Who Can Find a Good Woman?

“A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises! Proverb 31:10-31.

Today, as I travel home to be with my wife, family, and friends—my hearts longs to see and be with my wife most of all. To me, the words of Solomon describe her far better than I ever could.

For the husbands who read this I'm sure they will see their wives in Solomon's words--as husbands we are truly blessed!

Refuge in Him

“Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Proverb 30:5

God is our everything. He’s our wisdom, our strength, and our hope. We can do nothing without Him. He is our protection and our warrior who knows us, loves us, and cares for us so.

Men and women will fail us. This we all know. God never will, he will ever walk with us and we walk with Him.

In that, we often have trouble—walking with God. For our hearts deceive us, mislead us and misguide us. Our hope is in God. In trusting Him and His Word and walking therein.

Father, help us and teach us to walk with you. Change our hearts and guide our steps towards you, ever towards you.

A Dull Pencil

Some ask, “How can you write so?” “How can you manipulate words so well?” To answer the question I state the obvious, “I simply don’t know, it is the gift of God”. I’m often taught, convicted, and amazed as anyone else. For with pencil and paper I simply write the impressions that I believe God gives me, it is that simple.

Yet more amazing than a few marks on a page are your lives. What an abundance of teachers you are. For you teach me patience under trial. Grace under pressure. Mercy in the face of hatred.

Many of you have comforted me when I sobbed in failure or listened to my heart when racked with doubt and despair. Many of you witnessed the worse in me, the frailty in me and yet you call me friend. I’ll be honest—I don’t understand why.

Yet, it is your heart, your words of encouragement and your prayer that keeps me scratching away the unfolding majesty of the heart of God. A portion of who’s heart abides in you.

Some of you stand before crowds and preach the gospel of Christ—I can hardly carry-on an understandable conversation. Some of you create with your hands and then give those creations to the poor. Some of you teach, some of you write, most of you have responsibilities and abilities that I simply cannot imagine me having.

On the other hand, I write with a dull pencil to my friends who love me and bless me in their reading. Thank you for your influence, for encouragement, and for teaching me about God, love, and friendship.

A Work in Progress

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6

We are a work in progress you and I; none of us are finished… some, newer than others but all an ongoing construction site. Some have wires hanging loose, or the air is filled with the lingering dust of newly cut wall-board or rough-cut wood.

Some have exposed areas in their walls… while other walls are near completion. In others… the foundation is being worked while others have a leaky roof. Yet the work continues on.

The owner is almost never seen. His voice is heard by a minority who listen intently. Yet his blueprint is open for all to read. The owner has a vast array of workers. They come in all sizes, shapes, and dispositions-no one knows if they are good or evil workers-in this the owner does not discriminate. The owners focus is the task at hand, changing our lives.

These workers are those who cut you off in traffic. The folks at work who rub you raw. Those who gossip behind your back. Those who take and give little in return. The person who burns a hole in your heart by harsh words and ridicule. These workmen and workwomen do not know the pain they cause… or the wonderful work they accomplish in our lives.

For they cut off the extra that is unseemly, unattractive, and unproductive. They saw off our pride, our pretensions, and our falsehoods. They hammer-home our frailty and help bring us to humility. Their harsh treatment teaches us forgiveness and mercy.

Their work on the wreck of our lives brings forth beauty, wisdom, and nobility that cannot be measured with a yard-stick or corrected by a carpenters square. For the construction site is our heart, our character, and our spirit.

The owner comes by from time to time—looks over the ciaos of construction—gives us an approving smile and then the workers resume their tasks on our lives.

We are a work in progress. In this we all share. We are all the same. The same blueprint applies to all, written by God, who commissions others to work His work in our lives.

When we view the construction in another’s life and desire to criticize or complain its good that we remember our own work in progress, our own broken life, and show encouragement instead. In times of hardship this is the best that we can do for others…

Heavenly Father, thank you for the work that you are working in our hearts and lives. Thank you for the agents that you use—these who cause us much hurt so that we can draw closer to you—so that our hearts are changed. We are thankful for your great mercy and goodness is working so in our lives.

Numbered Days

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 KJV)

Our days are numbered not by good health or the food that we eat or by the exercise gained. Our days are marked off day by day on our Creators calendar. He gave us life—he determines its length; for our lives are like the ticking of a clock wound just as long as required.

In the time given us we are allowed the control of choice. We choose with every moment of our day to live for God or to live for ourselves. If our if godly our heavenly Father watches over, cares for, and helps us with our decision. If our choice is otherwise then we are on our own; left to our own devices and our own outcome.

When the spring in our clock stills, when the last tick is history and the Creator marks off our last day then the fullness of our earthly life is measured. Our lives are measured not by righteousness or unrighteousness on our part, for we have none-we never had any.

The accumulation of our days bundled together and called a life is measured by the unseen. The unseen called faith. Faith not in a church, not in a creed, not in what we’ve read, spoken, or wrote. Faith in a person only. The person, Jesus Christ.

Is your faith in Christ today?

Do you know the number of your days?

Heavenly Father, you’ve numbered our steps, our days, and you know our lives. Thank you for the faith that you’ve given us—faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. It is our hope and belief in him where we can rest our souls securely.

'Take Nothing for Granted'

“Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything— encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! (1 Peter 4:7-11 – The Message)

Everyday it seems more evident of Christ’s return. Everyday God’s Spirit seems to be whispering—and at times almost shouting—stay in my Word and Pray! It’s scary for me when I do not follow through with these directions for like you there’s a war going on. A war of wills; of good verses evil… the good flowing from God… the evil coming from my own heart.

Yet, God is faithful. His Word is true. He accounts righteousness through faith. He departs faith into our hearts through the reading and hearing of His Word… how faithful, how merciful, how great is our God!

His sacrifice is our atonement that cleanses us when we are unworthy... and ever we are—unworthy. It is ever good to remind ourselves from where God brought us from. As His children-to never forget how he delivered us from the bonds of Egypt. We are not our own-we are bought with a price-the price of Calvary.

With so much given then why do we grab for more? Why do we long for the treasures and trinkets on sale before us and neglect those who are hungry, those who are homeless, and those—for Christ’s name thrown in jail?

Why do we built church kingdoms and rest our backsides on soft pews and are disturbed when the air conditioning is not so—so when all the while our brothers and sisters in Christ starve and die and are crushed in prisons?

It’s a mystery to me how hard my heart can be.

Heavenly Father, turn our hearts to the simple and yet powerful teachings of Jesus Christ. Lord, I’ve strayed from those teachings help me, teach me, and Father restore in me your desire.

Moving the Boundary Lines...

“Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors.” Proverb 22:28 (Message)

I’m sure that if Leonardo da Vinci were alive today that he certainly would not appreciate the twist of history and how his work is portrayed in the The Da Vinci Code (film).

As a Christian and a historian I don’t appreciate the fragrant and yet vastly poor attempt to rewrite history. I mean, Dan Brown, could have at least made his fiction work worthy of the time to study and criticize but his arguments are easily confounded—even by a high-school history buff. True, the ignorant masses may believe and be deceived but this is nothing new. Yet, isn’t this all just another added distraction…

A lot of time and attention this film has received which is an indication to me of so manys boredom or frailty of faith or preoccupation with the distractions of the world-just another distraction.

True, this film—along with Hollywood is an attack on Christ-but is this anything new? This is just another progressive move away from the set universal boundaries found in scripture. The world is continually progressing downward in a spiral of deceit and deception as they must discount the traditional lines of truth founded on Biblical principles. How else will they gloss over their sordid conscience?

Hopefully, the Christians view is that the fictious film is just that... fiction. It is unworthy of watching or even serious debate. There are plenty of folks who will trifle with the debate. I’ll leave that to them.

Our work is to continue to preach and teach and spread the Good News of Christ, to make disciples and be discipled and to learn how to live Holy in a corrupt world. To learn of the gifts and talents that we are given and to work in that area-and only in that area. To avoid the distractions that come within the church and outside of it and do only what our Heavenly Father would have us do. That, in itself is worthy of our study, our attention, our income, and our full attention.

Heavenly Father, we live in days of deception and distraction… days that are similar to those that have gone before. Purify our hearts so that we can see your truth and hear your voice and give us a heart to obey and to trust only in you…

Why Blame God?

“People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed?” Proverb 19:3 (The Message)

I’ll admit… this one stung me! For I’ve certainly created my share of ‘bone-head’ mistakes by not thinking before doing or by speaking instead of listening. I’m learning that most of my life I’ve eaten the wrong foods, spent my time the wrong way, and generally have been my own worst enemy. Now, like you I’m making corrections… not all mind you, for one I’m learning that ‘Rome was not built in a day’ and neither will many areas of my life correct themselves instantly. We American’s love instant stuff… we tend to abhor the good quality of patience-I’m included as usual. No, I’m trying to be patient, diligent, and smart about change in my life and most importantly, I’m praying about it all.

For after some 40 plus years I’m beginning to realize how very little I can actually do to change myself. Mike’s nature is very resistant to change—yet I must in obedience to the still-quiet voice that whispers to my heart. It just kills me when I don’t obey that voice, when seemingly everyday I need to ask my Heavenly Father to forgive and cleanse me-to please change my heart.

Is that your prayer today? For your Heavenly Father to change you-on the inside?

You know, I believe that God will honor that prayer and your life will begin to change. Oh the change is so slow and slight that even you might not notice it altogether but then we are talking about changing the heart—and not the outward—not for gain but out of love and worship to our Heavenly Father. We are like trees planted by a river—those trees change everyday—our Heavenly Father is aware of their change and ours as well—even if we are not.

God’s changing you. You are growing, maturing, and becoming something altogether wonderful. True, you... just as I... have our moments and days when we slip up but the thing is we are ever quicker to the throne of grace; ever increasingly we know who to blame… and it’s not God… it’s ourselves.

Father is teaching us that His way is best.
He’s got everything under control.
There’s a purpose in what you are going through today.
Only trust and obey Him, no one else, not even yourself.

Heavenly Father, you are pretty incredible, you know. I mean, it’s often amazing how much mercy you show us… your kids. We make a lot of mistakes on this life’s journey and yet you are patient. Sometimes I get angry at life’s situations or frustrated at my own mistakes and I lash out and blame you… Father, forgive, blot out my sin, and restore me as your child-a child who needs you so desperately! You are so awesome in love and mercy and goodness and majesty. Oh, that my lips would boast of you before the haters of you and that my heart would melt in your daily presence.

Reading Books

“Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.” Prov. 18:15 (The Message)

I think as I get older the more that I want to close my own mouth and listen to the wisdom or the lack thereof—of others. I heard it said one time that “everyone’s a teacher; they teach you by their good or bad example.” I believe this to be true--that everyone is a ‘book’. Now not all ‘books’ are the same… yet the most precious ‘books’ for me are those that are well worn… the binding is coming loose, the edges are frayed, and its cover is crinkled with the passing of years. Yet the wealth of wisdom and practical everyday knowledge is like gold.

I did not always believe this… in my youth I liked new ‘books’. They were shiny and new, the binding not broken, nothing frayed or damaged-the books I liked were much like me—young and inexperienced.

What kind of ‘books’ do you learn from?

Are you still learning?

Heavenly Father, each day you teach us something new or remind us of some golden truth. Thank you for the ‘books’ of wisdom that you surround our lives with. Thank you also for the ‘books’ that are not so wise. Help us to see the difference and to learn from you while reading both of them.

Friends and Family

“Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. Prov. 17:17

Sometimes, when you feel as if you have no friends if you stop your busy lives for a moment and look around you will see how blessed you are. There are many who care for you, who give to you, and who pray. Each of us were motivated and influenced by friends and family-no one is an island.

When trouble comes stick by your friends, especially if they are wrong-they will need you the most a little later. Help your friends and family to weather the storms of life just as they have so often, helped you.

God & Work

“Put GOD in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.” Prov. 16:3

(Message)

Have you ever noticed that when you pray and work and work and pray that things just seem to workout a whole lot smoother. I’m learning that when I have a problem—regardless of how small I perceive it to be-to just say a word of prayer.

Most of the time I’ve thought, ‘well, I can handle this little problem’… after hours of frustration I turn to my Father and say, ‘o.k., I’m wrong, I can’t figured this out on my own, will you show me so that I accomplish the maximum amount of work today.’

He’s never failed to answer. Your Heavenly Father is with you at work – only will we regard him or struggle to do things through our own strength?

Use Kind Words

“Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.” Proverb 15:4 (Message)

It is better to be kind and unknown then to be known and unkind. The discerning know who is kind and who is not. May we be kind one to another and to all that we come in contact with today.
Father, help us to be kind, gentle, and good. To be like you.

Why Have a Devotional?

