JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding... in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight”!
The Bible is full of references to divine guidance, and we have many instances recorded in it, where God gave His servants direction.
Within the pages of the bible He also gives us many promises of “His desire” to guide His people… so this study this morning is based on one such promise.
There is no greater need in the life of a Christian than that of “divine guidance”.
The reason being… is that life is full of choices.
Every day we have to make decisions, and we simply do not know which is the right way to go unless we turn to the Lord and ask for His help (Jeremiah 10:23)
If you look at (Proverbs 3:5-6) you will see that this promise is conditional… there are two parts God’s part, and our part.
God says to us, "If you will do your part, I will do my part."
Now before I get any further this morning, there is something we must all understand if you truly want the Lord’s direction in your life.
And that is, you must believe that God and His Word are absolute!
It is not written with the thought that He might or maybe.
There are no what if’s or double meanings.
(Numbers 23:19) tells us that God is not a man that He should lie, not a human that He should change His mind, Does He speak and then not act, does He promise and not fulfill?
God says what He means and He means what He said.
Paul writes in (Hebrews 4:12) saying, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”.
Let me say this before I get any further this morning folks.
Your belief whether or not Gods Word can work in your life, whether or not it is His Word, your belief in Him or unbelief in Him, does not determine or trump His word and will for your life.
(Isaiah 55:6-11) “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Jumping ahead to verse 11… Isaiah continues Gods thoughts on this matter saying… “so is my word that goes out from my mouth… It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”.
In my text from Proverbs this morning, (Proverbs 3:5-6) notice how absolutely certain the promise is… “He will make your paths straight.”
Notice three things about this promise.
1) It is the promise of a personally conducted tour through life.
See how very personal this promise is.
The words “He”, (that’s God)… and the word “Your”, (that’s you and I).
Nothing could be more “personal” than that.
What an amazing thing it is that God Himself actually wants and offers to lead you the right way through your life… and bring you safely to your journey’s end.
This is what He (God) promises you in this one verse, and it is important to notice the word “straight”.
This reminds us of the fact that as we travel through life we are faced on every hand with confusion, and often we are at a loss to know which is “the right way”.
(Proverbs 14:12) “For there is a way which seems right unto a man”.
But God says He will guide us so that we do not take a wrong turn.
2) It is the promise of guidance regarding every detail of life and for the whole of life.
There is no limit in the promise before us.
God says that if we will acknowledge Him, He will direct us in all our paths until we reach our journey’s end.
Notice the significance of the word ‘paths’, which includes all the pathways along which we have to travel.
Sometimes it is said that God does not guide His children in all the small details of life, that He’s far too busy and cannot be concerned to help us in the ordinary matters which face us from day to day.
But I know this thought is not true.
Whether we need guidance in the home, in business, with regard to our leisure times or our work, our friendships, every aspect of our life, all is important to the Lord.
He longs to be there and guide us in all the decisions we have to make.
2) It is the promise of guidance that is infallible.
It is God Himself who has made this promise, therefore it is divine guidance, and because it is divine it is infallible, unerring guidance.
The writer of Proverbs says, “He (God) will make your paths straight.”
Parental guidance may be loving, but it is never infallible… because parents are fallible.
Gods guidance is never in any way subject to error or mistakes… and He cannot make a mistake because He is God.
It isn’t wrong to confer with flesh and blood (Galatians 1:16)… but primarily, we must confer with the Lord Himself… because whatever man may advise, it is liable to error… it is human.
In contrast with this, God? guidance is faultless… and we can therefore rely upon it.
This is the promise that God makes to every one of His children.
So my encouragement to you this morning is this.
Make a decision, make a choice to believe that God is on your side… then chose to believe that God has direction for you.
Make a choice to believe that He has a word or a plan that will direct your life.
Then wait!
Yes I said wait!
If He said it He meant it!
If He meant it He will do it!
(2nd Peter 3:9) “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake”.
Your job in all of this?
Is to believe!
Jesus said (Mark 9:23) “if you can all things are possible to them that believe.”
Choose to believe His Word and His promises!
Good Day!
(Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, He will make your paths straight”!
The Bible is full of references to divine guidance and we have many instances recorded in it
where God gave His servants direction.
Within the pages of the bible He also gives us many promises of “His desire”, to guide His people… so this study this morning is based on one such promise.
There is no greater need in the life of a Christian than that of “divine guidance”.
The reason being… is that life is full of choices.
Every day we have to make decisions, and we simply do not know which is the right way to go unless we turn to the Lord and ask for His help (Jeremiah 10:23)
If you look at (Proverbs 3:5-6) you will see that this promise is conditional… there are two parts... God’s part and our part.
God says to us, ‘If you will do your part, I will do my part.’
Now before I get any further this morning, there is something we must all understand if you truly want the Lord’s direction in your life.
And that is, you must believe that God and His Word are absolute!
It is not written with the thought that He might or maybe.
There are no what if’s or double meanings.
(Numbers 23:19) tells us that "God is not a man that He should lie, not a human that He should change His mind, Does He speak and then not act, does He promise and not fulfill"?
