TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 20:7, 17-30
A man's steps are directed by the Lord. - Proverbs 20:24
TODAY IN THE WORD
Aviator Charles Lindbergh refused to capitalize on his fame after his solo historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. Movie producers and others came to Lindbergh with million-dollar offers to star in a movie or to travel with a vaudeville show. Lindbergh turned down every offer, and returned all the money that people had sent to him as gifts. A friend explained, 'Lindbergh won't take money he hasn't earned.'

This kind of integrity sounds almost quaint today. But if that's the case, our culture needs a large dose of quaintness! Integrity and purity of motive in our actions is a goal that Proverbs continues to set before us.

In today's verses we find several exhortations to integrity, each one couched in the negative. Fraud may bring short-term gain, but it definitely brings long-term pain (v. 17). Unscrupulous or overly greedy people may make some quick money in business or other ventures and establish an inheritance.

But from God's perspective the immediate result is not the end of the story. Since life is like a race, what matters most is where we end up, not where we began.

Doing business dishonestly is another way to forfeit God's blessing. The writer mentions this sin twice (vv. 10, 23), so apparently it was a problem in that day. Dishonest merchants had two sets of weights so they could make the goods appear either lighter or heavier, depending on whether they were buying or selling.

Integrity also applies to the promises we make. Verse 25 urges us not to make vows without giving the issue enough thought. A person of integrity is a person who honors his or her word.

To have integrity is to be wholeÑthe opposite of having a divided heart or speaking out of both sides of our mouths. Throughout this month we have seen that the main issue concerning our thoughts and actions is this: do they please or displease the Lord?

If God is pleased by what we do and say, our integrity will take care of itself. Therefore, our assignment is to 'find out what pleases the Lord' (Eph. 5:10).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One way we can please God is by asking Him to direct our steps. He promises His guidance to those who seek Him.

Maybe you're facing a decision for which you need God's wisdom. You may be wrestling with a step of obedience God has called you to take. Or you may simply feel a special need for God's guiding hand in the week ahead. Whatever your need or desire, commit your steps this week to God, asking Him to show you what will please Him in your circumstance.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 21:1-15
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. - Proverbs 21:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the wonderful things about the Proverbs is the incredibly wide range of topics it covers. There is not a stage of life, relationship, circumstance, decision, or action to which they do not speak. We shouldn't be surprised at this, since this book is Spirit-inspired Scripture.

Consider today's verses. Any diligent father or mother could sit down with their preteen or teenaged children and teach them valuable principles of godly living from Proverbs 21.

For example, most teens go through a period when they feel like they have all the answers. They need to understand that God and His Word are the real measure of what is right (v. 2). Young people today are also bombarded by a culture that flaunts its arrogance. But pride is still sin in God's eyes (v. 4).

There are also enough principles in these verses to instruct a college class in business ethics, government, or law. The writers of Proverbs were deeply concerned with ethical behavior, and they were wonderfully specific in their instruction.

Any budding business entrepreneur could gain a lifetime's worth of wisdom by taking to heart these warnings about the folly of illicit business practices (vv. 5-6 ).

And what better advice for people in the legal profession than the reminder that God is intensely interested in justice (vv. 13-15)? Verse 14 does not condone bribery, but simply states a fact of life. However, doing what is right is the only way to please the Lord.

There is also some solid counsel here for our individual lives at home and in the community (vv. 9-12). The writer underscores the importance of unity and harmony in a marriage, and all of us are cautioned against building our homes on a foundation of evil. This chapter of Proverbs even speaks to those at the highest levels of authority. We have to wonder how many rulers, elected or otherwise, would reconsider their actions if they truly considered and believed that God is sovereign in the affairs of all nations (v. 1). We can pray that the world's rulers will come to this understanding, since a country's welfare depends in part upon the character of its leaders.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Imitation is a very effective way to learn. We just need to make sure we're imitating the right model.

