Not Better, Just Better Off….

When you seek God on a daily basis, your knowledge of Him will increase. That knowledge will make you wise when applied to the things of the world. It’s like knowing God, the One Who made it all, gives us deeper insight into human behavior. It’s like knowing the motivating factors of life grants us wisdom. Sin, rebellion, hatred, to name a few, gives us a knowledge the world doesn’t want to know or cannot know. The major difference of knowing God isn’t that we are better than others, just better off. The reason is because knowing God gives us hope. This hope gives us confidence that the remedy to sin is attainable. It gives us the answer to our problems. It gives us the security of knowing our final destination doesn’t have to be doom and gloom. It gives us the ultimate answer in life. Knowing God leads us to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He is the only One that makes eternal life in Heaven possible. Now that’s real hope, hope that anchors our soul in the storms of life. Knowing God makes us wise, more so than any amount of education ever could. When we use this wisdom to point others to God, we not only fulfill God’s purpose in our lives, bringing us great joy and satisfaction, but it also makes the world stand up and take notice.

When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. 20 Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.21 Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus. Daniel 1:18-21a

Being Rich Toward God….

Imagine standing before God and being condemned or not receiving a reward because of the way you valued things. Imagine all the things you spent your money on stood right before you. Every Starbucks coffee, article of unnecessary clothing, fast food stop, fancy car, designer (fill in the blank), new technological device, etc... stands as evidence revealing truly what was in your heart. It’s not the possession of things that condemns us, it’s our attitude towards them. Either you possess them for the benefit of life, or they possess you to later condemn you by revealing the true nature of what’s in your heart. As you age this truth becomes clearer and clearer. The only difference is, do you realize it, and make necessary changes. The accumulation of wealth will eventually stand as a testament of what’s in your heart. Let it be one of grace and humility, being rich toward God, and you won’t stand before Him with lots of regret.

Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment. 4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you. James 5:1-6a

Allowing Evil To Rid Evil….

Throughout scripture anyone who opposes God or His people end up receiving the very treatment they planned for their enemies. Most of the time even worse. This irony runs through the OT and NT. When people plan evil, it’s almost as if they are guaranteeing it on themselves; “Live by the sword, die by the sword”. “You reap what you sow”. “If you don’t forgive, God won’t forgive you”. And the list goes on and on. This is part of God’s sovereignty. He allows evil to eventually bring Himself glory. He may even allow ideas to enter the minds of these people planning evil things. These thoughts and ideas come from the Satan and his hoards, but God may fine-tune the senses to be more receptive to these evil frequencies. I can’t explain this in depth, but it’s like allowing evil to rid evil from the earth, if that makes sense. You’ve probably never thought of it that way. It’s like allowing someone, who totally rejects God, to devise a plan to hurt people, and the same plan is used in turn to rid that evil from existence. The moral to this is when you oppose God, be careful what you plan, it just might be to your own demise, a self-inflicted wound that you won’t recover from.

9 “Then the people in the towns of Israel will go out and pick up your small and large shields, bows and arrows, javelins and spears, and they will use them for fuel. There will be enough to last them seven years! 10 They won’t need to cut wood from the fields or forests, for these weapons will give them all the fuel they need. They will plunder those who planned to plunder them, and they will rob those who planned to rob them, says the Sovereign Lord. Ezekiel 39:9-10

Playing God….

Another simple but yet profound truth: self-righteousness is deciding (for yourself) if God’s commands apply to us or not. Why did Jesus oppose such people? Because they stepped into God’s role. As Christians our job is to be obedient to God’s Word, for it applies to all believers; no one is exempt from it. The next time you find yourself questioning God’s commands, or assigning failure to someone else’s slacking, you are being self-righteous (inappropriately judge-mental). There’s no room at the foot of the cross for playing God. It’s His job alone, and we are to honor that by knowing our place.

11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12

Our Actions Prove Our Faith….