God says what He means and He means what He said.
Paul writes in (Hebrews 4:12) saying, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”.
Let me say this before I get any further this morning folks.
Your belief whether or not Gods Word can work in your life, whether or not it is His Word, your belief in Him or unbelief in Him, does not determine or trump His word and will for your life.
(Isaiah 55:6-11) “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah continues Gods thoughts on this matter saying… “so is my word that goes out from my mouth… It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”.
In my text from Proverbs this morning, (Proverbs 3:5-6) notice how absolutely certain the promise is… “He will make your paths straight.”
Within the pages of the bible He also gives us many promises of “His desire”, to guide His people… so this study this morning is based on one such promise.
There is no greater need in the life of a Christian than that of “divine guidance”.
The reason being… is that life is full of choices.
Every day we have to make decisions, and we simply do not know which is the right way to go unless we turn to the Lord and ask for His help (Jeremiah 10:23)
If you look at (Proverbs 3:5-6) you will see that this promise is conditional… there are two parts... God’s part and our part.
God says to us, ‘If you will do your part, I will do my part.’
Now before I get any further this morning, there is something we must all understand if you truly want the Lord’s direction in your life.
And that is, you must believe that God and His Word are absolute!
It is not written with the thought that He might or maybe.
There are no what if’s or double meanings.
(Numbers 23:19) tells us that "God is not a man that He should lie, not a human that He should change His mind, Does He speak and then not act, does He promise and not fulfill"?
God says what He means and He means what He said.
Paul writes in (Hebrews 4:12) saying, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”.
Let me say this before I get any further this morning folks.
Your belief whether or not Gods Word can work in your life, whether or not it is His Word, your belief in Him or unbelief in Him, does not determine or trump His word and will for your life.
(Isaiah 55:6-11) “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah continues Gods thoughts on this matter saying… “so is my word that goes out from my mouth… It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”.
In my text from Proverbs this morning, (Proverbs 3:5-6) notice how absolutely certain the promise is… “He will make your paths straight.”
Notice three things about this promise.
1) It is the promise of a personally conducted tour through life.
See how very personal this promise is.
The words “He”, (that’s God)… and the word “Your”, (that’s you and I).
Nothing could be more “personal” than that.
What an amazing thing it is that God Himself actually wants and offers to lead you the right way through your life… and bring you safely to your journey’s end.
This is what He (God) promises you in this one verse, and it is important to notice the word “straight”.
This reminds us of the fact that as we travel through life we are faced on every hand with confusion, and often we are at a loss to know which is “the right way”.
(Proverbs 14:12) “For there is a way which seems right unto a man”.
But God says He will guide us so that we do not take a wrong turn.
2) It is the promise of guidance regarding every detail of life and for the whole of life.
There is no limit in the promise before us.
God says that if we will acknowledge Him, He will direct us in all our paths until we reach our journey’s end.
Notice the significance of the word ‘paths’, which includes all the pathways along which we have to travel.
Sometimes it is said that God does not guide His children in all the small details of life, that He’s far too busy and cannot be concerned to help us in the ordinary matters which face us from day to day.
But I know this thought is not true.
Whether we need guidance in the home, in business, with regard to our leisure times or our work, our friendships, every aspect of our life, all is important to the Lord.
He longs to be there and guide us in all the decisions we have to make.
2) It is the promise of guidance that is infallible.
It is God Himself who has made this promise, therefore it is divine guidance, and because it is divine it is infallible, unerring guidance.
The writer of Proverbs says, “He (God) will make your paths straight.”
Parental guidance may be loving, but it is never infallible… because parents are fallible.
Gods guidance is never in any way subject to error or mistakes… and He cannot make a mistake because He is God.
It isn’t wrong to confer with flesh and blood (Galatians 1:16)… but primarily, we must confer with the Lord Himself… because whatever man may advise, it is liable to error… it is human.
In contrast with this, Gods guidance is faultless… and we can therefore rely upon it.
This is the promise that God makes to every one of His children.
So my encouragement to you this morning is this.
Make a decision, make a choice to believe that God is on your side… then chose to believe that God has direction for you.
Make a choice to believe that He has a word or a plan that will direct your life.
Then wait!
Yes I said wait!
If He said it He meant it!
If He meant it, He will do it!
(2nd Peter 3:9) “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake”.
Your job in all of this?
Is to believe!
Jesus said (Mark 9:23) “if you can all things are possible to them that believe.”
Choose to believe His Word and His promises!
Good Day!
(Matthew 16:6) "Be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
In (Matthew 16:6) our Lord made a passionate plea to His disciples and those who were following Him warning them of three types of yeast or leaven that was not healthy for their souls... and could result in them losing their way as followers of God.
Leaven is yeast, and it is used to make bread.
It helps the bread dough culture and rise.
With out yeast or leaven, bread dough will not develop properly… but here is the kicker.
Leaven can only work in a lukewarm environment.
Leaven is mentioned by the Lord Jesus as an attribute of the Pharisees and the Sadducees… of whom Jesus told the disciples to beware of.
Jesus Christ showed little tolerance for the religious leaders of His day whom represented themselves as righteous leaders lording it over others… and whom had little regard regard for their fellow man when it came to love, mercy and kindness.
In Matthew ‘s letter, Christ referred to them as hypocrites who should have known better.
In (Matthew 16:6) Jesus taught, "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
So what is the “leaven” or yeast of the Pharisees?
Jesus says in (Luke 12:1), “The leaven of the Pharisees is hypocrisy”.
The Pharisees were guilty of hypocrisy… that is, saying one thing and doing another.
You see, hypocrisy is not something that comes upon one suddenly.
It is a slow and subtle process.
The Pharisees were not people who had the “intention” of being hypocrites.
They were “exemplary” in their sincere pursuit of doctrinal truth, but after a period of time, little by little, slowly, they became “self-righteous”.
They knew perfectly the letter of the Law, but they missed “the spirit” of the Law.
They shifted away from the truth of the Scriptures to twisting it to accommodate their own pursuits and wickedness.
Shifting away is a slow process no matter what causes the shifting.
Some believers start out as genuine Christians… but slowly as time goes by, some cool down.
They shift away so that eventually only the outward appearance of spirituality is left.
They go to church, do religious things, talk the talk but somewhere got off the walk!
The light of Christ that once burned within has gone out.
They honor God with their lips… but their heart is far from Him.
They preach one thing but do not practice it.
They have departed from their first love, being neither cold nor hot (Revelation 2:5)
Leaven works only in one kind of environment.
What kind of environment is it?
A “lukewarm” environment.
If you put the dough in a cold place, the leaven will not do anything.
If you put it in a hot place, nothing will happen either.
You have to give leaven a “lukewarm condition” or environment that it needs to raise the dough.
In that sense, the church or a believer in Christ cannot be “leaven”.
That is why Jesus referred to the Leaven of the Pharisees as lukewarm believers concerned only about themselves.
The church must be either hot or cold, as Jesus says in (Revelation 3:16) “… because if you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth”.
So then what is the leaven of the Sadducees?
We read from (Luke 20:27) that it is unbelief.
“Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him…”
They did not believe in the resurrection doctrine that Jesus taught, or the message of life after death… nor did they believe in the miracles that He did,
Unbelief can also affect the church.
Some Christians may struggle with doubts about their faith.
They have many questions to which they don’t find answers.
They are easily shaken with every wind of doctrine or teaching and slowly but surely, their faith is eroded by unbelief.
Jesus said “if you can believe and doubt not, you can have whatsoever you ask of God” (Matthew 21:21).
That’s why we need to pray “Lord I Believe but help thou my unbelief”(Mark 9:23)
Jesus also warns us about another kind of leaven in (Mark 8:1).
“Beware of the leaven of Herod”.
What is the leaven of Herod?
The leaven of Herod refers to compromise!
In (Luke 13:32) Jesus called Herod, “That Fox”.
This has reference to the subtle diplomacy and cunning political management of a difficult Roman region, which enabled King Herod to keep his puppet position and royal power for many years.
Now, in order to have or maintain peace between the Jews and the Romans, he had to be an opportunist one whom practiced compromise.
Opportunists are brilliant at manipulation... they know how to work all the angles to their own benefit.
These people behave as though they have the best of both parties in mind so long as they can do their own thing and don’t have to submit to any rules or guidelines themselves, they don’t mind going to church and being involved in spiritual activity.
As long as they can continue to pursue their own will, they don’t mind being religious.
Eventually they become what Paul calls “carnal believers”.
It’s what John warned about in (1st John 2:15-17)… “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
So Jesus, by His use of the word “leaven” in these three instances, is warning His disciples, His followers, you and I to be careful of the danger of “assimilation… into and with the world around us.
The bible teaches us that we are in this world… but we are not of this world (John 17:16)… the world of the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Herodians or opportunists.
And if we are to judge from the use of the word “leaven” in the rest of the Scriptures, it is an unseen pervasive evil influence within the faithful... that will eventually take its toll.
We have to interpret the parable of the leaven as a picture of the spreading of evil within the church… and in doing so we must discipline ourselves not to fall under its influence or into it’s trap.
So let me ask you…what are the challenges, the temptations, the influences that are causing you to follow after “leaven”… what ever the “leaven” might be?
(Matthew 6:33) Jesus said “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”.
That needs to be our criteria or standard to live by folks.
We all need to ask ourselves regularly, “does what I am about to do or fall into, fall or lie between the guidelines of Gods righteousness”?
Only you can be the judge of your own weaknesses, so be careful out there!
(1st Corinthians 11:28) “… so then let a man examine himself…”
Good Day!
In (Luke 13:32) Jesus called Herod, “That Fox”.
This has reference to the subtle diplomacy and cunning political management of a difficult Roman region, which enabled King Herod to keep his puppet position and royal power for many years.
Now, in order to have or maintain peace between the Jews and the Romans, he had to be an opportunist one whom practiced compromise.
Opportunists are brilliant at manipulation... they know how to work all the angles to their own benefit.
