Let's Do This

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15 NLT

Let's not just read this - Let's DO IT! Let's live our lives according to THIS.

Prayer:

Father,
         Cause Your Word to come alive in us and bring forth a harvest of love and peace and thankful hearts. Remind us always to forgive others as You have forgiven us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - On Fire

In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
James 3:5-6 NLT

Recently, I heard a sermon about judging others. I thought I'd been doing pretty well about not judging people; that is until I heard the sermon in its entirety. I was going along just fine with it, doing a mental checklist - Check - no longer do that. Check - no longer do that.  Check - no longer do that... Then he asked. "So you think you're doing pretty well - not judging people? How about when you're at work and you no sooner hang up the phone and you say, 'Idiot.' You just passed judgment on that person..."

As much as I'd like to try to justify that particular action by claiming that I was just stating fact, Ephesians 4:29 instructs me, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Declaring someone an idiot is definitely NOT ministering grace... And even though I wasn't actively pursuing the act of pronouncing judgment, that's exactly what I'd done.

Yes, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is interesting to note that in common law, arson is defined as 'the malicious burning of another's dwelling'. For purposes of common law arson, malicious is defined as 'an action creating a GREAT RISK of a burning'. It is not required that the defendant acted intentionally or willfully for the purpose of burning a dwelling. Creating the RISK is enough to be charged with the crime (sin).

So, here I am, yet again, walking out James 5:16, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." Please, God, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for Your Word that always leads us back to You and redemption. Restore a right spirit within us, O Lord. Give us clean hands and pure hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Relationships

 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Revelation 2:2-4 NKJV

According to Scripture, God has loved us since before the foundations of the Earth. I have not loved Him that long. I loved Him when I was a child, but when I got old enough to think I could make my own decisions, I chose (at that time) to walk after the ways of the world. For over a decade, I was on a one-way street with no speed limits, heading straight for hell. "Do not pass Go. Do not collect two hundred dollars."

It was when I was at my personal worst that God stepped into my path and offered me a way out...my Prince had come to save me and I couldn't get enough of Him! I was at church every time the doors were open and sometimes, even when they weren't. I just wanted to be there. I took notes every service and studied them and studied them and studied them some more because I wanted to know all I could about this God of the universe, Creator of Heaven and Earth, who loved ME enough to die for me - to pay the price for MY sins - to spare me the punishment for the evil choices I made.

That was a long time ago. Lately, it's almost been like some of the old married couples you've seen. They're comfortable in their relationship, but they're not "crazy in love" like they were when they were kids. She no longer hangs on his every word. He's not her "first love" anymore. Nowadays, he gets put on the back burner if one of the grandchildren or one of the ladies in her group needs something. She takes for granted that he's always going to be there.

There is a huge difference between comfortable and complacent. I've grown comfortable in my relationship with the Lord. I actually believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that He loves me - and that's good - but the truth is in the last few months, I had grown complacent in my relationship with Him. Oh, I wasn't out running around or getting drunk or doing stuff like that - but neither was I running to be with Him or drinking from the water of Life or listening for His voice. And I could feel the nudges... "You don't spend time with Me. Come talk to Me. Don't push Me away. Don't ignore Me."

I tried to make myself believe it was all okay because I wasn't running around or doing all those other things, and I was at church and paid my tithes, and gave offerings, etc... but I forgot one VERY important thing. 

This relationship has NEVER been about what I'VE done for Him.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving me more than enough to confront me and make me uncomfortable in my complacency. Forgive me, Lover of my soul, for putting anything alive or electronic ahead of You in my life. It is ONLY in You that I live and move and have my being. Let my only comfort be in You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Priceless

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -

Ephesians 2:4-8 NIV

I’ve been thinking lately about the grace of God. How do we measure grace? Should we at least try to measure it? Personally, I think we should. We need to know what it means to our eternal lives and we need to realize that although it was freely given, it was not free.

One of my favorite songs for all time is "Alabaster Box". It tells of Mary Magdalene and the alabaster box of costly oil that she poured out on the feet of Jesus (John 12). My favorite passage in the song is toward the end – "You don’t know the cost of the oil – you don’t know the cost of my praise…" She was a woman who understood God's grace.

