Confidence In My Sword….

Regardless of what people say about man’s problems in society, it’s his right relationship with God that gives him victory. Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. Men don’t win wars, God does that for them. When a man puts confidence in his weapons, or technology, or experience, or intellect, he will eventually find himself questioning the outcome. God is sovereign, He’s in control, not us. It’s not until we realize and acknowledge this simple truth, that it becomes easier to live life, not trying to find our own path. We still question the “why” and the “how did this happen”, but we do it from an understanding of Who it is that’s in charge. This changes everything, and makes accepting the workings of our lives easier to deal with. Being right with God, accepting His lordship over your life, and believing He has our “best” at heart, are what make living the Christian life worthy. Put your confidence in God’s abilities, and you’ll see your interest in your own abilities become less important to your emotional state.

I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me.7 You are the One who gives us victory over our enemies; You disgrace those who hate us. 8 O God, we give glory to You all day long and constantly praise Your name. Psalms 44:6-8a

To See Spiritually…

Hidden blessings are everywhere. Believers even miss them. One of the greatest blessing God Grant’s to faith-filled individuals is the ability to see spiritually. It’s one of the most taken-for-granted gifts God gives. Oh, to see spiritually, to recognize this invaluable blessing. It’s what sets a believer apart from the rest of the world. Thank God today, for this indescribable gift.

21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and He said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank You for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased You to do it this way.22 “My Father has entrusted everything to Me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”23 Then when they were alone, He turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” Luke 10:21-24

True Love And Discipline….

I can’t emphasize this enough, “without discipline, children will grow up thinking the universe is centered around them”. They will think the world owes them something. Yes, there are adults who have this attitude that we’re disciplined as a child, but they are the exception, not the rule. If parents love their children, they love them enough to teach them truth, and discipline them when they deserve it. We live in a time where entitlement, self-centeredness, and the lack of respect for authority rules the land. I would say it’s major cause is parents lack of love for their children. You have forgotten God, and lost the ability to truly love, when you fail to see the association between true love and discipline. As the joke goes, “what do you get from a pampered cow?” Spoiled milk. If you love your children, with the kind of love that the Bible describes, and only comes from God Himself, then you’ll muster up the courage to show your children your deep concern for them by disciplining then when the time calls for it. If God disciplines us, and we know how much He loves us, then we should never leave discipline out of our parenting bag of skills.

24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24

Humility Is Necessary In Serving….

God is always reminding us to be humble. Humility is necessary in serving God, that’s why the Bible tells us He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Whenever you find yourself stepping over the line of Pride, bake yourself a humble pie. If you don’t, you might find yourself being force fed by someone else; and their pies are much harder to swallow. Gratitude is the result of humbling yourself when seasons of pride usher themselves in.

3 They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was Your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from Your face that helped them, for You loved them. Psalms 44:3

God Is The Center Of Our Decision-Making Process….

I wonder how often believers get caught up in their daily lives and end up making major decisions without consulting with God on the issue. I will admit, I’m guilty of this. I get caught up in the moment and find myself rationalizing or telling myself, “this is not important to God, don’t bother Him”. Then, of course, when it doesn’t work out or backfires, the only person I can blame is myself. This is exactly what happened to Joshua and the Israelites in Joshua chapter 9. The Gibeonites feared the Israelites God, so they concocted this elaborate story to deceive Israel into making a vow not to destroy them. It worked. It worked because Joshua and His people didn’t consult the Lord before making this lifetime committing decision. They were supposed to destroy all the people in the “Promised Land”. And they are still paying the price for it today. The moral to the story is never forget God, and don’t leave Him out of your decision-making process, no matter how small or insignificant you “think” it may be, for God is the center of our decision-making process. Leaving Him out, only guarantees future disappointment.

