"Emotions"

"Emotions"

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

I was talking with someone on the phone yesterday and when we hung up, I felt like I wanted to cry. The person didn't say anything mean to me, but what they said and the attitude in which they said it triggered something in me that was hurt. I knew that these feelings I was having was something I shouldn't entertain so I immediately went to prayer. What I was feeling was "self pity" so I needed to take authority over it so that it not "take over" me and cause me to act that day in a way that would be un-Christ like. So I went to prayer. I started praying against what I was feeling- binding and loosening everything I could think of, committing it to God, putting on the armor and capturing my thoughts. I then got victory and was able to move on.

The whole reason why I shared this is because before I got up from prayer the Lord spoke a word to me. I want to share it with you. He said, "Don't let your thoughts manipulate your emotions". The dictionary defines manipulate as: to manage or influence skillfully; to negotiate, control, or influence. What I was feeling was the emotion of self pity. What happened was when I heard what the other person was saying, my mind begin to conjure up some thoughts- why did they say that, why did they talk to me like that, what did I do wrong, I was only trying to help, etc. Those thoughts didn't just come to me, but they began to manipulate (influence- hoping to control) the way I felt.

Your thoughts are powerful. They do trigger your emotions. If you don't think so, why is it then when you think happy thoughts you start feeling joy and when you think sad thoughts you get sad, or when you think about how someone did you wrong you get angry. Your thoughts manipulated your emotions- the way you feel.

This is why the Bible has so much to say about our thoughts. They are powerful and they will manipulate the way you feel if you let them. When your thoughts lead to anger, self pity, fear, envy, anxiety, guilt, jealousy, etc. (these are all emotions), you need to capture those thoughts and cast them down. Refuse to entertain them. Don't allow them to stay. Renew your mind with God's word. Submit yourself to God. If you don't you will live on an emotional roller coaster.

Have a great day. "Don't let your thoughts manipulate your emotions."

For further reading:
Romans 12:2
Hebrews 4:12
Ephesians 6:10-17
2 Timothy 1:7

"Faith Walks"

"Faith Walks"

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

I read a quote recently by Dr. Tony Evans that really spoke to my heart. It said, "We are commanded to walk by faith, not talk by faith." What it spoke to me was that it is one thing to profess that we have faith and it is another to actually have it. Anyone can "talk" faith. It is easier to "say" something than it is to actually "do it". But true faith walks. It does something. It is an action, not just a profession.

For a Christian, faith is more than just what you say, but it is what you do. At the Last Supper Peter made a profession of faith, "Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples." (Matthew 26:35) But before the night was over we find Peter denying he even knew Jesus. "And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew." (Matthew 26:73,74)

Look at the life of Peter again. Remember when he and the disciples were in the boat and Jesus came walking on the water? Peter spoke up and said, "And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus." (Matthew 14:28,29) What Peter said- his "profession" of faith- was put to the test. His words were not the real evidence of his faith- his action was (he got out of the boat).

James puts it this way. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." (James 2:17,18) Again, anyone can "talk" faith, but the proof of real faith is in the "walk".

Have a great day. True faith walks... not just talks.

For further reading:
Matthew 14:25-32; chapter 26
Hebrews 10:22-24

"No Advantage"

"No Advantage"

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." 2 Corinthians 2:11

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us." How do we keep satan from getting the advantage over us? A couple of days ago we talked about being obedient in all things. "For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things." (2 Corinthians 2:9) We said that our obedience to God dethrones self and places Him as Lord of our lives, it is the proof of our faith, and the sign of our love for Him. It is also the way that we keep satan from getting an advantage over us.

All disobedience is sin. Sin is the open door to the devil and the avenue by which he gains access into our lives. Remember back in the Garden of Eden? Adam's sin gave satan access into the earth. Sin waits at the door to gain access into our lives. "If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." (Genesis 4:7) When we disobey, it gains access, therefore, so does satan. When he gains access, he doesn't come alone. He brings with him lies, guilt, condemnation, shame, bitterness, pride, fear, etc. If we listen to his accusations over our failure and fall into sin and begin to believe them, it weakens our faith. This is how he gains the advantage over us.

