Refreshing

Daily
in Gods Word
Emphasis on
Thoughts

Bitterness
October 1
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32
Key Verse: Verse 31 - Let all bitterness, and wrath,
and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put
away from you, with all malice:
Key Words: be put away from you
Thought: No matter how much you nurse a
grudge it wont get better.
a!e yo" e!er noticed that those #ho are bitter
#ith yo" ha!e the hardest ti$e co$pli$enting yo"% and
ha!e yo" e!er noticed ho# they a"to$atically begin to
praise yo"r &co$petition'( When #e n"rse a gr"dge #e
)ail to "nderstand that it doesn*t help% b"t hinders the
healing process+
,here #as a g"y that co"ld not get along #ith his
#i)e and% on top o) that% he co"ldn*t get along #ith his
$other-in-la#+ -n )r"stration one day% he )inally too. a
long #al.+ /s he #as abo"t to ret"rn ho$e% he got to the
street corner and sa# a hearse p"ll "p to the stop sign+ -t
had a big dog in it+
Behind that #as another hearse+ /nd then behind
that second hearse% abo"t )i)ty $en #ere #al.ing+ e #as
sei0ed #ith c"riosity and #al.ed "p to the )irst hearse%
.noc.ed on the glass and a g"y inside rolled his #indo#
do#n+ &1es(' he as.ed+ &What is this(' as.ed the $an+
&Well% in this cas.et is $y #i)e+ /nd in that cas.et
in the other hearse is $y $other-in-la#+ ,his big dog
.illed both o) the$+'
&$$+ 2an - borro# that dog('
/nd the g"y inside said% &3et in line+'
/nyone can bear a gr"dge #ho #al.s in the )lesh4 to
bear and o!erco$e one has to #al. in the spirit+

What to do:
Re$e$ber no $atter ho# $"ch yo" n"rse a gr"dge
it #on*t get better+
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Reproach
October 2
Bible Reading: - 6eter 4
Key Verse: Verse 14 If ye be reproached for the
name of Christ, happy are ye for the spirit of glory
and of !od resteth upon you: on their part he is evil
spoken of, but on your part he is glorified"
Key Words: If ye be reproached
7r+ Vance a!ner once said% &We lea!e co$)ortable
ho$es% to ride in co$)ortable cars% to sit in co$)ortable pe#s%
#hile #e hear a co$)ortable $essage #hich raises the
8"estion9What do #e .no# abo"t being reproached )or
2hrist*s sa.e('
-t*s not easy to spea. "p )or 2hrist and li!e )or hi$ i)
#e .no# that reproach #ill co$e as the conse8"ence o) o"r
#ords and li)e+
:issionary ;o" <ichols #rites% &-t*s not easy to step "p
against the a"thorities+ ;et $e ill"strate: 7"ring his years as
pre$ier o) the =o!iet >nion% <i.ita Khr"shche! deno"nced
$any o) the policies and atrocities o) his predecessor% ?oseph
=talin+ Once% as he reproached =talin in a p"blic $eeting%
Khr"shche! #as interr"pted by a sho"t )ro$ a hec.ler in the
a"dience+ @1o" #ere one o) =talin*s colleag"es+ Why didn*t
yo" stop hi$(* @Who said that* roared Khr"shche!+ /n
agoni0ing silence )ollo#ed as nobody in the roo$ dared $o!e
a $"scle+ ,hen Khr"shche! replied 8"ietly% @<o# yo" .no#
#hy+*'
:aybe it*s ti$e #e @spea. "p* and @li!e "p* to the
standard set )or "s by ?es"s+

What to do:
Re$e$ber li)e is not abo"t yo" and li)e is not abo"t
$e- real li)e is abo"t ?es"s 2hrist+
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The Manual
October 3
Bible Reading: 6sal$s 11A:1-B
Key Verse: Verses 2 #lessed are they that keep his
testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart"
Key Words: his testimonies
Thought: For many people the Bible is like the
ueen o! England. "he holds a position# but no
real power.
-n order )or 3od*s Word to ha!e real po#er in o"r
li!es% #e $"st @.no# it* and @li!e it+*
Recently% - decided to do so$ething - ne!er do+ - too.
o"t $y car $an"al and read it+ -*$ a real si$ple g"y+ - get in
a car% get behind the #heel% t"rn it on% and roll+ ,hat*s it+ B"t
one day - #as C"st )ooling aro"nd% opened $y glo!e
co$part$ent% and there #as $y car $an"al+ <o# this
$an"al has been in this car )or three years+ /s )ar as -*$
concerned% this is "nnecessary reading+ - see a steering #heel%
- see bra.es% - see an accelerator% a radio% heat% and air-
conditioning+ 3ood to go+
B"t on this partic"lar day% - decided to )lip thro"gh $y
$an"al+ - #as shoc.ed at so$e o) the st")) - read in there+
,here is so $"ch st")) in this car that has ne!er been "sedD -
reali0ed that -*d been doing things $an"ally that the car #as
set "p to do a"to$atically+ - reali0ed that -*d not been ta.ing
ad!antage o) all that the $an")act"rer had pro!ided+
On one partic"lar rainy day% - #as trying to loo. o"t o)
$y rear #indo#s and co"ldn*t see anything+ /)ter three years
o) ha!ing this car% - had no idea there #as a #indshield #iper

bac. there+ -t #asn*t that it #as not pro!ided% it*s that - #as
ignorant o) the pro!ision+ - didn*t .no# #hat #as pro!ided
and - certainly didn*t .no# ho# to ta.e ad!antage o) it+
What the Bible% the grace $an"al% is designed to do is
sho# yo" all the pro!isions that 3od has pro!ided )or e!ery
belie!er+ ,he proble$ is - not only need to .no# that the
$an"al is there% b"t - also need to .no# #hat it tells $e - can
do and ho# things #or.+
What to do:
/llo# 3od@s Word to #or. in yo"r li)e+ ,hat*s
#here the po#er is+
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Tact
October 4
Bible Reading: ?"dges B:1-A
Key Verse: Verse 3 $ !od hath delivered into your
hands the princes of %idian, &reb and 'eeb: and
what was I able to do in comparison of you( )hen
their anger was abated toward him, when he had
said that"
Key Words: )hen their anger was abated toward
him, when he had said that
Thought: T$%T is the ability to make a point
without making an enemy.
We are told in 6ro!erbs 15:1a &a so)t ans#er t"rneth
a#ay #rath+'
-n o"r teEt Ephrai$ #as angered that 3ideon had not
as.ed the$ to Coin the battle against the :idianites+ 3ideon*s
tact disar$ed a potential di!ision bet#een the ebre# people+
,act is i$portantD
,he ne# $inister*s )a$ily #as presented #ith a pie
ba.ed by one o) the congregation #ho #as a rather poor coo.+

,he pie #as inedible% so the $inister*s #i)e thre# it into the
garbage+
,he preacher #as )aced #ith the proble$ o) than.ing
the lady% #hile at the sa$e ti$e being tr"th)"l+ /)ter $"ch
tho"ght he sent the )ollo#ing note: &7ear :rs+ ?ones: ,han.
yo" )or being so .ind and tho"ght)"l+ - can ass"re yo" that a
pie li.e yo"rs ne!er lasts long at o"r ho"seD'
<o# that*s ,/2,D
What to do:
/s. 3od to gi!e yo" the ability to b"ild )ire "nder
people #itho"t $a.ing their blood boil+
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The Bible
October 5
Bible Reading: -- 6eter 1:1-B
Key Verse: Verse 4 - *hereby are given unto us
e+ceeding great and precious promises: that by these
ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having
escaped the corruption that is in the world through
lust"
Key Words: great and precious promises
Thought: $ Bible that is !alling apart usually
belongs to someone who isnt.
;et $e begin by as.ing yo": ho# precio"s is the Bible
to yo"(
/ $an in Kansas 2ity #as se!erely inC"red in an
eEplosion+ E!angelist Robert ;+ ="$ner tells abo"t hi$ in his
boo. )he *onders of the *ord of !od+ ,he !icti$*s )ace #as
badly dis)ig"red% and he lost his eyesight as #ell as both
hands+ e #as C"st a ne# 2hristian% and one o) his greatest
disappoint$ents #as that he co"ld no longer read the Bible+
,hen he heard abo"t a lady in England #ho read Braille #ith
her lips+ oping to do the sa$e% he sent )or so$e boo.s o) the

