He Will Be Honored….

What people don’t realize about God is that He will be worshipped. Every single human being on this planet will bow a knee to Him eventually, either now or after the point of death. Those that bow a knee now realize Who God is, and decide to serve Him now, benefitting from it greatly. Those that still refuse, have no clue Who He is, and miss out on all the good God had in store for them, totally blind to all the blessings they do receive. Regardless of how we see God, in the end He will be honored by all. Why not start pursuing Him today, you’ll find out why He deserves this honor, and save your life in the process. No one who comes in contact with the Creator of all things ever leaves unchanged. God will be honored by all willingly or unwillingly. It’s your choice, and it’s your destiny.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalms 46:10

Many Lack The Will To Know Truth….

One of the saddest and most mind-boggling concepts to accept is the fact that human beings have been given an intellectual brain that can accomplish grate feats in this world, and yet fail to understand, or better yet reject the Truth about God. Intelligence can only get you so far. Your pride, your feelings, and your self-centeredness will always be in conflict with God’s Truth. It’s not until you ask God Himself to help you see spiritually that Truth in the spiritual world will come into focus. People have an intellectual capacity, but many lack the will to know Truth. The Truth the only Thing that can set us free.

54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is.56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times. Luke 12:54-56

Experienced Individually….

There’s something about the human heart that can only be experienced individually. God created us for Himself, and our hearts are never more full than when it’s connected to our Maker, sharing our grief and our joy with Him. Go to Him today and experience the depth of that relationship. It will help in more ways than you’ll ever imagine.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. Proverbs 14:10

Won’t Give Us A Beat Down….

The benefit of being a humble, truth seeking, God-honoring, honest follower of Jesus, is that the words we use won’t give us a beat down for speaking them. However, arrogant, prideful words will always comeback to haunt you in the future. When you speak the truth, in a respectful, God-honoring way, you never have to worry about what you said.

3 A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe. Proverbs 14:3

The Secrets Of Every Heart….

God knows the secrets of every heart. That’s why it’s so important to know Him and get right with Him. People can pretend to believe, they can tell themselves whatever they want to justify their lack of pursuit of knowing Him, but in the end, the credits will roll identifying and separating the character that actor tried to portray. Pretending to believe only fools the person doing the acting, it doesn’t fool the Director of Life. The more we know God, the better we understand ourselves. If more people could just accept the reality of this truth, God wouldn’t be Someone we see as an adversary. God is for us. We just have to get over ourselves first (repent), in order for God to fill us with His Spirit. You can't add more to a cup that is already full (full of ourselves), can you? God knows every heart, He should, for He made every single one of them.

21 God would surely have known it, for He knows the secrets of every heart. Psalms 44:21

The First Step Toward “Living Right”…

According to this proverb, the difference between the “right path” and the “wrong path” is directly dependent upon our view of God. If we despise Him, our path will lead to destruction. If we fear (revere) Him, it will lead us down the “right path” (salvation). Living on the “right path” will transform us into the being God created us to be. Look around. Do you see plenty of examples of lives being lived on the wrong path? Do these people lack common sense? Deny reality? Make up their own rules? Change the meaning of words? All in the name of progress and freedom? God makes the rules, but He doesn’t force us to obey them. His rules have consequences built in. It’s our choice to embrace or reject them. It starts with proper respect for our Creator. Finding the “right path” isn’t complicated, but it isn’t easy. The first step toward “living right” is seeing ourselves in the “right light” (being honest with ourselves).

2 Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise Him. Proverbs 14:2

Plug In….

The key to living a humble, faith-filled, Christian life, is knowing Who to trust, and where to place your faith. Everyday we must make a decision, Who/who are we going to follow today? Not making that decision, is making that decision. Where we place our focus determines what kind of day we will have. Where you place your faith determines how you will react to the occurrences of the day. Humility is a by-product of knowing our place. It’s part of Grace, and it’s only available from One Source. Plug in today, and watch your attitude become proactive, instead of reactive.

You are my King and my God.You command victories for Israel.5 Only by Your power can we push back our enemies;only in Your name can we trample our foes.6 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 longand constantly praise Your name. Psalms 44:4-8a

Don’t Take It Personally….