We have nothing to worry about if we follow the instruction of God's Word. 'Be imitators of God,' Paul tells us (Eph. 5:1). And as we follow the Lord to the best of our abilities, we give our family and others a model they can imitate (see 1 Cor. 11:1). Take a look in the mirror of the Word today (James 1:22-25) and make sure everything is in order.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 22:1-12
Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. - Proverbs 22:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
After the ten-year-old's first voice lesson, his teacher was adamant: 'You can't sing. You haven't any voice at all. Your voice sounds like the wind in the shutters.'

Despite this discouragement, the boy's mother heard greatness in his voice and believed in him. She told him, 'My boy, I am going to make every sacrifice to pay for your voice lessons.' The hard work paid off: Enrico Caruso became one of the world's greatest performers.

What a great illustration of the principle that Proverbs 22:6 teaches! Musically, Enrico Caruso was diligently trained in the way he should go. That is, he was guided in the direction of vocal excellence so that he learned his art well and his training stayed with him throughout life.

The application to Christian parents and their child-training commitment is pretty obvious. We need to be as determined in our children's spiritual training as Caruso's mother was in his vocal training. This is the best way to ensure that children do not turn from God's wisdom when they become adults.

The verses surrounding verse 6 provide plenty of good reasons to set children on the right path. God's way is well marked with signs warning us of potential spiritual hazards. The prudent person, who has been raised up in the way he or she should go, takes the warning to heart and finds protection from the danger. The naive person plows on blindly ahead and ends up crashing through the guardrail.

Proverbs is also a book of financial wisdom, so we find a lot of encouragement to avoid debt and be generous with our resources (vv. 7, 9). If God's people would learn and apply just these two lessons, we could make a staggering impact for the cause of Christ.

Today's reading closes with a reminder that purity of heart and speech are qualities God values highly. The writer also draws attention to God's sovereignty over our lives. Even when unrighteous people speak words or make schemes designed for evil, God can overturn their intentions.

It takes a lot of dedication to train people in the way of life, but the results last for a lifetime...and forever.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's wonderful when people walk in the way they should go.

But the reality is that anyone can stray from the truth and start heading toward trouble. In cases like this, our assignment is to help turn that person around. If someone close to you is on the wrong path, ask God for the courage and opportunity to be a godly influence. And if you're not facing this challenge right now, pray that God will keep those close to you close to Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 23:1-8, 10-11
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone. - Proverbs 23:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
For reasons that only a bird behavior expert may be able to explain, a bird sitting on a fence or telephone line will often fly away as soon as another bird lands next to it.

If you've ever seen that happen, you have the basic idea behind today's verse. The opening phrase of the verse could be rendered, 'If you cause your eyes to fly after riches,' it will result in the riches sprouting wings themselves and flying away.

This is an illustration that doesn't need much comment. in other words, trying to make gold our god is futile. Like every other material commodity on earth, wealth is unpredictable and temporaryÑnot the kind of stuff on which you can build a solid foundation for life.

No wonder the Proverbs caution us not to wear ourselves out pursuing greedy gain (v. 4). Then why do so many believers fall into the money pit? One reason is suggested in verse 17: they allow themselves to envy 'sinners,' people who don't know any better than to spend their lives trying to get rich.

Greed is ugly in any form, and there are two examples sandwiched around verses 4-5. Basically, the Word tells us not to be either a greedy guest or a stingy host.

Gluttony is simply greed applied to food, and it can get a person in real trouble. Few of us will ever have the opportunity to dine with a ruler, but the principle is the same. People who go overboard in partaking of someone else's 'delicacies' may be fattening themselves up for the kill.

A modern, non-food example may be those TV informercials that promise unheard-of wealth to anyone who buys into the program.

When the money that people are trying to horde is their own, greed manifests itself as stinginess. Imagine your host at a dinner showing you the tab and whining about how much the meal costs! The writer of Proverbs is using an everyday situation to point out the foolishness we fall into when we wear ourselves out trying to get rich.