Bible in Braille+ :"ch to his dis$ay% ho#e!er% he disco!ered
that the ner!e endings in his lips had been destroyed by the
eEplosion+ One day% as he bro"ght one o) the Braille pages to
his lips% his tong"e happened to to"ch a )e# o) the raised
characters and he co"ld )eel the$+ ;i.e a )lash he tho"ght% -
can read the Bible "sing $y tong"e+ /t the ti$e Robert
="$ner #rote his boo.% the $an had &read' thro"gh the
entire Bible )o"r ti$es+
What to do:
2lai$ 3od*s great F precio"s pro$ises today+ ,hey
#ill .eep yo" )ro$ )alling apart+
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Faith
October G
Bible Reading: ?a$es 2:15-2G
Key Verse: Verse 2G ,or as the body without the
spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also"
Key Words: faith without works is dead
Thought: Faith is taking God at &is Word in
spite o! my !eelings# circumstances or
conse'uences.
-n a )ar$ing co$$"nity% it hadn*t rained in a long
ti$e% and things #ere getting desperate+ ,he $inisters
decided they #ere going to call a prayer $eeting+ ,hey said%
&;oo.% #e #ant the #hole to#n to co$e to the prayer $eeting
and bring their religio"s sy$bols+' =o the #hole to#n sho#ed
"p )or the prayer $eeting and people bro"ght crosses% they
bro"ght their Bibles% the 2atholics bro"ght their rosaries% and
they all cried o"t to 3od+ ,hey )inished the prayer $eeting+
<o rain #as in sight+ ,hey all #ent ho$e+
,he neEt day tho"gh% in the to#n s8"are #here they
had had the $eeting% there #as a little boy+ &Oh% 3od% #e
need rain+ 3od% sho# 1o"r po#er% and gi!e "s rain+' ,he day

be)ore% #ith all the preachers and all the religio"s sy$bols%
calling on 3od% no rain+ ,he little boy sho#s "p the neEt day
by hi$sel) in the to#n s8"are% and as he #ay praying% the s.y
got dar.er+ /s he #as praying% r"$bling occ"rred+ /s he #as
praying% the sho#er hit% and it #as po"ring do#n rain+
What #as it abo"t the little boy( e said the sa$e
things that all the people said the day be)ore+ ,he day be)ore
they had all the $inisters4 they e!en bro"ght their religio"s
sy$bols+ B"t the day the yo"ng boy ca$e% #hen the clo"ds
got dar.% he li)ted "p the sy$bol that he bro"ght: an "$brella+
e eEpected it to rain+
When yo" anticipate rain% yo" ta.e an "$brella+
When a $an tells yo" it*s going to rain% #hen a $eteorologist
says it*s going to stor$ today% $ost people #ill get their
"$brellas beca"se they belie!e his #ord+ :eteorologists are
#rong hal) the ti$e and #e still ta.e the$ at their #ord+ Why
is it% #hen it co$es to 3od% #ho is ne!er #rong% #e hesitate to
belie!e and act on is Word(
What to do:
Re$e$ber )aith alone sa!es b"t a )aith that sa!es
#ill ne!er be alone+
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Remember Your Youth
October H
Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 12
Key Verse: Verse 1 I -emember now thy Creator in
the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not,
nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have
no pleasure in them
Key Words: while the evil days come not
Thought: (i!e may begin at !orty# but e)erything
else begins to wear out# !all out# or spread out.

:an is li.e an a"to$obile+ /s it gets older% the di))erential
starts slipping% and the "-Coints get #orn% ca"sing the dri!e
sha)t to go bad+ ,he trans$ission #on*t go into high gear and
so$eti$es has di))ic"lty getting o"t o) lo#+ ,he cylinders get
#orn and lose co$pression% $a.ing it hard to cli$b the
slightest incline+ When it is cli$bing% the tappets clatter and
ping to the point #here one #onders i) the old b"s #ill $a.e it
to the top+ ,he carb"retor gets )o"led #ith poll"tants and
other $atter% $a.ing it hard to get started in the $orning+ -t
is hard to .eep the radiator )illed beca"se o) the lea.ing hose+
,he ther$ostat goes o"t% $a.ing it di))ic"lt to reach operating
te$perat"re+ ,he headlights gro# di$% and the horn gets
#ea.er+ ,he $e$ory chip drops a )e# bytes% and the battery
needs constant recharging+ B"t i) the body loo.s good #ith no
bangs% dents or chipping paint% #e can .eep it #ashed and
polished% gi!ing the i$pression that it can co$pete #ith the
ne#er $odels and $a.e one $ore trip do#n the pri$rose
lane be)ore the head gas.et blo#s+ 3entle$en% start yo"r
engines+
What to do:
Re$e$ber to enCoy and "se the days o) yo"r yo"th
#ith 3odly #isdo$D
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White Lies
October B
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:1-1G
Key Verse: Verse 15 - #ut speaking the truth in love,
may grow up into him in all things, which is the head,
even Christ:
Key Words: speaking the truth in love
Thought: Those who are gi)en to *white+ lies
soon become color blind.
Ja$o"s /$erican lies:

,he chec. is in the $ail+
-*ll start $y diet to$orro#+
We ser!ice #hat #e sell+
3i!e $e yo"r n"$ber and the doctor #ill call yo" right
bac.+
:oney cheer)"lly re)"nded+
One si0e )its all+
,his o))er li$ited to the )irst 1KK people #ho call in+
1o"r l"ggage isn*t lost4 it*s only $isplaced+
;ea!e yo"r res"$e and #e*ll .eep it on )ile+
,his h"rts $e $ore than it h"rts yo"+
- C"st need )i!e $in"tes o) yo"r ti$e+
1o"r table #ill be ready in a )e# $in"tes+
Open #ide% it #on*t h"rt a bit+
;et*s ha!e l"nch so$eti$e+
-t*s not the $oney4 it*s the principle+
/ t#el!e-year-old boy #as a .ey #itness in a cr"cial la#s"it+
One o) the la#yers had p"t hi$ thro"gh a rigoro"s cross-
eEa$ination and had been "nable to sha.e his clear%
da$aging testi$ony+ -n a stern !oice% the la#yer said% &1o"r
)ather has been telling yo" ho# to testi)y% hasnLt he(' &1es%'
said the boy+ &<o#%' said the la#yer% #ith s$"g satis)action%
&C"st tell "s #hat yo"r )ather told yo" to say+' &Well%' replied
the boy% &Jather told $e that la#yers $ay try to tangle $e%
b"t i) - #o"ld C"st be care)"l and tell the tr"th% - co"ld say the
sa$e thing e!ery ti$e+'
What to do:
Re$e$ber% in the end it really pays to tell the tr"th+
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The Measure of a Person
October A
Bible Reading: - =a$"el 1G:1-13

