Proverbs 11:9 (NLT)
9 With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.
The hypocrite with his own mouth uses words to destroy the integrity of friends and others. They may flatter a person only to gain information to be used to mislead others. They may decoy someone into sin by false pretenses all the while knowing they are laying a trap. The Apostle Paul says in Romans, “Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. “ Those who are obedient to God’s word have nothing to fear for they shall be found innocent by their own righteousness.
It is said it takes a person two years to learn to talk and seventy years to learn how to control the words coming out of their mouth. The Apostle Paul told us, ‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” Words matter and they can do a lot of good or harm. The news media will often quote “FREEDOM OF SPEAK” when expressing their thoughts; even if those thoughts are twisted or not beneficial to others. How often do we see the news media come down harshly on the actions of a celebrity, but we never hear them build them back up with honest truth? Pray God would always lead you to use words for good and not evil. Pray the truth would be spoken or written by others in such a way that the intent is honest and good. There is nothing wrong with speaking truth to help build a person. However falsehoods and warped truth should not be used to tear others down.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Called by God
Deuteronomy 6-11:9 (NKJV)
(6) "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. (7) The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; (8) but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (9) "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (10) and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. (11) Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.
These words are a reminder from God to the Israelites that God choose them as the people He would lead from captivity. God loved them because He made a promise to do so. God made a promise to keep His covenants with the people and have mercy upon them. God loves those who love Him. But God also judges those who turn against Him and He repays their hate back to them.
God had expectations for the people of Israel who He chose to model His love, His mercy, His kindness, His love, and all of His other wonder attributes. God also expected them to provide disciple when all else failed. God wanted to create an abundant nation of people who would model themselves before others. God wants those who know and love Him today to be the same faithful witnesses and models for Christ. God wants us to share the same love, mercy and grace He bestows upon us. If you find yourself praying for someone, put your words into action and do what God calls you to do. If your heart desires to minister; minister to others. If God says go love the unlovable that is your ministry. God has chosen you, a special treasure with a special purpose. Don’t ignore Him but be faithful to do what God calls you to do.
(6) "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. (7) The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; (8) but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (9) "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (10) and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. (11) Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them.
These words are a reminder from God to the Israelites that God choose them as the people He would lead from captivity. God loved them because He made a promise to do so. God made a promise to keep His covenants with the people and have mercy upon them. God loves those who love Him. But God also judges those who turn against Him and He repays their hate back to them.
God had expectations for the people of Israel who He chose to model His love, His mercy, His kindness, His love, and all of His other wonder attributes. God also expected them to provide disciple when all else failed. God wanted to create an abundant nation of people who would model themselves before others. God wants those who know and love Him today to be the same faithful witnesses and models for Christ. God wants us to share the same love, mercy and grace He bestows upon us. If you find yourself praying for someone, put your words into action and do what God calls you to do. If your heart desires to minister; minister to others. If God says go love the unlovable that is your ministry. God has chosen you, a special treasure with a special purpose. Don’t ignore Him but be faithful to do what God calls you to do.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Doing the best you know is not the same as doing the best you can
Proverbs 9:9 (NLT)
9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
This proverb tells us the wise can learn to be even wiser when they are instructed and the righteous can learn to be even more righteous when they are taught the proper things. God’s word is intended to minister, to reprove, to correct and to instruct.
The other day I was watching a Dr. Phil segment where a dad admittedly was verbally abusive and physically abusive at times towards his children. The dad stated he was doing the best he could. But I want to rephrase his words. The dad was doing the best he knew how to do. It definitely was NOT the “best” he could do or the abusive behavior would not have been present. Dr. Phil offered him help through counseling and he agreed to accept it. One of the grown sons who no longer lived in the home was asked, “Was your dad ever physically abusive towards you?” The son responded, “Yes, when I deserved it.” It was a really sad answer because it meant the son now believed abuse what acceptable and would most likely follow that behavior in his own family. But again, the son only knew what he was taught. It was not the best he could have been taught and therefore he was never going to do the best possible. So ensure you follow the proverb above and take instruction and righteous and learn more for your own sake and the sake of your family. Pray that God would give you wisdom to live life as you should.
9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
This proverb tells us the wise can learn to be even wiser when they are instructed and the righteous can learn to be even more righteous when they are taught the proper things. God’s word is intended to minister, to reprove, to correct and to instruct.
The other day I was watching a Dr. Phil segment where a dad admittedly was verbally abusive and physically abusive at times towards his children. The dad stated he was doing the best he could. But I want to rephrase his words. The dad was doing the best he knew how to do. It definitely was NOT the “best” he could do or the abusive behavior would not have been present. Dr. Phil offered him help through counseling and he agreed to accept it. One of the grown sons who no longer lived in the home was asked, “Was your dad ever physically abusive towards you?” The son responded, “Yes, when I deserved it.” It was a really sad answer because it meant the son now believed abuse what acceptable and would most likely follow that behavior in his own family. But again, the son only knew what he was taught. It was not the best he could have been taught and therefore he was never going to do the best possible. So ensure you follow the proverb above and take instruction and righteous and learn more for your own sake and the sake of your family. Pray that God would give you wisdom to live life as you should.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Our Purpose
Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NLT)
10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
In these verses Jeremiah assures Israel that God would mercifully restore them to their own land again, at the end of 70 years. We often don’t understand our own thoughts or the plans we want to accomplish, but God assures us He knows the purpose of His plans. God tells the people His plans are to bring about a lasting future that is backed by hope. There is a condition to His words the people are to seek Him out and when they do He will make his presence known to them. Then He will end their captivity and restore them to their own land.
In a 2008 adaptation of Pinocchio, Bob Hoskins as Geppetto looks at Pinocchio the puppet he created and says, “"You're alive! Do you understand? You're alive!" Geppetto turns to look at a portrait of his late wife that hangs on the wall. "If only you were here! You could see him, too! He is alive!"
Pinocchio happily repeats Geppetto's verdict: "I'm alive!" Then a pensive look comes over the face of the puppet-turned-boy. "What do you mean 'I'm alive'?" "What does it mean? Well, unless I'm going mad, and this isn't just a dream, it means you have a life to live," says Geppetto."And what do you have a life for?" Pinocchio asks in return.” Geppetto falls silent, unable to find an answer.” Fortunately God who created us knows the purpose for our lives. God has set that purpose in motion and knows the exact plans we are to follow for our life. Our only response is to seek out God so that He can share that purpose with us. Pray God shows you the purpose for your life and let Him lead you to your own land where your purpose can be fulfilled.
10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
In these verses Jeremiah assures Israel that God would mercifully restore them to their own land again, at the end of 70 years. We often don’t understand our own thoughts or the plans we want to accomplish, but God assures us He knows the purpose of His plans. God tells the people His plans are to bring about a lasting future that is backed by hope. There is a condition to His words the people are to seek Him out and when they do He will make his presence known to them. Then He will end their captivity and restore them to their own land.
In a 2008 adaptation of Pinocchio, Bob Hoskins as Geppetto looks at Pinocchio the puppet he created and says, “"You're alive! Do you understand? You're alive!" Geppetto turns to look at a portrait of his late wife that hangs on the wall. "If only you were here! You could see him, too! He is alive!"
Pinocchio happily repeats Geppetto's verdict: "I'm alive!" Then a pensive look comes over the face of the puppet-turned-boy. "What do you mean 'I'm alive'?" "What does it mean? Well, unless I'm going mad, and this isn't just a dream, it means you have a life to live," says Geppetto."And what do you have a life for?" Pinocchio asks in return.” Geppetto falls silent, unable to find an answer.” Fortunately God who created us knows the purpose for our lives. God has set that purpose in motion and knows the exact plans we are to follow for our life. Our only response is to seek out God so that He can share that purpose with us. Pray God shows you the purpose for your life and let Him lead you to your own land where your purpose can be fulfilled.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
That's your problem
Matthew 27:34 (NLT)
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
After Judas betrayed Jesus by leading the religious leaders to Him he was given thirty pieces of silver as his reward. But Jesus began to feel remorse after he understood his betrayal would mean the death of Jesus. So Judas trying to clear his guilty tried to return the silver, but the priests looked at him and said “that’s your problem.”
Sometimes you take the wrong action in life and you find yourself remorseful over the situation. It may not be genuine repentance, but you feel guilty for your actions. Like Judas you want to say, “Can we forget this and start over?”, but unfortunately it’s too late. The actions have been done and whoever was hurt was hurt. There is no going back to undo what has been done and as the priests stated, “it’s your problem.” Fortunately we have a God of grace who forgives when we repent. So we repent and then it is up to us to rebuild any damaged relationships. It is not the other person’s fault, it’s our problem. But again the good news is we can ask Christ to help and he will be there with us in our struggle to make things right.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
After Judas betrayed Jesus by leading the religious leaders to Him he was given thirty pieces of silver as his reward. But Jesus began to feel remorse after he understood his betrayal would mean the death of Jesus. So Judas trying to clear his guilty tried to return the silver, but the priests looked at him and said “that’s your problem.”
Sometimes you take the wrong action in life and you find yourself remorseful over the situation. It may not be genuine repentance, but you feel guilty for your actions. Like Judas you want to say, “Can we forget this and start over?”, but unfortunately it’s too late. The actions have been done and whoever was hurt was hurt. There is no going back to undo what has been done and as the priests stated, “it’s your problem.” Fortunately we have a God of grace who forgives when we repent. So we repent and then it is up to us to rebuild any damaged relationships. It is not the other person’s fault, it’s our problem. But again the good news is we can ask Christ to help and he will be there with us in our struggle to make things right.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Christ our provider
Galatians 1:11-20 (NLT)
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
Paul declares his salvation to the Galatians and that it was a salvation given to him through a direct revelation from Jesus. Paul heard and knew The Gospel for he had persecuted those following Christ for their beliefs. Paul did not believe the gospel of Christ, but instead put to death those who did. Then The Gospel was marvelously revealed to Paul and Paul believed. Christ was sufficient enough for Paul to give him a clear understanding of the Good News of Salvation. He had not even yet heard directly from any of the apostles. Instead Christ alone touched Paul’s life he believed.
Paul’s strength came from his faith in Christ. Paul had a genuine, believable conversion to Christianity. As Paul grew in his faith he said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he [Christ] said unto me, My grace [Christ’s grace] is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I [Paul] rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“ Paul accepted the fact his strength to endure came from Christ. When Paul failed to do what was right, Paul knew Christ would renew and strengthen him. Paul was dependent upon Christ and gave Christ credit for it. Do you know where your strength and power to endure comes from? It comes from Christ who eases your burdens. Your joy comes from Christ who sees you through hardships. Your hope comes from Christ when things seem hopeless. Stop and give praise to Christ who is your Lord, Savior and provider. For in Christ all of your needs can be met.
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. 18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
Paul declares his salvation to the Galatians and that it was a salvation given to him through a direct revelation from Jesus. Paul heard and knew The Gospel for he had persecuted those following Christ for their beliefs. Paul did not believe the gospel of Christ, but instead put to death those who did. Then The Gospel was marvelously revealed to Paul and Paul believed. Christ was sufficient enough for Paul to give him a clear understanding of the Good News of Salvation. He had not even yet heard directly from any of the apostles. Instead Christ alone touched Paul’s life he believed.
Paul’s strength came from his faith in Christ. Paul had a genuine, believable conversion to Christianity. As Paul grew in his faith he said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he [Christ] said unto me, My grace [Christ’s grace] is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I [Paul] rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.“ Paul accepted the fact his strength to endure came from Christ. When Paul failed to do what was right, Paul knew Christ would renew and strengthen him. Paul was dependent upon Christ and gave Christ credit for it. Do you know where your strength and power to endure comes from? It comes from Christ who eases your burdens. Your joy comes from Christ who sees you through hardships. Your hope comes from Christ when things seem hopeless. Stop and give praise to Christ who is your Lord, Savior and provider. For in Christ all of your needs can be met.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Working out your salvation
Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
The apostle writes the Philippians saying they always followed Paul’s instructions when he was with them. But now that Paul is apart from them he instructs them that they are to continue on their own to take to heart their salvation and work on the results of that salvation. In doing so they are to obey God, keep a deep reverence for Him and also show respect for His awesome power which deserves a reverential fear.
Bill White, pastor of outreach at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Paramount, California tells us Craig C. had been an alcoholic for more than a dozen years. He'd lost everything he had, including his wife and son, due to his selfishness and addiction. Things began to change after he gave his life to Christ, but he still fell regularly into his old habits. It didn't help that he'd lost his well-paying job and was clerking at a local grocery store that was well stocked with all his favorite drinks. After a few years of going back and forth between Christ and the bottle, he finally cut the ties, and, out of obedience to Christ, quit his job.
With no income and hope only in Christ, he was in desperate condition. After an interview with a sheet metal company down the street from his new church, he cried out to God. "God, if you give me this job I will give you my first paycheck." Surprisingly, he got the job.
He clearly remembers the day when he got his first paycheck. Stacks of bills needed to be paid. Penniless but determined, he endorsed it over to the church and walked it to the church office without waiting for the Sunday offering. That was the moment, he says, that changed his life because now he understood what it meant to trust God.
As of today, Craig has been sober for 25 years, he's a manager at that sheet metal company, and he serves as an elder at his local church.
Craig didn't need someone to take instructions from; instead he allowed Christ to work in his heart. He allowed Christ to help him work out the purpose of his salvation and Craig gave his life for the life Christ gave him.
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
The apostle writes the Philippians saying they always followed Paul’s instructions when he was with them. But now that Paul is apart from them he instructs them that they are to continue on their own to take to heart their salvation and work on the results of that salvation. In doing so they are to obey God, keep a deep reverence for Him and also show respect for His awesome power which deserves a reverential fear.
Bill White, pastor of outreach at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Paramount, California tells us Craig C. had been an alcoholic for more than a dozen years. He'd lost everything he had, including his wife and son, due to his selfishness and addiction. Things began to change after he gave his life to Christ, but he still fell regularly into his old habits. It didn't help that he'd lost his well-paying job and was clerking at a local grocery store that was well stocked with all his favorite drinks. After a few years of going back and forth between Christ and the bottle, he finally cut the ties, and, out of obedience to Christ, quit his job.
With no income and hope only in Christ, he was in desperate condition. After an interview with a sheet metal company down the street from his new church, he cried out to God. "God, if you give me this job I will give you my first paycheck." Surprisingly, he got the job.
He clearly remembers the day when he got his first paycheck. Stacks of bills needed to be paid. Penniless but determined, he endorsed it over to the church and walked it to the church office without waiting for the Sunday offering. That was the moment, he says, that changed his life because now he understood what it meant to trust God.
As of today, Craig has been sober for 25 years, he's a manager at that sheet metal company, and he serves as an elder at his local church.
Craig didn't need someone to take instructions from; instead he allowed Christ to work in his heart. He allowed Christ to help him work out the purpose of his salvation and Craig gave his life for the life Christ gave him.
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