Families

The ark was populated by families, human and animal. They held close to one another and to God as everything around them was destroyed. Humans and animals are made to relate to each other and families are one of God’s structures for learning how to do it. 

Genesis 7:13-16 (NLT) 13 That very day Noah had gone into the boat with his wife and his sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their wives. 14 With them in the boat were pairs of every kind of animal—domestic and wild, large and small—along with birds of every kind. 15 Two by two they came into the boat, representing every living thing that breathes. 16 A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them.

1/9/2022

The Way Shower

 

Jesus is called “The Way Shower” because he showed the way to work with God.  He said that even he, the Son of Man, does what the Father has taught me. He took his life and cues from the Father. He prayed regularly, asked what pleased God, and did it. 

John 8:28-29 (NIV) 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 

1/2/2022

The Original Psychology Book

No one avoids straying from God’s ways at least some of the time, but that does not invalidate all efforts to keep them. Why?  Because his ways work. The Bible is the original psychology book.  As well as showing you what to do, God lifts you up in grace and works with you.

Romans 5:20 (TLB) 20 The Ten Commandments were given so that all could see the extent of their failure to obey God’s laws. But the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us.

12/29/2021

The Aaronic Blessing

 

The lesson of the thief on the cross shows that you and all people are redeemable, if you ask.  When challenged, say the Aaronic blessing over yourself or those bothering you. All people and situations are elevated to the love of God when you ask God to bless them.

Numbers 6:24-26 (TLB)  24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” 

12/26/2021

Dreaming

 

Dreams were greatly respected in the Bible while today most think their dreams are trivial or irrational. To understand a dream, ask God how it simply and practically relates to you. Developing your use of dreams is learning a new language - the language of God. 

Job 33:14-18 (TLB) 14“For God speaks again and again, 15 in dreams, in visions of the night when deep sleep falls on men as they lie on their beds. 16 He opens their ears in times like that and gives them wisdom and instruction, 17-18 causing them to change their minds, and keeping them from pride, and warning them of the penalties of sin, and keeping them from falling into some trap.

12/19/2021

Streets of Gems and Jewels

Money, possessions, status, and career are part of the earth’s economy and strata, but none compares with God’s righteousness in your life. It is as precious as walking on streets of gems and jewels, free of fear and knowing he is taking you to his best.

Isaiah 54:11-17 (MSG) 11“Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied: I’m about to rebuild you,with stones of turquoise, Lay your foundations with sapphires, construct your towers with rubies,Your gates with jewels, and all your walls with precious stones. All your children will have God for their teacher—what a mentor for your children! You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble—nothing to fear! far from terror—it won’t even come close! If anyone attacks you, don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them, And if any should attack, nothing will come of it. I create the blacksmith who fires up his forge and makes a weapon designed to kill. I also create the destroyer— but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God’s servants can expect. I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.” God’s Decree.

12/12/2021

Foregoing Resentments and Anger

 

Jesus said if you have a grievance toward another, acknowledge it and let the bad feelings go. To forgive is to “forego” resentments and anger and let God handle the circumstances. He will direct you about future interactions. Your job is to trust God in all things. 

Mark 11: 25 (NIV) 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

11/28/2021

The Lost Coin

No one likes to lose money, even the wealthy hate it. In this parable, a woman loses some money and searches for it until she finds it, as humans do. God does the same when you stray.  As with the Prodigal Son, he welcomes those back who realize his worth and their own worth.

Luke 15: 8-10 (MSG) 8-10 “Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”

11/21/2021

Ask Anything Using my Name

Jesus said, Ask anything, using my name, and I will do it.  You ask continually in your thoughts, fantasies and by what you want. When you ask for something, of what is it worthy?  Work to make your asking based in love and the sacred.  

John 14-12-14 (TLB) 12-13 “In solemn truth I tell you, anyone believing in me shall do the same miracles I have done, and even greater ones, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask him for anything, using my name, and I will do it, for this will bring praise to the Father because of what I, the Son, will do for you. 14 Yes, ask anything, using my name, and I will do it!  

11/14/2021

Other Believers who are Unlikeable or Immoral

Where you find another believer unlikeable or immoral, pray for their wavering faith. Be kind about where they are in their development and remember that empathy and mercy for others applies to you as well as others AND work on your own renewal through faith and prayer.

Jude 22-23 (NLT) 22  And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

11/7/2021

The One Eternally Reliable Father

You first experience love and guidance from your human parents. However, even the best parents fail their children on occasion, and some continually fail them. Most human parents do their best but Jesus says God is the one eternally reliable Father.  

Luke 11:11-13 (GNT) 11 Would any of you who are fathers give your son a snake when he asks for fish? 12 Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  

10/31/2021

The Purpose of Church

 

There were differences of opinion in the early church about who could be a member. There still are. Paul said, “Welcome others as Christ has warmly welcomed you.” Jesus came to show that God is true to his promises and to help God’s chosen.  This defines a good church.

Romans 15:7-8 (TLB) 7 So warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ came to show that God is true to his promises and to help the Jews.

10/24/2021

The Great Banquet

 

This parable relates to the Jews (God’s chosen people) and the Gentiles (everyone else). Throughout their history, the Jews resisted God’s offers and promises, so God extended his invitation to be his chosen to the rest of mankind.  All are invited to his banquet. 

Luke 14:16-24 (NIV) 16 “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me. ’19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” 

10/17/2021

Praying on a Daily Basis

Jesus talked with God all the time, showing it is a most necessary part of the relationship. Talking to God on a daily basis develops faith, character and love. Your “knowing” increases and your desire to control others subsides as the Holy Spirit works in you each day.

Jude 20 (TLB) 20 But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.

10/10/2021

Gouge Out your Right Eye

Where you have negativity and sin in your life, decisively cut them out of your thoughts and actions like you would gouge out your right eye or cut off your right hand. With God’s help, throw it all away and you will begin to live a completely different life.

Matthew 5:29-30 (NIV) 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

10/3/2021

Pleasure when your Enemy Stumbles

When someone is an enemy or really gets under your skin, it can be sweet when they fall into trouble. But the Bible says not to take pleasure in it. Exercise self control. If you don’t, the Lord may be displeased with you and stop punishing them! 

Proverbs 24:17-18 (TLB) 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy meets trouble. Let there be no gladness when he falls— 18 for the Lord may be displeased with you and stop punishing him! 

9/26/2021

Receiving Valid Criticism

 

Receiving criticism is not easy. It is much easier to be defensive and criticize the one giving it. To one who listens, valid criticism is golden. Let God help you discern what is valid and gracefully accept it.  God will let you know what is not valid so you can move on. 

Proverbs 25:12 (NLT) 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

9/19/2021

Man-Made Solutions

 

David killed bears and lions while a young shepherd. Since God worked through him then, he knew he would work in him to save Israel from the threats of Goliath.  With God you have more than you know. Depending solely on man-made solutions can hinder you. 

 

1 Samuel 17:38-39 (TLB) 38-39 Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can hardly move!” he exclaimed, and took them off again.

9/16/2021

Living Outside God's Will

 

If you go about doing things outside of God’s will, you can expect those things will not happily work out for you. Faith and love for God is compromised outside God’s plans for you. What will be working out is your accountability and that will not be pleasant. 

Romans 8:28 (TLB) 28 And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.

9/12/2021

Your Problems and Trouble

God doesn’t “give” problems or trouble. Being human creates more than enough of them. However, he may allow them for reasons only he knows and in the scheme of things, the Bible says all trouble is small and temporary. You are repaid much greater than the trouble as you trust him. 

2 Corinthians 4:17 (GNT)  17 And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble.

9/5/2021 

Live the Way You're Made

 

Walking with God resets your mind and will to be who he made you to be. If you are even curious to know how it all works, God is calling you. Once you know him, you know there is no other path but to live the way we’re made. You come up short every other way.

Isaiah 2:1-5 (MSG) 1 There’s a day coming when the mountain of God’s House Will be The Mountain— solid, towering over all mountains.  All nations will river toward it, people from all over set out for it. They’ll say, “Come, let’s climb God’s Mountain, go to the House of the God of Jacob. He’ll show us the way he works so we can live the way we’re made.”

8/29/2021

Ceding Your Authority to Evil

Some people say “I was born a sinner.”  Others say, “People are born good.” Experience of the 20th century alone shows that even the nicest people, given the right circumstances, will cede their authority to evil. This is the definition of being born a sinner. And this is only one example. 

James 1:13-15 (MSG) 13-15 Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.

8/22/2021

The Greater Debt

 

You cannot fake gratitude - you have it or you don’t. How you think and act proves it one way or another. The Kingdom of God is populated by those who ask Christ to change their hearts and minds. Gratitude and love overflow there. Believers know how deep their debt of love is.

Luke 7:41-43 (TLB) 41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—$5,000 to one and $500 to the other. 42 But neither of them could pay him back, so he kindly forgave them both, letting them keep the money! Which do you suppose loved him most after that?” 43 “I suppose the one who had owed him the most,” Simon answered. “Correct,” Jesus agreed.

8/15/2021

The Golden Rule Plus

 

World-wide and in all religions the Golden Rule is a shared ethos, but the emphasis on sacrificial, redemptive and forgiving love is distinctive to Jesus. This completeness of love and relationship to God, through Jesus, is unlike any other religion or philosophy. 

Matthew 7:12 (NIV) 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

8/8/2021