Key Verse: Verse H #ut the L&-. said unto
/amuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the
height of his stature because I have refused him: for
the L&-. seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on
the outward appearance, but the L&-. looketh on
the heart"
Key Words: the Lord looketh on the heart
Thought: When God measures a man# &e puts a
tape measure around his heart# not his head.
Wo$en ta.e a lot o) ti$e and attention to $a.e s"re
they loo. glorio"s+ ,hey are a lot li.e $y #i)e+ -) - tell her #e
ha!e to go so$e#here at H:KK% at G:KK she &goeth' be)ore the
$irror o) her glory+ =he goes to #or.+ =he p"lls o"t eye
$ascara% eye-liner% )o"ndation% rollers% c"rlers% a hot iron% and
st")) - canLt e!en prono"nce+ -n one ho"r she is trans)or$ed
be)ore $y !ery eyes+
We go to the car4 the car is in the garage% so she
doesnLt ha!e to go o"tside )irst to $ess "p her glory+ =he can
go straight to the car% and .eep all her glory intact+ ,he )irst
thing she does is to p"ll o"t the !isor to chec. the glory she
C"st p"t on+ When #e get to the b"ilding #e are tra!eling to%
#e go in and co$e to the ele!ator+ 3"ess #hat( ,hereLs a
$irror in the ele!ator% to do"ble-chec. her glory+ When #e
arri!e at o"r )loor and get o)) the ele!ator% $y #i)e #ill $a.e a
beeline )or the po#der roo$+ <o#% there is nothing #rong
#ith a #i)e #ho see.s to be glorio"s+ ,he Bible says that a
#o$an is the glory o) the $an and - donLt $ind $y #i)e
$a.ing $e loo. good+
B"t 3od is loo.ing )or e!en $ore+ e #ants "s to be
glorio"s on the inside% not $erely on the o"tside+ Jar too
$any #o$en are elegant on the o"tside% b"t bargain
base$ent on the inside: e!il-spirited% e!il attit"de%
disregarding% disrespect)"l+ Re$e$ber% 3od is not $eas"ring
"s by that #hich is o"t#ard% b"t e is $eas"ring o"r heart+
What to do:
/s. yo"rsel) and ans#er honestly: #hich
$eas"re$ent is greater% $y head or $y heart(
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Temptation
October 1K
Bible Reading: :atthe# G:5-15
Key Verse: Verse 13 I 0nd lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: ,or thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever"
0men.
Key Words: 0nd lead us not into temptation
Thought: Temptations# unlike opportunities#
will always gi)e you a second chance.
/ b"siness$an #as on a diet and eEperienced a
cra!ing )or don"ts+ e dro!e to the don"t shop and C"st .ept
circling the bloc.+ ,hen he prayed% &;ord% - .no# 1o" donLt
#ant $e to eat don"ts+ - .no# that thatLs not 1o"r #ill% b"t -
need 1o" to con)ir$ it+ ,here are no par.ing spaces at this
don"t shop% so i) 1o" donLt open a par.ing space% -Lll accept
this as 1o"r #ill+ ,he $an had to dri!e aro"nd the bloc. eight
ti$es be)ore it #as 3odLs #ill+
What the #or$ is designed to do is entice the )ish so
that the )ish can beco$e )ood )or the )isher$an+ -t is an
entice$ent+ <o bear goes loo.ing )or a bear trap+ <o $o"se
goes loo.ing )or a $o"setrap+ What entices the $o"se is
cheese+ B"t cheese is set on the trap% and beca"se o) its l"st
)or cheese% the $o"se is decei!ed in not recogni0ing the trap+
,here)ore% it is enticed or decei!ed or d"ped by so$ething
that is legiti$ate to create an opport"nity )or the destr"ction
o) the prey+
:ost o) "s are in debt% beca"se o) deception+ ,here
#as a desire to b"y so$ething that #e either co"ld not a))ord
or sho"ld not ha!e p"rchased% b"t that thing #as presented in
s"ch a #ay so as to ca"se "s to belie!e #e co"ldnLt li!e #itho"t

it+ =o% #e spent $oney #e didnLt ha!e% )or things #e didnLt
need% to i$press people #e donLt .no#+ We #ere not thin.ing
at the $o$ent that this decision #o"ld ta.e "s the rest o) o"r
li!es to pay o))% at 1BM interest+ &;ead "s not into te$ptation%
b"t deli!er "s )ro$ e!il+'
What to do:
Re$e$ber% te$ptation #ill al#ays .noc. at yo"r
heartLs door+
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Tears
October 11
Bible Reading: ?ohn 11:31-4G
Key Verse: Verse 35 I 1esus wept.
Key Words: 1esus wept
Thought: *Tears are a li'uid pain.+ , &erbert
(ockyer. Golda -eir said# *Those who don.t
know how to weep with their whole heart# don.t
know how to laugh either.+
/ little girl #as once late co$ing ho$e )ro$ play+
When her $other as.ed her #here she had been% she
eEplained that her )riend had )allen and bro.en her !ery
special doll+ N/nd%N said the little girl% N- stayed to help her+N
No# did yo" help her%N as.ed the $other+ N- C"st sat do#n
and helped her cryN+
O ?oseph is said to ha!e #ept B ti$es+
O 7a!id% H ti$es+
O 6a"l% 4 ti$es+ e described hi$sel) as ser!ing the
;ord #ith all h"$ility% #ith $any tears+ P/cts 2K:1AQ
O ?ere$iah co$pared his #eeping to both a )o"ntain
and a ri!er o) tears+ P?ere$iah A:14 ;a$entations 3:4BQ
O 7a!id*s $en #ept "ntil they had no $ore po#er to
#eep+ P1 =a$"el 3K:4Q

O ,he 6sal$ist #ept "ntil he drenched his co"ch and
$ade his &bed s#i$+' P6sal$ G:GQ
O 6eter #ept &bitterly+' P:atthe# 2G:H5Q
O ,here are three records o) ?es"s* tears: O!er a
doo$ed city% o!er a )riend*s death% and o!er a pain)"l
sacri)ice+ P;".e 1A:41% ?ohn 11:33I35% and ebre#s
5:HQ
O ell is described as a place o) #eeping and gnashing
o) teeth+ P:atthe# 13:42Q
O ,he last $ention o) tears is in Re!elation 21:4% the
pro$ise that 3od shall #ipe a#ay all tears )ro$ the
eyes o) his redee$ed+
,ears -- a lang"age 3od "nderstandsD
What to do:
Re$e$ber% e!en ?es"s #ept+
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Negative Talk
October 12
Bible Reading: <ehe$iah 4:1-11
Key Verse: Verse 2 I &0nd he spake before his
brethren and the army of /amaria, and said, *hat
do these feeble 1ews( will they fortify themselves(
will they sacrifice( will they make an end in a day(
will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the
rubbish which are burned(
Key Words: *hat do these feeble 1ews(
Thought: The person who rows the boat usually
doesn.t ha)e time to rock it.
/lan ;oy :c3innis is a b"siness cons"ltant and
a"thor #ho had been called in to help change the negati!e
trends in $any large co$panies and corporations+ -n his
boo.% )he 2ower of &ptimism% :c3innis #rites:

N2orporations occasionally as. $e to #or. #ith their
lo#-prod"cing $anagers and salespersons% the people #ho
are )ailing% b"t #ho$ theyLd li.e to reclai$+ /s - sit #ith these
$en and #o$en and listen to their con!ersation% -L$ al#ays
str"c. by ho# pessi$istic and cynical their tal. is+ One $ight
say% RO) co"rse theyLre negati!e4 they .no# theyLre in tro"ble
in their co$pany+L B"t - s"spect it $ay ha!e #or.ed the other
#ay -- the reason they beca$e losers #as their habit o)
negati!e tal.+ /t so$e point they e!idently got into the habit
o) co$$enting on bad circ"$stances% the bad #or.ing
conditions% and the bad state o) their b"siness+ :aybe it
originally got the$ so$e sy$pathy and attention% or $aybe
they pic.ed "p the habit )ro$ other #or.ers+ -n any e!ent%
they beca$e negati!e% and their #or. s"))ered+N
:c3innis s"ggests se!eral #ays to re!erse this% b"t
one o) the $ost po#er)"l is to $onitor and change the #ay #e
tal.+ When people begin tal.ing $ore positi!ely% they begin
thin.ing or acting $ore so+ e s"ggests #atching e!ery
con!ersation to see the direction o) the co$$ents and
attit"des it contains+
N-n al$ost e!ery sit"ation%N he #rites% Nit is possible to
gi!e the con!ersation an opti$istic spin+N
What to do:
- ha!e disco!ered that e!eryone is doing one o) three
things+ 1Q Ro#ing the boat% 2Q Roc.ing the boat% or 3Q
?"st si$ply riding in the boat+ Which one are yo"(
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Your Autograph
October 13
Bible Reading: /cts G
Key Verse: Verse 3 *herefore, brethren, look ye
out among you seven men of honest report, full of the
3oly !host and wisdom, whom we may appoint over
this business"

