God looked for A Man

And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the Lord hath not spoken. The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezek 22:23-31 (KJV)

 

    God looked for A MAN, not a woman. A MAN—God has called us to be a reflection of Him: providers (if a man does not provide—1 Timothy), defenders, warriors (it is not for a woman to fight –Barack and Deborah—disgrace), leaders

There are certain things that women are just not supposed to do. It is your role to defend the weak and the defenseless. It is your role to provide. It is your role to lead your household, serve your wife, and disciple your children.

The choices you make, the life you live will affect others.

The choices you make, the life you live will affect others. You may not see it, but generations after you, if the Lord tarries, will either be aided and encouraged by your example or discouraged by the legacy you leave.

 

 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Prov 23:23 (KJV)

You will hear “science falsely so called”—the pseudo sciences of phsycology, sociology,

You will battle worldviews

You will battle doctrine

You will be tested in every area

 

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Eccl 11:7-10 (KJV)

God is going to use you

God is going to use you—

Mostly because your heart is after him

2 Chronicles 16:9

King James Version (KJV)

⁹ For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him….

Love sinners, but Fear the Lord

Love sinners, but Fear the Lord

Proverbs 8:13

King James Version (KJV)

¹³ The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

 

     You are to hate sin, but love the sinner. Jesus was the perfect example of this. He ONLY DID THE WILL OF HIS FATHER. He ONLY SPOKE WHAT GOD GAVE HIM and he knew how to detect when people were sincere because he was in step with the Spirit.

There is a balance between love and standing against evil as a man.

There is a balance between love and standing against evil as a man.

 

You need to be man you is firm and willing to fear no one but God. Yet, you need to have a tender-heart, walking in humility, Gentleness, love and peace.

 

 Psalm 1 KJV

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

⁴ The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Principles of Psalms 1—don’t sit in close fellowship and counsel with the wicked and evil leaders of our day. Be careful how much you listen to them or spend time reading what they have written. If they do not serve God, they are serving Satan and his demons and their flesh (own sinful desires). If you are close to them as your counselors and best friends, you will become like them.

The Importance of a Name

The Importance of a Name

Samson’s name means—“there is a second chance”

Noah means “repose, consolation”

Gideon means “he that bruise or breaks, a destroyer”

Nehemiah means “consolation, repentance of the Lord”

Nimrod means “rebellion”

Daniel means “God is my judge”

David means “Beloved”

 

Each of those men lived up to their names.

 

   Because men live up to their names, God changed some men’s names:

Jacob “trickster or deceiver” to Israel “who prevails with God” Not independently, but in the Lord.

Saul “demanded, lent, ditch, or death” to Paul “small, little.” Paul considered himself very little. He was humble. His entire identity rested in the Lord Jesus Christ who had called him and redeemed him from his past.

 

What does your name mean? A few I’ve researched are listed below:

Vincent means “to conquer”

Brian means “high, noble”

Robert means “bright, shining”

Ryan means “kingly”

Kenneth means “handsome, born of fire”

His Hand Clave to the Sword – David’s mighty men

His Hand Clave to the Sword – David’s mighty men

  Read 2 Samuel 23:1-39 and 1 Chronicles 11:10-47.

    The Bible tells us in these amazing chapters the feats of the mighty men of David in Israel of old. As you read them, consider how God transformed David’s original debt-bound, troubled men into warriors (1 Samuel 22:2).

1 Corinthians 13:11

1 Corinthians 13:11

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV

     The Apostle Paul testifies to the fact that when he became man, that he left childhood behind. There was no teenage years of “weirdness” that were considered a stage in his life. Young men and women should be learning new things and maturing just like adults. However, the modern perception of a “teenage” stage has reared up a false idea in our society. The term teenager and its definition were created under 100 years ago. We need to treat young men and women as what they are—young men and young women. They should be given responsibilities and be expected to mature beyond the current normal. The point, is since the Bible teaches the opposite of the “teenage” years then why should we uphold the idea?

The expectations you place on young people does influence them.

A Threat

A Threat

   Christians are a threat to the World, because we know that its foundation and focus are wrong. We are a threat in the sense that we live and speak truth that is contrary what the World believes. In today’s passage notice how Believers will be different from the world:

   And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

    And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

     When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

     And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

      Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

     Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

     Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

      But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

      But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.     Matthew 24 KJV

FEAR OF MAN

FEAR OF MAN

“I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;  And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?”

Isaiah 51:12-13 KJV

“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Hebrews 13:6 KJV

Wanting God to do Everything

Wanting God to do Everything

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41 KJV

      How often do we want God to do everything for us and yet He continues to say “just watch and pray so that you won’t fall”?

    I have found that it is easy to fall when I’m idle. That little old saying, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” is true! When we just sit there and do nothing, when the Lord has spoken to us, a deep “sleep” comes upon us. When we do nothing, Satan is very likely to tempt! Now, when I say sitting by and doing nothing, I’m not referring to the times of rest and refreshing that come from the Lord and the recreation that we need in our lives to have balance, but rather about doing nothing during the spiritual battle or the night watch seasons of the soul. The urge to watch and pray—to be ready and listening—from Christ (Matt. 26:41) is so that we will not partake of the bread of idleness and fall into temptation.

When we’re idle and our guards are down--watch out!--Satan is probably lurking around.

      Proverbs 19:15 says that “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger (KJV).”   Laziness, idleness, shiftlessness are all the same thing: they are disobedience to what our God created us to do: to have dominion over the earth and rule it for the glory of God (Genesis 1:28). Yes, we should rest one day every seven, but the other six we are to be watching and praying—standing!—ready for the Lord to come and move. But being ready does not just take place in the natural, in the spiritual realm there are times that we must stand. Daniel did this when he prayed for the help of the Lord and kept praying for twenty-one days (Daniel 10).

Thought of Reflection:

V  Are you sitting by wanting God to do everything, instead of obediently standing and waiting for Him?

 “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” Luke 22:40 KJV

A Blameless Man

A Blameless Man

    The Bible talks about how a minister, deacon, or elder must be the husband of one wife and a blameless man, in addition to, several other necessary requirements. These men are hard to find these days and, unfortunately, Christian leaders and congregations in our times often settle for less than the Word teaches, and thus bring a curse upon themselves because they are disobeying the Word of the Lord.

Read 1 Timothy 3 and 2 Timothy 3 and 2 Peter 3.

Take me and Break me

Take me and Break me

    Our cry needs to be to the Lord, O! How I cannot do anything in my own strength, like Ecclesiastes declares: everything I do in my strength is meaningless, yet O Lord! Your purpose and your plans for my for my life are not meaningless! Lord kill my pride, help me reject my will. O Lord, not my will, but Yours be done!!! Lord, be my Shelter and my Fortress, my Shield, my Provider, my Everlasting Father, my Good God, my Prince of Peace! May You direct my paths, answer my cries, defend my defenselessness; may You rage my war, may You give me strength, may You work in me to take every thought captive to You, O Lord, direct my paths! O Lord give me patience to wait on you. O Lord, may You give me the strength to climb out of bed early each day to dedicate it to You, to invest in prayer, to speak with You and be strengthened, for You have promised as a strengthen my inner man when I wait on You. Lord, give me a passion and hunger to study and meditate on Your Word. Lover and keeper my soul, let my sin not lead me astray, but keep me ever close in Your loving arms and strengthen me for the battles in which You will come out victorious in my future. And in the life of my wife, and my children, and my sisters, and my brothers, and my parents, and my cousins, and Your people, and Your messengers, O Lord, give them strength! Protect Israel, O Lord, bless them though they don’t deserve it, and bless Your people, though we don’t deserve it. Deliver us from evil and teach us Your ways as only You can. Amen . . . . and amen. . . . . . take me and break me . . . make me useable for Your will.

Thoughts from JC Ryle

These following notes from JC Ryle's book Thoughts for Young Men are valuable for all of us to take a look at.

General Counsels
1. get a clear view of the evil of sin
2. Seek to know Jesus Christ
3. the condition of your soul (mind, will, emotions)/spirit is essential

4. it is possible to be a young man and serve God
5. Determine to make the Bible your life guidebook

The danger of Compromising Biblical worldview

The danger of Compromising Biblical worldview

     Again I must state that your worldview must be rooted in God’s Word (Matthew 7:24-27). It must be only built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11—21).

  Some think that a Christian Worldview is a belief in a literal 6 day Creation, standing against evolution, rejecting atheism’s claims, belief in the Fall of man, etc… those things are important and are valuable stances taken because of possessing a Biblical worldview, but the central theme of a Biblical worldview must be based on is Jesus Christ—He is the Word and His Truth is enduring. Our lives should be lived growing closer to Him, sharing the Good News of His Redemption at the Cross and Following His Words in every area of our life (yes, even voting and abortion)!

