Persistence In Prayer and Our Personal Spiritual Growth and Development

Persistence In Prayer and Our Personal Spiritual Growth and Development
© Lee Wise All rights reserved

We entertain thoughts like these on a regular basis:

“I wonder what he’s getting at?”
“If she is going where I think she’s going, I…”
“So what’s the point of all this?”
“I wonder if they even know what they’re saying!”

When it comes to the art of communication, understanding
becomes crucial: especially when the stakes are high.

During high stake times “mind games” become irritating
instead of enjoyable, and we aren’t interested in visiting
our psychology 101 notes in order to discover what is
“really” being said.

We just want “to know.”

That’s why I often appreciate a down to earth, straight
forward comment of this nature:

“Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they
should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1)**

The statement is, in one sense, refreshing.

Years of study don’t need to be spent discerning the correct
meaning and biblical application of those eighteen words!

Clear? Yes.
Simple? No doubt.

But easy to apply?
Hardly.

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE PARABLE

The parable goes something like this…

A judge who doesn’t give a rip about God or anyone else
hears — on a *very* regular basis — the cry of a widow who
pleads for a just ruling in her favor.

Time and again she approaches the bench.
Time after time she asks for mercy.

Can’t you hear him?

“I tell ya, this gal is driving me nuts. Doesn’t she ever
give up?

You think she’d get the picture: I don’t care!”

However, the man finally crumbles beneath the weight of her
constant appeals: “I will see that she gets justice, so that
she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming.”
(Luke 18:5)

Then Jesus delivers the PostScript.  He says:

“Listen to what the unjust judge says.  And will not God
bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him
day and night?  Will he keep putting them off?

I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.

However, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on
earth?” (Luke18:6-9)

CLEAR AND SIMPLE, BUT PERSONALLY CONVICTING

As I mulled over the purpose of the parable, I recorded a
few summary concepts which I now hand off to you for your
reflection.

Answering the question, “How does this look in my world?”, I
wrote down:

1.  I pray
2.  I pray as a discipline
3.  I don’t give up (even when others get up and go)

A few related QUESTIONS then found their way into my notes.

1. “What do I care enough about to be *persistent” in prayer
for?”

2. “Am I developing a lifestyle that is moving away from –
or nearer to — this goal (i.e. that of praying, praying as
a discipline, and not giving up).

3. “What would it take for me to be able to say:

I’m one of those.
I’m one of those people who pray and don’t give up?”

4. “If the Lord were to come at the end of the next 30 days,
would he find this kind of ‘pray and not give up faith’ in
the sector of earth I inhabit each day?”

AND NOW…

I am continuing to work through *before the Lord* my
responses to the questions I created.

The same exercise may prove valuable to you as well.

I would encourage you to read the parable, make notes,
design your own questions, and interact with the One whose
desire for us is to “always pray and not give up.”

Enjoy your time of learning from Jesus,

Lee

**All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are
taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSIONÆ. NIVÆ.
Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
__________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature Three
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)

Five Pillars Of Excellence For Personal Spiritual Growth

Five Pillars Of Excellence For Personal Spiritual Growth
© Lee Wise All rights reserved

Don’t let the brevity of these comments fool you. They are
a gold mine in terms of value in our lives.

These four disciplines — when reflected and acted upon –
will continually propel us in the direction of living a
life of excellence.

And…

As we focus on the Person of Jesus Christ as our model,
motivation and strength while striving to put these
disciplines into practice, we can’t help but grow in the
realization of what it means to be a person of excellence
for Christ.

~*~*~ How To Read The Following ~*~*~

Each main thought is followed by: (1) a definition; and (2)
a personal affirmation that can be made relative to the
definition.

Try to let each definition and personal affirmation capture
your imagination: how the basic truth of what is being said
could improve your life.

In order to help you “see” the possibility, allow the two
questions below to serve as examples of how focusing on one
of the five pillars of excellence could enhance your
personal spiritual growth.

Regarding the area of *concentration,* you create a question
like this:

“If I concentrated my efforts on improving in the area of
personal time management, what could this mean for me?”

