Well sometimes you get up to a wild Monday. That happened to me this morning. First of all we have some pretty good storms roll through complete with tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. Over the weekend my wife and I cleaned out the washer and dryer closet in anticipation of the delivery of the new washer and dryer we bought last Monday. They told us it would be delivered today. I took my daughter to school in the pouring rain and when I got back home there was a message on the answering machine. Guess what it said???? "Your washer and dryer have not come in yet and will be delivered next Monday!" What??? We had prepared everything for delivery today and did not do any laundry all weekend long because we had taken the old washer and dryer out! Now another week? I think you get the picture. Ever had one of these Mondays? You may be having one right now. I was getting ready to call Lowes and voice my concerns when this verse came to mind:
1 Peter 5:7
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
As I thought about this verse and my crazy Monday so far, I thought that in reality this is no big deal and God is in control. I thought about how many folks are having a much worse day than me. Some are fighting cancer, some are hungry, some have no roof over there head, some have no family, and I could list a million more blessings. All I need to remember today is cast my problems to God, He cares about me! Guess what He cares about you too so turn everything over to God on this Monday. Who better to handle my difficulties than God???? No one!
Slow down a little and remember 1 Peter 5:7 on this Monday!
Tom
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
A wife that can be hard to find!
God gives us a description of what a godly wife will be like here in proverbs 31. Ladies for you the description is what God desires in you and men this is what you should seek in a wife. I am so thankful God has provided me with such a wife whom to be honest I don't deserve...thank you Jesus!
Proverbs 31:10-31
The Virtuous Wife
10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Wow what a woman. To sum it up....she works long hard days to takes care of her children and husband. She fears the Lord. She is in His Word as that is where she gains her wisdom. She reaches out to take care of those in need. She is crafty and finds ways to help support the family financially. The husband brags on her because of her godly life....wow! God desires women to be like this and men he desires us to take care of and love our wives the way Christ loved the church and we need to brag on them!!!!
A proverbs 31 wife is to be desired by both man and woman!!!!
Tom
Proverbs 31:10-31
The Virtuous Wife
10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Wow what a woman. To sum it up....she works long hard days to takes care of her children and husband. She fears the Lord. She is in His Word as that is where she gains her wisdom. She reaches out to take care of those in need. She is crafty and finds ways to help support the family financially. The husband brags on her because of her godly life....wow! God desires women to be like this and men he desires us to take care of and love our wives the way Christ loved the church and we need to brag on them!!!!
A proverbs 31 wife is to be desired by both man and woman!!!!
Tom
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Are you opening your mouth?
Not long ago I wrote a devotion on this subject but God's Word has spoken again on this subject and I want to share it with you. Please read these verses.
Proverbs 31:8-9
8 Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
These verses speak for themselves. The speechless are those who have no voice in our society. The unborn, the poor, the elderly, those who are being persecuted for their faith, and you can put in others that fit into this category. God tells us to speak up for them and to take a stand! The more I read my Bible the more God points out to me to speak and stand for the poor and the needy. I think of Jesus taking a stand for the woman caught in adultery. That is to be our example.
Please take time to think on this verse this morning and let God's Word speak to you.
Tom
Proverbs 31:8-9
8 Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
These verses speak for themselves. The speechless are those who have no voice in our society. The unborn, the poor, the elderly, those who are being persecuted for their faith, and you can put in others that fit into this category. God tells us to speak up for them and to take a stand! The more I read my Bible the more God points out to me to speak and stand for the poor and the needy. I think of Jesus taking a stand for the woman caught in adultery. That is to be our example.
Please take time to think on this verse this morning and let God's Word speak to you.
Tom
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Learn from an ant!
Have you ever read this verse before?
Proverbs 30:25
25 The ants are a people not strong,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
This is a great lesson from God's Word to grab a hold of this morning. Preparation for the future. Two ways we can look at this. The first is physical. The ant is not what you would look to when you think of when you picture something strong. Although they can lift something several times their weight. When we think of something strong we would look more to the elephant or something like that. Yet the ant makes preparations all summer long for winter. They store food so they can survive. We need to grasp this from the ant. We need to also plan ahead for difficult times. We must be careful though not to be greedy but to have enough to survive! We can also look at this spiritually. We are week but HE is strong! We need to be prepared for eternity. Have we ask Jesus into our live as Lord and Savior? If you haven't......then you are not prepared!
