By GARY ANDREWS
Editor and Publisher

Have you ever stopped to think about how Abraham felt when the Lord directed him to leave his homeland, leave his people, and his father’s household and travel to another land unknown to him?
This story is found in Genesis, chapter 12:1-14.
I’m sure that Abraham had many uncertainties about this sudden change, but his trust and love for the Lord was more important than anything he had on earth.
In April of 2010 my wife and I traveled to Charleston, S.C. on a senior adult trip. Being the one in charge, I had planned this trip and all of the itinerary. We stopped in Douglasville, Ga. on our way home to have lunch. It seemed as though cell phones started ringing in unison with people from Yazoo City calling and checking on their loved ones.
A major F4 tornado had just ravaged Yazoo City and many people were worried about the ones on the bus with us. These calls were coming from people concerned about thier loved ones who wanted to hear their voices to ensure that they were OK.
There was much concern. For me it was even a greater concern because I didn’t know what I was bringing these lovely people back to. Would they have a place to stay that night? Would there homes and belongings still be there?
Many questions raced through my mind as we headed home, but we didn’t move the bus from where we were without going to the Lord in prayer first. As we traveled toward home cell phone batteries began to run down and communication was limited to myself and the other driver. We were the only ones who had plug-ins for our phones and our entire group were depending on us for news.
Just as Abraham traveled and didn’t know what he was going into, he praised the Lord for leading him in His direction. This group of senior adults are very resilient people and they also praised the Lord for what they would have whenever we arrived at our hometown. Fortunately, very few of them had damage and the Lord blessed our trip with safety.
The lesson in all of this is that the Lord is leading us. All of us need to stop and listen to Him and seek His guidance in where He wants us to go instead of going in the direction we want to go. If we will get on our knees and talk to God then the message will come across loud and clear. We just have to get ourselves and our selfish interest out of the way. God loves all of us, and we are His children. Just as you lead and direct the lives of your children, God will not lead you into something that will hurt you or damage you.
Prayer: Father, thank you for your love and your guidance. I pray that I will listen to you each and everyday. Amen.
(Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday - Proverbs 12:13-19; Monday - James 1:19-25; Tuesday - 1 Samuel 3:8-10; Wednesday -John 10:22-30 ; Thursday - Mark 9:7; Friday - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; Saturday - Acts 3:22-23.)
Gary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.comd

By GARY ANDREWS
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Over the years I have been a procrastinator and in many opportunities I still am. This is not something that I planned on doing but I have been in situations, that doesn’t require a solution immediately, and put off until tomorrow what I could have just as easily done today. The problems I have with some people are that they are just like me.
I have witnessed firsthand missed opportunities, missed deadlines, inaccurate reports, plus more, because of no self-discipline on my part or maybe someone that worked with me. There are many people like me who waits to the last minute to finish a task which they have known about for several days. It seems it takes a sense of urgency for them to accomplish what needs to be done and usually it comes a time when an extension is asked for because of lack of self-discipline.
In my mind I feel I can do just about anything I set out to do. The problem is lack of proper planning, making time for the project, and a desire to finish what I feel I can do. Many times I will start something and then when I realize I may not want to continue, I set the project aside and when this happens it remains unfinished for a long time or is never completed.
All of us have some form of procrastination in our life, however the ones that are really self-disciplined are the ones that are going to move forward quicker. All of us have to realize that the path to commitment is making up your mind and plan to succeed.
This is true when it comes to Bible study and Worship attendance. There are many that say I am going to start reading my Bible tomorrow and tomorrow never arrives. Many of us have dropped out of church because it so easy to stay home and watch television, go to family or social outings, fish, hunt, or just about any excuse will do. Then when we are asked about not following through we go through a period of anxiety, maybe self-denial, or just get mad.
Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoever loves disciplines loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” How does this verse fit you?
We need to realize that self-discipline begins with doing the small things daily. We need to use our free time constructively and productively. You will always find the secret behind most success stories is discipline. Whatever we do in life we need to dedicate ourselves to that cause unless God changes our heart.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for each and every day that you give me on this earth. I pray that I will discipline myself to see your will and follow your lead. Amen.
Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – Philippians 4:13; Monday – Titus 3:1-8; Tuesday – Numbers 23:19-20; Wednesday – Deuteronomy 20:5-9; Thursday – 1Timothy 6:11-19; Friday – Isaiah 3:10-11; Saturday – Ezekiel 18:24-27.)
Gary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.com.

