Do Not Love The World

Good Morning,
1 John 2:15-16 (NIV)


Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.


I read these verses and immediately the "thought" came into my head, "What do I have; what things have I accumulated; what "creature comforts" do I own...that I simply cannot (or choose NOT to) live without?" The next "thought" that came to me was, "If I had to sell everything I own, all those things that I have accumulated, what is ONE thing that I simply would not let go under any circumstances?"
These "thoughts" that came into my head aren't mine. I think we all know that. These ideas come from God and it is HE who is asking me these questions.


Basically He's asking me what things of and in the world do I hold much too highly. He's saying to me that I need to maybe get rid of some things in my life and that I need to reconsider that which is important to me.


When I answer these questions from God (and ONLY to Him!) I hear Him clearly answer, "Really?" And that, of course, brings more and deeper thoughts about how I see myself in the world and what I feel is important in my life. Then, even after I've seen what things I can do without, there are still worldly things that remain and I have to answer these questions once again. Again, God answers, "Really?"


You see, I can do without almost everything that I own and ought to be satisfied to simply have my relationship with God...and all that it means.


So, in the final analysis, what is it in my life that I cannot live without? Only God. If I have Him, I have it all. I know I have it all because I know that God will provide for ALL of my needs. I know that I have it all because I can be satisfied with what it is God gives me. I know I have it all because I can see this or that and simply know I don't "need" it and, really, I don't even want it (whatever the "it" might be).


I pose to you that it would be good for you to ask God to question you about this. Then, I would ask that you answer honestly and examine deeply.


That's all. That's enough.


Love, peace, and blessings,


David

Thoughts and Attitudes

Good Morning,
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

So, we think that our "private" thoughts and our "hidden" attitudes are ours alone and that we can keep them to ourselves? Is that what most of us really believe? I mean, I don't go around telling people about my innermost thoughts, most of the time. And I surely keep some of my attitudes about things to myself and deep inside. So, what's the harm, right?

The thing is, NOTHING can be kept from God! Even those "private" and "hidden" things that we keep secret from the rest of the world are known to God. He knows our thoughts and attitudes about everything, no matter how far buried they might be inside us. We simply cannot hide from God, nor can we keep anything from Him.
He knows.

And what we read today tells us that we can judge our thoughts and attitudes by simply reading and studying the Bible. Yes, we can judge ourselves about what we think and the way we feel about our thoughts. It's all there for us to know and understand. You see, God doesn't hide anything from us. Just as we are open books to Him, HE has give us a book to open so we will understand HIM and understand those thoughts and attitudes that we have; those thoughts and attitudes we probably ought NOT to have.

Nothing complicated here. All pretty simple. Everything actually very easy to understand. Right there for us to comprehend.
So, our part? Read what God has put there for us. He will, through His words in the Bible, let us know if we're wrong or right. Even to our deepest thoughts and attitudes.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David

Too Old?

Good Morning,

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Now I am old and what was my future is now my present, and even, perhaps, my past. The days, weeks, months, and years of my life have gone by and seem to be passing now even more quickly than ever. Time, unfortunately, does not stand still for any of us and what once was all in front of me has now gone by.

So, does this verse of Scripture we read today still stand as truth for those of us who have lived long and are not young any more? Does this verse speak to ALL of us? Even those of us who have only a few more years (or less) to live out this life we've been given?

I ask, "Lord, WHAT plans do you have for me now that my future is now? And, how will I prosper now that I am no longer in the work force and out in those places where that might happen? Will I, Lord, be kept from harm now that my body is frail and harm seems to come from almost everywhere?"

The answer, of course, is a resounding "Yes!" from God to these questions that I've posed today. How long we've been alive on this planet has nothing at all to do with the promises of God. The questions, I think, come from the enemy to place seeds of doubt on what God can...AND WILL!...do in our lives, no matter the number of years we have been here, or might have left. The enemy wants those of us who are more mature (being politically correct here!) to think that our usefulness has past and that God will not use us; has no plans for us; will not prosper us; and will allow us to come to harm. LIES! LIES! LIES! Never forget that the enemy is the master of lies and the supreme liar of all time.

Who we are and how old we are has nothing to do with believing what God has told us in this short verse of Scripture. He DOES have plans for every one of us no matter who, what, where, or our when in life. He DOES want to prosper us (let's not misunderstand "prosper" here, ok?). And He WILL protect us from harm in so many, many ways.

Let's close our ears, those of us who have lived long to this point, to the lies that might come from many places about us being "too old" to be useful any more. Let us not listen to those who might tell us to just relax and not try to "do too much" because we're just not that competent any more.

God can and will use every one of us to accomplish His purposes, in His ways, and most importantly, in His time.

(A little P. S. here for the younger ones who might read these words. Don't, please, put "out to pasture" the older ones in your congregations. Learn from them. Let them show you so very much that they've gone through. Be kind and gentle and, who knows, maybe God will show YOU how to help that "senior citizen" see God's plans for him or her and how God will prosper them and keep them from harm. YOU, young people, can truly be God's implements in this. Just look and see. Oh, most importantly? Obey!)

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Much Will Be Asked

Good Morning,

Luke 12:48 (New International Version)
...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Most of us who are able to read the words of this verse of Scripture HAVE been given much. To go a step further, we have also been entrusted with much. Therefore, I guess it probably goes without saying, WE...you, me, and everyone who might read these words...we will have much demanded of us and much will be asked of us.

I guess we can all live with those facts, right? So, well, why bring it up? I suppose that the reason this subject has crossed my desk this morning and the reason I feel I've been asked to send this short message along, is: Have we given what has been demanded of us? Have we done what we have been asked to do?

A deep, long, hard look inside myself will be necessary for me to answer those questions. My friends, the same is needed for you, as well.

Yes, a very short message today that is also extremely difficult. I say that because, if you are at all like me, that deep, long, hard look might not be a comfortable thing to do. Not that it's hard to take that look; but that it's hard when we see the answers within.

Let us all be obedient to what we read in this verse of Scripture and let us all take the time to right whatever wrongs we find within. God, through His Holy Spirit, will, I truly believe, help us to do what needs to be done.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Meeting Together

Good Morning,

Hebrews 10:25 (New International Version)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 (New Living Translation)
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Most of the time...(almost all of the time?)...this short verse of Scripture us used by pastors and others to point out how important it is to attend a local congregation regularly. Now, I agree that this verse definitely DOES point us in that direction and I also agree with the importance of the use of "encourage" as we read it here. Here's the thing, though: This verse ALSO is vital to our "meeting together" not only as congregations of believers, but equally important to our meeting one on one, one with another, you and me, just two people getting together; being together; talking together; helping each other; and, of course, encouraging each other.

So, having said that, let's ask ourselves this question: Have I been meeting together with people I used to? Further, do I call or communicate with people I did not long ago? Some time ago? Even, in times long past?

You see, even though it is vital that we meet as congregations for what those meetings bring to ourselves and to others, I believe that it's even MORE important that we meet together with our brothers and sisters in Christ one on one. (And, we'll not even broach the subject of Small Groups in this short message!)

One on one get togethers for a cup of coffee with a brother or sister can be the MOST important thing that you and I might do in any particular day. THIS, just two people chatting and being together, can bring knowledge and understanding of Scripture, the world, and innumerable other things. This intimate, informal meeting together of two or three people, in my humble opinion, is where the "rubber meets the road" so to speak, as far as opening up and being able to be totally honest with someone about ourselves and our needs and our dreams and our desires and, yes, our problems.

