The lesson this week is about how to overcome and defeat discouragement. Discouragement is that place before you enter into depression. If we can nip discouragement we can prevent it from becoming depression. Click on the video to hear this sermon.
I recently wrote an article called, “How to Boil an Egg.” I thought it was a good article, but my son, Jeremy called and told me I needed to tell the rest of the story. I thought about it and have so I submit, “Boiling Eggs – The Rest of the Story.”
My description of how to boil an egg was as follows:
“Put the water and eggs on and wait for it to boil. Let them boil for exactly three minutes. After the three minutes are up, set the pan with the eggs and water in them off to the side. Put a cover over them and let them cool down for 20 minutes.”
Jeremy reminded me that I did not describe it like that to him. I told him that after he boiled the eggs for three minutes he should set them aside and cover them with a “plate.” He followed my instructions; he set them aside and hunted for a plate. He wondered why he could not just use the lid for the pan, but did as I said anyway and used a plate. Later he asked me why I didn’t just use a lid. I told him I didn’t have a lid so I used a plate.
This story reminds me that in life we all need to learn to ask questions. We need to seek better ways and not always just the old ways.
When it comes to what God said, then we follow his law to the letter. The Psalmist explained it clearly:
“Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. (Psalm 119:2-4)
When it comes to what man says, we need to ask, we need to seek better ways to do Godly things. If we always do what we’ve always done we will always be what we have always been. We will use a plate and not a real lid.
One more thing you should know. Jeremy’s plates are terrible lids. His plates are square. I’m going to have to teach that kid what plates are supposed to look like.
Lonnie Davis
My wife was out of town and I wanted to boil some eggs. Of course everyone thinks they can boil eggs, but I’ve seen enough cracked eggs rolling around in boiling water to know that it is not that easy. I called the wife of one of my elders and asked her how to boil eggs. She did not laugh. She said, “Put the water and eggs on and wait for it to boil. Let them boil for exactly three minutes. After the three minutes are up, set the pan with the eggs and water in them off to the side. Put a cover over them and let them cool down for 20 minutes.” I did and they were perfect. Since then I have shared the secret with others. Everyone tells me that it works perfectly every time!
There are two things I really like about this. (1) I love anything that helps me get anything perfect every time. (2) I love formulas. I wish all of life’s problems could be solved with a formula or recipe. While I recognize the following is not a formula, it is a set of guidelines that are sure to make you a more joyful Christian.
1. Begin each day with a prayer. “Pray without ceasing.” ( 1 Thess 5:17)
2. Be honorable in all your dealings. “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart. (Psalm 15:1-2)
3. Use your influence to help someone else. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)
4. Let time be a tool, not a tyrant. “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Eph 5:16)
5. Practice forgiveness daily. “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matt 6:14)
This is not a simplistic recipe for happiness, but rather a look at guidelines that lead to joy. They are not all of the guidelines on this subject. For more on this subject, let’s add a sixth guideline: Read your Bible daily. (Psalms 119:11), “I have hidden your Word in my heart.”
~Lonnie Davis
Dec 21, 2008