Articles for July 2017

Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” 

This is a commission from God Himself. He is telling us to hold fast, stand firm, and not vacillate in our faith.  Now, we all realize that we cannot do this in our own strength.  BUT, it is our decision if we are going to reach out for God’s help during the trials and challenges of life.  We are not puppets that have no control how we serve God, it really is our choice.

Basically, our faith and trust in God should be so settled and firm in our lives that nothing will be able to shake it – NOTHING. We need to be like that tree in Jeremiah 17:8, “For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”  If our lives are planted deep into the soil of God’s Word, and our roots are reaching for the water of His grace, then our life will be fruitful – no matter what is going on around us.  The wind can blow, the draught can come, the heat can beat down on us, but we will stand tall and firm in our faith.  Our testimony will hold fast for God.

For us to be the faithful people that God wants us to be, we need to read the Word and meditate on the Word daily.  This is how we grow and are nourished in our Christian life.

I know that you know this, but we often let ‘life’ get in the way of what we know we should do.  To know and to do are very different things.

My prayer is that my faith will be strong, and that your faith will be strong; strong enough to stand firmly for God in this sinful world.  He promised to help us and give us strength and He will do so if we are seeking that help and asking for it.  Remember – He is faithful that promised!

James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” 

This is an invitation to ‘YOU’ personally. I never cease to be amazed that there are so many Scriptures where God talks to us as individuals.  He cares about each one of us and often addresses us personally in His Word.

I think all of us would like to be ‘wise’ in the way we live, (having the power to discern and judge correctly, 1828 Dictionary) When we are unsure how to handle a situation or decision, God is telling us that we can ask Him for His help and wisdom in making the proper choices.  =This can involve any area of our lives.  We all know life can throw us curve balls when we least expect them.  This should make this promise all the more appreciated by us.

Our heavenly Father says, “Ask Me to help you live wisely and I will do so, freely and bountifully.   I will not reprove you or scold you because you asked and I promise to answer you.”  (Jackson paraphrase)

Think about it. It really is foolish for us to muddle through life and try to manage on our own when God promises His help and wisdom.  Our job is to ASK for this wisdom.  Don’t forget the verse that follows this promises, James 1:6a, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”

God gives us promises, but we must believe and claim these promises by faith!

Proverbs 14:4, “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.”

I picture here a person who doesn’t want to do the extra work of taking care of oxen. It takes effort to care for and feed them.  It is also a lot of work to clean their stalls, so…so… it definitely is must EASIER to have no oxen at all.  Hence, there will be no work and a clean crib.

BUT, God says that the work is worth it because the oxen will work for you and your wealth will increase. I think this is saying that good things happen when we are willing to work for them.  Sure, we can sit back and not take risks.  (We can keep the crib clean.)  But, this leads to no productivity and no increase in our well being.   Nothing is being accomplished.

This is another example of God telling us not to be sluggards – get up and get to work and do something for self and God.

I believe that God desires to bless our lives, but He expects us to be in there doing our part. He directs – we follow.  This definitely can involve work, sometimes a lot of work, but the result will be growth both spiritually and physically in our lives.

Proverbs 19:21, “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” 

Man’s heart is deceitful, selfish, fickle, changing its mind frequently. It also can be kind, thoughtful, and forgiving.  Up, down, all around – describes the heart of a man.  Sin seems to be rampant today.  What was immoral a few years ago is now moral, and to do right is considered intolerant and wrong.  Men’s minds change with the whims of the circumstances of life.  There doesn’t seem to be anything that is stable in our world today!  Just watch the evening news if you question this statement.

How thankful we should be for the counsel of the LORD. That never changes.  The Bible is absolute truth that will stand forever.  What is right today will be right tomorrow –  you can count on it.

To combat these evil devices in the hearts of men we need to know the Word of God. This can only be done through a consistent and diligent study of the Bible.  We need to BELIEVE and STAND on what the Scripture says.  God cannot lie, so every word in the Bible is truth.  God’s Word is forever settled in heaven.   There should be no vacillating, or wavering, or up and down, and all around confusion in a Christian’s life.  Of all people, we should be the most stable.  We know the truth and we know that what God says will never change!

Let’s live lives that demonstrate this truth to the world!

Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” 

I don’t think we even begin to grasp what this verse is saying and how much of our faith is wrapped up in this truth…

“God, that cannot lie,”

Cannot means ‘unable to do.’ This means that EVERYTHING that the Bible says is absolute, set in granite, and unchangeable.  (All scripture is given by inspiration of God…2 Timothy 3:16a.)

Every word, every promise, and every warning, is absolutely for sure.

When God tells us what to do and what not to do – we had better listen. So often we will try to reason away what the Bible says.  Man often will deal with what seems ‘logical’ to him.  But God says in Isaiah 55:8,9,  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

As you read the Scriptures remember that it is total truth that will never change. Don’t allow your mind to explain away the parts that you prefer not to follow.  This does not work.  If God says it – that settles it – PERIOD – because God cannot lie!

I Corinthians 13:4,5, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seekth not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”

This verse is God’s definition of ‘LOVE’. It is universal, representing all the types of love demonstrated by man:  love of a spouse, love for children, love for friends, love for parents, etc.  Or, maybe, I should say that it represents the way ‘love’ should be demonstrated.  We all know that the word charity can be interchanged with the word love, so that is the word I will use in this devotional.  I appreciate the way that God’s Word can say so much in such a small space.  These verses represent a beautiful picture of what genuine love looks like.

• Love suffereth long – it doesn’t give up. It is in there for the long haul.
• Love is kind – it is not quick or hurtful but thoughtful and helpful.
• Love envieth not – it is not jealous of what others have but is encouraging.
• Love is not puffed up – it isn’t boastful and smug. It does not put itself above others.
• Love does not behave itself unseemly – it is not show-offy. (Not sure that’s a word)
• Love seeketh not her own – it doesn’t say, “me first” and want everything done MY way.
• Love is not easily provoked – it is patient and doesn’t fly off the handle easily.
• Love thinketh no evil – it does not jump to conclusions or think the worst.

Love is not just a word to be spoken but a word to be demonstrated. We show true love, God’s love, when we put the actions that these verses express into practice.  It is what we should strive for every day!

Proverbs 2:20, “That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of righteousness.” 

Are you considered a ‘good man’ or a ‘good woman’?  Would the way you walk and live be an example for others to follow?  You’ve heard the statement that ‘no man is an island’ meaning none of us live unto ourselves.  What you do and how you live affects others, and it also affects your testimony.  I’ve said it often and I’ll say it again, if you say you are a Christian, what you do and how you live reflects on God (whether you want it to or not).  We cannot compartmentalize our lives – part of the time living for God and the other part living for self.  The world will not accept this and neither will God.

You may go to church and you may even teach a Sunday School class, or sing in the choir on Sunday, but if you live the rest of the week looking and talking like the world you will have no influence for God in your life.

I don’t think any of us would steal or murder someone. This is not what I am talking about, even most of those that are not Christians do not do these things. BUT – do you get angry and fly off the handle?  Are you impatient?  Do you murmur and grumble about life.  Is your continence sad and full of worry?  I could probably go on for a long time talking about ways we can be a poor testimony before the world.

Often we do not even think about how our actions affect others and reflect on God.

We can say that God will meet all our needs and that He is always with us to help us, but are we living like we truly believe this.

Think about this as you start each new day. Ask God to make your life a ‘good testimony’ for Him and seek to walk in the way of a ‘good man’ or a ‘good woman.’

Proverbs 25:28, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” 

This is a verse that I quote often. It makes me think about my responsibility in the Christian life.  This verse (and many others) definitely seem to imply that I have a part in the decisions that I make concerning my walk with God.  God did not make us puppets.  He has given us a free will – the ability to choose our own course of action.

So, basically this verse is implying:

Be self disciplined – control your spirit. Willingly be in subjection to the will of God.  Never choose to go contrary to God’s directives.  Following God’s ways, will result in a wall of  protection surrounding you.

You have an active part in the decisions you make every day. When self controls you, watch out, you life is open to all of the outside forces that want to destroy you and rob you of your joy and service to God.  (You are a city with no walls of security protecting you.)

Ask God to give you the ability to rule your own spirit so that you will live the way that He desires for you to live!

Remember it’s your choice to go God’s way OR to go your own way!

Matthew 6:20, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

Matthew 6:20 is probably one of the most ignored principles in the Scriptures. We are so focused on the here and now that we forget that this life is only temporary.  Often people ignore eternal values for earthly accomplishments.  They plan and invest so much of their time and life into pursuits that really have no value for the long run.

God is not saying that we are not to pay attention to our lives here on earth. He knows we need jobs, a place to live, cars to drive, etc.  He  want us to live a joyful, abundant life.  (John 10:10b,  “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”)  The problem arises when these necessities become the entire focus of our lives.  It is when we are making decisions only on the basis of what we want versus where God is leading and what will please Him.

We can lay up treasure in heaven in many ways:

• By obeying what God says in His Word.
• By leading others to Christ.
• By trying to please Him before ourselves.
• By choosing right over wrong.
• By focusing on God and eternity instead of the ever changing circumstances of life.
• By trusting Him and believing He is in control of all things.

If we make every decision with eternity in mind, (seeking to lay up treasures in heaven) our choices will be God honoring and we will be living the abundant life – here on earth as well as when we get to heaven!

Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” 

Are you frustrated, disappointed, angry at our leaders, or president? Are you upset with the way our country is heading?  Always keep in mind that God is in control – nothing happens that He does not allow.  We could become confused if we didn’t trust that all that is happening is under God’s authority.

God knows all about the evil and corruptness in high places. He is not caught off guard by the sinfulness of our nation.  (He certainly does not like it and will judge it in His time.)   But, until then, we must keep our hearts and minds on the fact that God is still on the throne.  Our leaders and president could do nothing if God did not allow it.

So what is our position to be in all of this?   We are not helpless – we can make a difference.

• We should seek to turn things around by winning people to the Lord.
• We should pray that God will change the heart of our leaders .
• We should bombard the throne of heaven on behalf of our country.

Most importantly we should believe that God could and would change the heart of the king if we pray and care!

Are you doing your part for America?

(Blog published 3/6/17)