Refreshing Daily

in God’s Word
Emphasis on
 THE MEANING OF HONOR
May 1

 Bible Reading: Romans 13:1-10

 Key Verse: Verse 7 - “Render therefore to all their
dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to
whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom
honour.”
Key Words: honour to whom honour

The word honor comes from the Greek word meaning

weighty, valuable. The idea is that a person of honor carries a
lot of weight (influence) and that makes them valuable when
they use their influence for God.
When I lived in Pinson, I was working in our yard
tilling up some ground. I came across a good size rock. Now,
if you know anything about Pinson, Alabama, you know that
Pinson sits on top of a rock. There are rocks everywhere. But
this rock was nothing compared to the boulder I was about to
meet. The first rock was large and somewhat heavy but I did
manage to toss it aside – but not the boulder, it was huge. It
took me several hours to dig it up, but finally I succeeded. At
least that’s what I thought. I tried to pick it up which didn’t
work; pull it, again no success; and my last effort was to push
it. I met with defeat each time. As I was thinking about the
word honor, that which is valuable, weighty, I thought about
these two rocks. One I was able to toss aside while the other –
well let’s just say it made a great impression on me. That’s
what Godly honor is – it leaves a great impression on others.
So let me ask about you: what kind of impression are you
leaving on others?
What to do:
✞Be honorable, it’s how you influence others.

HONOR IN LEADERSHIP
May 2

 Bible Reading: Acts 6

 Key Verse: Verse 3 – “Wherefore, brethren, look ye
out among you seven men of honest report, full of the
Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over
this business.”
Key Words: of honest report

We read in Acts 6:3, “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out

among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost
and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”
Sounds a lot like they were honorable men, doesn’t it?
Leadership doesn’t come overnight. It takes time,
integrity, and intestinal fortitude to become an honorable
leader.
J. Oswald Sanders in his book on leadership says, “The
reputation of a great leader grows with the years.” Sanders
also says, “When a Christian leader full of high ideals lives a
holy and joyful life in front of unbelievers, they often want to
cultivate a similar experience.”
Myron Rush identifies tough issues facing every
Christian leader in The New Leader. We are wise to ponder
them slowly.
 You must be willing to stand alone.
 You must be willing to go against public
opinion in order to promote what you believe.
 You must be willing to risk failure.
 You must become master of your emotions.
 You must strive to remain above reproach.
 You must be willing to make decisions others
don’t want to make.
 You must be willing to say no at times, even
when you’d like to say yes.
  You must sometimes be willing to sacrifice
personal interests for the good of the group.
 You must never be content with the average;
you must always strive for the best.
 People must be more important to you than
possessions.
 You will have to work harder to keep your life
in balance than people do who are not leaders.
Being a leader may not be easy, but it is so very
spiritually rewarding to know that God is using you to have an
impact in the lives of others.

What to do:
✞Ask God to help you be an honorable leader.

********************

LOSING HONOR
May 3

 Bible Reading: John 4:1-26

 Key Verse: Verse 10 – “Jesus answered and said unto
her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that
saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have
asked of him, and he would have given thee living
water.”
Key Words: living water

Have you ever considered the usefulness of water?

Why, sure you have. We all know that water quenches thirst
and that water cleanses, but water also dissolves. It can
dissolve those things that would cause us to lose honor.
Several years ago a garbage truck exploded in Virginia.
The trash crew had unknowingly picked up some calcium
hypochlorite, and it blew up under the pressure of
compaction. Two firemen ended up in the hospital and the
poisonous gas forced many people to evacuate nearby office
buildings. You might expect such an occurrence to take place
outside an explosives plant, but these were swimming pool
supplies. Calcium hypochlorite is a powder form of chlorine.
It dissolves harmlessly in a swimming pool but explodes when
placed under pressure. We share great similarities with this
volatile chemical. When life’s pressures are not given
opportunity to harmlessly dissolve, we run the risk of
exploding on our families, neighbors, and colleagues.
So let me encourage you to let the water of God
dissolve those things which could cause you to lose your
honor.

What to do:
✞ Keep your temper; nobody else wants it.

********************

THE HONOR OF FAITHFUL

CHURCH ATTENDANCE
May 4

 Bible Reading: Psalm 122

 Key Verse: Verse 1 - “I was glad when they said unto
me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
Key Words: I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the LORD

Now, I know Psalm 122 is not a reference to the “local

New Testament church,” but it is a reference to the
assembling together of God’s people. I also know that it is a
reference to the Jewish people. I’ve got a saying that goes, “I’ll
not let a Jew do under the law what I can do under grace.”
Faithful church attendance is honorable for the
following Biblical reasons.
First of all, church attendance is a demonstration of
my Christianity. In Acts 11:26 we are told that the followers of
Christ were first called Christians in Antioch, and the reason
for that was because of their steadfastness in attending
church.
Secondly, church attendance is a way I can
demonstrate my desire to grow spiritually. Certainly the
church is a place where I can be fed the Word of God and it is
that Word which produces spiritual growth in my life (I Peter
2:2).
Thirdly, church attendance is a way of sharing my life
with others. 1) Acts 2:42 – we have fellowship with others, 2)
Acts 2:42 – we can pray for others, and 3) Acts 4:32-35 – we
can share with others.
Fourthly, church attendance is a demonstration of my
obedience to the Word of God. We are told in Hebrews 10:25
not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together as the
manner of some is....” This verse is not a request by God but
rather a command.
Fifthly, church attendance is a demonstration of my
love for God. Church attendance, as we have already seen, is a
command of God; but it goes beyond that. We are told in
John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” So my
church attendance (along with other things) is a
demonstration of my love for God.
So let us never forget that when we are faithful to
God’s House, we are not only doing something honorable, we
are also honoring God.