14 So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. 15 Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath.16 Three days after making the treaty, they learned that these people actually lived nearby! 17 The Israelites set out at once to investigate and reached their towns in three days. The names of these towns were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18 But the Israelites did not attack the towns, for the Israelite leaders had made a vow to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.The people of Israel grumbled against their leaders because of the treaty. 19 But the leaders replied, “Since we have sworn an oath in the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel, we cannot touch them. 20 This is what we must do. We must let them live, for divine anger would come upon us if we broke our oath. 21 Let them live.” So they made them woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community, as the Israelite leaders directed.22 Joshua called together the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you lie to us? Why did you say that you live in a distant land when you live right here among us? 23 May you be cursed! From now on you will always be servants who cut wood and carry water for the house of my God.” Joshua 9:14-23

Taking Our Eyes Off the Road….

It’s impossible to effectively drive while looking in your review mirror. You’ll miss a turn and get lost. The best way to drive is with both hands on the wheel, staring with both eyes ahead on the road. Any other way will not work. Living in the past and comparing yourself with others will only complicate and distract you. Taking your eyes off the road (Jesus), will only guarantee a bumpy ride; one that may get you stuck in a ditch, forever. You can’t plow straight lines, while looking backwards. And neither can you walk straight on the righteous road, while taking your eyes off Jesus. It’s just not possible. Keep your eyes on the prize, and you’ll be rewarded with a strong resolve.

62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

The Source Of All Our Joy….

When you allow God to guide you, whole-heartedly, He becomes the Source of all our joy. The safest most secure place you can ever be, isn’t in a building; It’s within God’s will. Nothing can stop you, when you are being obedient to God.

1 Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people.Rescue me from these unjust liars.2 For You are God, my only safe haven.Why have You tossed me aside?Why must I wander around in grief,oppressed by my enemies?3 Send out Your light and Your truth;let them guide me.Let them lead me to Your holy mountain,to the place where You live.4 There I will go to the altar of God,to God–the source of all my joy.I will praise You with my harp,O God, my God! 5 Why am I discouraged?Why is my heart so sad?I will put my hope in God!I will praise Him again–my Savior and my God! Psalms 43:1-5

At What Cost….

At what cost are you willing to sacrifice to gain fame, possessions, wealth, friendship, or anything else upon this earth? The decisions you make, the people you choose to associate with, the methods you choose to attain whatever it is you’re wanting, will directly affect every aspect of your life. If you’re wondering why you feel the way you feel, or are in the situation you’re in, maybe you need to examine the motives of your heart, for they determine your attitude and condition in which you find yourself. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true,but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. 20 Walk with the wise and become wise;associate with fools and get in trouble. 21 Trouble chases sinners,while blessings reward the righteous. Proverbs 13:19-21

Love Is A Choice….

God’s love for humanity is so great. It’s so great we often confuse its depth trying to grasp it with our finite minds. The best way to understand is to keep it simple. Love is a choice; you either choose to love or choose not to love. Either way those that truly love give the recipient of their love the choice to love them back. God does this for us all. If you read the “love chapter”, 1Cor 13, you’ll discover one of the attributes of love is that it doesn’t demand its own way. Think about that for a second. Love is selfless, not selfish. If I asked you what the opposite of love was, you’d probably say hate. Wrong!!! The opposite of love is selfishness. That is why true love doesn’t demand its own way, that would be the opposite of love. So what do you do when love isn’t reciprocated back to you. You hurt inside. But you trust God in that the relationship you think is best really isn’t. When it comes to God, He always gives us a choice. You can choose to serve Him and live a life centered around His ways. Or you can choose not to follow Him, and be centered around your own ways. He gives that choice to everyone. But your choice has consequences. Here in Luke chapter 9, Jesus sends out the twelve disciples in order to tell the towns about the Kingdom of God. If the towns welcomed them, they would stay and share the “Good News” with them. If they weren’t welcomed, they would shake the dust off their sandals as a sign, that they rejected God’s love for them and were left to their own demise. This situation hasn’t changed, it’s still true to this day. Whenever you speak truth into someone’s life and they are receptive, they will benefit greatly. But when you speak truth and it is rejected, you should respectfully move on. There’s no sense in trying to show valuable pearls to pigs, they just won’t get it. Love is a choice. And God gives all of us that choice. So today, choose Whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

1 One day Jesus called together His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. 2 Then He sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 “Take nothing for your journey,” He instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.4 Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town.5 And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”6 So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick. Luke 9:1-6

Pass It On….