Focusing on *personal control,* you might create a question
similar to this one:

“What if I exercised more personal control concerning what I
say to others, what positive changes might I see in my
life?”

Reading, thinking, and praying through these five pillars
more than once should prove very beneficial for you: at
least that’s the goal.

1. CONCENTRATION

Defined: concentration is the power of focus.

Related Affirmation: “I am focusing and staying focused on
the most important issues and tasks of life today.”

2. CONTROL

Defined: control is the power of self-discipline.

Related Affirmation: “I am exercising daily control over my
emotions, energies and talents for the purpose of maximum
involvement and achievement in life.”

3. COMPLETION

Defined: completion is power of follow-through.

Related Affirmation: “I am being persistent and enduring. I
am finishing things.”

4. COMPASSION

Defined: compassion is the power of caring.

Related Affirmation: “I am caring and loving. The attitude
of caring frames how I am living today.”

5. CHRIST

Meaning: Christ is the power of true life in action.

Related Affirmation: “I am looking to Christ as my example
of compassion, concentration, control and completion.

He cared for people, concentrated on what mattered,
controlled his life, and completed all he came to do.”

~*~*~ A Question For You ~*~*~

If you were to pick the most important area to work on this
week, which one of the disciplines would it be? Record it
here:

“The Personal Spiritual Growth area I choose to work on this
week is:

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

~*~*~ Remember Two Key Words ~*~*~

When creating your plan of action, please keep in mind the
following two words:

1. Believable
2. Achievable

Believable = small enough to be able to see yourself
actually doing what you desire to do.

Achievable = Step-by-step success.

Avoid steps of action only Jesus himself could do!

In other words, take into consideration: (1) your current
stage in life; (2) your current set of realities; and (3)
the level of any skill set needed to accomplish your goal.

The best to you and those you love,

Lee

A Suggested Prayer…

“Oh, Father, I come before You and ask you to bless my life
in these needed areas of discipline.

Lord, which one do You feel I should work on this week?

I ask you to guide me through the process, help me to be
realistic in what I set out to do, and then help me to look
to Jesus as the example of how to live my life at all times.

I ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen!”

____________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature Three
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)

Sustaining Your Personal Spiritual Growth Through Trust

Hi,

I think this speaks for itself.  Enjoy!

Sustaining Your Personal Spiritual Growth Through Trust
© Lee Wise All rights reserved

Recently our pastors decided to share their journeys with
the Lord by developing a series of talks around this theme:

“If I could tell you one thing.”

Retracing segments of their walks with Jesus, we joined them
as they stopped at various places and invited us into their
worlds.

Worlds shaped by high and lows, joys and disappointments,
longings and discoveries.

While casually enjoying our individual orders at a favorite
restaurant, my wife asked me: “What would you say, Lee?”

Uncharacteristic of me, I answered:

“If I could tell you my ‘one thing,’ it would be to trust
God no matter what.”

Life doesn’t always make sense and at times seems to make no
sense whatsoever.

I fail.
People fail.

And sometimes pain management seems more appropriate than
the term “life management.”

Then again, life dishes out unexpected blessings, periods
of joy, laughter and what might be termed on purpose living.

In a word: things go well.

During each of these very distinct seasons of life, I
strive to:

1.  Not seek for answers, but only for God.
2.  Rejoice when I can rejoice.
3.  Mourn when I must mourn.
4.  Pour out my heart to God when I’m not gettin’ it.
5.  And trust the Lord through it all.

Should you be able to visualize my pilgrimage, a Christian
flag draped over my shoulders while relishing in a series
of victory laps around the playing field of my life you
might not see every day.

No don’t get me wrong: you definitely would witness those
“victory laps.”

However, you would readily note other races marked by
failure, confusion, false starts, and heartache.

And should you hear the heartbeats of my life during those
many and varied stages of my years with Jesus, you might
hear such “words” as:

“Lord, I affirm my trust in you.”
“Thank you for working. I recognize it’s you.”

“God, I’m really having a rough time with this one.  Really.
Honestly, you’ve got to wrap your arms around me and carry
me through.  Help me to trust. I choose to, but it’s tough.”

