Unless, Of Course, You Don’t Care About Yourself?

Here’s one fact about God that makes a huge difference in the life of a believer: God knows us better than we know ourselves... and still loves us anyway. Let that truth sink in. If He knows us better than we know ourselves, and still loves us, warts and all, it would be crazy not to trust Him. Unless, of course, you don’t care about yourself?

27 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert Me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd,and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”29 Peter said to Him, “Even if everyone else deserts You, I never will.”30 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter–this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know Me.”31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You!” And all the others vowed the same. Mark 14:27-31

God Takes Care Of His Own…

God takes care of His own. Those whose hearts are fully committed to Him will be heard and experience His presence. Those who do evil will not experience His rescue, though they may experience a blessing, but that will be because it flows out from blessings He grants to believers. Like guilt by association, it’s blessing by association. Those who do evil will only experience blessings from the overflow from believers receiving them, or a side effect of God carrying out His will. God is close to the broken-hearted. He rescues those believers whose spirits have been crushed.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;His ears are open to their cries for help.16 But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil;He will erase their memory from the earth.17 The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help.He rescues them from all their troubles.18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 19 The righteous person faces many troubles,but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;not one of them is broken! 21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,and those who hate the righteous will be punished.22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned. Psalms 34:15-22

The Content Of A Man’s Character…

If you truly want to see the content of a man’s character, observe how he treats his family. They will either be the object in which he strives to care for, teach truth to, and build relationships with, or they will be an obstacle in his path toward satisfying himself. In the end, he will be surrounded by the result of his love, or all alone because of his selfishness.

29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise. Proverbs 11:29

We Can’t Serve Both….

The reason the American dollar states “In God we Trust” printed on it, is because we can’t trust actual money. Money to man is a tool in which we use to live, which can lead us into believing we can do it on our own. Money to God is a test in which He uses to show us what’s truly in our hearts. We can’t serve both.

28 Trust in your money and down you go!But the godly flourish like leaves in spring. Proverbs 11:28

The Tendencies Run Close To 100%…

It’s amazing to read these proverbs and realize these truths stand the test of time. They may not all be guarantees, but the tendencies run close to 100%. These statements develop our character. It’s character that brings us closer to God’s purposes. If someone plots evil, rarely will they “get away with it”. And if they do, they will become a slave to protecting themselves with a lifetime of growing lies. If someone seeks good, their intentions will find favor because their heart is right, because it seeks the good for another. Today, we get to choose, do evil or do good. Which will you choose?

27 If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! Proverbs 11:27

Any Attempt To Curse Or Condemn….

We are all sinners, but we are not all condemned. When our government, our society, and even the world tries to curse or condemn us, remember Jesus has saved us from condemnation. Any attempt to curse or condemn a believer only shows the ignorance and ungodliness of the accuser. Satan came to steal, kill, and destroy, and his followers do the same, but believers serve God, Who protects, provides, and extends His grace to those faithful to Him. This doesn’t mean we take this gift of freedom for granted and abuse this privilege. It means we cling to the only One Whose cursing and condemnation really matters.

8 But how can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I condemn those whom the Lord has not condemned? Numbers 23:8

God Knows Everything We Do….

God knows everything we do. He knows our hearts. He knows our bank accounts. He knows when we give, and when we refrain from giving. Everyone is different, but God rewards all by meeting our needs. Nothing goes unnoticed by Him, not even the smallest, most quiet, humble offering to Him. Someone is always watching, so don’t try to convince yourself of refraining from a good deed if it will go unnoticed. It won’t. God honors those that honor Him.

41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.43 Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44