Greed can also lead to sin. Verses 10-11 are not about greed, but they remind us how dangerous it is to cheat or to mistreat othersÑbecause the Lord is a powerful 'Defender' of the helpless.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Someone may say, 'I'm OK here. There's not a greedy bone in my body.'

That's greatÑbut before we pronounce ourselves fit, let's take a look at the X-ray again and ask some diagnostic questions. The opposite of greed is generosity and contentment. Are you a generous person, both toward God and toward others? Are you content with what God has given you, even if you never have a lot of the things other people have? These questions deserve some thought and prayer today.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 24:1-6, 19-22
Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company. - Proverbs 24:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
No matter how bad the situation got or how great the danger, the good guys always used to win on television or in films.

But things aren't so simple these days. Many times today we can't even tell who's good from who's bad. And all too often, the bad guys turn out to be the 'heroes.'

They say life imitates art, and that's true in the case of determining good and evil. When the most violent, arrogant, or simply biggest and strongest people seem to come out on top, it becomes easier to envy them. After all, everyone loves a winner.

But the book of Proverbs helps us turn this crooked picture right-side up. Because the writers of Proverbs also lived in a sinful world, they saw the same phenomena we sometimes see: the wicked prospering and the righteous suffering. They understood that envy could be a problem for the righteous, so they issued the no-nonsense warning found in today's verse.

If we could see where evil people wind up, we wouldn't be jealous of them. We would want to stay as far away from them as possible. That's the powerful message of verses 19-22. There is definitely no future in evil and wickedness!

The world may portray evil as powerful and desirable, but to the Lord wicked people are a flickering flame that can be extinguished with just a slight puff of air. God is definitely one foe of the wicked, and kings can be anotherÑfor God uses the authority of rulers to punish wrongdoers. This in fact is one of the primary biblical purposes of government (Rom. 13:3-4).

In contrast to evil people, those who seek God's wisdom build a future that is secure and filled with good things (Prov. 24:3-4).

And what about power? It doesn't come at the point of a weapon or through intimidation, but through godly wisdom. The wise not only know the true source of power; they also grow stronger as they continue to follow the Lord and grow in the knowledge of Him.

One result of pursuing wisdom instead of evil is that the wise have all the guidance and sound advice they need when the battle comes. Which camp do you want to be in?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We could label today's study 'The importance of avoiding bad company.'

People often think of this as a problem they outgrow when they reach adulthood. But we're always faced with choices when it comes to the people with whom we spend our time. We can't isolate ourselves from unbelievers, but we can insulate ourselves from the influences they may bring. Concerning your unsaved friends and acquaintances, are you influencing them toward righteousness, or are they drawing you in the wrong direction?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 25:1-10
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. - Proverbs 25:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1846, the great Scottish-born Bible expositor Alexander Maclaren became pastor of a small church in England that was about to collapse. Maclaren built the church into a thriving body, but his achievement was little known because Maclaren disliked publicity. However, his ministry came to the notice of the Union Chapel in Manchester, which issued a call to Maclaren in 1858. He began a 45-year ministry in Manchester and became a widely known preacher who, on later speaking tours, drew thousands to hear his teaching of the Scriptures.

Alexander Maclaren refused to exalt himself, yet God lifted him upÑa classic example of Solomon's advice in action (vv. 6-7). Attempts at self-exaltation usually end in humiliation, so the wise person avoids trying to push himself to the top.

Today's verses are part of a special group of Solomon's proverbs copied down by the scribes of King Hezekiah of Judah, some 250 years after Solomon. These extend through chapter 29, another collection of wisdom from the king to whom God gave extraordinary insight.

Relating to those above us, our leaders, and to those beside us, our neighbors, accounts for a big chunk of our lives. All of us have some kind of relationship to those in authority, whether it's our employer or the police officer in our community.