Read: 1Corinthians 3.   This passage declares our worldview focal point: Jesus Christ.

Worldview

Worldview

Root your worldview in Christ, otherwise the foundation won’t last.

The foundation must be Christ (Matthew 7:24-27). The reality of living like Christ is following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, your Teacher and Guide, and keeping Christ’s cross at the center of your life? Who would He vote for (His Word makes it pretty clear)? Are my closest friends like Christ and are they influencing me to be conformed to Christ or to follow the passing pleasures of this world? How would Christ honor her on this courtship outing?

A Christian’s worldview should be rooted in the Scriptures—the very character of Christ!—not on opinions.

Jesus spoke out and acted in order to help a person . . . . . to rebuke sin . . . . . yet He loved all. How do you need to adjust your worldview, so that you can be more like Christ? Follow His Spirits’ leading—He will guide you (John 14 & 16).

Faithfulness to God and Spouse

Faithfulness to God and Spouse

    Often mankind struggles with being faithful. Israel many times walked away from God. Yet, God is the ultimate role model of faithfulness, because He never leaves us or forsakes us. Just as God demonstrates heavenly loyalty, commitment, and love through His faithfulness, earthly marital faithfulness illustrates them.

    Today “relationships” are often built largely upon feeling. Some “Christians” will only stay ‘true’ to the Lord when they feel all bubbly inside. Likewise, many marriages are built on an attitude that is all for divorce. When dating was previously played as a game—simply switching relationships as fast as you can tie your shoes—one (hopefully unknowingly) lines himself up for a future divorce, because his marriage relationship is based only on a feeling that he has and as soon as a little unwanted heat starts to rise, he takes to his heels wanting out and after awhile, begins looking for another “romantic feeling.” Feelings are great, don’t get me wrong, but it is the faithfulness of Christ that should be lived out through you, because He faithfully lives in His children. Faithfulness demonstrates true love (1 Corinthians 13), not emotional mountaintops.

I pray that today, God convicts you if there is any indication of unfaithfulness to your spouse or your relationship with God; and that from your conviction, you would repent and be transformed into a faithful follower of Christ and marriage partner.

Repentance

Repentance

 Read Hosea 14

     Repentance is essential to experiencing a real transformation of life. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines Repentance as follows: (def. 3.)

Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by an amendment of life.

    Take another look at the verses for today and pray that God continues to grant you a truly repentant soul, that you might continually walk in His will and avoid many dangerous snares, hollow and deceptive philosophies, false prophets, and serpents which are all along the narrow road seeking to detour you to the wide paths of destruction.

Our part, is to repent for our sins and TURN from our wicked ways.

Check out These you close this devotion: Ezekiel 18:30-32; 2 Chronicles 7:14;            2 Chronicles 16:9

Much study wearies the body

Much study wearies the body

“The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 KJV

    Verse 12 certainly describes the research put into writing a book and everyone should be able to relate how studies for school make us weary. There is a powerful principle here. Yes we will be weary from much study, but that doesn’t mean that all our study is of no benefit. On the contrary, Biblical study is of great benefit to our lives. But we must be careful to not come under the mindset of study being everything for that is an unbalanced and unhealthy view to have. Many knowledgeable people throughout the ages have committed their entire lives to meaningless studies on evolution, heathen philosophies, and a search for the “higher truth;” therefore, we would be wise to take to heart the truths of Scripture and cautious about how many other subjects we try to master from the worldly point of view: for surely, their number of books have no end.

My friends, be careful that you are not taken captive by the same old lies that Satan has ensnared men and women with: the primary lie being pride—that you can know all about something or trust in your own knowledge and research instead of placing your Faith in the unalterable Truths of God’s Word. Make Faith and Diligent studies of the Scriptures your highest aim, maintain balance in life, and be on your guard for the attacks of Satan which can come through the people serving him instead of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Evangelism

Evangelism

Simply live and share your Faith in Jesus.                                              That is evangelism in a nut shell.

 

Why evangelize? Because Jesus said to.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20 KJV

     Evangelism as displayed in Acts is simply following the prompting of the Holy Spirit to share Jesus. Christ is asking, “Will you allow me to use you? You are just the instrument that I want to work through in ________ particular instance, but I won’t force you to do the job: you must willingly choose to.”

Are you willing, but don’t feel effective?