Writing this at the age of 62 I can easily say, “I don’t
have this trust thing mastered.”

But I can in all honesty say this: trusting God and trying
to turn to him in all things — as opposed to away from him
– continues be a cornerstone of my personal spiritual
growth: my faith walk with Jesus if you please.

And if I could say anything to you dear follower of Jesus,
it would be this:

“Seek to trust him no matter what.”

Ask for strength and go to the God of all strength for your
strength (Psalm 18:1).

Don’t demand answers to everything, but in everything seek
to follow the God of all grace who bought you with the
precious blood of Jesus.

And keep going.
Keep running, walking, stopping, and even collapsing with
Jesus.

“Oh, Lord, help me to trust you with all my heart. So easy
to write and yet so hard in practice at times.

I have no idea who might read this short piece, but I ask
you to strengthen he or she to walk in the way of trust.

And strengthen me to walk in the same way during my journey
of faith and trust — even though my path differs from the
one whose eyes have found their way to these reflections.

I thank you, Father: with all my heart I thank you for my
life in Jesus. In his name I pray, Amen.”

May you and those you love find rest in the Lord,

Lee

P.S. You might want to visit Lamentations 3:22-24 and Psalm
62:1-2.

____________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature Three
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)

** Speaking Of Friendship **

Speaking Of Friendship
©Lee Wise All rights reserved

Friends are those special people who…

Listen when we need them
more than they need us,

Pick up where we left off
even though we’ve been more off than on,

Are brave enough to challenge us when needed
yet sensitive enough to reserve the hard stuff
for when it’s not so hard,

And don’t need us to say anything
when saying anything might be saying too much.

We laugh with them,
Cry with them,
Poke fun at them,

Talk politics with them
instead of at them,

Share about God
and who we think he is or isn’t,

Discuss the senseless acts of terrorism
and sigh at the fits of a “terrible two year old.”

We visit them in hospitals,
and reflect thanks when they visit us.

By their actions they reassure us
that all people aren’t jerks,
everybody doesn’t hate us,

And that it’s okay to be human
without letting being human get out of hand!

We love them, our friends.
And if we believe in God as I do…

We thank God for them.

____________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature Two
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)

On Matters Of The Heart

I trust you will enjoy this article even though it is
a bit longer than normal.

Lee

On Matters Of The Heart
© Lee Wise All rights reserved

Joining the song of many authors sharing their insights in
the fields of personal success and self development, I trust
we would sing in unison a chorus entitled…

“Matters of the Heart Matter Most.”

Another tune creatively shared and expanded upon by many
would reflect the closely related theme revolving around the
passionate plea to “follow your heart” should you seek the
true meaning of success and the experiential knowledge of a
fulfilled life.

And to this I *might* stand in agreement but *only* with the
following modification in place:

Matters of heart do matter most but only when the heart
strives to be…

Motivated by love,
Rooted in the highest values of life,
Held in check by integrity,
And kept in balance by grace
because it understands the meaning of
being forgiven as much as it does
the practice of being forgiving.

I hear of dissatisfaction in the supermarket while standing
in line, see heartache in the the lives of people because of
broken trust, and watch “in your face” reality TV pit one
person against another…

Demanding their rights,
Doing whatever it takes to obtain larger sums of money,

And proclaiming their independent strength as if the King of
Kongs suddenly found his or her way into the body, mind and
soul of the latest contestant.

I witness the fallout when people “follow their heart” to
someone other than the one they pledged to cherish should
life prove to be more downsized than upscale on the street
where together they now live.

And yet those left behind often inherit a legacy of grasping
on to what left over emotional and physical strength they
realize only to realize that the struggle to understand and
maintain a sense of inner peace and confidence will most
likely be a life-long battlefield on which they must fight
and for which they never enlisted.

A pessimist I am not, and my glass does not remain in a
continual state of being half empty instead of half full.

I listen to the pleasant sounds of birds outside my house
entertaining me with their songs of joy and encouragement,

Hear and enjoy the laughter of my grandchildren, rejoice
over and over at the joy in the eyes of my wife,

And sing way, way too loud and off key within the
closed-windows-while-the-song-blares-LOUD in my oriental
Lincoln (1995 Suzuki).