If this message speaks to you, then I urge you to contact that someone with whom you know you can open up to and just be with for a special, maybe wonderful, time of sharing.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Mattew's Redemption

Good Morning,

I am forwarding the following devotional that I received from Mike Hoskins at CF Devotionals. No, I don't often (maybe a couple times a year?) forward devotionals...or anything else for that matter...but one line toward the end of this message struck home with me. I strongly feel that there are others who need to hear this as well. So, what, exactly, struck me so strongly? I'll put it here and then you can read the rest of the message for yourself:

"Matthew had fallen to the point where no one would have believed God would ever use him again. If you think you have reached that point then reconsider. God is in the business of fixing broken lives and healing broken hearts and relationships so He can use them again."

That, I think, is the message that many of us need to hear, know, and fully understand.

Here's the message I received in its entirety:

Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (NASB)

When we meet Matthew in the gospels he is a tax collector for the Roman government that occupies Israel. He is a Jew working for the enemy. He and those like him were despised by their countrymen as traitors. The tax collectors padded the taxes they collected for themselves. While Matthew would have lived a life of many comforts, he would have not been permitted in the temple.

Then Jesus called him right out of this collection booth, "Follow Me". The disciples that Jesus had already called must have wondered to themselves what was going on. How could Jesus be asking someone of this man's character to follow Him? Matthew turned his back on everything else and followed Jesus.

The first thing Matthew does is throws a party and invites all his friends to meet Jesus. What did Andrew say to his brother Peter? "We have found the Messiah", and he brings Peter to meet Jesus. (John 1:41-42) And here Matthew is doing as Andrew has done. The word must have moved through the town quickly that Matthew had left his job to follow this itinerant Rabbi Jesus. His life had been changed in two words and he wanted his friends and associates to know how and why. What a fascinating evening it must have been.

This man Matthew, also called Levi, who had no place in the temple wrote one of the four gospels. Matthew will be one of the twelve that will judge the tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:30) The first book of the New Testament bears his name written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through the hand of Matthew. It is possible that Matthew will be one of the 24 elders seated around the throne of Christ - twelve from each of the Old and the New Testament. (Rev 4:4) And finally one of the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem will bear his name. (Rev 21:14)

Matthew had fallen to the point where no one would have believed God would ever use him again. If you think you have reached that point then reconsider. God is in the business of fixing broken lives and healing broken hearts and relationships so that He can use them again. He offers salvation through His Son Jesus that turns death into eternal life.

He can use you again.

Grace & Peace, Mike

mhoskins@cfdevotionals.org

One last thought about God using people for His purposes and reasons. Remember that He used David. Remember also that David was a murderer and an adulterer. God CAN and WILL use any one of us as HE sees fit! Let's not forget that.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

No Needy Persons

Good Morning,

Acts 4:32-35 (NIV)
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

What a difference of thought and belief from the early church to the church that we have in this, the 21st century.

These words that we read today are words that we should all take to heart and believe in completely and totally. At least that's MY take on it and how I feel about it.

How do YOU feel? What do YOU think?

Even at this moment, and even among our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, there are hungry people. Worse yet, there are children, Christian children, who do not have enough to eat...not to mention not having decent clothing, shoes, or other necessities. Right this second there is someone who is weeping because he or she does not have adequate housing for thier family. In the time it takes to read these words today someone will lose a home or have their power shut off for lack of money to pay a bill or mortgage or rent.

I guess we can say that 2,000 plus years ago things were "simpler" or "easier" or just not as complicated as things are today in the area of the sharing we read about in these verses from Acts. It's easier to say that and just not take the difficult steps that would be needed to be more like those early Christians and share all we have with "anyone as he had need."

Sort of thought provoking, isn't it? Well, I sure thought so.

One last thought on these verses. "All the believers were one in heart and mind." I think that anyone, and probably everyone, who has read the words sent out from my desk know and understand how I feel about unity in the Church. These words are, yet again, another reminder of the unity that we ought to have...even today in this much more complicated world in which we live.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Help Hope

Good Morning,

Psalm 146:5 (NIV)
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God
Psalm 146:5 (AMP)
Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is he who has the God of [special revelation to] Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God

We often wonder why we don't feel the way, or ways, that we think we ought to be feeling. We don't feel blessed. We're not happy. We don't think our lives are what one might call fortunate. And, certainly, we don't think that anyone thinks the life we're living is to be considered enviable. Too often many of us feel exactly the opposite of what we read in today's verse of Scripture.

So, why?

The answer to the "why" of how we feel about ourselves and the life we live is ALSO in this short verse of Scripture. And...it is so simple an answer that we just overlook it.

We can, and WILL, feel happy, blessed, fortunate and enviable in our lives IF and WHEN we do as the Psalmist tells us. That is: When we truly turn to God for our help in this life we live; When our hope is in the Lord.

You see, this world teaches us that our "help" in living our lives is in, well, is in US. That means that we are taught that each individual should find help in himself/herself or in worldly principles. We are also taught, too often, that any hope we have is ALSO to be found in our own actions and what we feel inside ourselves. Our hope and help simply comes from human beings who are anything BUT hopeful or helpful much too often.

The question to us is simply: In what (Who) do we find our personal help and hope for life?

Answer needs to be: God

If it's anything other than the Lord God of the universe, well, we shall NEVER feel blessed, or happy, or fortunate, or enviable in any way.

Nothing complicated about what we should learn from this verse of Scripture.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

God's Household

Good Morning,

Ephesians 2:13, 17, 19-20 (NIV)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

(I would strongly suggest that everyone take a couple of moments, it doesn't take long, and read all of this Chapter of Scripture. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202&version=NIV this link is a shortcut for all.)

Verse 19, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household," is the verse that came across my desk this morning. In looking at all of Ephesians Chapter 2, it caused me to wonder just how many of us forget...and some who have never known?...that we are, truly, members of God's household and fellow citizens in because we've accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Many of us, and I would say TOO many of us, have forgotten this fact. Many others of us, for whatever reasons, have never truly grasped this truth about really being members of God's household; of being fellow citizens and brothers and sisters of all Christians. Then, as it happens, there are those of us who lose sight of this fact from time to time and need to be reminded of it.

You and I are members of God's household. That means, at least to me, that we...you and I and all Christians...are brothers and sisters related by the blood of Jesus which was shed for ALL, and not for just a few. No matter who we are, where we are, what denomination or not we might belong to, men or women, young or old, we have ALL been accepted into the household of God. Jesus "came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near," which tells me that He preached to every human on the planet.

This is a very important and simple concept which we must keep close in our minds and in our hearts. Yes, things will be tough. Yes, we will have difficult seasons in our lives. Yes, life may be hard. Yes, we might struggle. But the fact remains that through any adversity or challenge, we have the fact that we are members of God's household and have our brothers and sisters to whom we can call on as in any family.

This message could be extremely long as the subject is worth any length. Today, however, I think it enough that we be reminded of the simple fact that we, every one of us, is related by the blood of our risen Savior and that we are members of God's eternal household.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Abba

Good Morning,

Isaiah 46:4 (New International Version)
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Romans 8:15 (New International Version)
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

As we grow older I think that we sort of lose the concept of who God is, in a way. I don't mean that we lose sight of the fact that He is God, no, not in any way at all. What I mean is that we lose sight of His "Daddy" aspect because, well, WE are getting old and gray, as we read in Isaiah.

