No Want

Deuteronomy 6:1-3

Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Here we are told that these commands are for "thy son's son all the days of thy life." which means that these are still for us. Following the commands, statutes, and judgments of the Lord will prolong our days. God gives us these commands that we may have a good life. God's commands are not given to us to stifle us or make life miserable. They are to help us live a life full of blessings and increase.

Fear the Lord and live!

Following the Israelites

Psalms 106:13-15

They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

I fear that many in this nation are following the Israelites' example and it didn't end well for them so it won't be any different for us.

We have forgotten the Lord's blessing on this nation. We are not waiting on His counsel. We are lusting after the things of this world (money, possessions, security, etc.). God will give us our requests if we burden Him too long with our whining and griping. He will give us what we are asking; however, read that last part . . .

but sent leanness into their soul

We will not be happy even once we get what we want because we will realize it isn't what we needed.

I pray this nation will see its need for God. I pray for people to live by His standards and not worry about what this world says we need to be happy. True joy is found in Christ and following Him!

Contentment

Learning contentment is a valuable thing to learn. Scripture calls it a "great gain." Why is that? Well, let's look at scripture to answer that.

 1 Timothy 6:8

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

What more do we need in life besides clothes and food? God promises to provide those things so in all reality, why should we be discontent when our needs are being met?

Hebrews 13:5 

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

God promises to always be with us. If He is with us, will we truly lack something we need? God is all we need!

Many times I get caught up with what the world says we need, or I just want more than what s needed. In those times, I need to remind myself that God is all I need. When I have Him, I am not alone and He promises to feed and clothe me. Who am I to complain at how or when He provides those things? He knows that is best for me; I just need to rest in that fact.

He Will Prosper

Nehemiah 2:19-20

 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

Sometimes when we are about God's work, others will think we are crazy or stupid. They may laugh at us. They may scorn us. They may try to talk "sense" into us. They may try to stop us.

However, we need to remember who we follow and who is in control!

The Lord will prosper those who are about His work. He will take care of us and provide all we need to complete the job He placed before us.

Remember to  keep your focus on Him whom you are serving!

Marriage Moment Monday-Covenant

When you said, "I do!" you entered into a covenant relationship not only with your spouse, but also God. As a noun, covenant means,

an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified. (dictionary.com)

A covenant of marriage (a verb with an object) means, 

to promise by covenant; pledge. (dictionary.com)

You promise to love each other for better or for worse. You promise to love each other for richer or for poorer. You promise to love each other in sickness and in health. You made a promise and promises are not to be broken. 

If you say to each other that divorce is not an option, you will work harder at fixing whatever problems you may have.

You also need to remember that the covenant you entered also involves a third person-God. If you are having problems, go to Him and His Word. There is much wisdom in how to have not only a good marriage, but an abundant marriage within the pages of the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-6

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

Never forget that covenant. Never make divorce an option. Work as hard as you can to make your marriage better. Follow God's commands for life and marriage and He will bless your union.

Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9 

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Is being a peacemaker a good thing?

Yes!

God calls us to be peacemakers.

Philippians 2:13-16

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

God works in us! He helps us do good. He helps us to do all things without grumbling or complaining.

What does grumbling or complaining look like? It obviously can be verbally voicing our negative opinion, but it can be more than that as well. When we roll our eyes, huff and puff, etc., we are also grumbling and complaining. Stomping our feet as we walk away, slamming doors or drawers or shoving our way past others are also other ways of complaining.

We should also realize that peacemakers must be problem solvers. The Bible helps us here as well.

Matthew 18:15-17

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

When you go to your brother to tell him his fault, you should discuss the problem calmly and encourage him to make the correct choice. You should probably speak using "I" statements such as, "I felt hurt when you . . ." or "What I heard you say was . . ." By using "I" statements, you avoid attacking the other person while explaining your point of view. You should always remember the golden rule as well.

Matthew 7:12 

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

What is Love?

Love is giving. Giving to the point of your life for another. Love is thinking of someone more than you do yourself; so much more that you value their life over your own. If you accepted Christ, you can be sure of where you will spend eternity.

1 John 5:11-13

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Are you willing to give of your life here on earth to help someone else accept their free gift of eternal life?

Amend My Ways

Jeremiah 7:3-11

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.

I have been struggling with negative thoughts lately and prayed that God would lead me to the scripture I needed to hear and hide in my heart. I then opened my Bible to Jeremiah 7 and started reading.

Verse 1 starts with, "The word . . .from the Lord." I knew I needed to pay attention!

I need to amend my ways, my thoughts--to receive God's blessings. I need to stop listening and believing lying words--even those I speak to myself. I need to seek truth, God's truth, and stand on it. Listening to Satan's lies will not profit anyone but Satan. I may need to speak God's truth (audibly and mentally) numerous times a day to over power what Satan is trying trying to tell me. Just like we are told in James 3 (a fountain does not spew good & bitter water--11), we can not be a temple of God if we are believing the lies of this world. My body is the Lord's temple and I need to start treating it as such. I can not let Satan invade God's temple! I must combat the lies!

Transform

I was challenged this year to come up with a word for the year for myself. After prayer and consideration, I decided (or rather God showed me) that I truly did need to have a word to focus on for 2016.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

~ Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 tells us to not become like the world, but instead to transform our minds with God's Word.

