OCTOBER 1 Bible Reading: Genesis 12:1-9 Key Verse: 4-So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto

him; and Lot went

with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: FAMILY

Key Words: Lot went with him No, you didn't read the title wrong. Family can be a hindrance to our service for God. In the case of Abraham, he was instructed to, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house (verse 1). Then we read in verse 4 Lot, his nephew, went with him; and you know the problems that Lot became to Abraham. It's not just Abraham. Eve, the helpmeet for Adam, was a hindrance to her husband. We all know about the brothers, Jacob and Esau. We are also told in Luke 14:26, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. You see, Jesus wants to be first in our lives, and often we put family first. See Matthew 6:33, Colossians 1:18, and also Luke 9:57-62. Now, we all know that on occasion family can be a hindrance. They make requests of us for things that take us away from church, and the things of God. Yes, family can be a hindrance. Praise God, though, for those families who put God first. Now, the ultimate question is: Is God working through your family to serve God, or is the family used to hinder you from your service? It's one or the other: which one?

What to do: Let God use you to be a spiritual blessing to your family, not a hindrance.

OCTOBER 2 Bible Reading: Genesis 13:1-13 Key Verse: 11-Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and
they separated themselves the one from the other.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: THE WORLD

Key Words: Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan Someone once said, "The world's smiles are more dangerous than their frowns." Have you noticed Lot's course of action: 1.He looked toward Sodom (verse 10) 2.He chose to go toward Sodom (verse 11) 3.He pitched his tent toward Sodom (verse 12) 4.He moved into Sodom (verse 12) 5.He lived like Sodom (verse 14) The world does hinder many from their service to God! Dave Roper writes: The Bible defines worldliness by centering morality where we intuitively know it should be. Worldliness is the lust of the flesh (a passion for sensual satisfaction), the lust of the eyes (an inordinate desire for the finer things of life), and the pride of life (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done). Worldliness, then, is a preoccupation with ease and affluence. It elevates creature comfort to the point of idolatry; large salaries and comfortable life-styles become necessities of life. Worldliness is reading magazines about people who live hedonistic lives and spend too much money on themselves and wanting to be like them. But more importantly, worldliness is simply pride and selfishness in disguise. Its being resentful when someone snubs us or patronizes us or shows off. It means smarting under every slight, challenging every word spoken against us, cringing when another is preferred before us. Worldliness is harboring grudges, nursing grievances, and wallowing in self-pity. These are the ways in which we are most like the world. Everyday we become more like God or like the world. Which do you resemble?

What to do: Put God first and the world will flee from you.

OCTOBER 3 Bible Reading: Exodus 3:11-22 Key Verse: 13-And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of
Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

THINGS THAT HINDER US: DOUBT

Key Words: what shall I say unto them? Have you ever considered the number of people that are hindered by doubt? In Numbers 13, Israel is hindered by doubt because of the giants in the land. In Joshua 7, Joshua is hindered by doubt because of the defeat of Ai. In Judges 4, Barak is hindered by doubt because of the strength and numbers of the enemy that opposes him. In our text, Moses is hindered by doubt; which raises the question: What doubts do you have that are keeping you from serving God: maybe teaching that Sunday School class, or working in the bus ministry, or singing in the choir? Doubt is a spiritual hindrance. G. Campbell Morgan had already enjoyed some success as a preacher by the time he was 19 years old. But then he was attacked by doubts about the Bible. The writings of various scientists and agnostics disturbed him (e.g., Charles Darwin, John Tyndall, Thomas Huxley, and Herbert Spencer). As he read their books and listened to debates, Morgan became more and more perplexed. What did he do? He cancelled all preaching engagements, put all the books in a cupboard and locked the door, and went to the bookstore and bought a new Bible. He said to himself, I am no longer sure that this is what my father claims it to bethe Word of God. But of this I am sure. If it be the Word of God, and if I come to it with an unprejudiced and open mind, it will bring assurance to my soul of itself. The result? That Bible found me! said Morgan. The new assurance in 1883 gave him the motivation for his preaching and teaching ministry. He devoted himself to the study and preaching of Gods Word. Doubts not only hinder you, they can destroy you!

What to do: Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

OCTOBER 4 Bible Reading: I Samuel 15:10-23 Key Verse: 21-But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things
which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: PLEASING PEOPLE

Key Words: But the people King Saul had a people-pleasing personality. Now, there is nothing especially wrong with pleasing people unless, of course, it displeases God. When you please God, it doesn't matter whom you displease. When you displease God, it doesn't matter whom you please. Why are so many babies born out of wedlock? Someone desired to please another rather than please God. The same can be said over and over again about so many things. Several years ago a young minister was called to be the pastor of a rather large church. He was asked how he thought that he, a young man with little experience, would be able to please so many men and women. He replied, "I am not going there to please one thousand people, but to please One." This is really the key to happiness. If we live our lives trying to please everyone, it hinders our service for God.