A simple but yet profound truth: our actions prove our faith is real. Without action, our faith is dead. With action, our faith is given wings to serve God’s purpose. Faith lived out in action, shows we are in a right relationship with God. Faith without works is a dead faith. Our works don’t “save us”, they just prove our faith is real and alive, and growing. Use it or lose, work it out and it will grow stronger. Leave it alone, and it will die.

14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”–but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. James 2:14-26

Pretenders…..

There are three types of people when it comes to faith. There are those who are loyal to God. They take their faith seriously, living it out in all that they do. They cherish their relationship with God, and treat others as God would have them. They make mistakes, but don’t Waller in them. They repent and move forward with God’s help. Secondly, there are those who, as the Bible says “are enemies of God”. They hate God and everything associated with Him. Passive, blasé, indifferent, “I don’t care”, “it’s ridiculous to believe” type people fall into this category as well. Then you have the third category of people, the pretenders. These are the ones who act sincere, they pretend to listen, but never put into practice what they know to be true. These are the “Luke warm” people Jesus talked about. Of the three types, God despises the pretenders more than the haters. At least the haters are more honest about their views of God than the pretenders are. Jesus said it best, “(pretenders) will be spewed out of My mouth”. Examine your life, are you a pretender? Do you have pretender qualities (we all do at times)? How does it make you feel knowing you are disingenuous? If it bothers you, do something about it today. Ask God to empower you with His Spirit. Ask Him to help you repent, leaving behind this “pseudo” lifestyle. Stop pretending and start living; living the way God intends us to live. Most people believe hating is the worst thing you can do. Personally, pretending is far worse behavior. And there’s biblical evidence to back it up.

31 So My people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money. 32 You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it! Ezekiel 33:31-32

Basic Foundation of Choice….

This passage gives the basic foundation of choice and free-will in the Bible. It’s what following God is all about. It’s how God sees sin and what will-full obedience looks like with skin on. Most importantly, it gives us a clear look into what Christ did for us on the cross. Our actions don’t save us, they just show us Who our allegiance is towards. It’s our attitude that is revealed in our actions that matters. And God knows it far better than we do ourselves. Thank God for His grace.

12 “Son of man, give your people this message: The righteous behavior of righteous people will not save them if they turn to sin, nor will the wicked behavior of wicked people destroy them if they repent and turn from their sins. 13 When I tell righteous people that they will live, but then they sin, expecting their past righteousness to save them, then none of their righteous acts will be remembered. I will destroy them for their sins. 14 And suppose I tell some wicked people that they will surely die, but then they turn from their sins and do what is just and right. 15 For instance, they might give back a debtor’s security, return what they have stolen, and obey My life-giving laws, no longer doing what is evil. If they do this, then they will surely live and not die. 16 None of their past sins will be brought up again, for they have done what is just and right, and they will surely live.17 “Your people are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right,’ but it is they who are not doing what’s right. 18 For again I say, when righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and turn to evil, they will die. 19 But if wicked people turn from their wickedness and do what is just and right, they will live. 20 O people of Israel, you are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right.’ But I judge each of you according to your deeds.” Ezekiel 33:12-20

God’s Most Prized Possession…..

Here’s a thought (receive it with joyous humility): you are God’s most prized possession. Let that sink in for a minute. If that doesn’t light your fire, then your wood must be wet.

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession. James 1:16-18a

Feeling Someone Else’s Pain….

Empathy, what exactly is it? Definitions now a days are being changed and the meaning of words holds less value. Reading through Hebrews chapter 13 you come across verse 3, which gives the best definition of empathy I’ve ever come across. Empathy is feeling someone else’s pain. It’s allowing all your senses and emotions to travel through another’s experience as if it was your own. My wife has this ability. She literally can feel the pain and sorrow someone else is experiencing, so much so, it affects her physically. Some may call this a gift, while others call it a curse. Either way, she can experience other’s pain to a level that brings to life the compassion that the Bible talks about. Now that’s a real gift: to be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, without being tied to the consequences. It helps transform a calloused soul into a tender-hearted, ready-to-follow, loyal disciple of Jesus. Empathy is a gift from God, and it’s only developed through walking in someone else’s shoes.

