Play The Odds….

There are times when the best thing you can do is to keep your mouth shut. Saying nothing, tends to diffuse most situations. There definitely are times to speak, but they are fewer than you think. Speaking truth, at the right time, is only learned through experience. Lots and lots of experience leads to wisdom. For every 100 people who regret saying something they shouldn’t have, there’s one that regrets not saying anything. Play the odds by controlling your tongue. It will save you more often than not.

3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. Proverbs 13:3

Live Out The “Golden Rule”…..

You’ve heard of the “Golden Rule”, treat others as you want to be treated, what exactly does it mean and where does it come from? It comes from an attitude of humility. And it means we are to remember what God did and does for us, and extend those blessings to others. Everything we own is a gift temporarily given to us from God. If it’s things, we must remember that some day they will belong to someone else. If it’s family, our roles change as we and our members age. The entire point of this is our attitude should always, and I mean always, be focused on the Giver of the gift and not the gifts themselves. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. This means when we have God as #1, the “First Great Cause”, in our heart, He will make everything treasured. We will find contentment, peace, joy, and true love and fulfillment. God first, others second, self last. We need to see ourselves as God sees us, undeserving but very much loved. When you adopt this attitude, it’s easier to live out the “Golden Rule”.

17 “True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans, and you must never accept a widow’s garment as security for her debt. 18 Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God redeemed you from your slavery. That is why I have given you this command.19 “When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do. 20 When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. 21 When you gather the grapes in your vineyard, don’t glean the vines after they are picked. Leave the remaining grapes for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. 22 Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That is why I am giving you this command. Deuteronomy 24:17-22

If God Commands, Do It….

There are many truths tucked away in this passage of scripture, Luke chapter 5. I want to emphasize two of them. First, God doesn’t ask/tell us to do something that doesn’t accomplish His objective. He will never send us somewhere for no reason. Peter realized this, and thus obediently obliged to do what He said do. The reward was unbelievable. In peter’s obedience, he was rewarded for his faith. God’s word never returns void, never. It always accomplished its purpose. Secondly, when we realize we are in the presence of God, it’s always a humbling experience. It always reveals how much greater He is to us. God’s holiness always humbled us. We can’t compare. His greatness reveals our unworthiness. The only thing that makes it bearable is His Grace. It perfectly balances out our rightful fear, with the ability to rightfully approach Him and be obedient. This “Grace” is what rescues a soul from staying in our condemned state of “prideful, contented rebellion”. Peter experienced this numerous times. It’s the reason he became such a bold, and relentless leader of the early church. His soul was refined through the purifying fire of God’s grace, turning him from being a boastful, quick to speak, prideful man, into one that humbly served God whole-heartedly. If God commands us to do something, do it. And do it with a mind-set and spirit that is grace-filled. That way, you will accomplish what you set out to do, without being controlled by the ways of the world.

1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on Him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So He sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if You say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me–I’m too much of a sinner to be around You.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:1-11

What Builds Character In A Nation…..

Do you think America, much less the world, would be better off if we applied this principle in our lives: do not ignore your responsibility? Regardless what people will admit or not, America was founded on Biblical principles. It’s these principles that made America work. They made America prosperous. They still work today, for truth does change over time, even though people do. No matter what society tries to dictate or legislate, don’t neglect your responsibility. It’s what holds the world together. And it’s what builds character in a nation, one man at a time.

1 “If you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep or goat wandering away, don’t ignore your responsibility. Take it back to its owner. 2 If its owner does not live nearby or you don’t know who the owner is, take it to your place and keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then you must return it. 3 Do the same if you find your neighbor’s donkey, clothing, or anything else your neighbor loses. Don’t ignore your responsibility.4 “If you see that your neighbor’s donkey or ox has collapsed on the road, do not look the other way. Go and help your neighbor get it back on its feet! Deuteronomy 22:1-4

Do What Is Right….