What to do: We are to love everyone: that we can do. But you'll never please everyone so set your goal to please "the" One.

OCTOBER 5 Bible Reading: I Kings 18:1-20 Key Verse: 17-And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him,
Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

THINGS THAT HINDER US: CRITICISM

Key Words: Art thou he that troubleth Israel? He who has no critics has no accomplishment. Once you attempt something, or once you accomplish something, critics seem to come out of the woodwork. When Fiorello La Guardia was the mayor New York City (1933-1945), he hung above his desk in City Hall a pronouncement by Abraham Lincoln. Interestingly,

General MacArthur had a copy of it hanging over his headquarters desk during World War II, and Winston Churchill had a framed copy of it on the walls of his study at Chartwell: "If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how - the very best I can, and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference." How true! Let me encourage you not to let your critics hinder your service for God.

What to do: If your critics are right, correct it. If they are wrong, ignore it; but waste little time responding to it.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: FEAR

OCTOBER 6

Bible Reading: I Kings 19:1-9 Key Verse: 3-And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to
Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

Key Words: went for his life Fear is a great hindrance. It keeps people from testifying for the Lord, or maybe singing that solo, or maybe even witnessing. Fear does hinder us. When I was young, my friend and I would ride our bikes everywhere checking out new places of adventure. On one occasion when returning from Johnson's corner store, we came across a family moving into a new home. Being adventurous or nosy (I'll let you decide), we rode our bikes close to the house checking for new friends who may want to be adventurous as well. We didn't find a friend, but we found the biggest dog I had ever seen that began to chase us down the street. We were riding as fast as our little legs could peddle but to no avail. That big dog caught up with us and was snipping at our heels so we put our feet on the handle bars and coasted into my yard. Thank goodness, my dad was there. The dog, seeing my dad, came to a screeching halt and backed away. We were safe; but I must admit, I was scared to death and very fearful to travel by the new neighbor's house. Fear had won! It hindered me from doing something I used to do, and things I wanted to do. Fear is the great hinderer.

What has fear stopped you from doing that you know you should do? Remember, perfect love casteth out fear.

What to do: Do at least one thing a week you don't want to do, and one thing a week you fear that hinders your service for God.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: INABILITY

OCTOBER 7

Bible Reading: I Kings 3:1-15 Key Verse: 7-And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of
David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

Key Words: I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. Solomon knew that one day he would be king but evidently gave it little thought until the time came, and then he realized he didn't know how to rule as a king. We have all known assistant coaches in athletics who thought they were ready to be head coach, and they came to find out they were not as ready as they thought they were. I have known assistant pastors who thought they were ready to pastor. They found out that pastoring is a completely different world than being assistant. Solomon thought differently. He thought he could not be king. He knew he lacked ability and wisdom to be the head of a country. Let me tell you what I have discovered! The greatest ability in all the world is availability. "Lord, I don't know how to do this, but I'm willing if you'll give me the wisdom to do it." Think about this. Noah had never before built an ark. Abraham had never before been a sojourner. Moses had never before led a nation. Joshua had never before prayed down walls. Nehemiah had never before built walls. But they made themselves available and depended solely upon the Lord to aid them. There is a story of an Atlantic passenger laying in his bunk in a storm, deathly sick--seasick. A cry of "Man overboard" was heard. The passenger thought, "God help the poor fellow--there is nothing I can do." Then he thought at least he could put his lantern in the port-hole, which he did. The man was rescued, and recounting the story next day he said, "I was going down in the darkness for the last time when someone put a light in a port-hole. It shone on my hand, and a sailor in a lifeboat

grabbed it and pulled me in." Weakness is no excuse for our not putting forth all the little strength we have, and who can tell how God will use it? "Since God has put His work into your weak hands, look not for long ease here: You must feel the full weight of your calling: a weak man with a strong God."

What to do: Be available. When God calls, He gives ability.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: A LACK OF CARING

OCTOBER 8

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 1 Key Verse: 2-That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah;
and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Key Words: I asked them concerning the Jews There is an old saying that goes, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." How true! Nehemiah was a great leader because he cared. We see in verse 3 that he cared enough to ask, while in verse 4 he cared enough to weep. You will see in verses 5 - 10 that he cared enough to pray, and in verse 11 he cared enough to get involved. It doesn't matter how well you sing, preach, teach, or how many times you say "Amen" to a message. A lack of caring will hinder you and me from the desired results that God is seeking. Caring speaks volumes, as does a lack of caring. Author Leo Buscaglia once told about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child; the winner was a four-yearold boy. His next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into this gentlemans yard, climbed into his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, Nothing. I just helped him cry. If we want to reach others they will have to know that we genuinely care. Do we? Do you?