By GARY ANDREWS
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Driving through the country the other day I noticed the words on a church’s front yard sign. It read, “You will never get ahead of someone you are trying to even with.” I thought to myself what a tremendous truth in these words.
So many of us go through life trying to be better than our neighbor or outdo someone in anything we try. It is human nature to be competitive in one form or another. Competitiveness is good when used in the correct form and not used in another person’s demise.
I remember growing up that I wanted to be the best at whatever I attempted. In sports I usually was one of the better players however when I came across someone that was better than me, I would slack up in my competitiveness or either drop out. I though the entire world knew I was the best and it should be evident to anyone I competed with and it was a given that I would be on top. It didn’t take me long to find out the world didn’t work this way and that I wasn’t the only one competing.
Many of us have found our self in similar situations when dealing with people, whether it is in business transactions or just friendly competitions. If we lose or feel we have been done wrong we sometimes go into a pattern of indecision or something even worse called holding a grudge. Holding a grudge against someone will only hurt you. Trying to get even or upstage someone that has done something to you or beat you in some type transaction will only keep you from doing the best you can in anything that you attempt.
Many times we spend more time trying to get even with someone and allow many opportunities of growth to pass us by. This is also time that we have lost and can never get back. Our prosperity relies on our attitude and desire to move forward instead of laterally toward what someone else is doing. We need to remember that we should forgive and forget.
All of us need to do the best we can at anything we try. If someone creates a problem for us we need to handle the problem or go around it. It should never get us into turmoil and keep us from looking ahead. There are always going to be someone who is going to try and ruin you or keep you from achieving your goal. When this happens remember what Paul said in Romans12:17; “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.”
When we have been offended or mistreated by someone, go to that person and try to make amends, however do not try and get even with them for their foolishness.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the time we have on this earth. Let us use this time to praise you and get along with our fellowman. Amen.
Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – Leviticus 19:18; Monday – Colossians 3:12-14; Tuesday – Proverbs 20:22-23; Wednesday – 1 Peter 3:8-12; Thursday – Proverbs 24:28-29; Friday – Romans 12:17-21; Saturday – 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4.)
Gary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.com.

By GARY ANDREWS
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I read recently that a man went to church on the morning he was going to commit suicide. He felt he owed God one more chance of telling him why life is worth living. This man made the choice of going to church and one of the members greeted him with a friendly hello and extended hand in fellowship.
Having a need to talk with someone this man talked about what he was going to do and the other person showed a great concern for what he had just been told. He introduced the troubled person to one of the pastors of the church which led to a long counseling session which turned into a lifesaving adventure.
Many churches today have times of fellowship, meet and greet others before their worship services begin. I have been to many churches where this is happening and it is one of the best parts of the service that gets people smiling, hugging, and in a receptive mood for God’s word from the pastor. Visitors feel welcome and more in tune to the church family they are visiting. Who knows, someone’s life may be changed from a friendly “Hello”.
Paul stated in many of his letters that believers should greet each other with a holy kiss. In this day and time a kiss probably wouldn’t go over well but a friendly hand shake and greeting will. Some of the best friends I have today started with a handshake and a friendly smile.
Moving every few years my wife and I would visit several churches to decide which one God would want us to serve in. God has always blessed us immensely and led us to a church that we could serve in. Many of our decisions have been based on the response of the congregation to our visit and the friendliness of the congregation toward each other. There have many times we have visited churches that were cold, no one spoke, no one seemed to care, and people went to church because they felt it was their duty to do so. Believe me, there is a big difference in these churches and the reception one receives is going to lead whether someone joins the fellowship or not. Everyone wants to be respected and received with warmth from the people.
We have found that you can only serve God in a church where He is head of that church instead of one that has put God on the curb and trying to survive on worldly values and standards.
There are going to be some that say it doesn’t matter to them whether a church is friendly or not just as long as God is head of the church and His word is being taught. This is true, however I feel that warm receptive feelings in a church are a tremendous plus to the churches that are serving God and teaching His word.
Friendliness in church depends on you and not the church leaders. It is your attitude toward others that could make a life changing experience in someone else life.
Prayer:  Lord let me live my life in a way that is pleasing to you and not to the world. Allow me to be friendly and understanding to everyone I meet. Amen.
(Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – Philippians 4:4-5; Monday – Psalm 51:10-12; Tuesday –Luke 7:1-10; Wednesday - Ecclesiastes 11:7-10; Thursday – Colossians 4:5-6; Friday – 1 Kings 1:42; Saturday – Philemon 4-7.)
Gary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.com.