I really have no idea what God’s grace covers in your life and you have no idea what God’s grace covers in mine. I know a lot of people – myself, included – who tend to struggle with receiving something they think they haven’t earned in some way, whether it’s love or a gift…or grace. And there’s the rub. We can’t earn any of those things. These are the things in life that are priceless. There's no way to put a dollar value of any kind on them.

I am all too aware of what grace has covered in my life, and when I think of a pure and holy Christ giving His life for mine, I am overwhelmed. I know the cost of grace for me – His life for mine on the Cross at Calvary. Something only God and I know the real value of when it comes to my life. Something only God and you know the real value of when it comes to your life.

Oh, the incomparable riches of His grace. Priceless!

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to live for You as though we are worthy of the value You have placed on our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Wonders

[Jesus speaking] I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.

John 15:1-3

My son-in-love did a little landscaping cleanup, and I realized I had the illustrated sermon of this Scripture passage in front of me.

As he clipped and trimmed and shaped and removed sucker growth, I thought about God being our gardener. I wonder at His patience when we resist His tending. I wonder at His ability to see past all the unruly growth to get to the heart of who we are and then to create a clean heart in us. I wonder at His great love to remove the suckers from our lives, so that we may be pure and exhibit true, healthy growth.

And I wonder if He kicks back when the work is done, knowing He's done right by us - and for us - and waits for us to bloom exactly as He planned in the spot He has planted us or transplanted us. I wonder how long He'll have to wait...

Prayer:

Father,
          Cultivate our hearts. Don't let them become stony and hard through inactivity or misuse. Regenerate and wash us with Your Word as You have promised. We want to be and do what You have planned for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Better Choice

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 

Romans 8:5-6 NIV

Have you ever met someone with a certain mindset - that no matter what you said, they weren't changing their mind? Sometimes that can be a good thing; sometimes, not so good... It all depends on what set their mind that way in the first place. Was it Truth or the circumstances of life or lies?

We've all met people who are convinced that life is just one crisis or tragedy after another. Their mindset is that life is bad or, at the very least, depressing, and nothing can change it. No matter what you say, they don't see that they have a choice. And because that's what they believe in their mind, they are right. However, the Word of God tells us, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;" There IS a better choice!

Colossians 1:2 (NIV) instructs us to "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." We do have a choice. We CAN choose life. If we set our minds on what the Spirit desires, we can - and WILL - have life and peace. It's the better choice.

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Word tells us in Isaiah 26:3 that You will keep us in perfect peace when we trust You and keep our thoughts fixed on You. Help us to not entertain thoughts and mindsets that are displeasing to You. We want to walk in accordance with Your Word. We choose to love You - the Lord our God, to obey Your voice and cling to You, for You are our life and the length of our days. Cause us to keep our hearts and minds in submission to You and Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Creating a Dust Storm

The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Living Bible

If every Bible sitting collecting dust is ever picked up and dusted off at the same time, it will create the greatest dust storm ever known to mankind!

We say we want to change. We say we want to be 'better'. We say we want things to be different. So, how do we go about it? We do Facebook. We watch YouTube. Consult dozens of other websites, our friends. We pray, pray, pray, or more aptly, make our requests known to God, but without thanksgiving or taking the time to listen for an answer. We rarely pick up the one Book that has every answer for every situation, every time.

Let's remedy that. Find it, blow off the dust and dive right in. "The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right."

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Word is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Birth in us a great desire for Your Word. It is the remedy for everything wrong in our lives. Divide us from everything that keeps us from You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Live Inside Out

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

We get up. We go to work. We get our paycheck, pay our bills, and buy groceries, and repeat. Get up. Go to work. Pay bills...

Nothing wrong with working and taking care of business. The Word tells us we are to work. I think the question should be, what is our motivation? What perspective do we have with regard to our work? Are we working solely to keep a roof over our heads, put food on the table, and take care of those things that address our personal comforts and desires? Do we rely solely on ourselves and the work of our hands?

I spent almost half of my life working to provide for just that. Frequently working two or three jobs at one time, trying to make ends meet. Always worrying about whether or not there would be enough. When there doesn't seem to be enough money to go around, our thoughts immediately go to tomorrow and next week and beyond. We live so focused on meeting the needs of the outside of our bodies.

