Common Sense Isn’t Common Anymore…

The older I get the more I find myself saying, “common sense isn’t common anymore”. People seemed to have dumbed down. I mean preachers saying, “amen and awoman” at the end of prayers. Not being able to call people “he or she”. Being told to call a boy a girl’s name because he identifies himself as a girl, even though his name is a still a boy’s name on the roster. This is a no-brained, common sense issue, but yet we are prejudiced or bigoted, if we respond with common sense. The reason people have sunken to this level is because they’ve decided to abandon God in their lives. It’s only through God that common sense and wisdom are given. Without Him, common sense isn’t so common.

For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.8 He guards the paths of the justand protects those who are faithful to Him. 9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,and you will find the right way to go.10 For wisdom will enter your heart,and knowledge will fill you with joy.11 Wise choices will watch over you.Understanding will keep you safe. 12 Wisdom will save you from evil people,from those whose words are twisted. Proverbs 2:6-12

Why We Pray….

It’s not where or how we pray that matters, it’s why we pray. It’s to acknowledge our need and dependence on God. And to communicate with Him on a moment by moment basis. If this is why you pray, then your prayers will not go unanswered.

5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him!9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven,may Your name be kept holy.10 May Your Kingdom come soon.May Your will be done on earth,as it is in heaven.11 Give us today the food we need,12 and forgive us our sins,as we have forgiven those who sin against us.13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,but rescue us from the evil one. 14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:5-18

Who We Are To Pray To…..

It’s always bothered me when I hear people pray to saints, or other gods. I’m not exactly sure how God sees it, but in this Psalm David states that he prays only to God and no one else. If David was a “man after God’s own heart” designated by God Himself, then this passage in the Psalms must tell us something. Is it possible that we are not supposed to pray to saints or through saints, for they aren’t the channel in which we are saved. Asking someone to tell God for us, means we don’t have confidence in Jesus, Who is the One that made our salvation possible. Praying to saints or other gods, only shows our lack of understanding. It means we don’t know or trust the One Who grants us eternal life. It might just be a false piety, “I’m not worthy to pray because I’m a sinner, but praying to a forgiven sinner (a saint) is how God hears my prayer” seems sacrilegious, doesn’t it?We are to pray to God, and God alone. He is the One that hears and answers prayers. Why was the curtain torn in the temple when Jesus died on the cross? Because it was God’s way of showing us that the way to Him is now open to all that call on His name. It no longer required one designated person, once a year, to go into the temple to make the atoning sacrifice for everyone. Jesus did it once and for all. “There is no other name, given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus, God Himself, and the Holy Spirit are One. So that’s is Who we are to pray to and pray through. Anything else is idolatrous.

2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,for I pray to no one but You.3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.Each morning I bring my requests to You and wait expectantly. Psalms 5:2-3

What’s Your Motive For Doing Good?

What’s your motive for doing good? Man’s approval, or God’s approval? Your answer determines everything. If it’s for public notice, it’ll be your only reward. True love is selfless. Your answer will also expose what truly lies in your heart, revealing to you the authenticity of your faith.

1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do–blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4

It Wouldn’t Really Be Fair….

Seeking the Lord is our priority and greatest reward. The problem lies in our ability to recognize it, then doing something about it. The world tells us, “put it off, seek self-pleasure, it can wait”, but when acted upon, we realize the pleasure lasts but a moment. Pursuing God lasts a lifetime, and beyond (eternally). If we could compare the two paths, side by side, it wouldn’t really be fair. Pursuits that are eternal show us how small the desires of this world really are. Do you seek God like a hidden treasure? Is your desire to truly know Him?

1 My child, listen to what I say,and treasure my commands.2 Tune your ears to wisdom,and concentrate on understanding.3 Cry out for insight,and ask for understanding.4 Search for them as you would for silver;seek them like hidden treasures.5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,and you will gain knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5

Knowing His Place…

Abram (later named Abraham) wasn’t selfish. He didn’t abuse his status, his seniority, or use his wealth to get his way. When it came to choosing land in which to live, he gave his nephew Lot first choice. When it came to plunder (after rescuing Lot from invaders), Abram chose to give the spoils to the king of Salem, and the rest to the men who fought to get his nephew back. Abram was smart, tough, humble, and not selfish. His relationship with God is what sustained him. He wasn’t perfect, for he did some bone-headed things, but it was knowing his place in this world, belonging to the Lord, that made him who he was. His character was defined by his faith. God was all he needed. And since he was walking with God, the world didn’t have the influence on him, that it has on most people. Make God your life, your refuge, and your home, and you’ll find your desire for the things of this world diminish like sand sifting through your fingers. Jesus is enough. He supplies all our needs, and fulfills our greatest desire (even if we don’t realize it yet).

8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. 12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.14 After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction–north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord. Genesis 13:8-18

17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,Creator of heaven and earth.20 And blessed be God Most High,who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.”22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies–Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.” Genesis 14:17-24

Real Love Does The Hard Things…

If you love someone, you’ll love them enough to tell them the truth. Jesus did this very thing. In the sermon on the mount, the aspect of adultery was addressed. The men of that day had twisted Moses concession (God’s allowance) on divorce to mean it was perfectly acceptable for any reason. Jesus set them straight. Adultery and divorce were not seen in its proper light. Jesus set the record straight, then took it up a notch. He warned of the consequences of Hell. He told them that losing an eye or hand doesn’t even compare to what you’ll suffer in Hell. It was better to live a handicapped life here on earth than live a life seeking pleasure for yourself, ignoring God. Ask yourself, how many people tell me the truth these days? I’m not talking about “their truth”, I’m talking “the truth”. How many people present consequences for sinful actions? We live in a day where “don’t judge me” and “how dare you tell me what to do” reign in the minds of every person, never allowing truth to be told. We live in a day where sin is exalted and righteousness is prejudice, racist, and hateful. We live in a day where consequences for sinful behavior is lobbied away through legislation, or made out to be excused because someone didn’t react in a way that’s acceptable to the sinner. Jesus warned us about Hell. He knew of its intolerable consequences. If you truly love someone, you’ll love them enough to tell them the truth, willing to accept whatever consequences that come from the conversation. Real love does the hard things. Jesus’ example here should solidify our resolve to follow Him, by being like Him. Don’t live by the world’s standards; it’s not really living, just existing.

27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29 So if your eye–even your good eye–causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.30 And if your hand–even your stronger hand–causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.  Matthew 5:27-32