What to do: Remember, people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

OCTOBER 9 Bible Reading: Job 2:9 - 3:3 Key Verse: 11-Now when Jobs three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon
him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: FRIENDS

Key Words: Now when Job's three friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar: with friends like these, who needs enemies? Choose your friends carefully for tomorrow you will be like them. Job had more problems from his friends than he did from his enemies. I heard one preacher say Job wasn't fighting just Satan, he was fighting his demons as well. This demon called them his friends. I wouldn't call them demons but they certainly were not good friends either. Anyone who takes away from knowing and doing the will of God is a "friend who hinders." Queen Victoria once shared her impressions of her two most famous prime ministers. Of William Gladstone, she said, "When I am with him, I feel I am with one of the most important leaders in the world." On the other hand, she confessed that when she was with Disraeli, he made her feel "as if I am one of the most important leaders of the world." Robert Morgan writes: "That reminds me of something my father once said. He was a school teacher in a rural district. Over the years he served under a number of county school superintendents, two of whom (I'll call them Jones and Johnson) he once compared in this way. 'When I went to Mr. Jones with a request, he could turn it down and make me feel good. But when I went to Johnson with a request, he could agree with it but make me feel bad.'" Which raises the question: What kind of friend are you?

What to do: Be a Godly friend!

OCTOBER 10 Bible Reading: Psalm 1 Key Verse: 1-Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: THE DEADLY TRINITY

Key Words: Blessed is the man We have here three scoundrels: the ungodly man, the sinner, and the scornful man. These three are a detriment to you spiritually. We are cautioned in regard to all three. Don't listen to the ungodly; don't lounge around with sinners; and don't laugh with the scornful. Some years ago a break in the electric circuit occurred just as King George was about to deliver his radio address at the London Disarmament Conference. A humble workman caught the loose ends in his hands and bridged the gap, becoming for a time part of the circuit. He didn't create the power by which the king's message was transmitted. He only closed the circuit so that it could flow. But through him the king's will was done. Let me ask you: Can the king's will be done through the ungodly? How about the sinner? And what about the scornful? You see, these three will hinder you. I close with the words of Paul from Galatians 5:7, Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

What to do: Be careful who you run with; they'll have you running the wrong way.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: INTIMIDATION

OCTOBER 11

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 4:1-11 Key Verse: 2-And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said,
What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

Key Words: What do these feeble Jews? Intimidation is one of the key instruments used by those who oppose God to hinder the works of God. Think about Elijah who was intimidated by Jezebel in I Kings 19; or what about the Hebrew spies in Numbers 13 who were intimidated by both the size and number of the enemy? What about Barak who was intimidated by the army of Canaan? The

enemy attempted to intimidate Jeremiah in Jeremiah, chapter 26, as they threatened his life. The Jewish religious leaders attempted to intimidate Peter and John in Acts 4. Marty Springstead, supervisor of American League umpires, said he will never forget his first assignment behind the plate. It was in a 1966 game at Washington. Frank Howard was playing for the Senators, and on the first pitch to the mountainous slugger, Springstead called a knee-high fast ball a strike. Howard turned around and yelled, Get something straight, buster! I dont know where you came from or how you got to the major leagues, but they dont call that pitch on me a strike. Understand? The next pitch was in the same spot, and Springstead yelled, Two! Two what? Howard roared. Too low, Springstead said, Much too low. If you can be intimidated, you can be hindered!! Remember, ...greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4b).

What to do: ...be strong in the Lord and the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10).

THINGS THAT HINDER US: POOR TIME MANAGEMENT

OCTOBER 12 Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Key Verse: 1-To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the
heaven:

Key Words: To every thing there is a season I could write on time management for weeks, but in all honesty, that would be poor time management; which, by the way, I have discovered the average person is good at - I mean at wasting time. Paul told us in Ephesians 5:16 to redeem the time. Most people fail to realize that misuse of time is a sin. How would you like to spend 2 years making phone calls to people who arent home? Sound absurd? According to one time management study, thats how much time the average person spends trying to return calls to people who never seem to be in. Not only that, we spend 6 months waiting for the traffic light to turn green, and another 8 months reading junk mail. These unusual statistics should cause us to do time-use evaluation. Once we recognize that simple life maintenance can chip away at our time in such huge blocks, we will see how vital it is that we dont busy ourselves in vain (Ps 39:6). Psalm 39 gives us some perspective. In Davids complaint to God, he said, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You (V. 5). He meant that to an eternal God our time on earth is brief. He doesnt want us to

waste it. When we do, we throw away one of the most precious commodities He gives us. Each minute is an irretrievable giftan unredeemable slice of eternity. Sure, we have to make the phone calls, and we must wait at the light. But what about the rest of our time? Are we using it to advance the cause of Christ and to enhance our relationship with Him? Is our time well spent? I sure hope so. Don't let poor time management hinder your service for God.