What to do:
✞Be faithful in your church attendance.
 HONESTY IS HONORABLE
May 5

 Bible Reading: I Thessalonians 4:1-12

 Key Verse: Verse 12 – “That ye may walk honestly
toward them that are without, and that ye may have
lack of nothing.”
Key Words: That ye may walk honestly

Is it just my perception, or have people forgotten the

basic rules of honesty? I read recently about a fruit market in
California where a little boy was cramming grapes into his
mouth as fast as he could. His parents were nowhere in sight.
A clerk at the fruit stand watched helplessly, not knowing
what to do as the little fellow pigged out on the grapes. After
awhile the mother appeared and saw what the little fellow was
doing, but it was her rebuke that shocked me. “Johnny,” she
said, “don’t eat so fast.” Can this really be the kind of society
we live in, have we really forgotten the basic rules of honesty
so clearly expressed in the 8th Commandment, “Thou shalt not
steal” (Exodus 20:15)? Now you don’t have to have a
doctorate in Bible interpretation to understand that! The
Word of God clearly states that if we take anything that
belongs to someone else or withhold that which rightly
belongs to someone else, we have broken the Word of God.
Honest work, earning what we have, is the teaching of God’s
Word. While we scoff at government handouts and rightly so,
we border on being hypocritical if we constantly give to our
children who hold their hand out, not willing to work for what
they want. The command of God’s Word is work, honest
work. II Thessalonians 3:10b, “...that if any would not work,
neither should he eat.” I Timothy 5:8, “But if any provide not
for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath
denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.” Honest work
pays!
Never forget that it’s always honorable to be honest in
every area of life.
What to do:
✞Live honestly, teach honesty; that’s always
honorable.

********************

HONORABLE HABITS
May 6

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 4

 Key Verse: Verse 26 – “Ponder the path of thy feet,
and let all thy ways be established.”
Key Words: let all thy ways be established

Thoughts produce acts, acts produce habits, and habits

produce character.

If we realized the extent to which we were mere

walking bundles of habits, we would give more heed to what
they are forming. ~ William James

First we form habits, and then they form us.

~ Dr. Ron Gilbert

Bad habits form a bad spirit.

~ Erwin Lutzer

Small habits often grow to be bad crimes.

~ Hannah Moore

Habits are the best of servants and the worst of

masters. ~ Anonymous

The Heidelberg Herald published this thought-

provoking story.
 An elderly teacher, with a pupil by his side, took a walk
through a forest. Suddenly he stopped and pointed to four
plants close at hand. The first was just beginning to peep
above the ground, the second had rooted itself pretty well into
the earth, the third was a small shrub, while the fourth was a
full-sized tree. The tutor said to his young companion, “Pull
up the first.” The boy did so, eagerly, using only his fingers.
“Now pull up the second.” The youth obeyed, but found the
task more difficult. “Do the same with the third,” he urged.
The boy had to put forth all his strength, and was obliged to
use both arms to uproot it. “And now,” said the master, “try
your hand upon the fourth.” The pupil put his arms around
the trunk of the tall tree and couldn’t even shake its leaves.
“This, my son, is just what happens with our bad habits.
When they are young, we can cast them out more readily with
the help of God; but when they are old, it is hard to uproot
them, though we pray and struggle ever so sincerely.”
Always remember, today bad habits may be fun and
exciting, but tomorrow they are our way of life that leads to
sorrow.

What to do:
✞Remember, three times make a habit.

********************

HONORABLE BEHAVIOR
May 7

 Bible Reading: I Timothy 3:1-15

 Key Verse: Verse 15 – “But if I tarry long, that thou
mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in
the house of God, which is the church of the living
God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Key Words: know how thou oughtest to behave
thyself
 Have you ever given any consideration as to
what our behavior in God’s house says to others? When we
talk, clown around, text on our cell phones, write notes, pass
notes, etc. during the services, it speaks volumes of our
respect for...
 God...that thou mayest know how thou
oughtest to behave thyself in the house of
God. This is not just any house, it’s God’s
house.
 The Word of God...when your behavior is
wrong, it is in direct disobedience to God’s
Word.
 The Man of God...if the pastor has asked
that you behave yourself in a proper
manner and you disobey, you are showing
disrespect for the man God has called to be
your pastor. God has given him the
message you need for your life and spiritual
maturity.
 Others Around You...when you misbehave,
you hinder others around you who both
want to hear and need to hear the Word of
God.
 Your Parents...when you misbehave in
God’s house, you are either disobeying your
parents or revealing that your parents have
failed to properly train you as to how to
behave in God’s house.
 The Holy Spirit...when we fail to behave
appropriately in God’s house, we grieve the
Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30).
Let me encourage you as parents to teach your
children how they ought to behave in God’s house. Secondly,
let me encourage your children to sit with you or to at least sit
in front of you so you can see what they are doing. Thirdly,
take their cell phones away from them before they come to
church. It’s more important that both you and they hear from
God than to text friends. Next, as parents, be approachable.
It is highly possible that your child is “guilty” of what they are
being accused of. Last of all, as parents take corrective action
for the sake of your child. Remember, foolishness is bound in
the heart of a child and the rod of correction shall drive it far
from him. When you fail to correct your child, the foolishness
stays in their heart even through their adult years and they
live their lives doing foolish things.

What to do:
✞Act right in God’s house because it is honorable.

********************

HONORING YOUR PARENTS

May 8

 Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:1-10

 Key Verse: Verse 2 – “Honour thy father and mother;
(which is the first commandment with promise;)
Key Words: Honor thy father and mother

The following article contains excerpts from a message

preached in Chapel on Tuesday, May 13, 2010.
We are taught in Galatians 6:7 that we reap what we
sow; the verse reads as follows, “Be not deceived; God is not
mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap.” This is a simple fact of life, whether good or bad,
whatever you plant in your garden is what you will harvest.
The same principle applies to your relationship and attitude
toward your parents. See with me what God says about
honoring or disobeying your parents. Four simple points...
1. Honoring your parents produces a reward.
Exodus 20:12, “Honor thy father and thy
mother...” Now notice the reward, “that thy
days may be long upon the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee.” The key to living a long
 life is honoring your parents. Absalom, the son
of King David, would certainly be a great
example of brevity of life because of the
dishonoring of his father. (You can read the
story in II Samuel 15.)
2. Dishonoring your parents classifies you as a
reprobate. Now before you get upset with me,
let me show you (Romans 1:28-30). The word
reprobate means worthless, not just to God,
but to society. Now I believe every one of you
would agree with me that people such as
fornicators, murderers, and inventors of evil
things are a menace to society. Well, so are
those who are disobedient to their parents.
3. Honoring your parents reveals your
righteousness. Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey
your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” I am
72 years old and I have never known of a
person who truly and sincerely obeyed their
parents who wasn’t right in other areas of their
life. Isaac would certainly be a good example
of this principle. He certainly obeyed his
parents and as you read about his life in God’s
Word, you find he was obedient with all who
had authority over him, including God
(Genesis 26:1-6).
4. Dishonoring of parents is revealing of the day
in which we live. Read II Timothy 3:1-2. When
our youth, as a whole, are disobedient to their
parents, it reveals that we are living in the last
days, that the Lord is coming soon – which
raises the questions: are you ready if the Lord
should come today? Can you give me a
Scriptural reason why you know you are saved
and bound for heaven?
My prayer for each of you is that you will live for God,
honor your parents and live a long, happy and prosperous life.
May God bless you as you are a blessing to God.
What to do:
✞Ask God everyday to help you honor Him – and then
you will honor your parents.