Then I discovered this passage of Scripture. I was horrified to read that "these things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers..." And verse 34 tells us to not worry about tomorrow. How? How do we do that?

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else."  The King James Version reads this way, "Seek first the Kingdom of God."

First. Seek God FIRST and live righteously.

Living righteously has nothing to do with meeting the needs of the outside of our bodies. It's about changing our hearts and minds to live pleasing to God. We don't do that by what we wear or what we eat or how good we look. Remember, God told Samuel that man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 

We must seek the Kingdom of God above all else - BEFORE all else. We who are following Christ must live from the inside out.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for opening Your Word so we gain understanding. Help us to always remember that there is only room for one Number One and that's You. You are God and we are not. Holy Spirit, remind us always to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - What's This World Coming To?

Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
Ephesians 5:1-2 The Message

It's time for Christians to wake up from their spiritual slumber. The events of the last 10 days have been horrific. I have friends who have just been totally devastated.  And worse is the division the events have brought to the forefront. People tend to get so caught up in the newscast and the world views of it all that they lose their God focus. We have available to us the power that can change what's happening, but we're numbed into believing there's nothing we can do to stem the tide of evil. It's all so overwhelming that we've just gotta DO something! Gotta Gotta Gotta... yet we do anything but pray and intercede and worship. Ephesians goes on to exhort us...

"Don’t let yourselves get taken in by religious smooth talk. God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him. Don’t even hang around people like that.

"You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.

"Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

"Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

"Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.

"Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ."    Ephesians 5:6-20. The Message

Prayer:

Father,
         Help us to awaken from our spiritual slumber and pray and seek You. Help us to realize that we can pray a hedge of protection around our families, our pastors, our bosses, our police force, our world leaders. WE can't change anything, but Father, we know YOU can change everything. Please, Father, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Before You Go

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8 NLT

Fix your thoughts... "To calculate; plan to implement" is what it really means.

It's like doing a JSA at work; an acronym for Job Safety Analysis. It's a form that we complete before attempting any task that requires the use of tools or before entering an area that has a risk potential. We take 5 or 10 minutes to assess the possible risks. What could go wrong if we're not paying attention? What are the potential hazards given the work we're about to do? What is the proper preparation and handling of the tools? Will they be used in the correct manner for which they were created - the right tool for the right job? Is the supervisor aware of what we're going to do? To whom will we be accountable for our actions to perform the task(s) according to the guidelines provided for safe execution?

Before we begin our day, we should plan to implement in every life situation "what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." We should plan to respond as Christ, who chose to forgive before going to the Cross. Who chose to serve and wash the feet of the very one who would betray Him and the rest who would desert Him before the night was over. Who, at all times, chose love over every other option available to Him.

BEFORE you go to work in the morning, take the time to complete your Christian JSA. You know the hazards, the potential risks. Plan to implement love and grace and forgiveness for your co-workers. Yes, even for the I.T. department. Prepare and plan to execute "what is true and honorable and right..." BEFORE you go in.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to learn and implement into our daily choices what Christ modeled before us. Holy Spirit, remind us to fix our thoughts and intentions "on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." Help us to remember to use the tools You have provided; that our weapons are not carnal because we are not to wrestle with flesh and blood. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - One King to Another

But when David’s ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon, the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, their master, “Do you really think these men are coming here to honor your father? No! David has sent them to spy out the city so they can come in and conquer it!” So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame.

2nd Samuel 10:2c-4 NLT

David had only attempted to return the loyalty of King Nahash - one king to another - to offer condolences at the time of his death, but David's actions were egregiously misinterpreted.

Hanun's council of commanders gave him the wrong counsel. When he realized how angry David was, Hanun became more defensive and set himself for battle. He even went so far as to hire 43,000 additional men to fight. Forty-three thousand! And that was only for the first defensive round. They hired still more for the next battle - one in which 40,700 of Hanun's warriors were killed.

I wonder what would have happened if Hanun had admitted his mistake in following the wrong counsel, humbled himself to David, and made restitution to those he had shamed, then tried to seek peace... I'm inclined to believe that David would have forgiven him because David would have sought the counsel of God. After all, he often liked to show and share the kindnesses of God.