What to do: Time, like food, can be wasted. Use it wisely.

OCTOBER 13 Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 10:1-15 Key Verse: 1-Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking
savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: A LITTLE FOLLY

Key Words: so doth a little folly Notice the person Solomon has in mind has a reputation for being wise but a little folly destroys a good testimony. It doesn't take but a little folly to hinder us in our service for God. J. Vernon McGee writes: Life is full of illustrations of this truth. One night on the town can mean a lifetime in the darkness of disease or even death. An officer in a church I served years ago told me, I was brought up in a Christian home, and I really never did run around, but when I went away from home and got a job, I went out with the fellows one night. That is the only night in my life that I went out, and that is the night I got a venereal disease. I had to postpone marriage for several years, and I had to break off an engagement with a sweet, lovely girl. Just one dead fly will ruin the ointment of the apothecary. How tragic! A mother spends 21 years teaching a son to be wise, and some girl will come along and make a fool out of him in 5 minutes. What a picture! A little folly, a little foolishness -- that is all it takes. It can be the thing that can ruin a life and spoil the lives of others. Just a little folly produces a great hindrance.

What to do: Count the cost! The price of folly is high!

OCTOBER 14 Bible Reading: Daniel 6:1-17 Key Verse: 5-Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,
except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: JEALOUSY

Key Words: Then said these men Now, while our own jealousy can hinder us, that's not the jealousy I have in mind. It's the jealousy of others that can often hinder us. The jealous deacon who thinks he should receive more attention and praise. The jealous staff member who complains because they do the work and someone else gets the credit. The jealous musician who feels superior to other musicians. All of these not only hinders the person who is jealous, but others as well. Two shopkeepers were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly across the street from each other, and they would spend each day keeping track of each others business. If one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival. One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, "I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?" The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!" One sign of jealousy is when it's easier to show sympathy and "weep with those who weep" than it is to exhibit joy and "rejoice with those who rejoice."

What to do: Remember, weed poison not only destroys the weeds, it will kill the roses as well. So it is with jealousy...it kills everyone it touches.

OCTOBER 15 Bible Reading: Matthew 6 Key Verse: 25-Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall
eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

THINGS THAT HINDER US: WORRY

Key Words: Take no thought You find the word thought five times in our text. The word means anxiety or worry. Someone said, "Most of today's worries are like puddles, tomorrow they will have evaporated." Herbert Lockyear said, "Worry produces doubt in a three-fold direction: 1) God's love is doubted. Worry implies that He cares little for His blood-washed children. 2) God's wisdom is doubted. Worry indicates that He is not able to plan for His own, that He does not know what is best for them who belong to Him. 3) God's power is doubted. Worry says His grace is not sufficient for our needs." A French soldier in World War I carried with him this little receipt of worry: "Of two things, one is certain. Either you are at the front, or you are behind the lines. If you are at the front, of two things one is certain. Either you are exposed to danger, or you are in a safe place. If you are exposed to danger, of two things one is certain. Either you are wounded, or you are not wounded. If you are wounded, of two things one is certain. Either you recover, or you die. If you recover, there is no need to worry. If you die, you can't worry. SO WHY WORRY? Good advice!

What to do: Don't worry about tomorrow. Remember, God is already there.

OCTOBER 16 Bible Reading: Matthew 7:1-12 Key Verse: 7-Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall
be opened unto you:

THINGS THAT HINDER US: WEAK PRAYER LIFE

Key Words: Ask and it shall be given you The subject here is understood. You ask and it shall be given you, you seek, and you'll find, you knock and it shall be opened...which raises the question: how's your prayer life? In one region of Africa, the first converts to Christianity were very diligent about praying. In fact, the believers each had their own special place outside the village where they went to pray in solitude. The villagers reached these prayer rooms by using their own private footpaths through the brush. When grass began to grow over one of these trails, it was evident that the person to whom it belonged was not praying very much. Because these new Christians were concerned for each others spiritual welfare, a unique custom sprang up. Whenever anyone noticed an overgrown Prayer path, he or she would go to the person and lovingly warn, Friend, theres grass on your path! Well, is there grass on your path?