When you present the gospel in the truest form of loving evangelism, and people reject you, don’t take it personally, you didn’t fail. You participated in God’s will, while the other person acknowledged their allegiance to the world. They are rejecting God, not you. Pray for them, and move on. We cannot dwell on the failures of people who reject God. Our job is to point people to God, and walk away from those who deny Him. When you honestly point others to God, you did your job, regardless of how they reacted. We point, God does the rest.

16 Then He said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting Me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting Me. And anyone who rejects Me is rejecting God, who sent Me.” Luke 10:16

Hate Is Only A Symptom…..

It’s a simple concept: if you love your children, you will discipline them. If you love yourself more than your children, you won’t discipline them. This proverb uses the word hate. Most people today would admit that they don’t hate their children. But the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s selfishness. Hate is only a symptom of selfishness. So to understand this proverb a little better think of parents who fail to discipline their children as loving themselves more than they love their children. Their selfishness overrides their desire to do the right thing and discipline their children. Selfishness is the root of all sin.

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

What Makes Good Friday “Good”….

If you think about it, Christians follow a life full of contradictions in the world’s eyes. Dying to self allows us to fully live. Forgive our enemies. Lose your life in order to gain it. First shall be last, and the least will be first (the greatest). And the list goes on. With Good Friday here, I thought, “how can we call it ‘good’?” I mean Jesus was crucified, tortured, ridiculed, hated, and died on this day. All of his followers (but a handful) deserted Him during His greatest time of need. People were celebrating his suffering and death. And the religious leaders wanted His body to be guarded against any possibility of His followers crafting a scheme about Him being alive. The Muslims even believe Jesus faked His death. What is “good” about any of this? Well, you’ve heard the saying, “hindsight is 20/20”, it couldn’t be more true here. So what makes Good Friday “Good”? Here’s a list: what happened 3 (Jewish) days later. Jesus’s resurrection. The curtain being torn in the Temple. The one thief on the cross who repented. The women who stayed throughout the entire suffering. Joseph of Aramathea, and Nicodemus’ preparing the body for burial, and placing Him in Joseph’s own tomb. The disciples walking with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appearing to all the disciples and breaking bread with Him. Jesus and Mary’s interaction at the tomb. Jesus reinstating Peter’s apostleship and designating his leadership role. Jesus’ instruction to all the disciples, which includes us, to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. What makes Good Friday “Good” is Jesus’ resurrection 3 days later. If He didn’t suffer and die on Friday, we wouldn’t be called Christians. If God didn’t fulfill His plan to provide authenticated forgiveness, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. If the curtain wasn’t torn, providing evidence of the way to God being opened up to us, we wouldn’t have a way to pray. And if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, conquering death and the grave, everything we do as Christians is in vain. Good Friday is “Good” because of all the bad that happened to Jesus on that day. He took the punishment we deserve, and turned it into the only way back to God. He gave us the only suitable answer for the problem of sin. And He showed us what True Love really is. We live in a Good Friday World (all that went on that day), but what makes us press on is knowing what happened three days later. What makes Good Friday “Good”? Light overcomes darkness, and hope conquers fear. What makes Good Friday “Good”? Jesus. Embrace Him today and let the Good News transform and sanctify you. Easter is all about the power of the gospel transforming lives, restoring that which was lost, and showing the world what true love really is. Now that’s “Good”.

26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with Him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified–one on His right and one on His left.34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for His clothes by throwing dice.35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let Him save Himself if He is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked Him, too, by offering Him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to Him, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened to the cross above Him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”39 One of the criminals hanging beside Him scoffed, “So You’re the Messiah, are You? Prove it by saving Yourself–and us, too, while You’re at it!”40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” The Death of Jesus 44 By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust My spirit into Your hands!” And with those words He breathed His last.47 When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching. The Burial of Jesus 50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.55 As His body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where His body was placed. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint His body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law. Luke 23:26-56

