Born This Way….

Regardless of what anyone says, when we sin, we suffer within ourselves the penalty we deserve. When we buy into the lie the world continually tries to feed us, we exchange the truth for a lie. And worse yet, we have no excuse, even though we try to justify our actions. The misery that goes on inside a person may never be seen by anyone else, but if you are a diligent observer, you will see it acted out. Every sin that’s accepted today as legitimate, falls into this category. “Born this way”, “love is love”, or “it’s my body, it’s my right”, are just man’s way of justifying his sin. Truth is truth no matter how unpopular it is. Sin is sin no matter how popular and accepted it is. In the end, I want to be on God’s side, for the world won’t matter any more. I don’t want to live my life trying to please myself at the expense of my tormented soul. I want to live near the Well-Spring of life. The source of joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.... is God Himself. When you seek Him first, you don’t have to justify any action you may display.

18 But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities–His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. Romans 1:18-32

Money Is Not A Significance Maker….

Money is not a significance maker, God is. He’s the only One that can give us what we don’t deserve, filling the eternal void created by sin, that brings peace to the soul. We can’t earn it. We can’t do anything to gain it. We just have to ask Him to grant us the unmeasurable grace that changes us, forever. Our significance comes from knowing God. Knowing we belong to Him, and that is enough. God has created us for Himself. Our restless hearts will not find rest until it rests in Him.

2 The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. Proverbs 22:2

Once It’s Gone….

Character matters, it’s more valuable that riches. Once it’s gone, you can’t buy it back.

1 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

Hang On To This Truth….

God disciplines us because He loves us. And no matter how bad it may seem, He will never break a promise He has made. Hang on to this truth when times get tough. You can depend on God, always.

30 But if his descendants forsake My instructions and fail to obey My regulations,31 if they do not obey My decrees and fail to keep My commands,32 then I will punish their sin with the rod,and their disobedience with beating.33 But I will never stop loving him or fail to keep My promise to him.34 No, I will not break My covenant;I will not take back a single word I said.35 I have sworn an oath to David,and in My holiness I cannot lie:36 His dynasty will go on forever;his kingdom will endure as the sun. Psalms 89:30-36

Look Up At The Moon….

The next time you look up at the moon on a clear night, remember that it is a faithful witness in the sky. It signifies creation. It should be a reminder of the power of our Creator. The moon’s light governs the night. It also reflects the sun, a reminder of what we are to do, reflect the Son. But even more so, it reminds us that we have a Creator Who loves us more than we will ever know. God is in control. His will be done. The moon is His faithful witness in the sky.

It will be as eternal as the moon, My faithful witness in the sky!” Psalms 89:37

God Is In Charge….

Regardless of how the world seems to be doing, God is in charge. If bad things are happening, then God is allowing it to happen for a reason. Evil will never triumph; it will only exist for a short time. No one can stand against God. It’s just not possible. Take heart in this truth. Examine your own heart. And take refuge in the Lord at all times, not just when they seem bad.

30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord. Proverbs 21:30

If Your Desire Isn’t For All People….

If your desire isn’t for all people in earshot of your witness to become faithful followers of Jesus, then your following and preaching a false gospel.

28 Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:28-29