"The Best Choice"

"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar".  Genesis 13:10

Abraham and Lot traveled together.  One day there arose strife between their herdsmen because there was not enough room in the land for both of their flocks-- there were so many.  In order to keep down the strife they decided to part ways.  Abraham gave Lot the first choice of the land where he would like to go.  Our verse said he beheld the plain of Jordan.  So that is where he went.

Lot decided to go there because the land was well watered everywhere.  It was like the garden of the Lord.  It was luscious and green like the fertile land of Egypt.  Lot chose it because it looked perfect.

Human nature tends to make choices based on our senses.  We like to choose the most beautiful, the most handsome, the biggest, the most talented, the most expensive, the richest, the most popular, the finest, the best there is, the most comfortable, the easiest, etc.  But that doesn't always mean it is what is best for us.  It looked perfect to Lot, but it almost destroyed him.  What was appealing to his eyes took him closer and closer to Sodom and finally into Sodom.  Had it not been for the mercy, grace and goodness of God to deliver him, he would have been destroyed with the rest of the inhabitants.  But in the meantime, before he was delivered, he was vexed in soul daily there.

How do you make your decisions and choices?  Are they based on appearance?  Are they based on what looks good, seems good or feels good?  Not everything that glitters is gold, and not everything that looks good actually is.  Not everything that appears to be crystal is, sometimes it is plastic.  The safest and best choices are the ones we allow the Lord to make for us.  There is a way that seems right unto a man, but it ends in death.  This is why we are to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways and let Him direct our paths.  When He directs us, we can rest assured that it is truly the best for us, whether it looks like it is or not.

Have a great day.  Just because it looks like the best choice doesn't mean it is.   
Scripture references:  Proverbs 14:12; 16:25; 3:5,6; 2 Peter 2:7,8
 

"Proud Or Humble?"

"For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks".  Psalm 18:27

This verse talks about two different kinds of people and God's dealing with each of them.  They are the humble and the proud.  The Greek word here for afflicted means:  poor, afflicted, humble, lowly.  The high looks translates to those who are lofty and exalts themselves.

This comparison of these two different people does not necessarily mean in the way they deal with and treat others.  This isn't just about your attitude toward mankind.  These have more to do with your attitude toward the Lord. 

Which one of these people are you?  Are you a humble person when it comes to the Lord?  Have you and are you submitting yourself to His authority and Lordship over your life daily?  Are you seeking Him for His guidance and direction?  Or are you proud and boastful with a "can do" attitude?  One that says, "I can do it.  I know how.  I don't need God to handle this.  I can handle it by myself".  Do you give Him the credit for what is accomplished in your life and through your life?  Or do you take the credit for yourself?  Are you proud of what your own hands have done?  Are you humbling yourself before the mighty hand of God?  Are you walking in the fear of the Lord?  Or are you doing your own thing, going your own way with no regard given to the Lord? 

There are rewards for the humble and consequences for the proud:
"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit". (Proverbs 29:23)
"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted".  (Matthew 23:12)
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble". (James 4:6)
"...God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time". (1 Peter 5:5b,6)
"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom".  (Proverbs 11:2)"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud". (Proverbs 16:18,19)

Have a great day.  There are rewards for the humble and consequences for the proud.  Which one are you?  And which reward will you receive?

"The Lily Of The Valley"

"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys".  Song of Solomon 2:1

This morning's devotional is going to be a little different.  I woke up with an old hymn repeating over and over in my thoughts.  As I sang it and listened to the words a little more intently, it really ministered to me.  I want to share the words of the song with you this morning.  As you read them, and perhaps hear them in your own thoughts and heart, I believe the Lord will use them to bless you as well.  The song is full of so many wonderful truths, hope, encouragement, peace and faith.

"The Lily Of The Valley"

1) I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll.

2) He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.

3) He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll.

Refrain:
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. 

"Falling Off The Wagon"

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand".  Psalms 37:24

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Fall off the wagon"?  It is used to describe someone who resumes an addictive/compulsive behavior that they are trying to control.   Originally it referred only to drinking, but is now used in reference to all sorts of things including drugs, smoking, overeating, etc.  It is possible for Christians to "fall of the wagon", so to speak.  We can go back to an old habit or an old sin we were delivered from if we aren't careful.  How does this happen? 

It happens for several reasons.  We may "look" at something longer than we should.  Like David looked at Bathsheba on the roof top instead of turning away and going back into the house.  The lust of his eyes overcame him.  It can happen if we are thinking about that thing for too long.  Where the "mind goes", the "man follows".  We have to keep our mind renewed in God's Word and think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report. (Philippians 4:8) It can happen if we aren't mortifying our flesh and dying to it daily by submitting to the Lord instead of self.  It can also happen if we refuse to take the way of escape that God provides for us in every temptation.  God always opens a door for us to escape through.  If we don't go through it, we will fall.

Having established the fact that it is possible for a Christian to fall, how it can happen and what we have to do to avoid it, let's move on to what we can do if we do "fall".  The first thing we want to do is condemn ourselves and beat ourselves up about it-- the devil helps us out there too.  But I want you to know there is hope.  It is called mercy and grace.  If we fall, we can get up like the prodigal and go to Father God asking for forgiveness-- He will not turn us away.  We can confess our sins to Him-- He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  We can look to our Good Shepherd and ask for forgiveness for not following Him but going our own way-- He will restore our souls. 

Is this where you are today?  Have you fallen?  Have you returned to some sin you were once delivered from?  Are you following your own sinful desires having left off following the Lord?  Get up from where you have fallen and go to Him.  You will find His grace and mercy is there waiting to pick you up and set you back "on the wagon".

Have a great day.  If we "fall off the wagon", the Lord will pick us up and put us back on it if we will go to Him. 
 

"Did You Ask?"

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus".  Philippians 4:19

As soon as my eyes opened this morning, I begin to ask the Lord for help to get up, for Him to watch over my time, for Him to give me strength, for Him to give me a word for this devotional, etc.  I thought to myself-- people sure are "needy".  Our needs range from everything to help getting up on time in the morning to comforting us when we are in grief.  We have physical, emotional, material and spiritual needs.  Some of the needs we have are small.  Some are earth shaking.  Some are for ourselves.  Some are for others in our lives.  Some needs aren't really needs while others are most definitely a need of great importance.

I already know some of the needs I have today before the day even gets started.  I need God's help in every area of my life.  I need protection in travel.  I need wisdom and guidance.  I need His touch on the lives of those who have asked me to pray for them.  I need daily provisions-- food, clothing and shelter.  I need grace.  I need strength.  I need His presence.  And the list goes on.

We have a promise that He will meet and supply all our needs.  He didn't say He would always supply our wants or our fleshly desires.  Some needs He automatically supplies without us asking-- like air to breath.  But for the most part, He supplies our needs as we ask.  "Ye have not, because ye ask not". (James 4:2b)

Do you have a need this morning?  Is there something you need an answer to?  Have you asked God to supply it?  Have you talked about it to other people but not to Him?  Have you assumed He will automatically meet the need without you asking or petitioning Him for it?  He knows what you need-- even before you ask it; even before you know you have the need.  He desires to meet your need.  But often He is waiting until you ask.  So, ask that you might receive. 

Have a great day.  God will meet and supply all your need, but you should ask Him to do it.