I Did it God's Way

The song “I Did It My Way” is an inspirational standard loved by many. The truth of the matter, though, is that God prepares the way before you as you do your best.  You are unique and doing it with God will get you there in your best uniqueness and with the best results. 

Joshua 24:12-13 (NIV) 12 I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you—also the two Amorite kings. You did not do it with your own sword and bow. 13 So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’ 

7/21/2019

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain

The 3rd commandment is usually connected to using God’s name when swearing but it is about using the Lord as cover for doing evil, as in grifting using charities, murdering in God’s name or abuse by clergy. It is a sin that wounds more than just the souls of those involved.

Exodus 20:7 (KJV) 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

7/17/2019

The Church

Some say church attendance is sinking to permanently lower levels due to a lack of relevance and interest, but the Bible says something else. God’s eternal energy powers the faith of his people; “a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell” can suppress it.   

Matthew 16:17-18 (MSG) 17-18 Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

7/14/2019

Resurrection of Life

There are many ways to be dead to what is around you - physical or mental illness, addiction, anger, or bitterness are just a few ways. In Matthew 9:23-26 Jesus pulls a girl out of death and back to life. Jesus is where your life and purpose is resurrected when all seems lost. 

Matthew 9:23-26 (MSG) 23-26 By now they had arrived at the house of the town official, and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and the neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: “Clear out! This girl isn’t dead. She’s sleeping.” They told him he didn’t know what he was talking about. But when Jesus had gotten rid of the crowd, he went in, took the girl’s hand, and pulled her to her feet—alive. The news was soon out, and traveled throughout the region.

7/7/2019

Focus

Every day you choose who you will follow - God or something else. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left is a term used many times in the Old Testament. It means you want to be intentional - keep your eyes on God's ways.

 

Joshua 1:7 (NIV) 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 

7/3/2019

Remorse and Repair

Apologizing to another won’t always reconcile a situation or relationship. It may be too late or too serious a breach. It is the opposite with God. God knows everything about you and is waiting for your recognition of wrong. Genuine repentance always results in repair and growth.  

Hebrews 4:12-13 (TLB) 12 For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are. 13 He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God.

6/30/2019

Seeking Wisdom

In a dream Solomon asked God for wisdom in governing his people and God told him that he would give him that plus much more. Working with God on right thought and action is embedded in your consciousness, in dreams and random thoughts, as you seek his will.

1 Kings 3:11-13 (NLT) 11 ...“Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies -12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame!

6/23/2019

God Wants Relationship

Noah and his family were saved from the flood because Noah trusted God, not because he was perfect or of an earthly status. God wants relationship. Noah was a pleasure to God because he tried always to do God’s will. Noah trusted that God’s will was good and worth doing.

Genesis 6:8-10 (TLB): 8 But Noah was a pleasure to the Lord. Here is the story of Noah: 9-10 He was the only truly righteous man living on the earth at that time. He tried always to conduct his affairs according to God’s will…..

6/16/2019

God's Thoughts

As you experience God’s love and understand his continual presence in your life, you find an inexplicable love. God knows what you do not and he knows the motives and intentions of all. That is where he resides. Seeking his ways will always elevate your thoughts and actions.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ASV): 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

6/12/2019

Fire and Rocks

Where bad things are growing in your life, the fire of the Lord can level and wipe them out. When you are in a hard place, a word from God can break your negative conditions or mindset into tiny pieces. Let God’s Word benefit you on a daily basis.  

Jeremiah 23:29 (NIV):  29 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

6/9/2019

Education

Being highly educated does not mean you have better or more virtuous opinions and actions. Life is much bigger than any realm of education. Having reverence for the Lord gives you the humility to learn and acquire the wisdom you need to thrive.

Proverbs 1:7 (GNT):  7 To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.

6/2/2019

Humility

The Beatitudes are attitudes of humility.  They do not speak of those who have all the answers.  There is a sadness and longing in a few and mercy and purity in others, but in all there is a lack of guile.  This is where you find Jesus and are open to God’s love. 

Matthew 5:3-11 (NIV): 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

5/26/2019

The Living Word

Moses received God’s laws through an Angel of God. Human laws can be restricting but Moses was given the Living Word. God’s laws are life giving. They are divine formulas.  As you follow them you find God’s power is in and around you at all times.

Acts 7:38 (TLB):  38 How true this proved to be, for in the wilderness, Moses was the go-between—the mediator between the people of Israel and the Angel who gave them the Law of God—the Living Word—on Mount Sinai.

5/22/2019

Drought

Every person experiences a metaphorical drought at some point. Lack of water affects everything. God grants living water, a never ending supply of all we need. Our wickedness has caught up with us shows the people of Judah knew this and wanted to make things right with God.

