DEALING WITH HURT

Have you been seriously hurt? Is anyone deliberately hurting you right now? Is a friend or loved one maliciously treating you worse than your enemy? Jesus offers four ways to deal with such painful situations: “LOVE [be patient and kind to] your enemies, BLESS [speak well of] those who curse you, DO GOOD to those who hate you, and PRAY for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43). If you are to do these four things for your “enemy,” how much to a friend or loved one at home, work, neighborhood, or church? Believe me, consistently displaying these four graces to those seeking your hurt takes the pain and bitterness from your own heart.—SKP

CONGRATULATIONS FOR WHAT?

When one accomplishes something extraordinary we say, “Congratulations!” Yet our greatest achievement is not when we pass an exam, earn a degree, acquire a job or property, receive a promotion, get married, etc. Nor is it when we display superb talents or prowess. Rather, our greatest feat is self-control—the discipline of self when provoked, tempted, or hurt. Self-control is the basis and crown of achievement in any field or endeavor. So, "Congratulations!” for what? For saying “No” to our appetite, passion, anger, bad attitude & habits, and pride. Without self-control, accomplishments result in regrets. —SKP

(SKP's Meditations on Proverbs 16:32; Galatians 5:23).

JUST ONE EGG

A codfish lays ten thousand eggs and says not a word. But the hen lays just one egg and cackles all day to advertise her incredible accomplishment! We’re like the hen in our self-admiration and self-absorption. One evidence is how we use our smart phones, emails, Facebook, Facetime, Skype, etc.: We download and upload images of ourselves; we text and post messages about ourselves; and we chat back and forth about ourselves. Just one egg: SELF. Self-centeredness partakes of Lucifer’s selfishness and leads to destruction (Isaiah 14:12-16). We must die to self—i.e., be selfless, emulating Christ’s “self-emptying” act that resulted in His sacrificing His life for us (Philippians 2:5-8).—SKP

(SKP's “Song in the Dark”) 

CONSEQUENCES

“The word consequence literally means ‘with a sequence,’ one thing following another or resulting from another action or condition. Every choice in life has far-reaching consequences. Hence, the saying: Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; and sow a character, reap a destiny. Thus, a single choice for sound biblical instruction affects other choices—e.g., friendships and relationships, education, career, marriage, recreation, and where, when, and how we worship. It also shapes our outlook in life--how we handle tragedies & triumphs. Ultimately, it determines our destiny. One choice, many consequences!”—SKP (From My Healed Wounds, but Ugly Scars).

OBEDIENCE DELAYED

"Often, our problem is not an unwillingness to perform a known duty. Rather, it’s a reluctance at PROMPT obedience. But on Wall Street, an hour’s delay in selling or buying can be expensive, and in a 100m race, a one second delay can be costly. In the spiritual realm, obedience delayed is disobedience. It’s sin. Therefore, a continued postponement of a known duty is living in sin. Since deferred obedience is disobedience, don’t put off the apology, the thank you, Bible study, Sabbath observance, baptism, or some other duty. True obedience respects the time of the duty just as much as any other part of it. Delay no longer!"—SKP 

Meditation on on Psalm 119:60; Acts 24:25.

HAVE YOU FAILED?

“You think you’re finished and that all hope is lost? Take courage in the fact that God does not throw any repentant soul away... For you He waits that He might brush off the dirt from your fall and set you back on track….After Failure empties your cup, God’s grace can fill it to its brim again…Take courage when you have to sit in the darkness of your failure. If you allow the Lord, your fall will not be fatal. There may be dark clouds, but your sun will not set. … If you have failed, don’t give up. Don’t stay down. Keep getting up.”—SKP’s Six More Chances, pp. 144, 174, 181. www.TheWoundedEagleBooks.com.
(SKP's “Song in the Dark”)

GUILTY CONSCIENCE

“Nowadays we don’t want to feel guilty or have a guilt trip laid on us. But if we don’t feel guilty, then our consciences are dysfunctional. Conscience is our internal GPS, programmed by God to direct us to our heavenly destination. If and when we sin, guilt is that audible voice that tells us we’ve departed from God’s navigational instructions and must change our ways by repenting. It motivates us to make things right with God and those we’ve wronged. Guilt is a gift to convicted sinners, pointing them to the way of peace. It’s a “godly sorrow” that leads to salvation.” --SKP

Meditation on Psalm 51; John 16:7, 8; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11.

GOD CAN

“God knows how to lift us up, out of our predicaments. He knows how to fix our broken worlds: broken hearts, broken hopes, broken homes, broken health, and broken lives. There is not a problem that Christ cannot fix. He brings beauty out of ugly situations. New growth out of dead ashes. Sweet-smelling life out of foul-smelling rottenness. . . . If you’re discouraged, I encourage you ‘Don't give up!’... Do not succumb to the crushing weight of failure over your life. If there’s anyone that can help you handle failure well, God can. He did for me. He can do the same for you as well. ”—SKP’s Six More Chances, pp. 166, 179; www.TheWoundedEagleBooks.com. 

 Meditation on 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9.

ENVY & JEALOUSY

“Envy or jealousy is mediocrity’s tribute to excellence. Though interchangeable, ENVY begins with empty hands mourning its lack, and rejoicing at another’s misfortunes; JEALOUSY starts with full hands, but afraid of losing to another what it already possesses. Envy or jealousy is demonic (James 3:13-16). When conditions are ripe, it will kill the object of its grudge (e.g., Cain/Abel; Saul/David; religious leaders/Christ), but its malice always boomerangs (e.g., Haman dies on his gallows for Mordecai; Daniel’s rivals end up in the lion’s den). The misery of jealousy outlives the joy of those we envy.”--SKP

 Meditation on Proverbs 27:4; 14:30; Ecclesiastes 4:4; Galatians 5:19-21.

PROCRASTINATION

“Putting things off till last minute is the womb from which Procrastination is born. Its first words are ‘later’ and ‘not now.’ Procrastination is not lazy, incapable, or disobedient. It simply postpones what needs to be done to another day of the week called ‘Someday.’ Procrastination’s busiest day is tomorrow—the day it makes major decisions, accomplishes great things, and effects important changes in its personal life. Though we’re in love with Procrastination, the relationship can ruin our dreams, opportunities, and destiny. Let’s de-friend Procrastination by befriending Today—Now!”—SKP

Meditation on Proverbs 6:6-11; 12:27: 13:4; 20:4; Luke 9:59-62;  Acts 24:24, 25.

(SKP’s “Song in the Dark")