In brief, I do love and appreciate…

Life,
Many people,
The family entrusted to my care,
The neighborhood where I live,
My church where I worship,
And my country.

But my heart experiences a measure of sadness and
frustration as I witness the on-going promotion of a “follow
your heart” and “I am the greatest” set of philosophies
that…

* Flaunt false pride instead of respectful humility,
* Personal dominance over personal concern for others,
* The pleasure of self-indulgence over the pain of self-control,
* And striving to win what matters least at the expense of all
that matters most.

And what does matter most in my opinion?  You read my answer
at the beginning of this article.

My answer is: “the cultivation of a good heart.” A heart…

Motivated by love,
Rooted in the highest values of life,
Held in check by integrity,
And kept in balance by grace
because it understands the meaning of
being forgiven as much as it does
the practice of being forgiving.

This cultivation of a good heart knows little of a street
named “Without Struggle,” and even less of one bearing the
title “More Convenient Than Not.”

Many times what which holds the most value also contains the
seeds of that which demands the most effort.

And so it is with the determination to preserve, protect and
nurture a good heart.

I imagine you to be one of the many precious individuals who
places a high price tag on such an effort, and to you I
stand in applause while encouraging you to stay in the game.

And yet we both hold these truths to be self evident:

We won’t win every play on the field.
Nor will we give a sterling performance during each act of
the play.

But we remain convinced of the inherent value of taking our
best shot at maintaining and passing on to several
generations beyond our own the enduring legacy of a good
heart.

The best to you my friend: the very, very best.

Lee
___________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature Two
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)

Good Questions For Living A Great Life (Listening To God For All He’s Worth In Psalm 40)

           Good Questions For Living A Great Life
     (Listening To God For All He’s Worth In Psalm 40)
               © Lee Wise All rights reserved

___________________
Reflecting On Verses 1-4…

Assuming that waiting patiently before the Lord is a part of
the growth process for my life as a believer, I might ask:

“Am I waiting patiently for the Lord as I should… or am I
trusting less and worrying more than necessary?”

___________________
Reflecting On Verse 5…

Realizing that seeing the wonders of God throughout the days
of my life should always be a part of my life, I might ask:

“How am I doing at seeing the things I should be seeing
while I still have time to see them?”

___________________
Reflecting On Verses 6-8…

Knowing that the desires of my heart should match the
desires of God’s heart, I might ask:

“Am I continuing to take on the life-long task of putting my
heart in the right place, at the right time, for all of
God’s right reasons?”

___________________
Reflecting On Verses 9-12,17…

Realizing that love, truth, and complete openness before the
Lord should find their way into my life on a regular basis,
I might ask:

“Am I sharing good things about the good God I know while
being open enough to share the junk I don’t want anyone to
know with the God who knows it all anyway?” 

___________________
Reflecting On Verses 13-16

Understanding that it’s okay to lay all I’m feeling before
the Lord while striving to lift him up in all areas of my
life, I might ask:

“Am I sharing my pain and frustrations with the Lord while
at the same time being careful to enjoy him whenever and
however I can… with his help?” 

____________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature One
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)

Balanced Effort

Hi,

Wrote this recently and thought I’d publish here.

Enjoy,

Lee

~*~*~*~*~*~*
BALANCED EFFORT

Gaining what I desire
without losing what I should gain
© Lee Wise All rights reserved

~*~*~*~*~*~*

I may desire respect, but if I:

Demand way more than what I give,
Compliment less while criticizing more,
And work less when I should work more…

I lose what I should gain.

I may desire financial stability, but if I:

Trade integrity for profit,
Treating others with respect for selfishness,
And life in balance for a burned out body and spirit…

I lose what I should gain.

I may desire inner rest, but if I:

Blame more than I take responsibility,
Complain much more than I give thanks,
And replace creative beauty with negative habit patterns…

I lose what I should gain.

*** For This Day, Then…

I will life for all it’s worth
by assigning worth to how I choose to live.

To the best of my ability, I will:

Seek to be grateful whenever and wherever I can,
Give respect when respect is due,
Offer help when I can and where it’s needed,
Be responsible without being unrealistic,
And enjoy living for all it is instead of all it’s not.

I will not, however, engage in:

Senseless self criticism,
Destructive gossip,
Endless and useless comparing,
Making fools out of people for foolish gain,
Or making myself out to be a fool when clearly I am not.

In short, I will:

Strive to gain what I desire
without losing what I should gain.

___________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature Two
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)

Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Being An Insensitive Dad

Hi,

I wrote this a while back, had reason to review it today, and decided to share.

The best to you in all things,

Lee

Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Being An Insensitive Dad
© Lee Wise All rights reserved

I WAS AMAZED

I could hardly believe what I was hearing.  A father and
his son had entered the men’s room.  While I was washing my
hands, I listened as the father wielded a series of
demanding and demeaning statements at his son as if they
were swords in a battle for … who knows what?

And all about going to the bathroom quickly!

It was the perfect victory.  The enemy (the son) had been
slain.  The battle was won.  The general had summoned his
one-man army to do his bidding.

It was also totally and completely ridiculous. There was
no consideration for the feelings or physical needs of
the young person.

The “bad boy” had won the day — and the bad boy was not
the son.

It was the son’s insensitive dad.

I WAS SADDENED AND ANGRY

This incident occurred while on vacation.  I loved vacation
except for one aspect: watching fathers deal with their
children.

I was sad.
And I was angry.

The “interesting” thing was that when I related this
observation to my daughter and son-in-law, they proceeded
to share with me *their* same discouragement while they were
on a recent trip to a theme park.

Their message was the same:

“We had a great time.
The only discouraging thing was
seeing dads with their children.”

I AGREE: IT’S NOT EASY

I am a father and I would be among the first to declare that
raising children is not an easy task.

Parts of it are rough.
Real rough.

I would also be quick to admit the times I have failed as a
father.

But I do hope that no one has ever said this about me after
observing my relationship with either my children or grand-
children:

“We saw the most discouraging thing today.

This guy was a jerk.  The way he treated those kids was
awful.

No respect. No honor.

Only demands and unrealistic expectations.  I tell ya,
it was sad.”

WE KNOW THERE IS A BETTER WAY

Let me be quick to add: all is not bad.  I have seen many
loving, caring fathers throughout the years.  I *love*
watching those types of dads relate to their children.  It
is one of my personal delights in life

With that in mind, I am offering a few simple suggestions
for a better way: a better way for fathers to relate to
their children than the two negative examples I have shared
with you.

I will center my suggestions on five themes:

1. Consideration
2. Respect
3. Humility
4. Compassion
5. Love

Two comments as I transition into my suggestions:

*You will quickly discover that this will not be a long
and drawn out discussion of these themes. Enjoy.

*Many of the points will be shared through using simple
“affirmations” — or descriptive comments if you
please.  These affirmations will help you personalize
what is said.

So…

We have discussed a few of the “bad boy” characteristics.

Let’s turn our attention to five characteristics of the
“good boys.”  That is, men who are determined *not* to be
thought of as “one of those insensitive dads.”

CONSIDERATION

Consideration says…

“I adjust my expectations according to the needs, maturity
level and emotional capabilities of the child I am relating
to at the moment.”

Because of the important aspects of the statement you just
read, I’m going to repeat it and break it down for you.

That’s my part.

Yours will be to reflect on each aspect as you read it one
more time.  Reflect on it through the lens of how you would
have liked to be treated as a young-person-in-the-making.

“I adjust

My expectations

According to

The needs,

Maturity level

And emotional capabilities

Of the child

I am relating to

At the moment.”

RESPECT

Respect says…

“I see this person entrusted to my care as one who is worthy
of my honor, approval and love.”

This mental stance provides for me a frame.  A frame I wrap
around my child *to begin with.*  The child is worthy of my
honor, approval and love — from the beginning.

It is a part of the package each child should *sense* in me
from “Day One” so-to-speak.

HUMILITY

Humility says…

“Because I am still learning, I give my child space and time
to learn.”