If we were to compare this passage in Deuteronomy to modern day America, how would it correlate? How many murders go unsolved? How many innocent people are killed every day in America? In this time, the Israelites of the nearest town had to break the neck of an innocent cow, in order to be absolved from the guilt of the dead body found closest to their town. Half the murders in America today go unsolved. Is there any one trying to shed the guilt of our nation because of it? What about abortion? Over 65 million babies have been murdered since 1973. Our country is divided on this “valuing life” issue. The only answer I have is one truth about God. It says it here, and throughout scripture: God hates hands that shed innocent blood. And He will not let the guilty go unpunished. Those that support it are just as guilty as those that do it. If you’re confused on this truth, maybe you need to examine your own heart. Look into why you don’t take this seriously, or even why you support the “devaluing of life”. One day each one of us will stand before God, and give an account of our life. I will only have one thing to say. With that in mind, I try my best to live those words out in my life now, working out my salvation. Thanks be to God, for rescuing me for His glory. Stand up for the innocent. Love what God loves, hates what He hates. And depend on Him daily, to empower you to “do what is right”, regardless of the cost.

1 “When you are in the land the Lord your God is giving you, someone may be found murdered in a field, and you don’t know who committed the murder. 2 In such a case, your elders and judges must measure the distance from the site of the crime to the nearby towns. 3 When the nearest town has been determined, that town’s elders must select from the herd a young cow that has never been trained or yoked to a plow. 4 They must lead it down to a valley that has not been plowed or planted and that has a stream running through it. There in the valley they must break the young cow’s neck. 5 Then the Levitical priests must step forward, for the Lord your God has chosen them to minister before Him and to pronounce blessings in the Lord’s name. They are to decide all legal and criminal cases.6 “The elders of the town must wash their hands over the young cow whose neck was broken. 7 Then they must say, ‘Our hands did not shed this person’s blood, nor did we see it happen. 8 O Lord, forgive Your people Israel whom You have redeemed. Do not charge Your people with the guilt of murdering an innocent person.’ Then they will be absolved of the guilt of this person’s blood. 9 By following these instructions, you will do what is right in the Lord’s sight and will cleanse the guilt of murder from your community. Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Feed The Monster….

I’ve always told myself, “humble yourself, so others won’t have to”. It’s always been something I adhere to. No one likes arrogance, especially coming at you full blast. Growing up playing sports, I always opposed “showboating”. I thought, “why do the people have to brag and display actions of arrogance?” “Why can’t they just let their actions do the talking for them”? As I’ve aged, I realized insecurity breeds arrogance. It’s a coping mechanism. The attention getting actions, by way of arrogant behavior, causes opposition from the recipients of these actions, which makes the person feel like they are justified or victimized. This brings comfort to the insecure soul. And thus gives them a fictitious enemy to fight against. Let’s call our opponent a name, get them stirred up, until they react in a way that opposes you, which motivates the arrogant one to rise to the cause of “how dare they treat me this way”. It’s a pride thing. Yet so many continue to do it just to feed the monster, their ego. When a man isn’t willing to look himself in the face and admit his weakness, he’s only guaranteeing himself a life of prideful behaviors that protect his pride. Arrogance is one symptom of this self-defeating behavioral pattern. Humility is its remedy.

23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness. Proverbs 12:23

Extending Grace…..

Only God would ever do this for an enemy. And since He did and still does, so should we. This principle of extending Grace has been employed by many nations when at war. Alexander the Great used this tactic, as did America in its battles, to name a few. This just shows God’s character. We should do the same. Extending Grace is only possible, because God extended it to us first.

10 “As you approach a town to attack it, you must first offer its people terms for peace. 11 If they accept your terms and open the gates to you, then all the people inside will serve you in forced labor. 12 But if they refuse to make peace and prepare to fight, you must attack the town. 13 When the Lord your God hands the town over to you, use your swords to kill every man in the town. 14 But you may keep for yourselves all the women, children, livestock, and other plunder. You may enjoy the plunder from your enemies that the Lord your God has given you. Deuteronomy 20:10-14

How To Deal With False Accusers….

How do you deal with false accusers? Hold them to the punishment they want to inflict on the recipient of their lies. That way, people will be less willing to lie because they aren’t willing to punish themselves using their own standards. It works especially great for hypocrites.

16 “If a malicious witness comes forward and accuses someone of a crime, 17 then both the accuser and accused must appear before the Lord by coming to the priests and judges in office at that time. 18 The judges must investigate the case thoroughly. If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite, 19 you must impose on the accuser the sentence he intended for the other person. In this way, you will purge such evil from among you. 20 Then the rest of the people will hear about it and be afraid to do such an evil thing. 21 You must show no pity for the guilty! Your rule should be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Deuteronomy 19:16-21

He Relied On The Truth….

