An Appointment We All Have...

Death, we all have an appointment with it. It’s the #1 cause of anxiety. People live their entire lives trying to find ways to cope with it; either trying to prevent it, prolong it, or escape the reality of it. Make peace with God, and it’s not so debilitating. Get right with God, and death loses its sting. We will never be able to rid ourselves from this appointment we have, but we can change our destination from condemnation to salvation. Then death only becomes a doorway into eternity, a short, instant pathway into meeting our Creator. And it’s on good terms, not irreconcilable ones.

7 Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen? 8 None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked. Ecclesiastes 8:7-8

Calling Good and Evil, Good and Evil....

You’ve heard me say this many times before, “integrity has no holiday”, but I can’t emphasize it more as America dives deeper into her redefined morality. When you read Isaiah, you come to the verse that says, “they call evil good, and good evil”, integrity always calls evil evil, and good good. It doesn’t go out of style or fashion in God’s economy, even when it’s not politically correct in ours. There is always a way to do it right, it just takes resolve. And you make that decision long before it comes to be.

5 Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, 6 for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble. Ecclesiastes 8:5-6

14 And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! Ecclesiastes 8:14

A Megadose of Gratitude....

Everyone needs a megadose of gratitude. We need to document everything God does not only for us, but all of those around us. When adversity comes, and we start to focus on ourselves, we can open the notes and know we are blessed, even if it doesn’t seem that way at the time. Even if our feelings are screaming out, “woe is me”. Start your own book of Psalms, document God’s movement, His character, and His faithfulness in your life.

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Psalms 103:1-5

Perfection’s Only Satisfied With....

God satisfies man’s hunger for perfection with Christ -no one else, no other thing.

23 I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work. 24 Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. 25 I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. Ecclesiastes 7:23-25

“This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. 28 Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Ecclesiastes 7:27-28a

One of the Wisest Things Solomon Said....

One of the wisest things Solomon said, “accept the way God does things.” If we do this, difficult times aren’t so difficult, and good times are even better. This is only possible when you trust God with all things. And that is only possible when you know God on an intimate level; and that takes time, passion, and pursuit. It won’t happen over night. It takes a lifetime. But it’s worthy of the commitment. Nothing is certain in this life, except for God being faithful to His Word. You can count on that.

13 Accept the way God does things,for who can straighten what He has made crooked?14 Enjoy prosperity while you can,but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.Remember that nothing is certain in this life. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

An Unsolvable Riddle...

Because Solomon was making all these investigations without God, the answers eluded him. Without special revelation, life remains an unsolvable riddle.

12 In the few days of our meaningless lives, who knows how our days can best be spent? Our lives are like a shadow. Who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone? Ecclesiastes 6:12

The Two Gifts of Wealth...

When it comes to wealth, there are two gifts. First is the wealth itself. And the second is the ability to enjoy it.

8 Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy. 9 Even the king milks the land for his own profit!10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth–except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver. 14 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children. 15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.16 And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing–like working for the wind. 17 Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud–frustrated, discouraged, and angry.18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. 19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life–this is indeed a gift from God. 20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past. Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

There is another serious tragedy I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity. 2 God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then He doesn’t give them the chance to enjoy these things. They die, and someone else, even a stranger, ends up enjoying their wealth! Ecclesiastes 6:1-2a

Nothing in Life is Free...

Nothing in life is free. Even freedom comes at a cost. Take for example the freedom we have here in America. It cost us many lives, from the civil war to the war to end all wars. The battles fought to preserve our right to live in this Republic cost many lives. The blood shed for our freedom came at the highest price, human life. So how are we to treat this costly freedom? With the upmost respect. Paul tells us to be careful that our freedom doesn’t cause others to stumble. If eating meat causes a fellow believer to stumble than Paul will never eat meat again (no, this is not an excuse to become a vegetarian). Freedom isn’t free, it comes at a cost. So we should treat it as though it’s the most valuable gift we have ever received. And the only way that’s possible is to be accountable to God. He’s the One Who made this freedom possible by dying on the cross to set us free. We are free from the guilt that future condemnation brings; free from the fear of judgement and death. Our responsibility to God balances out perfectly with our freedom. If Christ Jesus died for me to grant me this freedom, than I can set aside my selfishness (dying to self) and use it responsibly, knowing I’m accountable to Him. It’s the only true way we can live the Christian life. It’s the balance that comes from how we live here on earth with the notion that it affects our future living in Heaven with our Creator.

9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. 10 For if others see you–with your “superior knowledge”–eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? 11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. 12 And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. 13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live–for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble. 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

Prayer is Never Wasted....