********************

BEING HONORABLE
May 9
 Bible Reading: I Samuel 9:1-10
 Key Verse: Verse 6 – “And he said unto him, Behold
now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an
honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to
pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can
shew us our way that we should go.”
Key Words: he is an honourable man

Samuel was an honorable man. He was honorable for

many reasons. One was he was a man of God’s Word and he
kept His Word. It reminds me of David Livingstone.
After David Livingstone had been in Africa about 12
years, he had a desire to travel from where he was, on the east
coast of the continent, over to the west coast through a part of
that continent that no other European had ever been before.
He didn’t have any possibility of doing it on his own, so he
went to a local chief and asked for 27 men of the local tribe to
go with him. The chief was more than a little bit suspicious.
The trip was dangerous and he’d learned about white men
that they were not entirely trustworthy. Livingstone, sensing
some of that feeling about him, made him a promise.
“If you give me your sons, I promise to return with
them, and to deliver them to their homes and families. My life
will be a pledge.”
Well, the chief agreed on that basis, and Livingstone
set out.
The journey was every bit as dangerous as it was
thought to be. There was incredibly difficult terrain, there
were hostile tribes, there were all kinds of predatory and
dangerous animals, there was sickness and illness. But
finally, they made it to the west coast, and they stumbled into
the port of Luanda, which had been their target, only to be
amazed by finding a British warship there. And that warship
had been sent from England for the specific purpose of
finding Livingstone and bringing him back, on the orders of
Queen Victoria.
The captain came to him and said, “Sir, Queen Victoria
has sent me to urge you to return. All England is waiting to
honor you.” Very tempting. The request, even the order of
the Queen, because when the Queen invites, that is a
command in most cases. And the thought of going home, and
the thought of being honored, was tempting, but Livingstone
had a problem. He had made a promise. “Well,” they assured
him, “the promise of a white man to an African doesn’t
matter. And the Queen is more important than a chief.”
Livingstone had made a commitment, and despite all
the urgings of the naval officers who were there, he turned his
back and headed back into the jungle. The round trip ended 2
½ years after he started, with him delivering those people
back – to honor a promise.
That was probably why, when Livingstone died, the
Africans were very committed to bury his heart in Africa.
They were more than willing to listen to a man whose word
was something they could trust.

What to do:
✞The best way to receive honor is by being honorable.

********************

HONORABLE ACTIONS
May 10

 Bible Reading: Job 2:1-10


 Key Verse: Verse 10 – “But he said unto her, Thou
speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What?
shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall
we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his
lips.”
Key Words: In all this did not Job sin with his lips

You have to admire Job. All that he’s gone through

and is going to go through, yet Job’s actions were honorable.
I doubt that you’ll find any believer that in some
shape, form, or fashion doesn’t think the actions of Job were
honorable.
Job was being watched in how he handled his
adversity by God, Satan, his wife, his friends, and I’m sure
others as well. One thing I’ve discovered in this life is you
must at all times conduct yourself with honor.
I went to Walmart on Valentine’s Day to get the
granddaughters a Valentine gift. After checking out, I was
greeted by one of the greeters with these words, “Have a good
day, Pastor Rouse.” Turning and looking at her, she quickly
said, “No, you don’t know me, but I know you.” I then nodded
my head and said, “You have a good day as well.” As I turned
to walk away, the young lady who had checked me out came
running around the corner and said, “Pastor Rouse, you forgot
one of your gifts.” I guess I looked at her with a puzzled look
because she, as well, responded by saying, “You don’t know
me, but I know you.”
As I was walking out to my car, I gazed at the dozens of
people in the parking lot and I asked myself: “How many of
these people know who I am?” This was a wake-up call for me
to always conduct myself with honor for I never know who is
watching.

What to do:
✞Remember, today someone is watching you – may
they not be disappointed.
 THE HONORABLE WAY
May 11

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-10

 Key Verse: Verse 6 – “In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Key Words: In all thy ways acknowledge him

Look at that word acknowledge. It means to be aware

of. The idea is that we are to be aware of what God wants.
With that in mind, please consider the following.
Have you ever given any thought to the fact that there
are four ways to do something? It doesn’t matter what it is,
there are four ways to do it; but only one of these ways is the
right way. The four ways are:
1. You can do a wrong thing in a wrong way and
with a wrong attitude. Cain did!! He offered
the wrong sacrifice with the wrong motive, and
his attitude was wrong. Genesis 4:6 says, “And
the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth?
and why is thy countenance fallen?” Cain did a
wrong thing in a wrong way.
2. You can do a right thing in a wrong way and
with a wrong attitude. Would you not agree
that soul-winning is a right thing? We are told
in Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is
a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is
wise.” Soul-winning is a right thing; but when
a soul-winner knocks on someone’s door and
greets them by saying, “I know you’re lost and
you need Jesus because you’re a wicked
person” (yes, that has happened before), then
someone is doing a right thing in a wrong way.
3. You can do a wrong thing in a right way and
with a right attitude. In Acts 19 Apollos is
preaching and teaching the baptism of John
the Baptist for salvation, and he is teaching this
 with enthusiasm and zeal. He is doing a wrong
thing in a right way.
4. The only right way to do anything is in a right
way and with a right attitude. There are five
basic questions you must ask and answer to see
if you are right: 1) Am I focusing on myself or
God? 2) Am I viewing this as a problem or an
opportunity, or simply a negative? 3) Will the
way I handle this build me up or tear me
down? 4) When you handle a matter with
wisdom, God makes even your enemies to be at
peace with you (Proverbs 16:7). 5) Am I being
a peace-maker or a trouble-maker?
Remember there are a number of ways to handle a
matter, but only one honorable way.

What to do:
✞Desire to be honored by being honorable.