Key Words: of honest report
Thought: (i)e your li!e so that your autograph
will be wanted instead o! your /ngerprints.
7e!otional #riter enry 3+ Bosch once #rote in &ur
.aily #read that #hen he #as a boy he #o"ld o)ten #or. #ith
his )ather d"ring the s"$$er $onths+ ;ea!ing ho$e each
$orning% they #o"ld stop at a partic"lar store )or a
ne#spaper% #hich they read at co))ee brea.+ One day%
arri!ing at #or.% enryLs dad disco!ered that he had ta.en
t#o papers by $ista.e beca"se they #ere so thin+ /)ter a
$o$entLs tho"ght% he decided to ret"rn to the store
i$$ediately to pay )or the eEtra paper+ N- donLt #ant the
o#ner% #ho isnLt a 2hristian% to thin. -L$ dishonest%N said :r+
Bosch+
/bo"t a #ee. later% so$e eEpensi!e ite$s #ere
shopli)ted )ro$ the sa$e store+ ,he police calc"lated that at
the ti$e o) the robbery only t#o $en had been shopping in
the store I :r+ Bosch and another $an+ N- .no# ?ohn is
honest%N said the store.eeper+ N?"st last #ee. he ca$e all the
#ay bac. here to ret"rn a ne#spaper heLd ta.en by $ista.e+N
,he police 8"estioned the other $an instead and% in so doing%
apprehended the c"lprit #ho $ade a )"ll con)ession+
NJatherLs honesty and 2hristian character9not only
$ade a deep i$pression on the store.eeper%N enry later
#rote% Nb"t his actions also le)t an indelible $ar. "pon $y
yo"ng and pliable $ind+N
What to do:
Be honest4 it #ill co$e bac. to &sa!e' yo" so$eday+
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People an !ars
October 14
Bible Reading: /cts 11:1H-2G

Key Verse: Verse 2G I 0nd when he had found him,
he brought him unto 0ntioch" 0nd it came to pass,
that a whole year they assembled themselves with the
church, and taught much people" 0nd the disciples
were called Christians first in 0ntioch"
Key Words: they assembled themselves with the
church
Thought: 0eople are a lot like cars when it
come to church attendance. They generally
start missing be!ore they go out altogether.
=o$eone has p"t together an analogy o) a sold-o"t
)ootball ga$e and a less-than-sold-o"t ch"rch+ -tLs called
&,en Reasons )or <e!er /ttending /nother Jootball 3a$e+'
1. - #as ta.en to too $any ga$es by $y parents #hen -
#as gro#ing "p+
2. -t see$s that the ga$es are sched"led #hen - #ant to
do other things+
3. E!ery ti$e - go to a ga$e so$ebody as.s )or $oney+
4. /ltho"gh - go to the ga$e o)ten% )e# people are
)riendly eno"gh to spea. to $e+
5. ,he seats are too hard and "nco$)ortable+ Besides% -
o)ten ha!e to sit do#n )ront on the )i)ty yard line+
6. - s"spect that there are hypocrites sitting nearby -
they co$e to see their )riends and #hat others are
#earing rather than to see the ga$e+
7. ,he )ield C"dge says things - do not agree #ith+
8. ,he band plays so$e n"$bers - ha!e ne!er heard
be)ore+
9. =o$e ga$es last too long% and - a$ late getting ho$e+
10. - ha!e a boo. on )ootball+ - can stay at ho$e and read
it+
?"st sayinLDD
What to do:
Re$e$ber% donLt $iss too $"ch or yo"Lll go o"t
altogether+
"uccess
October 15
Bible Reading: ?osh"a 1:1-A
Key Verse: Verse BI )his book of the law shall not
depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all that is written therein: for then thou
shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt
have good success"
Key Words: good success
Thought: There is no place where success
comes be!ore hard work e1cept in the
dictionary.
-n 1AH2% 2athy Rigby #as deter$ined to #in a gold
$edal at the Oly$pic ga$es in :"nich+ =he had trained !ery
hard )or $any years and did not #ant to disappoint hersel) or
the >nited =tates 3y$nastics tea$+ /s she began her
gr"eling regi$en o) per)or$ing "nder Oly$pic press"re% she
prayed )or the strength and control to get thro"gh her
ro"tines #itho"t $a.ing $ista.es+ =he per)or$ed #ell b"t
did not #in+ 2athy #as cr"shed by the de)eat+ When she later
Coined her parents in the stands% she b"rst into tears and said%
N-L$ sorry% - did $y best+N er $other ga!e her these #ise
#ords o) consolation% N1o" .no# that% and - .no# that% and
-L$ s"re 3od .no#s that too+ 7O-<3 1O>R BE=, -= :ORE
-:6OR,/<, ,/< BE-<3 ,E BE=,+N 7oing o"r best )or
the :aster is all that ?es"s has as.ed+ We #onLt al#ays be the
best% b"t #e can al#ays try to do o"r best+

- o)ten tell parents that it isnLt the st"dent that $a.es
the &/Ls' #ith no e))ort that co"nts% b"t the &2' st"dent #ho
#or.s hard and does the best that co"ntsDD ,here is
so$ething to be said )or a 1KKM e))ort+

What to do:
Re$e$ber% s"ccess is s#eet% b"t "s"ally it has the
scent o) s#eat abo"t it+
!ircumstances
October 1G
Bible Reading: - =a$"el 1B:1-11
Key Verse: Verse B I 0nd /aul was very wroth, and
the saying displeased him and he said, )hey have
ascribed unto .avid ten thousands, and to me they
have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have
more but the kingdom(
Key Words: what can he have more but the
kingdom(
Thought: (i!e is 234 what happens to me and
534 what attitude 6 ha)e toward it.
-t #asnLt yo"r ideal #edding+ When Victoria ;e:elle
and Roger 2o$pton tied the .not on :ay 2% 1AA2% their
#edding #as #ell-planned% b"t they didnLt co"nt on the riots
that bro.e o"t in =o"th-2entral ;os /ngeles+ ,he brideLs
dress #as stolen% the groo$Ls t"E #as looted% and both the
ca$era$an and the li$o ser!ice canceled at the last $in"te+
Only the caterer and )lo#ers ca$e thro"gh+ <onetheless% the
co"ple #ent on #ith the cere$ony in a sanct"ary )illed #ith
the scent o) )lo#ers and s$o.e+ ,he honey$oon #as placed
on hold beca"se they co"ldnLt get o"t o) their riot-torn
neighborhood in ti$e to board their sched"led cr"ise+ N-L$
happy any#ay%N said the bride+ NWe C"st decided #e #erenLt
going to let a b"nch o) ignorant people get in o"r #ay+ :ay 2
#as o"r day% and nobody #as going to stop "s+N /ltho"gh
riots arenLt an e!eryday occ"rrence% there are plenty o)