It is the nature of people in authority to 'search out a matter' (v. 2). Kings need to know the facts so they can make wise decisions. At the same time, leaders don't always reveal what they know. The wisest position we can take in relating to authority is one of humility, since we don't always know what will be the outcome of a situation.

Given the critical position leaders hold, especially at the national level, it is necessary that they have righteous rather than wicked counselors surrounding them. History is littered with the wreckage of kingdoms and nations that were led into oblivion by ungodly rulers.

When it comes to those around us, we usually have much more direct contact. Solomon's advice in this case is also to move slowly, with an attitude of humility, because once again we can't always see how a situation will turn out.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
From today's study it is clear that there are times when the wisest thing we can do is back off and not press our case.

You may be in a situation right now where this advice from the Proverbs would apply. Maybe it's a child whose attitude you are struggling with, a disagreement with your spouse, or a problem at work. Ask God to show you if it's time to step back for a while. And in any case, taking the Bible's advice to deal with others in humility is a wise choice.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 26:17-28
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. - Proverbs 26:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
'I would rather play with forked lightning, or take in my hand living wires with their fiery current, than speak a reckless word against any servant of Christ, or idly repeat the slanderous darts which thousands of Christians are hurling on others, to the hurt of their own souls and bodies.' These words of Dr. George Sweeting, Moody's Chancellor, show the seriousness of our words, and especially the effects of gossip.

If only all of us had this view of gossip! People today may not think much of gossiping, but God loathes it because words are one of the most powerful forces on earth.

These proverbs from Solomon (see 25:1) cover a helpful range of problems concerning our speech, from gossip to arguing to flattery. The thought connecting each of these sins is the damaging effect our words can have when they are used for evil.

Solomon says a gossip's words go down deep into a person, like a delicacy that is eaten and digested (Prov. 26:22). One trait of gossips is their delight over a juicy new morsel of news to devour themselves and then feed to others.

Passing along hearsay and other second-hand information can have a permanent effect because gossip is usually stored away and remembered.

The bulk of today's reading is devoted to another form of damaging speech, the smooth talk of a flatterer that hides an evil heart. It takes discernment to detect deceitÑ-but then, discernment is what God promises us when we seek His wisdom.

There is one other warning we need to note. Sin not only hurts others, it also has a 'rollback' effect (v. 27). Try to crush someone else under a stone of damaging words, and that stone will eventually roll back onto you!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes we hear people say they would rather be punched in the stomach than be hurt by cutting words.

That's not hyperbole. A punch only hurts for a while; the bruise heals. But words can leave permanent emotional and spiritual scars. Thankfully, our words can also build up and heal others. Write down the names of three people you can encourage this weekend, and then make an opportunity to do so.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 27:1-10
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. - Proverbs 27:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
One particular chain of restaurants has a sign boldly painted on its buildings, advertising that their food is 'free tomorrow.' A passerby on a freeway beside one of these restaurants glanced at the sign and thought he had found a good dealÑuntil the joke dawned on him!

It may not cost anything to make silly promises about a tomorrow that never comes, but boasting about our tomorrows can be very costly. This form of arrogance is offensive to God because it leaves Him and His will out of the equation. The apostle James added this ingredient when he wrote, 'You ought to say, ÔIf it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that'' (James 4:15).

This piece of godly wisdom begins yet another chapter full of proverbs written to help us live wisely. We haven't addressed the subject of anger much this month, but even a brief biblical study on it will reveal how dangerous a quick-tempered person can be. The ability to control our anger and respond properly is one evidence of the Holy Spirit's control within us (Eph. 4:26).

Solomon was also careful to warn us against the treachery of those who come with a smile on their faces and smooth words on their tongues, but with a dagger behind their backs. No one wants to become the victim of such a person. Moreover, we should never be guilty of deceiving someone else by flattery while planning evil against them in our hearts.