The author of Romans points out that God IS our "Abba, Father," and the word "Abba" means, in Aramaic, "Daddy." That, my friends, is the concept we have difficulty keeping in our minds as we age and as our earthly parents pass away. You see, we don't have "Daddy" any more here on earth, so our minds sort of put aside the idea of "Daddy" in our daily lives.

However, we read today in Isaiah that God is ALWAYS there to sustain us, carry us, and rescue us. So, I read from that, and then when I read the passage in Romans, that God is our "Abba, Father" no matter what age we might reach on this earth. We can be 8 or 80 and we still have our Heavenly Daddy, our "Abba, Father" to help us throughout the trials of life which we face so regularly.

"Abba, Father!" we can cry out to Him whenever we want to...He's always there even "to your old age and gray hairs." His being our Daddy never changes. It is who He is and what He is to every believer. We can give thanks that Him being our loving and caring Daddy simply is and will never change in any way.

It is unfortunate that we lose some of our childish ways as we age. Some of them are so very useful throughout our lives. I think, and I feel in my heart, that THIS concept, this "Abba" part of our Heavenly Father, is one of those childish behaviors that we should NEVER lose; a behavior that would serve us well even if we live to be 101 years old; a behavior that can bring peace and comfort to us...at any age and any time.

So I pray, Abba, Father, please help us to come back to knowing you as our heavenly Father and, truly, as the Daddy that has always been and will always be. I ask you to open our child's eyes to see you as you are, in every way that you are, and to remember that for always you are our Daddy. Amen

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

"I will answer you..."

Good Morning,

Jeremiah 33:2-3 (New International Version)
"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'"

So...You're sitting there quietly reading your Bible or maybe just thinking about this or that and, suddenly, a thought comes into your mind that you hadn't ever, at any point in your life, considered. Maybe it's about missions or mission trips. Perhaps about speaking at your men's or women's group. Possibly about sharing some insight you've never had with someone you know is having some problem or other. Well, the list, of course, is infinite of what could just "pop" into your mind.

And you wonder about it, of course, as we all do. Just where in the world did THAT come from? Why on earth would I consider something of that nature? Me? Speak in public? Go to some unknown village in South America or Asia? Am I losing my mind here???

I think the verse we read today gives a distinct possibility, even the probability, that these unsolicited thoughts might just come from God. Now, not only might this thought you've had come from God, it is also meant to be acted upon.

So, is it necessary this morning to write some long detailed treatise about this subject? I think not. I think, the thought that came to MY mind as I read this verse, that God is pointing out to us clearly the fact that He DOES place thoughts and ideas into our minds for His reasons and for us to carry out His suggestions in our lives.

The next time you have some "weird" thought about something, don't just ignore it. Stop and pray about it and ask God for more clarity. He'll answer you. He WILL make it clear.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Do

Good Morning,

James 1:22 (New International Version)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 (New Living Translation)
But don't just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Yes, we all know this short, meaningful verse of Scripture. We've heard it and read it countless numbers of times in many different forms. Still, though, too many of us don't seem to fully comprehend what it is that God is telling us through James' pen.

We do SOME of the things that we hear and read in God's word and the messages God gives to us through those He has chosen to speak to us. But, unfortunately, we aren't as obedient as we ought to be, I don't think. What we human beings do is take it on ourselves to decide which parts, pieces, and sections of God's Word we want to put into practice by DOING. If something fits our personal sense of "well, this seems good" then that is what we will take on and actually go out and "do." But, if there's something that we sort of don't agree with or that we feel doesn't fit our lifestyle or our sensibilities in the right way, well, then we just sort of pass on the "doing" of that.

God's Word is NOT multiple choice. It isn't a pick and choose buffet of some kind where we just "do" those things we like and enjoy and feel right about. What God has put down for us in the Bible are what He would have us "DO" on a regular and ongoing basis. Even when we're not comfortable with the doing. Even when we find it hard in the doing.

You and I both know those things that we don't "do" because, well, I guess we just don't want to. Yes, there are many, many things that need "doing" and not just listening in the Bible. Of course, not every believer is chosen to do every thing, or carry out every idea that God puts before us as individuals. However, I firmly believe that God DOES choose us...you for this and me for that...to DO what He has put before us in His Word. That, my friends, is when we have to put our personal likes, dislikes, desires, and wants on the back burner and carry out exactly what James writes for us in this verse.

When God calls we have to "not merely listen to the word" and what it is He's telling us, but we have to "Do what it says," and be obedient to His calling.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Galatians 6:1-10

Good Morning,

Galatians 6:1-10 (New International Version)
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

This section of Scripture found its way to me this morning and, as I read it carefully in several translations, I was led to think about what it said as it concerned ME; as the words Paul wrote pertained to the way I live MY life and how I live it. I didn't hear that a message ought to be written to send out to others as to what is meant here or what God wants us all to know. It was very, very personal...that which I was hearing about the verses here...and the thoughts were about what I've done, or not done, that are expressed in the words we read today.

So, if what I heard was directed personally to me, then why am I sending this short section of Scripture along to you and others who read these words? That, my friends, is because immediately following the questioning of my life and my actions, I heard clearly that I'm not alone in needing to read and think about what God has put down through Paul's pen so long ago.

So, what God has clearly said to me, after questioning me, is that we ALL need to look deep inside ourselves as individuals to see if we are being obedient to what God tells us here.

I'm not going to tell you what I have found about me, nor do I expect or want you to tell me...or anyone else...what you might find about you. That is extremely personal and between each of us and our Lord.

So, all I'll ask is that you read these words of Holy Scripture again. Then, I would ask that you might take a few minutes to read other translations to see what nuances might be a bit different so you can see, perhaps, more clearly what God wants you to see. Finally, I hear very clearly that God wants all of us to do what needs to be done in our lives, as individuals and as a community of believers, to come more into line with what He tells us here.

I pray we are all at peace with this today and every day as we live out our Christian lives.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

God's Precepts

Good Morning,

Psalm 119:93 (New International Version)
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.

So, I read this verse and decided to explore what, exactly, "precepts" are. I mean, I wanted to know what David was talking about, you know? So, here's the Webster's definition...

precept n . 1. a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct. 2. an injunction as to moral conduct; maxim. 3. a direction for performing a technical operation. 4. Law. a written order issued pursuant to law.

Now this verse makes more sense to me, after reading what precept means.

"...for by them (God's commandments, directions, rules of action and conduct; His injunctions to moral conduct; His laws written by those to whom He gave them) you have preserved my life."

I guess we can see how God intervened and protected David those thousands of years ago so He could use him to send along to all people the Psalms we so much love and learn from. But, more than that, I think that because of God's precepts, more than just physical life was preserved for David and, therefore, us as well.

Yes, of course, we want our physical lives preserved and lengthened so we can do God's work...that which He gives us in order that we spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and His plan of salvation. But, we should also want more than just quantity of life in service to God, we should also desire the QUALITY of that life to be great, also. That's what I read here today. I read that if we do NOT forget God's precepts, which He has diligently set down in the Bible for us, then our lives will have been preserved...both the length of our lives and the quality of our lives.

However, it is up to us to remember what God has had written for us in the way of His precepts. That, for us, is the hard part because so often our human desires and personal pleasures sort of get in the way and we tend to put aside what God has told us, set down for us. You see, WE have the responsibility to make the decision to live by what we read in the Bible and to follow and remember God's precepts.

He's done His part. We have to do ours.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Seasoned With Salt

Good Morning,

Colossians 4:6 (New International Version)
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6 (New Living Translation)
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
1 Peter 3:15 (New International Version)
...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

It struck me as I read the verse we all know from Colossians that, too often, many of us do NOT present our reasons for hope, our knowledge of God, and our relationship with Jesus Christ with what Paul called "seasoned with salt." Yes, a lot of us know the Bible and can quote Scripture "chapter and verse" about the Good News of God's plan of salvation. We know what God has told us about all of this. However, we don't present what we know with personal and anecdotal speech when we DO talk about God. I guess we expect people to believe what the Bible says simply because, well, it says what it does and WE believe it.

I think that we need to pay closer attention to what both Paul and Peter wrote for us to understand about witnessing and doing what we can to present the Gospel message.

Peter reminds us that we need to be able to give the reason for our optimistic hope about the fact of our salvation through our knowledge of, and relationship to, Jesus Christ. He tells us that we ought to do this with "gentleness and respect" and I would add that we also need to remember that those to whom we speak do NOT have the understanding we do of the Bible nor do many of them even believe what is written IN the Bible. So we don't need to be quoting verse after verse of Scripture to someone who is skeptical ABOUT that Scripture. Paul says that we need to "season" our conversations with "salt" and that, like Peter, we need to know how to answer the questions that come.

The salt we need is our own personal experiences about what God has done in our lives. Think about it for a minute here: Food without salt is bland and simply does not taste all that good. It's the same with our conversations. Simply giving Biblical facts without telling of our own encounters and observations of God in our life is, well, it's pretty bland and doesn't ring with the truth of a life lived with Jesus.

We really need to understand more fully and be ready to speak more boldly about what it is God wants us to say when we encounter those who do NOT know Him. Our conversations have to be personal and "seasoned" with our own experiences. We DO, of course, have to know the basics of what the Bible tells us about the Gospel message...I think that does go without saying, because that is how we can do more to explain the hope and security we have in Jesus Christ. Then, as Peter points out clearly, our conversations also have to be taken on with true gentleness toward the one we are speaking to and with respect for that person in every way.

In other words, our conversations need to be done with true love for the ones to whom we speak. If we do that, I think the rest will take care of itself.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Ashamed?

Good Morning,

Romans 1:16 (New International Version)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 (Amplified Bible)
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

A reminder to us all, today, that NOT mentioning God's plan of salvation when speaking to someone who obviously has NOT accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, is tantamount to us actually BEING ashamed of the Gospel message. At least, that is what spoke to me this morning when I read this verse of Scripture.

If I am not ashamed, as I'm told I ought NOT to be in this verse, then why in the world would I be averse to speaking?

I think it's something we all need to think about and pray about. For all the reasons that we DON'T speak up boldly about the Gospel message, THIS is something that should never be a reason.

Just a short note today because I think each of us needs to examine our reasoning and ask God for help and guidance to NEVER be even remotely "ashamed" or "embarrassed" about speaking up to people and telling them about Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the forgiveness of sin.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

All He Has Done

Good Morning,

Psalm 92:4 (New Living Translation)
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.
Philippians 1:6 (New Living Translation)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (New Living Translation)
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Something that very often thrills me is when God sends along verses of Scripture for me to read and contemplate and, then, sends along something else...even days or weeks later...that brings the FIRST verse or section of Scripture into even more meaning and clarity to me. Such is the case today and it pleases me greatly.

I read the verse from Psalms and thought about all the good that God has done in my life, the lives of my family, the lives of my friends, and then, in the lives of ALL Christian believers. This verse of Scripture should make us all shout with joy, if for no other reason than the fact of Jesus Christ coming to this earth for the express purpose of our salvation and the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. Of course, there is much, much more that we have to be grateful for and to give thanks for it goes without saying. This verse we read ought to cause every one of us to "sing for joy" because of all the works of God in our lives. I would imagine that there have been uncounted numbers of messages written and sermons preached on this one short, meaningful verse.

But then, as God so often does, the verse from Philippians comes to us to give us even MORE of a reason to be thankful and grateful for God's workings in our lives. Here we find that, no matter how many marvelous things God has already done in our lives, we read that He isn't done with us yet. We read here that He "will continue His work until it is finally finished" in every one of us. So, just how joyful should we be, do you think?

Finally, God sends us something that is difficult for us to truly understand or comprehend. In Ephesians we read that God goes even further in what He can and will do in our lives. First, He has done many, many wonderful things in our lives. Next, He continues to work in, on, and for us. Finally, we read in Ephesians that He is able to do MORE in our lives; to help us "accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" as we walk on this earth.

Yes, I truly DO love it when God points out Scripture that not only helps to guide and direct us, but also shows us the glory only He can bring in our lives.

For that, my friends, I am, and will be, eternally grateful.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Small Group

Good Morning,

Mark 2:1-4 (New International Version)
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.


The verse that came to me today was verse 3, "Some men came, bringing Him a paralytic, carried by four of them." The first thought that entered my mind was, "If I was in such need, where would the four friends to help me come from?" Then I thought, "Do I even HAVE four friends who care enough for me who WOULD help me at a time like this?" Sobering thoughts, aren't they? Now, I would hope that all who read these words would have friends that come to help in time of need, but that isn't always the case I'm afraid. Read the following, please, about yet another reason for a strong and supportive Small Group.

By: Greg Aitkens
A few years ago, a look at the small group I'm a part of would have revealed a man who was recently divorced and unemployed, another who was underemployed and looking for work, and still another with a very challenging work environment who's wife had recently come through a very serious surgery.

We all encounter trials, tough times, periods of desolation. In gatherings such as a our small group, we can exhibit compassion, empathy and concern for the lives of friends and family members. We can pray, fast and intercede on their behalf. We can do our best to encourage them and walk with them in their most crucial times of need.

We can help others to locate new employment, suggest helpful scriptures or books, or just call them a few times during the week to check in. It is also important to encourage others to "talk it out" and share about their anxieties and fears. Nothing can replace the knowledge that we are supported by others during our toughest times.

As the old song says, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love." Let us exhibit that sweet love and compassion to our brothers and sisters who need it.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Do you reach out to your brothers and sisters when you know they are going through a challenging time?

There are so very many reasons to belong to such a group as the one we read of today, but in my humble opinion the reason that is at, or at least very close to, the top of the list is that we can offer support when times are difficult. So, that brings us to this present day. My friends, times ARE difficult. They might be OK for you, but for the rest of humanity? Not so much, as folks are wont to say today.

It would be ludicrous and redundant to go over all the wrongs and trials that exist in our local communities, cities, states, countries, and throughout the world. Many more educated than I have done this already and really, all we have to do is to simply take a good, hard look around to see it all. That brings us back to the reason today's message has come our way: The Small Group. That group of Christian believers who meet regularly together and can be that extremely important tool to help us through these times.

That's all. I don't think we need to go over and over and over all the reasons for Small Groups. The question still remains, however: Do you...I...all of us, belong to such a group? If not, then why not? It's not just a nice thing, I think it's necessary. That, I suppose, brings us to the next and last point: If I do NOT belong to a small group and don't see one around me, what keeps me from STARTING a group in my home? The answer is probably NOTHING keeps me from doing this.

Please, think about it, OK?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Hebrews 13:1-3

Good Morning,

Okay, first, something personal. In my retirement now and with the volunteer work I've been doing, this "daily" message is sort of hit and miss, so to speak. Honestly, I just don't feel the Lord pushing and nudging as He once did to send something out every day now. Maybe the more than 12 or 13 years that I obeyed the calling He placed on me was enough for Him. I still check each day to see if there's something God wants me to send along. But it appears that He's taking it easy on me in this area of my life and "nudging" only when He feels it necessary. I know I should have said something to everyone along these lines before, but, well, I guess that I sort of didn't want this season of my life to be done with. God knows that, as well, I'm sure and that's why He still has me send something along once in a while. Thank you all for your understanding. I'll continue to be obedient in this ministry as God calls me to be. Now, on to what He's given me today...

Hebrews 13:1-3 (New International Version)
Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

This crossed my desk a few days ago and when I read it again this morning it was more meaningful to me than it was then. By the grace of God, He shows us what He wants us to see exactly WHEN He wants us to see it.

These few, short verses tell us something that we all OUGHT to be doing as a part of whatever small group, home group, cell church, or home ministry we need to be committed to in our service to God. Sometimes we get "involved" in some home type ministry and don't DO very much in that context. We read Scripture and discuss it (ALWAYS a good idea!), we pray for each other and the needs we know about as we should, we may sing songs and worship to the Lord, and we fellowship, as is needed for our spiritual health. However, it has been made clear to me today that these activities, no matter how wonderful and necessary they are, well, they aren't ALL we should do as a part of the small group to which we belong.

You see, I firmly believe that God wants us to DO things much along the lines of what we read in today's verses. Yes, love one another, of course. But then, read on... Entertain strangers in whatever guise that might take on, and it will be totally different for every group and even different from day to day within that group. Some kind of prison ministry or something where we can reach out to those who are probably MOST in need of hearing God's plan of salvation and the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. And, the last...but certainly not least...of what we read today, take up for people mistreated in any way that we see and know about.

Do you belong to a small group of some kind? If not, you should be, we ALL should be. If we do belong, and WHEN we do belong, we must remember that there is much, much more in a small group than what many of us are experiencing now. We have to remember that we have work we need to be doing as an integral part of ANY group of believers who gather for any other reason.

Let's keep this at the forefront of our minds as we go on from this day and as we join or start a small group of Christian believers. Let's not forget that we need to DO...not just talk about...for the Lord.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

WHY

Good Morning,

Proverbs 1:1-6 (New International Version)
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Sometimes we need to have a reason "why" in order that we read the Bible, or, really to do almost anything worthwhile.

That's the reason that this has come along to us today, I think. So that we have a really good "why" to read not only the Book of Proverbs, but the whole Bible. Read these 6 short verses of Scripture. Look at what God is telling us in what He gave to Solomon to write for all posterity...for all generations...for all time.

Now, read them again if you need just a bit more of a "nudge" in why you ought to get into a regular habit of reading your Bible. These words of wisdom should make us all more fully understand the reasons, the "whys," of reading God's words to us.

If we don't take these words to heart and, then, do as they say...read the Bible...then we have wasted the greatest asset we could possibly have to leading and living a good, decent, and productive life.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Fathers

Good Morning,

Proverbs 23:24 (New International Version)
The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him.

Father's Day fast approaches. A "Day" when we are to honor and celebrate fathers, dads, and, I think, those moms who have to take a dad's role. I read this verse today and wondered why in the world we need such a "Day" to honor fathers. It seems to me that we ought to honor those who raised us every day, and not just one "special" day.

I guess what this short message is about this morning is to remind us about honoring our parents, just as we are told to do by God in what He gave to Moses in what we know as the 10 Commandments. Remember, one of those is to honor our parents.

I know that there are those of us who have not had an ideal father to raise us and others who had no father influence at all in their lives. For these many...TOO many I fear...people, we can turn to our heavenly Father and rely completely on Him.

I'm not going into a long, drawn out dissertation on all that is written about the love of God for us and His role as our Abba, Father. We've heard those sermons and read those messages many times. Today, I think that all we need to do is to reflect on fathers and fatherhood and to never forget we always have a loving Father in heaven.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Life's Questions and Puzzles

Good Morning,

Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
Jesus said, "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Often we wonder why more people don't come to understand God's plan of salvation and exactly who Jesus it. I think today's verse explains it very clearly.

People in general will tend to look for that wide gate and the broad road because they are easy to navigate. When they see a small gate and narrow road that might be more difficult to get through and walk on, well, it's just too much trouble and effort. It occurs to me...and has been my experience in over 60 years on the planet...that people, for the most part, are, well, for lack of a better term...lazy.

Effort requires work and work is something that is reserved for the necessity of earning a living or putting food on the table. So, anything ELSE that has effort and work as something that's needed, well, folks are just not interested.

That brings us to why people will take a road that will lead to their ultimate destruction instead of one that will lead to eternal life. It's as simple as understanding, as we've already pointed out, laziness and just not wanting to put for effort for just about anything...even something that will mean an eternity in paradise with the Lord. Today...this moment we live in...is ALL that most people know or even want to know. They just want it easy for today and, they think, tomorrow will just have to take care of itself. So, people do exactly what Jesus told us: They take the wide gate and broad road because no effort or work is required of them.

You and I often need an answer to some of life's puzzles and wonders. Today we have an answer to something that many of us have had difficulty in truly understanding. Praise God that He has given us the Bible which gives us answers to so many of life's questions and puzzles.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

1 Timothy 6

Good Morning,

1 Timothy 6 (New International Version)
1All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.
Love of Money
3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Paul's Charge to Timothy
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.
Grace be with you.

No comment from me is needed, I don't think, to explain or expound upon what Paul wrote to Timothy...even though it was more than 2,000 years ago. (Think a minute about that...2,000 years...It boggles the mind!) The words that were written then are just as meaningful and instructional in today's present age as they were then.

Give this chapter a couple of reads. Then, stop all the noise and activity around you and simply let the Holy Spirit speak into your heart and mind exactly what it is God would have for YOU.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

i am slow of speech

Good Morning,

Exodus 4:10-12 (New International Version)
Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

I think most of us are familiar with what Moses says to the Lord here, aren't we? When we feel sort of led to speak up about God, about Jesus, about the Gospel message, too many of us say to God, "Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Or other words similar to that. We say this because we think we will not have the right words to say or if we find words, then we won't say them in the right way.

Well, God's answer to Moses those thousands of years ago are His answer to us today. "No go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

It IS just that simple. If we will simply open our mouths to speak, God will help us with WHAT to speak. Then, if we begin to speak out for Him, God will also help us in the correct way to say what He gives us.

So, the next time you feel that you don't have the words to say or the way to say them, remember that Moses felt the same way. Then, put aside your fears and just let God work through you.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

The Good News

Good Morning,

Isaiah 61:1 (New International Version)
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners
Luke 4:17-18 (New International Version)
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed

First Isaiah said it and then Jesus said it by quoting Scripture..."The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor."

So, here's what I have heard...The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon EVERY ONE OF US and WE, you and I and every believer in Jesus Christ, has also been anointed to preach good news to the poor."

This isn't something reserved for those like Billy Graham or some other highly rated preacher - evangelist. This isn't just for those who have gone to seminary and have a degree in theology or religion of some kind. This isn't only for those who preach from the pulpit during a worship service. This isn't an anointing to be used only by those ordained by some denomination or other. No, these words spoken thousands of years ago are meant for ALL of us. Yes, each of us who has accepted the Lord into our lives as our Sovereign Lord and our Savior, we have the very same Spirit upon us and the exact same anointing to bring the Good News of the Gospel to the world.

Now, that doesn't mean that every one of us should now go out and start a congregation or our own or that we need to make arrangements to begin preaching in some church house or other. What it DOES mean is that we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit to speak out to someone when we feel that little nudge; when we hear that still, small voice, in order that the person we are speaking with doesn't go away without hearing about Jesus Christ.

Let's not miss the opportunities to apply this anointing in our lives. Let's not be afraid in any way to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit when He speaks to us.

Let us "preach the good news" by simply showing the love of Jesus and telling the lost of a better way of life.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Encourage

Good Morning,

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (New International Version)
Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Something was pointed out to me this morning as I checked my e-mail. The fact that I learned was that Paul used the word "encourage" more than a dozen times in his various epistles. I guess I consider this an important fact because I firmly believe that God speaks to us important topics by repeating a word or thought several times so that we will not miss it. I would guess that encouragement is something that God wants us to do for one another on a regular and ongoing basis. Wouldn't you agree?

Then the thought came to me...or, rather, a question came into my mind...I wonder why we don't encourage more people and why we don't encourage more often? I mean, it's not that encouraging one another is a difficult thing to do, is it? We don't have to be financially well of to encourage. We don't have to be highly educated to encourage. We don't need an abundance of spare time to encourage. We really don't need ANYTHING at all to encourage one another...except caring enough for others and loving each other enough to encourage each other.

So why in the world does it seem such a difficult thing to do? This encouraging each other? Do YOU have an answer to this dilema? I surely don't. I guess it's simply because we find ourselves so busy at what we're presently doing and then just not thinking that encouraging is important enough to do. That and we are, too many of us, too self centered to think about the fact that our brothers and sisters in Christ really do NEED our encouragement to go on in something that they've taken on; something they might have taken on and could very well be struggling with.

The purpose of bringing this topic to our attention is, I'm sure, so that we will stop a while today and look to see where an encouraging word or action could be wisely used. I belive that God is sort of rapping at the door of our conciousness and telling us to get up and DO something that will bring some encouragement to someone who really does need it. It's a wake up call to us that we have a real responsibility to BE an encourager to those who are doing God's work in some way and may just need that one word or one action to get them over some struggle or other.

Let's don't hold back our encouraging one another. If God didn't want us to encourage each other, then He wouldn't have had Paul write about it so often and in so many different ways and contexts.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

One Church

Good Morning,

Romans 15:5-6 (New International Version)
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6 (Amplified Bible)
Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

I hear today, after reading these two translations of these verses of Scripture, a call and a cry for unity in the ONE Church, the Church founded by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I hear in my mind and heart that we need to unite together, ALL of us no matter our earthly church or denominational affiliation, in order to be obedient to what Paul said to the Romans, "So that together, with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify God."

You see, I think it may be hard for even God to hear the praises sent up to Him through the cacophony of noise that we are making because of our differences that interfere with true worship, praise, and glorification of God. Now, I know that God can hear us, of course, even through the noise, that's just my way of saying I think He also hears all of the nonsense and bickering that we Christians are much too involved in on a regular basis. I also believe that the nonsense, noise, and bickering are a grief for Him to hear from us.

You and I probably worship in a different manner and at a different congregation. Some of us on Sunday mornings, some of us on Saturday evening, some of us on Wednesday, some of us on multiple days. Then, we argue and haggle about what is the right day or right time to worship. We haggle over the order of our worship services, claiming the way that "I" do it is more correct, or even the ONLY way worship ought to be done. We disagree on this word or that word, and what it means, in Scripture to the point that we simply cannot agree on almost anything...and, I hope that we all know, God will tell us what HE wants us to hear in any particular section of Scripture. Oh, we have so much dispute amongst us that it makes it almost impossible for us to be obedient to the many sections of Scripture that scream out for us to be united in our praise and glory to God.

I know that, perhaps, I "harp" on this particular subject and that it has been a regular topic of discussion for many years. I believe that what I hear about unity among Christians comes from God. I believe that God has given me the passion I have about being united as ONE Church so that I will continue to notice Scripture as it crosses my desk which deals with unity.

I'll leave this message with some other words we ought to be using that concern this subject...in no particular order: oneness, wholeness, unification, accord, harmony, cooperation, unanimity, compatibility, like-mindedness, rapport, peace, concord.

I'll leave it to you to use whatever, or however many, of these words and concepts God puts on your heart so that we can all leave behind our DISunity, division, and separateness as it concerns One Church.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

He Will Not Forget

Good Morning,

Hebrews 6:10 (New International Version)
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

I'm sending this along as a reminder to all of us, and perhaps myself in particular, that the work we do to help God's children is NEVER forgotten or dismissed by God. Yes, we will all have times when we wonder if what we do in service to God does any good whatever. I'm sure that every one of us will have doubts about whether the work we are doing actually helps in any way at all. You see, we are human and as human beings we are subject to our human doubts and, again as humans, we will want to know the ultimate outcome of our work in the Lord's service.

Unfortunately...and I say this because it certainly applies to me...we will often never know what the final results of our work are. I use the word "unfortunately" because, like many others, I really DO want to see the fruits of my labors in the work I've tried to do as I have felt led by God to do it. I'm sure that many who read these words are much like me in this, as well.

However, it is very often not for us to know...at least in this human lifetime...what the consequences of our work will be. Again, very often, the results of our work won't even be attained until after we have gone home to the Lord.

Ok, today is a sort of "woe is me" kind of day, I guess, in that I'm having a day of "Huh! I wonder...???" Now that I've actually said and written that, well, it seems pretty silly and self centered. Especially after I go back again are re read today's verse of Scripture.

You see, God knows what I've done, what we've ALL done, in obedience to Him in taking on whatever work we have to help His children. And, as we read, "He will not forget your work..." We have this promise to rest on and keep close to our hearts, in our minds, to give us peace.

So, whenever we get this kind of melancholy feeling about whether or not we make a difference or if anyone notices or if we're being effective, let's just remember that God knows and, ultimately, He's the one who will remember and reward.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

We Need Each Other

Good Morning,

Proverbs 27:17 (New International Version)
As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.

Yes, once again we look at a very familiar verse of Scripture.

We, you and I, need one another. We, you and I...and all of our Christian friends, need each other in order that we walk the walk that God has chosen for us; in order that we stay on that path...that straight and narrow path...that we know is right for us. So...

I would like to pose some questions to the men who might read these words from time to time. Not being "sexist" here, but, well, I just feel that God is asking me to address men today. However, my good female friends, I think you'll know and understand what is being written today and you might feel led to, perhaps, forward it along to some of the men you know. Okay, that said...

Do you need to have an accountability group that meets regularly so you can deal with issues that you might not ever really face? Do you have the true need to have some other people around you on a regular basis to whom you can speak up and bare yourself of problems, challenges, sins that pervade your life? Do you need to have some other guys to whom you can be totally and 100% honest and open without fear of any kind of reprisal and be one of those who listens and helps others in the same way? Are you struggling with issues in your life...even right this very moment...that need to be addressed by you simply cannot bring yourself to talk about them with anyone you are "close" to at the present time...because you AREN'T really close ENOUGH to anyone you trust completely?

If you've answered "Yes" to even one of these questions, then I beg you, get back with me or with someone in your congregation...a pastor would be a great place to start...and discuss the need for a group of men who can get together on a regular, scheduled basis to help one another.

I'M BEGGING YOU TO DO THIS!!!

Now, I think that we all know what is being addressed here this morning. Men, for whatever reason or reasons, seem to have a challenge with purity in their lives and staying that way. Yes, we struggle, we males of the species, don't we? Okay, I'm sure that there are some who NEVER have a challenge with being tempted in this way. If you are one of those who does NOT have struggles in this way, then you are greatly blessed. But, let's be realistic, most of us aren't in that non-struggling camp, are we?

So, that brings us back to the crux of this message. That is, the fact that we...almost all men...need other men to whom they can relate in an open an honest way so that we can fight this fight together and not go it alone. The next fact is, if we DO try to "go it alone" in this battle, well, it's pretty much proven, we'll lose the battle.

Therefore, it comes back to getting with other men and joining forces so we will have a decent chance to win this battle. Then, when we have bonded together, we can help others to win it as well.

Perhaps this hasn't been well said or even properly presented, but I truly feel this is something we need to address...and we need to address it NOW!

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Do Not Fear

Good Morning,

Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For many of us...probably ALL of us...there are times when we become very afraid; feel weak; feel that we have nowhere to turn. For some these feelings are fleeting and pass just as quickly as they come. For others of us, though, these feelings come and then they linger for much longer periods of time. Life is difficult for many of us even at the best of times and for those of us who do have ongoing and seemingly unending difficulties, these periods of fear and feelings of weakness are with us every day.

However, we don't have to cling to those feelings that come to us and even seem to overcome us. We have a place to turn and someone to turn to. We can turn to God. He is always there for us. He can take away our fears, if not the situations that cause those fears. He can strengthen us in the toughest of times in our lives. He will help during the trials we must go through. He will hold us in His "righteous right hand" (the NLT puts it, "my victorious right hand") at all times, no matter what we're going through.

This IS, truly, a promise from God Himself not only when Isaiah wrote these words, but for all time and for all who accept the Lord into their lives. It's something that we really do need to remember and hold on to during the hard times that come so regularly for some of us.

Now, that being said, I'd like to take just a moment to address those who DON'T seem to have much difficulty or trial in their lives. First, I certainly hope, if you are one of these, that you give thanks every moment of every day that God has blessed you in such a way. Secondly, I feel that YOU have a responsibility as a Christian believer to be God's helping hand to those who are suffering through difficulties. I don't mean only when someone comes to ask for help in some way, but that you LOOK FOR AND SEEK OUT THOSE IN NEED OF YOUR HELP! We, you and I and every believer, have a real and true responsibility to be God's eyes, ears, hands, and feet to help in any way we can wherever we see the need.

I believe strongly that THIS, helping those who are in need and giving strength to those who are weak, is, truly, our responsibility and duty in service to a loving God.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Forgiveness and Mercy

Good Morning,

Matthew 18:21-35 (New International Version)
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

This section of Scripture is presented to us today in order that we might examine ourselves truthfully and in depth to see if we might be a bit like that first servant who begged forgiveness and mercy from his master, yet offered no forgiveness nor mercy on one who was indebted to him. So we will say, "Oh, no! God forbid that I might be anything like that ungrateful and wicked man! I would never be like him." Oh? Really? Think about it. Think for a while about it. Think about how you act in this world toward people.

Now, remember, we, every one of us, is exactly like the servant who owed the 10,000 talents. I say that because every one of us has sinned against God and is in huge debt to Him because HE HAS FORGIVEN THAT DEBT BY THE SUFFERING AND DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST! So, I would think we can agree that we, at least many or most of us, have a debt even larger than the 10,000 talents of that long ago servant. We've been forgiven much.

Now, think about those in debt to you. Those who have sinned against you. Those who have disappointed you in some way. Those who have caused you some suffering along this path of life. Is their sin, those who have sinned against YOU, as great or greater than that which you've been forgiven of? Or, again, are we like that servant who has no forgiveness or mercy in his heart toward one who has done something against us?

I don't offer answers to any of these questions for you today. It's difficult enough for me to face myself...and God...in that mirror to answer my own lack of forgiveness or mercy.

So, one might rightfully ask, what do we do about it? Why are you even bringing this up to us? I would answer that by simply saying I obey what God tells me to do. He has brought this before us so we can look hard at the actions we've done in this area of our lives. He says bring this up...I do it. Answers? No, I don't have them. I'm just like everyone else and have to seek my answers from the Lord and I'm sure they will be unpleasant answers for the sins in this area of my life. I'm also sure that the answers will take time and effort on my part...and probably forgiveness and mercy that I don't now have in my heart. I will need God's help, just like you.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

As To The Lord

Good Day,

Colossians 3:23 (New International Version)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (Amplified Bible)
Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (New Living Translation)
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23 (King James Version)
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

I think it is very good to read various translations of Scripture. Personally, I find in extremely valuable because it shows, sometimes, the different nuance from one to another and helps me to understand more clearly what God is saying to me. That's why from time to time I include various translations. I hope it helps you, as well.

When I read this very familiar verse today I was struck by something that is probably obvious to many but maybe not so clear to others of us. That is the fact that if those who were responsible for creating the huge financial mess the world is in were to have put their efforts toward good things and Godly things...rather than trying to just line their own pockets with ridiculous amounts of money...well then, the world would be such a marvelous place right now.

Ok, that's pretty simple, I guess. And, as I said, pretty obvious. But, and here's the rub as I see it, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, even hundreds of thousands?, of people who claim to be good, believing Christians who got caught up in this ridiculous and artificial creation of personal wealth instead of doing what they did "as to the Lord."

That's the point of this verse, of course. To do all we do as if we were working for God. And, to take it just one logical step further, if we're doing our work "as to the Lord" then we'll not be doing things that are against what God would have us do. Make sense? It certainly does to me. If I am doing whatever work I am involved in as if I'm working for God, then when something that isn't exactly Godly comes along, I shall obviously refuse to do it. Because doing something that isn't Godly in my endeavors would be anything BUT doing my work "as to the Lord."

Sometimes we need to see the logic that goes the next step when reading Scripture. I know, I know...that isn't "Scriptural" per se. But, it DOES make sense. And, if we'll open ourselves up to hearing what God tells us after we read Scripture, perhaps we will then hear even more than the thought expressed in the verse or verses we are reading. And I firmly believe that God wants us to use our God given brains and common sense when thinking about and applying Scripture to our lives.

Am I, today, doing my work as to the Lord? I wish I could say with 100% surety that the answer to that was "Yes," but of course, I cannot. Could I have done what I've done so far today in a more Godly way? "As to the Lord?" Of course. I would wager that most of us would say about the same. And one day is often better than another when we think about this idea given in this verse of Scripture. All we can do is to really etch this verse into our minds so we are more keenly aware of it and then etch it into our hearts so we will be more likely to actually live it out.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Confession

Good Morning,

James 5:16 (New International Version)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (Amplified Bible)
Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

The Book of James is, to me, some of the best instruction to be read other that what came from Jesus' own mouth. There is much instruction that was given to James, and therefore to all who would read his words, that ought to be put into everyday practice by everyone. It would be a good idea for all of us to read once again the wisdom contained in this marvelous book.

Today we read a verse that we all know well, I'm sure. However, it occurs to me that not enough of us follow what it tells us to do so that we might achieve the outcome it says we can have. That outcome, of course, is that we be healed...both physically and spiritually as is needed at any particular time. What we are to do is pretty clear...to confess to each other (to one another) our sins, slips, false steps, offenses, and faults. The problem, as I see it, is that we simply do NOT do the confessing part and therefore cannot achieve the healing we need.

So I ask today: How many of us really take this seriously, this confession of sins to another brother or sister in Christ? I ask of you...and also myself: When was the last time you went to a trusted friend in the Lord to confess wrongdoing of some kind; some sin that bothers and pervades in your life?

You see, when we have this unconfessed sin in our lives it just festers and boils inside and keeps us from the fellowship with God that we all need. It also can keep us from the fellowship with one another that is necessary for a full and complete Christian life. And it can...it will eventually...bring us down and keep us from being effective for the work of God.

Yes, I know, there are many who say that confession is only needed directly to God and that there is no necessity to confess to another human being. That's only for the Catholics. Well, I beg to differ with that point of view. Rather strongly in fact. As has been my personal experience and the experience of many with whom I've discussed this with, confession ONLY to God is simply NOT effective. I'm afraid that's just the truth. When we "confess" to God, too often it isn't really a heartfelt confession and it eventually becomes too easy. You know, "Oh, Lord! Please forgive me for (fill in the blank) that I did today. Help me to turn from my sin. I am so very sorry. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Amen." It almost becomes a rote prayer after anything we've done that we consider sinful. And it gets easier and easier as time goes on. It also becomes less sincere the more often we do it.

Okay, then what about when we openly confess verbally to another person? Oh, that's an entirely different story there! That's when we have to looks someone in the eye and admit that we've done whatever it is we need to confess to. It also gives us a real, human person with whom we then become accountable to in order to show that we've really turned from our sinful ways...or are at least making a true attempt. This confessing with our mouth to someone who is looking us in the eye isn't easy. As a matter of fact it is extremely difficult. Now, I'm not talking about that man behind the dark curtain in a confessional at a church building. I'm talking about someone you know and trust; a person you care about and that cares about you; a person who will actively help you to truly repent of your sin, to really turn away from that sin.

Now, I hope that this doesn't open some "can of worms" so to speak in the confession argument. Yes, we first need to confess: To our self and admit we've been wrong; To God, and ask His forgiveness; Then to another person so that our sin is out in the open. I believe we need to do all of that in order to be obedient to what we read in this verse of Scripture.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge

Good Day,

Colossians 2:2-3 (New International Version)
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3 (New Living Translation)
I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

"In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." I think we can all agree on that, can't we? It is through the knowledge of Jesus Christ and then accepting Him into our lives as Lord and Savior that we come to know "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" that are revealed through Scripture; revealed through God speaking directly into our hearts and minds; revealed through what is said by other Christians; and revealed in ways that sometimes we cannot fully comprehend, understand, or explain.

That said, it is also true that God reveals His "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" to each of us as He will and in such a way that may not be evident to all.

For that, I am grateful. I am grateful because what God shows me in His Holy Scriptures today may be of huge help to someone who is struggling with some understanding of it. On the other hand, I am also grateful because there are many times when I am struggling for understanding, for "wisdom and knowledge" that will come from a brother or sister in Christ because of how he or she understands some section of Scripture.

Will all of us fully agree on every aspect of Holy Scripture all the time? Well, on some things, certainly we will. On the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He came to this earth in order that we be saved, we can have no difference of "opinion" on that. At least I hope not! On that fact that God is a loving, caring God? No, I think we all agree there. And, of course, there are many other things in Scripture that can have no argument in what they mean. However, there are some things in Scripture that aren't exactly so "black and white" so to speak. There are areas in Scripture that speak slightly differently even to one person from one reading at one time, to reading that Scripture on another occasion at a different point in time. We've all experienced that. It's God speaking to us in order to help us on our way along this path of life. But this path of life changes and sometimes God will allow us to see different insights at different times.

The challenge here is that too often we get embroiled in picking apart, sentence by sentence, thought by thought, even word by word, of someone's interpretation or understanding of Scripture. Even when we disagree with something that we read, perhaps, just perhaps...differing opinions can both be correct: For each person at each point in time along each one's journey.

God reveals to me what He wishes me to understand in the way He wants at that particular point in time. He does the same with you and with every one of us. How we see it and what we understand of it can depend on where we are on our own individual journey of our life path.

The most important thing is that we DO fully understand what David wrote, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105) And that we understand the "path" is that path of our life journey.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

God's Temples

Good Morning,

2 Chronicles 7:12-15 (New International Version)
the LORD appeared to him (Solomon) at night and said:
"I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:12-15 (The Message)
God appeared to Solomon that very night and said, "I accept your prayer; yes, I have chosen this place as a temple for sacrifice, a house of worship. If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on I'm alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place.
2 Chronicles 7:12-15 (New Living Translation)
Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said,
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.

I know that many of us, if not all of us, are aware of this section of Scripture. At least we know, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." We, pretty much all congregations of believers, have read these words, heard them preached, and studied various lessons about this section of Scripture many times. We know that God is ready and willing to hear our prayers; to hear the prayers of ALL believers in our land and, therefore, ready to do as He promised and heal our land. He tells us clearly that His eyes will be open and His ears attentive to our prayers "offered in this place."

That, you see, is what God is speaking to me about today. Not so much the fact that we are to humble ourselves and pray; not that He will hear us...but He's speaking in my mind about "this place" where we gather to offer our prayers.

This is a section of Scripture that points out the importance of "this place" that we read here in these verses. "This place" I believe, is really MANY places and ALL are equally important. These places are our many and varied congregations, those places where we meet to worship each week or more often. Just as God spoke to Solomon about choosing for Himself "this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices" so also, I firmly believe and hear clearly, that He has chosen those places we gather, those places we call our churches, for Himself. He has chosen these places as the places where His eyes are always open and His ears always attentive to the prayers offered in them.

Sometimes we wonder about the importance and value of our congregational meeting places. What we read today should reinforce our concepts and beliefs about why they should have such significance in our lives.

Now, something else that we need to think about is HOW we use our temples, these houses of worship that we've built. Jesus told us, "The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,'but you have turned it into a den of thieves." (Mark 11:17 (NLT) This, then...being a house of prayer...should be our emphasis as to how we go about using our church buildings, our temples, our houses of worship. Somehow, though, too often is seems, we've converted these places into, if not a "den of thieves" that Jesus spoke of, then something other than the house of prayer which they ought to be.

Yes, we DO need to turn to God in all humility and pray. That goes without saying, I think. But we also need to pay attention to the context and meaning of entire sections of Scripture so we will more fully understand what God is telling us through them.

Today we have a couple of lessons to learn. I pray that we will all learn them.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David