What to do: Clear the grass from your prayer path.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: PEOPLE

OCTOBER 17

Bible Reading: Mark 2:1-12 Key Verse: 4-And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they Key Words: And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press

uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

People can get in the way, can't they? People hinder the cause of Christ by their actions of rejection and being unfriendly, and by their attitude of haughtiness and pride. People...you can't live with them and you can't live without them; but if we allow it, people will hinder us from doing what's right. I admit I love to watch people, but there is a vast difference between watching people and following them.

In our Bible reading for today, the four that brought the palsied man to Jesus did not let people hinder them from getting to Jesus...neither should we. Think about this: if you have two people in a church, you have two interpersonal relationships. If you have four people in a church, you have sixteen interpersonal relationships. If you have 300 people in a church, you have 90,000 interpersonal relationships happening at one time! The point is: if you let people hinder you, you'll have dozens of excuses for quitting and not serving. Warren Wiersbe's daughter came home from school one day and went into her room and slammed the door shut. Warren went to the door and asked to come in. She said, "Absolutely not!" When he inquired as to why, she said, "Because you are people!" Believe me, I understand; but you can't let people hinder you. Keep your eyes on Jesus!! Got it? I sure hope so.

What to do: Keep your eyes on the goal: Jesus!

OCTOBER 18 Bible Reading: Luke 9:51-62 Key Verse: 59-And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first
to go and bury my father.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: PROCRASTINATION

Key Words: suffer me first to go and bury my father We find all kinds of reasons to procrastinate; but if the truth be known, there is never a good reason for our procrastination. As a matter of fact, procrastination is quite harmful. A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagonload of corn in the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate. "Hey, Willis," he called out, "forget your troubles for a spell and come on in and have dinner with us. Then I'll help you get the wagon up." "That's mighty nice of you," Willis answered, "But I don't think Pa would like me to." "Aw, come on, son!" the farmer insisted. "Well, okay," the boy finally agreed. "But Pa won't like it." After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host. "I feel a lot better now, but I just know Pa is going to be real upset." "Don't be foolish!" exclaimed the neighbor. "By the way, where is he?" "Under the wagon.". Gloria Pitzer has written this clever little poem:

Procrastination is my sin It brings me naught but sorrow. I know that I should stop it In fact, I will...tomorrow. Let me close by asking, is procrastination hindering your service to God?

What to do: Never put off until tomorrow what you should do today.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: A LACK OF PERSISTENCE

OCTOBER 19 Bible Reading: Luke 18:1-18 Key Verse: 5-Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her
continual coming she weary me.

Key Words: yet because this widow troubleth me We do give up easily, at least on most occasions. I have a saying that goes, "A winner never quits and a quitter never wins." Keep after it!! Reader's Digest records the following written by Jacob Riis, "I look at a stone cutter hammering away at a rock a hundred times without so much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the 101st blow it splits in two. I know it was not the one blow that did it, but all that had gone before." Consider this: Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Walt also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. Michael Jordan, perhaps the greatest basketball player of all time, did not make his high school basketball team his sophomore year. Beethoven's teacher called him hopeless as a composer. Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade. He did not become Prime Minister until he was 62. His greatest contributions came when he was a "senior citizen." Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally through persistence succeeded. Be persistent and, as a believer, be persistent in your prayer life. Never, never give up!!

What to do: Be a winner; don't quit. Be persistent.

OCTOBER 20 Bible Reading: John 8:1-11 Key Verse: 8-And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. Key Words: And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Integrity can be defined as your actions matching your words. No doubt that these accusers of this adulterous woman lacked in the area of integrity. I'm convinced that when Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground, he was writing down the sins of the woman's accusers. Have you ever heard the saying, "I can't hear what you're saying for watching how you're living"? That's a lack of integrity. After his Sunday messages, the pastor of a church in London got on the trolley Monday morning to go back to his study downtown. He paid his fare, and the trolley driver gave him too much change. The pastor sat down and fumbled the change and looked it over, then counted it several times. You know the rationalization, It's wonderful how God provides. He realized he was tight that week and this was just about what he would need to break even, or at least enough for his lunch. He wrestled with himself all the way down that old trolley trail that led to his office. And finally he came to the stop and he got up, couldn't live with himself, walked up to the trolley driver, and said, Here, you gave me too much change. You made a mistake. The driver said, No, it was no mistake. You see, I was in your church last night when you spoke on honesty, and I thought I would put you to the test. A lack of integrity may do more than hinder you, it may stop you completely.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: A LACK OF INTEGRITY

What to do: Integrity: don't leave home without it.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: THE MURMURERS

OCTOBER 21

Bible Reading: Acts 6:1-15 Key Verse: 1-And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied,
there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Key Words: there arose a murmuring among the Grecians against the Hebrews The word murmuring means to grumble, gripe, or complain in a low voice. Here's what I've learned in my forty years of experience about murmurers.