Why is it important to remember what God has done for us and all those around us? So that the next generation doesn’t forget Who’s in charge, and Who we are all accountable to. If we don’t tell and teach our children to revere God, our society will implode. And we will be responsible for it. We can blame all the ills of society on this or that, but when we’re done pointing the finger, it’s the fact that we, the Church, are not fulfilling our responsibilities to pass on our knowledge of God and what He’s done for us to our children and the younger generation. Never forget what God has done for you, and make it your priority in life to pass it on.

6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:6-7

21 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and He kept it dry until you were all across, just as He did at the Red Sea when He dried it up until we had all crossed over. 24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” Joshua 4:21-24

Decipher One Touch….

Every Word of God brings life. His Word is alive and active. Every time I read it it brings life to my soul. Here in Luke chapter 8, we read about Jesus healing a woman by simply touching His robe, and Jesus bringing back to life a dead little girl. The simple point I want to make is for those who say Jesus was just a man. Not only did He restore life to a little girl (not through resuscitation), but He knew one soul needing healing and received it through a simple touch of His robe. How could a mere man decipher one touch from the hundreds of people crowded around Him, bumping and rubbing up against Him in the chaos of the crowds trying to get to Him. Try it some time. Go in a large crowd, maybe at a rock concert. In a ten minute span, see if you can decipher out one person’s touch from the rest. See what I mean. Jesus was more than mere human, He was divine. The woman’s touch was immediate healing to her problem, and to Jesus, it was a need He needed to address. He did, and we see through this event, His concern for us takes precedence over being popular, or any other worldly calling. Jesus is God. And if He is, what’s our only response to His call?

As Jesus went with him, He was surrounded by the crowds. 43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of His robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.45 “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked.Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against You.”46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched Me, for I felt healing power go out from Me.” 47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of Him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched Him and that she had been immediately healed. 48 “Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:42c-48

Motivation Behind Our Prayers….

Have you ever noticed how when David asks God to preserve his life from his enemies, his motivation isn’t selfish? Notice how he emphasizes God’s glory for the reason. True humility. Even in desperate times, David’s humility is displayed. Think about your motivation behind your prayers. Is it filled with God’s priorities, or full of selfish requests? I know mine aren’t always humble prayers. I know I need to get off the self-centered, me focus bus, and truly focus on God’s will for my life. When I do, I realize life is not all about me. David was a king; his life and the decisions he made affected more than just him. His humility helped him. And it can help us too. Focus on God. Focus on His will in your prayers. It will help us to be less selfish, and more willing to listen to Him, and help others as well. David’s prayers are great examples of this type of mindset. He wasn’t perfect, but is one to help us see through our self-centeredness. God did call him a man after his own heart. Maybe that’s the secret ingredient to the Christian life, seeking God’s glory (His will) over our own.

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me,for my depression deepens.Don’t turn away from me,or I will die.8 Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning,for I am trusting You.Show me where to walk,for I give myself to You.9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;I run to You to hide me.10 Teach me to do Your will,for You are my God.May Your gracious Spirit lead me forwardon a firm footing.11 For the glory of Your name, O Lord, preserve my life.Because of Your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. 12 In Your unfailing love, silence all my enemiesand destroy all my foes,for I am Your servant. Psalms 143:7-12

Don’t Be Afraid…..

Here’s a thought that probably has never crossed your mind: people don’t want anything to do with Jesus, because they fear Him. This fear can range from actual fear of His presence to fear of having to change the way they live. It’s the proper response we all have towards God. The only difference between a believer and the unbeliever is the believer has heard the voice from his Master, “don’t be afraid”. Those that have a relationship with God have heard His voice, and thus know He is the One that loves them. So the next time you see a person act out in rebellion towards Jesus, remember, you can introduce them to the Truth, the One that says, “Don’t be afraid”.

