Face Check

Today's passion4word made me stop and think. We are in Acts 6. This passage talks about how men set Stephen up by paying bribes to men to lie about him. Verse 15 is the verse that stopped me in my tracks.

"As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn't take their eyes off him—his face was like the face of an angel!"

Maybe we all need to do a little face check from time to time! Having a "face like an angel" has nothing to do with how good looking you are or whether or not you got your makeup on just right this morning. It has everything to do with verse 5 which says, "Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit". Take a few minutes today and look in a mirror. Instead of thinking about what you see take a moment and ask yourself this questions, "What do others see?" Any angel faced people out there? They wouldn't be able to take their eyes off us if we make sure we are full of faith and the Holy Spirit!

Just Say No!

Just Say No! You may not be old enough to remember the introduction of this slogan. First Lady Nancy Reagan spearheaded the “Just Say No” Campaign as an answer to the sweeping drug epidemic that had invaded the youth culture of the 1980’s. The commercials, t-shirts, bumper stickers and billboards could be found at every turn. Every day you were reminded that the appropriate answer to temptation was a resounding NO!

The word “no” is not one of our favorite words. We would much rather hear the sweet sound of “yes” cross our eardrum. We even prefer the ambiguous “maybe” because at least we have a glimmer of possibility. Every whim, every desire, every longing, every wishful thought is accompanied by a deep desire to hear the answer “yes” from the one who can bring those whims, desires, or thoughts to pass. It could be as trivial as a pair of new jeans. The request is made followed by a chorus of “please, please, please” and we wait for what seems like an eternity for that three-letter answer that will provide approval. It could be as substantial as a dream car or a much needed raise. Again the wait ensues. We wait with baited breath for the “yes”. However, sometimes we get the dreaded answer, that one syllable word that crushes our hopes and ends our fantasies of driving with the top down or rooming with our best friend. “No” is not liked. “No” is in fact despised.

King David didn’t like that little word either. He saw her bathing. He wanted her. He sent for her. He got her. He thought no one noticed. But the real King was watching from a higher balcony. The heavenly King sent the prophet Nathan to deliver the one syllable word, “NO”. No to the sin. No to the cover up. No to the murder. No to the yes!

David’s story reminds us that it is crucial to have people in our life who can tell us no. It is easier and a lot more comfortable to surround ourselves with people that always say yes. It is more enjoyable to have a parent, employer, or spouse that always gives in to our requests. It is more satisfying to have a friend that predictably says yes to our every demand. However, it is not healthy. I want to remind you that God is always more concerned about our character than He is with our comfort. That is why we should be thankful for the people whom God has placed in our life who will tell us no! Maybe it is a pastor, a best friend, a family member, or possibly your spouse. Whomever that person is, you should thank them for not giving in. In fact, you should make every attempt possible to choose one or two people who will not bow to your pleading or whining and ask them to assist you in making the right choices rather than the convenient choices. In other words, if all your friends are “yes” friends and all your family are “yes” people, then you need a “no” person in your life!

Will having a “no” person in your life be painful at times? “Yes!” Will having that person to stop you just short of receiving self gratification be annoying? “Yes!” Will you want to avoid that person on occasion? “Yes!” Will God use that person to keep your life on track? ‘Yes!” Can you become who God intends for you to become without a “no” person in your life! “NO!”