Learn form the ant and be prepared!
Tom
Proverbs 30:25
25 The ants are a people not strong,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
This is a great lesson from God's Word to grab a hold of this morning. Preparation for the future. Two ways we can look at this. The first is physical. The ant is not what you would look to when you think of when you picture something strong. Although they can lift something several times their weight. When we think of something strong we would look more to the elephant or something like that. Yet the ant makes preparations all summer long for winter. They store food so they can survive. We need to grasp this from the ant. We need to also plan ahead for difficult times. We must be careful though not to be greedy but to have enough to survive! We can also look at this spiritually. We are week but HE is strong! We need to be prepared for eternity. Have we ask Jesus into our live as Lord and Savior? If you haven't......then you are not prepared!
Learn form the ant and be prepared!
Tom
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Wow does this sound familiar?
I was reading this proverb this morning and it never ceases to amaze me how alive God's Word is for today!
Proverbs 30:11-14
11 There is a generation that curses its father,
And does not bless its mother.
12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
13 There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,
And whose fangs are like knives,
To devour the poor from off the earth,
And the needy from among men.
There has never been a time in America in which young folks are more disrespectful to their parents. Now don't get me wrong I am not saying all youth but much more than in my youth! It floors me to see how some youth talk to their parents! Is this the generation this proverb is talking about? As verse 12 states we live in a time where everything is ok. We are pure in our own eyes. We do not care what God's Word says..as long as everyone else is doing it it is ok!!! Many claim to be Christians but if we are not washed by the blood of Christ we are not cleansed from our filthiness. Verse 13 continues on to say how great we are in our own eyes. We think we have all the answers to all questions, but without Jesus we are dumb and know nothing. Then verse 14 speaks to our cut-throat society. We are all about self. Don't get in our way because we will trample over you. We are not worried about the less fortunate. God is clear in His Word that he desires us to be humble not proud. God wants us to help those less fortunate than us and we had better not think we are better than anyone!!!
Wow do these verses sound familiar this morning. Pray for this nation of ours...that we would have a revival.....a turn back to God!
Tom
Proverbs 30:11-14
11 There is a generation that curses its father,
And does not bless its mother.
12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
13 There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,
And whose fangs are like knives,
To devour the poor from off the earth,
And the needy from among men.
There has never been a time in America in which young folks are more disrespectful to their parents. Now don't get me wrong I am not saying all youth but much more than in my youth! It floors me to see how some youth talk to their parents! Is this the generation this proverb is talking about? As verse 12 states we live in a time where everything is ok. We are pure in our own eyes. We do not care what God's Word says..as long as everyone else is doing it it is ok!!! Many claim to be Christians but if we are not washed by the blood of Christ we are not cleansed from our filthiness. Verse 13 continues on to say how great we are in our own eyes. We think we have all the answers to all questions, but without Jesus we are dumb and know nothing. Then verse 14 speaks to our cut-throat society. We are all about self. Don't get in our way because we will trample over you. We are not worried about the less fortunate. God is clear in His Word that he desires us to be humble not proud. God wants us to help those less fortunate than us and we had better not think we are better than anyone!!!
Wow do these verses sound familiar this morning. Pray for this nation of ours...that we would have a revival.....a turn back to God!
Tom
Monday, February 21, 2011
God's Word...don't add to it!
Read carefully:
Proverbs 30:5-6
5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
These are some awesome Words from the Bible this morning. First we see God's Word is pure. There is nothing more pure than God's Word as it comes straight from Him...the truth!!! When we listen to His Word and put our trust in Jesus we have a shield or a protection from God that nothing can penetrate for eternity...wow stop and think about that for a while! Then God goes on to tell us to handle His Word very carefully. Do not add to what God's Word says...His Word is very clear in it's meaning and we don't want to teach others something that His Word does not say! For those who teach God's Word you need to pay close attention to this as we will be held accountable for this! I sure don't want to stand before Him one day to be told I was a liar and be rebuked!
God's Word has spoken this morning...let us take it to heart!
Tom
Proverbs 30:5-6
5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
These are some awesome Words from the Bible this morning. First we see God's Word is pure. There is nothing more pure than God's Word as it comes straight from Him...the truth!!! When we listen to His Word and put our trust in Jesus we have a shield or a protection from God that nothing can penetrate for eternity...wow stop and think about that for a while! Then God goes on to tell us to handle His Word very carefully. Do not add to what God's Word says...His Word is very clear in it's meaning and we don't want to teach others something that His Word does not say! For those who teach God's Word you need to pay close attention to this as we will be held accountable for this! I sure don't want to stand before Him one day to be told I was a liar and be rebuked!
