Who is able? Only Jesus!

 “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭

Thank you Jesus for keeping from stumbling, presenting us faultless, and giving us exceeding joy by the power you gave us through the power of the Holy Spirt and your death, burial, and resurrection on our behalf!!! Oh how you love us!

Tom

Help them!

 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬ ‭

Sadly many will talk about a persons struggle instead of helping a person who is struggling. Here we are told to try and restore the sinner gently. Sometimes the person will take the help sometimes they will not. Our job is to try…the rest is up to God. Then we are warned to be careful of think we are above being overtaken by sin ourselves because we can be!!!

Tom

Redeeming the time.

 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬ 

Outside here is referring to those outside of faith in Christ. When we walk wisely we treat them with love and share the love of God with them by telling them what Jesus has done for them. We only have so much time so we must not waste it!!!

Tom

Judge self

 “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭5‬ ‭

In Thomas Kempis book “ The Imitation of Christ “ he writes “In judging and examining himself, he always labors fruitfully.”

May we always look at ourselves and judge according to the Word of God. There will always be work to be done!

Tom

Escape

 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭

Remember followers of Jesus, in God’s great love for us he provides a way of escape from sin. Flee from it and bring glory to God!!! Others have escaped and do can you with the power of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, the ones who are not in Christ have no way of escape as they of the world!!! Come to Jesus and escape sin today!

Tom

Mind own business!

 “Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭131‬:‭1‬ ‭

I have been reading a book called “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas Kempis.It is a classic and I highly recommend it. It is easy to read and speaks many biblical truths to you. Here is a quote from it using the above verse for reference:

“We would enjoy much peace if we did not occupy our selves with the words and activities of others, and with things that are of no concern to us.”

All I can say to that is AMEN!

Tom

Prepared his heart

 “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it,”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬a

Chew on this today. We have to make choices everyday. Some choices are more important than others. Ezra had to make a choice…prepare his heart, get into God’s word, and then do what it says. He chose to do it because it is of utmost importance. Everyday!

Now what are you going to chose to do…prepare your heart for God’s word and obey it or not?

Tom

What do you glory in?

 “Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭

God says not to glory in your own:

1. Wisdom

2. Might

3. Riches

God says you are to glory in:

1. Understanding and knowing God

2.He is Lord

3. That the Lord exercises to us loving kindness, judgement, and righteousness which He delights in.

So let me ask again…what do you glory in? Be honest and if you need to make some changes repent and ask God to help you do so!

Tom

In YOU!

 “In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31‬:‭1‬

In YOU LORD….I will 

1. Put my trust

2.Never be ashamed 

Why?

Because….

1.You love me

2. You have delivered me in your righteousness(Jesus)!

Thank you Lord! I love you.

Tom

Psalm 117

 “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭117‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ 

This is the whole psalm. Two verses. Read and obey. 

1. Praise the Lord!

2.Laud Him! Laud means high praise especially in public. Don’t be ashamed of your Savior!!!

3. His merciful kindness is great! Yes, yes, yes!!!

4.Truth of the Lord is His Word….lives forever! Read it, learn it, study it, obey it!!!

5. Then praise the Lord some more!!! 

Tom

Music Friday-Ben Fuller-Turn

 https://youtu.be/FHwYCV1k2hI?si=v7x9D73m-4lL2oc3

What you looking at?

 “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭

All you see with your eyes is temporary. All you see with your spiritual eyes is eternal. What are you focused on? The wise will focus on what is eternal not what will be gone as soon as death comes!

Tom

Wise in own opinion

 “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭16‬ ‭

Several good teachings in the verse from God’s word.

1. Be of same mind…the mind of Christ is to be our goal with the brothers and sisters of the faith.

2. High things…the big shot crowd is not where you are to set your mind but with humble people of the Lord.

3. Don’t be wise…as far as thinking you are better than others but be humble.

May we all check ourselves in these areas as the Word of God teaches!

Tom

Are we listening?

 ““But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭

These are the words of Jesus!!! We had better do what we are told no matter how difficult it is. 

Chew on that and do it today!

Tom

Music Friday-Found it in Jesus

 https://youtu.be/HWzsYQqgdYc?si=i-Ysz0HOLJt5xk8j

Never take for granted.

 “for I delight in your commands because I love them.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭47‬ ‭

I was reading a story this morning about people in communist countries who can not get a Bible. They desire God’s Word but have no way to read it! May we who have it, never take it for granted and read it everyday. Pray for those to get God’s word so they may learn it and follow Jesus faithfully!

Tom