Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Monday, February 06, 2012
The Blessing Of The Upright
When we struggle with the decision of doing right or wrong, we often times think in the context of ourselves. In other words, we ask , “How will this decision affect me?” We think about the implications that it has on our lives and not too often what it might mean to others. Maybe it’s time we start thinking outside of ourselves. Maybe we need to begin looking at the “bigger picture”. Our decisions in life can at times affect those around us as well. Proverbs 11:11 says this, “By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.” There may be times that by our righteous living and prayerful petitions, that God may bless those around us. We see a perfect example of this as Abraham pleaded with God not to overthrow the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18). He asked God over and over if He would spare them if there were so many who were found as righteous in the city. His last request with God was that God would spare them if there were 10 righteous found. God was willing to do this, although we later find out that there were not even 10. The point is that God was willing to spare an entire city for the sake of 10 righteous people. Maybe it is today that God is willing to prolong His judgment of this world on behalf of a few who are trying to live righteous before Him. May this awareness of others help us to live a life that can be a potential blessing to not only ourselves, but also to those around us.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
What We Need In ________...
There is no doubt to anyone who spends even just a few minutes in one of our public schools today that God is needed there. Just yesterday at my son’s elementary school a fellow 1st grader became irate and began to pull hair, kick, punch, and even stab a classmate with a fork. This behavior was also directed at the teacher who tried to calm him down. His immediate punishment was to stand in the corner until his mother came. My son was in shock and it scared him and many others as well. I know that this type of incident is not just isolated to one school in one area.
Now, let me say that I do not blame this 6 year old boy as much as I blame his parents. Where did he learn such behavior? Has he ever done this at home? Where is the proper training he needs to be a good citizen? No doubt God is needed not just in our schools but in the home as well. Just today the Florida Senate passed a bill that would allow students to lead prayers at school. Not teachers, just students. I guess we should look upon this as a victory, that at least our kids can now lead a prayer without getting in trouble. In fact, before today, a student leading a prayer may have suffered worse punishment than one stabbing his classmates with a fork (that’s not based upon factual knowledge, just a thought).
That is why the title of this devotional has left a blank. We need God in our schools! We need God in our homes! We need God in our workplace! We need God in our lives! It’s time we stop sitting back and letting Satan run amuck in this world. It’s time we start standing up for what is right and taking back our homes, our jobs, our schools, and our lives and give them to God. However, we can do nothing unless we first decide that Christ is going to reign in our lives. Once we do that, we die to self and begin to live out his will in our lives and in this world (Gal. 2:20). Then we can truly begin to act for Him in the world we live in to be a positive influence on those who need Him the most!
Now, let me say that I do not blame this 6 year old boy as much as I blame his parents. Where did he learn such behavior? Has he ever done this at home? Where is the proper training he needs to be a good citizen? No doubt God is needed not just in our schools but in the home as well. Just today the Florida Senate passed a bill that would allow students to lead prayers at school. Not teachers, just students. I guess we should look upon this as a victory, that at least our kids can now lead a prayer without getting in trouble. In fact, before today, a student leading a prayer may have suffered worse punishment than one stabbing his classmates with a fork (that’s not based upon factual knowledge, just a thought).
That is why the title of this devotional has left a blank. We need God in our schools! We need God in our homes! We need God in our workplace! We need God in our lives! It’s time we stop sitting back and letting Satan run amuck in this world. It’s time we start standing up for what is right and taking back our homes, our jobs, our schools, and our lives and give them to God. However, we can do nothing unless we first decide that Christ is going to reign in our lives. Once we do that, we die to self and begin to live out his will in our lives and in this world (Gal. 2:20). Then we can truly begin to act for Him in the world we live in to be a positive influence on those who need Him the most!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Which Prize Will You Choose?
There was an old game show called “Let’s Make A Deal” in which contestants were able to choose various prizes from behind different doors. The host would ask the contestants if they wanted to pick what was behind door number 1 or door number 2. Let’s suppose for a moment you were offered the choice between 2 prizes. Behind door number 1 is wisdom. Behind door number 2 are riches. Which would you choose? Most in our world would probably choose riches. Why? Probably because they think that happiness is found in material riches and goods. However, you and I have also seen many who become instantly wealthy and waste it all away. Again, why? Simply put, because they did not have the wisdom they needed to go along with the riches. Without wisdom, one cannot properly enjoy God’s blessings.
Let’s ask a man who had both riches and wisdom what he thinks is the most important of the two. Solomon, what would you say? In Proverbs 8:10-11 Solomon tells us, “Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” Instead of dreaming about becoming rich or a millionaire, maybe our thoughts should wander to gaining wisdom. God has never promised to make us millionaires, but He has promised to bless us with wisdom and to give liberally when we ask Him for it (James 1:5). Why not begin today by asking God to bless you with wisdom in your life? That is the better prize!
Let’s ask a man who had both riches and wisdom what he thinks is the most important of the two. Solomon, what would you say? In Proverbs 8:10-11 Solomon tells us, “Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” Instead of dreaming about becoming rich or a millionaire, maybe our thoughts should wander to gaining wisdom. God has never promised to make us millionaires, but He has promised to bless us with wisdom and to give liberally when we ask Him for it (James 1:5). Why not begin today by asking God to bless you with wisdom in your life? That is the better prize!
Which Prize Will You Choose?
There was an old game show called “Let’s Make A Deal” in which contestants were able to choose various prizes from behind different doors. The host would ask the contestants if they wanted to pick what was behind door number 1 or door number 2. Let’s suppose for a moment you were offered the choice between 2 prizes. Behind door number 1 is wisdom. Behind door number 2 are riches. Which would you choose? Most in our world would probably choose riches. Why? Probably because they think that happiness is found in material riches and goods. However, you and I have also seen many who become instantly wealthy and waste it all away. Again, why? Simply put, because they did not have the wisdom they needed to go along with the riches. Without wisdom, one cannot properly enjoy God’s blessings.
Let’s ask a man who had both riches and wisdom what he thinks is the most important of the two. Solomon, what would you say? In Proverbs 8:10-11 Solomon tells us, “Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” Instead of dreaming about becoming rich or a millionaire, maybe our thoughts should wander to gaining wisdom. God has never promised to make us millionaires, but He has promised to bless us with wisdom and to give liberally when we ask Him for it (James 1:5). Why not begin today by asking God to bless you with wisdom in your life? That is the better prize!
Let’s ask a man who had both riches and wisdom what he thinks is the most important of the two. Solomon, what would you say? In Proverbs 8:10-11 Solomon tells us, “Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” Instead of dreaming about becoming rich or a millionaire, maybe our thoughts should wander to gaining wisdom. God has never promised to make us millionaires, but He has promised to bless us with wisdom and to give liberally when we ask Him for it (James 1:5). Why not begin today by asking God to bless you with wisdom in your life? That is the better prize!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Daily Bible Reading Resource
If you are interested in reading the Bible through in a year, here is a website that can help you with that schedule. It's called Bible Year...just click here.
Daily Devo - Grandparents
Sorry, I'm playing catch up today...
Proverbs 17:6 – “Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.” This one is for all our grandparents and soon to be grandparents out there. Enjoy those little blessings in your life. You know what makes them so great? You can spoil them and love them but in the end they are someone else’s responsibility!! You’ve done your job with your kids, now enjoy your grandkids!
Proverbs 17:6 – “Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.” This one is for all our grandparents and soon to be grandparents out there. Enjoy those little blessings in your life. You know what makes them so great? You can spoil them and love them but in the end they are someone else’s responsibility!! You’ve done your job with your kids, now enjoy your grandkids!
Daily Devo - God's Blessings
Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” God always looks out for His own. He will always bless His people. One of the things He will do is to bless His people with both strength and peace. Strength is needed to fight temptation, to be a servant to others in this life, and just to get through all that the world throws at us. Peace is a blessing because it is what so many in this world want and do not have. True peace can only come through God because He controls everything and as long as you are His you can know that you are safe in His arms.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Daily Devo - Exams
Psalm 26:2 – “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.” There are 2 types of people in this world that want their minds and hearts tried and tested by God. The first are those who have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. These are those who are doing their best to live right before God. This is not to say that they are without fault, but that they are walking in the light (I John 1). The second type are those who want God to change their lives. They are tired of living like the world, tired of living in rebellion to God’s will. They want God to try and test their hearts and minds so that He may make the things that are lacking, whole. Do you have a desire to be examined by the Lord?
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Daily Devo - Joy
John 15:11 – “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” Christ wants us to be happy, joyful people. He has done everything He can to make us happy. He’s saved us from our sins, blesses us, answers our prayers, given us the hope of salvation for all who obey Him so that even if we experience the most tragic of losses in this life, it doesn’t have to be the end. What else could we want? How can anyone in Christ not have joy?
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