God's Word has spoken this morning...let us take it to heart!
Tom
Friday, February 18, 2011
Oh Lord its hard to be humble!
Do you remember that old song titled " Oh Lord its hard to be humble"??? The next verse in that song went on to say "when I am perfect in every way, I can't wait to look in the mirror cause I get better lookin each day." Now I am fairly certain most of us are not this vain but if we look closely we may tend to have a little more pride than we ought to have!
Look what God have to say about pride:
Proverbs 29:23
23 A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
God makes it clear that if we are full of pride it will bring us down. One thing we must all remember is that we all were created equal. No one is better than anyone else. If we can keep that thought in the forefront of our minds it will help us to remain humble. Another thing God tells us is to love others. If we can love others as we love ourselves that will also keep us humble. The promise God gives us in this proverb is worth remembering...if we remain humble in spirit we will retain our honor!
Have a great weekend and be humble!!
Tom
Look what God have to say about pride:
Proverbs 29:23
23 A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
God makes it clear that if we are full of pride it will bring us down. One thing we must all remember is that we all were created equal. No one is better than anyone else. If we can keep that thought in the forefront of our minds it will help us to remain humble. Another thing God tells us is to love others. If we can love others as we love ourselves that will also keep us humble. The promise God gives us in this proverb is worth remembering...if we remain humble in spirit we will retain our honor!
Have a great weekend and be humble!!
Tom
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Spread God's Word!
Read this verse:
Proverbs 29:18
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.
As the world tries it's best to keep the Word of God from being spread we can see what the results are. Read your papers, watch the news, and just watch people's behaviors in general and it easy to see what happens when folks don't hear and obey the Word of God. As this verse above tells us "people cast of restraint". This is exactly what we see in our society today. Because the Word of God and prayer had basically been taken out of the lives of people (for example being taken out of school) our society is a total disaster. Things God tells us is wrong, our society is doing and think it is great and acceptable to all. My oh my how wrong we are! On the other hand look at what this proverb says, we are happy when we keep the law. When we obey God's Word that is when true happiness comes!
So are you spreading the Word of God or have you fallen victim to the devils lies and are keeping the Word to your self?
Tom
Proverbs 29:18
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.
As the world tries it's best to keep the Word of God from being spread we can see what the results are. Read your papers, watch the news, and just watch people's behaviors in general and it easy to see what happens when folks don't hear and obey the Word of God. As this verse above tells us "people cast of restraint". This is exactly what we see in our society today. Because the Word of God and prayer had basically been taken out of the lives of people (for example being taken out of school) our society is a total disaster. Things God tells us is wrong, our society is doing and think it is great and acceptable to all. My oh my how wrong we are! On the other hand look at what this proverb says, we are happy when we keep the law. When we obey God's Word that is when true happiness comes!
So are you spreading the Word of God or have you fallen victim to the devils lies and are keeping the Word to your self?
Tom
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Self control
Word's from the Lord to take to heart this morning.
Proverbs 29:11
11 A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.
It has taken me many years to have self-control. To be honest even now some days are better than others. I want us all to think very hard about this verse this morning and what God is telling us. When situations arise day to day how do we handle our feelings? Are able to practice self-control and as this verse says "be wise" and control ourselves? Or do we just fly off the handle and let loose all our feelings? God says if we do this we are a fool!
God's Word makes it very clear we are to be under control and if we are not folks are to stay away from us, look at these verses:
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
When we look at these verses it is pretty clear we are in the last days doesn't it? Jesus was a man of self control and as followers of Christ He expects the same from us.
So what about it my friends....do you have self control? You can through the strength of Christ!
Tom
Proverbs 29:11
11 A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.
It has taken me many years to have self-control. To be honest even now some days are better than others. I want us all to think very hard about this verse this morning and what God is telling us. When situations arise day to day how do we handle our feelings? Are able to practice self-control and as this verse says "be wise" and control ourselves? Or do we just fly off the handle and let loose all our feelings? God says if we do this we are a fool!