********************

AN HONORABLE DESIRE
May 12

 Bible Reading: II Peter 3:1-9

 Key Verse: Verse 9 – “The Lord is not slack
concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance.”
Key Words: but that all should come to repentance

If God desires all people to be saved, then it is

certainly honorable for us to desire the same.
 It is an honorable desire for every believer to desire
every unbeliever to become a believer. Since this is honorable
and since I desire for all people everywhere to be born again, I
submit the following on how you can be saved.
Acknowledge that you are a sinner. “There is none
righteous, no not one...There is none that seeketh after God”
Romans 3:10, 11. “All we like sheep have gone astray” Isaiah
53:6.
Believe that Jesus died for you; trust Him to save you.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. “Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned” John 3:18. “He
that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” John 3:36.
Confess Him before men to show that you trust Him.
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” Romans
10:10. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have
not believed?” Romans 10:14.
You must first believe in your heart before you can call
upon Him. Now, in trusting Jesus Christ you have eternal life.
Next, you should publicly confess Him before men, and then
present yourself for believer’s baptism by immersion as an act
of obedience and identification with Christ. Come to our
services or call the Pastor. We will be happy to counsel you
and aid you in your growth and maturity as a new Christian.

What to do:
✞Do the honorable thing as a believer and tell others
how they can be saved.

✞Do the honorable thing today by accepting Jesus as

your Savior.
 THE HONOR OF REAL
SPIRITUALITY
May 13
 Bible Reading: John 4:1-24
 Key Verse: Verse 24 – “God is a Spirit: and they that
worship him must worship him in spirit and in
truth.”
Key Words: spirit and in truth

Being spiritual is not based upon what you do, but

what you are.
The word spirit means the wind. Now for the longest
time, I struggled with what the word spirit meant. But when
you understand the word wind, the meaning of spirit becomes
clear. Following are several things about the wind.
1. The wind can’t be seen. You see the results
of the wind as it rushes through the leaves
and branches of the tree, but you can’t see
the wind.
2. The wind can be refreshing. A nice, cool
breeze on a hot summer day is refreshing.
3. The wind can break. We have often seen
downed trees and power lines after a strong
wind.
4. But the wind could do none of the above
without moving. So it is with the Spirit. The
spirit of man is what moves him. So a
spiritual man is moved toward the Spirit; a
carnal or non-spiritual man is moved toward
carnality, and the lost spirit moves toward
the natural (I Corinthians 2:14).
So the point is that we often fail to understand true
spirituality. We believe that singing in the choir or singing
specials or working in a ministry or reading our Bible daily
makes us spiritual when in reality just the opposite is true.
I shouldn’t sing in the church choir or sing special
music or work in a ministry or read my Bible to be spiritual, I
should do those things because I am spiritual.
 So let me ask: why do you do what you do? Do you do
it to become spiritual or because you are spiritual?
There is true honor in being spiritual; but there is no
honor when we aren’t.

What to do:
✞Make sure you do what you do because you are
spiritual, not to be spiritual.

********************

HONORABLE DEATH
May 14

 Bible Reading: Numbers 23:1-13

 Key Verse: Verse 10 – “Who can count the dust of
Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel?
Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last
end be like his!”
Key Words: Let me die the death of the righteous

It is said of death, “We should not fear that which we

have had our entire life to prepare for.”
The following is written about an unknown
Confederate soldier written by an unknown author. I believe
it paints with words a good picture of an honorable death.
“A young soldier, while dying very happily, broke out
in singing the following stanza: ‘Great Jehovah, we adore thee,
God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, joined in glory
on the same eternal throne. Endless praises to Jehovah, three
in one.’ The chaplain then asked if he had any message to
send his friends. ‘Yes,’ said he. ‘Tell my father that I have
tried to eat my meals with thanksgiving.’ ‘Tell him that Christ
is now all my hope, all my trust, and that he is precious to my
soul.’ ‘Tell him that I am not afraid to die – all is calm.’ ‘Tell
him that I believe Christ will take me to Himself, and to my
dear sister who is in heaven.’ The voice of the dying boy
faltered in the intervals between these precious sentences.
When the hymn commencing, ‘Nearer, my God to thee,’ was
read to him, at the end of each stanza he exclaimed, with
striking energy, ‘Oh Lord Jesus, thou art coming nearer to
me.’ Also at the end of each stanza of the hymn (which was
also read to him) commencing, ‘Just as I am – without one
plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidst
me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come,’ he exclaimed, ‘I
Come! O Lamb of God, I Come!’ Speaking again of his
friends, he said, ‘Tell my father that I died happy.’ His last
words were, ‘Father, I’m coming to Thee!’ Then the Christian
soldier sweetly and calmly ‘fell asleep in Jesus.’”
One day God will call. Our cry should be, “O Lamb of
God, I come.”

What to do:
✞The best way to die an honorable death is to live an
honorable life.

********************

HONORABLE DESIRE
May 15

 Bible Reading: Nehemiah 4:1-11

 Key Verse: Verse 6 – “So built we the wall; and all the
wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the
people had a mind to work.”
Key Words: So built we the wall

When Nehemiah heard about the deplorable condition

in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity of the city he sat
down and wept, mourned, and fasted certain days. But he did
not stay down; he had an honorable desire for God to use him
to rebuild the walls of the city.
 John Phillips wrote the following about Nehemiah:
“Nehemiah received news that the repatriated Jews in
the promised land were in desperate straits. The walls of
Jerusalem were still in ruins and so were the gates of the city.
So Nehemiah prayed and fasted. His concern showed on his
face. (In those days a servant imperiled his life if he appeared
sad before the king.) The king noticed that something was
wrong and demanded an explanation. Nehemiah recorded his
reaction: ‘I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the
king…’ (Nehemiah 2:4-5). We can be quite sure that that
prayer was little more than the upward glancing of the eye, for
he had already done his extended praying. Nehemiah then
explained to the king his deep desire to go to Jerusalem to
rebuild the city. The king not only gave him permission; he
armed him with letters commanding governors along the way
to give him their aid. So Nehemiah was ‘satisfied with good
by the fruit of his mouth.’
“When Julius Caesar returned from one of his wars, he
summed up his campaign in the famous sentence, Veni, vidi,
vici (‘I came, I saw, I conquered’). Nehemiah might have used
similar words when he reported back to the Persian emperor.
The task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was
monumental and formidable. Yet it was accomplished in fifty-
two days in the face of all kinds of opposition (Nehemiah
6:15). This accomplishment was a magnificent triumph for
the energetic and practical Nehemiah.”
God honored Nehemiah in allowing him to lead in the
rebuilding of the walls because his desire was not only
honorable, it was God-honoring.

What to do:
✞Live to please God.

THE HONOR OF
ORGANIZATION
 May 16

 Bible Reading: I Corinthians 14

Key Verse: Verse 40 – “ Let all things be done
decently and in order.”
Key Words:  Let all things be done decently and
in order.

For those who know me well, they know I love

organization. I’m one of those who believe you do not
organize the Holy Spirit out of services, as I have heard some
say. I believe you organize Him in. All one has to do is read
about creation, the building of the tabernacle and the temple,
and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem to see that God
loves organization.
But organization itself is no good if we are not meeting
the spiritual needs of people. In his book Harvest of
Humanity, John Seamands told this story. “A German soldier
was wounded. He was ordered to go to the military hospital
for treatment. When he arrived at the large and imposing
building, he saw two doors, one marked, ‘For the slightly
wounded,’ and the other, ‘For the seriously wounded.’
“He entered through the first door and found himself
going down a long hall. At the end of it were two more doors,
one marked, ‘For officers,’ and the other, ‘For non-officers.’
He entered through the latter and found himself going down
another long hall. At the end of it were two more doors, one
marked, ‘For party members’ and the other, ‘For non-party
members.’ He took the second door, and when he opened it
he found himself out on the street..
“When the soldier returned home, his mother asked
him, ‘How did you get along at the hospital?’ ‘Well, Mother,’
he replied, ‘to tell the truth, the people there didn’t do
anything for me, but you ought to see the tremendous
organization they have!’”
Honorable organization can see through its product…
so don’t just organize, organize with honor.
What to do:
✞Make sure you organize God in,
not out, of your life.
 ********************

THE HONOR OF CHURCH

ATTENDANCE
May 17

 Bible Reading: John 20:11-23

 Key Verse: Verse 19 - “Then the same day at evening,
being the first day of the week, when the doors were
shut where the disciples were assembled for fear
of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and
saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
Key Words: the disciples were assembled

In today’s world the regularity of church attendance

becomes a topic of discussion…when to attend, how to attend,
etc. etc. etc.
We know they attended during the evenings according
to John 20, verse 19. We know they assembled during the
daylight hours according to Mark 2:24. The word day in Acts
2:41 and in I Corinthians 16:2 could mean day or night, but
the point is they assembled together. Why go to church? For
a number of reasons, but one is for spiritual nourishment.
A church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a
newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to
church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote,
“and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons.
But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them.
So, I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting
theirs by giving sermons at all.”
This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the
Editor” column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on
for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: “I’ve been
married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked
some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the
entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know
this…they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed
to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I
would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to
church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!”
And so would you. Hope you attend every service of
your church.

What to do:
✞Ask yourself: how many services would my church
have if everyone attended the number of services I
attend?

********************

AN HONORABLE ACT
May 18

 Bible Reading: Matthew 8:5-13

 Key Verse: Verse 6 – “And saying, Lord, my servant
lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.”
Key Words: my servant lieth at home sick of the
palsy

Many scholars tell us that the word servant means a

“child servant.” Whether this is accurate is moot, the point is
that the centurion cared and carried out an honorable act.
Years ago, during the presidential term of office of
Dwight Eisenhower, the president was vacationing in Denver.
It came to his attention that a six-year-old boy named Paul
Haley was dying of an incurable cancer. And he had one great
dream – that was to someday see the president.
Dwight Eisenhower made an act that will long outlive
his great speeches when he said to one of his aides, “Let’s go
see young Paul Haley.” They got in the presidential limousine
and they drove over one August Sunday morning to the home
of Paul Haley who didn’t know he was coming. Flags on the
fenders were flying as this black limousine drove up. Doors
flew open, and out walked the President, who knocked on the
door.
Mr. Donald Haley, the father, wearing blue jeans, an
old dirty shirt, and one day’s growth of beard, opened the
door. He said, “Yes, can I help ya?” And the president
responded, “Is Paul here? Tell him the president would like to
see him.”
And little Paul, to his amazement, walked around his
father’s legs and stood and looked up into the face of the man
he admired most. Dwight Eisenhower kneeled down, shook
his hand, took him out to see the presidential limousine, and
before he said good-bye, he hugged little Paul Haley. They
shook hands again, and he left.
But let me assure that the president’s honorable act
not only changed Paul, it changed a family and a
neighborhood as well. To God be the glory!

What to do:
✞Name an honorable act you’ve carried out this week.
✞Commit yourself to one honorable act per week, and
you will change a person, a family, a church, a
community; but most of all, it will change you.

********************

HONORABLE GIVING
May 19

 Bible Reading: II Corinthians 9

 Key Verse: Verse 7 – “Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly,
or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Key Words: cheerful giver
I trust you are a giver…but not just a giver, an
honorable giver, one who gives cheerfully, not begrudgingly.
 If you have little children or if you have been around
little children, you’ve seen this scene a dozen times. The older
child gets a toy, perhaps a special little truck he loves to play
with. In fact, he plays with it ‘till he about wears all the paint
off it. And one day it’s sitting on the coffee table and nobody’s
touching it. Along comes little sister, who toddles up to the
table and reaches her little hand over to the well-worn truck,
only to have it snatched away by the gorilla in the family. “It’s
my truck!” He doesn’t want to part with something that
important.
How many of us parents have looked at the older child
saying, “Let her play with it,” and had the child say, “Oh, of
course. Here, sis”? Are you kidding? “MINE! MINE!” And
you just about have to break his arm to get the truck out of his
hand. He doesn’t want to give it up. And your compulsion
makes him grip it tighter. That’s an illustration of giving
“grudgingly.”
Where is the honor in that? Let me encourage each of
you to give and give honorably.

What to do:
✞Remember, it is more blessed to give than to receive
(except to the child) which raises the question: Are you
childish or mature?

********************

HONORABLE SERVICE
May 20

 Bible Reading: Romans 12:6-18

 Key Verse: Verse 11 - “Not slothful in business; fervent
in spirit; serving the Lord;
Key Words: fervent in spirit
 The word fervent speaks of one’s intensity, their
determination. It is an athletic term and carries the idea of
running in a race, stretching to reach the top, giving his all.
Paul says in Romans 12:11 we are to put all of our
spirit into serving God. This is honorable service.
Have you watched the fellows and gals who run the
dash? When they come around that last turn and they’re
pressing for the tape, they’ll get right to the end and then
they’ll lunge forward. I’ve even seen them fall right there on
the track, because they’re pushing to reach the tape ahead of
the one they’re competing against. It’s the idea of intensity at
the tape, stretching yourself. Those who do the long jump
leap into the air and throw their feet forward and they, with
intensity, stretch every muscle of their body to reach as far as
they can. It is the same with the high jumpers or with the pole
vaulters. They stretch to the uttermost to reach the limit.
That’s the word fervent and that’s what produces honorable
service for God.

What to do:
✞Honorably serve God by doing so with a fervent
spirit.

********************

HONORING THE AGED

May 21

 Bible Reading: Hebrews 5

 Key Verse: Verse 14 - “But strong meat belongeth to
them that are of full age, even those who by reason
of use have their senses exercised to discern both
good and evil.”
Key Words: of full age

We often think of the aged as those past their prime,

no longer of such strength as to accomplish the tough tasks of
life. This is not so! If you’ll notice in our text verse, those of
full age can teach others. They, because of their experience,
know how to discern between good and evil. So the aged
should be treated with respect and honor. Remember, one
day you’ll be there!
Once there was a little old man. His eyes blinked and
his hands trembled; when he ate he clattered the silverware
distressingly, missed his mouth with the spoon as often as
not, and dribbled a bit of his food on the tablecloth. Now he
lived with his married son, having nowhere else to live, and
his son’s wife didn’t like the arrangement.
“I can’t have this,” she said. “It interferes with my
right to happiness.” So she and her husband took him firmly
by the arm and led him to the corner of the kitchen. There
they set him on a stool and gave him his food in an
earthenware bowl. From then on he always ate in the corner,
blinking at the table with wistful eyes.
One day his hands trembled rather more than usual,
and the earthenware bowl fell and broke. “If you are a pig,”
said the daughter-in-law, “you must eat out of a trough.” So
they made him a little wooden trough and he got his meals in
that.
These people had a four-year-old son of whom they
were very fond. One evening the young man noticed his boy
playing intently with some bits of wood and asked what he
was doing. “I’m making a trough,” he said, smiling up for
approval, “to feed you and Mamma out of when I get big.”
Need I say more? Honor those who are of full age.
Trust me, they deserve it!

What to do:
✞Remember, who you honor or fail to honor speaks
volumes about you.
 IS GOD HONORED IN YOUR
HOME?
May 22

 Bible Reading: II Timothy 3:1-15

 Key Verse: Verse 15 – “And that from a child thou
hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is
in Christ Jesus.”
Key Words: from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures

Something horribly wrong is happening to our society.

We are losing the spiritual war in our homes. I read the
following recently in Newsweek magazine. The article said
“Shame: something our country is lacking. Our country has
become shameless.” In an accompanying sidebar article,
Kenneth Woodward wrote, “Ninety percent of Americans say
they believe in God. Yet the urgent sense of personal sin has
all but disappeared in our desire for ‘upbeat’ religion. In
earlier eras pastors regularly exhorted their congregations to
humbly confess their sins.” But the aging baby boomers who
are rushing back to church do not want to hear someone who
might rattle their self-esteem; and many pastors who are
competing for members feel as though they cannot alienate
potential members, so they compromise. The end result is
weak homes.
Now please read this carefully! Whether we want to
hear the truth or not is not the pastor’s problem. We, as
pastors, are told to proclaim the Word of God, proclaim the
truth, for by the truth people are made free. It is not a
pastor’s place to fill the church auditorium, but it is certainly
his place to correctly fill the pulpit. Our churches can be no
stronger than our families, but our families will be no stronger
than our churches. Our homes will never be strong if we
continually make excuses for sin. We must live by truth and
for truth. Truth is the Word of God. “Sanctify them by thy
truth, thy word is truth (John 17:17). Satan’s chief weapons
are lies and deception. The devil would rather peddle a lie
than a barrel of whiskey or a kilo of illegal drugs. Satan would
rather the home believe a lie than anything else. Just read
Genesis, chapter 3. That is how he destroyed the first home.
Mom and Dad, we must truthfully evaluate ourselves
and our home and ask: is God really honored in our home?

What to do:
✞Honor God in your home and you’ll see a difference
in your family.

********************

HONORABLE CHARACTER
May 23

 Bible Reading: I Thessalonians 2:1-12

 Key Verse: Verse 12 – “That ye would walk worthy of
God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and
glory.”
Key Words: walk worthy of God

I Thessalonians 2:1-12 set forth these qualities of

Christian character: 1) gracious speech, 2) exemplary
conduct, 3) fervent love, 4) a sanctified spirit, 5) a strong
faith, and 6) a pure life. The believer who reflects these
Christlike characteristics will leave a lasting impression upon
the unsaved.
S. H. Hadley tells of a man whose life demonstrates
this. He said, “One night after talking to the men at
McAuley’s Bowery Mission, I invited them to accept Christ.
Among those who came forward was a derelict often seen
wandering on the streets. When I knelt beside him, he was
already praying. He kept repeating just one sentence, ‘Dear
Lord, make me LIKE JOE.’ I interrupted him and said, ‘Ask
God to make you LIKE JESUS!’ Opening his eyes in
astonishment, he asked, ‘Is Jesus any better than Joe?’ I
knew what he meant. Everybody loved Joe, and rightly so, for
after his conversion he had dedicated himself to the Lord and
had led many to the Saviour by his loving witness and
consistent life. We had just buried Joe that afternoon, and the
vagrants on the bowery wept openly. The man who had come
forward for salvation had seen Christ in him. It was Christ
living out His life through Joe that had made him the
influence he was.”
I wonder how many people because of our character
say, Lord, make me like them?

What to do:
✞Let others see Jesus in you!!

********************

WHO DO YOU HONOR?

May 24

 Bible Reading: Psalm 8

 Key Verse: Verse 4 - " What is man, that thou art
mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest
him?”
Key Words: What is man

Let me ask the young people a question: who is great

in your eyes? Parents, who do you believe is great? And what
is man? Yet God is mindful of man, and while the world
magnifies its men, God magnifies Himself. So which of these
do you admire?
The following was emailed to me, albeit in a different
format.  I’ve adjusted it to be applicable to this article.
You don’t have to actually answer the following
questions; just ponder them.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
 2. Name the last five Heisman Trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America
pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or
Pulitzer prizes.
5. Name the last half-dozen Academy Award
winners for Best Actor and Actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series
winners.
7. Name last year’s Cy Young award winner for
both the American and National Leagues.
 
Well, how did you do?  The point is that none of us
remember the “stars” and headliners of yesterday.  One day all
the applause dies, achievements are forgotten, and accolades
are buried with their winners.
  Now...
1. List a few teachers who helped you through
school.
2. Name a friend who helped you through a
difficult time.
3. Name five people who taught you something
worthwhile.
4. Name three people who love you and pray for
you daily.
5. Name five people you enjoy spending time
with.
 It’s these people who make a difference in our life, not
the ones with all the credentials.  It’s these people who are
important to us, not the world’s heroes who fade away.
Think about it!!  It’s these people we need to be
seeking autographs from, not the world’s hero with all their
headlines who don’t even know our name or care who we are! 
Think about it!!

What to do:
✞Remember, you will follow those you honor.
 THERE IS NO HONOR
May 25

 Bible Reading: Joshua 16

 Key Verse: Verse 10 – “And they drave not out the
Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites
dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and
serve under tribute.”
Key Words: And they drave not out the
Canaanites

We read in Joshua 16:10, “And they drave not out the

Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell
among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under
tribute.”
When we compromise, we always end up being
servants to the world. The Canaanites were an ungodly
people and the Ephraimites refused to run them out of the
land. In other words, they were willing to live and dwell
among the ungodly. They were willing to compromise.
Believers must realize that they cannot compromise
with evil. The tribe of Ephraim failed to understand this
truth.
Admiral Heihachio Togo, whose brilliant tactics had
destroyed the Russian fleet at the battle of the Sea of Japan in
1905, visited the United States shortly after the Russo-
Japanese War. At a state dinner in Admiral Togo’s honor,
William Jennings Bryan was asked to propose a toast.
Because Bryan was well known as a strict teetotaler, it was
feared that an embarrassing breakdown of protocol was about
to occur. But as Bryan stood to propose his toast, he held up
his glass and said, “Admiral Togo has won a great victory on
water, and I will therefore toast him in water. When Admiral
Togo wins a victory on champagne I will toast him in
champagne.”
Missionary John G. Paton was invited to dinner with a
wealthy friend. Paton noticed that the servant poured a glass
of whiskey for his host. Somewhat embarrassed, the man
explained, “I take a little whiskey for my cough on my doctor’s
prescription.”
 Paton asked “How long have you been doing this?”
“Eight years,” came the reply.
“Is your cough getting any better?” asked Paton.
“No,” answered the man.
“Well,” said the missionary, “if I had a doctor who
prescribed for me for 8 years and it didn’t help me, I would
quit taking his prescriptions and get a new doctor.”
We must, as believers, come to the place where we
understand compromising doesn’t pay. Stay the course. Do
right. The psalmist David said, “I have been young, and now
am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his
seed begging bread.”

What to do:
✞Don’t compromise!

********************

HONORABLE SUCCESS
May 26

 Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 8 – “This 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: then thou shalt have good success

Look at those last two words of Joshua 1:8: “good

success.” Now, most people feel as though any and all success
is good, but this is not so. If there is a “good success,” there
must also be a “bad success.” Which raises the question that
begs for an answer: what is bad success?
Bad success is when you have money, but you do not
have Jesus as your Savior.
 Bad success is when you have designer clothes, but a
life not designed for God’s glory.
Bad success is when you have material possessions:
cars, land, houses; but you do not have salvation.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:26a, “For what is a man
profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul?” Success can be measured by answering three simple
questions.
First of all, where did I come from? Would you not
agree that we came from God? Psalm 127:3; Psalm 139:13-18.
Now, since we came from God – that raises a second question:
why am I here? The answer is found in Revelation 4:11b,
“...for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they
are and were created.” You find the same thought running
through the Bible. I Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17.
So since we came from God and are here for God, let
me ask, “How successful are you?” But there is a third
question I must ask, “Where are you going? Where will you
spend eternity?” Without Christ as your Savior, hell is your
eternal destination. Now, how successful is that?
I don’t think I would call that success!
So let me ask you: really how successful are you?
There is only one success that is honorable and that comes
through being born again and living your life for Jesus.

What to do:
✞Remember life isn’t about you; life isn’t about me;
life is all about Jesus Christ.
 HONORABLE LANGUAGE
May 27

 Bible Reading: Colossians 4

 Key Verse: Verse 6 – “Let your speech be alway with
grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye
ought to answer every man.”
Key Words: Let your speech be always… seasoned
with salt
Do you use profanity? Must you resort to slang words
to impress others? Are you guilty of using those little semi-
curses commonly heard today – words like “darn,” “golly,”
“gee,” “heck,” which are actually disguised forms of something
much worse? Their use shows a lack of refinement and
reveals a quality that is unbecoming to a Christian. The
language of a spirit-filled believer should always be “with
grace.”
Many people also engage in the irreverent use of the
names of Bible characters and spiritual terms. This denotes a
disrespect for God’s Word. How disgusting to listen to people
punctuate their conversations with minced oaths! In their
attempt to appear refined, they use expressions like “Good
Heavens,” “Good Lord,” and other thoughtless phrases. But
what about the worst offense of all – taking the Lord’s name
in vain? Whenever we hear that, we must not remain silent!
A Godly farmer was attending a meeting of an
agricultural society. Some of the men were freely using the
words, “devil,” and “hell.” He felt uneasy but said nothing.
Then someone said, “Jesus Christ!” Immediately the farmer
spoke up, “Sir, you may speak lightly of YOUR master, but
when you take MY Master’s name in vain, I object! Talk about
your master, the devil, if you want to, but please leave my
Lord out of it.”
The purpose of this devotion is not to condemn or
ridicule, or even debate the use of certain words or phrases,
but the purpose is to set us to think about making sure our
words are all God-honoring words.
What to do:
✞Remember, to remain silent when someone uses
God’s name in vain is sin (Leviticus 5:1).

********************

HONORABLE SILENCE
May 28

 Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-8

 Key Verse: Verse 8 - “This 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: then thou shalt have good success

Now be honest; can you keep a secret? When

privileged information comes your way, does it remain in the
walls of your mind? The longer I live, the more I realize the
scarcity of people who can be trusted with confidential
information. The longer I live, the more I value those who
(forgive my bluntness) can keep their mouths closed. The
Navy during World War II had a saying that went like this,
“Loose lips sink ships.”
A portion of the Hippocratic Oath states, “And
whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession…
If it be what should not be published abroad, I will never
divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets.”
You and I wouldn’t give a plug nickel for a doctor,
minister, attorney, counselor, judge, teacher, secretary, or
friend who has no control over their tongue. When a person
tells things they should not, it reveals a weakness in their
character.
Solomon wrote the following. Proverbs 10:14, “Wise
men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near
destruction.” Proverbs 10:19a, “In the multitude of words,
there wanteth not sin.” Proverbs 11:13a, “A talebearer
revealeth secrets.” Proverbs 25:28, “He that hath no rule over
his own spirit is like a city broken down and without walls.”
So let’s close by establishing four points.
1. Whatever you are told in confidence, do not
repeat.
2. Whenever you are tempted to talk, do not yield.
3. Whenever you are discussing people, do not
gossip.
4. Whenever you disagree, do not slander.
Now honestly, can you keep a secret? Prove it!

What to do:
✞Apply the four principles listed above.

********************

A GOD-HONORING RESPONSE
May 29

 Bible Reading: II Samuel 12:1-23

 Key Verse: Verse 20 – “Then David arose from the
earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and
changed his apparel, and came into the house of the
LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own
house; and when he required, they set bread before
him, and he did eat.”
Key Words: Then David arose from the earth

Everyone who prays has felt the disappointment of an

ungranted request. Our response at a time like this is a
matter of great importance. We may either turn against God
or be drawn closer to Him.
The well-known agnostic, H. G. Wells, became angry
when he prayed and didn’t get what he wanted. While taking
an accounting exam for which he was not prepared, he
desperately pleaded with the Lord to “balance his books.”
When the figures didn’t add up properly, he said, “All right,
Mr. God, You won’t ever catch me praying again!” And he
never did.
Compare this with King David’s attitude. He didn’t
receive his request either when he asked that the life of his
small son be spared. The prophet Nathan had told him the
youngster would die, but the king pleaded earnestly with God
to withdraw the penalty for his sin with Bathsheba. Yet the
answer was no, and the child died. In response, David put on
his best garments and worshiped God in the temple. Instead
of rebelling, he said with assurance that someday he would be
reunited with his son.
What a contrast in the way these two men reacted! H.
G. Wells went on to live without faith and without hope. But
David continued to have fellowship with the Lord. He lived to
see the birth of Solomon, who was destined to become his
successor to the throne.
When God doesn’t give you what you ask for, choose
the path of humble submission. Yield in faith to the Lord, and
He’ll give you peace and joy. It’s the only way to honor God
when He doesn’t grant your request.

What to do:
✞Remember, “no” is an answer as well.

********************

THE HONOR IN BEING

BIBLICALLY CORRECT
May 30

 Bible Reading: Psalm 33


 Key Verse: Verse 12 – “Blessed is the nation whose
God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath
chosen for his own inheritance.”
Key Words: Blessed is the nation whose God is the
LORD

Today we are consumed with being politically correct

when we need to be consumed with being Biblically correct.
There was a time when almost everyone could name
the Ten Commandments; but in today’s world most people,
not only cannot name the Ten Commandments, they appear
to oppose them, if not in action then certainly in word. I can
remember a time when stores were closed on Sunday out of
respect for “the Lord’s Day.” But today Sundays are just
another day of business. There was a time when our citizens
stood up and opposed the homosexual lifestyle and pastors
proclaimed “hot and hard” from the pulpit the wickedness of
adultery and promiscuity. Cursing and obscene language
were unthinkable and considered a moral wrong. But today
citizens, when polled on such issues, view them as acceptable
or inconsequential.
My, my, how times have changed! The strong
Christian influence and spiritual standards that helped to
shape our culture have given way to compromise and
paganism. Yes, I said it: paganism (one who is not a
Christian, someone who worships a false god). In the United
States political leaders, legislative bodies, and our courts have
adopted an anti-Christian attitude and agenda. We have been
so bent on being politically correct that we are spiritually
wrong.
 Public institutions and officials now no longer call it
homosexuality; it is called an “alternative lifestyle.”
 It is no longer called abortion; the courts call it
“reproductive freedom.”
 Instead of calling it fornication and sin, we say that
kids should have “safe sex.”
 Graphic, vulgar language is called “freedom of
expression.”
 Would you not agree with me that it is time we become
concerned about being Biblically correct, not politically
correct?

What to do:
✞Your #1 goal should be to please God.

********************

THE DISHONOR OF A SINGLE

WORD
May 31

 Bible Reading: I Corinthians 15:16-33

 Key Verse: Verse 33 - “Be not deceived: evil
communications corrupt good manners.”
Key Words: evil communications corrupt good
manners

Daily air raids were taking a heavy toll on Japan

during the summer of 1945; defeat seemed imminent. On
July 26, Allied leaders issued the Potsdam Agreement: “We
call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the
unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces. The
alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction.” But
the offer was also in some ways generous; it allowed Japanese
soldiers to return home without imprisonment.
Emperor Hirohito believed the Potsdam peace terms
“were the most reasonable to be expected.” But Prime
Minister Kantaro Suzuki disagreed; he felt Japan still had
some negotiating leverage with the Russians. Soon, Suzuki
was telling reporters that Japan must mokusatsu the Allied
offer.
Mokusatsu literally means “to kill with silence.”
Suzuki later claimed he had meant “no comment.” But the
Japanese news agency, Domei, quickly translated the word as
“ignore.” With this, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
was virtually inevitable.
Just a week later, on August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay
took off on its fateful mission. At 8:15 A.M., bombardier
Major Thomas Ferebee had his target in his sights: the Aioi
Bridge crossing the Ota River in Hiroshima.
About a half mile from his target, the crew of the
Lonesome Lady, which had been shot down just ten days
earlier, were being held as war prisoners along with fliers
from two other American planes – at least 10 GIs in all.
Although the solid brick of their cells managed to
withstand the awesome initial blast, only three of these
prisoners are known to have survived the explosion. Navy
pilot Normand Brissette and the Lonesome Lady’s gunner,
Ralph Neal, stayed nose-deep in a cesspool until the flames
died down. As soon as they emerged, they were recaptured by
the Japanese. During the next days each suffered acutely with
oozing sores and constant vomiting, the result of radiation
exposure. Both men died slow and horrible deaths.
The third American who survived the explosion died
as a scapegoat for the bombing. History doesn’t record his
name, but an eyewitness called him “the handsomest boy I
ever saw.” He was tied to the remains of the Aioi Bridge with
a placard that said: “Beat This American Soldier Before You
Pass.” Besides these military prisoners, more than 3,000
Japanese-American civilians were stranded in Hiroshima
when the war began. Of those who survived the blast, perhaps
1,000 returned to the United States.
The story of any single person who endured the atomic
attack on Japan is appalling. If we then consider statistics in
light of these scenes of individual agony, the extent of human
suffering begins to stagger the mind: the two bomb blasts at
Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed 300,000 people.
Think of it. The evil communication of one man using
one word, mokusatsu (ignore), resulted in the death of
thousands. Never think that your words are not important for
words are powerful, and they either bless or curse!!! What a
responsibility we have to use our words with great care and
caution.
What to do:
✞Be careful what you say and how you say it.

********************
If you would like an easier format and one that you can
download to your phone, please try the following Blog
Address:  
     
  https://refreshingdailyingodsword.blogspot.com/
Notes:
I deeply appreciate the help of

Mary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

Terri Phillips

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

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road

Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org