One of the tests we face in life, is our response to situations that don’t go our way.  Disappointments tend to bring out ugliness in our attitudes and actions.

In Genesis 4 we find the story of one man’s bad reaction when things didn’t go as he expected.  It is the story of  two brothers, Cain and Abel.  It shows us the ugliness that erupted from Cain when things didn’t go his way.

Both Cain and Abel were required to bring offerings to God.  Cain was a farmer, and the Bible says that he “brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.”  The phrase “some of the fruits of the soil” indicates that Cain gave little thought to his offering.  He certainly didn’t bring God his first fruits or his best.

On the other hand, Scripture says that Abel “brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.”  Abel brought the first and best of what he had to God.  His offering showed the priorities of his heart.  Abel put God first, while Cain simply gave what was convenient, with no real commitment or care.

What was God’s response to the offerings of these 2 brothers?

” … The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor … ”  –  Genesis 4:4, 5

Things did not go as Cain had hoped or expected. He found himself in a situation where his brother’s devotion to God revealed his lack of devotion.  It was an uncomfortable moment for Cain, and it turned out to be a dangerous moment for him, spiritually.  Note what happened:

” … So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.  Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry?  Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?  But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.’”  – Genesis 4:5-7

Instead of accepting responsibility for his lack of serious love for and devotion to God, Cain focused on his disappointment.  He allowed anger, jealousy and depression to hijack him.  He put himself in a situation attitudinally that made him very vulnerable to sin.  God even warned Cain with the words, “sin is crouching at your door.”  He encouraged Cain to “master it.”

We know the end of the story.  Instead of repenting of and mastering sin, Cain let it get the best of him.  His anger, bitterness and jealousy drove him to do the unthinkable — he murdered his own brother.  This needless homicide happened because of Cain’s immaturity.  When things didn’t go his way, he failed to handle his attitudes and emotions the right way.  It ultimately cost him a productive and peaceful life.

What about you?  How do you react when things don’t go your way?  What do you do when you are disappointed by situations and people?  Do you own your responsibility and respond maturely, or do you let your attitudes and emotions lead you down a destructive path?

Let’s all learn a lesson from the example of Cain.

Pastor Dale

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“And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.”  –  1 Samuel 18:14

This short statement about David tells us a lot about his character.  It follows one of the greatest events in David’s life — the killing of Goliath.  David’s victory over Goliath made him a national hero in Israel.  Everyone was singing his praises.  He was the talk of the town.  He was  a true celebrity.

With David’s success came significant pressure.  He worked for King Saul but was more popular than Saul.  He was deeply loyal to King Saul, while Saul was deeply jealous of him.  Saul was looking for David to make a mistake — to do something foolish — so that he would have a good excuse to humiliate him and hopefully get rid of him.  David was being carefully watched.  His every move was scrutinized by Saul.

David could have caved under all this pressure.  He could have reacted the wrong way, said or did the wrong thing.  David could have given King Saul a justifiable opportunity to be done with him.  One unwise act could have aborted David’s destiny.  In one foolish moment David could have forfeited his future as Israel’s king.  But David handled the situation with grace and wisdom.  The Bible says he “behaved wisely in all his ways!”

What is the lesson for us?

The fulfillment of God’s destiny for our lives is determined by the choices we make every day.  A single foolish decision or action can set us back in a big way.  When, in the face of life’s pressures, we follow David’s example and “behave wisely,” we position ourselves for God’s best.  It worked for David, it will work for you too!

Whatever your pressures and challenges, do what David did.  Choose to “behave wisely,” and the Lord will be with you!

Pastor Dale

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“Consider carefully what you hear … ”  – Mark 4:24

These words of warning were given to us by Jesus.  He reminded us to pay attention to what we listen to.

While we are regularly reminded of the importance of watching our words, our eyes and our actions, rarely do we consider the impact of the things we allow to pass through our ears.  We tend to passively go through life listening to things that, more times than we imagine, are detrimental to our spiritual, mental, emotional and relational health.  The things we listen to find their way into our minds and hearts. 

Our ears are one of the main gates to our spirit and soul.  A gate is only effective if it is manned and managed.  Gates are designed to restrict access and protect the security of things within.  To stay strong and healthy, we need to guard the ear gate by giving careful consideration to the things we listen to — we need to guard our ears.