3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. Hebrews 13:3

The Prophets Had To Wait….

The hardest part of being a prophet was the fact that your legitimacy was only established after the prophecies came true. Sometimes that meant after you died. Can you imagine what all that the prophets had to endure? The ridicule, persecution, the slander, threats, and violence were only part of their experience. The loneliness and rejection that came from the yet unfulfilled prophecies was more that most could bear. Imagine doing 100% of your work based on faith? And to think, most of them were killed in the end. These were special people that God hand-chose to be His mouth pieces. Ordinary people will the ability and resolve to do hard things. It gives me a new outlook on them. The next time you read about one of God’s prophets, keep in mind the life and experiences they must of had. It will give you a whole new respect for those that chose to live by faith, a respect that the prophets had to wait their entire lives and even die for.

21 “And the day will come when I will cause the ancient glory of Israel to revive, and then, Ezekiel, your words will be respected. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 29:21

Following Your Own Feelings….

Imagine how many decisions are made daily solely based on trusting your own insights? How many political issues are created by following your own “feelings”? According to this proverb trusting your own insights is foolish. Why? Because when you trust your own insights you’re not trusting God’s insight. There no room for it. God knows us better than we know ourselves. His knowledge is complete, it’s 100% fully informed, knowing every aspect involved from every angle. Our’s on the other hand, are incomplete; lacking the full insight. True wisdom figures this out. What the Bible means by walking in wisdom is trusting God, choosing what you know to be true over what you’re currently feeling. Feelings are temporary, truth is eternal. Our feelings can change, and will change when they are not based on God’s truth. Wisdom is knowing this and living accordingly. That’s what it means by “safe”; a peace that brings comfort, rest, and security to one’s soul.

26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. Proverbs 28:26

Our Humility Retainer….

Do you ever think God has something better in store for those that believe? A good reputation is a gift. Yes, it’s honed in by refraining from doing some things and by doing the hard things consistently. Believers won’t completely understand or fully receive all of God’s promises until we enter Heaven. Then we will know, and fully understand that God keeps His promises. You see life is meant to be a journey. Each phase, or season as some call it, takes us through places and experiences that refine us. Some are very difficult, and some are trying. These times help shape our character, fine-tuning our insights into God’s bigger picture. Each phase brings us closer to that perfection we will some day experience when we are with God eternally. Until then we must live in this world, but not be of it. We are to keep our eyes on the prize, Jesus, which will help us stay focused and not “ME CENTERED”. Heaven is our goal, our aim. The promise of Heaven helps us through those rough patches in life. It’s our humility retainer, our “feet on the ground” keeper. What we have to look forward to in Heaven is a perfect world, far better than any thing this world can offer. Stay focused. Cling to God’s promises. And if you get side-tracked, ask God to empower you with His Spirit to help you get back on track. We are sojourners living in a borrowed, broken world. Our reward of making it through it, will be a world the way it was intended, no tears, no sorrow, no pain, no worries. Now that’s something to look forward to, isn’t it?

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us. Hebrews 11:39-40

Anchors Our Soul…..

Faith is a gift from God. It comes when we seek Him with all of our heart. The more we pursue God, the more we know Him. The more we know Him, the more secure we are knowing He will provide, protect, and help focus our priorities on what’s most important. When we are rich towards God, all the distractions that cause stress, worry, and fear, seem to lose their power. Faith brings hope. And it’s hope that anchors our soul. Believers are nomads living in a foreign land. What keeps them going is their faith that God will bring them to a better place, a heavenly homeland. Without faith a believer will struggle, living without hope. And more importantly, without faith, we cannot please God.

1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed His approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying–“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith–for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep His promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead–a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:1-16

They Will Know Us By Our….

Love is a choice, and it breaks God’s heart to see those who reject His love. If you love someone, I mean truly love someone, you’ll never take pleasure in their suffering, regardless if their suffering is self-inflicted. I think the modern church has forgotten this truth. We need to see people as God sees them, and do everything in our power to help them see the Light. Point others to Jesus today, letting God use you through the power of the Holy Spirit. They will know us (and see Jesus) by our love.