“Because I still fail, I forgive and support my child when
he or she fails.”

“Because I respond poorly when people are angry with me for
reasons I do not understand, I resist all uncontrolled and
self-centered anger when dealing with my child.”

COMPASSION

Compassion says…

“I am a ‘show and tell’ person.

*I show my child I care.
*I tell my child I care.”

“I strive to be gentle, not harsh.”

“I care and my child senses it.”

LOVE

Love says… all of the above.

A DISCLAIMER

Let me make something perfectly clear: children can — and
do — hurt their parents: good parents.

Parents who in a very real sense lay down their lives for
their kids and still get kicked in the guts while trying to
help their children be happy and succeed in life.

These parents know a special kind of pain.  A pain that no
one really wants to understand.  I salute those parents.

You may be one of them.

So my disclaimer is…

*I realize this is a two-sided fence

*My purpose is not to add guilt to a conscience
already plagued by the “Why’s” of their child’s
bad attitudes and behavior — in spite of hundreds
of hours of trying to do what’s right.

Rather, if you happen to be one of those parents –
and especially a dad since that is the topic of these
comments — I want you to hear these words:

“I thank you for trying.”

I thank you for trying and for the lonely hours
you have spent that only you, and possibly your
spouse — and God — knows about…

The tears.  The heartache and the pain that goes
on and on as each new report surfaces about some
action or attitude your child has displayed.”

For those times, tears and heartache — I reflect
to you my appreciation.  And I’m sure I
represent only one of many voices that would
echo the same to you if they could.

Therefore, review these comments and take note
of each positive thing you have done.  Take a
bow.  You deserve it.”

Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

___________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature Two
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)

Confidence In Confusion (Article)

Your thoughts for the day are…

Confidence In Confusion
© Lee Wise All rights reserved

I may not know exactly
where I should go,
but I am absolutely certain
Who I should go to.

*** Questions For Reflection And Growth ***

~*~*~
Am I going to the Source of all strength, grace and power
when I should, for as long as I should…

Or am I heading that way less often than desired and a lot
less often than is wise?

~*~*~

Being certain of the certainty of the Lord remains an
immeasurable blessing to followers of Jesus.

Should you be in a confusing stage of your journey today,
what historical sketches of your life could be reviewed in
light of God’s faithfulness for the purpose of being
encouraged or strengthened today? (See Philippians 1:6)

1.

2.

3.

~*~*~

We dump on God when life dumps on us because, quite
amazingly, that’s his desire (1 Peter 5:7).

Can we fathom that?

He cares enough to say: “If you care about it, I care too.

So pitch it my way.
Bring me in.

Frankly, I can handle whatever you toss over to me — and
besides, that’s the way I prefer it to work.”

Because he cares, are there items you could toss his way for
help, his perspective or pressure release?

1.

2.

3.

~*~*~

A Simple Prayer…

“Oh Lord, I simply appreciate your ‘being there’ when I
couldn’t feel your presence much …

Much less come anywhere near understanding your ways.

But there you were.
Yes, you were ‘Rock solid there’ all the time.

Caring.
Loving.
Listening.
And sharing your life with me.

My Lord, I thank you.

I thank you for being my confidence for life, for as long as
my life lasts.

Keep me close,
And keep me trusting…

Because I will need you no less tomorrow than I do today.

In your name and by your grace I pray,
Amen.”

____________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature One
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)

25 Life Lessons From One Who Lived It Exceptionally Well (Part Two)

Here’s part two of the article I wrote a while back.

May the Lord bless you and those you love,

Lee

25 Life Lessons From One Who Lived It Exceptionally Well
Part Two
© Lee Wise All rights reserved

As mentioned in Part One, identifying the characteristics of
one of the most influential persons in the history of the
world can be a fascinating and challenging process.

Therefore, as we take one more extended glace at the book of
Philippians, I encourage you to continue seeking the One who
invaded Paul’s world, broke him, and captured his heart by
grace.

In your attempt to absorb a few brief snapshots of this
man’s remarkable way of processing life with his Savior,
invite Jesus to:

Fill your heart with his love,
Capture your heart by his grace,
And strengthen your heart with hope.