These people behave as though they have the best of both parties in mind so long as they can do their own thing and don’t have to submit to any rules or guidelines themselves, they don’t mind going to church and being involved in spiritual activity.
As long as they can continue to pursue their own will, they don’t mind being religious.
Eventually they become what Paul calls “carnal believers”.
It’s what John warned about in (1st John 2:15-17)… “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
So Jesus, by His use of the word “leaven” in these three instances, is warning His disciples, His followers, you and I to be careful of the danger of “assimilation… into and with the world around us.
The bible teaches us that we are in this world… but we are not of this world (John 17:16)… the world of the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Herodians or opportunists.
And if we are to judge from the use of the word “leaven” in the rest of the Scriptures, it is an unseen pervasive evil influence within the faithful... that will eventually take its toll.
We have to interpret the parable of the leaven as a picture of the spreading of evil within the church… and in doing so we must discipline ourselves not to fall under its influence or into it’s trap.
So let me ask you…what are the challenges, the temptations, the influences that are causing you to follow after “leaven”… what ever the “leaven” might be?
(Matthew 6:33) Jesus said “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”.
That needs to be our criteria or standard to live by folks.
We all need to ask ourselves regularly, “does what I am about to do or fall into, fall or lie between the guidelines of Gods righteousness”?
Only you can be the judge of your own weaknesses, so be careful out there!
(1st Corinthians 11:28) “… so then let a man examine himself…”
Good Day!
(1st John 4:18) "Perfect love expels all fear".
I for one could not imagine living a life without God in the center of it… such as I try to do each day!
Its so comforting to know that there is a "higher power", that is bigger than all of this worlds calamity and problems.
If God loved us with an imperfect love, we would have cause to worry.
But God cares about you and I too much to leave us in any doubt about His love.
The Bible says His "perfect love expels all fear." (1st John 4:7-8)
Human love is flawed… it keeps a checklist of our sins and shortcomings-and consults it often.
God keeps no such list.
His love casts out our fear because it casts out our guilt.
John writes, (1st John 3:20). "If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart". ?
When you feel un-forgiven, question your feelings but don't question God.
Go back to His Word… it outranks self-criticism and self-doubt.
Nothing fosters confidence like a clear grasp of God's grace… and nothing fosters fear like ignorance of it.
The fact is, if you haven't accepted God's grace, you're doomed to live in fear.
No pill, pep talk, psychiatrist, or earthly possession can put your mind at ease.
Those things may help numb your fear, but they can't eradicate it.
Only God's grace can do that.
Have you accepted Christ's forgiveness?
If not… why not?
The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us... and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1st John 1:9)
Why is it that humanity thinks that it does not need God, or His forgiveness and grace?
The place of confession is also the place of cleansing and restored confidence toward God. ?
This morning I want to talk to you who are believers in Christ and are enjoying Gods continued favor for humanity right now.
When you became a believer in Christ you began a life of freedom from fear.
That fear was summed up in an “unknown future”… it was summed up in “fear of guilt”… it was summed up in “hopelessness”… it was summed up in “desperation and lack of hope”.
You then came to a place of “faith in God” and His ability to care for you and you replaced all this fear with confidence in God… that no matter what, God will see you thru.
You became an example of Paul’s proclamation in (Ephesians 2:12)… “You were with out God and with out hope”, and then you traded that lack of hope for “confidence” in God… and faith that He would take care of you,
Yet some of you have “cast away your confidence in God” and began to cower in fear once again as the enemy of our souls walks around “like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour” (1st Peter 5:8)
Paul writes in (Ephesians 2:3), “But now in Christ Jesus”!
I need to ask you today, all of you whom are believers in Christ.
Who has beguiled You?
Why do you now fear once again, the things that are “beyond your abilities” to handle.
Do you think God saved you in the past to drop you now in this time of uncertainty and worldwide upheaval?
Do you think that His hand is unable to protect you and cover you and save you in the midst of the trial that you are facing?
Where is your faith and trust in God and His keeping grace?
A few year ago there was a wonderful cliché that was challenging believers in Christ and motivating us to acts of great faith!
Do you remember that cliché”?
W.W. J. D. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
I am going to make a statement that will probably cause some of you to mock me and even publically denounce me.
But I can’t help it.
To you… the believer in Christ… I need to say it!
Where is your faith?
Where is your trust in Christ for His protection and promise of physical protection in this life?
What Would Jesus Do?
We are to be examples of Him.
Did He sequester Himself from the ten lepers.
Did He shut Himself in and hide from any contact with the world.
Did He social distance himself in the midst of some of the most horrific times of social disease during His day?
You know the answer already!
And that is no!!!!!!!!!
He did not and neither should we.
I said this during the Covid 19 shutdown of our world and I say it again concerning that atrocities that are happening in our society today… they are works of the enemy… works of the devil the enemy of our souls… who is like a roaring lion seeking whom He can devour. (1st Peter 5:8)
If you are truly a child of faith, a child of God… a believer in Christ and His ability to care for His children… then you need to rise up in faith and confidence in God and share that hope and message with our world today!