The best way to keep him from getting the advantage over us is through obedience. Obedience keeps the door shut and him out. It is possible to be obedient. God has given us all the weapons we need to resist the temptations, He has given us His Word, He has given us His Spirit, Jesus already defeated the devil, He won the victory over sin on our behalf and God gives us His grace so we can stand. Another way to keep satan from getting the advantage over us if we do sin, is through faith. That means go to God immediately, confess your sin and believe what God says about your forgiveness. When you believe what God says, you can't believe what satan says... therefore, he does not have any advantage over you.

Have a great day. Disobedience opens the door to sin which gives satan the advantage over us. But obedience keeps the door shut.

For further reading:
1 John 1:9; 3:8
Genesis 4:7
Ephesians 6:10-20
Colossians 2:15

"Having Your Way"

"Having Your Way"

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

These words were spoken by a man who had been shipwrecked three times, beaten with rods three times and left for dead, always in peril everywhere he went and was cast into prison. They weren't spoken by someone who lived a life of ease, got everything he wanted and enjoyed things always going his way. Yet did you notice his attitude? I am sure if he had had his way he would have rather not had to sit in a dark prison dungeon, or been beaten, or been mocked, or lived in peril, or gone through any of the hardships he went through.

The fact of life is: we don't always get what we want. Things don't always go the way we plan or hope. We don't always get our way about everything. As I just said, that's a fact of life, so that is not the issue. The issue is "attitude". What happens when you don't get your way? How do you handle it? What type of attitude do you exhibit? How do you respond in those times? Do you pout? Do you get angry? Do you curse? Do you throw things? Do you let everyone know it? Do you make life miserable for those around you? Do you look for ways to try to manipulate the situation until you get your way?

We all want our way- that is part of our selfish, self centered, fallen nature. But when we come to Christ and are born again we become a "new creation"- old things are passed away, all things become new. We now have a "new life"- the life of Christ. It is no longer I, but Christ living in me. Paul exhibited what that means. He was one who was used to getting his way, but when he met Christ things changed and it was no longer about him getting his way. Later he penned these words, "I have learned... to be content."

Having a Christ-like attitude doesn't just automatically happen, it comes through a process of yielding, surrendering and submitting to God, through letting His word govern our lives, through denying our flesh, through renewing our minds, through letting the Holy Spirit change us.

Again, let me repeat- you are not always going to get your way about everything. But when you don't what kind of attitude are you going exhibit? One that is selfish, focused only on what you want? Or one that is Christ-like and will glorify Him?

Have a great day. It isn't about whether you get what you want or not, it's about your attitude when you don't.

For further reading:
2 Corinthians 11:23-28; 5:17
Galatians 2:20
Colossians 3:3-10

"Obedient In All Things"

"Obedient In All Things"

"For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things." 2 Corinthians 2:9

Did you hear what this verse said? ("Whether ye be obedient in all things.") Do we strive to be obedient in "all" things- in "all" the commandments of the Lord? Or do we tend to "pick and choose" the ones we want to obey. Do we ignore and neglect the ones that we don't like and keep the ones that suit us? Let's face it, we don't always like to do what we are told to do, even if it is the Word of God that is telling us to do it.

For example, who really likes to forgive those who have hurt them? But we are commanded to do so. Do we like to obey the commands that tell us to "turn the other cheek" or "go the second mile"? Do we readily obey the commands to "love our enemies" and "bless those who curse us"? What about the giving of our tithes? Do we give them without question when the bills are more than the income? Do we try to justify our disobedience and make excuses for it when it is something that we don't want to do?