1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what He told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day.”8 Then they remembered that He had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell His eleven disciples–and everyone else–what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. The Walk to Emmaus 13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus Himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing Him.17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”19 “What things?” Jesus asked.“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and He was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed Him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified Him. 21 We had hoped He was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.22 “Then some women from our group of His followers were at His tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said His body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, His body was gone, just as the women had said.”25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory?”27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if He were going on, 29 but they begged Him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So He went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, He took the bread and blessed it. Then He broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And at that moment He disappeared!32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” Jesus Appears to the Disciples 35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized Him as He was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus Himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” He said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!38 “Why are you frightened?” He asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt?39 Look at My hands. Look at My feet. You can see that it’s really Me. Touch Me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.”40 As He spoke, He showed them His hands and His feet.41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and He ate it as they watched.44 Then He said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And He said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of His name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’48 You are witnesses of all these things.49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as My Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” The Ascension 50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting His hands to heaven, He blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped Him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God. Luke 24:1-53

Hold Onto To Things Too Tightly….

Be careful not to hold onto to things too tightly. I mean reverence things that do not deserve a large amount of respect. This earth is temporary, along with everything in it. Our attitude towards things should be respectful but not over-attention-giving. We need to respect the Giver of the gifts and not the gifts themselves. Sure we are to enjoy the gifts, but not to the point where it stands in the way of our relationships, how we treat people. When we become self-focused, and start to think we earned everything we’ve been given, we actually lose sight of reality. We lose the ability to fully love, to honor, and to give. Those that hang on to this life, don’t honor the life to come. Those who think most of the next world, make the greatest difference in this one.  It’s all about having the proper perspective. Jesus stated this truth very clearly here in today’s passage.

23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?26 If anyone is ashamed of Me and My message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in His glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. Luke 9:23-26

Back Into The Mud….

When people refuse to believe God, they choose their own fate. And that fate is a life of emptiness. The world promises what God promises, but doesn’t have the power to “deliver the goods”. When people choose to live their lives without God, it guarantees their next life will be without Him as well. How are we, as believers, supposed to respond to this rejection? Well, first off we don’t chase after them trying to get them to “like us”. Second, if they are unwelcoming, then we shake the dust off our feet and move on to share the Good News with others. We can pray for them, but we are not to continue to pursue them for our own selfish reasons. Our job is to point others to God. If they don’t want to listen, we move on seeking out people who will. There’s no sense trying to dress up a pig with pearls, when it’s intention is to slip itself back in the mud the second we turn our backs.

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.” Luke 9:5

What “Thick Skin” Really Means…

Aside from salvation, what the world needs more of is “thicker skin”. I mean, as human beings, we need to learn how to deal with criticism. No one likes it, but as long as we live on this earth, surrounded by sinners, we will always have people telling us things we need to change. So how do you develop “thicker skin”? Trusting God brings wisdom. Wisdom gives us the ability to decipher truth from worthless chatter. Wisdom also breeds confidence, not so much in ourselves, but in the truth. The truth is what sets us free from the effects of criticism. You see “thicker skin”, or as it should be called “spiritual maturity” is the only way we are able to see criticism in the right light. I’m not going to say that I’ve reached full “spiritual maturity”, but I will say that I’m on the path to getting there. The key to criticism is to weigh the good and bad. Take the good, examine it, make the necessary changes, and apply it to your life. The bad, if it’s not true, throw it out. If it is, make the necessary changes, and apply it to your life. It’s rather simple, yet it’s not easy. Ask God today for thicker skin, and thank Him when you realize you’re growing it in His Grace. The answer to the world’s criticism, lies in your ability to decipher truth from lies. The key is your ability to be honest with yourself, and apply the necessary changes. When you do, you’ll witness a transformation in your spiritual growth and your skin will become a little thicker.

18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. Proverbs 13:18

If You Long To Find Purpose And Significance….

