Give thought!

Proverbs 14: 15

A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

 

These wise words, tell us that maybe we should think through our actions, before we actually act.

One would agree, that the world is filled with people who are gullible and make very rash decisions.

 

In the Word of God, there are plenty warnings that call for deep discernment.

God will never tell us to live for the moment, but He would tell us to live moment by moment.

 

This word from the book of Proverbs, tell us that people with little spiritual depth, are in fact simple people.

They are the kind of folks that go with the flow, and don’t care much about living for God.

 

Do you know people who are easily deceived?

The Word of God says that they will believe just about anything—except the things of God.

 

The person however who is serious about their faith, gives strategic, discerning thought, day by day.

Before this kind of person can change their steps, they must change the way they think.

 

The person who trains their thoughts on God, wants to be different, not just act different.

Are you different? If you think like God thinks, as opposed to the way the world thinks, you’re a square peg in a round hole.

 

Walking as a disciple of Jesus, should include deep analysis way down deep inside our soul.

That’s where faithfulness begins, and foolish, simple thoughts end…

Fitting Legacy!

Colossians 3: 23 – 24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

 

Recent reports indicate, that some 40% of church attendees, are disenfranchised with the church they attend.

Many think that greener pastures await their grazing.

 

Some people say, that they’re trying to please their Pastor and leadership.

Most just want to know that their work in the church matters.

 

In Paul’s day, it’s documented the he made tents for a living.

There’s no discussion about the quality of Paul’s tents or how many he actually made.

I’m not even sure he offered a written guarantee of his work.

 

What is documented in the Bible, is the work that Paul did for the Lord.

He wasn’t trying to make brownie points with various churches he led, he was trying just to please God.

 

Is that why you do, what you do, for your local church?

Just to please the Lord? You are involved, aren’t you?

If your name never appeared in the bulletin for services rendered, would you look for another church to attend?

 

Paul’s legacy of service for God and the church, was simply amazing.

What legacy will you leave for your local church—or are you on the other hand, planning to leave sometime soon?

Choices!

Proverbs 14: 12

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

C.S. Lewis once said…. “I was not born to walk a life free of difficulty, I was born to obey in the midst of great difficulty.”

When we’re given a choice between an easy road and a hard one, which of the two are we more prone to choose?

With all things being equal, 9 times out of 10, we’d most likely choose the easy route.

But let’s face facts—all things aren’t equal.

God usually has a preference of what we’d choose.

Just because the United States Declaration of Independence says that we have can have… “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”—that’s not how God thinks.

Most times—the only way we’d do something difficult, is if there was something in it for us.

Let’s be honest—that’s our most prevalent mode of operation.

Don’t we choose the path of least resistance, more than we choose the path less traveled?

That certainly seems to be the case on Sunday mornings—or in church circles.

We don’t have a vision of God’s benefits, living in the midst of trial.

Most Christians are unfamiliar with His Kingdom ways of hardship.

And let’s be sure we all understand this—His ways, are almost never easy—that’s why He talks about sacrifice a lot. (Romans 12: 1)

So what’s it going to be for you this week—easy and self gratifying—or difficult and Kingdom satisfying?

Don't you miss it!

John 1: 11

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

The very people Jesus came to save, missed His message of Salvation completely.

The very people who should have noticed the signs, missed them all together.

How is it possible, that His own people could have missed the promised coming of the Messiah?

Maybe some people reading this devotional, should really take a look in the mirror—me included.

Sometimes it’s the people who have been given so much, that fall so short.

It’s easy to think, that if we would have been in the shoes of the Hebrew children, things might have turned out differently.

Probably not.

Do you know that if you have humbly and earnestly received Him—He gives you the right to become His child?

Those of us who truly believe in His name, have been born of God.

It’s not at all about how together you have it going for you.

It is not necessary to have been born into some high class family of royalty.

Remember—the guy who received Jesus, while hanging on the cross—never went forward for an altar call.

“Father God—no matter where my brothers and sisters are on their spiritual journey—I pray that this specific truth would become crystal clear to all of them.

That You are the ONLY way—the ONLY truth—and the ONLY true light. For those who have never received You—may they do so during this special Advent season. Amen.”

Reactions!

Acts 17: 32

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked…

 

There are all kinds of reactions now days, to the presentation of the Gospel.

I’ve found as I have walked in the midst of everyday ministry for 11 years, that some people are more open to the Gospel than others.

 

I don’t really have any idea, how the Word of God will be played out from one Sunday to the next, in the hearts of man.

People just react in different ways—plain and simple.

 

In Acts chapter 17: 32, it says that some “mocked” the idea of the Resurrection, while in verse (34), we find out that… “some men joined him and believed.”

I guess we find the same reaction to the Gospel, to this very day—and by some who are in the church.

 

I believe if we used a more modern translation of the Bible, the mockers might be heard as saying… “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

The message today still seems just as silly and totally unbelievable, as it did way back then.

 

In this modern day, just like it was during the time of St. Paul, some will believe and repent—and some will change their minds—while other will have negative reactions.

One thing I’ve learned is this—the conversion of a single soul, is up to God, and not you and me.

 

It is still the work of the Holy Spirit, that needs to happen in the heart of an unbelieving soul.

Some will actually go to their grave, with a negative reaction to the Gospel—and I guess that’s just the way it has to be.

 

But one thing I do know, that despite how people respond or react, it is still my duty, and it’s your duty too, to rightfully proclaim the truth.

The rest is up to our Great and Powerful God…

Don't miss it!

Hebrews 4: 2

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.

 

The message of Jesus at Christmas, is almost too good to be true.

Who in the world, would send their one and only son, to pay a debt for a bunch of ungrateful people?

God would.

 

The message of Christ, is never of any value, unless we combine it with an element of faith.

You have to have faith, because this message of love just doesn’t make sense—in part because we’ve never met anyone like this, here on earth.

Jesus came from a totally different kingdom, that doesn’t operate at all, like the kingdom we live in.

 

Have you combined your faith walk, with the element of faith?

If not, there isn’t much that could make sense to you about the Gospel.

A person who has faith, can make perfect sense of the Father’s love.

 

It is entirely possible, that a person sitting next to you in church, has missed the Gospel message entirely

It’s generally because, they refuse to become like a little child.

Jesus wants us to have the faith, as a child.

Is that the kind of faith you have?

 

“Heavenly Father, during this season of Advent, help us to become like little children again.

Allow us to combine the Gospel facts we’ve learned over the years, with a greater measure of child like faith. Amen.”

Eager to share!

Romans 1: 15

That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you…

 

The Apostle Paul used words like.. “obligated” and “eager”, when it came to preaching the Gospel of Christ’s love.

Is that how most people in the church feel, when it comes to sharing their faith—eager?

 

There are days I must admit, when sharing the Gospel is both difficult, and tedious—not to mention ineffective.

The Gospel though, is both universal for the wise and the foolish.

 

Paul’s statement is a personal one to the people of the church in Rome.

He wanted to meet them—to shake their hands—and he wanted to get to know each person in a personal way.

 

Is that the way it is in the church today?

Do people really want to take the time, to get personal about their faith—with people in their church?

 

Paul also used words like… “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—for it is the power of God.”

Maybe that’s why we’re not as eager as we should be.

It’s not our power that convinces people to follow Jesus—it’s the power of God that brings about Salvation.

 

How can people believe, when they never hear?

The season of Christmas, is a time when most people’s ears, are open to the truth.

Eagerness, is in the air!

 

“Lord God—help us to feel both obligated and eager to share Your word today—and help us to do so, without shame. Amen”