1) A new arrival in heaven was surprised to see a suggestion box along Main Street. The heavenly newbie turned to a more seasoned resident and asked, If everything is perfect and everybody is happy in heaven, why is there a suggestion box? Because some people arent really happy unless they complain. 2) Murmuring depends upon one view of things. "We can complain because rosebushes bear thorns, or we can rejoice because thorn bushes bear roses." 3) Murmurers fail to realize just how good they have it. Griff Niblack, in the Indianapolis News, has a clever way of reminding us that our idealistic perception of the past isn't always as realistic as we imagine: "If you're yearning for the good old days, just turn off the air conditioning." Two closing thoughts: 1) If you are a murmurer, remember things could be worse. 2) If you're not a murmurer, then praise God that you're not!

What to do: Either you are a help or a hindrance. Evaluate your life.

OCTOBER 22 Bible Reading: Acts 27:1-25 Key Verse: 9-Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous,
because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

THINGS THAT HINDER US: ADVERSITY

Key Words: sailing was now dangerous For some, such as Paul, adversity helps to motivate us; but for others, such as the twelve Hebrew spies of Numbers 13, it only serves to hinder us. I have found that this is often the case...that adversity serves as a great hindrance to many. But when God allows adversity in our lives, it is never to hinder us but to help us. In 1987, Gary Richmond published a book titled A View from the Zoo. Illustrations from the animal world fill the pages with spiritual truths. The birth of a giraffe gives insight to life's trials and hardships. When a calf is born, he falls ten feet and lands on his back. The mother momentarily hovers over the newborn before kicking the baby head over heels. If the calf doesn't get up, he gets another good kick. She repeats this process to stimulate his efforts. Finally, when the little giraffe gets up on his wobbly legs, the mother kicks him off his feet again. To an outsider such behavior seems cruel. To the mother it is an expression of love. This first lesson in life helps the newborn quickly develop the skills needed to move rapidly with the herd when predators are near. Sometimes we feel as though God has no

sooner gotten us on our feet when He turns around and knocks us down. The next time that happens, think about the newborn giraffe. God may simply be strengthening you for your own protection in the future.

What to do: Don't let adversity hinder you, but rather allow God to use it to strengthen you.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: OUR FLESH

OCTOBER 23

Bible Reading: Romans 7:14-25 Key Verse: 18-For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to
will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Key Words: in my flesh dwelleth no good thing More often than not, our flesh is our own worst enemy. John Mason Brown was a drama critic and speaker well known for his witty and informative lectures on theatrical topics. One of his first important appearances as a lecturer was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Brown was pleased, but also rather nervous, and his nerves were not helped when he noticed by the light of the slide projector that someone was copying his every gesture. After a time he broke off his lecture and announced with great dignity that if anyone was not enjoying the talk, he was free to leave. Nobody did, and the mimicking continued. It was another 10 minutes before Brown realized that the mimic was his own shadow! You may hear many things in your life that tend to hinder you from service to God; but I can assure you that there is no hindrance to you greater than yourself (your flesh). That is the reason we are told to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

What to do: Hinder not yourself; walk in the Spirit.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: ACTING INAPPROPRIATELY

OCTOBER 24 Bible Reading: I Corinthians 6:1-13 Key Verse: 12-All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things
are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Key Words: but I will not be brought under the power of any Some who read verse 12 of our text focus on the words all things are lawful and take that to mean they can do anything they so please. That certainly is not the context of this verse. The context is taking a fellow church member to court. Can we do that? Sure, but Paul says while it is lawful, it is not expedient. The word expedient carries the idea of being appropriate. It's one of those things we don't often take into consideration in our decision-making. In a children's program one little fellow had the part of quoting Matthew 19:14, But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. When it was his turn to say his verse, his nerves got the better of him and he forgot the verse. Suddenly he said, "B-u-t, Jesus said, Suffer the ch-il-" and then forgot the remainder of the verse. This happened on three occasions. So bravely he looked out at the congregation and said, "Jesus said don't any of you adults do anything to keep us kids from coming to Him." And that is the gist of what Paul is saying. Often we ask, "can I" when we should be asking, "should I." You see, when we behave inappropriately it's not only a hindrance to us, but others as well. What to do: Don't ask, "is it lawful;" ask "is it appropriate?"

THINGS THAT HINDER US: GREED

OCTOBER 25

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 16:1-11 Key Verse: 2-Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as
God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Key Words: let every one of you Giving is not optional; it is an opportunity to demonstrate my love for, my faith in, and my thankfulness to my Great Savior and the Supreme Author of my life. Yes, I do mean God. Often we talk about a lack of faith that causes us to not give; but in reality, it's more about greed and wrong priorities. The gas company, power company and mortgage company all seem to come before God.