37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them.So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. Luke 8:37

Debit Or Credit…..

When I think about God and His salvation plan, I always wondered about people in the OT, how they could be saved. Reading through the NT I figured out that they were saved “on credit”. When Jesus died on the cross, He opened up the gates of Heaven for all who believed, believe, and will believe. In other words He saved those in the past by credit, what God was going to do in the future. He saved all who were still alive and would be born by debit, what He already did. Here in Psalm 41 we get a glimpse of David’s knowledge of this in verse 12. David says, “You have brought me into Your presence forever”. How could he have known this? Walking with God brings blessings beyond most people’s comprehension. And it’s only revealed to those that truly pursue God. David had this, and so can you and me, if we pursue God with all of our hearts. It’s why God tells us it the greatest of His commandments. Everything hinges up it.

12 You have preserved my life because I am innocent; You have brought me into Your presence forever. Psalms 41:12

Rahab’s Heart….

In the lineage of Jesus mentioned in the gospels, there are 5 women mentioned: Tamar, Rehab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Of the five women, Rehab was an enemy of the Israelites. She was a prostitute. All these women had tainted pasts, but Rehab had an understanding of God unlike all the rest. She knew about Him, and feared Him reverently. Her fear of Him caused her to hide the spies, and lie about their whereabouts. Her sincerity, that came from a heart willing to acknowledge God, made her do right in a time where she could’ve continued to do wrong. It eventually saved her and her family. Does God care about our behavior? Yes. But He knows our weaknesses and our fallibilities. He’s more concerned about the condition of our hearts, that honesty that resides inside our souls that when push comes to shove, rises up and embraces truth at all costs. Rehab had this quality, and it it this quality that God desires in all of us. This quality gives us the ability to act on what we know to be true. It’s what God looks for when He extends His grace to us through the work of Christ on the cross. Our view of God matters. It matters more than our view of ourselves. For its not until we can properly view God in the truth, that we come to know ourselves. Rehab’s past did not affect her future. It just goes to show us that man’s problems are not material, they are spiritual. And God can rescue man from his spiritual problem in a heartbeat, because sin and disobedience is a heart problem. No matter what your past looks like, you’re never out of reach from God’s redemptive hand. Rehab’s story is a great reminder of this. Proof of her significance can be found in Matthew chapter one; she’s mentioned in the lineage of Jesus. It’s all about our honest response to God and His truth, and it starts with the heart; the part of us God is concerned with the most. Our attitudes matter, ask God to refocus yours today.

8 Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. 9 “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. 10 For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. 11 No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.12 “Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that 13 when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.”14 “We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety,” the men agreed. “If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the Lord gives us the land.”15 Then, since Rahab’s house was built into the town wall, she let them down by a rope through the window. 16 “Escape to the hill country,” she told them. “Hide there for three days from the men searching for you. Then, when they have returned, you can go on your way.” Joshua 2:8-16

More Given And Taken Away….

Here’s a principle that has been forgotten by most. For those that pursue God, they will be given more understanding, and for those that abandon God, what little understanding they have will be taken away. When we truly worship God, He reveals more of Himself to us, because He sees how much we want to know Him. For those that deny Him, He makes sure that they are not exposed to experiences that might make them question His existence (for this would be even more condemning to them). So the next time you see some “wacky politician” wanting to pass a bizarre bill that totally lacks common sense, or some heinous crime committed, remember, those people are denying God, so their understanding has been taken away. You can never get too much of God. That’s why we are to constantly pursue Him on a daily basis. Once we know Him, we tell others, because He makes that much difference in our lives.

16 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.17 For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” Luke 8:16-18

Life To Our Souls….