Stop walking in fear… spewing that same message of fear and mistrust in God adding fuel to the lost hope that much of the world is walking in today.
You say “when did I spew a message of mistrust and lack of hope in God”?
The answer?
The minute you started letting fear stop you from social interaction with others around you.
The minute you started hiding your light behind closed doors.
The minute you let doubt in the ability of God to protect you!
To the church, to the child of God reading this devotional this morning… we need to repent and we need to rise up in faith and begin to trust God once again to help you and I be an open book and a light of faith and hope in God to the world around you.
And you can’t do that by “social distancing” separating our selves from one another.
Yes we need to be wary, yes we need to wash our hands!
Yes you need to use common sense.
But we need to have faith in God to protect us while we go about doing good in our society, interacting with people meeting with people.
Sharing the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ with people.
We need to replace fear with faith… and then start being obedient once again to the command of Jesus… “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel”, be a light, be a witness of hope and confidence in what God can do.
"Lord, I admit I've turned away from confidence in You.
Please forgive me.
I place my soul in Your hands and my trust in Your grace.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
Now having received God's forgiveness, mercy, and grace… start living like it! ?
Be a catalyst and a witness that shows others "the Way", to peace and comfort in spite of what this world is throwing at us.
Good Day!
(Proverbs 15:14) “A wise person is hungry for knowledge.”
It’s been said that we forget more than 80 percent of what we learn in school and college.
That raises the question, “Why bother?
Is education really worth what we invest in it?”
The answer?
Yes it is!
No matter how old you are, there are many valid reasons for learning, even if forgetting will take its usual toll.
But education can be a deceptive thing as we walk and live out faith in God.
A violent battle is raging around us twenty-four hours per day.
In 1965, Donald Grey Barnhouse wrote a book about it called “The Invisible War”.
It is the battle for your mind, and that battle is vicious, its intense, its unrelenting, and it is unfair because Satan never plays fair.
And the reason why it is so intense is that your greatest asset is your mind.
I have seen the face of mental illness.
I have seen what it is like when people are unable to hear God because their minds are broken and cannot seem to connect to God even when they want to connect to Him.
And I know also to… whatever gets your mind… gets you.
So one of the most important things we need to learn and teach others is
how to guard, strengthen, and renew our minds… because the battle over sin always starts in the mind.
(2nd Corinthians 10:3-5) says… “Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh… for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal… (of the flesh)… but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God by taking into captivity… every thought captive to obey Christ.”
The apostle Paul says here that our job in this battle is to “destroy strongholds.”
You know what a stronghold is?
It is a mental block.
Paul is talking about pretentions… arguments set up against the knowledge of God.
This is a mental battle and there are several ways to keep your mind healthy and strong so that you can wage the war of “the battle for your mind”.
(1) The most important function of the battle is the learning process of self-discipline and the control that it fosters. Good students learn to follow directions, carry out assignments, and channel their mental faculties toward a constructive end.
These are skills you’ll need in order to succeed in life.
(2) Even if the facts and concepts can’t be recalled, you know they exist and where to find them
so that you can retrieve the information when you need it later on.
(3) Old learning makes new learning easier. Each mental exercise gives you more associative clues with which to link future ideas and concepts, and you are changed for having been through the process of learning.
(4) Your brain is like the programming in your computer. You don’t really forget anything that is beyond the reach of your memory. The information is still stored in your brain and will return to consciousness when properly stimulated.
(5) You are shaped by the influence of the people who teach you. Thats why (Psalm 1:1) teaches "blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the ungodly nor stands in the path of sinners nor seats in the seat of the scornful"
(3) Old learning makes new learning easier. Each mental exercise gives you more associative clues with which to link future ideas and concepts, and you are changed for having been through the process of learning.
(4) Your brain is like the programming in your computer. You don’t really forget anything that is beyond the reach of your memory. The information is still stored in your brain and will return to consciousness when properly stimulated.
(5) You are shaped by the influence of the people who teach you. Thats why (Psalm 1:1) teaches "blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the ungodly nor stands in the path of sinners nor seats in the seat of the scornful"
The Bible says, “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge”(Proverbs 15:14)
But if you are going to really learn, you need one quality in particular, and that is the art of “humility”.
(1st Peter 5:5) Says “God resist the proud and give grace to the humble”.
Why do you think God does this?
The answer? Because the humble are teachable!
I would rather admit that I don’t know it all… than to “pretend” that I know it all and not learn.
You can learn from anybody.
I learn from guys older than me and from guys younger.
I learn from people who don’t like me.
I learn from critics.
I learn from people who totally misunderstand me.
You can learn from anybody.
Learning from your enemies… is a way to be smarter than your enemies… because if your enemies learn only from themselves, but you learn from them, then you will know more than they do… what they know, plus what you know!
(Proverbs 18:15) says, “The mind of a smart person is eager to get knowledge (that’s a mark of intelligence!)… and the wise person listens to learn more.”
We need to be eager to learn and willing to listen.
Learn this old cliché… “God gave us two ears and one mouth” so we should listen twice as much as we speak.
(Proverbs 10:14) says, “Wise men store up knowledge”.
