embarrassing me.” Eli was more of stealing portions of the sacrifices concerned with what people were offered to the Lord, and they were saying about him than he was with engaged in sexual immorality. his sons’ well-being.

Interestingly, when Eli finally When your children misbehave or corrected them, he mentioned are caught in sin, don’t ever talk sexual immorality but not stealing to them in terms of what they from the Lord’s altar. Perhaps Eli are doing to your reputation. The didn’t correct his sons for that issue is their personal well-being offense because he was also guilty of and their relationship with God. not giving to the Lord everything Most tragically, Eli did not teach that belonged to Him? When we his children to fear God. The fact discipline our children, they have to that Eli’s sons stole from the Lord’s see consistency in us as well. altar shows they did not develop a healthy fear of God. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of theLord is the APRIL 11, 2018 beginning of knowledge.”

A SUREFIRE PRESCRIPTION FOR As a parent, the most important PARENTING WITHOUT REGRETS thing you can teach your children The fear of theL ord is the beginning is to have a healthy, reverential fear of knowledge. of God. You teach that to your —Proverbs 1:7 children not only by what you say but also by your example. That is a Do you want to parent without surefire prescription for parenting regrets? Then avoid the mistakes without regrets. of the Old Testament priest, Eli. Eli did not observe his children’s APRIL 12, 2018 behavior. LIVING WITHOUT FINANCIAL It is significant that Eli learned about his sons’ sin from what others REGRETS told him: “Now Eli was very old; If you have not been faithful in the and he heard all that his sons were use of unrighteous wealth, who will doing to all Israel” (1 Samuel 2:22). Eli said to his sons, “Why do you entrust the true riches to you? do such things, the evil things that I —Luke 16:11 hear from all these people?” (2:23).

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Several years ago, I wrote a book The Bible has a great deal to say entitled, Say Goodbye to Regret. about money. Of the thirty-eight In preparing to write that book, parables Jesus told, sixteen of them I asked many people about their had to do with money. greatest regrets. For example, I asked a friend, “Do you have any If you look at the synoptic regrets in life?” His immediate Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and answer was no. Then he thought for Luke—one-sixth of the content of a moment and said, “Well, I wish I those Gospels deals with the subject had saved more money for my kids’ of money. Somebody has estimated college education.” that Jesus talked more about money than He did about Heaven or Hell. Now, this guy is very intelligent. Why is that? Well, certainly money He knew his children would touches our lives every day in some go to college one day. He knew way. But Jesus also said that how we college was expensive, and he handle our money is a test of our knew he didn’t have the present faithfulness to God. financial resources to pay for a college education. Yet he came In Luke 16:10–12, Jesus said, “He to that significant time in his life who is faithful in a very little thing unprepared. It’s amazing to me how is faithful also in much; and he many of the regrets people voice who is unrighteous in a very little have to do with some aspect of thing is unrighteous also in much. money—either saving, spending, Therefore if you have not been or investing money. We will look at faithful in the use of unrighteous how to avoid coming to the end of wealth, who will entrust the true your life without any tremendous riches to you? And if you have not regrets about your money. been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” APRIL 13, 2018 If you cannot be counted on to A BAROMETER OF YOUR handle something as insignificant as FAITHFULNESS money, do you think God will one day entrust true riches to you? Your He who is faithful in a very little ability to handle your money is a thing is faithful also in much; and barometer of your faithfulness to he who is unrighteous in a very little God in other areas of your life. thing is unrighteous also in much. —Luke 16:10

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APRIL 16, 2018 APRIL 17, 2018 FINANCIAL REGRET #1: NOT THE TIME TO GATHER IS NOW SAVING MORE MONEY He who gathers in summer is a son The hand of the diligent makes rich. who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in —Proverbs 10:4 harvest is a son who acts shamefully. —Proverbs 10:5 A common regret that many people have about their finances is this: “I Why do people fail to save wish I had saved more money.” adequately for their future needs? Excuse number one: “Social The fact is, each of us is going to Security and my pension will take face at least three major financial care of my future needs.” Financial needs at some time. First, if you are experts say not to count on Social a parent, you will face educating Security if you are under age 50 and your children in college. Second, to expect a significant reduction in you are going to face retirement, benefits if you are over age 50. And when you will likely have a reduced, unfortunately, pension plans are fixed income. And third, you are becoming extinct. going to face some kind of financial emergency, probably related to Excuse number two: “One day health care. Those are certainties. I will have more discretionary Now, have you calculated how income than I have right now.” much those needs are going to cost? For example, a single adult says, For example, the average cost for a “When I marry, I will have more four-year state college education is discretionary income.” Poor sap—if about $100,000. Or think about he only knew. Or young parents your retirement. How will you say, “When our kids get older, get by when you no longer have we will have more discretionary income from a job? income.” But those of us with older kids know how hard it is to survive Many people’s approach to long- the teenage and college years term financial planning is just without filing for bankruptcy. socking away what they can afford and hoping it all works out. That The fact is, you do not have enough may be a strategy, but it is not a time until retirement to save for plan. If you want to avoid financial these significant events. regrets, then start saving.

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Excuse number three: “I am $80,000 a year. Do you realize in trusting God to meet my future 30 years, more than two and a half needs.” Yes, God does want to million dollars will pass through take care of your future needs. But your hands? What happens to all exactly how does God go about of that money? For most of us, the taking care of your future needs? problem is not with our earning— In Proverbs 10:5, Solomon said, the problem is with our spending. “He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who The key to financial prosperity sleeps in harvest is a son who acts is spending less than you earn shamefully.” The time to gather over a long period of time. My your resources is now. grandfather said, “It does not matter how much you make; what matters is how much you keep.” APRIL 18, 2018 The Bible says the same thing. FINANCIAL REGRET #2: WASTING In Proverbs 13:7, Solomon said, MONEY “There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another There is one who pretends to be rich, pretends to be poor, but has great but has nothing; another pretends to wealth.” be poor, but has great wealth. —Proverbs 13:7 In Texas, we say these people are “all hat and no cattle.” They appear A common regret people have to have great wealth, but there is about money is this: “I regret nothing to back it up. wasting so much money.” Do you come to the end of the month and wonder, “Where did all my money APRIL 19, 2018 go?” You get your paycheck, and it CONTROL YOUR SPENDING seems to fly away. There is precious treasure and oil in The only thing worse than coming the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish to the end of the month and asking, man swallows it up. “Where did all the money go?” is —Proverbs 21:20 coming to the end of your working life and asking, “Where did all the Let me give you some practical idea money go?” Let’s say you are age to control your spending. One is to 40 right now. You will work until use a 15-year mortgage instead of a 70, and your household income is 30-year mortgage.

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For relatively little more every month, you can cut your mortgage APRIL 20, 2018 in half and save hundreds of FINANCIAL REGRET #3: NOT thousands of dollars. Also, set your thermostat five degrees warmer in INVESTING WISELY the summer or five degrees cooler in He who tills his land will have plenty the winter. You will save hundreds of food, but he who follows empty of dollars in utility costs. pursuits will have poverty in plenty. Keep driving the car you have —Proverbs 28:19 instead of purchasing a new car. One regret people have about their The cheapest car to own is the one finances is this: “I wish I had made you are driving. wiser investments.”

Refuse to shop for groceries when In Ecclesiastes 5:13–14, Solomon you are hungry. Use a list when you says, “There is a grievous evil which shop for groceries to avoid impulse I have seen under the sun: riches buying. Postpone your clothes being hoarded by their owner to his purchases until major sales. We do hurt. When those riches were lost this as a family. Split entrees when through a bad investment and he you eat out. You will be amazed at had fathered a son, then there was how much you will save. Finally, nothing to support him.” plan your travel ahead of time. Airlines and hotels penalize people The first financial mistake people who wait until the last minute to make in their investments is make travel arrangements. postponing investing. Many people fail to understand how time can Now, this is not to turn you into multiply your assets. They don’t a miser but to help you come to grasp the value of compound the end of life without financial interest. Most people do not begin regrets. Proverbs 21:20 says, “There investing early enough. is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish The second mistake people make man swallows it up.” in their investments is failing to diversify their assets. I was listening The fool, God’s Word says, is to financial experts on television someone who spends everything the other day. One person was that he makes. saying, “Keep all of your money in cash.” Another guy was saying, “Be 100 percent invested in stocks.”

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Somebody else was making a case was that he never made the time to for bonds; another person a case invest his money. Maybe you are for hard assets like gold. Who was saying, “I don’t think it is the right right? The fact is none of them time to invest for the future. We was right. Ecclesiastes 11:2 says are living in economic chaos. I will you need to “divide your portion wait until things settle down.” The to seven, or even to eight, for you truth is we are always going to be do not know what misfortune may in a time of economic uncertainty, occur on the earth.” and we cannot try to time our investments. None of us can predict the future, and that is why God’s Word says Another mistake people make the way to financial freedom is to with investments is get-rich-quick diversify your assets. schemes, where people promise great returns if you invest in a particular deal. The Bible says APRIL 23, 2018 to avoid get-rich-quick schemes. MAKE WISE INVESTMENTS In Proverbs 28:19–20, Solomon says, “He who tills his land will He who tills his land will have plenty have plenty of food, but he who of food, but he who follows empty follows empty pursuits will have pursuits will have poverty in plenty. poverty in plenty. A faithful man A faithful man will abound with will abound with blessings, but he blessings, but he who makes haste to who makes haste to be rich will be rich will not go unpunished. not go unpunished.” To make wise —Proverbs 28:19–20 investments, invest early, diversify your assets, invest now, and avoid A common regret that many get-rich-quick schemes. people have about their finances is this: “I wish I had made wiser investments.” Many people make APRIL 24, 2018 the mistake of waiting for the right FINANCIAL REGRET #4: NOT time to invest. I know a man who INVESTING IN GOD’S WORK saved a large portion of his income and was frugal in his spending. Yet Make friends for yourselves by means when he came to the end of his of the wealth of unrighteousness, so life, he didn’t have the resources that when it fails, they will receive he needed. His problem was not you into the eternal dwellings. in his saving or in his spending; it —Luke 16:9