When I read this proverb I can see the deeper meaning of our salvation. Salvation is rescuing lost souls back to God. Yes, it’s “Hell insurance”, but it’s so much more than that. Solomon, deemed the “wisest man to ever live”, gave us many truths, even though he didn’t always adhere to them. His behavior didn’t lesson the meaning or value of these truths. Once we experience salvation by repenting and trusting in Jesus, we must still pursue God. It isn’t a “one and done” kind of thing. Once “saved” we are to “work out our salvation”, as Paul puts it. In that process of spiritual maturity, we drink from the Life-Giving Fountain, God Himself. When we heed wise instruction, we grow, we are refreshed, and we are humbled and eager to put it into practice. Why? Because that’s our only proper response to God’s commands, obedience. This continues to bring “life” to our souls. It refreshes our spirit daily. It’s necessary, like trimming a tree or removing weeds from your lawn. It frees up space for the healthy branches and grass to grow and flourish. So it is when we take heed to wisdom and “work out our salvation”. It’s like drinking from a life-giving fountain; reinvigorating our souls.

14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;those who accept it avoid the snares of death. Proverbs 13:14

That One Ingredient….

When you search for God whole-heartedly, your heart is filled with joy and gladness. Why do you think that is? Because you find rescue in needy times. When you are in need of rescue, seeking the Savior is the only real solution. And when you find Him, He starts the sanctification process by filling your heart with joy. This joy is peace and rest in knowing you are secure in His hands. It’s relief from discomfort. It’s the beginning of the process of making you whole, spiritually speaking. It’s completing the puzzle by finding that one last missing piece. It’s adding that one ingredient to the recipe that makes your finished product so much more savory. God completes us. No one else can. That’s the joy and gladness talked about here. Do you have it? If not, seek Him out today. He will not disappoint.

16 But may all who search for You be filled with joy and gladness in You. May those who love Your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” Psalms 40:16

Proof It’s Real….

There is no stronger testimony to truth than when your actions are based on it. There is no greater witness to God than when we are obedient to Him. There is a direct correlation between faithfulness in action and wisdom. You prove to others with your actions what you believe is real. Your actions don’t make it real, it just proves it’s real.

35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Luke 7:35

We Place Our Knowledge Above His…..

When you really think about what the Bible says about God’s character, there’s no reason to stand in opposition of Him. Yet our rebellious, stubborn, and prideful nature, doesn’t want to be told what to do. The irony of it all is that our nature robs us of getting the best here on earth. If God is just and fair, if He is faithful and does no wrong, then why would we not want to listen to Him? I mean we all have a sense of justice deep inside us. We all want to be treated equally. We all never want to be wronged. The problem lies not with God, but with us. Our interpretation of fair and just doesn’t always match up with God’s view of fair and just, for He has all the facts and complete insight on the issues, we don’t. So our evaluation of a situation is incomplete, while His is 100% accurate. His judgements are accurate and precise. The saddest part of our sinful human nature is that we place our incomplete knowledge above His fair, just, and complete knowledge of a situation, that allows Him to make accurate decisions. We are not God, so we should stop trying to replace Him in our lives. We are made whole, complete, and fulfilled only when we do what we were created to do. And that is surrender to His will. It’s only then that we truly begin to live, and life begins to make more sense. God is good, you have to learn to trust Him over attempting to satisfy yourself without Him.

4 He is the Rock; His deeds are perfect.Everything He does is just and fair.He is a faithful God who does no wrong;how just and upright He is! 5 “But they have acted corruptly toward Him;when they act so perversely,are they really His children?They are a deceitful and twisted generation.6 Is this the way you repay the Lord,you foolish and senseless people?Isn’t He your Father who created you?Has He not made you and established you? Deuteronomy 32:4-6

47 These instructions are not empty words–they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River. Deuteronomy 32:47

Pride Simply Gets In The Way…..

Pride simply gets in the way of doing what we know to be true and right. It’s only when we realize this that peace and restored relationships are possible.

10 Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. Proverbs 13:10

An Endless List….