Obedience doesn't always come easy. It often goes against our desires. Obedience to God's commands places God on the throne and dethrones flesh/self putting it under submission- and our flesh doesn't like that, it wants to rule. But even though it may not always be easy to do, our obedience is the proof of our faith and the sign of our love for the Lord. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:17) "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

Check your obedience level this morning. Do you obey the Lord in all things? Or do you pick and choose what you do and don't want to obey? Are there areas of obedience that you are struggling with? Are there times you hesitate and delay to obey? If so, don't try to justify disobedience, don't try to ignore the command, instead ask God to forgive you and then ask Him to give you the grace and strength that you need to obey.

Have a great day. Where is your obedience level at this morning?

For further reading:
1 Samuel 15:22
John 15:10
James 2:17-22
Matthew 5:39,43,44
Mark 11:25,26
Malachi 3:10

"Believe Who He Is"

"Believe Who He Is"

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6

The other morning the Lord spoke something to my heart that I want to share with you this morning. He said that we sing about how great He is and how nothing is impossible or too difficult for Him and we quote the verses that say the same, but when we come to Him we must believe that He is who He is and that He will answer.

There is a difference between a "head knowledge" and a "heart knowledge" of God. There is a difference in a mental belief and having a confidence that is deep rooted within your heart. The heart belief is unshaken when the storms of life come, when the day turns to darkness, when the seas roar and the threat of destruction is looming over you.

This heart knowledge of God is quiet different from that of the disciples when they were in the boat during the storm and were in fear of drowning. They woke Jesus up and He rebuked the storm and saved them from what they thought was sure death. Do you remember how they responded to Jesus' calming of the storm? "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:41) They didn't begin to rejoice and sing the "Hallelujah Chorus". They didn't fall on their knees and worship Him. They didn't even say, "Thank You, Jesus". They started talking among themselves wondering just who this man was and they marveled that He had stopped the storm.

The disciples had been with Jesus day in a day out. They had heard His teachings. They were abandoning all and following Him. But did they really believe He was who He was? "He that cometh to God must believe that He is". If so, why did they wonder who He was? "What manner of man is this?" When they called out to Jesus to save them, they were amazed that He did it and how He did it. Did they ask but not really believe He would answer? "He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

What about you? Do you have a head knowledge of God but not a heart knowledge? Do you just sing about His greatness but not really believe that He is great? Do you quote the verses but they haven't gotten into your heart and produced real faith? Do you really believe that He is who He says He is or are you still wondering if He really rewards those who diligently see Him? Jesus told His disciples that they were "faithless" but He didn't give up on them. He continually revealed Himself to them and their faith eventually came to the place where they had no doubt about who He was... so much so that they all willingly laid down their lives for Him because of their faith in who He was. We can come to that kind of faith also.

Have a great day. Do you really believe He is who He is?

For further reading:
Mark 4:35-41; 9:23-25; 7:6

"Breakfast Foods"

"Breakfast Foods"

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

Let's talk about breakfast a little this morning. Here in the United States we have a wide variety of breakfast foods to choose from: pop-tarts, cereal, biscuits, toast, bagels, pancakes, eggs, bacon, oatmeal, donuts, etc. A lot of people prefer to eat something that they can grab with one hand as they go out the door. Me personally, I am not a breakfast eater- I much prefer to eat later in the day. But when I do eat breakfast, I don't want just a bowl of cereal or a pastry, I want a "real" breakfast. Being from the South that means grits, eggs, sausage and homemade biscuits with fruit preserves. That's the kind of breakfast that sticks to your ribs and goes with you throughout the day.

Why did I bring this up? Too many Christians are trying to live on a "spiritual" diet of "cold pastries" and "cereal bars". What do I mean by that? They are trying to grow spiritually and go throughout the day on something that has no "spiritual nutritional" value to it.

The purpose for eating breakfast or any other meal is so that our bodies will receive nutrition and be physically strong. When we feed it the right things, it will be. When we feed it the wrong things, it won't. Likewise, the same thing happens when you feed your "spirit man". Feed it the right thing and it will grow and be strong. Feed it the wrong thing and it won't. And just because it comes packaged as "the Word of God" doesn't mean that it will give you "spiritual nutrition". There's lots on the grocer's shelves that comes labeled as "breakfast" foods but they only fill you up for the moment, they don't give you the nutrition that you need to be strong. So you have to be careful and "eat" the Word of God that is not watered down, compromised, and full of "fluff". You have to feed it more than a gospel that is focused on material things, blessings, a life of ease and self gratification. It takes feeding your spirit man on the rightly divided truth of God's word if you are going to grow and be spiritually healthy.

Have a great day. Are you feeding your spirit man a quick fix meal that has no nutritional value or something that will make it strong and healthy?

For further reading:
Luke 4:4
2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2-4; 3:14-17

"Treasures"

"Treasures"

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." Matthew 6:19,20

There is a philosophy in the world that says, "Get all you can, and can all you get". The world is "money minded" and "money hungry". You have heard the expression, "Money makes the world go 'round". Sadly, this same way of thinking has wound up in the church. Money does help make life a little easier when you have enough to pay the bills and put food on the table. The lack of it has been the source of many marital problems. Wanting to have enough to meet your needs is not wrong. But money and riches should never be the focus of the followers of Jesus.

The argument in Christianity on the subject is that Jesus taught about having wealth; Jesus had a treasurer so He must have had money; and so on. But we forget that He also taught verses like the ones above. He taught us that we can't serve God and mammon both. He taught us that the most important treasures and the ones to be sought after were the ones that are eternal and certain- treasures/riches in heaven. (And by the way, His treasurer turned out to be Judas the one who betrayed him into the hands of those who crucified him. And he betrayed him for more money.)

When Jesus spoke the words above He didn't stop there, He added a warning. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (verse 21) He warned us that preoccupation with money, a desire to have treasures, the longing to be rich can be a snare that will capture our heart and take it prisoner. If your heart is captured by something (whatever it may be) instead of God, then He doesn't have it. And if He doesn't have it, how can you love Him with all your heart?

Wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If your treasure is in temporary riches- that is where you will find your heart. If it is in eternal ones, than that's where you'll find it.

Have a great day. Where does your treasure lie? That is where you will find your heart.

For further reading:
Deuteronomy 30:19
Proverbs 15:16
Matthew 6:24,25
Luke 12:13-23
James 2:5,6

"What's In Your Heart?"

"What's In Your Heart?"

"O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matthew 12:34

The scriptures tell us that we should love the Lord with all our heart. How do we know whether we do or not? How do we know what has our heart? How do we know what consumes our heart? One way is by examining our lives to see if we are obeying His commandments and doing our best to keep them, walking in them and letting them be the governing factor of our lives. Because if we love Him we will keep His commandments.

Another way to know is by listening to yourself when you talk. What comes out of your mouth? Our verse above tells us that whatever our heart is full of is what will come out of our mouth. If you are full of love for God it will come- you will hear it in the things that you say. If you are full of bitterness, envy, hurt, it too will come out in your conversation. It is so easy to tell where people are just by listening to what they are saying. Likewise, it is just as easy to know where we are by what we are saying. This means that if you aren't sure what is filling your heart, all you have to do is listen to yourself for a while and you will soon discover what it is.

I know people who all they talk about is money- getting their next dollar, how to keep what money they have. I know others that talk about nothing but their ex-spouse and what wrong they did to them. There are those also who talk about their illnesses, aches and pains all the time. And the list goes on. Don't misunderstand me, it is not wrong to talk about these things I have mentioned, but when it becomes your whole conversation and the only thing you talk about all the time, then it means this is what has your heart.

By listening to yourself you will get a pretty good idea of what really has your whole heart.

Have a great day. If you really want to know what is in your heart... just listen to what you are saying.

For further reading:
Deuteronomy 6:5
Matthew 22:37
John 14:15
Luke 6:45
Malachi 3:16

"Who's Fighting Your Battle"

 "Who's Fighting Your Battle"

"On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified." 1 Samuel 17:11

The Israelite army was suppose to be on the battlefield fighting Goliath and the Philistine army.  Instead they were on the sidelines watching and waiting for something, or someone, to step in and do the fighting for them.  I see this very thing happening nowadays.  As Christians we are suppose to be fighting our own battles.  But too often we want someone else to do it for us.  We want our pastors, the intercessors, a spiritual mentor, etc. to do for us what we should ourselves be doing.  We want them to do our praying and believing for us.  We want them to do our studying of God's Word and then spoon feed it to us.  While these ministers have their place, and we are to bear one another's burdens, and we are suppose to help support each other when we get weak in the faith, and we should help hold each other's hands up, God doesn't intend for us to do nothing and wait on someone else to do it for us.  He intends for us to fight our own battles.  It is not your place to fight my Goliath.  It is not your responsibility to stand in the place of faith for my situation that I should be standing in.  You aren't the one who should be going into my battles if I am not willing to go into them myself.  It is my place to hear from God for me not yours.

It is time that we stand up against Goliath for ourselves.  It is time we pick up the stones and sling (prayer and faith) and be ready to cast them at the giant.  David was the one who did go out to face Goliath.  When he did, he didn't use Saul's armor or take Saul's weapons with him.  He used his own.  He faced them equipped for himself.  

I hope you are getting the meaning of what I am saying.  Yes, ask people to pray with you, ask them to agree with you, ask them to help you, and God does use others to speak into your life, but don't abdicate and relinquish your spiritual responsibility to someone else.  Stop letting them do for you what you should be doing for yourself.

Have a great day.  Are you letting someone else fight the battles you yourself should be fighting? 

"No Third Choice"

"No Third Choice"

"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Hebrews 11:25

It all boils down to choice. You choose to either accept Jesus as Savior or you don't. You choose to either serve God or not. You choose to obey Him or disobey Him. You choose to allow Him to have the Lordship over your life or you choose to let something else have it. You choose to have a relationship with Him or not. There are only two chooses ever where the Lord is concerned- for or against Him.

Moses, in our verse above, had to make one of two choices- either suffer with the people of God or enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. There was no "third" choice- he couldn't do both. And neither is there a third choice for us. The scriptures make that plain- either be hot or cold; serve God or mammon; blessings or cursing; life or death.

What choice are you making today? In your daily affairs and situations are you choosing to obey the Lord or not? Are you choosing to put Him or self first? Are you choosing to apply His word to the problems you face or try to handle them yourself? Are you choosing your own agenda or His agenda? Are you following your own plan for your life or the plan He has laid out for you? Like we have said, there are only two chooses to chose between. There is not a third one- you can't have it both ways. It is either God's way or your own way, but not both.

Have a great day. There are two choices that lay before you, which one are you choosing? Yours or God's?

For further reading:
Revelation 3:16
Matthew 6:24
Joshua 24:15
Deuteronomy 30:19

"Go To The Light- Part 2"

 "Go To The Light- Part 2"

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings."- Proverbs 4:20

Yesterday I shared my experience of getting lost at night on my way home from the ballgame and how I saw a bright light at a building and stopped to ask for directions.  The young man was very nice and gave me clear directions to get home.  I followed his directions exactly as he had told me-- go down one block, take a right, go around a curve and stay to the left, you will see a railroad track, turn right and cross the track, then... at that point I either would go to the right or the left, but I couldn't remember which one he said.  There was no road sign.  Did he say go to the right or to the left over the track?? Why couldn't I remember? Looks like I was "lost again".  So I turned to the right.  After a few miles I did not recognize anything.  It looked like I was heading into a more rural area.  I decided I needed to find a place and pull over and use the GPS on my phone.  I finally found a place.  I put my info in the phone and sure enough, I should have turned left instead of right.  I was on the right road, just going in the wrong direction.

The reason I shared this again this morning is:  although I was "paying attention" to the directions the young man was giving me, evidently, I wasn't listening very well.  How many times has the Lord spoken to us but we weren't listening?  How many times have we thought we heard what He said only to realize that we hadn't?  How many times has He tried to speak to us but we haven't listened?  

I took the wrong turn after having been given the right directions.  Thankfully, I was able to do something about it-- use my GPS.  The Lord is so gracious and merciful that even when we aren't listening to Him, or paying attention to what He says, He will still make a way for us to get back going in the right direction.  He also puts something in our path to "speak" to us again or show us the way-- just like my GPS.  

Are you still heading in the wrong direction after He has spoken to you?  Are you still lost?  Do you need to head another direction?  He has a way of putting what you need in your path to help you.  Listen and pay attention to the help He sends your way.

Have a great day.  We need to do better when it comes to listening to what the Lord says, but when we don't, He knows how to help us hear again.  

"Go To The Light"

"Go To The Light"

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."  John 8:12

The other afternoon I went to my granddaughter's ballgame.  It was played in a small town not far from where I live.  We always travel the same route to get there and also when we leave.  As you come out of the ball field, you can either turn to the left or the right.  We always go to the left.  That evening I decided to go to the right-- I have gone that way once before during the daylight and it comes out a little further from where we normally turn off the main road.  I drove down the road a little piece and took the turns thinking it would bring me to where I needed to go.  The more I drove the less familiar it looked.  The more I drove the narrower the roads became.  I had no clue where I was.  I knew I was lost!! 

I started praying for the Lord to show me where I was and what I needed to do.  I can't explain the feeling that came over me. It was dark, I was disoriented by the darkness, I didn't know what direction I was traveling, I didn't know who to call, I didn't know anyone in the area, I didn't want to pull up to a stranger's house after dark, I couldn't back track because I had turned down too many roads.  (It was not a good feeling).  I decided to turn around and try to retrace at least some of my travel.  As I did, I saw a small building very close to the edge of the road.  It was well lit up inside and outside, had no curtains so you could see inside it even from the road.  It was the only light anywhere around—and it was bright.  So I decided to stop and ask for directions.  A really nice young man came out and gave me clear directions as to how to get home.  

I said all this to say to you-- if you are lost, wandering around in darkness, disoriented by the situation you are in, feeling fearful, confused, anxious, worried, don't know how to find your way or don’t know who to turn to-- Stop at the Light-- the Light is Jesus.  He will give you clear directions.  He will lead you in the right way.  He will remove the darkness and put you on the right path to get you to where you need to go.  Never fear to go to Him and ask for His help. He has and Is your answer.

Have a great day.  If you are wandering around lost in the darkness, go to Jesus-- The Light-- and He will help you find your way.   

"Red Alert"

"Red Alert"

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

The dictionary defines a red alert as: the highest level of alert when an attack by the enemy seems imminent; or more generally a state of alert resulting from imminent danger. When a nation is under red alert, it does not let its guard down for one minute. It keeps a watchful eye in every direction and takes special note of anything out of the ordinary or that looks suspicious. One moment of carelessness or being lax and letting their guard down could cause serious problems or even worse a fatal situation.

Keeping a high level of alertness is something that the Christian should do daily. We are always in danger of an attack by our enemy- the devil. He has one purpose and goal in mind- steal, kill and destroy. He goes throughout the whole earth looking for those who are ignorant and unaware of his tactics. He looks for those who are not being watchful. He seeks out those who are being distracted by other things- the cares of this world, material possessions, pursing their own agenda, following their own dreams- so he can sneak up on them and them not notice him.

Since we have an enemy we must maintain a high level of awareness and not allow ourselves to be distracted or stop watching altogether. We must keep our "spiritual radar" on at all times- we must be discerning. We must stay on guard and not let down our guard. We must not underestimate our enemy but remember how cunning and deceptive he is. I am not talking about living in fear or having overly preoccupied thoughts about the devil. I am talking about remembering that we are in a spiritual war and have a very real enemy, who although he has been defeated, will still try to destroy you.

It isn't time to let down our guard. It is time to be more vigilant than ever before and more watchful than ever before. "But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up." (Matthew 24:43)

Have a great day. You should be and stay on "red alert" spiritually because your enemy is looking for opportunities to attack and destroy you.

For further reading:
2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:14
John 10:10
2 Timothy 2:4
Ephesians 6:11

"Finding Our Answers"

"Finding Our Answers"

"And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." 1 Corinthians 3:20

Our thoughts, our understanding, our reasoning apart from God is in vain. This is a fact that is repeated over and over in the Bible. Yet, we are constantly trying to "plot our own course" through life. We are continuing leaning to our own understanding. And always trying to "figure things out".

No matter how hard we try, there will always be things that we don't understand. We will always have questions. We will always seek for answers. There is nothing wrong with wanting answers, it just depends on where you are going to get the answers.

Some people seek to find answers within themselves. Others seek to find them through knowledge and education. Some think their answer lies within their material possessions- an abundance of them is the answer to all their problems. There are those who consult different sources of divination such as the horoscope, physic hotlines, fortune tellers, Ouija boards, etc. to find their answers. Many think that the government has the answers. Others spend their time going from one person to another seeking out answers-- and you don't have to go very far to find someone who thinks they have all your answers.

The reality of it is that we don't have all the answers. It makes no difference how well educated we are, how smart we are, how much common sense we have, how many resources are available to us, we just don't have what it takes. But that doesn't leave us hopeless and helpless, wandering through life with no answers. There is someone that we can go to to find the answers we need. It's the Lord. He is the All-Knowing and All-Wise One. There is no answer hidden from Him. He even knows the answer before the question is asked.

So this morning let me ask you, "Where do you go to find answers for your life?" Do you look within yourself? Do you go from person to person, resource to resource, or do you go to God and His word to find them? Going to the wrong source will always leave you empty and unanswered. Going to the right source will give you the right answers. That right source is the Lord.

Have a great day. The answer to all your questions is found in Jesus.

For further reading:
Proverbs 16:25; 3:5,6
Jeremiah 10:23; 33:3
Psalm 94:11
1 Corinthians 2:10-12

"God's Thoughts"

"God's Thoughts"

 "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians 2:11

Everyone of us have thoughts. And the thing about our thoughts is that they are private. No one but ourselves know what we are thinking unless we choose to share them with someone else. The Bible tells us that God has thoughts also and no one knows what He is thinking either unless He chooses to share it.

Do you ever wonder what God thinks about? (Let me make something perfectly clear before we start- I am in no way saying that I understand the thoughts of God, know everything He is thinking, or can understand His thoughts. But there are some things that I know are on His mind because the Bible tells me what they are.)

So what does God think about? He thinks about YOU! He thinks about how much He loves you. That is what was on His mind when He sent His only begotten Son Jesus into the world to save us from our sins. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16,17) At the cross, you were on His mind. Thoughts of you and me having the opportunity of living with Him forever if He would endure the suffering of the cross, far out weighed the pain that was engulfing His body. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:2)

He thinks about the plans that He has for you- plans to give you blessings, hope and a future. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11-KJV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

There is no doubt that God is thinking about you, and He thinks about you all the time. What do you think about? Is He the subject of your thoughts? Do you think about Him? Do you think about His goodness that He bestows on you everyday? Do you think about His grace? Do you think about His will and purpose for your life? Do you think about what you can do to bless Him? Or are your thoughts more self-centered and self- absorbed? Do you think about everything and everyone else besides Him? Just what do you think about?

Have a great day. What does God think about? He thinks about you. What do you think about? Is it Him?

For further reading:
Isaiah 49:14-16; 55:7,8,9
Philippians 4:8
Psalm 10:4