How do we do this?

To stay spiritually, mentally, emotionally and relationally healthy we must  proactively protect ourselves from:

• Conversations that involve gossip or slander.
  
• Conversations that are ripe with negativity, grumbling and ingratitude.
  
• Conversations that weaken essential life values, priorities and commitments.
  
• Conversations that deal death rather than life.
  
• Music that dishonors God or stirs emotions in us that lead to wrong thoughts or actions.
  

To guard your life, you must guard your ears.

Tune out the bad and tune your ears to words and music that are positive, edifying and encouraging!

Pastor Dale

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Perhaps you remember the old television series “Get Smart.”  This 1960′s show’s main character was Maxwell Smart, aka Agent 86, who was anything but smart.  He had the name, but didn’t have the goods!

Smartness is a quality that refers to mental and emotional brightness.  It refers to someone who is a quick learner.  Someone who has practical wisdom.  A smart person  knows what to do and what not to do in various situations of life.

In the spiritual realm of life, it is important for us to develop a certain kind of smartness.  Jesus referred to this quality and emphasized how we as His followers should develop it:

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”  – Matthew 10:16

Jesus said,“In all your interactions and relationships, be smart!” 

How do we get smart?  Here are a few things to think about.

To get smart we must:

S — Study the right stuff.  Smart people get that way because they have applied themselves to the process of learning.  They have disciplined themselves to study the right stuff.

M — Make the most of our mistakes.  The only way to grow is to try new things.  When we try new things, inevitably we will make some mistakes along the way.  Smart people get that way by learning from their failures, as well as through their successes.  To get smart, make the most of your mistakes.  Mine them for the gold they contain.

A — Ask the right people the right questions.  Smart people realize that they are not the only repositories of truth.  They understand that they can benefit from the knowledge and wisdom of others.  They also recognize the difference between good and bad sources of information and input, and choose the good.  They value and appropriately take advantage of the wise people God has placed in their lives.

R — Reflexively learn.  Reflexive learners intentionally reflect on situations and experiences in life.  They grasp “take away” items from the things they experience.  They apply the information they have observed in the past in present situations that are similar.  Reflexive learners do not have to be reminded over and over again of the same principles or approaches to situations they encounter.  They invest personal effort to learn from the things they go through and from the instructions they receive.  Learning is a “reflex” to them.

T — Take and seek instruction and correction.  Smart people get that way because they are truly teachable.  They don’t simply take instruction and correction through gritted teeth, they purposefully seek it out.  They realize that there are lots of things they don’t know.  They understand that one of the main pathways to filling their knowledge and wisdom gap is through instruction and, at times, correction from others.

What about you?  Are you getting smart?

Pastor Dale

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The dictionary defines “longevity” as “long duration of service.”

Last week I had the opportunity to celebrate and freshly observe the power of longevity — of long duration of service.  I was in Lima, Peru participating in the 20 year anniversary of Camino de Vida, and Robert and Karyn Barriger’s pastoral ministry in that city.

I have had the privilege of knowing Robert and Karyn for 20+ years; since the inception of  their ministry at Camino de Vida.  I have watched Pastor Robert and Karyn walk through some very tough times in that nation, and some significant challenges in birthing and growing the church.

From very humble beginnings, their faith, faithfulness and “stick with it through thick and thin” mindset has resulted in an incredible ministry that is not only touching the nation of Peru, but influencing many other nations in South America and around the world.  Robert and Karyn have invested themselves in the greatest enterprise on planet earth — the church — and it is paying great dividends!

Over the years, there were times when quitting would have been the easiest thing for them to do.  There were times when difficulties and discouragement could have wiped them out spiritually and emotionally.  But through it all, their commitment to God’s calling, and to people they love, kept them going.  Only heaven will tell the story of the fruit of their faith and faithfulness.  In a day and age of “easy come — easy go,” here is a couple who understands and lives in the power of longevity.

What about you?  What commitments are you keeping that will be celebrated by others 10, 15, 20, 25, 30+ years from now?  What are you giving yourself to that is truly worth giving yourself to?  What kind of longevity are you building into your life and character?

Pastor Dale

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