Here’s a thought: make a list of all the wonderful things God has done for you. List every single thing He did, does, and continues to do. Don’t stop until you get to the end of the list. As it states here in Psalm 40, you won’t finish because that list is inexhaustible. It’s impossible to come to the end of this list due to His plans for us are too numerous to list. Think about that right now. Then when you realize the vastness of His love for you, you’ll know why that list is endless. Praise Him today for all He’s done for you. Ask Him to continue to bless you, so you can bless others with all you have written down on your list. Keep writing until you reach Heaven, acting on it daily. Show the world the transformation He has made on the inside of you, by working out your salvation. Working outside the body, the evidence He has clearly made in you because of your faith in Jesus. Bear good fruit as a testimony to God’s goodness. Give the world a glimpse of Who God really is.

5 O Lord my God, You have performed many wonders for us.Your plans for us are too numerous to list.You have no equal.If I tried to recite all Your wonderful deeds,I would never come to the end of them. Psalms 40:5

Blessings And Curses….

God gave Israel a choice between living a life of obedience to Him, or living a life completely obedient to oneself. This is either a blessing or a curse. If you obey God, love and serve Him, whole-heartedly, then you will live a long and prosperous life. If you rebel, worship other idols, and turn your heart away, refusing to listen to His voice, your life will be shorter and full of strife. Blessings and curses, they all are aligned with the way we see God. This is the key to life. Choose this day Whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

11 “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach. 12 It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ 14 No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep His commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in His ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.17 “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, 18 then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:11-20

One Thing Is Clear….

People may argue about what the Bible says and doesn’t say. But one thing is clear, what the Bible does say, we are accountable for; and if you read the NT, you’ll find that there are things we are to do that have no laws (love and respect). The point here is God has revealed to us through this Book what He wants us to treat as important, and leaves out what He deems as less important. The problem is when we try to explain away things to escape the responsibility of what He has declared important, we find ourselves in a mess. If we are honest, He has made them clear; we just have to do our research on the matter, dig in a little deeper into His Word. And more importantly, ask Him to help us with our attitude towards these issues. God has made it clear on what He deems important, and it’s our job to accept our responsibility on these issues.

29 “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that He has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. Deuteronomy 29:29

Solid Rock….

Stability: the ability to endure hardships in life’s storms, remaining in a balanced equilibrium. It all boils down to one factor. Do you believe God? If so, do you live your life based on Who He is? The fruit you produce in your life will prove what you believe. If it’s real authentic fruit, you’ve built your house on “Solid Rock”.

46 “So why do you keep calling Me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to Me, listens to My teaching, and then follows it.48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6:46-49

What You Say Flows From…..

I’ve always said, time is the only true test of someone’s character. If you’re not sure, wait awhile. Time reveals what kind of fruit a person really produces. What you say flows from what’s in your heart.

43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:43-45

Not The Tip Of Our Nose….

Here’s a simple principle taken straight from scripture (Jesus’ mouth): apply God’s standards of behavior to ourself first, it will discipline us in humility and compassion. Only then will it qualify us to extend a helping hand to those who stumble. The proper point of view starts in the heart, not the tip of our nose.

41 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?42 How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Luke 6:41-42

A Glimpse of God….

Every time I read Jesus’ words, deeper meaning floods my knowledge of Him. Here in Luke chapter 6, it talks about loving your enemy. People can give all kinds of interpretations, ranging from trying to do the impossible (which is valid) to earning “brownie points” with God. Today, what came to me about this passage is this: when we extend grace to a stranger or enemy, we give them a glimpse of God. God allows rain to fall on the good and the bad. He allows good things to happen to bad (so to speak) people. He allows the tares to grow along side the wheat. When we show people whom we are not like, or people whom we don’t necessarily like, we show them that God is real. They question the point behind this “act of kindness”. They ask themselves “why on earth would this enemy do good to me”? “Why would someone extend grace to someone who is mistreating them”? The simple answer is because that’s how God treats all of us. By loving your enemy, you give people a clearer picture of Who God is. And hopefully, some of them will want to pursue knowing Him. Love your neighbor, and your enemy as well. It’s all about your heart being aligned with the Lord’s.

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much!34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6:27-36

What Society Looks Like Without God…..