Why have a devotional? A devotional reminds our hearts of whom we love and the following:

“If you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him… then you will up your face without shame; you will stand firm and with fear. … You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety".1

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles".2

"My eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge".3

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength".4

"Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you".5

"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those who hearts and fully committed to him".6

1. Job 11:13,15,18

2. Acts 2:41-43

3. Psalm 141:8

4. Deuteronomy 6:5

5. Psalm 86:2

6. 2 Chronicles 16:9

*Excepts from “Promises for You,” Editor: Tom Dean, The Zondervan Corp., 2004.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

I guess it was about five years ago now that Jeff sat me down and explained to me that my thinking was all wrong. He had a very hard time convincing me… but over time his words began to sink in. One of my favorite tidbits of the good advice that he gave me was to start my day out with song. So on many mornings, rain or shine, snow or spring I’m blessed in the singing to myself of, ‘Oh What a Beautiful Morning.’ Now, over the years I’ve modified those wonderful words penned by Oscar Hammerstein II to include these verses:

‘Gone are the dark past that bound me,
Gone are the bitter tears too
I’m healed through Christ my redeemer
For his love is my cure
&
‘Today is a beautiful blessing
Today God will speak to my heart
There’s joy in my soul this morning
Christ’s joy will never depart’
&
Before me a mansion is waiting,
Where I will sing evermore,
A song of my Savior’s redeeming
A song I will sing evermore…’

Thank you brother Jeff wherever the Lord has you, whatever he has you do… I’m grateful and changed by your counsel!

Trials and Challenges

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” [James 1:2-4 Message]

How odd this scripture sounds to me at times. I know that when I go through something I don’t consider this a ‘gift’ or a ‘joy’ as the King James Version states… I typically go into this with my typical grumbling and complaining… I like my comfort zones…

Yet, our Heavenly Father is faithful and persistent. He knows what is good and right for our lives and He knows that our comfort zones are not always good. So, we must go through some things… our comfort is made uncomfortable and it’s in that condition of the mind or heart that we learn… and that God gets our attention.

He does all this out of love. Just as a mother or a father desires the best for their children so does God want the best for us. His best is far above what we settle for—his best develops character in our lives—creates in us a maturity—a maturity to serve and help others—and give them comfort in times of need.

Prayer + Thankfulness = Peace

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

You know, its really weird but over these past months I’m learning the awesome value of prayer. I say, learning… because of my thick head, it is a lesson that God has to show me again and again. Yet, there are some days that I treasure. I treasure just the closeness of walking with my Heavenly Father and seemingly I feel Him just a breath away… then there are other days when He feels so distant, especially when I’ve messed up and did not follow where He wanted to lead me. Those times, those days I really regret… there’s just such heaviness, an ugliness about me that seems to just plague my old head and tries to keep me beat down.

Yet, when I pray… when I’m cleansed by a heart-prayer, and Father reminds me of Christ’s sacrifice… and that I’m his son, and that I’m forgiven then I feel the burdened lifted and I’m reminded of the simple and yet powerful faith and joy found in Him.

I’m learning… to say this prayer quickly… to forgive myself more quickly… and dismiss thoughts of condemnation, thoughts of ‘how bad I am’ and thoughts of doubt… like, ‘God can’t hear your prayer’… such thoughts are not Heavenly… so I just flip those thoughts around… I think instead, “yea, I’m bad… we all are, but Christ is good and I choose to be clothed in Him!” And, “God can hear me, He’s my Father-He will never leave nor forsake me”. And this gets the eyes of my heart looking upward… instead of on Mike and you know that heaviness just rolls off my back… and I usually sing my Father a little song or began whistling a tune…

So, consider giving that a try… mix some prayer and some thankfulness into your busy day… and I bet you a bucket full of worry that peace will begin to flow into your heart… and your day will be a treasure… walking with your Heavenly Father!

Popcorn and a Movie

The other day, a buddy of mine invited me to a movie and so I went. I was running late, but I had to stop and get some popcorn and a soda… watching a movie without either one is… well, just not quite right… at least for me. I get my popcorn, a soda, ½ handful of napkins—I’ll need em’ and I plop down beside my buddy and ask him, ‘now what is this movie about.’ He answered, ‘I don’t really know.’ ‘Alrighty, I thought—it’s adventure time…’ The movie turned out to be ‘Slither’.

It turned out to be a ‘B’ or maybe a ‘C’ movie as it had a slim plot, bad acting, bad music score, well… just about bad everything… it was something akin to the ‘Blob’ and the ‘Dukes of Hazard’… yet, I was able to find many things very funny in the movie. For during the first of the movie I thought, we’ll this is going to be a very bad movie, I can either sit here complain about it or I can do something about it—like analyze all the funny mistakes in the film—so this I did. And you know what—I had a pretty good time… at the movie’s expense, but then who cares—it’s only entertainment anyway…

Sometimes life just throws us the totally unexpected. When that happens we can either immediately ‘react’ or we can take a moment and ‘not react’ and just see how life will play out…

I’m glad that I was able to turn something pretty crummy and see the funny side… it made the evening, at least for me, worth-while… and that popcorn... well, I ate too much, like I always do...

Judgement and Repentance

“I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD”. Ezekiel 24:14

If we are honest with ourselves we will recognized that many of the problems that we face today… we created. Like everyone else, I don’t naturally like to take the blame… I prefer to pass it on. It’s easier on my conscience to blame someone else, a system, the environment, or something else… anything but turn that look inward.

Yet, truth indicates that I’m at fault for the bad things I do and no one else. I’m responsible for my own actions, attitudes, and behavior. The day is coming, and shortly I believe, when I will stand before God and He will judge me… Romans 2:16, 2 Timothy 4:1, 1 Peter 4:5, John 12:48 just as God will judge us all.

It is needful to look to ourselves… to “judge ourselves” 1 Corinthians 11:31 and to repent.

Repentance takes time, takes effort, takes a searching of our hearts… a decision. Repentance comes from the heart and not just the mouth… it brings brokenness… a brokenness that God desires to see in His people, in us all. God can use a broken vessel… for the vessel fully trusts and obeys and acknowledges the need for help.

Will our hearts be broken and repent before God?

Heavenly Father, help us to judge ourselves, to reflect on our behavior before your ever watching gaze. O God, lead our hearts into brokenness, and back to the cross of Christ Jesus.

Faithfulness to God's Word

“But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law--the law that sets you free--and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it”. James 1:25 {New Living Translation}

The Word of God is important to our lives, so very important! It must be the priority. God’s Word reminds us, like looking at a mirror, of what our heart-condition looks like… to him. By daily looking into God’s Law of Liberty, by memorizing His Word, and by thinking about it, reflecting on it, and applying its principles to our lives God will bless our lives.

Yet, there are so many distractions. And many of these distractions are good. What this means is that we can become distracted by doing good and well things and neglect what God wants us to do. God wants us in His Word each and every day... because we need His counsel.

By turning to God’s Word first, by making it a priority in our lives, we individually, attest to our Heavenly Father that we are seeking Him first. We assert that we will not ‘lean on our own understanding’ [Proverbs 3:5] but that we will trust in our Heavenly Father’s advice.

Father, thank you for your Word. Give us a greater desire for your Word each and every day. Remind us, by the urging of your Spirit, to lean on you and not on ourselves. We need you Father, our need is so great!

God's Ways are Best

“By transgression an evil man is ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices”. Proverbs 29:6

Each day we find out more how maligned a world that we live in. Every turn of the television channel leads to more products to purchase or reports or stories of death and disease and social break-down. In watching, too often our hearts can be down-cast, become depressed. This, America’s past-time of couch entertainment is presented as its best…

Yet, there is a better way. A quiet atmosphere, a calming one, that calms the heart, mind, and soothes away anxiety. A calm home ambience of reading, relaxation, and enjoyment of good music. Of quiet conversations, a cup of tea, and peace. After only a few hours the melodies caress the heart, the meditations on God’s Word affect the soul and praise comes forth. Praise not forced--praise that flows.

God’s ways are the best.

Heavenly Father, thank you for peace, for your goodness, for the blessing of your Word. Thank you for stillness, for quiet, and for calmness. Lord, our hearts sing your praise. You made us this way-to have a heart full of calmness and full of joy everyday. Your ways are best.

Better to Trust in the Lord

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man”. Psalm 118:8

“It is better to trust in the Lord” because he is trustworthy. God is always faithful, always true, always available to hear and answer your prayer.

The ways of mankind are not faithful. Mankind is often untrustworthy as all of our ways are not always true.

Therefore put your hope, your trust, your confidence in God—He will never let you down.