And My righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” Hebrews 10:38a

Flattery And Honest Criticism….

There are two kinds of people in this world: those that love flattery and those that appreciate honest criticism. Flattery puffs up; giving a false sense of confidence. Honest criticism, on the other hand, humbles us, giving us time to evaluate and make necessary changes. In the end honest criticism does more for us in keeping us grounded (or bringing us back down to earth), than flattery could ever do. God uses us when we empty ourselves of ourselves. This makes room for His Spirit to fill us up. The last thing we need is a false sense of security; this leaves no room for God. Our security is only in Him, Godfidence.

23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery. Proverbs 28:23

Eradicates This God-Distancing Effect…..

Sin, when it’s run it’s course, always deposits guilt and shame. There’s no way around this. This eventually distances us from God. He knows this. But the most ironic thing about how God uses His creation, is the fact that His forgiveness eradicates this all consuming, God-distancing effect. If God created our emotions, and He provides us with a way to eliminate their negative side effects, then why not trust Him to make them disappear by repenting? Sounds pretty clear, doesn’t it?

2 If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.3 But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. 4 For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.But You have given Me a body to offer.6 You were not pleased with burnt offeringsor other offerings for sin.7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do Your will, O God–as is written about Me in the Scriptures.’ ” 8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were You pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). 9 Then He said, “Look, I have come to do Your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. 10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Hebrews 10:2-10

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For He says, 16 “This is the new covenant I will makewith My people on that day, says the Lord:I will put My laws in their hearts,and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then He says, “I will never again remembertheir sins and lawless deeds.” 18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. Hebrews 10:15-18

21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Hebrews 10:21-23

Be Careful Of What You Ask For….

The worst thing a person can get from God, is exactly what he wants. When we ask God for things we want, and not what He wants (in line with His will), we usually find out why it wasn’t in God’s will in the first place. God eventually gives a rebel exactly what he wants to his own demise. Look at America today. Are we not just like the rebellious Israelites in the wilderness? Do we not make worthless decrees and regulations thinking we are bettering society? Do we not pollute ourselves with the very gifts God gives us? Do we not sacrifice our children at the expense of our careers? Be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it.

25 I gave them over to worthless decrees and regulations that would not lead to life. 26 I let them pollute themselves with the very gifts I had given them, and I allowed them to give their firstborn children as offerings to their gods–so I might devastate them and remind them that I alone am the Lord. Ezekiel 20:25-26

The Honor Of God’s Name….

Beyond God’s love for us is the honor of God’s name. This strikes a balance between humility and confidence. It humbles us knowing that we can’t do anything to make God love us. And it gives us confidence knowing we can’t do anything to lose that love either. God does what He does out of love for us, but He stands behind this to protect His name. If God is Love, then love must be His name. He honors love, and so should we.

8 “But they rebelled against Me and would not listen. They did not get rid of the vile images they were obsessed with, or forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I threatened to pour out My fury on them to satisfy My anger while they were still in Egypt. 9 But I didn’t do it, for I acted to protect the honor of My name. I would not allow shame to be brought on My name among the surrounding nations who saw Me reveal Myself by bringing the Israelites out of Egypt. Ezekiel 20:8-9

14 But again I held back in order to protect the honor of My name before the nations who had seen My power in bringing Israel out of Egypt. Ezekiel 20:14

Useless Into Useful….

In Ezekiel chapter 15 God gives the analogy of unfaithfulness being like a grapevine. It’s wood is not very useful. Even if it’s used for fuel in a fire, it burns too quickly. For others uses it’s not strong enough. God finishes the analogy by stating it’s wood is useless before and after being put into the fire. If you examine your life, and you think of it’s usefulness to God’s purposes, where would You fit in on the scale of usefulness? Would He say, “you’re on the right track, continue doing what you’re doing.” Or would He say, “shape up, start getting your priorities in focus.” Remember, what we do on earth matters, but only the things we do for eternity will make an eternal impact, and last. Determine in your heart today to keep the eternal in mind, and truly make Jesus your LORD. it’s the only decision you’ll ever make that will transforms useless into useful.