In Scripture, knowledge is the only thing we are supposed to store up.
Jesus says we are not to store up money.
(Matthew 6:19-21) “Don’t store up treasure. Don’t store up material possessions where moth and rust decay”… but store up knowledge because knowledge is far more important than money.
You can always get more money, but knowledge is something you can’t never have enough of, if you want to really succeed in life.
You will leave all your material wealth behind, but a wealth of knowledge goes with you and carries you.
The wise man or woman knows this and seeks to attain knowledge.
The wisdom and knowledge they develop and learn… gives them insight and wisdom to live well on this earth, and make an impact in the lives of others wherever they go.
It is wise to learn from experience… but it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others.
It is also easier!
It saves a lot of time and saves us from making the same mistakes as others.
One other thought with this whole thing about knowledge.
Paul told his young prodigy Timothy… (2nd Timothy 3:7) “there would be people who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth”.
Don’t let mans knowledge overpower or take precedence over wisdom from God.
Smart people are not always wise people.
Yes the bible talks a lot about wisdom.
(Proverbs 4:5)… “Get wisdom, get understanding… do not forget my words or turn away from them".
But if you are going to really learn, you need one quality in particular, and that is the art of “humility”.
(1st Peter 5:5) Says “God resist the proud and give grace to the humble”.
Why do you think God does this?
The answer? Because the humble are teachable!
I would rather admit that I don’t know it all… than to “pretend” that I know it all and not learn.
You can learn from anybody.
I learn from guys older than me and from guys younger.
I learn from people who don’t like me.
I learn from critics.
I learn from people who totally misunderstand me.
You can learn from anybody.
Learning from your enemies… is a way to be smarter than your enemies… because if your enemies learn only from themselves, but you learn from them, then you will know more than they do… what they know, plus what you know!
(Proverbs 18:15) says, “The mind of a smart person is eager to get knowledge (that’s a mark of intelligence!)… and the wise person listens to learn more.”
We need to be eager to learn and willing to listen.
Learn this old cliché… “God gave us two ears and one mouth” so we should listen twice as much as we speak.
(Proverbs 10:14) says, “Wise men store up knowledge”.
In Scripture, knowledge is the only thing we are supposed to store up.
Jesus says we are not to store up money.
(Matthew 6:19-21) “Don’t store up treasure. Don’t store up material possessions where moth and rust decay”… but store up knowledge because knowledge is far more important than money.
You can always get more money, but knowledge is something you can’t never have enough of, if you want to really succeed in life.
You will leave all your material wealth behind, but a wealth of knowledge goes with you and carries you.
The wise man or woman knows this and seeks to attain knowledge.
The wisdom and knowledge they develop and learn… gives them insight and wisdom to live well on this earth, and make an impact in the lives of others wherever they go.
It is wise to learn from experience… but it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others.
It is also easier!
It saves a lot of time and saves us from making the same mistakes as others.
One other thought with this whole thing about knowledge.
Paul told his young prodigy Timothy… (2nd Timothy 3:7) “there would be people who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth”.
Don’t let mans knowledge overpower or take precedence over wisdom from God.
Smart people are not always wise people.
Yes the bible talks a lot about wisdom.
(Proverbs 4:5)… “Get wisdom, get understanding… do not forget my words or turn away from them".
(Proverbs 4:12)... "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go... guard it well, for it is your life".
Wisdom will not only help you… but empower you to uphold the two greatest commandments...
(Matthew 22:37-40)… Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul… and the second is like unto the first… love your neighbor as your self.
Good Day!
(Matthew 22:37-40)… Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul… and the second is like unto the first… love your neighbor as your self.
Good Day!
(Proverbs 21:5) “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity.”
The Bible teaches a balanced approach to setting goals that includes making plans, yet doing so with wisdom and humility.
Wisdom suggests planning and skillful time management, budget management, and the understanding to include God in the very midst of your plans.
Humility includes saying “Lord show me what to do”, and then submitting to what He shows you.
Jesus’ illustrated the need for good planning in His illustration of the building of a tower, and He implies that it is a good thing to have set goals.
(Luke 14:28) “for which of you desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost whether he has enough to complete it?”
To live with no motivation or planning is not God’s desire… nor is it His will in and for your life.
(Proverbs 6:6-11) says, “Look at the ant, and consider her ways, and be wise.
Without having any chief, officer, or ruler she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
"How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you
like a robber, and want like an armed man.”
Laziness causes a person to neglect work and fail to exploit “windows of opportunity”.
Summer is the preparation time for winter, and we dare not wile it away.
Failure to plan ahead will result in poverty and want.
Wisely setting goals leads to better results… “The plans of the diligent lead to profit” (Proverbs 21:5).
However, just because we’ve done our planning, doesn’t guarantee our goals will be met.
The process of setting goals must be infused with humility.
(James 4:13-14) “Now listen, you who say, 'today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.'
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow?
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”
The Bible teaches against two extremes.
One is “never setting goals” and the second is “setting goals with no thought of God”.
The balanced alternative is found in (James 4:15), “Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
It is good to make plans, as long as we leave room for God to change our plans.