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A regret people have about their Then Jesus made this application: money is this: “I wish I had “Make friends for yourselves invested more in God’s work.” by means of the wealth of Remember, you and I do not own unrighteousness, so that when it anything; we are simply managers fails, they will receive you into the of what God has entrusted to us. eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

In Luke 16, Jesus told a story about a financial manager who was APRIL 25, 2018 called in by his employer. When the employer saw how his financial TREASURE IN HEAVEN manager had been handling his We must all appear before the assets, he said, “You are fired. I will judgment seat of Christ, so that each give you a couple of days to give me one may be recompensed for his deeds a final accounting of my finances.” in the body, according to what he has Well, this financial manager began done, whether good or bad. to panic. He thought, “What am I —-2 Corinthians 5:10 going to do? I will be out of work One of the most common regrets in a few days.” So he came up with people have about their money a brilliant plan. He took all of his when they get to the end of their master’s accounts receivable and lives is this: “I wish I had invested started discounting them—some more in God's work.” If you are a by 20 percent, some by 50 percent, Christian, this is a regret you may and some by 80 percent. have one day. Second Corinthians What was his motivation? The 5:10 says, speaking of Christians, financial manager knew that when “We must all appear before the he became unemployed, all these judgment seat of Christ, so that people he had done a favor for each one may be recompensed for would treat him nicely and perhaps his deeds in the body, according to hire him. what he has done, whether good or bad.” When the master heard what his financial manager had done, he One day we will all stand before called him in. He said, “If only you God and give an account for had shown this much ingenuity how we have handled everything while you were my employee, you entrusted to us—our time, our would still have a job today.” talent, and the treasure God has loaned to us.

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The shelf life of money is very reverse some of the consequences of short. Money is only of use in this those things we regret. life. There will come a day when we stand before God and our money But how do we handle regrets will be worthless. Our finances will about what other people have done fail us one day. to us? For example, it is one thing to say, “I have regrets about my In His parable of the financial marriage, so I am going to rekindle manager in Luke 16, Jesus told us my relationship with my mate.” to have the foresight to do what the But what do you do about a mate manager did, and that is to use your who leaves you for another lover? present resources to prepare for the You can say, “I regret the mistakes future. I have made in my vocation, so I will work more diligently.” But how When you invest your money in do you handle a boss who unjustly God’s work, you are ensuring that terminates you? one day, if you are a Christian, you will receive eternal rewards and be What about a wife who is being greeted in Heaven by people who continually abused by her husband? are there because of the investment Or a retiree whose life savings is you made in God’s work. stolen by a fellow Christian? Or a parent whose child is murdered in a contest between rival gangs? Those APRIL 26, 2018 are not hypothetical situations; LIVING WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP those are all situations I have dealt REGRETS with in recent years as a pastor.

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone. APRIL 27, 2018 —Mark 11:25 THE IMPORTANCE OF Do you have any regrets in your FORGIVENESS life? It is true that we cannot undo If your brother sins, rebuke him; and our past. Life has no rewind button. if he repents, forgive him. But there are some things we can —Luke 17:3 do to avoid regrets about our time, our finances, our parenting, and There is only one way to handle every other area in life. And there regrets we have over what other are corrections we can make to people have done to us, and that

50 PATHWAY MAGAZINE | MAR/APR ‘18 DAILY DEVOTIONALS is forgiveness. A few years ago, our been wronged by someone else. church hosted a televised broadcast If we know we are supposed to that was focused on issues that forgive, then why do we find it so affect today’s families. Sheila Walsh, difficult to let go of offenses that a well-known Christian author are committed against us? There and speaker, was on the panel. are several common fallacies about Somebody asked her, “Sheila, what forgiveness that keep us prisoners is the greatest single need you see of regret, instead of freeing us to in families today?” She said, “That’s experience the life God wants us to easy—forgiveness.” have.

The word “forgive” means to let One fallacy that keeps us from go of, to release. When you forgive forgiving others is the idea that somebody, you give up your right people have to earn forgiveness. to hurt that person for hurting you. Usually, there is not much our offender can do to make up for We all know that forgiveness is a what he or she has done to us. For virtue; it is something desirable. example, what could ever be done There is something good about to make restitution for a marriage letting go of that bitterness instead destroyed by adultery? of holding on to it. But even though we extol the virtue of What could anybody ever do to forgiveness, we find it very hard to restore a reputation that has been practice it in our own lives. C. S. ruined by slander? What could Lewis said it well: “Everyone says anybody do to make up for a child forgiveness is a lovely idea, until killed by a drunk driver? they have something to forgive.” The fact is, there is usually very little a person can do to earn

APRIL 30, 2018 our forgiveness. Even more importantly, when we wait to FORGIVENESS IS NOT EARNED forgive until somebody else earns our forgiveness, we make ourselves [Forgive] each other, whoever has a prisoners to that other person. complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. That means we can go no further —Colossians 3:13 in life than our offender is willing to go. We all know that forgiveness is what we should do when we have

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