How often do we misinterpret someone's actions toward us, seek ungodly counsel, then get angry and vindictive? How long do we carry a grudge or some form of unforgiveness? Do we "hire" others to be angry with us?

Whose counsel will you follow?

Prayer:

Father,
          We choose to walk in forgiveness rather than bear the wrath of unforgiveness. Open our hearts to hear and follow only the counsel from the King of kings. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Earth-shaking Praise

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! 

Acts 16:25-26 NLT

Paul and Silas had been falsely accused, then stripped and beaten (verse 23 states severely beaten), then locked in stocks in the inner dungeon... BUT at midnight, they were praying and singing hymns, and their very captive audience was listening.

No one in that prison wanted to be there! They all wanted out, but there was nothing they could do - especially in the inner dungeon with their feet locked in the stocks. There was no light; it was filthy. Historians describe the deplorable conditions, yet there sat Paul and Silas - in the midst of it all - praying and singing hymns to God. The Bible tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. Matthew 18:20 reads, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (NKJV) And everyone around them was listening.

When the earthquake happened, the Bible tells us that the chains of EVERY prisoner fell off. EVERY prisoner. They were ALL set free. Plus, the jailer and his entire household came to know and accept the Gospel of Jesus that very night. So even those who were bound by chains that could not be seen were set free.

What is it that binds us? What keeps us from praying and singing to God? What do we allow to keep us from praising our God and getting into His presence? Whatever it is can be broken by the very act of worship to our God! IN the midst of the trial, when life seems so dark and no way out, we must be disciplined to pray and praise. It has earth-shaking power to set us free and to usher us into God's presence.

Prayer:

Father,
           Keep us accountable to discipline ourselves to pray and praise You in, during, and through the storms of life. For our circumstances do not change who You are and how worthy of praise You are. Thank You for coming to see about us, God. Help us to remember that our words, our actions, can cause us to be bound, or they can set our deliverance through the earth-shaking power of praise. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Permanently

What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master God, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you’ve let me in on it.
2nd Samuel 7:20-21 The Message

Before Christ's sacrifice on Calvary. Before His never-ending Grace poured out. Before all the New Testament promises we sing and cling to. 

Despite our sin. Despite our unbelief. Despite all the mistakes we make and heights we cannot attain on our own.

Not because of our earthly heritage - great or orphaned. Not because of any great deeds we have or have not completed. Not because of who we are - in any way, shape or form...

Before the foundation of the world, He knew us. All our frailty, all our failures, all we would ever do wrong. Every sin we would ever commit, unknowingly or knowingly. And yet if we believe His Word, our eternity is secure in Him. Permanently. Because of who HE is and has always been...

He is I AM. He who was, and is, and is to come! 

Prayer:

Father,
         We pray as King David prayed, Bless my family; keep your eye on them always. You’ve already as much as said that you would, Master God! Oh, may your blessing be on my family permanently! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Needing a Miracle

Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

John 11:43-44 NLT

We love this miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. We've heard all the teachings about how Jesus had to call him by name; otherwise, ALL the dead would have come out at Jesus' command. It's SO exciting to think about that, right? We all want to be on board for the miracle. We love the very idea! But let's unwrap the making of a miracle...

When do you need one? It's not when everything is going well. It's not when everyone's relationship with the Lord is going great. It's not when all the bills are paid, the kids are healthy, and your marriage is perfect. We need a miracle when we're at our most desperate.

And when we're desperate, do we believe Jesus loves us, or do we believe that somehow we're being punished? Do we start to doubt God and His ability? His plan? Think about Mary, Martha and Lazarus when Jesus didn't come right away. He said He loved them. They believed He did... but He didn't come in time. "If You had been here, my brother wouldn't have died..." It is in that place that we have the makings of the miracle.

Jesus told Martha in verse 25 that He is the Resurrection and the Life. What happens in a resurrection? Life is restored to something that is dead - something in which there is no life left. Is it your relationship? Is it your dream? Whatever it is, let's unwrap it and see the miracle.

Prayer:

Father,
           Open our eyes to see the miracle in the making. Cause our hearts to trust You in all things, to walk in faith and not be moved by what we see or hear. We choose You! Thy will be done. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Land of Nothing

The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.”

2nd Samuel 9:3a NLT

You might know the story. Mephibosheth was Jonathon's son; Saul's grandson. At five years of age, he was crippled when his nurse picked him up, but fell with him while fleeing for their lives when she heard that both Jonathan and Saul were dead. She had reason to fear; it was customary at that time to kill all the descendants of an embattled king.

Years later, David recalled his covenant with Jonathan and sought to show God's kindness to anyone who was still alive. In this passage (and even further on in 2nd Samuel), Mephibosheth is the epitome of humility and brokenness. Because he was crippled in both feet, he would forever need someone to help him. Once a prince, they found him living in the land of Lo Debar - which means 'pastureless, land of nothing'.

Isn't that like many of us? We think we have it all and then life takes a turn that we never saw coming, and we are left broken, whether spiritually, physically, emotionally, or even financially.

The Truth is, without Christ, we have nothing. We are in a modern Lo Debar.

However, when the King seeks you out, you will eat with Him at His table. You will be cared for and redeemed. Every provision will be made for you. You will be restored. Don't assume it should be your birthright. Our only birthright as sinners is death, hell, and the grave, but thank God! We have been redeemed. Stay humble before your God, and you will live as heirs with Christ.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for loving us first - for seeking and saving the lost, which we were. Thank You for taking our brokenness and redeeming us, restoring us. Let us never lose sight of all You have done, all You are doing, and all You will continue to do until the last day. We know that You have begun a good work in us and will complete it for Your glory. Give us the strength and courage to finish our part. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - On the Advice of Paul

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 NLT

Paul’s Final Advice

¹² Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

¹³ Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

¹⁴ Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
¹⁶ Always be joyful.
¹⁷ Never stop praying.
¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Right Relationships

May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!
2nd Thessalonians 3:16 The Message

The life of a Christian is all about right relationships. The right relationship with God, relationships with other followers of Christ, and relationships with non-believers. I have to say at some points in life, it would be so much easier to be a selective hermit. There would be fewer opportunities to be angry or spiteful. Less time consumed with solving other people’s issues for their lack of planning, resulting in fewer opportunities to judge. So much less chance of offense if you’re not around other people.

Right off the top of my head, I see two major things wrong with that. One – The Word tells us that they’ll know we are Christians by our love toward each other, and if we choose NOT to be around others because we can’t stand to be around them… well, I just don’t think we need to go any further there.

The writer of Hebrews instructs us in 12:14 to "work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears."

And two, if we’re never tested, how will we know? James 3:17a tells us that "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced."

It can be very hard work. That too is acknowledged and issued for instruction as the second part of that same Scripture assures us we "can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor."

So, I’d have to say, No, we can’t all just get along. Without God, it’s impossible. However, with God, all things are possible. Difficult, at times, but definitely possible.

Prayer:

Father,
        Hear our cry for right relationship with You. How You could love us in our unlovable state and continue to do so during our petty differences is beyond me. Help us to learn by following Your example toward US. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today Favorite - Double Standards

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. 

Galatians 5:16-17b NLT

Living with a double standard has always been a source of contention for those who have to deal with it. We are quick to fly in with blazing sword (or tongue) when we see an injustice based on a double standard – which is commendable, but can also be laughable…

What? You don’t think so? Well, let me ask you this. How many times have you been on the road behind someone who is driving less than desirably (by your standards) and when you finally get the opportunity to get around them, you discover they’re talking on a cell phone or even worse - texting? And from the so-called safety of your moving vehicle with the windows rolled up, you react with something like, “Quit texting before you kill somebody!” or “Hang up and drive!” and then YOUR cell phone rings with a call or buzzes with a text… and you answer it because after all, you know how to safely drive and talk on the phone, right? Double standard.

Or, as Christians, we’re quick to spout off about those who follow the desires of their sinful nature according to Galatians 5…sexual immorality, lustful pleasures, drunkenness, wild parties, idolatry, sorcery… "Why, Henry, that’s devil worship! Scripture is clear that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God!!"  Yes, that’s what it states alright - a clear standard – however, that passage in its entirety reads, "19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, HOSTILITY, QUARRELING, JEALOUSY, OUTBURTS OF ANGER, SELFISH AMBITION, DISSENSION, DIVISION, 21 ENVY,  drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."