ad!ersities #hich bo$bard "s each #ee.+ We $"st not allo#
Nless than idealN circ"$stances to rob "s o) o"r Coy and peace
as 3odLs children+
/l#ays re$e$ber% a bad attit"de )ro$ circ"$stances
co$es #hen #e ha!e li)e &abo"t $eD'
What to do:
Re$e$ber% li)e is not abo"t yo" and li)e is not
abo"t $e% b"t li)e is all abo"t ?es"s 2hrist+
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Wrong Place
October 1H
Bible Reading: Ro$ans 12:A-21
Key Verse: Verse 1G I Be of the same mind one
toward another" %ind not high things, but
condescend to men of low estate" #e not wise in your
own conceits"
Key Words: be not wise in your own conceits
Thought: The person who ne)er sees himsel! as
being wrong# is wrong again.
,here is nothing #orse than a person #ho ne!er see
hi$sel) as being #rong+ ,hey% in their eyes% are ne!er the
proble$+ ,hey si$ply #or. #ith people #ho are the proble$+
,he proble$ is these people C"st ne!er really see
the$sel!es as they really are: #orthlessD
/ little boy #as acc"sto$ed to being praised by his
doting grand$other+ On one partic"lar !isit she .ept telling
hi$ that he #as &priceless+' When he )inished a dra#ing o)
#hich he #as !ery pro"d% he eEcitedly ran to his
grand$otherLs side and yelled% &;oo.% 3rand$a% -L$
#orthlessD'

>ntil 3od can get a hold o) the &conceited' personLs
heart% they #ill ne!er be #rong in their o#n eyes+ :ay 3od
help the$% )or they are #rong againDD
What to do:
7on*t be &#rong again+'
Po#er of Pra$er
October 1B
Bible Reading: :atthe#G:5-15
Key Verse: Verse 1K I &)hy kingdom come" )hy will
be done in earth, as it is in heaven"
Key Words: )hy will be done
Thought: *-en may spurn our appeals# re7ect
our message# oppose our arguments# despise
our person8 but they are helpless against our
prayers.+ , "idlow Ba1ter
:ost o) "s .no# the &;ordLs 6rayer' by heart+ We
ha!e p"t it to $e$ory+ B"t the !erse that sho#s "s the po#er
o) 3od: 3odLs #ill be done+++and it al#ays #ill be+
4ou know the /upreme Court is the highest court of
appeals+ ,heyL!e got all .ind o) co"rts that lead "p to the
="pre$e 2o"rt+ ,he lo#er co"rts $ay $a.e all .inds o)
decisions b"t i) the ="pre$e 2o"rt decides to hear a case% it is
irrele!ant #hat other co"rts ha!e decided+ -) the ="pre$e
2o"rt decides it #ill hear an iss"e% it doesnLt $atter #hat the
lo#er co"rts ha!e decided+ Only #hat the ="pre$e 2o"rt
r"les stic.s% all other co"rts% no $atter ho# po#er)"l% C"st or
"nC"st% $"st pale in signi)icance #hen the ="pre$e 2o"rt
r"les+
- donLt .no# #ho has $ade a decision )or yo"r li)e+ -
donLt .no# #hat co"rt has r"led on yo"r circ"$stances+ -t
$ay ha!e been the co"rt o) yo"r e$ployer #ho has r"led that

yo" #ill ne!er lea!e this position+ -t $ay be the co"rt o) yo"r
)inances has decided yo" #ill ne!er better yo"r li)estyle+ -t
$ay be the co"rt o) the doctor that said #e canLt )iE this
disease+ B"t at least% appeal it to the ="pre$e 2o"rt+ /t least%
place it on the doc.et "p there so that 3od can decide #hat
the )inal rendering is+ -) e ta.es the case% it doesnLt $atter
#hat the co"rt o) yo"r e$ployer has said% or the co"rt o) yo"r
doctor has said% beca"se #hen that co"rt spea.s all other
co"rts beco$e irrele!ant+ 1o" can be happy today beca"se
eLs so!ereign and e sits on the throne+
,hy #ill be doneDD
What to do:
S When yo" are tired o) being sp"rned% reCected%
opposed% and despised% try praying+
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Reasons For Failure
October 1A
Bible Reading: 6sal$ 1K3
Key Verse: Verse 12 I 0s far as the east is from the
west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from
us"
Key Words: so far hath he removed our
transgressions from us
Thought: $ dirty diamond is still a diamond8 it
7ust needs to be cleaned.
E!ery #ee.% people ha!e the habit o) ta.ing clothes to
the cleaners that ha!e been soiled+ ,he Cob o) the cleaners is to
)reshen the$ "p and get the$ s$elling good again+ ?es"s has
a pic. "p cleaning ser!ice+ e pic.s "p dirty people I people
#ho ha!e allo#ed their li!es to sin. into the $"d )or one
reason or another I and cleanses the$+
7id yo" .no# that the biggest b"lldo0er in the #orld is
the 75H5/( -tLs 1G )eet long% 25 )eet #ide% and 41 )eet high+ -t

#eighs 225%KKK po"nds+ -tLs a h"ge $achine to b"lldo0e dirt+
/ co"ple o) years ago it ca$e to a co"nty #here there #as an
o!erload o) garbage% and the b"lldo0er #as bro"ght in to dig a
big hole that #o"ld collect the garbage and re$o!e it )ro$ the
li!es o) the citi0ens+
On the cross% 3od d"g a hole so big e co"ld collect
the sins o) the #hole #orld -- past% present% and )"t"re+ On the
cross% e gathered all the sin and too. o"t is eternal #rath
on ?es"s 2hrist )or yo" and )or $e+ N3od $ade hi$ #ho had
no sin to be sin )or "s+'
,o 3od be the gloryD
What to do:
1o" are still a dia$ond so let 3od cleanse yo" so
yo" can be a clean dia$ond+
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The Bible
October 2K
Bible Reading: 6sal$ 1A
Key Verse: Verse B I )he statutes of the L&-. are
right, re5oicing the heart: the commandment of the
L&-. is pure, enlightening the eyes"
Key Words: )he statutes of the Lord are right,
re5oicing the heart
Thought: $ Bible that is !alling apart usually
belongs to someone who isn.t.
,here #as a co$$ercial not too long ago )or 6rego
spaghetti sa"ce+ / $other is coo.ing the spaghetti and the
pot is )"ll o) #hat loo.s li.e a !ibrant% red spaghetti sa"ce+
,he aro$a appears to be )illing the ho"se+ ,he son co$es "p
and loo.s at his $other coo.ing the sa"ce and as.s% &:o$%
#here are the $"shroo$s('

=he says% &-t*s in there+'
&B"t #hat abo"t the sa"sage('
&Why% it*s in there+'
&What abo"t the ripe to$atoes('
&-t*s in there+'
6rego*s spaghetti sa"ce had .ic. and )la!or% beca"se o)
#hat #as inside+ E!ery ti$e the boy loo.ed )or so$ething to
eEplain #hat he s$elled% his $other #o"ld reply% &-t*s in
there+'
-) yo" are loo.ing )or !ictory% it*s in the Bible+ -) yo"*re
loo.ing )or trans)or$ation% it*s already in there+ -) yo"*re
loo.ing )or po#er% it*s in there+ -) yo"*re loo.ing )or
deli!erance% it*s in there+ -) yo"*re loo.ing )or a brand-ne#
yo"% it*s already there+ ,he di!ine nat"re has gi!en yo"
e!erything yo" need and yo" can learn abo"t #hat*s a!ailable
to yo" by st"dying the Word o) 3od+

