I began writing Words for the Day many years ago, because so many of my employees, friends, and acquaintances were experiencing dark trials and tribulation in their lives (just like I was) and I deduced that they needed some encouragement. Many did not seem to study the Bible daily as I did every morning and I decided to begin detailing my daily experiences, thoughts, questions, discouragements, encouragements, etc. as they related to the answers that I found in the Bible.
I’d lived through a raging firestorm in my life and it didn’t exactly subside the day I prayed the “Sinner’s Prayer”. Even to this day I’m still bombarded with temptation, besieged by problems, anger, sadness, and experience monumental tragedy from time to time.
The difference in the pre-Christian and post-Christian periods of my life was not in the removal of tribulation, but in finding light when the darkness came. Before I followed Jesus Christ I was entirely devoid of hope, and suicide seemed to be the only option left to just end the loneliness, turmoil, and desperation.
When Jesus Christ came into my life everything changed, because He provided hope in every area. You see I can truthfully say that I’ve never experienced a problem for which I could not find the perfect answer in God’s word the Holy Bible. When I combined Bible study with prayer, I knew what needed to be done. I can’t say that I always followed the advice, but I can say I knew what I needed to do . . . (Sigh . . . I can be so-o-o-o-o-o bullheaded sometimes!)
Now saying I found the solution to every single problem in life in the Bible is a mouthful, but every word is true. I’ve dealt with about every form of tribulation imaginable including my brother’s suicide, treachery by supposed friends, life threatening situations, people lying to me (and about me), folks stealing from me, temptations, pride and arrogance, and on and on.
I not only used the Bible to help me navigate through all of that darkness, but also through the good times. While nothing has ever been perfect, I was successful in a marriage of 44 years, raising great kids and grandkids, and in business. I used the Bible to guide me through it all.
I didn’t receive therapy and a prescription for Valium from lying on a couch in some shrink’s office; I relied on God and His Bible. I didn’t receive business acumen in the classroom of some Ivy League school, or any other form of higher education. I owe all of my business success to the Bible. Now that is what I call HIGHER EDUCATION! I studied the principles laid out in the pages of the Bible especially those words spoken by Jesus and of course wise old King Solomon and I prospered greatly.
We all experience good times and bad. Christians are not spared the curse on mankind caused by sin, but we do have the Holy Spirit who is known in the Bible as the “Comforter” and we have God’s Holy word the Bible. We are not guaranteed success, but we are given a step by step plan of how to achieve it in God’s word.
The main thing is that we take action upon what we learn. If the Bible tells us not to lie, steal, commit adultery, covet, we should not do it. If it tells us to tithe and give offerings, help the poor and downtrodden, make God number one in our lives and love Him first and foremost and our neighbor second to that, and to encourage others, then we should do so.
Knowing and doing are not the same. It requires action.
Recently I wrote about the subject of forgiveness and stated that it takes work. I have a friend who is older and just never went through the arduous task of learning how to use a computer. Yesterday I got this e-mail from him thanking me for the WFTD that I wrote last week:
Mr. Bob,
The WFTD, “It take’s work, but it does work.” IT WAS GREAT! Really hit home and you knocked it out of the park. Loved every word of it. You stood and delivered the true word of the Lord. Thanks and keep up the great work, God Bless Ya.
P.S. FYI this was my first email ha ha, and took over an hour to type, and send. Made ya smile
Now just think this is the first e-mail my friend has ever sent in his life. He has put off learning how to use the computer all of these years and has finally decided to take action and just do it already.
Bravo!
As I thought about this e-mail this morning I thought about this, his very first e-mail, and it being a letter of encouragement to me and dealing with “the true word of the Lord”. He laughingly remarked that it took him over and hour to hunt and peck his way through it, but he got through it. It took some work, but it did work. And he is right it made me smile.
And I was greatly encouraged about the difficult task of writing this column day after day – week after week – year after year. Just think his very first e-mail pointed out something that we all need to learn about going about the Lord’s work. It takes some work but it does work!
Encourage someone today.
James 2:18
Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”