Month: May 2024

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Honoring Others

Faithfulness

Prov 12 Love or Hate?

The author presents two sides of people. There are those who love God and there are those who hate God. Which side am I on? Example: A noble wife is the crown of her husband,but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones. A wife who dishonors her husband is in reality dishonoring God for He has placed them together and they have vowed to honor and obey. This is a warning to all of us who are wives. But, it goes the other way as well just as there are two sides to every coin.  

Today may I be found righteous before my husband and before God. If you are reading this, may this be true for you as well, husband or wife.

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A Sinner’s Prayer

What do you do when God says no?

Psalm 51, 52, 53 When God looks down from heaven what does He see but men who do not acknowledge Him. They think that no matter what they do or think or say, God will take them to heaven one day, but these psalms prove otherwise. Until men can look within their hearts to see how really evil they are, and take time to confess their sins, they can never find peace with God. 

It is amazing to hear men say that all go to heaven when you read these psalms and realize that God is holy and these are not. How can a holy God have impure men in His presence? This is but the lie of the enemy whose purposes are to seek, kill and destroy as he blinds the minds so men cannot see the glorious image of the Savior Jesus Christ. 

Precious reader, take time today to sit before God and confess your sins so He can make you holy as He is holy. Then you can say with the psalmist: But I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I continually trust in God’s loyal love, I will continually thank you when you execute judgment;

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God is…

God is

Psalm 50 The psalmist writes an indictment against the people and the religious system in Israel, and it also applies to us today. Men seek not God nor His ways but use substitutes and they stand condemned before Him. They think God is like them, but He is higher and more pure than they will ever be. He is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. Come stand before Him and be accountable before Him. The psalmist writes:

“Whoever presents a thank offering honors me.

To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.” 

May this be our reminder for today and every day. Obedience is better than sacrifice of any kind. 

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Prayer

Let God handle this

Colossians 4 What hinders your prayer life? Paul was in chains in a Roman prison yet even in that, he sought prayer from the believers that the message may not be hindered but go forth. Not only that, but Paul sought prayer from others for the work that he foresaw needed to happen. How fervent was his passion for the message of Christ crucified, risen and coming again to the lost. How fervent is my prayer for the lost around me? How about you? Listen to his words left for us:

At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.

Is this our prayer? 

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Encouraging One Another

Colossians 2 How do we encourage others who we do not see face to face? That must have been on Paul’s mind as he pondered the flock at Colossae and Laodicea. His heart was there with them even though he could not be there in person. As with many of us, our hearts yearn to see others face to face so we can read their countenances and hear their thoughts. However, when that is not possible, it is with pen in hand that we write our thoughts just as Paul did. His first thought was that “their hearts be knit together in love and be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ,”

Paul knew that even in a Roman prison there were distractions that would cause one’s faith to be challenged. He knew that to also be true for these believers so far away.So he reminds them to consider their walk in Christ, that their life be rooted in Him. He also wants them to be discerning when others come with false teachings and philosophy. Truly even today we must be on guard. 

Today, don’t let the world tell you that you must have a list of do’s and don’ts, instead let Christ rule your heart and your life. Freedom is in Him, not the list. 

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Discipleship

Words have consequences

Colossians 1 The author Paul had never set foot in Colosse, yet Epaphros or Epaphroditus was from there.We glean from other letters that he had gone to Rome seeking out Paul and from there several things had transpired, one of which was a lasting friendship. Upon hearing of the Colossian church, and the problems there, Paul’s heart was torn. Like many of us, when we hear of tests and trials of others, we can say we are sorry but go on our way or we can get involved. Paul did the latter. We know from the letter to  Philemon that Paul was instrumental in the salvation of the slave, Onesimus and his return to his owner. We also learn that his owner used his home as a house church in Colosse. As so happens with us in our world, we too find ourselves immersed in the life of those we have not had the opportunity to engage face to face, yet our lives are forever changed because of this new introduction.

