Responsibility...

If only more people took this advice, America wouldn't be in a predicament. I understand there are people who can't work and need to be taken care of, but there are so many more that have the ability to work, and willfully abuse the system. It's the Church's job to help the needy, widows, and orphans, not the government.

6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers[K] who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received[L] from us. 7 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.[M] 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

How We View Stuff...

I've always given my best at everything I do, regardless if it's at work, home, or play. Integrity matters. Someone is always watching. So regardless of where you are, you should always remember, everything belongs to God, so treat it with respect, and eventually you will reap what you sow. When people tell me their opinions about the Bible, I just think how better the world would be if people actually lived out what it says, the way God intended.

18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit,so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded. Proverbs 27:18

Your Happiness...

Your happiness will always be found along the path that God commands. Life comes through His word. Reassurance comes through His promises. And newness comes from His goodness.

33 Teach me Your decrees, O Lord;I will keep them to the end.34 Give me understanding and I will obey Your instructions;I will put them into practice with all my heart.35 Make me walk along the path of Your commands,for that is where my happiness is found.36 Give me an eagerness for Your lawsrather than a love for money!37 Turn my eyes from worthless things,and give me life through Your word.[M]38 Reassure me of Your promise,made to those who fear You.39 Help me abandon my shameful ways;for Your regulations are good.40 I long to obey Your commandments!Renew my life with Your goodness. Psalms 119:33-40

Advance notice...

God always warns in advance. He always gives a choice. And He always rewards those that obey. His sovereignty is supreme. The question is do we always do what He wants?

5 With My great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of Mine to anyone I choose. 6 Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is My servant. I have put everything, even the wild animals, under his control. 7 All the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until his time is up. Then many nations and great kings will conquer and rule over Babylon. 8 So you must submit to Babylon’s king and serve him; put your neck under Babylon’s yoke! I will punish any nation that refuses to be his slave, says the Lord. I will send war, famine, and disease upon that nation until Babylon has conquered it.9 “ ‘Do not listen to your false prophets, fortune-tellers, interpreters of dreams, mediums, and sorcerers who say, “The king of Babylon will not conquer you.” 10 They are all liars, and their lies will lead to your being driven out of your land. I will drive you out and send you far away to die. 11 But the people of any nation that submits to the king of Babylon will be allowed to stay in their own country to farm the land as usual. I, the Lord, have spoken!’ ” Jeremiah 27:5-11

The Paradox of Life...

The paradox of life: people reject the only Solution that will save them. They want security and the peace of knowing death isn't the end, but are unwilling to live God's way (the only way to gain the very thing they want). They would rather serve "Self" than serve God. Rejecting Jesus brings eternal death. Everyone hates the concept of Hell, but deep down inside they believe in Divine Justice. The problem is, they love to enjoy evil rather than believe the truth. It's like saying "I need this medicine to cure my sickness, but I refuse to take it because it tastes bad". This mindset leaves people open and vulnerable to believing anything or anyone that comes their way. And against their own desires, end up being fooled because of their own pride. As it says in Proverbs, "pride comes before the fall".

9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

The Value of True Friendship...

This is one of my favorite proverbs. The value of friendship is immeasurable. Like Jonathan and David, our real and genuine friendships help us in times of difficulty. The loyalty, trust, security, empathy, and dead-on, truthful discernment given by a friend is only topped by the intimacy experienced with God Himself.

17 As iron sharpens iron,so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

A Humble Prayer...

An honest and humble prayer. It should always be in the front of our mind.

29 Keep me from lying to myself;give me the privilege of knowing Your instructions. Psalms 119:29