Imagine that! Hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, and envy right smack dab in the middle between sorcery and drunkenness… oh, my!

There is only one standard. One God. One Way. God said through Jeremiah in chapter 32, verse 39, "And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them…" One heart – no division, no dissension…

Is there no hope? Yes, there is always hope in God through Christ our Lord! Our text (Galatians 5) in the New King James version tells us "if we walk in the Spirit, we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Read down a little farther in the chapter and we find, "22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

Continuing on, we find in verse 24 that the good news is "24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there."

One God. One Way – Jesus. There is only one standard. His. Pure and simple and undefiled by our double standards.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to walk in the Spirit, so that we won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Let the Holy Spirit have His way in our lives so we may walk according to Your divine plan – in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Securely Tied

If you love Me, keep My commandments.

John 14:15 NKJV

Alan Neel said it best when he said, "Love is a commitment that requires sacrifice that is expressed in complete obedience."

It's really not about what I can or cannot do. It's about love.

Do I love Him? Do I love Him enough to be faithful to what He has instructed me?

If I love Him like He loves Me, then I am not free to do whatever I want to do. My love for Him binds me to Him and restricts me from acting in ways that are contrary to what He has purposed for my life.

Talk is cheap. Prove your love by what you won't do. Be willing to be tied securely with the ribbons of His love.

Prayer:

Father,
            How like the enemy of our souls to cheapen the very words that express our love and commitment to You. Remove the distractions and let us focus completely on You, Father, to love You and keep Your commandments. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today Reminder - A Hundred to One

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
2nd Corinthians 9:7-9 NLT

Here's how the story goes:

A well-worn one-dollar bill and a similarly distressed one-hundred-dollar bill arrived at a Federal Reserve Bank to be retired. As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burned, they struck up a conversation. The hundred-dollar bill reminisced about its travels all over the country.

"I've had a pretty good life," the hundred proclaimed. "I've been to Las Vegas and Atlantic City, New Orleans and San Francisco, the finest restaurants in New York, performances on Broadway, and even a cruise to the Caribbean."

"Wow!" said the one-dollar bill. "You've really had an exciting life!"

"So, tell me," says the hundred, "Where have you been throughout your lifetime?"

The one-dollar bill replies, "Oh, I've been to the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church..."

"Wait! Wait!" The hundred-dollar bill interrupts, "What's a church?"

Well, we might chuckle, but sadly, if money actually talked, this conversation could very likely have taken place! Relax! I'm not here to take up an offering. But I would like to remind you that tithing and giving are part of a covenant relationship, and according to Malachi 3:10, we are to "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!"  Note this is the only place where God says we may test Him...

I have come to learn that the giving principle works in every area of life and that receiving isn't all about the bucks. If I sow my time by volunteering or helping a friend, invariably, I wind up with enough time for what's on my schedule and some to spare to do it again. If I sow kindness, I will receive kindness in great measure. If I sow love, I reap it in bundles too large and overwhelming to comprehend. If I sow mercy and/or grace, I will get it abundantly in return...and I need it. And when God sees I need some more of any of it, He pours out! Scripture reads, "Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands."

I don't know about you, but I don't want the representation of the life that precedes me to Heaven to be a one-dollar bill equivalent. I want to pour it out and give it my all. That's what Jesus did AND still does!

Prayer:

Father,
          Help us to see the beauty of Your majesty, to receive Your great love for us and to us through others. Teach us to give ALL, just as You gave all for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Kingdom Living

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10 NKJV

Right from here, let me assure you this is NOT a political statement. However, to properly reveal how I have been corrected, I have to provide a little American history background.

'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.' This sentence - from the Declaration of Independence - is one of the best-known sentences in the English language and has been called "the most potent and consequential words in American history," according to a book titled "American Creation". The Declaration justified the independence of the United States by listing grievances against the crown, asserting certain so-called “natural rights,” including the right of revolution.

People who are born and raised in the U.S. usually have a different view than most everyone else about the world and the way they think it should be. Unless one has traveled or lived outside of the continental United States, the prevailing mindset is we have our rights - certain 'unalienable Rights' – and that’s all there is to it. (And if you are blessed and highly favored of God enough so that you get to live in Texas – well, I’d say that statement alone is proof that there is a certain – shall we say – convinced attitude – of what rights are natural and unalienable…) And as Americans (whether Texan or not), if anything goes against our grain or “violates” our rights, we’re going to do something about it. (And right up to this point, I’m amen-ing and nodding approval and in 100% agreement with myself…)

However, a few years back, my very Texan, very American pastor poked a great gaping hole in my Texas/American attitude and made me look at myself in the Light of Truth. What am I FIRST– a Lover of Texas? An American? Or a Christian? Where do I pledge my allegiance and faith? By what rules do I live? Where is my heart?!?

Well, I’m a Christian Texas-loving American… However, the Word reads, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." As Christians, we’re no longer in a democracy; we’re in a kingdom. God’s kingdom. He rules… with HIS rules.

Prayer:

Father,
         Forgive me for every time I try to bend the rules to accommodate myself – to try to justify my own wants and my own desires. I want to follow You. I want to live the way You want me to live. Help me, Father. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

Promise for Today Favorite - Living Proof

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
Proverbs 20:7 NLT

You may not have children of your own, but most of us have seen babies who are learning to walk, so regardless, you'll have a point of reference. When my children were babies, I could teach them how to pull themselves up to stand. I could even offer them a hand. I could support them under their arms while they bounced and jumped and strengthened their leg muscles. I would hold both hands so they could stay up and not fall, but they had to make their legs and feet move. I would encourage them - even entice them with a toy or treat - but until they decided they wanted to and made up their mind to do it, they did not take one step on their own.

You can't make a baby walk unless he or she is ready to walk - whether it's an actual baby or someone trying to follow Jesus. By the same token, in order for the child to be able to walk on its own, you have to let go. They will totter, and stumble, and trip, and they will fall. And after a few falls, they may even decide just to sit or crawl for a while and try that walking thing a little later. They will get bruised, scraped up - they might even bleed and have scars as a result - but eventually, they will learn to walk because they choose to do so.

And the longer they do it, the better they get at it. You're living proof...so make sure you walk with integrity.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to be good stewards of who and what You have given us. Continue to give us revelation wisdom so we can teach others about You and how to walk in Your way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - If We So Choose

 He [God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 

2nd Corinthians 1:4 NLT

Short and to the point. This is not a ministry of apologetics. I am a firm believer that God does not need nor does He want anyone to apologize for anything He does or anything He allows to touch our lives. 

I most definitely believe that God can and will use everything that happens to us - good or bad - to create and/or strengthen Christ-like character in us... IF we allow Him to work in us. IF we choose to forgive. IF we choose the counsel of His Word over what we want to do in the flesh. 

You've been through a bad time? Did God get you through? Share it! You've been an addict and God delivered you? Share it! You've been abused? Molested? Held captive - literally or spiritually? Lost it all? God healed you and set you free?!? Share it! Or maybe you didn't get healed, but God has given you the grace to walk through it. I can't list everything here - but you get the picture.

God has comforted you and now you are to comfort others with the comfort He gave you!

And if you are NOW going through these things - I can put you in touch with people who have a testimony - those who know the way God will get you through because He did it for them! And I guarantee He will do it for you. That should be a comfort!

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for always sending someone to light our way with the oil of Your grace and to lighten our load with the comfort of Your Word for us and to us. Thank You, Father, for loving us beyond our expectation and even our ability to comprehend the depth of it. Thank You for every hard place we've ever been in that worked a measure of compassion and grace in us to be able to comfort others. Open our eyes to the opportunities around us to share those comforts to hurting hearts and souls in our sphere of influence and beyond. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today Favorite - Can't Argue with That

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Galatians 5:16-17 NLT

I remember a particular time when my life was an illustrated sermon of this Scripture passage. I had an appointment where I had to interact with a technician. For a moment, I couldn't make up my mind whether I was going to write "forced me" or "allowed me to interact" but in all reality, it was both. At the beginning, I felt forced.

I can't explain it, but the minute the person opened her mouth, it went right to my last nerve and I was irritated. I wanted to be judge, jury and executioner, but felt the nudge in my heart to hold my tongue. To just be quiet. Hold my peace. I wanted so badly to point out and emphasize each of this person's inefficiencies, but the thought came unbidden, "What would Jesus do in this situation?" and I was reminded of every time God had shown me mercy and offered me grace for mistakes I made when I was trying to do the right thing. How could I argue with that?

In Phase 2 of the interaction, I thought I might get a different tech. No, not a chance. Same person and for the second phase, I was the captive audience for over an hour. While the tech ranted and raved about politics and conspiracies that had nothing to do with the work being done, I was trying to convince God that there was no possible reason I should have to listen to her drivel. I could make it stop. He reminded me of all the times He had listened to me rant and rave about everything and anything. And He reminded me that when I would finally run out of steam, He would speak a Word of Truth to my situation, and I would be changed. Then He graciously topped it off with this passage in Colossians 3, "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony." (vv. 12-14 NLT). I definitely could not argue with that.

And sure enough, there came a place in the one-sided conversation where she asked an open-ended question, which then gave me the perfect opportunity to say that my trust is in God, and not in the government. That God alone has the plan and purpose for not only us, but also for all the elections and the world. Next thing you know, she's pouring out her heart about circumstances in her family, and God allowed the opportunity for me to speak Truth to her situation. And while I just planted the seeds into her life, I know someone else will come along and water those seeds, and God will give the increase because His Word says He will (1st Corinthians 3:6).

Now, for good measure to test the battle in my flesh, after I left the facility the second time, the tech called me again to say she'd forgotten to send me for the third part while I was there and asked when I could come back. I wanted to be mad. I really wanted to... but I got a mental image of the seed just sown being burned up before it had a chance to root. How do I argue with that?

Reflecting on the day where I spent much of it in battle with myself, I am grateful that God, in His great mercy and love, provides companions for this journey who point out His goodness and who help to keep me focused on what truly matters. I am thrilled that I can thank God for the victory He gave instead of suffering the guilt of wounding someone and missing His purpose for today. And while my preference would be a day without battles, His ways are not our ways. And I sure can't argue with that!

Prayer:

Father,
          As it is written in Romans 5:3-5, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly You love us, because You have given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with Your love." Please continue to grow us up in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

A Favorite - The Perfect Intersection

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Colossians 1:19-20 NLT

I cannot always wrap my mind around the depth of God’s love for mankind or the lengths to which He goes to prove His unconditional love for the vilest of mankind, but I believe with every fiber of my being that God is everything Scripture proclaims Him to be. I thought I might need to preface today’s promise with that declaration of faith because I may throw something out here that maybe you’ve never thought about. On the other hand, maybe I’m the last to realize it. I finally realized today that God understands - on a very personal level - the stress in life when dealing with people.

In today’s society, there’s much to be said about stress. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Frederick Saunders, author and poet, provided this famous quote ~ "Brain cells create ideas. Stress kills brain cells. Stress is not a good idea."

American theologian, Danzae Pace, said this about stress - "Stress is the trash of modern life - we all generate it but if you don't dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life."

I agree with both of those, but the quote that actually comes closer to my personal definition of it is this - Stress: The confusion created when one's mind overrides the body's basic desire to choke the living daylights out of whoever is not following one’s preferred plan…

God knows what it feels like to be angry. He knows first-hand the frustration and stress caused by people not following the preferred plan. It started in the Garden of Eden, remember? And how about those Israelites in the wilderness? And then in the Promised Land? Have you read the book of Jeremiah?!?

I don’t know about you, but when I get stressed in or about a situation and it becomes prolonged, I want to rid myself of it. Cut it off, kill it – whatever it takes to be gone. I want to be done with it. If I get to that place and I can see no change in sight or no hope of change, then I find myself at a crossroad – an intersection where I can choose what suits my flesh (which is to cut and run) or I can choose to follow God. If I choose to follow God’s example, I have to properly weigh all the components to determine the best outcome of love in action for all involved. First and foremost, I must recognize and understand what hangs in the balance.

That's what God did. He weighed it all - all the sin and evil and wickedness of all mankind for all time - and chose His love over killing all of us and wiping out the human race.

When we hit that intersection, we must recognize and understand what hung in the balance. It was His Son.

The Cross. The intersection of holiness and love - the perfect drop-off location for our load of stress.

Prayer:

Father,

        Thank You for creating the ultimate intersection and loving us in spite of our selfishness. Set us free from our own road hazards. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen