excerpts from
God's Daily Wisdom for Men
by Boyd Bailey
That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him." Esther 6:1 SOMETIMES LIFE wakes us up in the middle of the night. The worries of the world can be heavy, even painstaking. It is hard to sleep when fear grips our heart, but Christ calms our conscience. A good night’s sleep is God’s gift.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 IT IS GOD’S WILL to give thanks in all circumstances. How can this be? Yes, in triumph and good things, but am I to be grateful in defeat and bad things? Often Christ’s thoughts are counterintuitive to man’s shallow assumptions. The Lord in His wonderful wisdom understand the advantage of thanksgiving in prosperity and adversity.
“For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what they have done." Matthew 16:27 JESUS CAME the first time in a modest manger to save the people from their sin. Jesus is coming soon a second time with a grand entrance as King of Kings to judge the people for their sins and dead works.
“But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ He said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus." Matthew 17:7-8 FEAR is relentless in its pursuit to push peace from the heart of sincere followers of Jesus. No one is immune to its influence. You can be a new believer or a seasoned Christian of many years and still struggle with fear. Fear stalks us when, like a boxer, we fall to one knee and wonder if we can get back up again.
“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame." Isaiah 50:7 FOCUS brings freedom, because there is permission to say no to good, competing ideas and opportunities. It is out of focus that faith is forged. When Jesus Christ is the focal point for direction and discipline, all other priorities fall into place.