Success

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

Christians in America as compared to the rest of the world are highly successful—as far as prosperity goes. With that prosperity should come certain obligations to help the poor, the needy, the fatherless, the widows…

Yet, the human heart is exceedingly wicked… it desires more possessions than what is feasible, what is controllable, and what is right.

Each and every day thousands throughout the world, both Christian and non-Christian die for lack of basic food, medicine, or even water. Many do not have the ‘success’ of prosperity that we’ve so been blessed with. All they have is their faith. It’s a simple faith, plain-wrapped, with no extras… as they look to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and the hope for heaven… as on earth they’ve suffered greatly. Their greatest joy on this earth is the Word of God or hearing a gospel message on the radio… this and sharing their faith… that’s enough for them.

Father, help us to remember and give to those in need. Here in America we’ve been overly-blessed, sometimes too much so… help us… to help them. Change our hearts O God, to look on the needs of others… instead of on our own.

Helping Each Other Out...

“Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (The Message)

Have you ever had anyone encourage you? I mean really encourage you. I have. Sometimes they ‘almost’ give me a kick in the pants as they ‘encourage’ me to grow in the Lord, to use the gift He’s provided, or to not watch so much television…

Other folks come along the way remind me to ‘stay in the Word’ or ask ‘how is your prayer journal coming’ [this, I think a sly way of saying… ‘keep praying…] and others come along beside me and take me to church when I really don’t want to go… or just talk when/if I’m down or depressed…

Each one… each of you… on many occasions pull me to my feet and say, ‘o.k. soldier, you call yourself a Christian… why don’t you start acting like one…’ and I’m reprimanded, and yea it hurts but you know… that’s encouraging… cause’ someone’s got my back—someone cares enough to confront me and tell me when I’m wrong. Do you do that with your friends?

You know, we need help sometimes… we fight the Devil, the world’s temptations, and also our own ‘flesh’ [our nature that is inclined to sin, such as lie, cheat, steal, lust, fear, anger, ect…]… and sometimes as believers in Christ we really get down on our selves—we mess up and we beat ourselves up pretty good over it. Or, we take a left when God wanted us to take a right and we find ourselves in a bad place spiritually… sometimes a brother or a sister just needs to come along and pull us out of the ditch… help us with the problems that… we created. Other times we just need a shoulder to cry on…

It’s a tough life… and for the believers it gets even tougher at times… we have a Heavenly Father who just won’t allow us to behave just any old way… no, He wants our best… because He knows best… and sometimes He gives us a scolding, or a little cold-shoulder, or a few whacks on our bottoms… and we don’t like it but it’s really all for our good.

So, just a reminder to encourage one another, help one another, and look out for one another. We are family and I would rather have family correct me… than my Heavenly Father do it… :)

"The Lord is merciful and gracious..."

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Psalm 103:8-14

How very good is God to us all, how great is His great mercy, goodness, and kindness. Bless His name! None of us desire his compassion or his mercy, none are righteous and yet He decides to show kindness-great is our Lord!

Jesus, Lover of All People

Matthew 19:11 “Behold a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!

Our Lord Jesus loves all people. He love those who eat too much, those who drink too much, those caught up in the lust for money… He loves all us sinners.

It is easy to forget this kind of love, a love for everyone. It’s much easier to be judgmental especially of those who don’t do what we do. Those who just don’t ‘measure-up’ to the type of Christian that we think they should be… too often we cast aside… Many church-people believe that they have to ‘keep up with the Jones’ which of course is pride and hypocrisy…

The people in the streets, those who don’t know the Lord as their Savior, they pick up on this… they hunger for peace, for joy, for something to change in their lives but they refuse to listen to church-people because ‘all they do is preach-down to us’… will anyone show them Christ’s love instead?

How different was Christ’s response… how different his actions… remember his only harsh words were with the believing-hypocrites of his day… the religious… are you religious today?

Will you step out and love a sinner today? Will you stop and talk to someone who is smoking a cigarette? Or will you cast them away… because ‘it’s bad for your health to be associated with’ and you don’t care to ‘smell like smoke’… ‘What would others think’... Will you have lunch them… or maybe it should be phrased… will they have lunch with you?

The above is just an example… there are so many more…

How different Asian, African, and the few Chinese preachers are… they don’t care what people think… they have no building, no budget, and many times poor clothing and no food… and yet everyday they preach to the poor, they love everyone, even those who beat them… and thousands are converted…

How different some American Christians are to them… or to the teachings of Jesus Christ…