The next time you are out driving, keep an eye out for the next 'Keep Right' sign that you see and consider this. This is a sign that is simple, direct and it has a bold message. And as you encounter these signs, take a moment to also praise God for giving you direction on the road of life. Reflect when you can on any areas of your life that can be improved by striving to do what is right and good. And don't forget Proverbs 2:20 . . . Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. |
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Every human being has found themselves wondering at some aspect of life, nature, the universe, art, or their own experiences and feelings. Such wonder has a benefit: It elevates us beyond our daily existence which often focuses on the pedestrian tasks of survival. Wonder causes us to reflect upon that which is larger than ourselves—specifically, the Person of God. That was true for the psalmist who wondered at how the God who formed the universe could also be mindful of him and his needs (Psalm 8).
The next time you find yourself enthralled with wonder, let your thoughts go to the Source of all wonder: God Himself. Enjoy the moment and give thanks to Him. We thank Dr. David Jeremiah for those words above, for they remind us of these words in Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, who are we that You are mindful of us? [David Jeremiah encourages us to consider] It has been said that difficulties don't determine who we are. Rather, they reveal who we are. Said another way, the same heat that softens butter can make mud hard as a brick. It all depends on how the thing being heated responds. The same is true with the human heart. Difficulties can soften one heart and harden another.
Consider Joseph and his time in Eqypt, and Daniel while he was in Babylon, both revealed their character to their pagan masters. Their difficulties caused the presence of God to be manifested through them. Learning of them and their lives, helps us to underdstand that troubles in life are normal. It is our response to trouble that will manifest Christ to the world - or not. And in thinking on this, they remind us of these words from Paul's writings - and yes, he too had his troubles in life as well. "Therefore, having being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2 Think about how focused our mind is on “things on the earth.” Besides our vocation and family life, our mind is occupied with fear-inducing headlines. Even when we sleep, our mind rehearses and consolidates all the thoughts we have had during the day. The mind is continually active, always seeking a focus which we must provide for it.
Paul acknowledged the struggle we have to keep our mind “set on things above, not on things on the earth.” He wrote in Romans 12:2 of the need to renew the mind and, therefore, be transformed from an earthly-centered life to a heavenly-centered life. Jesus admonished His followers to “seek first the kingdom of God” and allow God to order our earthly concerns according to His will (Matthew 6:33). Think how the world would be different if every person centered their mind on the values of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Which prompts - what about you and me? We thank Dr. David Jeremiah for those words above and they remind us of . . . Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 Dr. David Jeremiah shared: More and more people are claiming they don’t believe in sin. With the rise of secularism, the concept of sin is fading. If there’s no God—at least, no personal God—there are no divine rules to govern us. That’s why we must preach the “whole counsel” of God, including its demands, warnings, and judgments. In times like these, it’s dangerous to ignore the reality of sin. But how wonderful to embrace the grace of God’s full and free forgiveness!
Which reminds us of 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. This is just a reminder to 'hang in there'. When things are not going so well - pray.
And if they are going well - pray and thank God. We understand what it means for something to be full; it has reached its capacity
(a bottle is full, our gas tank is full, etc. etc). The apostle Paul used the idea of fullness to express the truth that, in Christ, we are full of God Himself. First is the “fullness of the Godhead”—there is nothing lacking in God. He is perfect, full of deity. Then, Paul says that the fullness of God dwells in Christ in “bodily” form. Finally, if we are in Christ, then all the fullness of God dwells in us: We “are complete in Him.” If we have Christ, there is nothing more of God’s presence and reality to receive. To search for something more of God outside of Christ is a vain search. Don’t be tempted by religious propaganda that seeks to give you something new (Colossians 2:8). If you are in Christ, you have the fullness of God. . We thank Dr. David Jeremiah for those insights above. They remind us of: For in [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him. Colossians 2:9-10 [Dr. David Jeremiah reminds us] Everyone talks about happiness, but we seldom hear the biblical word gladness. Though only eight letters, few today use that word or experience its reality. Yet the Bible is full of gladness. That word is found nearly fifty times in Scripture. For example . . .
Deuteronomy 28:47 tells us to serve the Lord “with joy and gladness of heart.” 2 Chronicles 29:30 Tells us the people of Hezekiah’s day “sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped” And Proverbs 10:28 says, “The hope of the righteous will be gladness.” Isaiah 51:11 reminds us “So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” And John 20:20 says, “The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can have supernatural joy and gladness, even during difficult circumstances. Add this word to your vocabulary and let its reality fill your heart. Which all reminds us of these words from William L. Thompson . . . "When I am sad, to Him I go; No other one can cheer me so. When I am sad, He makes me glad." |
Author(s)These brief writings are a collection from various sources. We hope you enjoy them. Let us know if you have something that you would like us to post Archives
November 2022
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