The Devil works in many ways, but his two must often, most effective ways are playing on your emotions, and questioning (or raising doubts) about the truth. Each are His way of deceiving us into sin. In Luke chapter 4 we read about Satan tempting Jesus in the desert. Each time he went after Jesus in His weakness. But each time, Jesus responded with what He knew to be true. Truth, as Jesus tells us in The Gospel of John, sets us free. Free from what? The power of sin. Feelings and emotions are legitimate and real, but they often lead us away from what we know to be true. Jesus knew this, and even in His weakness, He knew what to do in times of greatest temptation. He relied on the Truth to set Him free. We should do the same. He set us free from condemnation. Now allow His power to set you free from Satan’s deceptive practices. It’s not a magical formula, rather it’s a practice we all can use to deflect the flaming arrows of deception that the devil fires our way when he wants to put an end to God getting the glory He rightfully deserves. When temptation comes, recognize it, and respond like Jesus did. Go with what you know to be true. Your feelings may deceive you, but The Truth will never let you down. Ask God to protect you from the evil one. Besides fleeing, it’s the only way I know how to resist temptation.

1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where He was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.3 Then the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”5 Then the devil took Him up and revealed to Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I will give You the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to You if You will worship me.”8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your Godand serve only Him.’” 9 Then the devil took Him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If You are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order His angels to protect and guard you.11 And they will hold you up with their handsso you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left Him until the next opportunity came. Luke 4:1-13

What Goes Through The Mind….

If you ever wonder what goes through the mind of those that plot evil, the answer is simple: Deception. You think, how could a person do this or that? What were they thinking? Abby Johnson, a former director of planned parenthood, stated just that. She said she would assist and promote abortions 6 days a week, then sit in a pew at church on Sunday. She rationalized in her mind that she was “helping women” by providing a solution to their problem. She was, in her mind, rescuing these women from possible death from the so-called “back alley abortions”. She believed all the lies that PP trained her to believe. She was lying to all the women who came through her clinic. It all changed the day she assisted an ultrasound abortion. The deceit and deception brought on by sinful behavior was washed away the second she witnessed a baby being torn apart and sucked out of its mother’s womb. She saw how this 13-week old, fully formed, functioning baby squirmed as if it was looking for a place to run, in order to escape the brutal device’s purpose of taking its life. She left the clinic, and started an organization to actually help women by telling them the truth. This example just goes to show us how true this proverb is. Sin breeds deception, it blinds us to the truth. When we give into it, we will always try to justify our actions. Only making things much worse. The opposite is true for those who plan peace. Joy fills the heart of those that speak truth in love. It’s your choice. Deceit or joy? I know which I will choose. Do you?

20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace! 21 No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22 The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth. Proverbs 12:20-22

Not Better, Just Better Off….

The one thing that believers possess that the world cannot give is HOPE. Knowing God has my back, as well as my future creates a mindset and attitude that cannot be matched. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and who live it out by faith, have a “wonderful future”. For those that love peace, have a Spirit within them that saves them. For those that oppose God, who are rebellious to Him, and want to destroy all that is good and right, they have no future. That’s why they do what they do. They live in the “now”; knowing there is no hope, and no reward for what they do. Our God, the One we serve, rescues us in times of need. He helps us. He protects us from the wicked. He saves us, for He is our Shelter. Our hope in Him is a blessing that keeps us going. So never forget this. Our hope for our future is what sets us apart from the rest of the world. It doesn’t make us better, just better off.

37 Look at those who are honest and good,for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.38 But the rebellious will be destroyed;they have no future. 39 The Lord rescues the godly;He is their fortress in times of trouble.40 The Lord helps them,rescuing them from the wicked.He saves them,and they find shelter in Him. Psalms 37:37-40

Time Is The Determining Factor….

How do you know if a person is speaking God’s truth? According to scripture, time. In time the prophecy will come true. If what they said is from the Lord, it will happen. If it’s not from God, it won’t happen. Time is the determining factor when it comes to prophecy. Do you remember the Y2K scare back at the turn of the century? So many Christian leaders were supporting it. You probably stayed up that night, staring at your computer rather than celebrating the New Year. It never happened. All those supporters were wrong. And any of them that said they got their stance from God, are false prophets. They aren’t someone I would listen to for advice. The true test of a person who tells you their message came straight from God is time. As my dad always says, “like a cigarette, time will tell”. The discernment we all need when it comes to God’s word comes from being in His Word daily. If you’re not, you’re making yourself vulnerable to these false prophets.