Jeremiah 14:1-9: This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord, explaining why he was holding back the rain: 2 “Judah wilts; commerce at the city gates grinds to a halt. All the people sit on the ground in mourning, and a great cry rises from Jerusalem.3 The nobles send servants to get water but all the wells are dry. The servants return with empty pitchers, confused and desperate, covering their heads in grief. 4 The ground is parched and cracked for lack of rain. The farmers are deeply troubled; they, too, cover their heads. 5 Even the doe abandons her newborn fawn because there is no grass in the field. 6 The wild donkeys stand on the bare hills panting like thirsty jackals.They strain their eyes looking for grass,but there is none to be found.” 7 The people say, “Our wickedness has caught up with us, Lord, but help us for the sake of your own reputation.We have turned away from you and sinned against you again and again. 8 O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble, why are you like a stranger to us? Why are among us, Lord. We are known as your people. Please don’t abandon us now!”

5/19/2019

Pearls Before Swine

Nearly everyone has had the experience of telling another something personal only to see it used against them. In Matthew 7:6 Jesus urges discernment about what you share with others. Not everyone is reliable and, if hostile, they can discourage you and set you back.

Matthew 7:6 (NIV)  6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

5/15/2019

God Made Everything

God made everything and this link, Job 38:4-41, Job 39, Job 40, Job 41 (TLB), eloquently describes some of it. Neither human beings or chance could put this natural world together.  Our bodies and brains can do only so much, as exemplified by the animals in these passages. 

5/12/2019

Impure Spirits

In Mark 5:1-13 you can easily see drugs, alcohol or other evil in this behavior - No one was strong enough to subdue him.  Impure spirits can enter anyone as the name Legion... for we are many implies. Pray for Christ to release impure spirits so all can live in his peace.

Mark 1:5-13 (NIV):  1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

5/5/2019

Handmade by God

In Psalms 139:13-16 you are described as hand made by God himself.  His workmanship in making you is marvelous. God scheduled each day of your life before you were even born.  Time spent meditating on verses like this is a powerful way to elevate self talk and outlook.

Psalms 139:13-16 (TLB) 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. 15 You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! 16 You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!

4/28/2019

Like a Tree along a Riverbank

When you let God show you his ways, you find and experience an effortless wellspring of joy and power. Psalms 1:1-3 is a metaphoric example of how you become like a tree along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail...and all they do shall prosper. 

Psalms 1:1-3 (TLB) 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. 2 But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. 3 They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.

4/24/2019

Heaven and Earth

Some say they don’t agree with everything in the Bible. You don’t agree with God? They won’t admit that. What they don’t agree with usually are the interpretations of others, nor do they understand and accept the divine inspiration and sovereignty of God’s word.

Hebrews 1:10-12 (TLB) 10 “...Lord, in the beginning you made the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will disappear into nothingness, but you will remain forever. They will become worn out like old clothes, 12 and some day you will fold them up and replace them. But you yourself will never change, and your years will never end.”

4/21/2019

A Proverbs Wife

It appears a Proverbs 31 wife is beyond achievement, but actually each task represents wisdom and kindness: She helps her husband and doesn’t hinder him, lovingly manages her household, seeks opportunities, is a hard worker, has a reverence for the Lord and helps those in need.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (TLB)  10 If you can find a truly good wife, she is worth more than precious gems! 11 Her husband can trust her, and she will richly satisfy his needs. 12 She will not hinder him but help him all her life. 13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. 14 She buys imported foods brought by ship from distant ports. 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plans the day’s work for her servant girls. 16 She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her own hands she plants a vineyard. 17 She is energetic, a hard worker, 18 and watches for bargains. She works far into the night! 19-20 She sews for the poor and generously helps those in need. 21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for she has made warm clothes for all of them. 22 She also upholsters with finest tapestry; her own clothing is beautifully made—a purple gown of pure linen. 23 Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council chamber with the other civic leaders. 24 She makes belted linen garments to sell to the merchants. 25 She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age. 26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.  27 She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household and is never lazy. 28 Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. He praises her with these words: 29 “There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!” 30 Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised. 31 Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from people of importance.

4/14/2019

Prodigal Son

Luke 15:17-20 is the story of the Prodigal Son. Many have such children they chase after, heading off their failures or trying to keep them out of trouble. Like God, this father saw his son had to come to know the effects of his sin himself and in faith set him free to learn.

Luke 15:17-20 (NIV) 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father…...

2/27/2019

Masculine Mandate

The masculine mandate starts early in the Bible: Genesis 2:15. God gave man two things to do: 1) Tend the garden, which is to work and cultivate the people and fields God puts you in and  2) Guard it - protect those good things from evil and unrighteousness.

Genesis 2:15 (GNT)  15 Then the Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it.

4/10//2019

Power, Love, Sound Mind

2 Timothy 1:7 is an excellent reminder of how God created you: ...of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Fear doesn’t come from God. When you are afraid, confused, feeling powerless or scattered, repeat this as an affirmation to see if your energy and focus improves.

2 Timothy 1:7 (YLT)  7...for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind;

4/7/2019