A faithful friend is the perfect contrast to a treacherous enemy. A friend who shows God's agape love toward others does not shrink back either from expressing love or from sharing a needed rebuke. A wound always hurts (Prov. 27:6), but if it's from a friend who has our best interests at heart, it will ultimately result in healing.

If you want to spread the fragrance of Christ among your friends, be known as a person who can be trusted to give 'earnest counsel' (v. 9). You'll be the kind of friend people stay with, and one they turn to in time of need.

And because friends sharpen one another (v. 17), your model of godly friendship will reproduce itself in those around you.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Being a friend doesn't guarantee that you won't be disappointed once in a while.

Any close human relationship involves vulnerability and risk. But a small group of committed friends can be a great source of encouragement and prayer support, and can demand accountability when a member stumbles. Do you have at least one Christian friend who is free to ask you anything without risking your anger or rejection? Accountability among friends is more than a modern buzzword. It's part of God's plan for wise living.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 28:1-10
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. - Proverbs 28:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to a news wire report, Great Britain has asked Brazil to extradite Ronald Biggs, the man behind Britain's famous 'Great Train Robbery' of 1963. Biggs escaped from prison in 1965 and eventually made his way to Brazil, where the report said he was living as a 'celebrity figure.' Britain and Brazil did not have an extradition treaty until 1997; but the ratification of a new pact made extradition to Britain a possibility for the famous fugitive, who said he was 'through running.'

People may evade human justice for a long time, but God sets Himself against those who scorn and break the law. No one can dodge His justice, whether in this life or in the next.

This is a remarkable set of proverbs dealing with our attitude toward the law, both God's and man's. One evidence that we are made in God's image is the conscience He has implanted in us. Even though we can dull our consciences by repeated sin, there is something within us that troubles us when we have done wrong. This conviction of sin can be so strong that the guilty person runs even when no one is after him.

Once their consciences have been dulled and deadened, people begin to exhibit a twisted sense of right and wrong. They lose the capacity to discern between the two, even 'prais[ing] the wicked' when they commit evil(v. 4).

But for those who revere God's law and live law-abiding lives, the story is very different. These people possess knowledge and understanding, synonyms for godly wisdom, and they enjoy God's blessing. They bless others, too. For example, a country with godly leaders is blessed.

Notice that wealth alone is no indicator of a person's character. The world has a twisted version of the Golden Rule: 'He who has the gold gets to rule.' But that doesn't work in God's kingdom. He rules in perfect justice and calls His people to live within His guidelines.

Like other people who plot and commit evil, lawbreakers have a problem. Sooner or later, they fall into the trap they have set for others. The self-destructiveness of wicked people is a consistent theme in the ProverbsÑand it is perfectly in keeping with God's justice.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Living as a fugitive is something the vast majority of us will only read about or see on television.

But it's easy for us to scoff at laws in small ways and undermine our testimony. Some people consider laws such as speed limits part of a game between themselves and the police, with the object being to escape detection. Is your attitude toward the law one that you would be happy for your spouse, family, or others around you to adopt? It's worth thinking about.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 29:15-23
The rod of correction imparts wisdom. - Proverbs 29:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
Christian financial counselor Ron Blue advises parents: 'Teach your children to wait. Even if you (or they) can afford to purchase something, encourage them to exercise the discipline of delayed gratification. By saying Ôno' to some desires early on, your kids will learn to be patient later in lifeÑwhen more than money may be at stake.'

That's good advice. It has been said that a child who never hears the word no will have a warped understanding of the word yes. A well-disciplined person can look forward to God's blessing and the favor of others.

The teaching of these verses is about as 'politically incorrect' as you can get these days. Anyone who thinks a child is basically an angel-in-training is in for a rude awakening when the foolishness of this view becomes apparent. One father said his ideas about the angelic nature of children changed when his 'little angel' exchanged 'wings' for legs!

To many people discipline is merely another word for punishment. Sure, the 'rod of correction' is part of the process. There is never any place for abuse, of course. But the sting of correction applied lovingly can be an effective teacher.

