Not ashamed

Mar 8:36   For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Mar 8:37   Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  Mar 8:38   Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

 ere seems to be an anti-Christian sentiment creeping across our society and country.  If we are not careful, this can cause us to become ashamed or embarrassed to be identified as a Christian.   This verse gives us a sober thought:  there is coming a day when the only thing that matters is whether we are identified with Jesus Christ.  If we want to be identified with Him on that great Judgment Day, then we will identify with Him here, in this life.  There is nothing to be gained in this life that is worth losing our soul.  Whether being a Christian is popular or not, let us gladly be identified with Christ.

Keep sowing

(Eccl 11:6 KJV)  In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

 Unfavorable conditions should not keep us from continuing to work in the kingdom of God.  Many times do not seem favorable, but the truth is, there is no perfect time. Observing the conditions may cause us not to sow, say “what’s the use”, “nothing will come of it”.  But let me ask you:  What kind of conditions have revival sprung from? Revival has usually come in a very dark hour.   We cannot wait for favorable conditions to do the work God has called us to.  God has a purpose for us where He has called us, and when He has called us. Let’s  be about our Father’s business.

The battle is not ours

2 Ch 20:15  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.  2Ch 20:16  To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.  2Ch 20:17  Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

We allow ourselves to suffer far more anxiety and fear than we ought to.  Really, the only thing we need to be greatly concerned about is whether we are on the Lord’s side.  If we are on the Lord’s side, He has promised to deliver us and provide for us.  The battle is not ours: it is God’s.  Fear not, don’t be dismayed.  This command is often repeated in both the Old and New Testament.  Fear not, instead, obey God and trust Him.  Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.  What a privilege to have God fight our battles for us in life.  We can trust Him and experience the real peace promised to us in this great salvation.    

The golden rule

Mat 7:12  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

 Here is a very familiar verse, often referred to as the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  This simple rule is the essence of all the commandments.  Treating others as we would want treated is the natural response of loving others as ourselves.  This is the heart of all the commandments.  When in doubt as to what our response in a situation should be, apply this rule.  How would I want to be treated?  

Make good use of your time

Psa 90:12  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

It’s good sometimes to be aware of the shortness of life.  We only have so much time, so it is important that we make good use of that time. Time is like money; we only have so much and must budget it wisely.  Let’s make sure we are making good use of our time and investing in those things that really matter.  Let’s live our lives in light of eternity.     

There remains much work to be done

(Josh 13:1 KJV)  Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

This was a critical time in Israel’s history. This was a time after the children of Israel had crossed into the Promised Land. They had already accomplished very much in conquering and possessing the land. They had seen the conquest of Jericho, where God caused the walls of this great city to fall. This was after the battle of Gibeon when the sun stood still, and God cast hailstones upon those who fled.They had overcome and destroyed 31 kings (mentioned in chapter 12) covering a large portion of the land.Yet God had a message for them…The message was that there remained much work to be done. Their calling was to conquer the whole Promised Land; there was still work to be done. God has been good to us, we have experienced His goodness and many victories. Yet there is much work to be done .As we begin a new year, let’s pledge ourselves to continue faithful in the work of God.There remains much to be done.

Happy New Year!

3 Jn 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

 Happy New Year!  It’s hard to believe that it is 2022! My prayer for you is that 2022 will be a good year for you.  Most of all, I pray that this will be a year of spiritual prosperity; that you will draw closer to God, that your love for Him will deepen, that your devotion to Him will be greater.  I pray that you will find a greater joy in Him, that you will find a greater peace and security in Him.  I pray that this year will be a time of real growth in faith and trust.  But as John wrote in today’s verse, I also pray that God will bless you in all things, in meeting your financial needs and in granting you good health.  I pray that God richly bless you in all things, both physical and spiritual.  I pray your blessing in this life be equal to your spiritual blessings.  Let’s do our part to prosper spiritually and trust God to provide the rest. 

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us

(1 Sam 7:12 KJV)  Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

 As I reflected on the year 2021 this passage came to mind. In the context of this passage, God had provided the children of Israel a miraculous deliverance from the armies of the Philistines. They earnestly sought God’s help and He answered them miraculously. Samuel set up a memorial stone to commemorate this great event.  He called the name of the place Ebenezer, which means “hither to hath the Lord helped us”.  We need to set an “Ebenezer” to mark the end of 2021.  Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.  It is by the grace and help of God that we have come through this year of unexpected twists and turns. God has brought us safely to today. We can have confidence that God will lead us safely on.  We can have confidence and hope for the future because God is with us.  God has brought us this far and will continue to help us as we rely on Him.  Hitherto hath the Lord helped us……and we are confident He will lead us safely home.  Trust Him.

Above all

Psa 135:5  For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.  Psa 135:6  Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

  Here is one of the truths that we need often to be reminded of: our God is a sovereign God.  God is above all; He is greater than all.  God created this world with a purpose and a plan.  God is carrying out that plan; nothing has taken Him by surprise, nothing will thwart His plans and purposes.  God did what He pleased in all of creation and He continues to do all He pleases.  When the forces of evil seem so very strong, we need reminded that our God still is God.  Take courage, our God reigns supreme.

God's thoughts

Psa 139:17  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  Psa 139:18  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

 The fact that God thinks on us is a marvelous thing. This passage tells us that God’s thoughts toward us are too great to be numbered.  God’s thoughts toward us are good, for our good.  The truth that God thinks on us, and considers us with loving kindness, is truly a wonderful thing.  He watches over us with faithfulness.  Consider God’s care for you, and allow that truth to give you courage and faith.  

Stable

Isa 54:10  For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

When we think of something stable, we think of good solid ground, the rock mountains, the tree covered hills. Yet there is something more stable, more solid, more enduring than this earth.God’s kindness will outlast these fixtures of stability of the earth.The covenant of His peace, this great salvation, shall not be shaken, though everything else crumble. This is the promise we have from our God, our Savior, who has had mercy on us.In these uncertain times, trust in the kindness of our merciful, dependable God

Worthy of praise

Psa 117:1  O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.  Psa 117:2  For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

  Our God is worthy of praise, He is worthy of great praise.  Throughout the Word of God there are two things that we are often reminded to praise God for:  His merciful kindness and His truth.  His mercy is great toward us, His compassion and love is unfailing.  His truth in this passage refers to God’s great faithfulness.  God is true to all His promises. God is true and faithful to us in every way.  It is for His great mercy and faithfulness that we owe Him praise.  He is worthy!  Let’s praise God for His great mercy and faithfulness to us in every situation. 

Dig the ditches and trust God

(2 Ki 3:16 KJV)  And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. (2 Ki 3:17 KJV)  For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

 God is able to do the impossible; there is a part only God can do. But we must first do our part; do what God has asked us to do. By faith, the Israelites were told to dig the valley full of ditches. They were in the wilderness, where there was no water, no source of water.  By faith in God they obeyed and worked to dig the ditches. Obedience to God is a prerequisite to receiving help from God.  We must do what God has called us to in order to receive the blessing of God.  Do what you know God would have you to do, and then trust God to that which only He can do.

Merry Christmas!

Luk 2:1  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  Luk 2:2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  Luk 2:3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  Luk 2:4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  Luk 2:5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  Luk 2:6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  Luk 2:7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luk 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Luk 2:9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  Luk 2:10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luk 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  Luk 2:12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  Luk 2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Luk 2:14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luk 2:15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  Luk 2:16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  Luk 2:17  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  Luk 2:18  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  Luk 2:19  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  Luk 2:20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Joy !!

(Luke 2:8 KJV)  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:9 KJV)  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  (Luke 2:10 KJV)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

This should be a joyous time for those of us who truly know the meaning of Christmas. It brings hope, excitement and cheerfulness to us.  Good tidings of great joy!  Good news - this is good news!!  Here is the good news: Jesus came to bring salvation.  He came to bring forgiveness for our sins, to bring us back into fellowship with God, to turn away God’s anger,  to bring us into a place where we can enjoy God’s love and fellowship, to bring us eternal life. This is great news…..really there can be no greater news than this. This is great news, and it is for everyone, not just for a lucky few, not just one big winner. Good news is cause for great joy, celebration.  Let the joy of the coming of Jesus fill your heart today.

Mind your own business

1 Th 4:11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Here we find some sound advice for a good life.  First, we would strive to live a quiet life, not stirring up discord with gossip and meddling.  We should mind our own business, keeping our own affairs in order.  Finally, we should work to provide our own living and meet our own needs.  We do well to give most of our attention to making sure that we do what we ought.       

Our God reigns

(Isa 40:21 KJV)  Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?(Isa 40:22 KJV)  It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: (Isa 40:23 KJV)  That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. (Isa 40:24 KJV)  Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. (Isa 40:25 KJV)  To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. (Isa 40:26 KJV)  Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

 Many things are happening in our world that can cause us to fear… the pandemic, the unrest, the moral decline in our nation. If we are not careful, we can begin to fear the future. What is going on in our world should cause us to be awakened, but not cause us to lose our faith, or despair. We can trust the future to our God. The future belongs to God. This is God’s world: God planned it; God created it; God sustains it. God will accomplish His purposes while the world stands. God will end this world according to His plan and wisdom, in His time. Nothing has taken God by surprise. We can trust the future to our God. He is truly in control.  Our God is the one and only great Creator and God.  Trust Him.

Generous

Pro 11:24  There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Pro 11:25  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

 Generosity is a Christian attribute.  It is a Christian attitude toward those who are around us. We are cautioned against selfishness.  Notice the Proverb, it’s a bit of a riddle: Scatters but increases, holds tight but tends to poverty.  Verse 25 tells us why:  God is at work, God takes care of those who take care of others. We are called to be generous in meeting the needs around us; It is a visible example of love.  This is not a call to give away all, but a call to generosity, “withholdeth more than is meet”.  Our heart ought to be moved with compassion on the needs around us. One of our responses should be generosity, sharing what God has blessed us with.  Let’s strive to be good stewards of what God has blessed us with, and be generous in meeting the needs of those around us.

Without murmuring

Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

 Perhaps very few things are less attractive than a complaining Christian.  It is not enough just to do what we ought to do…we are to carry out our duties with a good attitude and good motives.  This scripture admonishes us to obey without murmuring and disputing.  We are to obey without grumbling, arguing and complaining.  If we are not careful, we can leave the impression that the Christian life is difficult and unpleasant.  Let’s endeavor to carry out our Christian duties cheerfully and willingly.

Compassion

Mat_14:14  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Compassion is one of the attributes of God which we see clearly in the life of Jesus.  Most of the recorded miracles of Jesus are accompanied by the phrase “moved with compassion”.  Compassion is a deep sympathy for another who is suffering, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.  The love of God in our heart should cause us to have compassion on those in need around us.  The love of God should cause us to move beyond just seeing the need; it should move us to do what we can to help.  Let’s show the love of God by being moved with compassion to help those around us who are in need and suffering.