God's Word makes it very clear we are to be under control and if we are not folks are to stay away from us, look at these verses:
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
When we look at these verses it is pretty clear we are in the last days doesn't it? Jesus was a man of self control and as followers of Christ He expects the same from us.
So what about it my friends....do you have self control? You can through the strength of Christ!
Tom
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Made me think of my Jesus.
When I read this verse this morning, my mind automatically thought of Jesus when He was ministering here on this earth of ours. Check out this verse:
Proverbs 29:10
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
But the upright seek his well-being.
How many times did the religious leaders and Jews of Jesus day seek His life? There is only One who we can truly say is blameless and that is Jesus. Look at these verses:
John 10:25-33
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
Wow when I read this it seems unbelievable but we have folks who do the same to Jesus today spiritually. On the other hand we have those who stand firm for our Lord like the Apostle Paul. Always standing up for Jesus even unto death!
Acts 14:19-20
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Why was Paul stoned? For standing up for the upright...Jesus Christ!
So this morning we need to ask ourselves....are we standing for The Blameless? Are we standing for Jesus?
Tom
Proverbs 29:10
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
But the upright seek his well-being.
How many times did the religious leaders and Jews of Jesus day seek His life? There is only One who we can truly say is blameless and that is Jesus. Look at these verses:
John 10:25-33
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
Wow when I read this it seems unbelievable but we have folks who do the same to Jesus today spiritually. On the other hand we have those who stand firm for our Lord like the Apostle Paul. Always standing up for Jesus even unto death!
Acts 14:19-20
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Why was Paul stoned? For standing up for the upright...Jesus Christ!
So this morning we need to ask ourselves....are we standing for The Blameless? Are we standing for Jesus?
Tom
Monday, February 14, 2011
Who is in authority?
Read this verses:
Proverbs 29:2
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
Have you ever noticed in a job situation how much difference a boss makes? When you have a boss who is fair and treats you right the job you have always seems to be so much easier. On the other hand if you have a boss who could care less about anyone and does not treat you fairly the job is always more difficult. I thank God this morning for those I have had as bosses who have treated me right. Now I try to look forward to a time when Jesus will be the One in authority in heaven. One day soon those who have trusted in Christ will serve Him forever, and talk about a good boss!!! Ever had a boos who gave His life for you???? Me either! For those who don't accept Christ they will be serving a boss in hell....and the groaning will be in anguish for eternity. I am not sure we will ever have a righteous leader for our Nation but I do know we have Righteous God whom we can serve with our lives!!!
So who is your boss this morning???
Tom
Proverbs 29:2
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
Have you ever noticed in a job situation how much difference a boss makes? When you have a boss who is fair and treats you right the job you have always seems to be so much easier. On the other hand if you have a boss who could care less about anyone and does not treat you fairly the job is always more difficult. I thank God this morning for those I have had as bosses who have treated me right. Now I try to look forward to a time when Jesus will be the One in authority in heaven. One day soon those who have trusted in Christ will serve Him forever, and talk about a good boss!!! Ever had a boos who gave His life for you???? Me either! For those who don't accept Christ they will be serving a boss in hell....and the groaning will be in anguish for eternity. I am not sure we will ever have a righteous leader for our Nation but I do know we have Righteous God whom we can serve with our lives!!!
So who is your boss this morning???
Tom
Friday, February 11, 2011
Don't trust your own mind!
Great verse to head into the weekend thinking about:
Proverbs 28:26
26Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Ever noticed we are not as smart as we think we are? How many decisions in life were your sure of the answer to only find out over time you made a dumb decision. I have found out the hard way that when ever I do not consult the ONE who invented wisdom on any decision I tend to be wrong. This verse tells us when we trust our own mind we are fools! These verses help us see this more clearly:
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
The second part of proverbs 28:26 tells us to walk in wisdom and we get that wisdom from God. We will always be delivered when we are following God's wisdom and not our own weak minds!
So this morning who's mind are you trusting? The mind of God or yours?
Tom
Proverbs 28:26
26Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Ever noticed we are not as smart as we think we are? How many decisions in life were your sure of the answer to only find out over time you made a dumb decision. I have found out the hard way that when ever I do not consult the ONE who invented wisdom on any decision I tend to be wrong. This verse tells us when we trust our own mind we are fools! These verses help us see this more clearly:
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
The second part of proverbs 28:26 tells us to walk in wisdom and we get that wisdom from God. We will always be delivered when we are following God's wisdom and not our own weak minds!
