Author: SonShine

God is clear about what He desires in us. He desires a person with integrity in the inner man. That means truthfulness, honesty and a life where others are before him. He desires that we display this character trait both now and forevermore. We ask, how can we do that day after day after day? It is only because we have the indwelling Holy Spirit who brings to mind what Jesus taught and lived. Satan would have us believe the lie that he is not truth, but Christ Himself said: I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father but by ME. 

Are we people of integrity? Check yourself in the mirror of God’s Word. It reveals where our heart, which is deceitful and desperately wicked, but can be transformed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Then you can be and will be people of integrity always. 

King David had been blessed by the Lord in all ways but one evening he took his eyes off God and onto a woman bathing. He wanted to know who she was: “David sent someone to inquire about the woman. The messenger said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” Did you notice, the messenger noted that she was a wife! David what were you thinking? Hands off! But no, he sent for her and went to bed with her. Adultery! A cardinal sin. 

What do you know when God reveals something that is to be untouchable? David crossed the line between holiness and sin and would be his undoing. It is just when we are strong and think we are invincible that Satan strikes. Beware! 

What has God show you today that is untouchable? Know this, Gen 4:7 “Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.”

Notice God sends a warning, what we do with it determines our life today and tomorrow and beyond. 

How do you handle life when a gift sent is rewarded with shame instead of gratefulness. One of the traits of the Ammonites has been and even today is to respond with anger and shame. Today we have people who turn what you send with a pure heart into a rebuke. David’s heart was pure and he truly wanted to send his condolences but the successor to King of the Ammonites turned what was a gift into a cry of war. We wonder why but we only need to look at the history of these people who hate Israel and will seek any opportunity to argue or  cry war. It is at this time, David provides for us a lesson in intercession. 

King  David found his peace in the Lord as His servant. Before sending his troops into war brought about by the Ammonites. He sets aside time to pray for God to lead. He never wanted vengeance but the Ammonites did. Unlike them who sought shame, David prayed: “Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the Lord our God.” [Ps 20:7] This is how you intercede for others whether good or bad. 

Today if a gift is not received with gratefulness, turn the taunts into a prayer for them and just like David, you too will find peace. Let God fight your battles and give Him praise. 

No matter where we are or what century we live in, God is in the business of laundering our sins from us and causing us to realize He is God and there is no other. 

Listen to the word of the Lord: Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.” They sin and commit evil deeds; none of them does what is right.[Ps 53:1] and that is the reason God must launder us and our sins. He only wants purity, righteousness and holiness! Every sin is an abomination to He who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. God speaks to those who are in sin like Moab “ Moab is my washbasin.” Just as the launderer uses a washbasin to wash what is dirty physically, God says I will be like the launderer and my soap will be harsh like the bars of lye. Again in Ps 75 the author uses another illustration to show us God’s ways with sinners. For the Lord holds in his hand a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices,and pours it out.” They will drink to their demise.

May God wash us and make us clean. Ephesians 5:26 states that Christ “cleanses her by the washing of water through the word.”  Have you been washed with the blood of Christ so you may be presentable to He who is holy and righteous? 

Nehemiah recorded the lineage of the people who had returned from Babylon and then he added that Ezra was called to read the book of the Law. He observed that “All the people were eager to hear the book of the law.”

How eager are we to listen as the Book is opened and read to us each week or even as we open the book and read in our quiet time. Eagerness means you want something so much that you earnestly set aside what you are doing to actively listen to what God has to say. How often are we not eagerly waiting to hear from the Lord but do our reading haphazardly or quickly. We make excuses why we are not eagerly waiting for God to speak, I have a full day, I have just this much time, I have ….etc. etc. Excuses are just that. Make an appointment each morning to listen to what is there for you.

Today listen to God speak. What has He said to you? Were you eagerly waiting to hear His voice so you may obey Him.

Nehemiah recorded the lineage of the people who had returned from Babylon and then he added that Ezra was called to read the book of the Law. He observed that “All the people were eager to hear the book of the law.”

How eager are we to listen as the Book is opened and read to us each week or even as we open the book and read in our quiet time. Eagerness means you want something so much that you earnestly set aside what you are doing to actively listen to what God has to say. How often are we not eagerly waiting to hear from the Lord but do our reading haphazardly or quickly. We make excuses why we are not eagerly waiting for God to speak, I have a full day, I have just this much time, I have ….etc. etc. Excuses are just that. Make an appointment each morning to listen to what is there for you.

Today listen to God speak. What has He said to you? Were you eagerly waiting to hear His voice so you may obey Him.

Psalm 39:1 Words aptly spoken

“I will watch what I say and make sure I do not sin with my tongue.

I will put a muzzle over my mouth while in the presence of an evil person.”

Now add to that this one from Pro 25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

What good advice! Choose words carefully when in the presence of those who are not believers as well as believers, lest God hold you responsible.

Remember death and life are in the power of the tongue. [Proverbs 18:21]

David had a heart to build something for God, and the prophet Nathan agreed. However, just because your desires align with a friend’s does not mean they align with God’s. So, after a restless night, God told Nathan to go back to David and tell him this was not the right plan. Instead, David’s son would fulfill that idea. Instead, God’s plan was not to build a physical temple but a temple of people who would honor Him, which would be his legacy. Imagine yourself hearing those words. David was so humbled that he left that meeting and went in and sat before the Lord in prayer. His first question to God was, ‘Why’ …Why have you chosen me above all the people of Israel? Why have you blessed my family with such a tremendous legacy?

God has done the same for you, my friend. If you are a believer in Him, He has chosen to honor your commitment to Him through your legacy. Who will carry on in your absence? Is it a child or a grandchild? God knew, and He knows yours as well.