The remaining 13 examples of living an excellent life only
begin to uncover the depths of wisdom parked between the
pages of a small letter we know as the book of Philippians.

May the Lord give us grace to…

Cherish these 104 verses of Scripture,
Visualize how he worked in Paul’s life,
And respond in ways that please his heart.

~~~~ Life Lessons, Part Two ~~~~

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13. Consistency

Should we label faith as one of Paul’s Hallmark virtues, a
close second would be consistency: steadfastness marked his
service for Christ. (1:20; 3:3:12-14).

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Strive to be a consistent person.

Consistent in your walk with God,
In your family relationships,
In the work place,
And in your places of ministry.

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14. Influence

He had confidence in his ability to influence those in his
“caring circle,” and he exercised that confidence (1:22).

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Endeavor before the Lord to grow in humble confidence and in
using your growing confidence to influence the lives of
people in a positive manner.

Obviously, we cannot influence everyone in every way.

However…

You can influence someone in some way.

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15. Suffering

He understood that pain as well as pleasure envelops the
lives of those who seek to walk in the ways of Jesus
(1:29-30).

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Be prepared to hurt as a believer in Christ.

Realize that pain has many faces and more likely than not
you will wear several of those faces in the course of your
lifetime.

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16. Teamwork

Paul understood the necessity and power of being united with
others in the passionate pursuit of Jesus and his will.
(1:27-28; 2:1-4).

United in mission.
United in care.

Unity in mission always leads to unity in care.

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Be a team player!

Encourage working as a team in your family, ministry
settings, faith communities, and workplace.

Seek unity in Christ through the power of Christ.

________________
17. Mutual Consideration

Paul realized that self-centered desires must be kept in
check by the exercise of selfless desires (2:3-4).

The desire to please myself must be forever challenged by
the commitment to please others in all the right ways, for
all the right reasons.

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Care for others.

Aspire to share in their joys, rejoice in their victories,
empathize with their struggles, and pray with them for the
accomplishment of their godly desires.

________________
18. Humility

Paul understood the place of humility when it comes to
becoming a person of excellence (2:5,8).

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Place the acquisition of humility at the top of your daily
person-I-want-to-become list.

Deploy a good segment of your energies in the direction of
maintaining humility before God and man.

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19. Relationships

Paul allowed others to care for him.  In addition, he deeply
cared for many in his circle of compassion (2:19-30).

He understood the meaning of “the friendship factor.”
He honored others (2:29).

In short, he understood the value of maintaining significant
relationships with people.

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Value and build quality relationships.

________________
20. Thinking

Paul knew that to live right you must think right (4:8,9).

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Think positive.
Think truthfully.
Think Christ!

________________
21. Contentment

Paul practiced living a contended lifestyle (4:10-13).

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Value and seek contentment.

Go more than once before the Lord and renew your request to
become a person characterized as one who lives and models
contentment.

________________
22. Rewards

Paul understood the value and potential delight of being
rewarded by God (1:9,10; 3:14; 4:17).

His desire was for others to experience the pleasure of
being honored by their Savior.

It was not that he sought no reward for himself (see 3:14).
He did, however, include the names and faces of others in
his quest for a future, God honoring time of recognition.

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Desire and work for the rewards of others.

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23. Hope

Paul was a man of hope (1:23; 3:20-21).

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Be a person of hope.

Be a giver of hope.
Help people to have hope in Christ first and always.
Then, give them hope in life any way you can.

________________
24. Faith

Paul was a man of faith (1:6; 3:15; 4:19).
Simply put: he believed God.

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Trust God!

________________
25. Love

Paul was a man who loved God and sought his glory
(1:20; 3:7-11; 4:20).

Speaking Of Life Lessons…

Love God.
Love the people God created.
And love giving God the glory in all things.

________________
Praying Together

“Oh, Lord, give us a simple — yet strong — desire to be
someone like Paul in our hearts.

Help us to do as much as we can,
For as long as we can,
Wherever we can…

For your honor and for the good of those you call us to
serve.

In the name of your blessed Son,

Amen.”

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© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature One
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)