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Learning the truth and cultivating humility

Success turns some people into jerks. Take, for example, King Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of ancient Babylon. He conquered the Middle East, including Israel and Judah. Nebuchadnezzar was so successful that he believed he should control everyone and everything. Nebuchadnezzar even wanted to dictate how his subjects worshipped. The book of Daniel tells about Nebuchadnezzar erecting an image of gold 90 feet high and 9 feet wide. Nebuchadnezzar brought some of the most important people in his kingdom together, the “movers and shakers” of Babylon, and told them: “As soon as you hear the ...

Make God happy, don’t be a jerk

Tehran’s daily newspaper, Mardomsalari, reported in September 2004 on the trial of a man accused of beating his wife. The court ordered the man to stop beating his wife, but the woman later claimed that she would have been happy with an order limiting the beatings to only one per week. “Beating is a part of his nature,” she said, “and he can’t help it.” The man said, “If I do not beat her, she will not be scared enough to obey me.” What a jerk! Chuck Colson told the story of Marleen, a Christian woman who sought help from her preacher because her husband was abusing her. ...

Believers must examine both motives and actions

Max Lucado tells the story of Charles Robertson in his book, In the Grip of Grace. Robertson entered the Jefferson State Bank in Virginia Beach and filled out a loan application. But instead of waiting for his loan to be approved, Robertson went back to the bank a couple of hours later with a pistol and a note demanding money. Halfway to his getaway car, Robertson realized that he’d left the note with the teller and he went back in and grabbed it. When he returned to the car, Robertson remembered that he’d left the car keys on the bank counter. Instead of going into the bank again, ...

Resistance is futile, but surrender brings peace

There’s some disagreement, but many Bible scholars believe Amenhotep II was the Pharaoh of Egypt during Israel’s Exodus. By the time of the Exodus, Amenhotep had successfully completed 3 military campaigns against Syria, and he’d built a reputation for himself as a master mariner, able to captain a ship on the high seas. Amenhotep also proclaimed himself the best archer and horseman in Egypt, and no one wanted to challenge the king about that! Amenhotep reigned supreme, until Moses showed up. Understandably, Amenhotep didn’t want to grant Moses’ request that Israel be released ...

You don’t have to be a jerk to live a good life

In his book, Don’t Let the Jerks Get the Best of You, Dr. Paul Meier defines a jerk as “someone who selfishly uses or abuses other human beings, animals, or the environment.” Dr. Meier calculates that approximately 40% of the population qualify as 1st Degree Jerks. They’re good people who do unto others as they would have others do to them but, on occasion, selfish behaviors creep through despite their best intentions. Another 40% of the population ranks as 2nd Degree Jerks, people who are sometimes intentionally selfish. These folks manipulate and control others to their own ...

Real disciples never quit, they “remain”

Back in 1915, Ladies World magazine named Francis X. Bushman “the most handsome man.” Bushman’s looks earned him a great living. As a model, he cleared about $250 a week. But Bushman’s agent, David Freedman, saw an opportunity for greater wealth. Freedman said that if he could get Bushman into the movies (silent films were becoming very popular at that time), “the sky was the limit.” Since the studios wanted talent with a dedicated following, Freedman came up with a plan to convince the movie producers that Bushman drew large crowds. Freedman met Bushman at Grand Central ...