There is more to discipline than correction, however. We have seen how the Proverbs are filled with pleas to children to obey the instruction of a godly father and mother. Without a doubt, the child who listens and learns is undergoing godly discipline. But the result is sweet to the soul as a wise son or daughter steers clear of trouble and temptation to discover the joy of obeying God.

If a disciplined person is one who has his or her life under control, what does an undisciplined person's life look like? We have several clues here. For instance, people who are devoid of God's Word are likely to act without restraint (v. 18).

Stubbornness also impedes discipline (v. 19), as does being too hasty in speech, letting anger take control, and living in pride (vv. 20, 22-23). Imagine a culture filled with children who take these traits into adulthood, and you'll see the necessity of discipline!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Saying no to something every day, even a legitimate desire, is a good workout for developing discipline.

But discipline is like other character traits God's Word commends: it has to be real in us before we can pass it on. Most people are disciplined in some areas; fewer are well-rounded in the discipline they bring to their lives. Are you aware of your weak points? That's half the battle. The other half is drawing up a plan to strengthen those areas of weaknessesÑand then working your plan.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 30:15-31
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. - Proverbs 30:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Our key verse for today, although not part of our reading, is a fitting conclusion to these studies. The book of Proverbs is the flawless Word of God, which means we can believe and live by these principles without any reservation.

One of the most intriguing portions of the book is the section we are studying today, what some have called the numerical proverbs. The formula 'three...four' is a literary device that may have one of two purposes.

First, it may indicate that the list which follows is not exhaustive. Second, it may be a way of emphasizing the last item in the listÑin this case, the fourth item. The prophet Amos used this same device in a slightly different way (Amos 1-2), omitting the first three sins of the nations mentioned and mentioning only one, presumably the fourth and worst.

The numerical proverbs are fascinating whichever way we interpret them. They are the work of a poetic hand, and they seem to have a sense of mystery about them. But the Spirit of God inspired these words for our profit and instruction, not just to intrigue us.

Greed is the subject of the first section (vv. 15-16). We know that Proverbs condemns greed as a disease that devours the person who carries it.

The writer also says he does not understand the way of four things in natureÑand adds the way of an adulteress, who can commit sin and then go on her way as if she had done nothing more harmful than eating a meal.

The four things under which the earth trembles suggest a reversal of the normal order of things. A fool who is full of food is ready for trouble, and those who are elevated to positions they are not ready for can also cause problems.

The Proverbs have already advised us to learn from the ant (Prov. 6:6). This section reminds us to learn from, not despise, small things. And finally, the stateliness of a lion and a king can serve as a reminder that when we walk in the way of godly wisdom, we can move with a confident stride.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As you think back over this month in the Proverbs, you may find that a particular verse or series of verses sticks in your mind. If so, why not turn to that passage again today and let the Word enrich your heart once more?

Though we haven't included Proverbs 31 in today's reading, why not add this to your day? Then close your study by thanking the Lord for this portion of His flawless Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 16:13-19
I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. - Matthew 16:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
It seems that there is a new emphasis on building a strong spiritual legacy in the church, which is a welcome addition to the spiritual landscape of the nineties. In the midst of morally uncertain times, it is encouraging to see attention being paid to what will be passed on to future generations. Yet no trend toward laying good foundations, however promising, could compare to the foundation of the church which Jesus Himself put into place.

Jesus did not only leave us the model of His earthly life and ministry, as well as the most priceless spiritual legacy possible in the salvation He purchased for us. He also laid the foundation for the church--a new body of people comprised of all those who have put their trust in Him.

In fact, Jesus places so much value on the church that His love for it is the model of a husband's love for his wife (Eph. 5:25). Jesus ""gave zhimself up"" for His church.

Jesus' announcement of His plan to build the church shows that this unique body of people was not a last-minute plan devised in heaven. Building the church was not just a good idea--it was the expression of God's eternal, perfect will. The church is built on the rock of Jesus Christ, and it is built to withstand all the assaults of the enemy.

This familiar passage in Matthew 16 isn't just reassuring because of the Lord's purpose and promises of protection and authority. There is personal comfort and blessing for us in the knowledge that we were on Jesus' heart and mind long before He went to the cross to save us. He even prayed specifically for us in His great prayer in the upper room (John 17:20-24).

As heirs of the wonderful legacy Jesus has left us, we should greatly value the church. Throughout this month, we will focus on the church, examining its facets like we would a gem of exceedingly great value.

We particularly want to explore a metaphor often used in Scripture for the church, that of the human body. We are the body of which Jesus is the head--a truth that has powerful implications for the way we should live each day.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We've been finding some great encouragement this week from the pages of Micah's prophecy.The church is definitely a valuable gem--although an imperfect one in the days before Christ returns for us.

Since every member of Christ's body is still a ""work in progress,"" the Bible reminds us of our need to love and forgive each other the way Jesus has loved and forgiven us.

Are you at odds with another member of the body of Christ? Why not resolve to settle the issue? If nothing else, it will make your devotional life this month much more enjoyable and meaningful! And since the body is interconnected (as we will see later on), when another believer is hurting, it's not doing you any good either.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10
God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ... raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms. - Ephesians 2:4-6
TODAY IN THE WORD
The story, The Prince and the Pauper deals with a popular theme in literature: the person who rises from the bottom to the top; from poverty to great wealth; from prison to the throne.

Of course, some ""rags to riches"" stories are real. More than one person has risen from the company mailroom to the boardroom. Penniless immigrants have achieved great

success.

But no one has come further or risen higher than those who are believers in Jesus Christ. Because Jesus so loved and gave Himself on the cross for the church (Eph. 5:25), we have gone from death to life, from God's judgment to His mercy, from a future in hell to one in ""the heavenly realms,"" and from uselessness to the incredible privilege of doing good works for God's glory.

What Jesus has done for the members of His spiritual body, the church, is a spiritual rags-to-riches saga that no story line or ""silver screen"" could ever capture. If you want to know why the church is so valuable to Jesus, and why we should also value it so highly, look no further than today's reading.

There are many people who believe that Christians are nice people who have been made nicer by joining a church and adhering to a set of rules. It's a good thing Paul didn't buy that nonsense. He told the ugly truth about our spiritual condition-B.C., or, ""Before Christ.""

We were dead in sin, not just disjointed. Far from being ""nice,"" we were prisoners of Satan and of ""the cravings of our sinful nature"" (v. 3), which made us objects of God's judgment.

But praise God the story doesn't end with the filthy rags of unrighteousness! For no other reason than His great love and grace, God saved us through the death of His Son. Not only that, but we are now spiritually residing in heaven with the risen and exalted Christ--and someday we will be there with Him forever.

Keeping this future glory in mind, throughout this month we will see that Jesus has given His church eternally significant work to do now. That makes sense, because as Christ's body we are the extension of His hands and His feet on earth.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The genius of the church is that it has been designed to work just like a healthy human body, with each part doing its work.

That means Christians who decide to ""freelance"" and ignore their local church are doing more than missing out on personal spiritual growth and blessing. They are essentially disabling the body of Christ. We hope you are vitally connected to a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching local church where you can be equipped to do the works for which you were created. If not, talk to someone who can help you get connected.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 2:11-18
In Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. - Ephesians 2:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
In an attempt to help job seekers, executives who do the hiring for some of the nation's largest companies published examples of how not to behave at a job interview.

For example: don't come inappropriately dressed, like the woman who came to her job interview in a bathing suit. Don't come hungry, like one interviewee who had a pizza delivered in the middle of his interview. Don't come tired, like the man who fell asleep and began snoring at his interview. And don't reveal your ignorance, like the woman who told her prospective employer she had graduated cum laude, although she didn't know what it meant.

You'd probably agree that these people were spiritually alienated from God's covenant promises. God's Word makes it clear that we were the worst possible candidates for the new work Jesus Christ wanted to do in building His church. Worse still, there was no way we could reverse our status.

But as we read yesterday, God did for us what we could not do for ourselves (Eph. 2:5). The Gentiles were helpless since they were excluded from the faith and privileges of Israel and didn't have any visible hope of salvation.

The Jews had the covenants and promises of God, but they were also spiritually needy because ""no one will be declared righteous in [God's] sight by observing the law"" (Rom. 3:20).

So Christ reached down and rescued the helpless. But His goal for us did not end with our salvation. God's eternal plan was to make one new body out of two religious bodies--Jews and Gentiles. He removed the barrier between them, the Law of Moses, which made Jews insiders and Gentiles outsiders.

After fulfilling the Law, Christ began sending out His messengers with the good news that both Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled to God ""through the Cross"" (v. 16). More than that, these former enemies have now become members of the same body.

The opposite of hostility (v. 16) is peace, which should characterize this new entity called the church. With Jesus Himself as our peace (v. 14), we as the members of His body have every resource we need to live and work alongside each other in harmony.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Talk about job qualifications!

Although we had nothing within ourselves to make us acceptable to God, our salvation in Jesus Christ brings with it divine qualifications for any job He asks us to do. Maybe you've been wanting to volunteer for that ministry opening at church or to tackle some other spiritual challenge, but feel inadequate for the job. Speak with your pastor or a trusted friend about it. Sometimes, others can see gifts or abilities in us we can't see ourselves.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 1:3-12
In love [God] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 1:4-5
TODAY IN THE WORD
After being hidden from public view for more than seven centuries, about 800 pieces of medieval art are now on display at a monastery in eastern Germany. This priceless collection of paintings, figurines, and textiles is being featured in an exhibit at the monastery, which has been closed to outsiders since the thirteenth century. The exhibit, which is called ""Time and Eternity,"" closes later this month.

The church of Jesus Christ is now on display too--a treasure once hidden from view, not for seven centuries, but ""before the creation of the world"" (v. 4). On Friday we ""fast-forwarded"" to Ephesians 2 to see our hopeless condition without Christ. This will help us to better appreciate the exalted position the church holds in the unfolding of God's eternal plan.

The great salvation God lavished upon us in Christ includes all the benefits the apostle Paul describes so clearly in these verses. The redemption that Jesus Christ made possible through His blood also includes a concept that is unique to Paul; this is what he calls the ""mystery of [God's] will"" (v. 9).

In a word, that mystery is the church (Eph. 3:9-10). In the Bible, a mystery is not a riddle or a puzzling case to be solved, but a truth previously hidden that is now revealed. Although the church was born on the Day of Pentecost before he was converted (Acts 2), Paul was given the privilege of revealing this new body as a fellowship of all those who put their trust in Christ. No one had seen the full truth about the church before Paul explained it.

God's purpose in calling out the church is that people like us might live ""to the praise of His glorious grace"" (v. 6). The world may misunderstand and ridicule the church, but until Jesus returns His Father has determined that the church will be the carrier of His name and glory on earth.

That's a tremendous privilege. When God brings everything in heaven and on earth together under the lordship of Jesus Christ, which will occur in His millennial reign, the church will reign with Christ. No other body of people has such an exalted position. Our challenge is to live worthy of it.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Paul begins and ends this great section of Scripture with praise to God for the grace and love He poured out on us in Christ.

Today, let's follow Paul's example by making this day of worship a day of praise to the Lord. These verses give us more than enough reasons to stop and thank God for His goodness. Choose some aspects of God's grace that are particularly special to you (i.e., love, forgiveness, spiritual adoption) and turn them into the subjects of your praise. And, if possible, involve the whole family in offering this praise.