Food and Righteousness

Where what you eat and spiritual life is concerned, the Bible makes a distinction. What you put into your body is not where your righteousness lies; it is what is in your heart and how responsibly you behave toward others that you become righteous.

Matthew 15:17-20 (NLT)  17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”

2/24/2019

All Divisions are Released

All divisions of race, politics and gender are released in relationship with Christ. Your soul is equal with all others before God. As old as this is, it still isn’t understood in some faiths and parts of the world. It is a life and world changing idea.

Galatians 3:28 (MSG)  28-29 In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.

2/17/2019

Your Uniqueness

Jesus and John the Baptist were faulted for opposite things: John lived off the land by himself.  Jesus loved to eat and drink with friends. Some aren’t happy unless they criticize those who get things done. Be like Jesus and John. Follow the plan God has for you.

Matthew 11:18-19 (NIV) 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

2/13/2019

Lost Sheep

All people matter to God. No one falls through the cracks of God’s love. This isn’t true of families or governments. Humans and their institutions are innately self-serving, imperfect and political. Trust and seek God. God knows who and where you are all the time.

Luke 15:4-6 (NLT)  4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost,what will he do? Won’t  he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds  it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'

2/10/2019

Water into Wine

The water Jesus turned into wine at the wedding at Cana was water for hand and foot washing. Christ can make a miracle out of the most mundane things. We have to come to him with the problem, however. If Mary hadn’t, the miracle and this lesson would not exist.

John 2:1-3 (TLB) 1 Two days later Jesus’ mother was a guest at a wedding in the village of Cana in Galilee, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were invited too. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, and Jesus’ mother came to him with the problem.

2/3/2019

Gift to Young Men

The Book Of Proverbs is King Solomon’s gift to young men.  Among other things, he talks about work ethic, avoiding the wrong crowd, wisdom, good sense, and why being a faithful husband is important, but the first step is to trust and reverence the Lord.

Proverbs 1:4-9 (TLB)  4 …...“I want to warn young men about some problems they will face. 5-6 I want those already wise to become wiser and become leaders by exploring the depths of meaning in these nuggets of truth.” 7-9 How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord!  

1/27/2019

Following God's Law

God’s law is woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong.  Worldwide there are those who do not know the Bible but follow God’s law, more or less by instinct, without knowing why.

Romans 2:14-15 (MSG)  4-15 When outsiders who have never heard of God’s law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong.

1/20/2019

Knowledge of God

Knowing God develops a different knowledge than that based on concrete facts, such as botany, math or engineering. It involves experience and relationship, backed by Biblical truth. Together they form faith. This is what is meant by we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)  7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

1/16/2019

Listening to Others

In 1 Samuel 1:12-17 Hannah is pouring her heart out to the Lord. The priest Eli thought she was drunk. Has clergy insulted you? A church member? Have you acted too critically toward another? Be like Hannah and Eli - listen to each other and stand corrected if necessary.

1 Samuel:12-17 (NIV)  12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

1/13/2019

Our Fallen Nature

It is out of a person’s heart that evil thoughts come.  Each person, given the right conditions, is a school shooter, abusive spouse, terrorist or addict.  You learn God’s ways to move away from these inherent tendencies to trust and align with God each day.

Mark 7:20-23 (NIV)  20 ...What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.

1/6/2019

God and DNA

The Old and New Testaments say everyone can see evidence of God in nature. It is in your DNA.  Romans 1:19-21 says you are accountable to act on this on a daily basis. Appreciate what God has made, worship him and thank him every day for what he does for you.

Romans 1:19-21 (TLB)  19 For the truth about God is known to them instinctively; God has put this knowledge in their hearts. 20 Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of his existence and great eternal power. So they will have no excuse when they stand before God at Judgment Day. 21 Yes, they knew about him all right, but they wouldn’t admit it or worship him or even thank him for all his daily care.

12/30/2018

Captivity

While in captivity in Babylon, God told the Israelites to work for the peace and prosperity there. If you are in “captivity” to a place, thing or unhappiness, pray for God’s blessings on everything and everyone around you. What you want for others will come to you.

Jeremiah 29:7 (TLB)  7 And work for the peace and prosperity of Babylon. Pray for her, for if Babylon has peace, so will you.

12/23/2018

God's Side

When asked In Joshua 5:13-14, the commander of the Lord’s army said the Lord is not on one side or the other. As Joshua did, always ask God what he would have you do.  What is relevant is that you are following God’s will. God is on the right side of God and you should be too.

Joshua 5:13-14 (GNT) 13 While Joshua was near Jericho, he suddenly saw a man standing in front of him, holding a sword. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you one of our soldiers, or an enemy?” 14 “Neither,” the man answered. “I am here as the commander of the Lord's army.”  Joshua threw himself on the ground in worship and said, “I am your servant, sir. What do you want me to do?”

12/16/2018

Hypocrites and Cheaters

Hypocrites and cheaters have always gotten away with fooling others. It discourages those who are honest and of goodwill.  Isaiah 32:5-8 tells us a time is coming when they will be seen for what they are. For some, that time is now. For others it will be later, but it will come.

Isaiah 32:5-8 (TLB)  5 In those days the ungodly, the atheists, will not be heroes! Wealthy cheaters will not be spoken of as generous, outstanding men! 6 Everyone will recognize an evil man when he sees him, and hypocrites will fool no one at all. Their lies about God and their cheating of the hungry will be plain for all to see. 7 The smooth tricks of evil men will be exposed, as will all the lies they use to oppress the poor in the courts. 8 But good men will be generous to others and will be blessed of God for all they do.

12/9/2018

Victim

If you are a believer, you won’t believe in being a victim - to anything. Jesus took the worst this earth could give him in hatred, pain and betrayal. He was patient and had faith while submitting to God, even though it took all he had to maintain that faith.

Luke 18:31-33 (NIV) 31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33  they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”

12/2/2018

Dishonoring God

Eli’s sons dishonored God in their holy priestly duties. After a warning, God expelled them from the priestly class. In God’s work and at his discretion, he will remove those who dishonor and hold him in contempt. God will act - human intercession won’t work at that point.

1 Samuel 2:22-25 (NIV)  22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the Lord’s people is not good. 25 If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will intercede for them?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.

11/25/2108

Sin

Sin is something everyone does and it isn’t about imperfection. To consider it such is a mockery against it’s damage:  It is replacing God’s plan for yours, his will and his ways for yours. No one wins outside a sacred relationship with God. Human limitations lead to destruction and loss.

1 Samuel 12:24-25 (TLB)  24 “Trust the Lord and sincerely worship him; think of all the tremendous things he has done for you. 25 But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be destroyed.”

11/18/2018

Prayer for Others

Paul’s directions for praying for others is found in 1 Timothy 2:1-2:  Pray much, plead for God’s mercy on them, give thanks for all he is going to do for them. Pray for others in love and goodwill. This includes praying for those in authority, even if you don’t like them.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (TLB) 1 Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. 2  Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.

11/14/2018

Political Connections

When Joseph was in power in Egypt, the Jewish people had a “connection” and good status.  When he was gone, they were again strangers in a strange land. Always walk and talk with God as political power, even a favorable kind like Joseph exhibited, comes and goes.

Exodus 1:8 (NIV)  8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.

11/11/2018

Wicked Spirits of the Spirit World

One reason to rely upon the Lord is that you see only a part of what really exists. In fact, what you think is going on probably isn’t. Ephesians 6:12-13 speaks of what is behind the evil around you and it isn’t visible, but huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.

Ephesians 6:12-13 (TLB)  12  For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. 13 So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.

11/4/2018

Empathy

Most in prison have lost everything, usually from their own doing. Victims can be inconsolable, needing the restoration of Christ’s love. The dynamics go hand in hand. We are all prisoners and victims to some degree. Hebrews 13:3 says empathy is a necessary and holy love.

Hebrews 13:3 (MSG)  3 ...Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you....  

10/28/2018

Battles

Hamstringing horses is unthinkable, but in this scripture there is symbolic meaning.  Put your energy forces into God’s wisdom and power, not your human based abilities.  God wants you to cut the hamstrings off anything that powers or motivates you that is not of him.

 

Joshua 11:9 (NIV) 9 Joshua did to them as the Lord had directed: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.

10/21/2018

Prayer

You personally are not what other people need to make their lives right. Jesus needed time alone with his Father to ask what his will was and the courage to follow it. Alone, he rested in God. Pray to God for the same for yourself and only then for other situations and people.

Mark 1:35-37 (NIV)  35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

10/17/2018

Fear of God

The term fear of God is used more than 100 times in the Bible. Some bristle and say fear is not healthy in relationships but in the Bible it is positive. A deep reverence for the Creator and of right and wrong, even if you aren’t aware of it, benefits everyone.

Exodus 20:20 (NIV)  20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

10/14/2018

Men and Women

Men and women need each other as God made both. The differences are complimentary. Talking men or women down or being competitive is not fruitful. All are made by God, belong to God and God gives each their purpose from conception to death.

1 Corinthians 11:11-12 (TLB) 11 But remember that in God’s plan men and women need each other. 12 For although the first woman came out of man, all men have been born from women ever since, and both men and women come from God their Creator.

10/7/2018