1 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, how does a grapevine compare to a tree? Is a vine’s wood as useful as the wood of a tree? 3 Can its wood be used for making things, like pegs to hang up pots and pans? 4 No, it can only be used for fuel, and even as fuel, it burns too quickly. 5 Vines are useless both before and after being put into the fire!6 “And this is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Jerusalem are like grapevines growing among the trees of the forest. Since they are useless, I have thrown them on the fire to be burned. 7 And I will see to it that if they escape from one fire, they will fall into another. When I turn against them, you will know that I am the Lord. 8 And I will make the land desolate because My people have been unfaithful to Me. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Ezekiel 15:1-8

Impossible To Have “Life”….

It is impossible to have “life” while continuing to live in sin. You can’t have God’s best, while rebelling against Him. Sin prevents us from experiencing God. Yet it can help lead us back when contrition takes hold of one’s heart. You can’t be at your best, or expect God’s best when sin is running rampant in your life. Stop believing the lies the world wants to whisper in your ear.

22 You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn’t want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins. Ezekiel 13:22

God Does Not Lie….

If there’s one thing you can count on in life, it’s this: God does not lie. What He says, He does. It’s just a matter of time. You can trust Him, taking this all the way to the bank of Heaven, and receiving Godfidence as proof of deposit.

18 So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:18-20

The Scariest And Saddest Thing….

The scariest and saddest thing on earth is when a person pursues God, tastes it’s glorious blessing, then volitionally walks away. Even though we may never know if it’s truly too late, God knows. And when it is, it’s the saddest and scariest thing on earth. When God says “it’s too late”, a soul is left to its own demise. And it’s eternal destination is torment without relief.

4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened–those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come–6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing Him to the cross once again and holding Him up to public shame. Hebrews 6:4-6

Better Than We Know Ourselves…

Here’s a thought to keep in your mind today: God knows our thoughts before we do. Before an idea or memory creeps into our mind, God knows it. He knows us better than we know ourselves. We can’t hide anything from Him if He already knows it, can we? So why try if we know this? One more reason to place our trust in Him. He is worthy of our trust and attention.

5 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and He told me to say, “This is what the Lord says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds. Ezekiel 11:5

Weak, Fragile, And Insecure….

All human beings are weak, fragile, and insecure. God knows this. He knows it so well because He experienced it for Himself. Jesus (God in the flesh) was subject to all the temptations and weaknesses we can ever face. And by doing this, He became the High Priest for us all. The only difference (it’s one that sets Him apart from all others priests) was that His sacrifice was of Himself, not for Himself, that we can be counted righteous in God’s sight. It’s His sacrifice that allows all believers to be ushered into God’s presence on earth and in Heaven. Jesus knows what’s it’s like to be human. He is our High Priest. Trust Him today to represent you in dealing with God. Once you determine for yourself to serve Him, life changes. And it’s a change that transforms you beyond anything the world could ever do. Our weaknesses are for our own good, and when given to God, Jesus’ glory.

1 Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. 2 And He is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because He Himself is subject to the same weaknesses. 3 That is why He must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.4 And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. 5 That is why Christ did not honor Himself by assuming He could become High Priest. No, He was chosen by God, who said to Him, “You are My Son.Today I have become Your Father.” 6 And in another passage God said to Him, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 While Jesus was here on earth, He offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the One who could rescue Him from death. And God heard His prayers because of His deep reverence for God. 8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered. 9 In this way, God qualified Him as a perfect High Priest, and He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him. 10 And God designated Him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:1-10

What Life Boils Down To…..