15 Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you yourselves requested of the Lord your God when you were assembled at Mount Sinai. You said, ‘Don’t let us hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore or see this blazing fire, for we will die.’17 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘What they have said is right. 18 I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him. 19 I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on My behalf. 20 But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in My name or who speaks in the name of another god must die.’21 “But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’ 22 If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without My authority and need not be feared. Deuteronomy 18:15-22

We Can’t Give What We Don’t Possess…..

Reading God’s word has its place in our lives. Setting aside the fact that it’s spiritual food to nourish our souls, it’s a daily practice. Why? Here in Deuteronomy 17 we get a small glimpse into the “why” when we read the guidelines for a king. The king was to copy onto a scroll the body of instruction. He was to keep a copy with him. He was to read it every day. It’s purpose was to “prevent him from becoming proud”, and to obstruct him from acting “above his fellow citizens”. And to “prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way”. As long as he obeyed God’s commands, his descendants would reign for generations in Israel. I think this same principle applies to us when it comes to reading our Bible. Humility, love, and obedience all start with a daily dose of God’s word. Reading scripture on a daily basis is for our good. It pleases God, while giving us a clear perspective on His purposes for us. It sets our spiritual thermostat, inviting in the Holy Spirit, making room for His guidance and empowerment. It helps turn our focus onto the things that really matter. Get into the word daily, and the word will get into you. It’s that important. You can’t give what you don’t possess.

18 “When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19 He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. 20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel. Deuteronomy 17:18-20

There’s A Reason Not To Play God…..

There’s a reason why we are not to “play God”. The penalty in the OT was death. Whenever an extreme case came about, the Israelites were supposed to bring it before the levitical priests or judge on duty. They would bring it before the Lord, and thus render a judgement. This judgement must be carried out. If anyone interferes or altered this judgement, they were ordered to be put to death. The reason was to “purge the evil” from Israel. This was for all to hear, and thus be afraid to act arrogantly. It was never meant for us to “be God”, step into His role. It’s His place, not ours. Any time we see the need to “play God”, we need to only remember that type of behavior was worthy of death in the OT, and put a stop to it. Humility is accepting our roles here on earth. It’s letting God be God. Arrogance runs right along side pride, for we know where pride resides in God’s agenda for us. God’s order is our order. And until we accept this, arrogance will always be a temptation to rear its ugly head.

11 After they have interpreted the law and declared their verdict, the sentence they impose must be fully executed; do not modify it in any way. 12 Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the Lord your God must die. In this way you will purge the evil from Israel. 13 Then everyone else will hear about it and be afraid to act so arrogantly. Deuteronomy 17:11-13

When Your Actions Back Up Your Words….

If there’s one thing I know in life, it’s this: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. You can talk all day long, make promises every day, and say things to edify, but if your actions don’t back up your speech, your words mean nothing. Yes, words can hurt, and words can heal, but they will do more than confuse if they don’t match up with your behavior. Actions are proof your words are true. It’s like saying, “trust me”, when your actions back up your words. Truth will always be known. It may take time, to come to fruition among people, but it will be revealed. God knows everyone’s heart. He knows what’s on the inside. When you humble yourself, and obey His commands, living out your faith comes more naturally, than if you pretend to be someone you’re not. As the saying goes, “you can fool all people some of the time, and some people all the time, but you can’t fool all people all the time.” And you definitely can’t fool God at all. So the next time you hear your grandmother say, “if you don’t have something nice to say then don’t say anything at all”, remember, it’s even more important to speak with your actions than use words at all.

7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Luke 3:7-8

To Keep It Going, You Have To Feed It…..

The thing about lying is that in order for it to keep your secret, you have to feed it. While it continues to grow, you have to continue to be creative and come up with more elaborate details. The lying never stops. And no matter how hard you try to keep it going, there’s no guarantee it will last, so the stress and anxiety continues to grow right along side it. Eventually, the facade you’ve been building will be exposed. It’s not until you decide you’ve had enough, or God decides to expose you, that the detrimental effects on all who are involved will stop (usually by then it’s too late to salvage any relationship). The sad part is, it’s not until then that you have to face the reality of all the damage that was done. And it’s not only your pain that you have to deal with, you’ll have to deal with a lifetime of restoration of others pain as well. When you tell the truth, you never have to worry about what you said. Yes, telling the truth may be painful, but it will save you a lifetime of regret, hurt feelings, and fractured relationships in the long run.

