Keep our priorities

Pro 15:17  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

 How easy it is for us to get our priorities mixed up.  Too often we strive to obtain things, to get ahead, to accumulate money, to live the good life.  However, these are not the things that really make life good and pleasant.  What makes life good and pleasant is the warmth and security of being loved, the joy of an atmosphere of love.  It is better to have fewer of the finer things of life and enjoy love, than to live the “good life” and contend with bitterness and ill will.  Let us strive for the best life, to show love, to promote love, to build those things that make life truly good.  

Hope in God

(Psa 42:11 KJV)  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

 There are times when we find ourselves mired down in worry, discouragement and restlessness.  As the Psalmist, we need to remind our self of God’s care and faithfulness. We can revive our hope in the midst of our difficulties by knowing that God is our God and will never forsake us.  We can praise Him now for who He is and with confidence that He will once again prove faithful.       

Watch your words

Pro 12:18  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

 There probably isn’t any area that gives Christian more trouble than controlling our words.  We often talk without thinking, or let our emotions spill out in our words.  Our words are very important.  They can cut and pierce and do much damage.  On the other hand, wisely chosen words can bring health and healing.  Let’s purpose to wise in our words, to build up and not tear down.        

Our heavenly Father

Mat 7:11  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

 How often Satan tempts us to believe that God is hard, difficult to move, tight fisted.  God is good, all the time, perfectly good, in every way.  He is compassionate, tender hearted toward His children.  We know it is not difficult for our own children to get those things they need from us.  God is so much more holy and good than we are.  How much more, then, should we trust Him to give us those things that we need.  Trust Him, as a good and compassionate heavenly Father. 

Hope in God's goodness

(Psa 27:13 KJV)  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

 Hope is essential to faith and courage.  If we lose hope, our faith and courage will fail, we will faint, give up.  The foundation of our hope is our confidence that God is good and that, in time, we will experience His goodness.  No matter how difficult the situation we find our self in, we must continue to believe and trust in the goodness of God.  God’s goodness is not reserved for the life to come, we will experience His goodness in this life, in the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord

(Psa 130:5 KJV)  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

 Waiting is the hard part.  Waiting for answers to prayer, waiting to see God’s promises fulfilled.  Delays test our faith.  Waiting tests our faith.  This Psalm describes waiting in faith.  The waiting in this passage has expectation, anticipation.  It is like waiting for a bus, with an expectation that it will come.  Waiting in faith has the same expectation…we are waiting, looking and expecting the Lord to come, to answer, to move.  This waiting in faith hopes and expects God to honor His word.  Wait on the Lord in faith, in anticipation, in expectation. Rely on His Word, rely on His promise…..wait on the Lord.

Our indescribable God

(Isa 46:9 KJV)  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  (Isa 46:10 KJV)  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

 Our God is indescribable; there is none like Him, nothing that He can be compared to.  Only God knows all there is to know; only God knows the end from the beginning.  Only God knows everything that has happened, everything that is happening and everything that will ever happen.  For that reason, God will accomplish everything He intended to accomplish in this world.  This is our God, our Savior.  Trust Him, He is still working His plan.   

Rejoice, He is faithful

Psa 5:11  But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

 Our God is faithful and trustworthy.  He is our provider and our protector.  He can be depended on in every situation, every time.  There is a thrill, a joy that comes from knowing God is watching over you, caring for you, loving you.  There is a deep joy and happiness that comes from knowing God loves us and we love Him in return.  In the midst of difficulty, don’t forget that God still loves you, and He is faithful and trustworthy.  Allow God’s faithfulness to restore the joy of your salvation.

With love

1 Co 16:14  Let all your things be done with charity.

 We have many responsibilities in life, duties to our family, to our employer and to our God.  There are many “do’s and don’ts” commanded us.  There are also many opportunities in life, many things to pursue.  In everything we do, both religious and secular, we are to conduct ourselves in love.  Everything we do should be done with love, love for God and love for our brothers and sisters.  It is not enough to just do or not do.  It is essential that we do all things with the right motive, the right intention.  We are to be governed by an overriding spirit of love to God and good will toward our neighbor.   

Our great God

1Ch 29:11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  1Ch 29:12  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  1Ch 29:13  Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

 Our God is an incredible God, indescribable in every aspect.  Everything in creation is by Him and for Him.  Every good thing, every mighty thing is from Him.  To Him belongs all glory, honor and praise.  For all that God is, and all that He does, He deserves great praise and thanks.  The glory and greatness of God is beyond compare.  He is worthy of great praise and honor.  He is worthy of a standing ovation, not just a smattering of applause.  May we better take in the enormity of His glory and greatness, and may our hearts well up in praise befitting that greatness.

Repent

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Act 17:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

 Christianity isn’t just for Christians.  This is God’s world, all of it.  God was patient until His revelation was complete in the sending of His own Son.  He gave infallible proof of His truth in the sending of Jesus Christ.  Now, God no longer overlooks the unrepentant and unbelieving, but commands everyone to repent. There is a day appointed, already circled on God’s calendar when all people everywhere will be called to account.  For that reason, Christianity is for everyone…in fact it is an absolute necessity. Let’s not be ashamed, but rather be bold in our call for people everywhere to repent and believe the gospel.    

Love in deed

1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

 Our love must go beyond warm words and good intentions.  Our love must be shown in how we act and behave.  Our love must be sincere enough to be acted upon.  Love is known by how it behaves. Let us live our lives demonstrating our love for God by our obedience and our love for one another by our treatment of those around us.

Soft answer

Pro 15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

 Dealing with anger is a major lesson in life to be learned, both our own anger and anger of others.  Anger is often expressed in words, and also is often provoked by our words.  Part of dealing with anger is learning to control our mouth.  Learning to speak calmly, with reason and kindness, will help to diffuse anger, much like throwing water on a fire.  However, responding with bitter hateful words will lead to more anger, much like throwing gasoline on the fire.  Lets learn to be firemen, quenching the flames of anger by our words.

Be wise

Pro 10:8  The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

 Let us never get so wise that we can’t be instructed.  Those who are truly wise are open to being taught and instructed.  It is a fool who thinks they best that will fall, that will bring harm and loss on themselves.  We need to learn with humility that acknowledges that we don’t know it all, and remain open to instruction, particularly in the things of God.

Beware of bitterness

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

 Being a Christian does not exempt us from loss and disappointment.  One of the dangers of disappointments and loss is bitterness.  There is a certain pain and discouragement that naturally accompanies loss and disappointment.  However, we need to learn to seek God’s grace, to rely on His love and care, to be able to overcome our discouragement.  To allow our self to seek comfort in self pity exposes us to spiritual danger and bitterness.  Bitterness is a poison that will prove to be spiritually fatal to our self and a great hindrance to those around us. Don’t fail the grace of God; seek comfort and refreshing in His love and care.  

Be alert

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 The truth of a real and living Devil has lost favor in the modern church.  However, we are warned in God’s word that there exist an evil being who is intent on destroying us.  We have one who opposes us and works to see us lost eternally.  For this reason we are to be diligent and alert, on guard for his deception and opposition.  Live a careful life; be aware that we have a dangerous and powerful enemy who is intent on our destruction.

He is all we need

Pro 15:16  Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

 It is a great spiritual attainment to find contentment.  Too often we create trouble and difficulties because we over reach, stretching to try to accumulate too much, and in the process wound our own conscience. This verse reminds us where real contentment and satisfaction in life is to be found.  It is found in a life of reverence to God, obeying Him and trusting Him.  As such, we can rest from anxiety knowing He is caring for us, and we can sleep peacefully knowing all is well between us and God.  This verse isn’t advocating poverty, but rather it is a reminder that the security and contentment we seek must be in God, not things.  The real joy of life, contentment and security are only found in Him.  Let’s make sure we are pursuing the right means to a happy life.     

No regrets

(Prov 10:22 KJV)  The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

We are often tempted to believe that we are missing out on something by living a Christian life.  It is often assumed that one must be somewhat deceptive to get ahead.  But this leaves God out of the equation.  God’s blessing enriches us without any regrets, guilt or sorrow.  Purpose to live honestly, and trust God to bless as He sees fit.

God answers prayer

Psa 28:6  Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. Psa 28:7  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

 Our God is a prayer hearing and prayer answering God.  He is trustworthy; He is our strength and protection. God is faithful to hear our prayer and bring us the help we need.  What a thrill it is to trust the Lord and experience His deliverance.  One of the greatest sources of joy for a Christian is answered prayer.  Trust Him.  Call out to Him.  Allow God to prove Himself faithful in your life.  Then your heart can thrill with joy and your mouth be filled with song and praise.

What manner of person ought ye to be

2 Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

 Every now and then it is good for us to take a step back and get perspective.  We need to be reminded that this world is just temporary.  Everything in this world is going to be destroyed.  With this perspective, there is really only one thing important in this life and that is making heaven our home.  There is nothing more important than living the way God has instructed us.  No matter the cost, we need reminded that living a holy life is worth more than anything we may gain in compromise.  Keep your perspective, stay faithful.