In the jungles of Brazil there dwells a tree called the water tree. It's an interesting tree. It grows to be anywhere from 20 to 25 feet high and 3 to 4 inches around. The water tree is hollow in the center. That's because the center of the tree contains fresh water. Thus it's name: the water tree. The only way the water tree can refresh others is to die. You have to cut it down in order for it to give up its water supply. The same is true when it comes to giving. We have to die to self in order to give and be a source of refreshment. Many believers have never died to self. As a result they will never really be a source of blessing to others. They will fail to submit to authority. If one cannot obey God, they will battle with all other forms of authority as well; and, as a result, they are a burden, not a blessing. They will hinder the cause of Christ rather than help.

What to do: Ask God to help you to be a giver. If not, you will always be a hinderer.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: A BAD MEMORY

OCTOBER 26

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 1:1-11 Key Verse: 3-Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Key Words: Blessed be God Three truths leap off the pages of Chapter 1 of II Corinthians. Truth One: Remember what God is to you (verse 2); He is your Father. Truth Two: Remember what God does for you (verse 4); He comforts you. Truth Three: Remember what God does through you (verses 5-11); He works through you. How easily we forget the blessings of God to us! Where would we be if it were not for God? Many stores have mannequins. Another word for mannequin is a dummy. The job of the dummy is to magnify the fashion of the store. They put clothing on the dummy and the dummy is supposed to act as an attraction to lure the customer into the store. They are to look at the clothes on the dummy and be drawn into the store. The clothes on the dummy didn't come from the dummy. The clothes on the dummy came from the owner of the store and the owner of the store put clothes on the dummy so that folks outside would be attracted to come inside based on how the dummy looks. Need I say more?

On our best day, we are nothing but dummies. What God wants to do is dress us up. He's given you a new nature. He's given you a new life. He wants to dress you up and He's saying, "Listen, dummy, I want you to attract people to Me not only when times are going good but when times are going bad. Your job is to make Me look good." God is after making sure that He looks good. If you can make this switch, a small switch because it only involves one thing, and yet a whopping switch because it involves everything, God will be glorified in your life.

What to do: If you fail to remember what God has done for you, you will fail to live for Him.

OCTOBER 27 Bible Reading: Galatians 5:1-7 Key Verse: 1-Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: A FALSE CONCEPT OF LIBERTY

Key Words: the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free There are those who believe that salvation is not freedom from sin, but freedom to sin. How strange! God saves you to stay in the same sinful bondage you are already in? How silly!! SALVATION DOES NOT FREE US TO SIN BUT IT FREES US FROM SIN. We read in verse 13, For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. A family in Tennessee has handed down a significant letter for at least three generations. William Walter Warmath, a Baptist minister, received it from his mother on his twenty-first birthday, which came while he was serving as a staff member at Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly in North Carolina. He tells about it in his book Spirit in Conflict. It had first been written to William's father, J. G. Warmath, on this twentyfirst birthday, by his father. Since then, William Warmath has passed it along to his own son, Jerry, on his twenty-first birthday. Here is how the torn pages, yellow with age, read:

Humboldt, Tennessee March 24, 1893 J. G. Warmath, Twenty-one years old today. Free to do as he pleases - to make a first-class gentleman, second or third class as you may. Free to associate with first, second or third class ladies and gentlemen. Free to be an honor to his family and society generally or otherwise. Free to lead an honorable and upright life, a life that will be esteemed by all who may associate with you. Free to choose your own occupation and make a success or otherwise. Free to love any nice pretty first-class young lady and wed her if she is willing. Free to make all the money that you can honorably and save a good living out of it for old age or misfortune. Free to be your own guardian and counsellor - to use all means that may come into your hands as seemeth best to you. But not free to bring reproach upon your Father and Mother's name... . Hoping that life may be an honor to your name and country. We subscribe our names - Your Father and Mother. We are never free to bring reproach upon the name of God, never!!!

What to do: You are free - not to sin, but free from sin. Live like it!

THINGS THAT HINDER US: THE PAST

OCTOBER 28

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:1-14 Key Verse: 13-Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I Key Words: forgetting those things which are behind

do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Living in the past can be good if you learn from it for the future. But living in the past can be dangerous if you allow it to hinder you. We read in Luke 9:62, ....No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. If you spend all your time today thinking about your failures or successes yesterday, then you will ruin your tomorrow. When today looks too long at yesterday, we are borrowing from tomorrow's time. Yesterday is like a rearview mirror. When you go somewhere in the car, you use a rearview mirror. A rearview mirror shows you what's behind you. You need a rearview mirror but you only need it to glance in, not to live in. You don't move forward by focusing on a rearview mirror; you move forward by focusing on the windshield. If you live in a rearview mirror, you will hurt somebody. But in front of the

rearview mirror is a much bigger piece of glass called the windshield. The windshield shows you where you are going and that's a lot bigger than where you have been. Don't let yesterday mess up today, which will ruin tomorrow.

