July 20
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“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” (Psalm 14:1, NIV)

A term found in more than one instance in the writings of the late sage Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) is “practical atheist.”

It is a term that is properly applied to anyone — regardless of his or her declaration of beliefs — who lives as if there is no God. In a practical sense, even the disciple of Jesus can — and does — act as if God isn’t.

For example, when we are blessed with abundance, do we credit God or do we credit our own enterprise and initiative? When we succeed where others have failed, do we thank God or do we chalk it up to “luck”? When our minds are clear and when our bodies are ailment-free, do we make haste to the house of worship; or do we prefer instead leisure and activities of self-celebration?

A more rigorous test of our practical beliefs is not during adversity and personal suffering (when nearly everyone is seeking divine assistance); but during times of abundance and personal ease. In such seasons, numerous are the temptations to live as if “there is no God.”  – Luther

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July 18
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“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10, NIV)

Praying for our friends can be a difficult choice.  (Particularly when they have rubbed us the wrong way — as friends are in an excellent position to do since they are close to us and know our crimes and inconsistencies.)

In Job’s case, his friends began well at the beginning of his afflictions: They came to Job and sat with him for a week, saying nothing, but being present just the same. Then, they began to give advice.

It was sincere advice, but it wasn’t intelligent advice. Their advice grieved Job.

At the end of Job’s ordeal, it was time for reconciliation. Job could have borne a grudge but, in obedience to God, Job prayed for his friends.

We can do our friends no greater service than to take what we know of their crises, burdens, fears, and joys to the Lord in prayer.  We impede the work of God when we choose to gossip, pontificate, and prognosticate about the situations of our friends.

Pray for your friends, as only true friends can.  – Luther

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July 17
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“The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’  The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’  They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.”  (Acts 16:27-32, NIV)

It isn’t about us.

When God permits the suffering of His saints without apparent cause; and when He allows pain and various humiliations into the lives of His children, we need to remind ourselves that it isn’t about us.

God so loved the jailer and his household that he permitted the illegal confinement and humiliation of two of His most productive people in order that through their faithful testimony in adversity His grand plan for humanity (e. g. the salvation of the world through Jesus) might be realized.

In our weakness, we would prefer that those in need would come to us in our bright, shining, sanctuaries of holiness.  However, it pleases God to send His people into the dark, adverse, and gritty places because that is where the light is most needed.  It is both our duty and our privilege to bear that light!  – Luther

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