Reading Hebrews chapter 4 I came to a familiar passage that caused me to think deeply (imagine that). What life boils down to isn’t if there’s a God or not, or which god to choose to serve, rather it’s about what we do about what we know to be true. If there is a God, the One and only in the Bible, and He created everything, wrote the rules of nature (how everything works), and even loved us knowing we can be unlovable and rebellious, what we decide to do with Him matters most, doesn’t it? I mean if His truth cuts through all the rigmarole, and puts reality right before our eyes, how can we ignore that? How can we live a lifestyle in contrary to His intent or design? If we do, how can we expect to have peace, confidence, and true joy, knowing deep down inside we are guilty and deserved of punishment? How can you expect to live a life without God and then expect to spend eternity with Him when you die? It’s just ludicrous, isn’t it? Yet so many people expect to have joy, peace, and confidence living a life void of God or His principles, but yet expect to receive justice in the end. Wake up people, you can’t have the benefits of living a life of virtue (pursuing God), without living within the realm of our design. It just doesn’t work that way. And most importantly, you will never find the soulful peace only God can give when you are living a sinful, anti-God lifestyle. God’s truth cuts right through all the pretending and wishful thinking. It destroys our demented mindset as to believe if everyone accepts my sinful behavior then it must be acceptable. The only peace you’re ever gonna get when you rebel against God is about 15 minutes. After that your own body, mind, and soul will fight against you. Save yourself a lot of pain, be honest with yourself, align your attitude and actions up with our Designer. It’s only then will you truly find peace, true/real love, and unspeakable joy. Be accountable to the only One we are accountable to. Now that’s something to celebrate.

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the One to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:12-13

What We Value….

Have you ever thought about what we value? I mean the actual value we place on things? Gold is worth good money, but in desperate times, it can’t save you. It can’t heal a disease. A bucket of diamonds is valuable, but if you’re alone in the desert, dying of thirst, a bucket of water is more valuable to you than diamonds, correct? What we value most doesn’t always correlate to utmost importance. What matters most is what correlates with God and eternity. The most important things in life are not things. The most important things in life are people (relationships). Never forget this truth.

19 “They will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. Their silver and gold won’t save them on that day of the Lord’s anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their greed can only trip them up. Ezekiel 7:19

Don’t Really Matter….

Even though God is talking about the Israelite’s exile in Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem, I can’t help but think about all the frivolous and over-attention giving things we do here on earth. Our jobs, hobbies, down-time, vacations, dreams of possessing homes, to name a few, in the end, don’t really matter. You can spend a lifetime building a business, through investing money and time, branding, marketing, and most importantly giving your attention and thought life to, and at the time you leave it behind, you won’t be rejoicing over bargains or grieving over losses. Instead you’ll either be regretting all the wasted focus of your attention and wishing you had more time to make right what you’ve squandered, or rejoicing you kept the proper perspective and managed the important things correctly. Your fame, power, influence, or business (especially if gained through sinful means) will not continue when you die. Does this mean we don’t strive to do our best at our jobs? Certainly not. It just means we are to keep the right perspective on what’s important. That way, when it comes time to let go, you won’t have any regrets.

12 Yes, the time has come; the day is here!Buyers should not rejoice over bargains,nor sellers grieve over losses,for all of them will fall under My terrible anger.13 Even if the merchants survive,they will never return to their business.For what God has said applies to everyone–it will not be changed! Not one person whose life is twisted by sin will ever recover. Ezekiel 7:12-13

Know Jesus, Know Peace….

Unbelief, or lack of faith, regardless of how it comes to be, results in turmoil. Anxiety, depression, worry, and any other form of not having peace, stems directly from our refusal to trust/believe God. It’s like slapping God’s hand away when it’s full of nourishing food. When you’re thirsty, you never turn away a cup of refreshing water, do you? Unbelief is the result of spiritual blindness, or deadness. We will never have peace or rest without God. It’s just not possible. That struggle will continue throughout our lifetimes, unless we exercise the choice God’s given us to reciprocate His love. Know Jesus, know peace. No Jesus, no peace.

19 So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter His rest. Hebrews 3:19

Every House Has A Builder….

Every house has a builder. Who do you give credit for building your house? In what ways does your attitude show this? When we live in God’s house, we keep our courage in remaining confident in our hope in Jesus. Now that’s a solid foundation.

For every house has a builder, but the One who built everything is God.5 Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. Hebrews 3:4-6a