Rahab seemed like she knew Who God was. She had a reverence for Him. If you read Joshua chapter 2 you learn this. Rahab told the spies from the beginning that her people knew that God was giving the Israelites the land. Either out of fear or knowledge of God, she made a deal to help the two spies in exchange for her and her families’ safety (lives). God honored her and her family. This just goes to show us that when we agree with God, to do the right thing, He will honor us. Rahab was a prostitute. And we don’t exactly know how the spies ended up with her (if you know what I mean). But we do know how things worked out. So in conclusion, we can safely say, it doesn’t matter where you come from, or what you did in your past, what matters is what you do when you’re confronted by the truth. When you come to the realization about God being real, and what He wants from you, that’s when “real life” begins. It’s all in how we respond to God’s calling that makes life truly purposeful. Our significance isn’t found in what we do, it’s found in who we are. Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you an adopted child of the King of the Universe? Rahab’s past only mattered up until the point she decided to follow the One True God, then it was only significant when it proved the transformation that took place. A life lived out pursuing the God of the Bible, is the only life full of what God promises throughout scripture. If you long to find purpose and significance, look no further than Jesus. It is He that holds the keys to life and death. He is the One Who holds the power over death. Trust Him today. 1 Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night.2 But someone told the king of Jericho, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 3 So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: “Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.”4 Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, “Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from. 5 They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.” 6 (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.) 7 So the king’s men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king’s men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut.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.”17 Before they left, the men told her, “We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions. 18 When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members–your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives–must be here inside the house. 19 If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault. But if anyone lays a hand on people inside this house, we will accept the responsibility for their death. 20 If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way.”21 “I accept your terms,” she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window.22 The spies went up into the hill country and stayed there three days. The men who were chasing them searched everywhere along the road, but they finally returned without success.23 Then the two spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported to Joshua all that had happened to them. 24 “The Lord has given us the whole land,” they said, “for all the people in the land are terrified of us.” Joshua 2:1-24

Impression Without Expression Leads To Depression….

In order for us to benefit from God’s word, we have to be in it every day. We have to put it into action. Knowing it is only half the battle. Living it out is the other important part. You can’t be what you don’t possess. And you can’t benefit without it being real to you. Get into God’s word daily and watch it transform your being. This is exactly what this passage tells us. When we do, we never have to be afraid or discouraged. God is for us, who can stand against us? The only way we can ever know this, is to spend time getting to know Him. Impression without expression leads to depression.

8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is My command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9

Thick Skin….

We live in a society that doesn’t show much regard for truth. Very few people are okay with taking advice these days. Any action in which someone attempts to help by giving another advice is taken as criticism, or being judgmental. People need to learn how to decipher truth in advice/critique versus opinions. People need to grow up and not be so defensive when it comes to hot button topics. Having a little thick skin has always proven beneficial when it comes to patient endurance, just don’t allow pride to thicken it to the point of insensitivity. What most people miss in these conversations (and they are fewer and fewer of them these days), is that wisdom is life-giving. It’s like a fresh spring of water waiting for you right in the middle of a long desert hike. Those that see it this way, avoid having to learn some life-altering lessons the hard way. It’s humbling, but it’s the honest way of dealing with people (and yourself). Maybe God is trying to tell us something, and He is using an unlikely person to deliver the message. Learn to decipher truth in conversation, it will help you mature in your walk with the Lord. For He is where we draw our true significance from.

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

The Reason God Buried Moses….

When you read the last chapter in Deuteronomy, God gives us details of Moses’ death. First off, Moses was as strong as ever, and his eyesight was clear. God did not allow Moses to age like the rest. Moses needed to be strong mentally in order to lead and to deal with the people. Second, Moses didn’t die of natural causes. It was his time to go according to God. Lastly, God buried him, so no one knew where his grave was. The reason God buried Moses in a place no one knew about was probably to prevent people from building a shrine to him. People tend to worship things, so God prevented those things from happening. If He didn’t, we’d probably have another religion, called the church of Moses. Who knows what that would’ve turned into. The funny thing is, you don’t hear about many buildings or groups with Moses in their name (outside of some Jewish groups). God prevented this from happening. Just one more reason God knows what He’s doing.

1 Then Moses went up to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan; 2 all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea; 3 the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho–the city of palms–as far as Zoar. 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have now allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not enter the land.”5 So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. 6 The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. 7 Moses was 120  years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. 8 The people of Israel mourned for Moses on the plains of Moab for thirty days, until the customary period of mourning was over.9 Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.10 There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. 11 The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land. 12 With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel. Deuteronomy 34:1-12

He Allowed Her To Worship Him….