19 Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Proverbs 12:19

God Honors Those That….

Here’s one more verse proclaiming God’s truth: He honors those that honor Him.

34 Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along His path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed. Psalms 37:34

Never Compromise With Justice….

Never compromise with justice. Don’t allow money, prestige, or any sort of gain blind you into participating in corrupt behavior. Bribes (which stimulates greed) tends to do just that; blinds you or deceives you from doing what is right. Take my word for it, what the Bible says about bribes and justice, is true. Bribes will corrupt all who do not take them seriously, not literally.

19 You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly. 20 Let true justice prevail, so you may live and occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 16:19-20

Blessings Shared Are Double Blessings…..

As I read Deuteronomy chapter 15 and 16, I came across a section on releasing slaves/servants. Every 7 years the Israelites were to release from duty or obligation all fellow Hebrews who were placed into servanthood. The part I want to emphasize is where God tells them to be generous. Not only are they to release the servant from his duties, but they were also to give them a generous parting gift. They were to share “some of the bounty” that God blessed them with, because it reminded them that they themselves were once slaves in Egypt, where God redeemed them. Isn’t it fascinating and humbling to know that whatever fortune or blessing that comes our way, we are to share it with others? It’s God’s way of reminding us that it’s because of Him, that this bounty came our way. When you look at successful people and businesses that practice this principle, you can’t help but see the reason of their success is their humility, reverence for God, and obedience to His Word. When we understand God’s sovereignty, and His role in our lives, we begin to see the “real importance” of what matters most to Him, so we begin to hold on loosely to the transient things of this world. It’s easy to let things go and share in our bounty, when we see our true treasure is God Himself. It all belongs to Him anyway. Why try to hold on to transient things? Share them with others and experience the joy you get in their joy, gratitude, and needs being met. It God’s gift to the one who shares His bounty. Blessings shared are double blessings.

13 “When you release a male servant, do not send him away empty-handed. 14 Give him a generous farewell gift from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Share with him some of the bounty with which the Lord your God has blessed you. 15 Remember that you were once slaves in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you! That is why I am giving you this command. Deuteronomy 15:13-15

15 For seven days you must celebrate this festival to honor the Lord your God at the place He chooses, for it is He who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work. This festival will be a time of great joy for all. Deuteronomy 16:15

17 All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 16:17

When Jesus’ Name Is Mentioned…..

Here’s something you probably never thought of before: when Jesus’ name is mentioned, people react in different ways. Some will rejoice, knowing what He did for them. Some will oppose, knowing that He will be the One that condemns them. And some will be indifferent, not caring at all, which reveals they stand with the opposers. One thing is true about the name of Jesus, when it is mentioned, it will stir the hearts of people revealing more about the condition of their hearts, and unveiling which side of the cross they stand on. There’s no neutrality when it comes to Jesus. You are either with/for Him, or you’re against Him. Never assume when you talk about Jesus it will be welcomed, people won’t have the same reaction that you do. Every time you mention His name, there will be joy or opposition. Don’t ever expect any thing else. Be prepared for every conversation you have in which Jesus is the topic. God will give you the words to say (when you ask), just prepare yourself for the response.

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but He will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Luke 2:33-35

The Problem With “I’m Right”…..

The problems the world experiences can be stemmed from the simplest explanation: man thinks his own way is right. This is the root of our sinful nature. “I’m right”, is the core of our problems. Because we think “we are right”, we feel justified in defending ourselves. Because “we are right”, we don’t have to apologize on our part of the problem. Because “I’m right”, I don’t need to listen to wise counsel. Because “I am right”, we don’t need God. This is simply ludicrous. “Being right” doesn’t mean you are self-sufficient. It doesn’t mean you are on top. It doesn’t mean you need to stop listening to wise counsel. Knowing we are sinners, tells us that we will “never arrive”. Our excrement stinks just as bad as the person next door. The second you adopt this “I’m right attitude”, you need to “nip it in the bud”, because if you don’t, a large dose of humility is coming your way. And when it does, Someone Else “is right” in administering it to you. God’s love will not allow pride, “I’m right”, to linger long, for He knows it’s detrimental effects.

15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. Proverbs 12:15

Never Alone….