God's ways are different from the world's and we need to be okay with that. We will suffer if we try to fit into this world and follow God's commands at the same time. We need to change our hearts and minds to be in compliance to His--a change in our soul--a transformation.

I long to be transformed into whom God desires me to be. I desire to be transformed like a woman who God will use for His glory. It is only when I give up my old self and the control I desired before will I complete God's desire/will for me.

Do Good

James 4:13-17

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Who is in control? God is in control! And yet, as I say that, I know I still struggle with wanting control and I bet most of you do as well.

We like feeling like we are in control, but if we are a Christian, we know that no matter what we do, God is in control.

When we make plans and say we are definitely going to do something, we are ignoring the fact that God may have other plans. Many times (too many to count!) I make plans for my life and God proved He was the one in control by changing those plans.

We can make plans, but always remember that God may change those plans. We need to say, "we hope to do this or that" or "God willing, this is what will happen." God cares about our desires, but He doesn't want to be ignored in our plans.

If we think we are in congrol and boast about how we are in control, we are following after evil things. We need to give God the glory and the right plce in our lives. We know it is good that God is in control. We know we need to bend to His will. We know how we ought to live --so, lets live that way.

Opression

Ecclesiastes 7:7 

Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

A wise man sees and understands when he is being oppressed and it makes him mad. A foolish man, however, probably doesn't even realize the oppression. The act of oppression could be "hidden" in the form of a gift. The gift keeps the foolish from seeing the oppression and trying to get out from under it.

Is it just me or do others see this being played out in America with the increasing socialist programs?

Christ's Law

James 4:11-12

 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

What law is being spoken of here? The new law Christ gave--to love one another. If we speak evil against our brother, we are not demonstrating love. It is not up to us to destroy a brother's reputation. God is judge and will deal with him accordingly. We are to love, not give final judgement.

Contentment

As it is Christmas time, let us remember this verse. Our lives and the goodness of our lives are not dependent on what we have. The saying goes, "He who dies with the most toys still dies." Why not take this time of the year to be generous? Why not be content with what God has already given? You are worth more than what you own.

All Should Come to Repentance

2 Chronicles 33:1-20

  Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses. So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only. Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers. So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

King Manasseh was a very wicked man. Not only did he do what "was evil in the sight of the Lord," but he was worse than the heathens God had destroyed to give the land to the Israelites.

Because of his wickedness, God brought great affliction on him. It was during this affliction that he turned to God.

He humbled himself, repented and prayed to God for forgiveness. God heard his prayers!

This was the most wicked man, but God heard his prayers of repentance. You can never be so bad that you can't come to Jesus. Many times people say they can't be saved because they have done too much bad, but the story of Manasseh proves otherwise. God will always hear the repentive heart.

Peculiar

1 Peter 2:9-25

  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

If you are a believer of Christ, you have been chosen to be set apart. We are peculiar to this world. We are strangers in this world. Our lives should stand out against the lost who follow their own lusts.

We should be honest in both conversation and deed. We should be obedient to authority. We should show honor and love.

If we are different from the world, we may have to suffer; however, we should endure the suffering knowing Christ is by our side and knowing God is pleased with our patient endurance. Even Christ endured suffering He did not deserve. God will bless the faithful who follow Christ's example.

Lifted in Freedom

James 4:7-10Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

This speaks of our relationship with God. We are to submit to God and His commands. Then draw closer to Him (desire to get to know Him better) and He will draw closer to us. It is then that we will be convicted of our sins and instead of living in ignorant bliss, we will acknowledge our sin and repent. When we humble ourselves before God's authority, He will forgive us, release us from the prison of sin, and lift us in freedom!

Rest

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

When God is on our side, we do not have to be afraid regardless of how big our enemy seems. God is bigger than the biggest army. He is stronger than the strongest men. It doesn't matter if they come at us with things of this world, God is our help and will fight for us. We can rest in God.

Live By Faith

I was reading the book of Habakkuk and it was continually impressed on me that this could be written about America.

Our land is filled with wickedness and evil. There is the blood of the innocent on our hands. People (and the government) take what is not theirs. We scoff at the righteous. Wrong judgement proceeds from our courts.

There is hope though! We know that at the appointed time, Christ will reign! He will come back and sit on the throne of judgement. We must not grow weary in waiting because He will come!

Wars and Fighting

James 4:-6

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Many ask why God allows war if He is such a good God. Well, He gives us free will and war occurs because of selfish desires. We desire more than what we have so we fight and kill. Even if we do ask God for something, we won't receive it if we ask out of selfishness. We can not desire things of the world and things of God at the same time. If we want "success" in the eyes of the world, then we will be against the Lord.

However, if we humble ourselves before God, He will show us grace. We must make a choice-our pride or God.

Who is Wise?

James 3:13-18

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Wisdom

We all seek it. We all want to be known as wise. Here we are told to prove our wisdom by not showing off, but by living as a wise person.

A truly wise person is not full of bitterness, envy, or strife. Those thins are all of this world and stem from a life of selfishness.

True wisdom comes from God. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful, giving, and easily lived. If you are truly wise, then you will not talk one way and live another. Your walk will demonstrate our wisdom.

Another benefit to true wisdom is that you will live peaceably with those around you.

May we seek true wisdom and strive to live it.