It seems every time someone realized Who Jesus was, He refrained them from acknowledging it to others. The demons that He cast out were silenced. In all the healings He performed, He most often told the people to tell no one. Here in this passage we find a woman of little discretion, adoring Jesus in front of some prominent guests. She wiped His feet with her tears and hair. Then she anointed Jesus with very expensive perfume. Jesus never stopped her. He allowed her to worship Him right in front of all these people. It’s the only occasion in the NT that this type of adornment was allowed in His presence. If we read the other gospels, we find out that this happened right before His crucifixion. It was an early version of anointing His body for burial. I guess we will never know the full extent of why Jesus allowed only her to publicly adorn or worship Him, but we do know that she was forgiven of her sins and her faith “saved” her. All I know is when we truly worship God, lose ourselves in the process, He reveals more of Himself to us. This story gives all people hope. From the most vile to the most religious, and from the most guilty to the more innocent, faith in Jesus saves us. It’s the only way God chooses to reconcile us back to Him. I can’t argue with that, can you?

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard He was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind Him at His feet, weeping. Her tears fell on His feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing His feet and putting perfume on them.39 When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know what kind of woman is touching Him. She’s a sinner!”40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” He said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people–500  pieces of silver to one and 50  pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”“That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer Me water to wash the dust from My feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet Me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing My feet.46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint My head, but she has anointed My feet with rare perfume.47 “I tell you, her sins–and they are many–have been forgiven, so she has shown Me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that He goes around forgiving sins?”50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:36-50

Wisdom Is Shown To Be Right By…..

When you apply wisdom to your life, by living it out, it proves itself to be true. What good is knowing something, something that will not only benefit you but others as well, if you don’t put it into action. The fastest way to get depressed is to take in truth, but never apply it to your life (let it out). That’s what wisdom does, it takes in truth, then applies it to every aspect in one’s life. Give wisdom a test drive and you’ll be amazed how it plays out. Integrity has no holiday. It will have your back every single time.

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

If Jesus Has The Power Over Death…..

If Jesus has the power over death, and He is for us, then what do we have to fear? Why don’t we trust Him more? I find myself wondering why this is so easy to forget. Maybe that’s why adversity is the only thing that jogs my memory, bringing me back to the reality of this truth.

11 Soon afterward Jesus went with His disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed Him. 12 A funeral procession was coming out as He approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” He said. 14 Then He walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up.” 15 Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.16 Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited His people today.” 17 And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside. Luke 7:11-17

This Amazed Jesus…..

Do you want to amaze God? I mean really make Him pleased? Put 100% of your faith into Him, and watch what happens. The Roman officer believed Jesus could heal his sick servant, so easily, that He didn’t even have to be there to do it. He believed Jesus could just give the command to be healed from where He was (far away) and it would happen. This amazed Jesus. It pleased Him so much that He announced that He hadn’t seen this kind of faith in all of Israel. When we trust God with our entire life, and believe He can do anything, it pleases God. When we please God, He is glorified. Pleasing God is all about faith. Where we put it, and how much of it we put into action. We live out our faith not to prove it’s real, or too see how much we have. We live out our faith because God is real, and He is the only legitimate recipient worthy of it. Stop wasting your time trying to find worthy objects to put your faith into. Place your faith in God, and He will give you more of it, along with all that comes with pleasing Him.

1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, He returned to Capernaum. 2 At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. 3 When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask Him to come and heal his slave. 4 So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves Your help, he does,” they said, 5 “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.”6 So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble Yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 7 I am not even worthy to come and meet You. Just say the word from where You are, and my servant will be healed. 8 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”9 When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following Him, He said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” 10 And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed. Luke 7:1-10

God Knows Us Better….

I’ve stated this truth many times, but it keeps coming up in scripture as I read it throughout the year, so I will mention it again: God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our thoughts and intentions. He knows what we will do before we do it. And He knows our attitude towards all things. The world preaches “self love”, “look inside to find yourself”, and “forgive yourself”, but all of this doesn’t lead to the “utopia” the world promises. The only way to truly know yourself is to know the One Who made you. Knowing God helps us know ourselves. Knowing God helps us see ourselves for what we really are, sinners. Knowing God helps us see ourselves for who we are, chosen by Him to be loved and blessed, adopted into His family. If God isn’t part of our life, then all the pursuits of trying to know ourselves will fail miserably. And all we will be left with is disappointment, regret, and confusion, because we cannot redeem ourselves, only Jesus can.

21 And when great disasters come down on them, this song will stand as evidence against them, for it will never be forgotten by their descendants. I know the intentions of these people, even now before they have entered the land I swore to give them.” Deuteronomy 31:21

What He Has Revealed To Us….

Just think about the knowledge and wisdom God has? Think about all the things He knows. I can’t even fathom a small percentage of it, and I have a big head. If God knows everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly, don’t you think we should take heed to what He has revealed to us? As a non-believer, people are clueless when it comes to the things of God. Yet Nature is still a witness that leaves no man without excuse (Roman chapter 1). When we become believers, we are giving so much more insight into the how’s and why’s of life. We are given an intimate view into Who God is. As this passage says, “we are not accountable to the secrets God has not revealed.” However, we are responsible to the ones He has revealed. As believers it is our responsibility to point others to Him. And there’s no better way than through the simple message of the Gospel. It’s called “Good News” for a reason.

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

The Moment You Think Sin Is Okay….

The moment you think a sin is okay and start to justify your actions, watch out. I’m not saying this to live your life like God is the Russia KGB agent, but I am saying that living a life with a mindset that believes God is always best. This mindset will always protect you. It will lead you back to God if you fall short. And it will prevent many heartaches in your future. The minute we allow justification of sin to creep in, it’s the minute a regrettable trouble is born. It’s not the sin that’s the big issue, it’s our attitude towards it.

“Those who hear the warnings of this curse should not congratulate themselves, thinking, ‘I am safe, even though I am following the desires of my own stubborn heart.’ This would lead to utter ruin! 20 The Lord will never pardon such people. Instead His anger and jealousy will burn against them. Deuteronomy 29:19-20a

What Comes Out Of Our Heart….

It’s really simple: what we do comes out the condition of our heart. Evil comes from a selfish, unrestrained heart. Good comes from a selfless, guarded, and redeemed heart. Why do you think the proverb (4:23) says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life”? Jesus also said these words, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt6:23). He also spoke about no one being good but God (Mark 10:18). Christianity is all about the condition of our heart. It’s not about being perfect, rather it’s about knowing our place, and being substituted by Someone Who is perfect. Get your heart right with God, and he will fill it with desires that are good, and goodness will flow from it. If Jesus is Lord, and He makes us right with God, then what comes out of our heart stems from the treasures only He can place there.

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

When You Walk In Integrity….

Can you imagine an invisible creature ahead of you guarding the road you’re on? All the times you were kept safe? All the times you were stopped in order to prevent harm from coming to you? Just think of all the times you drive and each car that passes you on the opposite side is prevented from crossing the line and causing an accident. Think of all the times something happened that was a “close call”, but didn’t harm you. How about when you refrain from saying something in retaliation? Or when you didn’t go with friends who planned on doing something stupid? I could go on with more examples, but I think you understand my point. When you walk in integrity, God protects us. It’s like guard rails on a winding and treacherous road. They bring you a sense of security, unlike roads without them. When you act and live according to His principles, they protect you from being deceived or misled. And even though people may make fun of you, or even abandon you at times, deep down inside they respect you because of your consistency in the way you live your life. And those very same people, if they are your friend, will come to you for help when adversity strikes them. Walking in godliness protects your path. It may not make your life free from adversity, but it certainly will protect you from being conquered by evil. Does it take more effort? Yes. Is it more spiritually and emotionally satisfying? Most definitely. The unseen world of the godly is more involved than you could ever think.

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

The Key To Embracing Truth….

The turning point comes in everyone’s life when they realize their mortality. You either turn around and head in the opposite direction, or you hit the gas, pressing forward, continuing down the same path. How you respond to the realization that we are all sinners, determines our eternal destiny. With that destiny determined, it transforms us into the man God intends us to be, or turns us into the wayward son He longs to restore. Believing we are sinners is the key to embracing truth. It’s the first step in the repentance process. You can’t embrace the Savior without having a reason to be saved.