Paul immersed himself in these people so much so that he called them saints and faithful brethren. How do we speak of those with whom we have never met, but have in some way corresponded? In Paul’s case it began a love triangle between Paul, Epaphros and Philemon. Paul shares his heart with them and some wise counsel about their spiritual walk.  Wisdom from others can gently and boldly disciple even from afar. 

Who has God put in your path to disciple? 

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Ilusion or Reality?

Ps 49 There are many today, who like fools, think they can outlive their final end. They seek to stop death by a sundry means but the God of the universe tells us that each person alive today will one day meet their destiny—-and God. What is your destiny? The Chinese emperors and Pharaohs of Egypt built lavish tombs and many took their riches and slaves and maid servants with them thinking that in their afterlife they would have pleasure as now. But, for the Christian, we know that every man is destined to die and after that the judgment. [Heb 9:27 paraphrased.] What will be your destiny? When you die, will you be ready to meet God? 

Today as you awaken to begin a new day, stop and give God praise for another day to serve and love Him who gives you life. If you have not given your heart to God, do it today so that when death arrives, you are ready to see His face and hear well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord. Death is not an illusion, it is a reality and you need to prepare now to meet God. 

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Resolving Conflicts

God's perfect peace

Phil 4 Are you at peace today or are you filled with anxiety? Is the cause a conflict with another believer? How do you resolve it? Do you need someone have to come alongside to help? That was the situation in the church in Philippi between two precious women. Paul doesn’t tell us what the problem was but he appealed to them to resolve their differences and then asked a co-worker to assist. 

Whatever the problem was it seems to have caused anxiety and a lack of peaceful harmony. Paul reminded the two women and the helper to not be anxious about anything. Anxiety is the root cause and is troublesome because it keeps the Fruit of the Spirit from being implemented. Watch out for that trait. Paul then continues on how to handle this problem: Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Did you notice that Paul referred to peace twice in this passage (v 7 & v 9? Peace will guard your heart and the peace of God will be with you. Seek peace and harmony with others.

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J-O-Y!

Phil 2 Real Life Joy

Children learn an acronym and recite it: J-O-Y which translates to Jesus first, others second, yourself last. We all need to use that in our witness and our everyday life. Paul wanted his precious Philippians believers to “recite” this in real life scenarios. He wrote to the church: “each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.” [Phil 2:3b] Further, he used the example of Christ who although he had the rights to be King of Kings, he chose instead to be a servant,which he demonstrated by washing the feet of his disciples. As he finished this task he said: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet.” [Jn 13:14]

Paul continued:“You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,” [Phil 2:5] He lived by the J-O-Y principle and we are to do the same.

Where do you need to lift another up today through your humble “washing” of another’s feet? It might be fixing a meal for someone, sending a note of encouragement, calling a friend who needs encouraging. Look at your calendar and see what you could do for another.

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JOY!

Phil 1 The Judaizers in Philippi sought to undermine and close Paul’s ministry down, but God had more plans for this fledging ministry. If it wasn’t for Lydia washing the purple cloths at the riverside, and the jailer who asked Paul how to be saved, the church would not even begun! How often do the words of Joseph come ringing back: what you meant for evil, God meant for good. 

Thanks be to God for His provision of Paul’s message which pricked their hearts and a “baby” church was begun. But, it wasn’t long after that, that the jealous Jews began a campaign to shut Paul and his band of faithful disciples down. They had to leave Philippi, but the seed began to bear fruit and Paul is beyond joy as he hears about their ministry. Thus, he wrote them an encouraging letter and we have it so we can also rejoice in this church and their testimony to those who do not know Christ. It sets our hearts yearning to one day meet these two faithful believers who “hung in there” even with the hate filled jealousy of the Jews. 

Hate is a four letter word as is the word love. The Jews hated Paul but Paul and his ‘band of merry men’ loved on the Philippians and that is a model for us. 

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