"D" Deficiencies

Joshua 1: 8

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Could it be that God is the only one who brings true success?

If we have a steady diet of God’s Word, it suggests that we’ll be prosperous and successful.

A great Bible scholar from years past, said… “Success should focus on the 6 “D’s”; Desire—Determination—Discipline—Devotion—Dedication and Destiny…”

That sounds like pretty good advice.

I truly wonder how many church goers, really take this verse literally?

I wonder how many practice it?

Maybe we should measure success through the Word of God?

I know that wouldn’t be popular in today’s economy.

Which of the 6 “D’s” are you lacking in?

Which of the 6 “D’s” need some work on your part?

I wonder if this verse applies to successful marriages or successful children or successful business ventures?

Maybe the reason our success is waning these days, is because we’re not as serious about God’s Word as we should be.

So according to God, how successful would you say you are?

I guess at the end of the day, His measurement of success, is really all that matters…

Training

Hebrews 5: 13 – 14

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Since everyone knows that our family is expecting another baby (no, not Debbie and me), I got to thinking about baby food the other day.

It’s been a while since I tasted baby food, but how a small child could enjoy it, is way beyond me.

I’d prefer a big juicy steak, but little children, especially babies, just can’t chew it.

Sadly, many Christians are content with spiritual baby food.

Many are just happy and satisfied with the basic truths of God’s Word.

By not sinking their teeth in something solid, many church goers lack spiritual understanding.

The writer of Hebrews says that these people don’t know the fullness of wrong vs. right.

These people remain spiritual babies, most of their adult lives.

The more I look in the mirror, the more I know that I’m getting more mature, with every strand of grey hair that appears.

The age of spiritual maturity, is defined by accurately being able to distinguish good from evil.

To fail to dig deeper in God’s Word, is to be spiritually undernourished.

If you were to test your Biblical knowledge today, what age group would you fit into?

Paul told Timothy to study to show himself approved.

I wonder how many believers, will be found one day, still sucking milk, when they should’ve been training themselves on solid food? 

Spiritual Trek!

Matthew 4: 18

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.

This time of year, I love taking walks in our Langlade County woods.

Sometimes I do so, and I picture those walks as more of a spiritual, symbolic hike.

I spoke to Debbie even yesterday, and we agreed that our journey on this earth, is moving rather fast.

Jesus walked by a lot of people, and He offered the invitation of a lifetime.

The journey as we know it, is not always an easy one—and it wasn’t always easy for Him.

Actually, sometimes just giving up seems easier than traveling on.

Since our north woods is wetter than I ever remember, traveling as of late, is mostly on foot.

It sure seems easier traveling by ATV, but right now that’s not an option.

I’m at the point in my spiritual trek, where I could use a second wind.

Maybe you can relate?

Only God knows where this path of life will take us, but I’m thankful for the assurance He sends to us, each and every day.

“I will never leave you—nor forsake you…”

There isn’t one mile of the journey where God isn’t right close by.

Knowing He’s always close, should make the journey much easier for us

Hope!

Romans 5: 5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts…

I meet people day after day, where the events of life seem to always disappoint them.

I wonder why that seems to always be the case?

Has life dealt you a bad hand?

Are you disappointed already this morning?

Hope is as real as anything we encounter.

Unfortunately, for many people, hope is not real at all.

I believe that one of the greatest gifts anyone can receive, is the gift of hope.

The definition for hope is; “To look forward with confidence and expectation.”

I have felt for a very long time, that there are many people in this world who live every day without hope.

If we understand the depth of Christ’s love for us, then we’ll understand hope.

David said in Psalm 39: 7, that his hope was in the Lord.

Maybe the problem with hope, is that people are looking in all the wrong places to find it.

There is no need to feel disappointed or alone.

God’s love will always ignite the flame of hope.

Whatever your need is this morning, be sure to bring it to your God—and watch His hope fill you and encourage you…

True Loyalty

2 Kings 2: 4

Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho." And he replied, "As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you."

Elijah was just about to take a wild ride to Heaven, but his trusted friend was oh so loyal.

As we walk this daily walk of faith, how comforting it is, to have trusted, loyal companions.

When I think of some of the folks in my home church, I can think of many who are loyal.

But is the church a place, where loyalty is fostered?

I love the church, and it has been my life now for over 18 years.

It is the place where I acquired the true knowledge of God.

Is there true loyalty in the church anymore?

I’d sure like to think so, but statistics state something quite different.

The church is where I finally got to know my wife, and the blessing that she really is to me.

It is the place where my children became real men, and they continue now in loyal service.

I am committed to Christ’s church with every ounce of my being.

I heard someone once say to me at a church service that was shorter than normal…

“I loved that short service, because it didn’t blow my whole day…”

That my friends, isn’t loyalty.

The church has made this big effort to make itself relevant, but it no longer teaches the art of loyalty…

Watching!

Psalm 121: 7

The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life…

When I was a kid in the 1960’s, we would go to our local school on Sunday mornings.

I didn’t at the time understand what the visit was all about, but I guess it was for our own good.

I never seemed to understand, that a sugar cube with medicine on it, would save me from sickness.

It always tasted too good, for it to be construed as a vaccine for polio.

The longer I live this life, the more I know that my great protector is my God.

Scripture says that He will watch over our life, and keep us from harm.

No, it doesn’t mean we won’t run into a speed bump from time to time.

Life is full of pit falls and many painful times.

The context here is that God will watch over us for eternity.

He will care for our needs forever more—and He actually knows what’s good for us.

Before you even woke up this morning, God was faithful in going before you.

He will do the same every day we spend on this earth.

That’s a comforting feeling, isn’t it?

Go about your day today, knowing that He will keep His people from harm… 

New Identity

Colossians 3: 3

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

I just read the other day, about a guy who testified against a mob boss.

The guy who testified, had to go into a witness protection program.

This person took on a whole new identity.

His relationships had to change—his habits—he even had to change his name and the city he lived in.

Funny thing, that when a person who is born of Christ, they also have to take up a new identity.

We might have the same physical appearance, but no one can doubt a change has occurred.

Today, I’m thankful that Jesus took my old life to the cross.

He took all the junk that once identified me, and exchanged it for everything He had.

Jesus gave me His likeness, and His inheritance, and His very nature.

The old me was forever long gone.

I used to love watching… “Extreme Makeover Home Edition.”

Maybe today you need a new identity—a new address perhaps?

Ask Jesus for a new makeover—even if it has to be an extreme one.

The more He fills you with Himself, the more those old habits, and the old you, will just drift away…

Looking up!

Colossians 3: 2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Often times the things of earth get right in the way.

There is this relentless bombardment of earthly things.

We have bills to pay, and “to-do” lists that never seem to end.

So much so, our souls and our spirits even become weary.

We should never become totally preoccupied by the things of this earth.

If we’re not careful, we will be drained of energy and resources.

What does it mean to think on things above?

It means to know the agenda of the One who resides there.

It means that we should seek visions of God, and to begin focusing on His plans.

It also means that we should live with the values of Heaven in mind.

What will you set your mind upon, this week?

What needs to change for you in this area?

The culture of the Kingdom needs to be at the forefront of our minds.

Things like integrity, purity, peace and generosity are just a few to consider.

Thinking on earthly things is very easy—but thinking on things above, will take a conscious effort on our part…

Questions!

Jeremiah 8: 22

Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?

Do you ever wonder why life sometimes hurts so bad?

I often consider all the heartache and turmoil as I deal in ministry, that I often wonder what on earth can be done about it.

This question in scripture, actually comes from God Himself.

I thought even God had all the answers?

The reason God asked this question in the first place, was that his own people thought they could help themselves.

The Hebrew children thought they did not need God’s intervention.

Are we the same way at times?

Don’t we at times, try to get through sticky situations, without at first consulting God?

Only God can restore a wandering, troubled people.

Even when they knowingly walk away and follow their own evil desires and lusts.

Maybe you’re going through a dark time right now.

Maybe you have experienced a recent, crushing loss.

I pray that even through this troubling time, you’ll be able to see the glory of His goodness.

He has been for you—and He will be for you—for all time… 

The supplier of All!

Philippians 4: 19

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Everyone I know, just wants their needs met.

We live to be satisfied, and yet I have to wonder if we truly rely on God to meet our needs.

People went to the voting polls yesterday in near record numbers.

It might prove a point, that most folks don’t really count on God for much of anything.

We’ll get up this morning, and many will probably hunger for a bite of breakfast to eat.

Have we forgotten that God Himself supplies the sun and the rain, so the fields are ripe with the harvest?

Everyone of us hunger for affection, and then God stirs the heart of someone else to supply that need.

In the end, those two hearts become united as one—or that’s the way it’s supposed to work.

We starve for fellowship with God, and then God raises up people to become Pastors/Teachers/Preachers.

And at the end of the day, people are fed with the bread of life.

What will satisfy your greatest craving this morning?

Is God enough, or do we on the other hand, need something/someone else?

Only God can satisfy the hunger and thirst we have.

It works that way in the material sense, and it works that way too, for those who desire spiritual righteousness.

For the moment we have that choice, and this morning, I choose God…

In God We Trust

Hebrews 11: 8

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

 

It’s printed on our American currency, and yet I wonder how many of us really believe it?

“In God We Trust”

 

As I consider the state of our current culture, it sure doesn’t appear that we trust God.

I wonder if we trust our politicians, more than we trust God?

 

A young woman who faced a terminal illness in the western United States, ended her life over the weekend.

Sure, the state that she lived in allowed the process by law, but I’m wondering if we should consider God’s law first.

 

My mother died 10 years ago this month, and frankly I learned as much about life through her death, than I did in her living.

I hope one day, my children will learn much about my faith, when it’s my time to die.

 

No, I don’t have a terminal illness, at least not that I know of, but if I’m going to trust God for my today, then I want to trust Him for my tomorrow.

There are times in our church, when we sing… “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands”.

 

He does you know?

Even when I don’t have any idea where I’m going, He leads me in paths of righteousness.

 

If it’s all the same to you, I’m going to keep on living.

And besides, because He holds the future, life is always worth the living…just because HE lives

Overcome!

1 John 5: 5

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

I think it would be overstated, that there is a lot to overcome in this life.

If anyone can overcome the onslaught of political commercials these days—one could overcome just about anything.

How are you doing at overcoming the world?

Honestly, there are days when I’m not sure that I’m made of the right stuff.

We have spiritual battles we need to overcome—health concerns—financial worries—and let’s not forget nonstop global crisis.

It’s enough to make the strongest person a little unsteady.

This sounds kind of foolish, but there are Sunday mornings I’d just as soon stay in bed and do my own thing.

The temptation is there, but I have to admit that I feel better when I’m not overcome by selfish desires.

Believing in Jesus is one thing, but putting stock in that belief is another.

The world is filled with things to overcome, and Jesus is still the only answer to get past them.

You will probably face something this week that you’ll need to overcome.

You may even need to overcome you.

When we make this life about God, everything seems to click.

When we make this life about us, we can’t be in sync with God, no matter how hard we try…