Prayer is never wasted. There is something to be said about persistence in prayer. God isn’t deaf, your prayers do not fall on deaf ears. The key is always going to God with your concerns and celebrations. When we go to God daily, regardless of our mood or circumstances, when the tough times come (and they will come), we will already be in tune with Him and peace will continue to flow, reinforcing our faith. He will not reject our pleas.

17 He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas. 18 Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord. Psalms 102:17-18

For Everything There is a Season...

There is a time for everything. Good, bad, beautiful, and ugly. That’s life. God makes and allows things to happen for reasons, to accomplish His will. We want everything to be Rosie and perfect, and when it’s not, we complain and gripe. We tend to see God as more of a “bubble burster” than a loving, caring father. The problem lies not with God, but with us. We deny His sovereignty, yet we want to step into His role as Lord of all. We must understand this concept. Life is all about change. The sinfulness of man will always sprout its ugly head, causing us to question God’s goodness. When will we get it? When will we understand that things happen for time periods, and then no more? Everything has an expiration date. They are blessings and blessings in disguise. We have for a short while, and we are blessed. It’s taken away (we feel betrayed), but we still are blessed. When will we comprehend that we should appreciate the Giver of those gifts more than the gifts themselves? God knows what He’s doing. It’s us humans that don’t. Just because our lack of appreciation for things or people does not give us reason to blame God for allowing it it/them to be taken away. We are not God, and should stop trying to take over His role. Everything has a timeframe to it. Everything decays. What was once brand new is no longer brand new only after a few days. We need to adopt the concept of real estate. We need to “appreciate” over time. That way when the time comes to let go, we see it as a gift, enjoyed it while we could, and look forward to the next gift, our Giver has for us. There are reasons for everything, and a timeframe for everything as well. God is the only One Who knows, so our only response is to see it as a temporary gift, use it with gratitude, and trust Him in the process. He wrote the story, it’s HIStory. David knew this. He taught his son, Solomon, this. Unfortunately, Solomon lost his way. He only came back at the end of his life. I’ve always said, “life is too short, and too simple, to make it too complicated”. It’s real easy to forget what’s important, so don’t. Trust Him, and act accordingly.

1 For everything there is a season,a time for every activity under heaven.2 A time to be born and a time to die.A time to plant and a time to harvest.3 A time to kill and a time to heal.A time to tear down and a time to build up.4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.A time to grieve and a time to dance.5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.A time to embrace and a time to turn away.6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.A time to keep and a time to throw away.7 A time to tear and a time to mend.A time to be quiet and a time to speak.8 A time to love and a time to hate.A time for war and a time for peace. 9 What do people really get for all their hard work? 10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. Ecclesiastes 3:1-12

History Repeats Itself...

History repeats itself. It may take time, but human nature has a short memory. When society believes something is wrong and they do everything to remove the memory of it (like removing statues in the name of political correctness), it’s only a matter of time before the absence breeds ignorance. This eventually leads to the repetition of history. When we forget our past, it tends to repeat itself. “A society that devotes more time and resources finding ways to destroy its past rather than build for its future will have no past and no future.” History in human behavior repeats itself for reasons, God’s reasons.

14 And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear Him. 15 What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again. Ecclesiastes 3:14-15

Every Gift Has a Giver....

One of the greatest deceptions in life is thinking if you get what you want happiness follows. It doesn’t. Sure, the excitement of receiving something you want will come, but it doesn’t satisfy in the manner in which you think it will. Things don’t bring true happiness (joy that lasts). Solomon says it clearly here, “I had everything a man could desire”, yet he called it all “meaningless”. We must never forget the gifts we receive come from a Giver. Regardless who the gift comes from, it ultimately comes to you from God. We must value the Giver of all things above the gifts and blessings we receive. It’s the way we are designed. It’s our duty to keep proper perspective. It’s the only proper attitude that brings lasting joy.

1 I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. 2 So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” 3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.4 I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. 7 I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. 8 I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!9 So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. 10 Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. 11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless–like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

17 So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless–like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:17

24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him? Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

Life Under the Sun....