Laziness causes a person to neglect work and fail to exploit “windows of opportunity”.
Summer is the preparation time for winter, and we dare not wile it away.
Failure to plan ahead will result in poverty and want.
Wisely setting goals leads to better results… “The plans of the diligent lead to profit” (Proverbs 21:5).
However, just because we’ve done our planning, doesn’t guarantee our goals will be met.
The process of setting goals must be infused with humility.
(James 4:13-14) “Now listen, you who say, 'today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.'
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow?
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”
The Bible teaches against two extremes.
One is “never setting goals” and the second is “setting goals with no thought of God”.
The balanced alternative is found in (James 4:15), “Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
It is good to make plans, as long as we leave room for God to change our plans.
His goals take precedence over ours.
Which brings me to this thought.
Unfortunately there are many in this high tech age that have their PDA’s (personal digital assistants) and calendars crammed full of business and activities with little thought to, or any time for God.
(Proverbs 16:9) says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
I read one translation of this verse that says, a man makes His plans but the Lord laughs at them.
In other words, we have our ideas and make our plans, but God will ultimately accomplish His sovereign desires.
I wonder do your goals make room for the unexpected?
Do they allow for God to interrupt your plans?
When the Spirit of God wants you to go here or there or turn in another direction… are you flexible enough, pliant enough, ready to follow His direction rather than stubbornly push your own agenda.
(Jeremiah 10:23) “I know O Lord that a man's way is not his own… no one who walks, directs his own steps.”
(Psalm 37:23) “For the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…”
I wonder… do you and I… do we love God’s will more than our own?
(Matthew 6:33-34) tells us to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself”
Yes we need to set goals.
Yes we need to plan accordingly.
Yes we need to calculate our way.
But we need to be willing to let God redirect our plans, (Isaiah 30:21)
“this is the way walk ye in it”
If our plans focus on Christ and our desire to honor Him, He will see to it that the best results…the eternal results are ours.
As you read this devotional today, I have a plan for tomorrow.
It’s a “witty invention” that (Proverbs 8:12) talks about,
It’s a way that we can keep travelling from town to town and community to community… to keep this ministry in the marketplace and going into all the communities of our world to be the light of Jesus to the world.
(Acts 1:8 ) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you nad you shall be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, Judea, and the utter most parts of the world"
It’s a witty invention that will allow me to fulfill the calling and the goals of this ministry.
But I can’t do it on my own.
I need God to bring it to pass.
So what are the plans you have for tomorrow… or do you have any at all.
Is there any room in your busy life to let God redirect your course your plans and show you just where He wants you or needs you to be... so that the plan He has for you can unfold according to His will?
(Jeremiah 29:11) “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord… plans to proper you and give you a future not plans for evil”.
So go ahead start making plans… start dreaming… but let God direct your steps and allow Him to direct your paths… that is the true key to success.
But you also need to start showing some effort… start putting one foot a head of the other.
A baby never starts walking until it starts taking one step at a time.
What about you?
Good Day!
It’s a witty invention that will allow me to fulfill the calling and the goals of this ministry.
But I can’t do it on my own.
I need God to bring it to pass.
So what are the plans you have for tomorrow… or do you have any at all.
Is there any room in your busy life to let God redirect your course your plans and show you just where He wants you or needs you to be... so that the plan He has for you can unfold according to His will?
(Jeremiah 29:11) “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord… plans to proper you and give you a future not plans for evil”.
So go ahead start making plans… start dreaming… but let God direct your steps and allow Him to direct your paths… that is the true key to success.
But you also need to start showing some effort… start putting one foot a head of the other.
A baby never starts walking until it starts taking one step at a time.
What about you?
Good Day!
(Ephesians 6:12) “”for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil”
You are amazing!
In fact, you’re not merely amazing, your potential is off the charts.
I’m not just talking about careers, talents, or even your awesome ability to memorize every line from your favorite movie (though that’s plenty cool).
God reveals your true potential in scripture... “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… your works are wonderful” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought to yourself, “Ugh…you again!”
Have you ever been disappointed at what you see staring back at you?
Maybe I’m all alone in this… but there are some days I have to remind myself that the person staring back at me is a unique, one-of-a-kind, and divinely designed human made in the image of God.
If you have ever doubted your self-worth and self-image, know this…
You are not common… there are no clones of you running around... there is only one you.
You are beautiful… you are incredibly gifted… you are God’s masterpiece.
(Psalm 139:14) describes your uniqueness perfectly… “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… your works are wonderful, I know that full well”.
(1st Corinthians 2:9) “The eye has not seen, nor has the ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”
Trusting and believing in God means receiving everything God has to give us so that we can be prosperous, significant and effective witnesses as spokesmen and women for the Kingdom of God.
In other words, no matter how bright you imagine your future to be, it’s indescribably brighter than that.
Which is why a certain lying, scheming wretch of a bad guy (Satan) is jealous of you and bent on your destruction!
He is a miserable discontented jealous and dangerous “angelic being” bound by eternal limitations, and he wants you to be miserable too.