So this morning who's mind are you trusting? The mind of God or yours?
Tom
Thursday, February 10, 2011
This may hurt!
Read these verses:
Proverbs 28:23
23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
When I read this verse the thought that came to mind was this. Doing the work of the Lord can be very difficult at times. When we tell folks they are doing wrong according to God's Word many times it hurts the person we are telling. We must rebuke in love but even so many times they will get hurt and angry with us. Often though after the one who was rebuked has time to think and pray about what was said in love they will come back and thank you for being a friend who cares and who was obedient to God's leading. Thus you have found favor with them. Now there are some who just smile and laugh at the sin in peoples life. Flattering them with their tongue but in the end they have done the sinner wrong because they have allowed them to stray form the Word of God.
Being faithful to God can be very rewarding but it also can hurt but we must be faithful to Him at all costs!
Tom
Proverbs 28:23
23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
When I read this verse the thought that came to mind was this. Doing the work of the Lord can be very difficult at times. When we tell folks they are doing wrong according to God's Word many times it hurts the person we are telling. We must rebuke in love but even so many times they will get hurt and angry with us. Often though after the one who was rebuked has time to think and pray about what was said in love they will come back and thank you for being a friend who cares and who was obedient to God's leading. Thus you have found favor with them. Now there are some who just smile and laugh at the sin in peoples life. Flattering them with their tongue but in the end they have done the sinner wrong because they have allowed them to stray form the Word of God.
Being faithful to God can be very rewarding but it also can hurt but we must be faithful to Him at all costs!
Tom
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
How can I be happy?
Proverbs 28:14
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
First let us define reverent: a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe;
So how do we find happiness? It all boils down to our attitude toward God. When we have God in the proper place in our life, which is number one on our list, we will be happy. How can I say that? Won't we still have problems? Yes we will but when our lives are so in tune with God and our eyes are on heaven our problems will be insignificant. When I look at the problems in my life and then I see what God has done for me in sending His Son to die on the cross for my sins it automatically brings me to happiness and I praise my awesome God! Now on the other hand if we turn from God and not not hold him in the proper place out hearts become hard and our problems seem much worse because we do not have the peace that only God can give.
So are you happy? You can be if your trust is in Christ!
Tom
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
First let us define reverent: a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe;
So how do we find happiness? It all boils down to our attitude toward God. When we have God in the proper place in our life, which is number one on our list, we will be happy. How can I say that? Won't we still have problems? Yes we will but when our lives are so in tune with God and our eyes are on heaven our problems will be insignificant. When I look at the problems in my life and then I see what God has done for me in sending His Son to die on the cross for my sins it automatically brings me to happiness and I praise my awesome God! Now on the other hand if we turn from God and not not hold him in the proper place out hearts become hard and our problems seem much worse because we do not have the peace that only God can give.
So are you happy? You can be if your trust is in Christ!
Tom
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Confess!!!
A straight forward, practical verse from God's Word this morning.
Proverbs 28:13
13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Why is sin so hard to confess? Is it shame, is it pride, is it we like the sin or what? God makes it clear that if we try to cover our sin and choose not to confess it we will have problems. Many years ago a friend explained it to me like this: For a christian when we sin it is like placing the first brick in a wall between you and God. The more you sin and don't confess it the more bricks you put in the wall between you and God. Soon you have a wall between you and God and your relationship suffers because of it. BUT if you confess your sin to God, the wall is knocked down and your relationship is back to where it needs to be...fresh! Look at this verse:
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
That pretty well says what the little story says that i just told doesn't it? I am so thankful for the mercy God gives us as told in proverbs 28:13. So this morning we may need to spend some time on our faces before God getting ourselves confessed up before the Almighty God. He desires humble people and when we confess our sins to Him, it is a sure sign of humility in our lives!
Tom
Proverbs 28:13
13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Why is sin so hard to confess? Is it shame, is it pride, is it we like the sin or what? God makes it clear that if we try to cover our sin and choose not to confess it we will have problems. Many years ago a friend explained it to me like this: For a christian when we sin it is like placing the first brick in a wall between you and God. The more you sin and don't confess it the more bricks you put in the wall between you and God. Soon you have a wall between you and God and your relationship suffers because of it. BUT if you confess your sin to God, the wall is knocked down and your relationship is back to where it needs to be...fresh! Look at this verse:
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
That pretty well says what the little story says that i just told doesn't it? I am so thankful for the mercy God gives us as told in proverbs 28:13. So this morning we may need to spend some time on our faces before God getting ourselves confessed up before the Almighty God. He desires humble people and when we confess our sins to Him, it is a sure sign of humility in our lives!
Tom
Monday, February 7, 2011
Better be in God's Word!
Great verse to remind us how important God's Word is to us!
Proverbs 28:9
9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
There are two ways one can turn his ear away from the (law) God's Word. The first is the most obvious. Intentionally staying away from the Bible because you do not believe the Bible is God's Word. So that person has no desire to follow God in the first place. You would be surprised though at how many will still lift their petitions to God but He is not listening to anything from them until they cry out for salvation. The second way folks turn away from hearing God's word is less obvious but is happening quit often. This is when those who call themselves Christians but they do not read their Bibles and thus have very little knowledge at what God's Word says. Sadly the church has many of these folks who fill the pews. When we are not reading God's Word we are turning our ear from the hearing of the law! We are missing out on the main way God speaks to us! Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and the whole thing is about the importance of God's Word....coincidence? I think not. I believe without reservation if we don't have enough time or feel it is important enough to read and study God's Word than God doesn't feel our prayers to Him are important either. Reread this verse! What do you think?
This devotion should give you something to think about on this Monday! God bless and pick up that Bible!
Tom
Proverbs 28:9
9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
There are two ways one can turn his ear away from the (law) God's Word. The first is the most obvious. Intentionally staying away from the Bible because you do not believe the Bible is God's Word. So that person has no desire to follow God in the first place. You would be surprised though at how many will still lift their petitions to God but He is not listening to anything from them until they cry out for salvation. The second way folks turn away from hearing God's word is less obvious but is happening quit often. This is when those who call themselves Christians but they do not read their Bibles and thus have very little knowledge at what God's Word says. Sadly the church has many of these folks who fill the pews. When we are not reading God's Word we are turning our ear from the hearing of the law! We are missing out on the main way God speaks to us! Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and the whole thing is about the importance of God's Word....coincidence? I think not. I believe without reservation if we don't have enough time or feel it is important enough to read and study God's Word than God doesn't feel our prayers to Him are important either. Reread this verse! What do you think?
This devotion should give you something to think about on this Monday! God bless and pick up that Bible!
Tom
Friday, February 4, 2011
Understanding justice.
May God speak to our hearts this morning.
Proverbs 28:5
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all.
To really understand this verse we need to make sure we understand the meaning of justice...so here is the definition from the dictionary:
jus·tice
1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness
It becomes very obvious that evil men do not understand justice when we know the meaning. Evil men are not just. They have no righteousness in them. Equitableness can be defined as fairness. Evil folks are not concerned with being fair. Of course if they have thrown all these other qualities to the side we know evil people have no moral rightness.
Now on the other hand before we get to feeling to good about ourselves we are are followers of Christ, let me remind you we are all evil until we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We do not become just, righteous, fair, and moral by our own doing, it is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When we seek the Lord with all our hearts, mind, body and strength we understand justice.
So do you understand justice this morning? If you are seeking God you can!
Tom
Proverbs 28:5
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all.
To really understand this verse we need to make sure we understand the meaning of justice...so here is the definition from the dictionary:
jus·tice
1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness
It becomes very obvious that evil men do not understand justice when we know the meaning. Evil men are not just. They have no righteousness in them. Equitableness can be defined as fairness. Evil folks are not concerned with being fair. Of course if they have thrown all these other qualities to the side we know evil people have no moral rightness.
Now on the other hand before we get to feeling to good about ourselves we are are followers of Christ, let me remind you we are all evil until we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We do not become just, righteous, fair, and moral by our own doing, it is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When we seek the Lord with all our hearts, mind, body and strength we understand justice.
So do you understand justice this morning? If you are seeking God you can!
Tom
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Are you a Lion?
Please read the verse below:
Proverbs 28:1
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
When one is wicked they must always be looking behind their back for those who are seeking revenge. So in a sense they are always running and scared even if at the time no one pursues them. However when one is in the Lord and made righteous by shed blood of Jesus Christ they have no one to fear. He can stand strong in the arms of Christ no matter what life may bring.
God tells us what he brings into our life in this verse:
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Fear is not of God but of the devil. Through the Holy Spirit God has given us power to stand strong, love to care for others, and a sound mind to make good decisions that HE will be pleased with! Praise God this morning!!!
So this morning are you a Lion in Christ or a mouse in the devil?
Tom
Proverbs 28:1
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
When one is wicked they must always be looking behind their back for those who are seeking revenge. So in a sense they are always running and scared even if at the time no one pursues them. However when one is in the Lord and made righteous by shed blood of Jesus Christ they have no one to fear. He can stand strong in the arms of Christ no matter what life may bring.
God tells us what he brings into our life in this verse:
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Fear is not of God but of the devil. Through the Holy Spirit God has given us power to stand strong, love to care for others, and a sound mind to make good decisions that HE will be pleased with! Praise God this morning!!!
So this morning are you a Lion in Christ or a mouse in the devil?
Tom
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Ministry!
Great verse for the people of God this morning.
Proverbs 27:23
23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,
And attend to your herds;
We all know that our pastors, deacons, elders, ministers, ect., are to minister to the church. BUT what I want us to see this morning us is that it is not just their job! My Pastor Mark Warren reminds us often that we are all ministers of God if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ. Have you ever wondered why pastors get burnt out? Many times it is because the church puts all the burden of the flock on their shoulders. That is not biblical. While the pastor and leaders do have responsibilities in taking care of the flock, it is the entire churches responsibility to know our brothers and sisters in Christ and to take care of them. The pastor is to train us to do this. So this morning do you know your brothers and sisters in your church and where needs are? Are you helping in meeting those needs? You are a part of the body of Christ and if one part of the body suffers we all suffer and on the other hand if one part of the body is rejoicing we all should be rejoicing!
Take some time to think on this this morning and then act accordingly!
Tom
Proverbs 27:23
23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,
And attend to your herds;
We all know that our pastors, deacons, elders, ministers, ect., are to minister to the church. BUT what I want us to see this morning us is that it is not just their job! My Pastor Mark Warren reminds us often that we are all ministers of God if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ. Have you ever wondered why pastors get burnt out? Many times it is because the church puts all the burden of the flock on their shoulders. That is not biblical. While the pastor and leaders do have responsibilities in taking care of the flock, it is the entire churches responsibility to know our brothers and sisters in Christ and to take care of them. The pastor is to train us to do this. So this morning do you know your brothers and sisters in your church and where needs are? Are you helping in meeting those needs? You are a part of the body of Christ and if one part of the body suffers we all suffer and on the other hand if one part of the body is rejoicing we all should be rejoicing!
Take some time to think on this this morning and then act accordingly!
Tom
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Where do you find satisfaction?
God's Word is tough some times. I am glad God loves us enough to warn us of where we may go astray! Here is today's verse:
Proverbs 27:20
20 Hell and Destruction are never full;
So the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Hell has plenty of room. Destruction always wants more of us to fall to him as prey. We choose to fall into the hands of Hell and Destruction! Why? Because our eyes are never satisfied. We want more and more and more. Just look around your house. How much do you have that you don't really need? We fall into adultery because of our fleshly lusts. We get ourselves into massive debt problems because we buy what we can't afford and the list goes on and on. Look what Paul said:
Philippians 4:11
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
Why was Paul content in every situation because his faith was placed in Jesus!
In life only One will completely satisfy and that is Jesus Christ. We have a void in our life that can only be filled by Him. He also offers a free gift...eternity in heaven! All we have to do is give our hearts and lives to Him.
Do you want satisfaction this morning...it is only found in Christ!
Tom
Proverbs 27:20
20 Hell and Destruction are never full;
So the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Hell has plenty of room. Destruction always wants more of us to fall to him as prey. We choose to fall into the hands of Hell and Destruction! Why? Because our eyes are never satisfied. We want more and more and more. Just look around your house. How much do you have that you don't really need? We fall into adultery because of our fleshly lusts. We get ourselves into massive debt problems because we buy what we can't afford and the list goes on and on. Look what Paul said:
Philippians 4:11
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
Why was Paul content in every situation because his faith was placed in Jesus!
In life only One will completely satisfy and that is Jesus Christ. We have a void in our life that can only be filled by Him. He also offers a free gift...eternity in heaven! All we have to do is give our hearts and lives to Him.
Do you want satisfaction this morning...it is only found in Christ!
Tom
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