Reminder - I Have to Ask

Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

2nd Timothy 1:15-16 NLT

Has your trust in someone or something ever been betrayed? Have you given up on someone or something because it took longer than you expected for it to come together? Or have you ever been so plumb weary at the end of a very long day that you just wanted to go home, pull the covers over your head, and forget it all?

In all areas of life, we MUST, Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching... - a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. And we MUST, Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

Are you trustworthy? You may think,  I'm not a thief. I'm not a liar. I'm not a   (fill in the blank).  Yes, that makes me trustworthy. That's not what I'm asking you. Are you trustworthy with the great and glorious Gospel message that God has written on your heart?

Are we trustworthy to keep His message pure and true - not adding anything to it or taking anything away?

Are we trustworthy to not destroy the trust others have in us because of how we feel about what happened today or last week or this week or this month or this year?

Are we trustworthy to share the great and glorious Gospel message with those whom God has entrusted to us?

Are we?

Prayer:

Father,
            Give us wisdom to stand in Your Truth, carefully guarding it. Make us trustworthy, O God, to keep Your Truth pure and share it with those who need Your Good News. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

A Heart that Remembers

Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord!

Psalm 111:1-4 NLT

In the Bible commentary, Essential Bible Companion to the Psalms
by Brian Webster and David Beach, they provide this insight into Psalm 111.

Israel received many benefits from the Lord, some of which are mentioned in this psalm. God performed majestic and memorable acts. He provided food, land, and redemption. He made a lasting covenant with them. But the story is not mainly about Israel; it is about God. It is not an occasion for pride, but rather, praise—not “Look at me,” but “Look at him.”

His works are “faithful,” “righteous,” “gracious,” “compassionate,” “just,” and “trustworthy.” The story is not about you or me. The story is about God and our response to him.

So let us remember and let us be grateful.

Prayer:

Father,

           We remember Your works, Your faithfulness and great compassion toward us. We thank You, Lord, with our whole hearts as we meet with Your godly people. How amazing are Your deeds! Everything You do reveals Your glory and majesty. Your righteousness never fails! Keep our hearts ever mindful to remember Your wonderful works and to praise You for them. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Yes and No

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37 NKJV

"Let me be perfectly honest with you..." Wait - does this mean you haven't been being honest with me?!? 

"In all honesty..." as opposed to NOT in all honesty? Wouldn't that be lying? 

"Truth be told..." And here I thought you've been telling me the truth all along...

These are some of the goofy phrases people use to try to convince others that whatever they're saying is more honest than what they've said before. How is that supposed to make them appear more trustworthy? If you want to be trustworthy, it's simple. Tell the truth. 

And don't use empty words to try to make yourself look good. If you say you're going to pray for someone, then pray for them. Do it! ...let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’  

Prayer:

Father,

           We pray as David prayed in Psalm 19, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Let Me Ask You

Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
2nd Timothy 1:15-16 NLT

Has your trust in someone or something ever been betrayed? Have you given up on someone or something because it took longer than you expected for it to come together? Or have you ever been so plumb weary at the end of a very long day that you just wanted to go home, pull the covers over your head, and forget it all?

In all areas of life, we MUST, Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching... - a pattern shaped by the faith and love that we have in Christ Jesus. And we MUST, Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to us.

Are you trustworthy? You may think,  I'm not a thief. I'm not a liar. I'm not a   (fill in the blank).  Yes, that makes me trustworthy. That's not what I'm asking you. Are you trustworthy with the great and glorious Gospel message that God has written on your heart?

Are we trustworthy to not destroy the trust others have in us because of how we feel about something that happened today or last week or this week or this month or this year?

Are we trustworthy to keep His message pure and true - not adding anything to it or taking anything away?

Are we trustworthy to share the Gospel message with those whom God has entrusted to us?

So, let me ask you - are we?

Prayer:

Father,
            Give us wisdom to stand in Your Truth, carefully guarding it. Make us trustworthy, O God. May we be found faithful to You and to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Keeping Your Word

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.  “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe."

John 14:23-29 NKJV

We live in a time when finding someone in leadership who keeps his/her word can be a rarity. And if there is no faith in the word that has been spoken, no trust, how can there be peace? The simple Truth is that there can't be. 

How are feelings of security nurtured? By keeping your word. Can your co-workers rely on you? Do they know you will keep your word? If your children learn that you keep your word, no matter what, they will learn that if you say it, it's true. And they can be secure because you said so. When training or teaching someone to have faith or trust you, sometimes it may need to be pointed out. "I promised you I would _______." "Didn't I say that I would_________?" Help them to make the connection. Jesus did it for us.

When first reading the Scripture for today, one might wonder why Jesus talks about peace in the middle of talking about keeping His Word. Is it just because He was going away and He didn't want them to worry? No. He was talking about not only us keeping HIS Word, but HIM keeping His Word. Remember? And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 

The great news is, it applies to ALL of His promises. He said He hastens to perform His Word. We can believe what He says even when we can't see how, because we know He's as good as His Word.

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for being Trustworthy and for sending us Christ as a solid rock on which we are able to stand - no matter what storms are thrown at us. Remind us as often as needed. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

I'm Here Why?

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Romans 1:11-12 NLT

So many people ask, "Why am I here?" "What is my purpose?" Obviously, there is not one standard answer to that question. However, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and you don't know the answer, you are following the One who DOES know. God has a plan for everything. He's had it before the foundation of the world and there's a reason for all of it.

There have been times I've asked God, "What's the reason for this?" especially when it's not obvious to me why I am where I am in certain situations. BUT, Proverbs tells us, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. And while I may not have been able to see why I was in a certain place or situation, once I move down the path, continuing to trust Him, following in His footsteps, I am able to look back and see clearly why I was there.

Generally, it's one of four reasons.

1. Organizational structure

For example, Nehemiah was the king's cup-bearer, that was his job, but God had another plan - for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The story is a fascinating tale of favor with God and with King Xerxes, about a cup-bearer with tremendous organizational skills.

2. Financial aid

As much as people HATE to talk about the M word in church, some things just take money to accomplish. I'm not talking about grand cathedrals, etc, (although if that's what God called you to build, do it). I'm talking about supplying the needs of the Body and those who spread the Good News and that often takes practical application, such as paying the bills for electricity and running water. 

3. Divine Order 

Sometimes you get somewhere because you've been-there-done-that and you can help by instructing others in how it's done or at least encouraging them in the process.

4. Obedience
Simply living your life in obedience to follow God no matter what the circumstances. What a powerful testimony and encouragement that is to those in your sphere of influence.

Yes, God has a plan for everything. So, while you may not be able to see what you are supposed to be doing in a certain place or situation at this moment in time, follow His footsteps. HE knows where you are and why you are there and He is trustworthy.

Prayer:

Father,
           Oh, the comfort in knowing that You lead us and we can follow, safe and secure, because You never leave us or forsake us. Father, help us to know this Truth deep in our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0nDUpXmdig

I Have to Ask

Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
2nd Timothy 1:15-16 NLT

Has your trust in someone or something ever been betrayed? Have you given up on someone or something because it took longer than you expected for it to come together? Or have you ever been so plumb weary at the end of a very long day that you just wanted to go home, pull the covers over your head, and forget it all?

In all areas of life, we MUST, Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching... - a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. And we MUST, Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

Are you trustworthy? You may think,  I'm not a thief. I'm not a liar. I'm not a   (fill in the blank).  Yes, that makes me trustworthy. That's not what I'm asking you. Are you trustworthy with the great and glorious Gospel message that God has written on your heart?

Are we trustworthy to keep His message pure and true - not adding anything to it or taking anything away?

Are we trustworthy to not destroy the trust others have in us because of how we feel about what happened today or last week or this week or this month or this year?

Are we trustworthy to share the great and glorious Gospel message with those whom God has entrusted to us?

Are we?

Prayer:

Father,
            Give us wisdom to stand in Your Truth, carefully guarding it. Make us trustworthy, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen