Commandments

Good Morning,

Romans 13:9-10 (NIV)
The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

There have been times when there are arguments and disagreements about "The Law" and whether or not it applies to us now, those of us who are under the New Covenant set down by Jesus. Putting that thought and those arguments aside, I think that we can all agree that what Paul wrote to the Romans in these verses DOES apply to us all...it did then and it does now.

"Love is the fulfillment of the law."

Pretty simply put, what Jesus told us, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments," (Mat. 22:37-40) sums it all up, I think.

And Paul reiterated this in what he wrote to the Romans.

Love, simply and purely, is the answer. If we truly love God and love our fellow man (for ALL men are our neighbors) then we don't have to be concerned one way or the other about "The Law" and whether or not it applies today. All we have to be concerned about is whether or not we do love.

It's just not that complicated and I think none of us can argue the point that, indeed, we ought to love as Jesus loved. When we do that, we will be obedient to what God wants of us.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Adultery?

Good Morning,

Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Psalm 119:9 (NIV)
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

I know that these verses say "man" in Psalms and infer a male in Matthew, but I also know that what is said applies to everyone...male or female. So...

How many of us have committed adultery in the past couple of days? I don't mean to ask such a personal question about who someone may have had physical adulterous activities because I'm sure that most, if not all, of us have NOT had adulterous relations with anyone. However, how about in the way that Jesus described? You know, you were walking in the mall, perhaps, and saw someone and had "that" thought? You know what I mean. It happens to all of us. We have a desire and then lustful thoughts. Male or female, it doesn't matter, it happens to us, doesn't it?

Then, thinking a bit further along these same lines, I wondered about "lustful thoughts" as they might apply to television advertisements or something seen in a magazine, on a bill board, or, well, just about anywhere we might choose to look. Do these thoughts that we might encounter as our eyes peruse what's out there for us to see...that is PUT out there so we WILL see and then desire...do these thoughts count in what Jesus said? Uh, oh!!! Now I don't know about you, but I would venture to guess that if you're a human being then, yes, you probably have some lustful thoughts at times when you see such advertisements and enticements. I know I certainly do. So, again, do these lustful thoughts count as adultery?

The answer that God has given me is "Yes" in no uncertain terms! Of course they are the same. If we think differently, then we're fooling ourselves. So, if we're honest about our thoughts and feelings then we know that pretty much all of us have committed adultery in our hearts, as it is explained by the Lord.

So, how in the world do we keep ourselves from these sins? How do we keep our ways pure?

God gives us the answer in the Bible, of course, as He most often does. In the verse in Psalms it's pretty clear. We keep ourselves pure by living according to what God has had written for us to read and live by. We do this by "living according to your word."

There is much temptation and enticement in the world today. Probably more than at any time in the history of the world. With communication as easy as it is today with the "smart" phones, computers, television, print media, television, and all the rest, it seems that we simply can't escape from the images that cause us to have lustful thoughts. I would be willing to wager that this is exactly what the enemy wants and probably has helped put into place. He's sure done a heck of a job, hasn't he?

Our defense is doing all we can to simply live by the Word of God. If we do that, then there will be fewer and fewer of these kinds of thoughts that can drag us away from the Lord. If we're actively trying to live by what God has told us, then when we DO have such a thought it is almost immediately followed by the thought of asking forgiveness FOR that thought. God in His loving kindness and forgiving nature simply does exactly that and forgives us immediately. How do I know that without any doubt at all? Well, by experiencing this first hand and personally.

Yes, we will fail from time to time...maybe even often...in this area of our lives. But, when we learn to stop and ask God's forgiveness then it will happen less and less as time goes by.

Finally, let's don't beat ourselves up over this, OK? That's what the devil would want us to do. My answer to that is simply: DON'T! If we find ourselves in the "mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa" over and over and over and NOT seeking the forgiveness that God offers here, then we fall into the enemies trap and are not living according to God's word.

Fall? Certainly. Get up, dust ourselves off, know that God will forgive, and then move on. Saying, as Jesus did, "Get behind me Satan!"

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Perfect Love

Good Morning,

John 16:33 (NIV)
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
1 John 4:18 (NIV)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (Emphasis mine: DRB)

Both of these verses crossed my desk this morning. One seems to have little to do with the other. At least is sure seemed that way to me when I read them separately. Then, well, it seemed they sort of can have something to do with each other and definitely they speak to us this morning.

Jesus told us, "In this world you will have trouble." He didn't say that we MIGHT have trouble or that we COULD have trouble. No, He was extremely specific and to the point in this statement. He said that we WILL have trouble. So, I guess when things don't go well in our lives, we ought to have expected it if we believe what Jesus said.

What sort of puts these two verses together in the same context for me today is the fact that when we have trouble in our lives, as many of us have right now with the way things are in the world, that trouble we have brings fear into our lives. You see where this goes then? Jesus also tells us that He has overcome the world. Then when we read John we learn that "perfect love drives out fear."

That's where the two came together for me today and made clear what God was speaking to me.

When we read all of 1 John, we learn a great deal about what love is...God's love and our love for God and the fact that God IS love! This is where peace sort of came to me.

Trouble which brings fear? Well, okay, there is that trouble that abounds everywhere today. But fear? Well, those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ and love God, well, we have the love in our lives which drives out that fear, the fear that comes from trouble. You see?

The fear we feel is wrong and, I truly believe, comes from the enemy. The devil wants us to feel the fear that we ought not to feel. Trouble? Sure. Comes with being alive in this world. Fear? No. Not because of the trouble we face.

So, because we live in this world we will have trouble. The trouble we have will bring some fear to us. But because Jesus has overcome the world; because God is love; and because the perfect love of God, for God, and between God and us, this love drives out fear.

Think about that when fear comes today. It probably will in one way or another. Well, if not today, then soon, I'm sure.

"Perfect love drives out fear."

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Hope

Good Morning,

Psalm 39:7 (NIV)
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Psalm 39:7 (NLT)
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
Psalm 119:114 (NIV)
You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 146:5 (NIV)
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God
Psalm 69:6 (NIV)
May those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me,
O Lord, the LORD Almighty;
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me,
O God of Israel.

My friend Alan sent along the first verse of Scripture that I've placed here for us today, Psalm 39:7. After thinking about it for a time, I looked up "hope" in just the book of Psalms and was a bit taken when I saw how many times David put hope into his writings. I didn't count them as I don't think the number is important, just the fact that his hope was in the Lord and that we ought to take heed that we put our hope in God as well.

"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?" Now that's a question that begs an honest answer, don't you think? David tells us that he put his hope in the Lord God. I put a few of those verses in here today just for a bit of emphasis and because I felt led to look and see...then to send along...verses about hope. So, where do we, in this world today, but our hope and hopes?

Do we put our hope in politics in some way? Thinking that this way of thinking is better than another? That this politician is going to be the "hope" of our age and our world?

Do we put our hope in the stock market? With thoughts of wealth and riches that can be obtained by making the right investment choices? With the idea that if it's good enough for some who have become wealthy, then surely it's good enough for me?

Do we put our hopes in business activities? Not that they are wrong, of course, but only thinking about the dollars that can be earned without regard for exactly how we are earning them?

Do we put our hope in a spouse? Another loved one? With the desire that this person will be the "cure all" for our woes and cares?

Do we put our hope in the ways of the world? Maybe in combinations of a little of this and a little of that?

Honestly, there are many, many things that we can put our hope in. And there are many, many of us who have opted to...at least somewhat...put our hope in them. Some things have worked out pretty well and others have not. In the final analysis, however, have we put our hope in things and ways that are, perhaps, the wrong things and ways?

What we read today, of course, tells us that if we put our hope in anyplace or anything or anyone EXCEPT for the Lord God Almighty, then we have erred. I think it is pretty clear that David wrote about putting hope only in God. In Psalm 119:114 we read, "...I have put my hope in your word." I believe that is putting it in the Living Word, Jesus Christ.

I suppose that what God is speaking to me today is that we need to look at where we've been, where we are, and where we are going, especially when it comes to where we are putting our hope and hopes. God raises these questions in us and for us so that we can make proper and right decisions as we walk this live we've been given. You see, we can NEVER be wrong or mistaken when we put our hope in God. He IS our hope.

I put Psalm 69:6 into this message today because it spoke directly to me and I thought it might speak a bit to someone else or even several of us. When I sit and put my hands on the keyboard to begin trying to say what I hear God speaking to me, it is a great responsibility. An honor and privilege, yes, but also a responsibility to be faithful to what I hear from the Lord. It is my fervent prayer that none, not one single person, who puts his or her hope in the Lord, would ever be disgraced put to any shame whatsoever because of me. I'm sure there are others who will have this same prayer. It is my prayer that I be obedient to what God has called me to do and that nothing that ever comes from me would bring dishonor, shame, or disgrace in any way to a follower of Jesus Christ. Just as I put my hope in God, I put my hope also in that He will guide me and keep me doing what He wants me to do.

Hope. Think about it. Where is it aimed?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

What Have We Chosen?

Good Morning,

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

The New Living Translation of verses 41-42 read, "But the Lord said to her, 'My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.'"

I wonder how many of us are much like Martha and "are worried and upset over all these details" instead of being like Mary who discovered the "one thing worth being concerned about."

It's a good question for us to ask of one another and of ourselves. Too often we see those who seem to be way too concerned about some minute details of service order or which music would be best or what sermon series ought to be preached or, well, or many other things that are, as we read in these verses, the details. Then, conversely, we don't see enough folks who have seemed to have discovered the one thing that is of utmost importance and that God will not take away from them.

I must admit that there are times, maybe even too often?, when I find myself more of a "Martha" than a "Mary." I sometimes find myself questioning this or that detail about a church service rather than simply being concerned with allowing God to visit me and touch me DURING that service. I occasionally get all tied up in arguing in my mind about this point or that of a sermon, rather than just allowing the Holy Spirit to speak His wisdom to me ABOUT the sermon. Details, details, details. We get so concerned about the details...large and small.

It brings to mind the saying, "The devil is in the details." I believe that. I believe it because when we're tied up in the details, like Martha was, we lose sight of the main point of it all, Jesus Christ. If we're being so engaged in worrying about every detail, it certainly will take our minds and hearts away from simply being with Jesus and allowing Him to minister to us as He will when our focus is on Him.

So, where do we find ourselves today, you and I? Are you, am I, more interested in details than we are in worshipping and concentrating on Jesus? If we are, we need to rethink our priorities.

Jesus wants "Mary" much more than "Martha." Remember, there will always be time for the "details" that need to be taken care of and we will always be able to do what must be done. God will show us the way, have no fear. However, we've got to keep our minds focused on that which is important, that which is better...

Jesus Christ!

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Enough...

Good Morning,

Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Whenever I read these verses of Scripture it brings me back to a day when God asked me, "David, just HOW MUCH is enough?" That came at the end of a long list of complaints I had which surely showed I wasn't content with the situation I was in and that I didn't really understand the concept of enough. It also reminds me of an e-mail I received some time ago which spoke of "enough" in such a way that humbled me. So, I thought I'd copy it in here for you to think about as well. I'm sorry that I don't know the author of the following. Whether it's a true story or something someone thought of in his or her mind, it's worth reading. So, here it is:

I wish you enough

Overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said "I love you and I wish you enough."
The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom."
They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?".
"Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?".
"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is -- the next trip back will be for my funeral" she said.
"When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?".
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone."
She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them."
Then turning toward me she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory ---
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."
She then began to cry and walked away.

I don't know what your "enough" might be in any area of your live. I mean, I sometimes have a problem recognizing my own "enough" of any particular thing or other. However, I do understand, for the most part, what "enough" really means. At least I understand it in my life.

Now, my prayer today is for everyone who might read these words to truly recognize "enough" in every aspect of his or her life; in everything you have and everything you might do. I pray also that everyone not go beyond that true and real concept that Paul wrote of in being content...in having enough. I truly wish the blessing of God for you in understanding what "enough" really is for you.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

"...if you love one another."

Good Day,

John 13:34-35 (NIV)
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35 (NLT)
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

These verses of Scripture has been sitting on my desk (well, not on my desk, really, but in my "in box" which I call my desk!) for some time now. I've been looking at Scripture which has come to me from various sources and these verses seem to be calling out to me. Why? To be honest, I have no idea as to why. I mean, we all know these verses very well, I'm sure. We've all read them and I know that I've sent along probably several messages over the years based on these verses. So, there's no reason for any more explanation or admonition concerning what Jesus is telling us here.

Maybe it's just that we all, or just some of us perhaps, that we need to be reminded that those in the world are observing us...we Christians...and noticing how we act. People see us not only dealing with non believers in our everyday activities, but they also see us when we have business among ourselves; that is, how we treat each other and how we conduct ourselves with each other. Here's the thing that we need to remember: If we are no different in our dealings with other Christians than we are with those who are in and of the world; if we don't show the love of Jesus Christ in our actions with each other in such a way that it is evident that we are somewhat different than those in and of the world, then why would non believers, non Christians care to know about our belief in the Lord?

Think about it. Jesus said, "Your love for one another WILL PROVE TO THE WORLD that you are my disciples." THIS, our love that we openly show for each other should be one of the things that is obvious and noticeable to non believers and something that they should see as a desirable trait that they would want in their lives.

I guess we need to be reminded that we are to love one another in an open and honest way, an observable way, so that the world might have a desire to have that same kind of love in their lives.

This kind of love can only come from knowing and serving the Lord. This kind of love comes only because Jesus loves us and we love Him. Only then can we love each other as we should.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

"By faith..."

Good Morning,

I have a project for us all this morning. The reason that I believe this has come to us is that many of us...ALL of us???...struggle from time to time with our faith. So it appears that it's time for us to read what God has had written for us concerning faith, what it is, and where it leads...as is stated clearly in the Bible. Only one thing that I'll have to say today about our subject and that's what I read in Luke 17:5, "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'" The reason I include this verse is that it is a verse of Scripture which gives me hope...as well as helping my faith...when I struggle with my faith. It gives me hope because if the apostles who lived and ate and walked with our Lord Jesus Christ had to ask Him to increase their faith, then it shouldn't surprise me that I have to ask Him the same thing from time to time. Please, my friends, read this chapter in Hebrews. It is instruction for us all.

Hebrews 11 (NIV)
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.
3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.
19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
23By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
31By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Get Together?

Good Morning,

Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
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 (NLT)
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 messages and sermons that I've read and heard over the years based on this verse of Scripture were focused on "church" attendance. Now, this verse certainly does give credence to that particular point of view and I would never argue that it doesn't. However, in my mind this morning it spoke of something a bit different.

What I gleaned from this verse was that you and I, yes the two of us, or a few of us perhaps, should "not neglect our meeting together, as some people do." Unfortunately, there are many of us who simply don't get together on a regular basis to simply share time with one another and, as we read continuing in this verse, "encourage one another," which is one huge aspect of simply getting together regularly.

We spend too much of our time in front of the television or computer in some mindless activities that do anything BUT encourage us in our Christian lives...even in our day to day secular lives, truth be told! I mean, let's be honest here, I know that there have been times when someone has called to maybe meet someplace for a cup of coffee or a soda and we've made some excuse because our favorite television program was scheduled for that particular time. Or, it could be that we want to play that online video game that has its hooks in us. We've all done it at some point. Might not have been one of those things that kept us from meeting with a brother or sister, could have simply been just too much effort would have been required to do it.

So, we get a call or an e-mail from someone who asks us to meet with him or her to just talk over a cup of coffee. Our response, more likely than not? "Oh, let me check my schedule and I'll get back to you," even though we're pretty sure there's nothing scheduled that we couldn't move around in order to comply with the request made of us. What should our response be? You know as well as I do that it should be, "Sure, I'll move some things around if I have to, but I'd love to get together for coffee (lunch, coke, or whatever). I'm looking forward to it!"

You see, the simply acceptance of an invitation to get together is the first step in the encouragement that we read in today's Scripture. Why? Because maybe the person making the invite just needs to know that he or she is accepted and cared about. That, as it speaks to me, is the first step in encouragement.

So, instead of simply taking this verse to only mean that we're supposed to go to our local congregations regularly, let's not forget that it also means...maybe even more pointedly and importantly...that we are NOT to forsake each other by neglecting to get together with one another one on one or in a small group of people. It's there, together and apart from the large congregation, where we will truly get the encouragement that all of us need in order to be all that we can be.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

"Two are better than one"

Good Morning,

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

These few verses speak loudly to me. What they tell me is that I NEED YOU!!!

I think that, perhaps, that short statement, those few words, might just say it all. I mean, at least in my mind and heart what is being told to us is that standing alone, "going it alone", trying to live our lives alone is not in our best interests. (Wow! Is THAT a politically correct statement or what? The words ridiculous, crazy, insane, and some others came into my mind rather than "in our best interests", but I went with the milder verbiage.) Now, it seems that this is simply general common sense if we think about it...doesn't it? Yet, in some areas of our lives we often choose to strike out on our own without the help or assistance of a trusted friend, a loving brother in the Lord.

"Two are better than one..." Nothing could be truer. Especially when it comes to spiritual matters in our lives. This is the area where we are the most vulnerable, I think, when we make the decision to NOT bring in someone to help us in our struggles. Oh, yes, we ALL struggle from time to time and I know that we are all attacked by the enemy in many ways. Keep in mind, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves." In our spiritual war against the devil and his many assaults on us, being alone is often, if not always, an exercise in futility.

I know that these verses probably deserve a long, detailed message that goes into many details about how "Two are better than one." But, I also know that often just bringing Scripture to mind is enough for many of us to grasp the true meaning of what God is telling us.

"Two are better than one." That is so very true. In every area of our lives. Being alone, living life without the help of a loving and caring brother or sister...or many loving and caring brothers and sisters...seems to me to be ludicrous and even futile. But that first statement in what we read today isn't all that there is for us. The writer of Ecclesiastes (Solomon?) ends this short section with another statement that is of equal or perhaps of even more significance. The last sentence tells us, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." I think we can take that any number of steps beyond 3 or 4 or even 50 or 100.

I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said, "United we stand, divided we fall." Might have been someone else, but that's not important (and I hope someone will correct it if it's wrong!). The meaning and relevance of that statement seems to have come directly from these verses in Ecclesiastes.

Alone? We are on the road to failure in almost every area of our lives.

Together with others? We every opportunity to succeed at every turn.

Why in the world would we fail to see this? Why in the name of the Lord do we so often choose to walk alone?

Finally today I would like to ask every one of us who might read these words, especially those who find themselves alone in their struggles...ANY struggles at all, whether spiritual or otherwise...to reach out to someone who can walk the path of life with them and be that other "strand" in the rope we are weaving. Also, I would like to ask every one of us to seek out someone or even someones who seem to be in need of another strand in his or her life.

I believe that what God is telling me this morning is that, yes, I should seek others to be with me and help me as I go through my life, but I also should actively search out those who might need me to help them.

So...if you need me to help you, call me. And...don't be surprised to get a message or call from me. Let us not take this lightly, please. We have a real and true responsibility and duty to be available for one another, I believe that with all my heart. So, I'll say once again...

If you need me, call me or message me. If I need you I will call or message you.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Set An Example

Good Morning,

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)
Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

My friend Alan sent this verse along to me the other day and it's been sort of "tickling" my mind ever since. Now, you'd probably ask why it would do that seeing as how I'm anything BUT young! Well, what's been kind of rambling around in my brain, what I believe God has been pointing out to me, is that we can replace the word "young" with many other words...maybe even "old!"

I say this because very often there are those of us who look down upon or think less of people who aren't like us. Maybe they dress differently. Perhaps they look a bit different. Could be age...young or old. Often it's educational deficiencies...or sometimes educational excellence which goes far beyond the "norm" that is prevalent. Yes, there are many things that we look down upon we human beings; see as less than normal because they are different.

So, I kept listening to this rambling around in my mind and decided to be obedient and sit down to remind us ALL that we need to be tolerant of differences. And, equally as important, if not more important, those of us who are different need to heed what Paul wrote to Timothy..."but set an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."

There is little we can do at whatever point we find ourselves about our age or education or marital status or any of a myriad of other things. But what we CAN do, and what Paul tells us, is that we can be an example to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and also to those unbelievers who watch us. We can be the example of how we live our lives, even though we might be different. We can be that example in how we speak, even though we might be uneducated or "over" educated. We can show real and true love toward everyone, even if we might look a bit different. We show our faith in so many ways by living out our beliefs. We can be pure in our actions in every way and in all we do, no matter how we might differ from "normal" people.

Yes, I think that this verse of Scripture applies to everyone, not just the young. We can apply this to our lives no matter who we are or where we find ourselves. It is yet another marvelous example of how to live a Christian life that we find in so many places in the Bible.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

If I Have Not Love

Good Day,

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Because Valentine's Day is upon us in a couple of days, I've been receiving many verses with love as a theme. This certainly is a good thing. But I hope that none of us needs to wait for some special day of the year to tell a loved one, to tell all of those whom we love, that we DO in fact love them. In a way it saddens me that we seem to require some special day in order to display and show our love for one another. Well, that's just a personal observation.

Paul speaks of love to the Corinthians in these verses in such a way that it is obvious we are to love all the time and we are to do all possible to love in the way that God loves us. Paul tells us in so many words that love is more important than anything else we can do. I guess that's all we need to know about this and it's what God wants us to understand.

Love one another and love all of mankind. Easy? No, not at all. Possible? Yes, with a great deal of effort.

Will we love like this? Can we love like this? I don't know if we will, but I do know that we can.

Start this very day by showing love to someone who perhaps isn't easy to love. If we start with the more difficult, then it becomes easier.

Love is what God wants of us. He wants it toward Him, of course. But He also wants it from all of us toward all of us.

As we see the Valentine hearts and flowers and candy, let it be a reminder to us of these verses we read today and of the fact that we are to love all the time and we are to love every one.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

His Word

Good Morning,

Psalm 119:105-106, 111-112 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.

Two specific thoughts were brought to my attention as I read the Scripture verses we have before us today. Both seemed to be important, but the first seemed to be a bit more important and led directly to the second.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The Bible, of course, is God's word for us today. It is what we ought to use to guide and direct our paths as we live our lives. Okay. That's pretty elementary, I know. But the thought that was put into my mind was asking me whether or not I really READ the Bible and then tried to put what God tells ms in it to use in my life. I'll preface this next with thanks for all who read the words I have the honor of sending along each day. Needless to say, it does my heart good to know that the time and effort I put forth is appreciated. Now, having said that, I have to ask you if, perhaps, what I send along and maybe other devotional messages from other sources take the place of a daily Bible reading program. God wants us to read His Holy Bible. Why else would He have had the Bible put together for us? So that goes without saying, I think. The thing is, many of us have replaced a daily time reading the Bible, and spending time with God, with reading the devotionals we have sent to us by various means or maybe listening to radio broadcasts of some really good preacher or watching some one on the television. Now, all of those things can be good, I would agree. BUT, none of them...NONE OF THEM...can replace reading God's words in the Bible.

The second thought that came to me as I read this Psalm today was about taking an oath and confirming it, as far as it concerns what we read in the Bible and truly believing that God's statues "are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart," and, "My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end."

There's a lot there, I would agree, for us to contemplate and absorb. You know, we sometimes take an oath for various things. We take an oath that the signature we use is the one that is legally ours and when we sign it we agree to whatever, we take the oath, that we will abide by that which we have affixed our name. We might take an oath in a court of law that we will tell the truth in the proceedings where we find ourselves. There are various ways in which we can take an oath in the world today. By taking an oath, what, exactly, are we doing? Webster tells us that a oath is: a solemn appeal to a deity or to some revered person or thing to witness one's determination to speak the truth or keep a promise. So, what David was saying in the verses we read today was the fact that he was promising God, and then confirming his promise, that he would abide by what God had put into the Scriptures that he, David, had at his disposal at that time. I have to ask all of us, myself first and foremost, have we, I, taken such an oath? We don't hear much about that in our various congregations today, do we?

I'm not going to go into any legalistic things about this as I think what God wants of us today is to give thought to what He has placed in front of us and to contemplate, to ponder if you will, the words that He had put into the Bible for us to read.

Do we read the Bible? Are we willing to promise God that we will go along with His wishes as He has had written for us?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Prayers Today

Good Day,

I know, I know...I'm very late today. Yes, there are reasons, but as I looked at them, well, to tell the truth, they sounded more like excuses. So, accept my apology for my tardiness, please.

Colossians 4:2-4 (NIV)
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

I read these short verses today and it struck me that this is exactly what I would ask of you: To pray for me and to pray that the message I attempt to bring would reach exactly where it's meant to go. Pray that I never get my personal feelings put before what I hear from the Lord as I sit down each day and do my best to obey God's direction. Pray that I, like Paul, would proclaim the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly as the Lord leads me. Pray that I will simply be the servant God has called me to be and to do as He would have me to do.

So, that's my message for today. A personal one. Pray for me, please. Pray the things I've written above and also that I would put God's calling to me above all else...every day.

I would also ask that we all pray for one another that we would seek God's guidance for what He would have us to do in His service; recognize what it is He wants us to do when He calls; and to then carry out His direction exactly as He would have us all do. You see, we all have been called. We all need to answer.

Thank you for your prayers.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Love your enemies

Good Morning,

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

This morning I received the following account of this verse being but into action, into someone's life in a practical way. A great example.

Kari has been in her sales position for almost nine years. A few years ago, things became particularly trying. Like many other industries at the time, the hotel industry was suffering from the poor economy and sales had decreased. This had resulted in increased pressure for Kari to produce acceptable levels of revenue. In addition to this, she had the challenge of working for a department director with a quick temper and controlling personality. He would make decisions irrationally and pass unfair judgment.
"It wasn't long before I was positively irate with him every day for weeks at a time," Kari said. "He, on the other hand, carried on in a 'business as usual' manner, quite oblivious to my state of mind. The situation began to affect my personal life.
Finally, after much prayer and reflection on the matter, something dawned on me. I realized that my anger toward him wasn't doing any good and wouldn't change a thing. A Bible verse came to mind: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Imagine that! I was going to have to think of and treat the director exactly the opposite of my feelings toward him. It was a very difficult thing to do but I gathered the courage to begin praying for him. It was amazing what peace came into my heart and how the anger slowly dissipated. A few months later, I was able to chat with him in a civil manner. He even seemed to have 'improved'."
By turning to the one who has overcome the world, Kari found the courage to face her 'enemy' and found peace in her heart.

One point of this story struck me pointedly. That was the fact the this lady's anger and frustration affected nobody but herself. You see, we can be angry and have extreme dislike...even hate...for someone and all of that negative emotion doesn't affect the person that it's aimed at. (Well, only if it's acted out in some inappropriate way, but that's a different message.)

Jesus knew how to disarm one's enemies and to take the feelings we have of dislike or even hate and turn them into something positive and even uplifting. When we take our anger and do all we can to turn it to love, it removes a door that the enemy can use to cause us to move away from the Lord. If we love instead of hate it often takes the wind out of the sails of those we've hated and might even turn their behavior around. As is pointed out in this account, Kari noticed that her boss's behavior "seemed to have improved" in some way. Now, that could be literally true, of course. It could also be that the attitude of love caused a different perspective. No matter which it might be, it is much for the better of the one who is showing love.

So, I thought that this example might be of help to some of us who could be having a difficult time with another person, either on a personal basis or in the work place.

It is something that we need to do in our lives, all of us, simply to love and to do all possible to remove the negative, hating emotions from our lives.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

There Is No Condemnation

Good Morning,

Romans 14:13 (NIV)
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
Romans 14:13 (NIV)
So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

When I received the verse we read today from Romans 14, it immediately brought to mind the verse from Romans 8. These verses together, unfortunately, caused my mind to also think about the fact that there are still those of us, good "God fearing" Christians, who judge and even condemn other good "God fearing" Christians because of some minor detail in how they choose to worship and express their love for the Lord.

I asked myself if I might be among those who judge or condemn some of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Although I don't think that I truly condemn anyone, I have to admit that from time to time I am human and judge some of the ways that people prefer to worship God. I guess many of us do that...at least from time to time. We have some brothers who will say that the Catholics are too tied up in their vestments and strict order of service. There are Baptists who don't like the fact that there are Pentecostals who raise their hands and voices in service. There...well, you know, it seems that there's something "wrong" with other denominations who might be a bit different than we are in how we go about our worship services.

I know that seems somewhat negative and it probably is, at least somewhat. But it is also the truth and it needs to be discussed from time to time lest we get too comfortable in our "judgement" and/or "condemnation" because of our differences. That's why it is so very important...imperative!...that we remember Romans 8:1, "Therefore, THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus."

You see, we should celebrate our differences because we know that there is no condemnation! It's great that I can visit a congregation where people worship differently than I normally do. It's a wonderful experience to be with others who can show me their excitement and zeal in how they worship and glorify God. It is good for all of us to every once in a while get out of our "rut" (well, that's a bad word I guess) of our "normal" ways of worship and explore other people's "normal." I think that for the most part we will truly enjoy what we experience. I know that I have.

So, when we find ourselves kind of putting down (judging) other denomination's ways of worship, we really have to remember that they are Christians every bit as much as we are. When we begin to condemn this congregation or that because they choose to celebrate the Lord differently, we have to bring to the forefront of our minds that they love the Lord just as we do.

Truly, "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Let us never forget that and let us be much, much more accepting of all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Love the Lord your God

Good Morning,

Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV)
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Whether or not we think that the old covenant, the law in the Old Testament, is or is not still viable, I believe that we can agree that what we read today, from the mouth of the Lord, would pretty much encompass what we need to do in order to abide in what God's law and/or laws. Simply, to love. So, let us not get into the laws or, as it's stated "The Law", and just think about what Jesus told us in these verses from Matthew. (Something else to think about is the fact that this situation in the life of Jesus is mentioned in three of the four Gospels. Also, in Mark and Luke is added..."with all your strength..." in how we ought to love God.)

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind...Love your neighbor as yourself."

So, I guess what we'd have to give thought to is whether or not we do, really, love in the way that Jesus was talking about.

I'm not going into a long dissertation on how we ought to love God and one another. That is something that has been written about by much greater minds than mine. There have been books written by any number of people about it. So, for me to try to add something to them or to bring out something new would be rather ridiculous, in my opinion.

Today what I think we need to do, every one of us, is to seek the answer as to whether or not we love as we should; as Jesus told the Pharisees they ought to fulfill The Law.

Do I love God with ALL my heart, with ALL my soul, with ALL my mind, and with ALL my strength? Do I REALLY love my neighbor as myself? For me? Well, the answer wouldn't be a resounding "Yes" I'm afraid. I think that would be true of pretty much all of us. So, what comes to my mind next, seeing as how I fail somewhat in loving as I should, what comes next is asking myself whether or not I'm even trying, giving thought to, making the attempt at loving like Jesus says I should. Again, I'd have to say I fail even in this, at least I'm not successful 100% of the time. And, once again, I think that most of us would fall into this category.

All I can do, and all I think any of us can do, is really the most that we can do. That would be to simply go to God in prayer and ask His forgiveness for our failures, and of course for our sins. And to ask Him to send the Holy Spirit even stronger into our lives to help us to love as He would have us love. To love Him and to love our neighbors. A Godly love. The love of Jesus Christ in our lives. Just as He loves us.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Seeking Opportunities

Good Morning,

Esther 4:14 (NKJV)
"Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Our verse today from the Book of Esther speaks about the fact that, perhaps, Esther was exactly where she was for a specific reason and at just the right time. Coincidence? In the case of Esther we know that coincidence had absolutely NOTHING to do with where she was and when it came to pass. We know it was God's plan for her to be at the right place at the right time with the right solution (read the entire book to more fully understand if you aren't familiar with it, a marvelous account of how God sometimes works).

So, why wouldn't God do exactly the same thing with you or me? The fact is, He not only can or will place us exactly where He wants us for His purpose at exactly the right time, HE DOES!!! And, I firmly believe that He does it all the time. You see the challenge isn't with God not placing us where He needs us, it's with US, you and I, not understanding or seeing what God wants of us.

In a devotional I read recently Richard L. Mabry of Texas writes, "I'm convinced there are circumstances every day in which we come into contact with those who need a special touch that we can give. It's up to us to be open to these opportunities and to actively look for them. Who knows? Perhaps that's why we've come to a particular place and time." There couldn't be a truer statement made than this.

Do we see it? Do we feel it? Perhaps and, unfortunately, perhaps not. But, if we don't, then I firmly believe the fault lies within us as we just don't actively seek out ways in which we can be of help to someone who has a need. Then, the truly unfortunate thing is the fact that we have been inundated with the "me, me, me" attitude of the world and don't want to be bothered by others, especially when we see they need some help.

God does put us in a place at a time when He can use us to help spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. That's the point. Maybe it's to help someone put their groceries into their car. Perhaps it's the older man down the street who's lawn needs mowing or fence needs fixing. Could be that lady we saw standing by her car with tears in her eyes because it won't start. Oh, there's simply innumerable opportunities that God places in front of us to do something at exactly the right time, just as He did with Esther those thousands of years ago.

Our job, my friend, is to seek out those opportunities He places in front of us and then to act on them. Our job is to keep our eyes and ears open and then let our hearts be willing to do God's work as He would have us to do.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Friends

Good Morning,

Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 27:9 (NIV)
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NIV)
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

How many "friends" do you have? Now, I don't mean acquaintances, we all have a lot of them, I mean real and true friends? It seems that in past times human beings were blessed with a lot more real friends than what we see today. Years ago we seemed to have had friends at every turn and in almost every place we went. It was easy to make friends, I think, when times were simpler and we weren't so focused on ourselves.

Friends...having them and being one...is a subject we all need to think about, I believe. Maybe it will be difficult for some of us because, well, we don't seem to have many...(any?)...friends in our lives. If that's the case, I guess we have to give some thought as to why that is. Some of us will find that we have only a very few people that we know that we would consider a friend, in it's most meaningful way. Then, there will be people who are greatly blessed and have many, many folks they consider friends and they are in contact with them on a regular basis.

So, why the differences among us in this matter? I thought about that this morning. I thought about it and prayed for an answer. Mostly what I heard was that old saying, "In order to have a friend, one must first BE a friend." I know, that seems pretty simple and elementary, doesn't it? But you know what it also it? It's the truth. Yes, if I want to have real friends in my life, I have to make the effort to be a friend to people.

Wow! I was about to go into the "why's" of having or not having friends as it relates to the changes in the world! Oh, my! I'm afraid I'd lose most of us, myself included, in going into all of that. Suffice to say, society has affected friends and friendships, and not in a good way. The reasons are too many to even think about.

Do I want you for a friend? Yes. Now, if that's the truth, then I have to be a friend to you. How do I do that? I guess, first I have to be truthful with you. I hope you know that I try to be exactly that in what I say and write. Next, I have to be available to you when you need me for something. I have to make that effort to simply say "Yes" when you ask me if I have a few minutes to talk. Then, I have to help you in any way that I can when you need me. I can't start to think of reasons (read excuses here) that I can't give you some assistance in some way when you want me to help you somehow. That's simply being unselfish and perhaps putting my own desires second to yours. Something else that I need to do in order to be a friend to you and have you be a friend to me is to listen to you. That means, I have to be open to what you have to say as it concerns me and my life and maybe something I do or don't do that you see is necessary. Proverbs 27:9 says it clearly, "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, AND THE PLEASANTNESS OF ONE'S FRIENDS SPRINGS FROM HIS EARNEST COUNSEL." If I don't feel toward you in such a way that I will listen to your "earnest counsel" that you want to give to help me, then I'm afraid we aren't friends.

Today's message springs from one word in a message I received that had nothing to do with this subject, really. However, God works in His ways and sends to us what He wants done at a time when He feels it's needed. I would venture to say that today's message about friends and friendship is one of those times.

I'll end this with a statement of fact. I don't have enough friends. Simple as that. I covet those that I can call a friend. That is the truth. I would love to have more friends. So, I'll ask you this: What can I do that would help us to be closer and to be real and true friends? Please feel free to answer this and be honest.

Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for being a friend.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Giving

Good Morning,

Acts 3:6 (NKJV)
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

So...what do YOU have to give to someone who has a need? I thought that same thing myself this morning, by the way. Now, since retiring and having my income lowered so much I find myself much like Peter and John when they spoke to the crippled beggar at Beautiful Gate. That is, like them, I don't have "silver and gold" or a lot of money to give. Well, I feel the Lord asking me if I don't have money to give, don't I have something else, perhaps?

Now, some of us DO have silver and gold...money...that we can donate to various charities or give to those in need. And there are those of us who do give great sums financially to the needy to those who find themselves in harsh financial situations. That is exactly how it should be, of course. If we have abundant finances, then we ought to share abundantly with those who don't.

But what about those of us who find themselves in Peter's and John's situation? They had no money, but they had the power of the Lord with them and were able to call on the name of Jesus to heal the lame man at the Beautiful Gate. Now, we may not have that gift...the gift of healing of the body...to give to people, but I know that we all have something that we can give and I also know that there are those in need who will accept whatever it is that we have.

Some of us have time to give and we ought to do exactly that...give our time to someone who needs that, our time. Maybe just to spend some of that time with a person who can't get out easily and has few people to come and visit and chat with. Maybe give some time to a person who is having a difficult time reading because of bad eye health, so we could simply read to him or her...whether it be the Bible, a magazine, or even a mystery novel. That gift of time doing that could be something that goes beyond financial giving. We might consider giving some time to a homeless shelter helping out in whatever way they need. How about, maybe, a food bank where our time can be given to help feed those in need. Well, you get the point, I'm sure.

One thing that every one of us has to give and that which we ought to be giving is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the sharing of God's plan of salvation. THAT is something that goes beyond all else, simply telling people about the Lord. Think about it. How often do you share your knowledge of Jesus with a stranger who may not have ever had the Lord spoken of to them by a loving Christian? For that matter...how often do I?

One more thing that we all have that we should be giving regularly is our prayer. We know people who need us to pray for them. We know those who are hurting in some way, do we lift them up by name? We know some who are having financial or marital problems, are we speaking to God about them and offering our prayers for them? We know people who are lonely or who may have lost a loved one or, oh, there are so many we know who would covet our prayers but perhaps don't feel they can or should ask. But we know, don't we?

I guess what God is asking of us today...every day...is to give what we have to give to those who are in need of that which we have. God is asking us to open our hearts and to look inside ourselves to see what more we can do than we may have already done.

I know He's asking that of me. Do you feel His tug on your heart?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

"As God's Chosen People..."

Good Morning,

(A little late again today, I know. I'm sorry. Was busy doing a bit of volunteer work that I should have been doing for some time.)

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Yesterday we spoke about pleasing God; about finding what pleases Him and then doing it. I think that these verses coming as they do so closely after what we discussed yesterday are an adjunct to what was said before. By that I mean, these verses we read today do much in helping us to find and do those things which please God.

There is much here this morning that we ought to be doing and paying attention to. Then, if we will follow the direction that Paul wrote down, I believe, we will truly please God in many ways.

Read these verses closely today. Think about what they ask of us. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and help us all to do and be what we read.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David

Pleasing God

Good Morning,
...(OK, Good Afternoon for those who might check on these things!...Just kidding!)

Ephesians 5:8-17 (NIV)
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

"...and find out what pleases the Lord." Some translations read, "Try to find out what pleases the Lord." I wondered about that as it seems pretty clear what does and does not please the Lord, don't you think? But of course, it's not quite that simple. There's more to it than that. Yes, some things are evident, it goes without saying. We are to love God and each other. We are to do good. We are to do all we can to keep from sin. We are to help each other. We are to give to those in need. Well, you know, the "good things."

However, as I read these verses and wondered about the "try to find out" part; the "find out" part, it seemed all of a sudden that it might NOT be quite so plain as to those things that will please the Lord. You see, I knew without a doubt that there are things that I must do to please God which might not be imperative for you to do to please Him. Maybe I'm supposed to go out and evangelize on a street corner somewhere and do more to preach the Gospel to the lost world. (Now, I AM just using that as an example here! I don't feel God pushing or nudging me in that direction.) Well, that very well might NOT be something that you need to do in order to please God. What I hear this morning is that there definitely ARE some things that I must find which I'm supposed to do to please the Lord. I'm also hearing the same for you.

So, does that mean we aren't supposed to do the more apparent things that we know please God. Certainly not! That's foolishness, of course. What it DOES mean is that there are specific things that we are to find which are unique to each of us that we must do in order to truly please God. To relate it to something that we've spoken about in the past, it's kind of like the gifts (not the fruit) of the Holy Spirit. We don't all have the same gifts, we know that. We also know that we are to use the gift or gifts that God has blessed us with. It's the same with finding out what pleases the Lord. It's the same because some of the things that each of us is to do to please the Lord just aren't the same for others of us.

When we pray and ask God to show us and explain to us what we are to do in order to please Him, believe me, He will do it. We will know, without any doubts, what we are to do that will bring that smile to God's face and will please Him because of our obedience to His direction. Then, you see, we will better understand and know exactly, what is meant when we read, "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." If we fully understand, because God has shown us, what we are to do to please Him, then we will also understand His will...at least as far as it pertains to us as individuals.

Jesus told us that we are the "light of the world" and we read today that we are "light in the Lord." So let us go out and do whatever it is God wants of us that will please Him. When we do, then we know we will be carrying out His will for our lives.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David