Within 3 verses the Psalmist mentions two times that God never abandons His chosen ones. David was known as a “man after God’s own heart”; he must’ve known something about God that made him state this truth twice in a few short verses. He knew God. He experienced His rescue on more than one occasion. He knew what it was like to be desperate, needy, and all alone. Yet God never abandoned Him. Every time God showed up. Every time God delivered on His promises. Every time. The comfort and security this truth brings me, is a strong encouragement to keep moving forward, not allowing myself to stagnate in the realms of my own self-pity. Not to accept mediocre, when extraordinary is right at my fingertips. God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6), and Jesus promised to always be with us, to the ends of the earth. Start living with this truth in mind today, and ask God to wipe away the fears and doubts you may have. Press on, fighting the good fight, knowing you will never be abandoned. Now that’s real security that brings hope.

23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. 26 The godly always give generous loans to others,and their children are a blessing. 27 Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever.28 For the Lord loves justice, and He will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. Psalms 37:23-28

Never Worry About What You Said….

When you tell the truth, you never have to worry about what you said. When investigators question suspects in crime scenes they ask the same questions, but they mix up the order. They will ask chronologically, reverse chronological order, then they will ask in a mixed up, random order. Why? Because liars have to always think, and make sure their lying flows in proper order. With any slip up, guilt follows. When people tell the truth, it doesn’t matter which order it goes in, no thinking, no anxiety of trying not to “screw up”, nothing. Simply restating facts is easy. The truth has a way of setting us free from the accusations of guilt. Criminals have to always be on their toes, to keep the lies going. Never forget this truth.

13 The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble. Proverbs 12:13

You Can Count On God….

If I didn’t believe this truth about God, my faith would not sustain me. If I hadn’t seen this with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. You can count on God to provide. It may not be what you want, but it will surely be what you need. And it will sustain you, even in your greatest time of need.

18 Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.19 They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. Psalms 37:18-19

Failure To Teach Our Children….

If there’s one thing I think more and more parents are failing at in this world, it’s failing to teach their children about God. Both teaching them about God, and living out their faith in God (showing the physical evidence of it), are the two required ingredients that children need more so than any other influence. I’ll be the first to admit I have failed at this at times. Truly loving your children means loving God enough to reveal the Source of your love for them. Those that have experienced God, must pass it on to the next generation. If we fail to do so, it’s only because we are too focused on our own selfish desires. Everyone suffers when believers fail to pass this knowledge and experience on to the next generation. It’s our duty, don’t neglect it. Don’t make excuses, just do it. It doesn’t have to be a 3 part dissertation. Talk about Him when you’re in the car, at the table, outside working in the yard, putting them to bed, watching the news, or any time relevant. Stop neglecting your own personal time with the Lord, and this duty will not seem like such a duty anymore. If you love God, it will show in all you do, and this task will become part of your daily living. And your children will love you for it.

1 “You must love the Lord your God and obey all His requirements, decrees, regulations, and commands. 2 Keep in mind that I am not talking now to your children, who have never experienced the discipline of the Lord your God or seen His greatness and His strong hand and powerful arm. 3 They didn’t see the miraculous signs and wonders He performed in Egypt against Pharaoh and all his land. 4 They didn’t see what the Lord did to the armies of Egypt and to their horses and chariots–how He drowned them in the Red Sea as they were chasing you. He destroyed them, and they have not recovered to this very day!5 “Your children didn’t see how the Lord cared for you in the wilderness until you arrived here. 6 They didn’t see what He did to Dathan and Abiram (the sons of Eliab, a descendant of Reuben) when the earth opened its mouth in the Israelite camp and swallowed them, along with their households and tents and every living thing that belonged to them. 7 But you have seen the Lord perform all these mighty deeds with your own eyes! Deuteronomy 11:1-7

Denying God, Denies Peace….

People deny God, resist Bible believing followers, fight against those who stand for truth, all for what? These people want peace, they want equality, they want to feel significant, they want to be loved, yet they deny the very One Who grants all these needs. Zachariah, John the Baptist’s Father, was praising God at his son’s birth, and he states some profound truth: in order to find salvation, and be forgiven of our sins, being made available through God’s mercy, having the morning light break upon us, shedding light to those who sit in darkness, being able to find peace in the shadow of death; Jesus came into the world to save us. Never allow yourself to question to the point of acting on your doubt, what Jesus did for us on the cross. He is our only hope, and only remedy for our sin problem. Denying Him, only guarantees us no hope, no equality, no significance, no love, and no peace. For it is not until we recognize this truth and act on it, that life is truly lived. Anything else is just deception, like chasing the wind.

76 “And you, my little son,will be called the prophet of the Most High,because you will prepare the way for the Lord.77 You will tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.78 Because of God’s tender mercy,the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,and to guide us to the path of peace.” 80 John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel. Luke 1:76-80

Differ Greatly….

God’s ways and the world’s ways differ greatly. Which side are you on?

12 The wicked plot against the godly;they snarl at them in defiance.13 But the Lord just laughs,for He sees their day of judgment coming. 14 The wicked draw their swordsand string their bowsto kill the poor and the oppressed,to slaughter those who do right.15 But their swords will stab their own hearts,and their bows will be broken. 16 It is better to be godly and have littlethan to be evil and rich.17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,but the Lord takes care of the godly. Psalms 37:12-17

Our Loyalty to God….

The only thing God requires or wants from us is the only thing we truly can give: our loyalty. The way we demonstrate it is through our actions; it’s called obedience. What we think we possess really isn’t the issue, it’s what God blesses us with and what we do with it that matters. God gives us His love, we are to love others with it. God gives us possessions, we are to be grateful and use them to our own benefit as well as benefiting others. God blesses us with influential roles (work, family, etc...) we are to use them to instill His truth in others. You see our loyalty to God is what determines everything. It focuses our attitudes on doing what we are created to do. When our loyalty to God leads to obedience to His commands (to love and glorify Him), He is pleased. There’s no greater joy than knowing you are pleasing God. It starts with our loyalty, devoting it to the Only One truly worthy of it. It’s for our own good.

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.14 “Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God. 15 Yet the Lord chose your ancestors as the objects of His love. And He chose you, their descendants, above all other nations, as is evident today. 16 Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn.17 “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. 18 He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. 19 So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. 20 You must fear the Lord your God and worship Him and cling to Him. Your oaths must be in His name alone. 21 He alone is your God, the only One who is worthy of your praise, the One who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes. 22 When your ancestors went down into Egypt, there were only seventy of them. But now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky! Deuteronomy 10:12-22

Special Possession….

If land, cars, money, and other possessions were what God wanted us to have in order for us to be “fulfilled”, then why didn’t He give the Levite’s any of these? Because (as He told them) He, Himself, is their “Special Possession”. What more can be said about that? If God is enough, shouldn’t we pursue knowing Him more?

9 That is why the Levites have no share of property or possession of land among the other Israelite tribes. The Lord Himself is their special possession, as the Lord your God told them. Deuteronomy 10:9

Helps Us Keep “The Main Thing, The Main Thing”…..

Never underestimate the power of prayer. We are not special enough for God to change His plan based on one man’s prayer, there’s no guarantee, but God does listen to our prayers. He responds. Moses’ prayer saved his brother Aaron’s life. And it saved a lot more lives than that. Prayer is the only thing we really have that makes a difference. It’s our change agent with ourselves. Prayer is more about us than for us. And when God answers it, it the most powerful thing we can ever do. Knowing God is in control, and we are not, helps us stay focused on what’s important; it helps us keep “the main thing” the “main thing”. Some people may not see life this way, but for those that do, prayer is the best potential we possess. And that potential is limitless. Prayer may not seem that important, that’s pride tempting you, but when you really think about it, it’s tapping into the most powerful Source in all existence. What we may think as a last resort, turns out to be our only resort. And it’s the most powerful thing we can ever do. Start today. Start addressing God with reverence. Tap into this power, and watch it transform your faith.

19 I feared that the furious anger of the Lord, which turned Him against you, would drive Him to destroy you. But again He listened to me. 20 The Lord was so angry with Aaron that He wanted to destroy him, too. But I prayed for Aaron, and the Lord spared him. Deuteronomy 9:19-20

25 “That is why I threw myself down before the Lord for forty days and nights–for the Lord said He would destroy you. 26 I prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Sovereign Lord, do not destroy them. They are Your own people. They are Your special possession, whom You redeemed from Egypt by Your mighty power and Your strong hand. 27 Please overlook the stubbornness and the awful sin of these people, and remember instead Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 28 If You destroy these people, the Egyptians will say, “The Israelites died because the Lord wasn’t able to bring them to the land He had promised to give them.” Or they might say, “He destroyed them because He hated them; He deliberately took them into the wilderness to slaughter them.” 29 But they are Your people and Your special possession, whom You brought out of Egypt by Your great strength and powerful arm.’ Deuteronomy 9:25-29