What to do:
7onLt )all apart+ ?"st co$e apart and let 3od gi!e
yo" rest thro"gh is Word+
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The Wor
October 21
Bible Reading: ?ere$iah 5:1K-24
Key Verse: Verse 13 0nd the prophets shall become
wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be
done unto them"
Key Words: and the word is not in them
Thought: The de)il is not a!raid o! the Bible with
dust on it.
,ony E!ans #rites:
&3+ 2a$pbell :organ had gro#n "p in a 2hristian
ho$e% ne!er 8"estioning that the Bible #as the Word o) 3od+
B"t in college% his )aith #as se!erely challenged and he began

to entertain do"bts+ &,he #hole intellect"al #orld #as "nder
the $astery o) the physical scientists%' he later said% &and o) a
$aterialistic and rationalistic philosophy+ 7ar#in% "Eley%
,yndall% =pencer% Bain+ ,here ca$e a $o$ent #hen - #as
s"re o) nothing+'
-n those days% opponents o) the Bible appeared e!ery
="nday in great lect"re and concert halls across England%
attac.ing 2hristianity and the Bible% and these brilliant
atheists and agnostics tro"bled the yo"ng st"dent+ e read
e!ery boo. he co"ld )ind% both )or and against the Bible% both
)or and against 2hristianity% "ntil he #as con)"sed% so riddled
#ith do"bt that he )elt he co"ldn*t go on+
-n desperation% he closed his boo.s% p"t the$ in his
c"pboard and t"rned the loc.+ 3oing do#n to a boo.shop% he
bo"ght a ne# Bible% ret"rned to his roo$% sat do#n at his
des.% and opened it+ e said% - a$ no longer s"re that this is
#hat $y )ather clai$s it to be I the Word o) 3od+ B"t o) this -
a$ s"re% it #ill bring ass"rance to $y so"l o) itsel)+ /s he
loo.ed into the boo. be)ore hi$% st"dying its )or$ and
str"ct"re and "nity and $essage% he #as a$a0ed+ e later
said% &,hat Bible )o"nd $e+ - began to read and st"dy it then%
in 1BB3% and - ha!e been a st"dent e!er since+'

What to do:
S ;et the Word o) 3od be in yo"+
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%iving
October 22
Bible Reading: /cts 4:32 I 5:11
Key Verse: Verse 4:34 I 6either was there any
among them that lacked: for as many as were
possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought
the prices of the things that were sold,
Key Words: and brought the prices of the things
that were sold

Thought: "tealing !rom God is like robbing the
police station 9 not a good idea.
,ony E!ans tells the )ollo#ing+
- re$e$ber #hen - #as teaching $y oldest son%
/nthony% abo"t gi!ing+ /t the ti$e% he #as getting one dollar
a #ee. )or an allo#ance+ - eEplained to hi$ that he no# had to
gi!e ten cents to 3od be)ore he spent the other ninety+ - also
eEplained that ten cents #as the $ini$"$ and that he co"ld
gi!e $ore based on his grate)"lness+ :y son "nderstood that
he had to tithe be)ore he co"ld b"y candy+ /nthony #as not a
happy ca$per+
Jirst% he eEplained to $e that one dollar #asnLt eno"gh
to b"y anything+ e started 8"oting the prices o) all his
)a!orite candies+ =econd% he co"ldnLt belie!e that he had to
c"t into his too-little allo#ance to share #ith 3od+
=o% - had to teach hi$+ - said% &<o#% =on% #here did
yo" get the dollar(' &Well% 7addy% yo" ga!e it to $e+' &Where
did 7addy get the $oney to gi!e yo" the dollar(' &Well% yo"
got the $oney )ro$ yo"r salary at the ch"rch+' &Well% ho# did
- get $oney )ro$ the salary at the ch"rch in order to gi!e yo"
the dollar('
&Beca"se the people go to #or. and then they gi!e and
then yo" get a salary )ro$ #hich yo" ga!e $e a dollar+'
&=o #here did the people get the $oney o"t o) #hich -
got a salary to gi!e yo" a dollar('
&Well% the people ha!e Cobs and #hen the people got
paid at their Cobs% they ga!e a portion o) their inco$e )ro$
#hich yo" get a salary to gi!e $e a dollar+'
&,ell $e so$e .inds o) Cobs that the people do #ho got
the salary #ho ga!e the $oney that pro!ided $e the salary to
gi!e yo" a dollar+'
:y son started na$ing a b"nch o) di))erent .inds o)
Cobs+ Jor each Cob he $entioned% - eEplained to hi$ all o) the
nat"ral reso"rces it too.% "nder the good hand o) 3od the
Jather% to $a.e those Cobs possible I that also $ade $y
salary and his dollar possible+
/)ter that con!ersation% he p"t )i)teen cents into the
o))ering+ When yo" "nderstand that e!erything starts #ith
3od% it $oti!ates yo" to gi!e to i$ )irst+
What to do:
Re$e$ber the #ords o) :alachi% &Will a $an rob
3od( 1et ye ha!e robbed $e% B"t ye say% Wherein
ha!e #e robbed thee( -n tithes and o))erings'
:alachi 3:B+
Your Face
October 23
Bible Reading: 6ro!erbs 15:1-14
Key Verse: Verse 13 I 0 merry heart maketh a
cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the
spirit is broken"
Key Words: 0 merry heart maketh a cheerful
countenance
Thought: $ person.s !ace is the signature o! his
soul.
, William (. "tidger
On one occasion :artin ;"ther had been brooding )or
se!eral days+ Reports had been and still #ere co$ing o)
gro"ps o) peasants in re!olt% and o) increased papal press"re
on the nobles to reno"nce their stand )or ;"ther+ ,hese
conspired to $a.e hi$ )eel that he had "nderta.en a hopeless
tas.+
On the $orning #hen he #as $ost deeply
$elancholic% he ca$e into the dining roo$ )or brea.)ast+ is
#i)e% Katie% greeted hi$ attired in a blac. dress #hich #as as
)"neral in appearance as the cost"$e she had #orn as a n"n+
:artin glanced at her 8"i00ically+ =he "s"ally greeted
hi$ #ith a cheer)"l% &3"ten $orgen% err 7o.ter%' b"t this
$orning she said not a #ord+
&What is #rong% Katie(' :artin in8"ired+
&3od is dead%' she anno"nced sadly+

&Wo$an that is a terrible heresy+ 3od is not dead% nor
doth e sleep+ <e!er say that ,he Eternal has died+ When
hea!en and earth shall pass a#ay 3od #ill re$ain%' he
a))ir$ed+
&,hen #hy do yo" #a.en each $orning #ith s"ch a
dole)"l eEpression on yo"r )ace( Why go thro"gh the day
sighing li.e the north #ind( -n yo"r "ni!ersity classes yo"
clai$ to interpret the $ind o) 3od+ 1o" ha!e appeared to
.no# i$ #ell% and - beca$e certain% )ro$ the eEpression on
yo"r )ace% that 3od $"st s"rely ha!e eEpired+'
=he $ade this state$ent #itho"t a change o)
eEpression+ ="ddenly :artin b"rst o"t la"ghing+ &1o" ha!e
con!inced $e% Katie% dear%' he said+ &=o% i) e!er yo" see $e
again #ith a $elancholy co"ntenance% re$ind $e that 3od is
li!ing% that e #ill li!e )ore!er$ore+ - pro$ise yo" that - shall
try not to appear as do"r as a shri!eled t"rnip+'
:aybe #e sho"ld pro$ise the sa$e thingD
What to do:
S Re$e$ber% yo"r co"ntenance is yo"r )ace re!ealing
#hat yo"r heart is )eeling+
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Leaership
October 24
Bible Reading: - 6eter 3:B-1H
Key Verse: Verse 1K I ,or he that will love life, and
see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil,
and his lips that they speak no guile:
Key Words: refrain his tongue from evil
Thought: $ leader is easy to recogni:e. &e is
the one with the arrows in his back.
,he #ord e!il in o"r .ey !erse carries the idea o)
bac.biting+ -L!e ne!er .no#n o) a good leader #ho #as not
bitten% stabbed and shot in the bac. #ith slander and gossip+