The book of Ecclesiastes is written from a world view that leaves God out of the picture. It’s about pursuing everything under the sun, from Wisdom to madness and folly. Solomon, having everything he ever needed, forgot about the relationship with God. He figured God provided everything for him, so it was his duty to use these provisions to learn, explore, and experiment. The problem that occurred was that when Solomon pursued these things, he lost sight of the most important thing, God. He worshipped creation and not the Creator. He started to try to please all of his pagan wives, which lead to idolatry. He gathered horses, which God told his father never to do. He indulged himself in the lap of luxury, using the things God gave him, to serve his own purposes, not God’s will. In this book, the term “under the sun” refers to a life without God’s help (or at least an attitude that doesn’t acknowledge God). The majority of this book is written from the spoiled and apathetic view of a king in his old age, writing about the disappointment that resulted from his pursuits in life that left God out, a truth still relevant today. Glorifying God is the only pursuit in life that provides lasting meaning. And we must live our lives in the opposite direction. We must pursue God Himself. Our lives must be viewed from a different perspective, one I might call “under the Son”. “You have made us, O Lord, for Yourself, and our heart will find no rest until it rests in You”. 1 These are the words of the Teacher,King David's son, who ruled in Jerusalem. Everything Is Meaningless 2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”3 What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. 6 The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. 7 Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. 8 Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.9 History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. 11 We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now. The Teacher Speaks: The Futility of Wisdom 12 I, the Teacher, was king of Israel, and I lived in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. 14 I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless–like chasing the wind. 15 What is wrong cannot be made right.What is missing cannot be recovered. 16 I said to myself, “Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them.” 17 So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind. 18 The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief.To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

God Hates Divorce....

God hates divorce. There has been no greater tragedy in the world today than when a family decides to separate. The evidence of the turmoil, confusion, and devastation divorce has on a family, is well documented. The insecurity, destruction of the ability to trust, and the acted out behaviors of its participants is clear evidence of God’s hatred towards divorce. It destroys the one institution God established to carry out His plan of redemption (sorry to break this news to you, but it’s not the government). And yet we don’t even bat an eye when we see it happen. It saddens me every time I hear about another couple being affected by it. If the world wants to thrive, it must realize what God established (the family) is to be taken seriously, as if our life depends on it. When you think about it, not only our lives depend on it, but every generation that follows will have the irreplaceable scars from our poor decision not the adhere to this truth. God hates divorce, and so should we; the evidence is crystal clear.

10 But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband. 11 But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

Better to Marry....

I know what I’m about to question is going to stir up controversy, but the question needs to be answered by those who claim to be Christ followers. Interpret the verse in 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 9 (and use God’s definition of marriage stated by Paul in verse 2 to help you). When you do, you’ll discover where your heart really is.

9 But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better to marry than to burn with lust. 1 Corinthians 7:9

1 Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to live a celibate life. 2 But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2

Nothing Else to Fear.....

When you truly fear God, there’s nothing else to fear. You’ve reached the pinnacle; everything else fails in comparison. Integrity equals fearing God more than man, being faithful to Him; living above reproach. When you do this, You are God’s companion. He will use you mightily.

5 I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.I will not endure conceit and pride. 6 I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.7 I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. 8 My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip. Psalms 101:5-8

The Great “Pride” Killer....

We live in a day and age where we are free to criticize our leaders and protectors. With that freedom, people have taken license to go above and beyond the boundaries of decency. The office of President has never been more scrutinized, bad-mouthed, and disrespected in all of our history. And law enforcement has never been more prejudiced that ever before. To think that people who risk their lives to protect and serve get stigmatized, ridiculed, hated, and verbally abused, is beyond my comprehension. Yes, there are people who abuse their powers, but they are fewer than you think and shouldn’t decide the fate of all the others. If only people could meet God, like Job did, things would be different. It would be instant humility, the only response there is; the great “PRIDE” killer. When we truly experience God, there’s no way to criticize Him. And that humility leads to respecting others as well. It sets the proper attitude for life.

Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorance? ’It is I–and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. 4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. ‘5 I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. 6 I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Job 42:1-6

We Are Only Stewards....

I think it’s funny when I hear people talk so confidently about their future or their possessions. It’s like they are in control or own what they possess. We are not in control and we do not own anything. We are stewards of God’s possessions, and temporary residents here on earth. People who have no reverence for God and who don’t know Him, think the world revolves around themselves. Look at your typical teenager for example. Do I need to do any more explaining? We are not in control. We cannot do any thing for God that demands a payback. And we do not own anything. Yet we think we can bargain with God. Its all about our attitudes toward Him. It’s quite humorous when you think about it, isn’t it? We need to start living a life that honors God and others. It’s starts by being honest and real with ourselves. We must realize Who’s in charge and align our agenda with His.

11 Who has given Me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is Mine. Job 41:11

People Can Change...

Here’s a controversial statement: people can change their behavior. With God’s help, people, through repentance, can change. People who struggle with sexual immorality, greed, drugs and alcohol, abuse, and neglect can be cleansed of the control they think it has over them. There is hope, His name is Jesus. And He’s waiting to empower you to do mighty works. You have to be willing to trust, and want to change.

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people–none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18

“I Was Wrong Once...”

“I was wrong once, but that’s when I thought I was wrong”. How many people live their entire lives allowing their pride to dictate their every move and action? When they come to the end of it, they realize the reason they are alone and fearing death is because their pride pushed away the only Thing (God) that can save them, all in the name of “being right”. I know this desire well. The older I get, the more I realize it’s better to bite your tongue to save a relationship than stand alone by being right. Yes, I stand for truth (and there are essentials I won’t compromise), but you must pick your battles. God will provide the “right” time to be “right”, but He tells us to do it with gentleness and respect. Something I’m still working on today. Don’t allow your pride to discredit God’s justice by being relentless in your pursuit of “saving face”. Pride is deceitful, Truth defends itself.

8 “Will you discredit My justice and condemn Me just to prove you are right? Job 40:8

Our Attitude Towards Sexual Sin....

Paul teaches us what kind of attitude we are to have when it comes to sexual sin. Do not tolerate it. Don’t for one second turn a blind eye to it. Confront the person. If they repent, then restore them. If they don’t, throw them out. Sometimes we even need to hand them over to Satan, to be sifted, eventually destroying his sinful nature. This seems rough and cruel, but it’s necessary. It only takes a little yeast to permeate the entire loaf of bread. And so it goes with the Church. If we truly love and care for other believers, then we will love and care for them enough to tell them the truth, and discipline accordingly. Our job isn’t to judge those outside the church who sin, but it certainly is our job to judge those inside the church who are sinning. Paul makes this very clear.

I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you–something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. 2 You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship.3 Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man 4 in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. 5 Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.6 Your boasting about this is terrible. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old “yeast” by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. 8 So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth.9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

That Small Tiny Voice....

How many of us have forgotten the importance of our conscience? How often do we “go with” what we know to be true. I’m not talking about your feelings, I’m talking about that small tiny voice inside all of us. The one that tells you “no, this isn’t a good idea”. The one that says, “I shouldn’t be doing this”. Or the one that says, “do it, it’s the right thing to do”. When we act on that voice and do what our instincts tell us, we find freedom. We find significance. We should be glad when our conscience speaks to us even if it interferes with “having a good time”, and be worried when it doesn’t.

36 Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Job 38:36

True Wisdom....

Here’s a test to see if wisdom resides in you: do you revere God? Do you give Him the proper reverence due? True wisdom places God above all things. It places the needs of others above self. It knows the difference between the spiritual and the worldly. It views everything from our Creator’s perspective. The wise understand the way we live and the way we should live differs greatly. And most importantly, we know where our joy comes from, and where our gratitude should be directed.

24 No wonder people every where fear Him. All who are wise show Him reverence.” Job 37:24

An Attention Getter...

It’s only through eyes that are trained to see spiritually that we recognize adversity as an attention getter.

5 But by means of their suffering, He rescues those who suffer. For He gets their attention through adversity. Job 36:15

It’s Not About Living By The Rules....

We always need to be careful when we talk religion. Untruth refutes itself, sometimes it just takes time. And God doesn’t need us to defend Him. He can handle that Himself. Never allow yourself to believe you have to speak for God, or defend Him. It’s only your pride rearing it’s ugly head. And we know what God thinks of pride? He opposes it. Christianity is all about our redemption and restoration of the relationship with God. It’s not about living by rules and forcing them on others. It’s not about comparing one person to another to feel better about yourself. Whenever you impose the law on another, be careful that you don’t condemn yourself. Christianity is about how a fed beggar leads another beggar where to find food. That’s real, not religious talk.

2 “Let me go on, and I will show you the truth. For I have not finished defending God!3 I will present profound arguments for the righteousness of my Creator. Job 36:2-3

Above the Animals....

With all the new definitions and redefining words and concepts going on in our Godless society, we can rest assured that truth matters and it doesn’t change. For the animal rights activists that go beyond just trying to save animals from inhumane treatment and cruelty, read this passage in Job chapter 35. God has placed human beings above the animals. We are to take care of them, for we are smarter than they are (most of us anyway). We should never put an animal above a human being. We are above animals. God made it that way. When we don’t follow this, what significance do we really have? When we don’t follow this truth, we are only acting like animals, equal in worth.

11 Where is the One who makes us smarter than the animals and wiser than the birds of the sky?’ Job 35:11

Hay, Straw, & Stubble or Gold, Silver, & Jewels....

A good thing to remember every morning when you get up is to determine what kind of work you’re going to do that day. Is it going to be made of hay, straw, and stubble work, or gold, silver, and jewels? If you focus on worldly things your work will not withstand the fire that reveals true value. If you focus on eternal things (God’s word and people), your work will survive the fiery test. Soulish ministry entertains and reaches the emotions. While spiritual ministry glorifies Jesus and reaches our conscience. So before you get out of bed today (or tomorrow if you’re already out), decide which type of work you’re going to do, and create the resolve to not allow anyone or anything to stop you from bringing it to fruition.

12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials–gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Unity, Liberty, and Charity....

I’ve heard many testimonies in my lifetime, but the ones that seem most effective are the ones where the pre-convert says, “I’ll accept Jesus if He proves Himself to me”. I think that’s the real and most effective route to take when it comes to knowing the Truth. There’s no fluff, no beating around the bush. There’s no wishful thinking. It’s when you are honest with yourself, genuine enough to accept whatever comes from it, that God shows up. He wants our whole, entire heart, not just part of it. Proof to the unbeliever is our sinful nature. Here in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 we read about the evidence of our sinful nature. It’s when we become jealous and fight with each other. It’s proof that we are guilty and need fixing. Believers that argue over minor issues, Paul calls baby Christians. We can’t allow ourselves to get caught up with these non-essentials of our faith. It’s what you might hear today as, “living Worldly”. We must stay focused and pursue God with a passion. There’s only one Church, and even though there may be many denominations, we serve one Triune God. “In essentials Unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things Charity (Love)”. That pretty much sums it up.

1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? 4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

If God Took Back His Spirit....

Think about this for a couple of minutes. Really, take it in. What’s your first thought? Gratitude? Awe? Sorrow? If God we’re to take back His Spirit and withdrawal His breath, what would you regret most? If it’s something you can fix, do it today. If it’s something you can make right, make it right. Get right with God today, it’s one regret no one would ever have second thoughts about. God is in control.

14 If God were to take back His spirit and withdraw His breath,15 all life would cease,and humanity would turn again to dust. Job 34:14-15

The Two-Sided Effects of Being Saved.....

Have you ever thought of the two-sided effects of being saved has on a believer? When we compare ourselves to Jesus, the only proper response is humility. It keeps us grounded knowing we can’t measure up on our own. It keeps us from being prideful. This helps us to serve more freely, by getting our focus off of “me”. And the other side of the relationship we have with God through Jesus, is hope. Hope that we can be good enough in God’s eyes. The second we realize we have been grafted into a right standing because of Jesus, it frees us from the shame and guilt we all know so well. Being free from the control guilt and shame can have is liberating. The Gospel is the equalizer in life. It grants us true freedom, and keeps us humble at the same time. It fulfills the requirements of the law while motivating with love. It points us to put into action the things that have no law. God knew exactly what He was doing to redeem mankind. Does this sound like something you want/have?

12 “But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being.13 So why are you bringing a charge against Him?Why say He does not respond to people’s complaints?14 For God speaks again and again,though people do not recognize it.15 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night,when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.16 He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings.17 He makes them turn from doing wrong;He keeps them from pride.18 He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death. Job 33:12-18

‘Rescue him from the grave,for I have found a ransom for his life.’25 Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s,firm and youthful again.26 When he prays to God,he will be accepted.And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing.27 He will declare to his friends,‘I sinned and twisted the truth,but it was not worth it.28 God rescued me from the grave,and now my life is filled with light.’ 29 “Yes, God does these things again and again for people.30 He rescues them from the grave. Job 33:24c-30

Why We Are Left in the Dark....

It says here in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 that we can know God and know the “wonderful things He has freely given us”. If you’re in the dark when it comes to knowing God and His will for your life, ask and you will receive. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God, and He has given us this same Spirit to know Him intimately. There are two reasons why we are left in the dark when it comes to God. First, we fail in our attempts to pursue Him by lack of effort. Or two, God holds back His knowledge from us for our own good. He is omniscient, so He knows what’s best. He knows how we will react to things and reveals thing accordingly. Sometimes that’s withholding information to protect us from others or ourselves. Or prolongs the exclusion the knowing of His will so we have more time to be ready for it when it is revealed (a maturing process). Either way we have to learn to trust God and stay close by His side. His Spirit will reveal to us what we need to know. Knowing Him is enough, and it’s our duty if we truly love Him. Don’t take this Gift for granted.

10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?Who knows enough to teach Him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16