Get your life in order with a daily chapter from Proverbs

One of the best tips for a solid life that I ever received came from Dean Kerns, a long-time friend and mentor. Dean, one of the founders of DaySpring Cards, spoke into my life during a time when he was president of that company, and I was in his employ. He told me that more things would be in order in my life if I would pay attention to the Bible's book of Proverbs.

He said I should read a chapter from Proverbs every day. Why? Because this book was written by the man that history records as the wisest man who ever lived. King Solomon of Israel was not only famous for his wisdom, be he was also the richest man in history. He had so much gold that his staff started casting aside all the silver. But the words of wisdom he recorded for us to learn from are priceless--even today.

Since those days when I worked for DaySpring, I have spent years of my life reading a Proverbs chapter each day. And Dean was right--it has changed me for the better. He pointed out that it's not that hard to do if you will read the chapter number that corresponds the the calendar date, because there are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs.

Over the years, I have learned not to become guilty if I miss a day in my reading, or even many days. I just start in again whenever I can, reading the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the date. And of course some months don't have 31 days, so that last chapter might get missed in some months, unless I make a point of working it in.

Anyway, I recommend the book of Proverbs to anyone and everyone. After all, as Proverbs 13:20 says, "He that walks with the wise shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." If you want to learn to think and act wisely, keep company with those who are wise. And I can think of no one better than Solomon himself.

Take the "easy way" out from temptation...

One of the thoughts that has helped me keep my thinking in line with my beliefs has been the realization that someone is watching me.

This train of thought first impacted me as I found myself noticing magazine covers in the check-out line of my local grocery store. On one particular trip to the store, I was in the midst of a prayerful conversation with the Lord as I approached the check-out aisle. When I noticed a magazine cover displaying a girl who should have been wearing more clothes, I caught myself taking a second glance. It was merely curiosity, but I realized I shouldn't be giving myself permission to have second glances on things that were "not for me". And it interrupted the conversation I was having with the Lord.

I also realized that if my pastor was there beside me, I wouldn't want him to see me entertaining any "additional glances". I would have immediately focused my attention on the face of my pastor, who is my spiritual friend and mentor.

But then I also realized that Someone greater than my pastor was with me, and that He is always watching. This helped me understand that developing a strong awareness of the God's presence with me is a great way to avoid temptation. I urge all believers everywhere to press in with a personal, continuing, conversational relationship with the Father. That kind of relationship is what He created us for. It's what brings Him delight.

When confronted with temptation, it is important to notice that it's power increases with the amount of time we give attention to it. I learned to make it easier on myself by diverting my attention away from a temptation immediately. And what better place is there to re-focus my attention than toward the face of my spiritual friend and mentor. For me, that will be my pastor if he happens to be there. But we all have the Lord, and He is always with us! He promises us that He will "never leave or forsake" us. Peter walked on water while he was looking intently toward the face of Jesus. He only began to sink when he started paying attention to the "wind and the waves".

I have a friend who has often referred to those moments when a temptation first starts as "the window of the will". He says there is "window" of opportunity in which it is easier turn away from the power of temptation. After we dwell on a temptation for a while (regardless of what kind of temptation it is) it grows stronger. The sooner we turn our attention away from a temptation and replace the thought with something healthier, the easier it is to have success. Temptation becomes more powerful, and harder to resist, the longer we dwell on it. When we allow our thoughts to be entangled in a temptation too long, we will ultimately become unable to turn away from it all.

So let me encourage every follower of Christ to learn this simple lesson. When it comes to temptation, make it easy on yourself: re-focus your attention quickly. Make up your mind ahead of time what you will focus on, and be ready to have something else to think about. You might carry around scripture verses to memorize, or plan to call a friend. Most importantly, learn the habit of quickly turning to the Friend and Savior of your soul. As the song says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus... and the things of earth will grow strangely dim."

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A note about internet accountability:

I have a friend who recently asked me to call him at some time during the day, since he knew he would be alone, and wanted to have someone check on him. He was being proactive, by planning to protect himself from internet temptations. He knew that if a friend was to check on him, he would would be less likely to give in to temptation, because he wouldn't want to give a bad report about himself. This is exactly how the body of Christ should be protecting itself from "infection". If you don't have an accountability partner (or perhaps even if you do), let me recommend an internet accountability and filtering company. It's called CovenantEyes, and offers both content filtering and accountability as separate services, either or both for a small monthly fee. I have used both services, and found them helpful.

You can check out the CovenantEyes website using the link below.

http://www.CovenantEyes.com/?promocode=follow

A Personal Breakthrough Came From Understanding Childhood Brokenness

I've experienced a number of breakthroughs in my life in which I have seen God's hand peeling back the layers of my brokenness to deliver me from addictive behavior and depression, among other things. One significant milestone came after digesting the material in Jack Frost's book about departing from Slavery into Spiritual Sonship.

I identified with Mr. Frost as he spoke frankly of his own failures, and I began to long for the peace and order that came to his life through what God taught him. It made me realize how much of my life I viewed through the eyes of an orphan, even though in my mind, I knew my relationship with God should be as His son. If, like me, you have ever had difficulty putting together the pieces of your life, if you have ever felt life was somewhat out of control, you too may benefit from Jack Frost's insight in "Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship".

My Heart: Christ's Home

If you have never read the following timeless article, or have not reread it in a while, you should definitely take a few minutes to reflect on Robert Boyd Munger's parable on abiding in Jesus...

Click here to read it online.

Things are so much better for me, since I have let Jesus Christ settled in, and make His home in my heart.

Welcome to the Christian Disciple Information page...

Welcome to this place to share the hope, the encouragement, and all that it means to be a Christian disciple.

Although my life is by no means perfect, I'm walking it out as a Christian disciple, and I urge everyone to do the same. It is the best life a person can experience.

I will welcome comments, as soon as I figure out how to set this thing up.

In the meantime, feel free to email me.

Will Johnson
Arkansas, USA

Will@Christian-Disciple.info