As I read through Deuteronomy 28, I come across the curses God tells Israel they will experience if they are not obedient to Him. These curses range from sicknesses to cannibalism. Two things stand out to me, that a life without God (not living in obedience to Him) brings. First, the population in general grows a cold and hardened heart. Evidence of this is when the people start to show no respect for the old and no pity for the young. In America right now, physician’s assisted suicide is legal in several states including giving care-takers the right to starve dementia patients, by denying them food and water. How sick is that? Look at the abortion issue. In several states it’s now legal to kill a baby right at birth. Does this fit into the statement, “show no respect for the old and no pity for the young”? Secondly, when a people rebel in disobedience, God allows the people to experience fear, uncertainty, hearts to tremble, and souls to despair. These leads to no peace, and no rest. If you look at our society, do you see people struggling to find peace? Do you see fear, uncertainty, and despair running rampant? Do you see people longing for significance, never finding it and ending their life because they can find rest for their soul? This is what happens to a people who aren’t reverential towards God. It’s what America looks like today. People will never find peace, love, and rest for their souls, as long as they are searching for it without God. Their searching will be in vain. I know we are not Israel, so God never cursed us with detailed curses. But you just have to wonder, when a nation is founded on principles rooted in scripture, then abandons those principles, expecting to find continued blessings, you have to wonder if this passage correlates to how God treats those that abandon Him and teach others to do the same.

49 “The Lord will bring a distant nation against you from the end of the earth, and it will swoop down on you like a vulture. It is a nation whose language you do not understand, 50 a fierce and heartless nation that shows no respect for the old and no pity for the young. Deuteronomy 28:49-50

There among those nations you will find no peace or place to rest. And the Lord will cause your heart to tremble, your eyesight to fail, and your soul to despair. 66 Your life will constantly hang in the balance. Deuteronomy 28:65-66a

Money or God?

Have you ever thought about the effect monetary wealth has on people? I’ve seen it time and time again, effect people in negative ways. It’s almost as if it tells people, “since you have money, you don’t need God”. “Money or God”, which will you serve? Jesus talked about it on many occasions. He told us that it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter Heaven. He told us we can’t serve both money and God. Here in Luke chapter 6, He tells us that sorrow awaits those that serve money and not God. Prosperity tends to take us to a place where we allow ourselves to get too comfortable, and thus start to take things for granted or start to think we are superior to others due to our financial status. In essence, we think money gives us the “means to say “NO” to God. It gives us a “false” confidence. And where does that appeal come from? Straight from the one who wants us away from God, the Devil. We need to always be aware of this. Wealth really deceives more than it benefits. And for every 100 people that handle adversity, you’ll find only 1 person who can handle prosperity. And I can guarantee you, it’s a humble person that understands his place on this earth, because God has taught him to hold on to things loosely. It all belongs to God, and His earthly gifts are only temporary. Blessings were never meant to change our attitudes by elevating our social status, or satisfy our longing for Him. Having means doesn’t give us the right to say “NO” to God. Never forget this.

“What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now. 25 What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you. Luke 6:24-25a

Truth Always Sets Us Free…..

Truth always sets us free, but it only does when we accept it in our hearts. The truth has a way of freeing us from everything that holds us down. Sin deceives, distorts, and keeps us from the truth. That is, until we recognize truth. When we embrace truth, it clears the path to restoration and wholeness by clearing away the deceptive mindset sin creates in us. This path begins with getting right with God, getting right with the people you offended, and making the decision to turn around and get back on the path God has set before you. Following God, walking in His ways, is like driving on a road with guardrails. They make you feel safe, they give you confidence, and they protect you from accidents by keeping you on the road. Walking in God’s ways protects us from evil attacks. It doesn’t guarantee we won’t be attacked, we will, but it assures us that we won’t fail and it be permanent. Sinful behavior will always lead you astray. That’s why drawing close to God is vital in our daily lives. He keeps us guarded and aware of sin’s powerful influence. And He gives us the power to overcome it.

6 Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin. Proverbs 13:6