        Don’t worry about what you can see. God can use you without your knowledge. It may appear that your obedience is fruitless, but God can still work! Some sow, some nurture the growing seed, and some harvest. If your desire and actions are to spread the message of Jesus, just keep on diligently working.

Feel paralyzed by fear?

        Ask the Lord to give you His strength and opportunities to share your Faith. Then be obedient as the Holy Spirit prompts you—you may be asked to move out of your comfort zone, but that is a way that you will conquer fear. We are in a battle against the World, the Flesh, and the Devil so it will not always going to be easy to obtain victory. Sometimes, perhaps, but be prepared and ready for challenges that require Faith, Patience, Longsuffering, and Intense Battle.

 

 

Let yes be yes and no be no

 

 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:33-37  NKJV

     How many times have you said something other than yes or no? Have you ever said maybe? Take a moment and pray that the Lord helps you to apply this passage of Scripture to your life.

Take back the ground

Take back the ground

       The World is our enemy in the sense that it is evil. It is ruled by the devil, Satan: the Prince of the Air and the Lord of the Flies. We need to take back the ground that rightfully was entrusted to man in the beginning to rule and reign over according to God’s will and design. Because the Holy Spirit dwells inside of Believers, we have more reason than ever to take back what the Devil, the World, and the Flesh has stolen: the air waves, magazine covers, clothing designs, swimsuit designs, movie industry, music world, drinking crowds, depraved minds, the education of our children, the truth about ruling in a government (God’s Word says a lot!), true honesty, cable TV, the internet, the business world, the video game industry, the books (yes, even the so called “Classics,” and the courts).

Get pumped up and spiritually built in the Word, so that you may set the example for the believers in speech, in life, in love and in the Word (Jude 1:20, 1 Tim. 4:12).

Pick up Snakes?

Pick up Snakes?

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 KJV

¹⁵ And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

¹⁹ So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.   Mark 16:15-20 NKJV

“Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.” Psalms 91:13 KJV

¹ Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. ² And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ⁴ So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” ⁵ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. ⁶ However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

⁷ In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. ¹⁰ They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. Acts 28:1-10 NKJV

You can’t deceive God

You can’t deceive God

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 KJV

       You cannot deceive God. Whether you like it or not, nothing can be hidden from Him. He sees everything! He witnesses every time that a man is unfaithful to his wife because of a lust problem. He witnesses every “stolen cookie moment.” He witnesses every young adult that commits fornication. He sees each man in the act of viewing pornography. He watches each young woman that is leading His men astray. He watches our painful battles.

You cannot hide anything from God, but you can steal from Him.

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3:8 KJV

     Many people steal from God and each other all the time. Each time someone refuses to pay his tithe, he steals from God. Likewise, each time a man looks lustfully at a woman he steals something that belongs only to the husband, or future husband, of that woman; and he sins against God.

      Yet it the midst of all these problems, God has sent us His Son. And you know what? God accepts the blood of His only Son as full payment for our debts, our sins,  our transgressions. Christ Jesus’ veins never run dry!

Be still and know that HE is God.

(Psalm 46:10, Ecclesiastes 8:12, & Exodus 9:30)

In our own strength

In our own strength

      In our own strength let’s face it: we really don’t do anything of value. We can earn rewards, medals, treasures, wealth, etc…, but none of those things really have any eternal value in and of themselves. O sure we are excited and filled with pride for a short while, but it doesn’t last: it is temporal.

 Life isn’t about self-confidence or believing in yourself: Life is about following Jesus! When we acknowledge that we are no more than a wretch and that without Christ we are nothing we come to a point of true humility. Pride isn’t healthy—Biblically there is no proof to take pride in yourself. Biblically, we are to acknowledge God as Master of all things; we are to work as unto Him, doing our best; and acknowledge that our works are not perfect, because we are imperfect.

It is all about Him, not us!

 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:15-18 KJV

A Leader – the greatest servant

A Leader – the greatest servant

        Jesus taught that the greatest must first be the least (Matthew 20:26); they must be the servant of all if they wish to be great. Why are we to serve others? Because it is the character and teaching of Christ. Christ was the world’s greatest servant, teacher, and lover. Christ loved with an authentic love and because He was love and laid His life down for sinners. He laid down his life.

How can you serve? Service, true Christ-like service; is the only way to be a leader in the Kingdom of God.

“…Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be the servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:42-43 KJV (also check out Matt. 20:26)