-t C"st goes #ith the territory+
/braha$ ;incoln once said: &-) - tried to ans#er all
the criticis$s o) $e and all the attac.s le!eled at $e% this
o))ice #o"ld be closed to all other b"siness+ :y Cob is not
pleasing $en% b"t doing the best - can+ -) in the end - a$
)o"nd to be #rong% ten legions o) angels s#earing - #as right
#ill not help $e4 b"t i) the end pro!es $e to ha!e been right%
then all that is said abo"t $e no# #ill a$o"nt to nothing+'
/n irritated editor: &-) yo" )ind errors in this
p"blication% please consider they are there )or a p"rpose+ We
p"blish so$ething )or e!eryone% and so$e people are al#ays
loo.ing )or $ista.es+'
=o let $e say to all o) yo" 3odly leaders% #hether yo"
are a parent% boss% s"per!isor% teacher% principal% and yes%
e!en a pastor: &/ny )ool can critici0e% conde$n% and co$plain4
and $ost do+' T BenCa$in Jran.lin
Keep on )or the glory o) 3od+
What to do:
Re$e$ber% &-) e!il be said o) thee and it be tr"e%
correct thysel)4 and i) it be a lie% la"gh at it+' T
Epictet"s
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Anger
October 25
Bible Reading: :atthe# 5:21-3K
Key Verse: Verse 22 I #ut I say unto you, )hat
whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause
shall be in danger of the 5udgment: and whosoever
shall say to his brother, -aca, shall be in danger of
the council: but whosoever shall say, )hou fool, shall
be in danger of hell fire"
Key Words: without a cause
Thought: The person who !eels no anger
toward e)il is a person who lacks enthusiasm

!or good.
Whene!er - tell people that not all anger is bad% - get
this loo. as i) - a$ a heretic+ ,hen - ha!e to re$ind the$ that
?es"s beca$e angry #ith the $oney-changers in the
te$ple+++and :oses beca$e angry #ith the st"bborn
-sraelites+++and <ehe$iah beca$e angry #ith the $oc.ing
3entiles+++not all anger is bad+
<o# people #ill o)ten 8"ote% or sho"ld - say $is8"ote%
Ephesians 4:2G to not let the s"n go do#n on oneLs anger% b"t
thatLs not #hat the !erse says+ -t says% &Be ye angry and sin
not: let not the s"n go do#n "pon yo"r #rath+' Wrath is
#hen #e #ant to har$ so$eone+ Wrath is #hen anger boils
o!er into en!y and Cealo"sy o) others+
B"t #e ha!e seared o"r conscience #hen #e are
apathetic to#ard e!il+
/ "ni!ersity pro)essor noticed a st"dent #as abo"t to
)all asleep in class+ =o the teacher as.ed the st"dent% &What is
the greatest proble$ in o"r society I ignorance or apathy('
,he st"dent replied: &- don*t .no# and - don*t care+'
-n this pastorLs opinion% it is not the act o) e!il that is
destroying o"r nation4 itLs the ch"rchLs apathy to#ard itD
What to do:
Be ye angry% b"t donLt let it t"rn into #rath+
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False Flatter$
October 2G
Bible Reading: 6ro!erbs 2B:1H-2B
Key Verse: Verse 23 I 3e that rebuketh a man
afterwards shall find more favour than he that
flattereth with the tongue"
Key Words: flattereth with the tongue
Thought: ;nly two groups o! people !all !or

<attery: men and women.
<ote #hat others ha!e said o) )lattery+
&One #ho eEtre$ely eEaggerates in his opinion o) yo"r
8"alities% so that it $ay co$e nearer to yo"r opinion o) the$+N
T Oscar Wilde% #hen as.ed his de)inition o) a )latterer+
&Jlattery is li.e cologne #ater% to be s$elt o)% not s#allo#ed+'
T ?osh Billings% 1A
th
cent"ry #riter+
&6raise% li.e gold and dia$onds% o#es its !al"e to its scarcity+'
T 7r+ =a$"el ?ohnson+
&Jlattery corr"pts both the recei!er and the gi!er+' T Ed$"nd
B"r.e+
&Jlatter $e% and - $ay not belie!e yo"+ 2ritici0e $e% and -
$ay not li.e yo"+ -gnore $e% and - $ay not )orgi!e yo"+
Enco"rage $e% and - #ill not )orget yo"+' T Willia$ Ward%
college ad$inistrator+
-tLs great to co$pli$ent others% b"t )alse )lattery is li.e
soap: AKM lye+
What to do:
-tLs al#ays #ise to re$e$ber that #hen tal.ing to a
person #ho li.es to be )lattered% yo" are only telling
the$ #hat they already thin. o) the$sel!es+
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!hurch Attenance
October 2H
Bible Reading: ebre#s 1K:25-35
Key Verse: Verse 25 I 6ot forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as the manner of some is but
e+horting one another: and so much the more, as ye
see the day approaching"

Key Words: 6ot forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together
Thought: "ome people don.t go to church
because o! hypocrites# but they still go to
mo)ies# ballgames# and Wal=-art with them.
/ )ar$er once said to a )riend% N- ha!e so$e delicio"s
apples gro#ing in $y orchard+ -) yo" co$e o!er% -Lll gi!e yo"
a b"shel+N e repeated the o))er% b"t his )riend ne!er ca$e+
Jinally% he as.ed% &?ohn% #hy didnLt yo" accept $y o))er('
&Well% to tell yo" the tr"th%' said the other% &- ha!e tasted
the$+ /s - #ent along the road a )e# #ee.s ago% - pic.ed one
"p that had )allen o!er the #all and )ran.ly% - ha!e ne!er
eaten anything so so"rD' &Oh%' la"ghed the )ar$er+ &-
tho"ght that $ight be the case+ ,hose apples aro"nd the
o"tside #ere placed there beca"se #e ha!e so $any boys in
the neighborhood+ -n order to protect $y crop% - selected the
so"rest !arieties to plant aro"nd the o"ter edge o) $y
orchard+ When the boys tasted these% they ga!e "p stealing%
thin.ing all the )r"it #as C"st as bad+ o#e!er% i) yo" #ill
co$e #ith $e% yo"Lll )ind that - gro# a !ery di))erent 8"ality
on the inside+ 1o"Lll really enCoy the$+ ,heyLre as s#eet as
honey+'
,hose #ho C"dge the ch"rch by its so"r $e$bers $a.e
the sa$e $ista.e #hen they allo# the &so"r apple hypocrites'
to .eep the$ a#ay )ro$ the &orchard o) )ello#ship' they
$ight enCoy #ith 3odLs saints+
Why conde$n the ch"rch beca"se all its $e$bers
arenLt )ine saints( 1o" donLt tear do#n the hospital beca"se
not all the patients reco!er+
?"st sayinLDD
What to do:
S Re$e$ber% hypocrites need to go to ch"rch as #ell+
-t $ay help o!erco$e the hypocrisy+
The !onscience
October 2B
Bible Reading: /cts 23:1-A
Key Verse: Verse 1 0nd 2aul, earnestly beholding
the council, said, %en and brethren, I have lived in all
good conscience before !od until this day"
Key Words: I have lived in all good conscience
before !od
Thought: The greatest tormentor o! the human
soul is a guilty conscience.
;eslie B+ Jlynn says% N=ince 1B11 >ncle =a$ has been
recei!ing anony$o"s s"$s o) $oney as sel)-i$posed )ines )or
a !ariety o) reasons% s"ch as )or ta.ing /r$y blan.ets )or
so"!enirs or )or deliberately )ailing to p"t eno"gh postage on
a letter+ One #ido#% chec.ing her late h"sbandLs boo.s%
disco!ered he had cheated the go!ern$ent% so she pro$ptly
$ailed a chec. )or U5K to the ,reas"ry+ /ll these $onies ha!e
been placed in an acco"nt na$ed the Jederal 2onscience
J"nd #hich no# totals o!er three $illion dollars+'
/ )ar$er #as on his #ay ho$e a)ter pic.ing "p his
ne# car+ /s he approached his )ar$% he decided to test the
acceleration+ e passed the side road that led to his ho"se