Well, don’t fall for that.
Satan will do all he can to thwart you along your way back to our Father in Heaven, which includes whispering (or in some cases, shouting) every lie under the sun.
Too often we are caught off guard… and unaware of Satan’s counter-fitting and deceiving work in our midst,,, because we too often forget about the harsh reality of spiritual warfare.
The Bible says ”for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12)
These forces of evil have set their sights on all true believers, and they are unrelenting.
Paul teaches us that "the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they might not see the light of the glory of the gospel of Christ" (2nd Corinthians 4:4)
The implication is that in having blinded their minds, he (Satan)... can then focus on his primary work
“the deception of spiritual truth” in the lives of believers.
We know that Satan is at work, and scripture tells us that “for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose… that all things work together for our good according to the good pleasure of God’s will and for God’s glory (Romans 8:28)
We have also been justified by grace through faith alone because of Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–10).
Jesus taught us to pray to our Father in heaven, the following prayer “deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
Every believer must understand and acknowledge that there is a real war... a spiritual battle raging all around us, and we must be ready to fight… to stand against it.
And as the Spirit conforms us, teaches us, and works in each of our lives... we become more keenly aware of our enemy’s deceitful schemes... so that we would neither be outwitted by Satan, nor
We know that Satan is at work, and scripture tells us that “for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose… that all things work together for our good according to the good pleasure of God’s will and for God’s glory (Romans 8:28)
We have also been justified by grace through faith alone because of Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–10).
Jesus taught us to pray to our Father in heaven, the following prayer “deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
Every believer must understand and acknowledge that there is a real war... a spiritual battle raging all around us, and we must be ready to fight… to stand against it.
And as the Spirit conforms us, teaches us, and works in each of our lives... we become more keenly aware of our enemy’s deceitful schemes... so that we would neither be outwitted by Satan, nor
ignorant of his plans.
(2nd Corinthians 2:11) “in order that Satan might not outwit us… for we are not “unaware” of his schemes”.
But instead we must be more watchful as he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1st Peter 5:8)
Yes he is a real enemy, and he can and will cause havoc in each of our lives.
That’s why it is so important that we remain hot and zealous for God and never allow ourselves to become “luke warm”.
It’s only when we remain focused and aware of Satan’s insidious work in our midst that we can truly
(2nd Corinthians 2:11) “in order that Satan might not outwit us… for we are not “unaware” of his schemes”.
But instead we must be more watchful as he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1st Peter 5:8)
Yes he is a real enemy, and he can and will cause havoc in each of our lives.
That’s why it is so important that we remain hot and zealous for God and never allow ourselves to become “luke warm”.
It’s only when we remain focused and aware of Satan’s insidious work in our midst that we can truly
be “over over comers and more than conquerors”. (Romans 8:37)
For those of us that are aware and ready for his subtle attacks and devious schemes… we can and will escape the snare of the devil.
(2nd Timothy 2:26) “and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will”.
“Coming to our senses”… is in reference to the fact that there is a battle, that there is an evil one, that there is an agenda by the kingdom of darkness and its leader Satan, to thwart the plans of God and the purpose of believers and the church in this world.
But in that realization... its by resting “in Christ” that we will endure to the end and overcome “all the works of the enemy” by His (Christ’s) sustaining grace,
(Genesis 3:15) God told Satan immediately after he tricked Adam and Eve into rebelling against something God told them not to do… “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspringand hers… and He will crushyour head, and you will strike his heel”.
(Romans 16:20) “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Satan knows that Jesus is coming again soon, and believe you me, he is running scared!
But at the same time he wants to take down every one that he can while he has time.
So don’t you fall to his deception!
Don’t you let him deceive you!
Man up… stand up… and take your place in the Army of God, and fight the good fight of faith!
Humble your self before the mighty hand of God (1st Peter 5:6)… and let Him reveal to you and show you how to overcome “every work of the devil” (Ephesians 6:13)
Good Day!
For those of us that are aware and ready for his subtle attacks and devious schemes… we can and will escape the snare of the devil.
(2nd Timothy 2:26) “and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will”.
“Coming to our senses”… is in reference to the fact that there is a battle, that there is an evil one, that there is an agenda by the kingdom of darkness and its leader Satan, to thwart the plans of God and the purpose of believers and the church in this world.
But in that realization... its by resting “in Christ” that we will endure to the end and overcome “all the works of the enemy” by His (Christ’s) sustaining grace,
(Genesis 3:15) God told Satan immediately after he tricked Adam and Eve into rebelling against something God told them not to do… “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspringand hers… and He will crushyour head, and you will strike his heel”.
(Romans 16:20) “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Satan knows that Jesus is coming again soon, and believe you me, he is running scared!
But at the same time he wants to take down every one that he can while he has time.
So don’t you fall to his deception!
Don’t you let him deceive you!
Man up… stand up… and take your place in the Army of God, and fight the good fight of faith!
Humble your self before the mighty hand of God (1st Peter 5:6)… and let Him reveal to you and show you how to overcome “every work of the devil” (Ephesians 6:13)
Good Day!