Rich Rewards from the Golden Rule - Part 1

Cultures fail because they lack basic moral and spiritual values. Arguments exist concerning the decline and fall of the Greek and Roman empires, but the central cause was the loss of differentiation between right and wrong, good and evil, which bears a direct correlation to values. Where was the voice then and now that stands against the encroachment of evil?

The French Revolution was caused by a decline in values. England in the same period escaped the carnage of revolution because of a spiritual revolution prompted by John Wesley and the resulting spiritual revival in the hearts and lives of ordinary citizens.

Ralph Waldo Emerson observed: "Every man takes care that his neighbor does not cheat him. But a day comes when he begins to care that he does not cheat his neighbor.” Listen to Romans 12:9: "Abhor that which is evil. Cleave to that which is good". Your core values should implore you to love others as Christ loves you. This is not easy, but possible. 

Establishing Your Values? Choose Wisely - Part 2

Personal values define your identity. When I worked at a child guidance clinic, my supervisor would ask a child if he or she thought of himself or herself as a good person. Most children would say they were a good boy or girl, while acknowledging some serious problems existed. If any children said they were bad, then those children were seen as a serious risk to themselves.

The church, God's word, and society teach values. What comes to your mind when you hear the word values? Values identify your ethics and morals. Most people think of values in a positive light, even when their behaviors contradict what they believe.

Your relationship with God determines how closely you live by the fundamental guidelines which Jesus laid down for you in Matthew 22:37. This verse challenges you to "Love the Lord God with all your soul, with all your heart, and with all your mind." God’s love for you empowers you to choose this awesome challenge for establishing personal values to live by each day.  

Focus on Your Values - Part 2

When I consider the small farming community where I lived as a child and compare it to my life now, it's pretty awesome to live in one of the largest cities in the U.S. Most of the people from that little community were good Christian people. Although it was a safe place to grow up, accidents happened. A close neighbor was killed when his tractor ran over him.

Things were not perfect. There were bullies in the school like in today's big city schools. Alcoholism was a problem in my parents' families. Three important entities that promoted spiritual and moral values were my home, a good school, and a little Baptist church. These have provided safeguards and guidelines for my entire life.

Values may become muddled when weaknesses are allowed to overpower our character strengths. It's tempting to become discouraged by weaknesses that tend to rise up and dominate. Romans 8:26 offers these words of reassurance. "The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses." Right now ask Christ Jesus to help you realize how he’s at work to accomplish this goal within you.  

Focus on Your Values - Part 1

I spent my elementary years of childhood growing up in a small farming community. My uncle owned a combination feed and grocery store there, in addition to being the postmaster and pharmacist. I can't remember crime being major concern, for safety and security seemed to be a given.

I cannot explain how I got this idea, except that human nature being as it is, it came naturally. When I was seven or eight, my cousin and I took some of my mother's hen eggs and sold them at my uncle's store. Sometime later I took a twenty-dollar bill from my mother's purse and hid it under our house. When my mom confronted me, I confessed and gave back her twenty dollars.

My mother confronted me because she loved me and what I did was wrong. Confronting weaknesses is a never-ending process. God’s word offers this challenge. "Continue to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Remain patient, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith."  

Conscience, Your Inner Voice: To Heed or Not To Heed? - Part 1

How much power and control do you allow your conscience to have in directing and guiding your thoughts and actions? Conscience is defined as an alarm system or inner voice whose purpose is to alert us against committing behaviors that violate our moral, social, and spiritual values. Your conscience is most vulnerable when you stubbornly refuse to listen to its voice.

The conscience works in partnership with your integrity to guide you toward what is good and pleasing to God. Permit Christ Jesus to empower and strengthen your conscience as a guard against temptation that confronts each person. You will then be dissuaded from making bad decisions capable of taking you to the brink of unhappiness or disaster.

Christ Jesus enlightens the conscience to help you make choices that save your integrity from damage. If your choices have acutely injured your integrity and conscience, prayer and patience are required so that forgiveness and cleansing are free to heal you. Ask Christ Jesus to give you to strength to set boundaries on choices that violate your conscience.