What to do: Keep your focus on what God wants you to do today!

THINGS THAT HINDER US: WRONG IDENTITY

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:1-11 Key Verse: 3-For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Key Words: your life is hid with Christ

OCTOBER 29

If you are born again, you are a child of God!! Identify yourself as such. Tony Evans writes: "Who is Michael Jordan? Most would probably say the greatest basketball player who ever played the game. Who is Sylvester Stallone? Most would probably say a great actor depending on the movie. Who is Diana Ross? Most would probably say one of the greatest singers of this generation. If you would say Michael Jordan is a basketball player, Sylvester Stallone is an actor, and Diana Ross a singer, you would be absolutely wrong for I would not have just described who they were. I would have only told you what they do. The greatest mistake in the world is to use your performance to give you your identity. The greatest mistake in the world is to define yourself by what you do. And yet it is the primary way that people define themselves. "When men get together, the first thing we want to do in conversation is ask the other person what they do for a living. We then figure that if they do a big job, with a big title, for big pay, they must be somebody. However, one's self-definition, or identity, is not to be rooted in your performance because, if so, then you will always, always, always misdefine yourself. "People go to great lengths to get an identity. They'll buy identities. They go to plastic surgeons to fix their looks in order to fix their identity. They seek higherpaying jobs or nice business cards to help their identity. They pick their friends so that their friends can help elevate their identity. People go around asking for autographs so they can show other people whom they know in order to elevate their identity. "Satan knows that if he can keep you from discovering your true identity in Christ, he can keep you from discovering who you are. If in fact you are a Christian by virtue of your relationship with Christ, he can keep you hostage. He can keep you

from claiming your inheritance. He can keep you from victory because you cannot be liberated if you don't know who you are." So who are you?

What to do: Who are you? Your answer should be, "I'm a child of God." Then live like it.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: LOVE OF MONEY

OCTOBER 30

Bible Reading: I Timothy 6:1-10 Key Verse: 10-For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted
after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Key Words: for the love of money We do love money, do we not? I got a kick out of what one member said, "I don't necessarily love money, but it does quiet'en my nerves." I read in a church bulletin: "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver. He also accepteth from a grouch." An old, rich man with a cranky, miserable attitude visited a rabbi who lived a simple life. They werent together very long before the rabbi got a wonderful idea on how to illustrate to the man that his cranky attitude was wrong. He took him by the hand and led him over to his window and said, Now, look out the window and tell me what you see. As the man stood there, he said, Well, I see some men and some women and I see a few children. Fine, replied the rabbi and then took him by the hand and led him across the room to a mirror. Now look and tell me what you see. The man frowned and said, Well, obviously I see myself. Interesting, replied the rabbi. In the window there is glass, in the mirror there is glass, but the glass of the mirror is covered with a little bit of silver. And no sooner is the silver added than you cease to see others, only yourself. Strangely enough, when it comes to money, all most people see are themselves.

What to do: Let others see Jesus through you. Be a window, not a mirror.

OCTOBER 31 Bible Reading: II Timothy 3:1-15 Key Verse: 15-And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

THINGS THAT HINDER US: OUR UPBRINGING

Key Words: that from a child A pastor from Tennessee writes: One morning years ago, I took a walking tour of Albany, New York, and finally stopped for lunch on a park bench. As I ate my sandwich, I felt someone staring at me. Turning around, I saw a little fellow watching me with intense interest. He appeared to be eleven or twelve, his eyes were big, and his face crinkled with curiosity. "What's your name?" he finally asked. Then, "What you eatin? Where you from? Tennessee? Where's that? What're you doin here?" To the last question, I told him I had come to Albany to preach at a church. "What does it mean to preach?" he asked. "It means to tell others about Jesus," I replied. When I said the word "Jesus," his eyes widened, and he cupped his hand over his mouth. "'Jesus,'" he whispered, "Mister, Don't you know?" "Know what?" That's a cuss word." It dawned on me that the only time this boy had ever heard the name Jesus was as a profanity in his home and in his neighborhood haunts. Compare that little fellow's history with the Apostle Paul's description of Timothy's upbringing: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 3:15).

What to do: We all train our children; it's just a matter of how we train them.

I deeply appreciate the help of

Cathy Fortenberry Sandy Lancaster Glenda Myrick Mary Parsons John and Tascha Piatt Reba Pontbriand And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to help this devotional would not have been possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse