Two Mindsets In People….

If you really think about it, there are two mindsets in people: those that think they deserve things, and those that know they don’t. There may be variations, but you are either moving away from one toward the other, or vice versa. Life can be cruel at times, and for those that think life “owes them” something, they will always be the victim. For those that realize life can be both fair or unfair, they know it’s what we make of those situations that matter most. It’s our reaction to this mindset that determines our attitude and gratitude in life. Always being a victim breeds ingratitude and vengeance. Whereas accepting adversity as a test, allows us to grow and expand, reaching more depth of character, breeding security and hopefulness, which we exemplify to others. It’s Hope that anchors our soul. Where do you sit on this issue? Are you a lost ship drifting through life always making excuses, anchor less, never arriving at the port of peace? Or are you a ship that channels the wind to discover new horizons, knowing the port of peace is always within reach?

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:1-5

Wisdom And Age….

If we are growing older, we should be growing wiser as well. If we are not, we are really not living, are we? Wisdom and age go hand in hand. Unfortunately, it’s not a guarantee. Some grow old and remain immature, never learning from their mistakes. While others grow in wisdom because they apply truth to everything they do. The key is the ability to be honest with oneself, and the desire to want to please God by doing what’s right. If you don’t have these desires you will grow old yet never reach your wisdom potential, and remain immature. Time is the equalizer of man. Those who use it wisely, truly learn to live life to the fullest. Those that don’t just grow old, aging beyond their ability to enjoy and appreciate the gift of a long life.

12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalms 90:12

Describe Your Home…..

If I were to ask you to describe your home, you’d probably say, “It’s a light tan color, 3 bedrooms....”. I mean describe your HOME. It’s a place of rest, security, comfort, and relaxation. It’s a place where we play, grow closer to our loved ones, and have fun. You probably would say it is a place of completeness. A place of great memories, and love. Now with that concept in mind, to the Jew this is what God is to them. You always read of David referring to God as his place of refuge. Well, this is the way it’s supposed to be. If we are just passing through, or as Paul says “just a temporary stay” (my paraphrase), then God should be our home. He is a place we go for comfort in times of turmoil. He’s a place of security in an insecure world. He’s where we get our significance from (being chosen by Him). He is life. The next time you think about home, instead of thinking about colors and square footage, think of all that your home means to you. Then give thanks to God for giving you more than just a material structure. You have some much more than that. He’s waiting for you to make Him your real HOME.

1 Lord, through all the generations You have been our home! 2 Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, You are God. Psalms 90:1-2

The Irony Of Worldly Justice Seekers….

It doesn’t matter what skin color you have. It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are. And it doesn’t matter what your socioeconomic status is. When you promote violence and destruction, it’s a heart issue. It’s a sin issue. You can call it protesting, fighting for your rights, or even making a wrong into a right, but when your actions turn violent, it is no longer justified. The irony of worldly justice seekers is in the pursuit retrobution, their behavior becomes unjust, for they lack the wisdom only God brings. If your heart is full of hatred, violence, and selfishness, you will act it out. When your heart chases after evil you will be punished. Your reign of violence will end. It may seem good and right at the moment, but in the end, it won’t equal the destruction and the torment you will face. It won’t be worth it. Like I said, it's a sin issue, and that means it’s a God issue. How can you fix a spiritual issue through worldly means? You can't. You will be held accountable for all that you have done. In these uncertain times we currently live in, take heart, reset your eyes on the prize. God is just. And he will not let evil reign for long. We are to overcome evil with good. It’s how it’s done, and it’s the only way it’s done. Pray today that God will give you the strength, and empower you with His Spirit to overcome evil with good. It starts with a transforming of the heart, and it’s a daily practice. Address yours today.

Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. Proverbs 22:8a

Allow Yourself To Feel The Discomfort….

Have you ever been rejected by someone? Returned home depressed because you feel unworthy? Take heart. The remedy is right here. The reason you are down in the dumps is normal. The reason you feel this way is because you’re seeking significance from the wrong place, living in the wrong kingdom. People are social beings, we are not meant to live isolated lives. However, just because we are social doesn’t mean we are to seek our self-worth from others. Our significance comes from God alone. We are chosen by Him, for Him, and thus get our worth and importance from Him. Knowing we are His, gives us the substance necessary to be social. Our job is to give love, live truth, and be there for people. In return when we give of ourselves, God rewards us with loyalty, companionship, and special bonds with certain people. When we get hurt, it’s probably because we take our eyes off the prize. Getting hurt is part of humanity. It’s part of relationships. It serves a purpose: to humble us, to make us more sensitive to others, and the list goes on. The next time you are let down by someone, take it all in. Allow yourself to feel the discomfort. Then refocus, talk with God, and set your path back on track, with God’s will being your will. It may sting, but it will deepen your resolve and get your mindset back on track. A change of heart is evidence of God’s Spirit working in us.

29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29

It’s Not Fair For People….

When people say “it’s not fair for people who have never heard of Jesus to be condemned”, how do you respond? Do you agree? Disagree? Do you even know how to respond? Here in today’s scripture verses we get a glimpse of what Paul’s response would be. Earlier in Romans chapter 1, we hear Paul tell us we are all without excuse. Here in chapter 2 we read that when we follow our conscience by doing what is right we are agreeing with the law and realize God’s law is written on our hearts. When someone seeks out truth, asks God to reveal Himself to them, He answers. The key is that you do it whole-heartedly, not haphazardly. If someone is condemned, it’s not because they never heard the name of Jesus. They are condemned because they denied God by not listening to their conscience; the place where God reveals Himself to all people. When you stop listening to your conscience, you seal your own fate. It’s how God communicates with us. A seared conscience means you live your life with only one goal, one purpose, and that is to please yourself. God has written His law on our hearts, it’s translated through our conscience. Do you listen to yours? If so, how finely tuned are you to adhering to what it tells you?

12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. 13 For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in His sight. 14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know His law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. 15 They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim–that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. Romans 2:12-16

Time Is All We Really Have….

There are only two outcomes of the human condition. And no matter how much we agree or disagree, it won’t stop them from happening. You are either for God, and your actions follow. Or you are against Him, regardless if we think our actions are good enough. We will either receive eternal life and live accordingly, or we will be the object of God’s anger and spend eternity without Him and without hope of being relieved of the torment. It says it right here in today’s scripture. The real question we should be asking ourselves is this: what am I going to do about it while I still have time? For time is all we really have. What we do with it determines everything.

6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But He will pour out His anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil–for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good–for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:6-11