and dro!e on )or a $ile or so+ ,hen% a)ter $a.ing a sharp >-
t"rn% he sped bac. to#ard the side road+ / $an dri!ing a
station #agon obser!ed the >-t"rn and the )ar$er*s )ast rate
o) speed% and he tho"ght the a"to$obile #as an "n$ar.ed
police car+ ,rying to a!oid detection% he 8"ic.ly headed do#n
the road leading to the )ar$+
O) co"rse% it #as C"st his l"c. that the road he
happened to t"rn do#n #as the road leading to the )ar$er*s
ho"se% so the )ar$er t"rned in too+ When the second dri!er
sa# #hat he tho"ght #as the patrol$an t"rn in behind hi$%
he #as alar$ed and dro!e at a high speed to escape% only to
co$e to a dead end+ e C"$ped o"t and ran% abandoning the
station #agon+ ;ater it #as )o"nd to be )illed #ith stolen
co))ee% cigarettes% and a$$"nition+ is conscience had $ade
hi$ )lee% e!en tho"gh no one #as p"rs"ing hi$+
What to do:
;i!e by yo"r conscience "nless yo"r conscience
opposes the Word o) 3od+
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Assuming You&re Right
October 2A
Bible Reading: :ar. H:1-13
Key Verse: Verse 5 I )hen the 2harisees and scribes
asked him, *hy walk not thy disciples according to
the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with
unwashen hands(
Key Words: but eat bread with unwashen hands(
Thought: 6! the only way 6 can make mysel! look
good is to critici:e you# then something is
seriously wrong with me.

2riticis$: #e ha!e all )aced it% and it "s"ally co$es
)ro$ those #ho do not ha!e all the )acts and C"st eno"gh
in)or$ation to $a.e the$ as dangero"s as an in)ant #ith a
loaded +3B re!ol!er+ -n other #ords% so$eone is abo"t to get
h"rt+
- ha!e disco!ered in $y 42 years o) $inistry that those
#ho belie!e they .no# the tr"th are ass"$ing the one #ho
told the$ is &in the .no#+' /s a res"lt% they $a.e "n#ise
decisions+ /ss"$ing can get yo" into tro"ble+
?ohn #as dri!ing ho$e late one night #hen he pic.ed
"p a hitchhi.er+ /s they rode along% he began to be s"spicio"s
o) his passenger+ ?ohn chec.ed to see i) his #allet #as sa)e in
the poc.et o) his coat that #as on the seat bet#een the$% b"t
it #asnLt thereD =o he sla$$ed on the bra.es% ordered the
hitchhi.er o"t% and said% Nand o!er the #allet i$$ediatelyDN
,he )rightened hitchhi.er handed o!er a bill)old% and ?ohn
dro!e o))+ When he arri!ed ho$e% he started to tell his #i)e
abo"t the eEperience% b"t she interr"pted hi$% saying% NBe)ore
- )orget% ?ohn% do yo" .no# that yo" le)t yo"r #allet at ho$e
this $orning(N
6oor ?ohn is li.e so $any% he belie!ed he #as so right
#hen he really #as so #rong+
What to do:
Be care)"l #ho yo" listen to beca"se yo" sin. or
s#i$ based "pon #hat in)or$ation they gi!e yo"+
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La$ Me 'o#n in Peace
October 3K
Bible Reading: 6sal$ 4
Key Verse: Verse B I I will both lay me down in
peace, and sleep: for thou, L&-., only makest me
dwell in safety"
Key Words: lay me down in peace

Thought: 0eace rules the day when %hrist rules
the heart.
-n 1555% <icholas Ridley #as b"rned at the sta.e
beca"se o) his #itness )or 2hrist+ On the night be)ore Ridley*s
eEec"tion% his brother o))ered to re$ain #ith hi$ in the
prison cha$ber to be o) assistance and co$)ort+ <icholas
declined the o))er and replied that he $eant to go to bed and
sleep as 8"ietly as e!er he did in his li)e+ Beca"se he .ne# the
peace o) 3od% he co"ld rest in the strength o) the e!erlasting
ar$s o) his ;ord to $eet his need+
-n 1BH3 a s"ccess)"l b"siness$an lost all his $aterial
possessions in the great 2hicago )ire+ ,his did not tro"ble hi$
too $"ch )or he had set his a))ection on &things abo!e+'
o#e!er% C"st a )e# #ee.s later% #hen his #i)e and children
#ere on board the &Ville d" a!re' to !isit Jrance% their ship
#as ra$$ed by an English !essel and san. #ithin t#o ho"rs%
clai$ing the li!es o) 22G people+ /ltho"gh his #i)e s"r!i!ed%
all )o"r o) their children perished in the icy #aters+ While en
ro"te to E"rope to Coin his #i)e% the $an #as gi!en the tragic
ne#s and later sho#n the spot in the $id-/tlantic #here the
ship#rec. occ"rred+ /ltho"gh heartsic. #ith grie)% :r+
=pa))ord s"ddenly )elt an inr"sh o) s"pernat"ral peace and
co$)ort as he loo.ed to the ;ord )or strength+ With tears
strea$ing do#n his )ace% he pic.ed "p a pen to record his
)eelings% and )ro$ his #ell-blest heart )lo#ed these thrilling
#ords% &When peace li.e a ri!er attendeth $y #ay% #hen
sorro#s li.e sea billo#s roll4 #hate!er $y lot% ,ho" hast
ta"ght $e to say% L-t is #ell% it is #ell #ith $y so"lDL'
What to do:
S -) it is #ell #ith yo"r so"l% then peace #ill r"le the
day+
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More Be$on
October 31
Bible Reading: - 2orinthians 15:1-1A
Key Verse: Verse 1A I If in this life only we have hope
in Christ, we are of all men most miserable"
Key Words: If in this life only we have hope in
Christ, we are of all men most miserable"
Thought: (i!e is not about you# and it.s not
about me8 li!e is all about >esus %hrist.
-t is beca"se o) ?es"s 2hrist that #e ha!e hope beyond
this li)e+
-n Valladolid% =pain% #here 2hristopher 2ol"$b"s
died in 15KG% stands a $on"$ent co$$e$orating the great
disco!erer+ 6erhaps the $ost interesting )eat"re o) the
$e$orial is a stat"e o) a lion destroying one o) the ;atin
#ords that had been part o) =painLs $otto )or cent"ries+
Be)ore 2ol"$b"s $ade his !oyages% the =paniards tho"ght
they had reached the o"ter li$its o) earth+ ,h"s their $otto
#as N<e 6l"s >ltra%N #hich $eans N<o :ore Beyond+N ,he
#ord being torn a#ay by the lion is N<eN or Nno%N $a.ing it
read N6l"s >ltra+N 2ol"$b"s had pro!en that there #as
indeed N$ore beyond+N
=o it is in li)e I there is $ore beyond+
What to do:
S ;i!e as tho"gh this #ere yo"r last day on earth I
beca"se one day it #ill beD

I deeply appreciate
the help of
Mary Parsons
Glenda Myrick
And my lovely wife, Linda
Without God using these
people to help, this
devotional would not
have been possible.
Dr. Mike Rouse
is a ministry of
(()* !halkville Mountain Roa
Birmingham+ AL, -(.-(
/.0(1 *(23.425
###,mountainvie#baptist,org