27 Later, as Jesus left the town, He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me and be My disciple,” Jesus said to him. 28 So Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him.29 Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. 30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor–sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:27-32

The Fastest Way To Earn Trust…

Growing up I’ve always believed in being a man of his word. I won’t make promises I know I can’t keep. I was never taught this by anyone, I just believed it to be core to human character. Living in today’s world, honoring your word seems like a lost art. Reading through today’s passage I realized the reason why our words/promises matter. God takes vows very seriously. He even states breaking a vow is a sin. The reason why many people today don’t take their words/promises seriously is because God is not part of their life. The absence of God means no responsibility in making promises. People do and say whatever gets them through the conversation, without even batting an eye. I can’t vouch for anyone else, but I value people’s words. When someone makes a promise to me I hold them to their word. The fastest way to earn trust with me is to be a man of your word. If you don’t, I probably won’t take you very seriously. It’s better to not make promises that you can’t keep, than to brown-nose someone, manipulating them by making promises in order to get what you want. Breaking a vow is a sin, and it’s a selfish act. Once you realize there’s more to life than pleasing yourself, your words will take on much more meaning than ever before. It’s not a pride thing when you are a man of your word, it’s a God thing. You’re only as good as your word. Your reputation will stand or fall based on your ability to keep it.

21 “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised Him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin. 22 However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow. 23 But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 23:21-23

Small Town People….

The difference in small town people from big city folks can be seen here in today’s passage. Small town people take the time to know the people around them. In doing so, they form relationships. These relationships breed mutual responsibility. When someone needs something, or is in need of help, his neighbor is there to come along side and assist. Big city folks don’t take the time to get to know their neighbors. They are too wrapped up in themselves, their busy schedules, and just want to be left alone. When something happens to a neighbor, it’s just that days news. Our responsibility is to treat everyone like a small town neighbor. It’s not something we choose to do, it’s something we must do. Treat others as you want to be treated, as the golden rule says. It’s what we are commanded to do. Once you have a mindset like this, you’ll find your life is less boring, more purposeful, and much more rewarding. We have a responsibility to God and man. Loving our neighbor shows both.

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

If Jesus Can Rebuke A Fever….

With the current pandemic of the Covid-19 virus going on, we must never forget Who is in control. A fever is caused either by a bacterial infection or a virus. If Jesus can rebuke a fever (bacterial or viral), than He can certainly handle this virus that seems out of control. We don’t have to worry and stress over this current state of the union. It’s all under God’s control. We just need to remain faithful and obedient to our Lord. If a virus can be rebuked at His command, we can take refuge in His ability to protect us from danger. Even when things seem uncertain and out of control, we must remain faithful the the One Who is in control. Nothing is impossible with God.

38 After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where He found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. 39 Standing at her bedside, He rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them. Luke 4:38-39

It Takes Spiritual Training….

How many people ever take the time to see, I mean really see? Spiritually speaking, there are unseen spirits out there waging war for our souls. You don’t believe me? If a man (who doesn’t even know Jesus) walks into a synagogue, and starts speaking to Jesus about interfering with his business, there’s got to be more out there than we lackadaisically see. If you read scripture you see many instances of angel interaction, demon possession, and even a talking donkey. There is way more going on out there than we can see just with our eyes. It takes spiritual training of the heart, that open up our ability to see spiritually. Look at Elisha and his servant (2 Kings 6). Elisha saw the angel army surrounding the army of the king of Aram, but his servant didn’t. It wasn’t until Elisha prayed for God to open his servant’s eyes spiritually that he witnessed the angels outnumbering the enemy. And so it is with us. Ask God today to give you spiritual sight. There’s a whole other world out there waiting to be seen. And it will build your faith, giving you one more reason to praise our Maker.

31 Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. 32 There, too, the people were amazed at His teaching, for He spoke with authority.33 Once when He was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon–an evil spirit–began shouting at Jesus, 34 “Go away! Why are You interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One sent from God!”35 Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” He ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.36 Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey Him, and they flee at His command!” 37 The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region. Luke 4:31-37