It is frustrating when traffic is backed up for miles on the interstate; it can be irritating waiting at a green light when the car in front of us doesn’t move because the driver is playing with their phone; how about standing in the deli counter line for a sandwich when the customer in front of us can’t make up their mind? Fortunately, we have scripture to guide us through. Proverbs 15:18 teaches, “A wrathful man stirreth up strife, but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” We are called to love, not anger. Romans 12:12b reminds us to be patient in tribulation. I think having to wait gives us time to focus on God, amen? God bless you!
Off With the Old, On With the New
Every evening before we go to bed we take off our old dirty clothes; in the morning we put on our new, clean ones. Being a Christian is like that as well. In scripture we are provided with examples of this, such as Ephesians 2:22-24, which says: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” We are told to take off the old and put on the new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Again, we are replacing the old with the new. Putting off and putting on are our part, our responsibility as “imitators of God.” We don’t start a new day in dirty clothes; neither should we live a new life with an unrighteous heart. Let’s praise Him today for his guidance! God bless you.
Your Power Source
Engines have power; so do bodybuilders, high-ranking executives, and politicians. Scientists are always trying to build a more powerful battery for cars or a more powerful telescope to see into the universe. But, what about us, where do we get our power? Ephesians 3:20 tells us, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” God is able to do more than we could ask for because of his great power at work in our lives. Let’s use His power! God bless you.
Christianity is the power of God in the soul of man – Robert Munger
A Cure for Burnout
Are you ever so tired that you feel you just can’t do it anymore? The official term is burnout. We all live such busy lives, full of work, home activities, church duties; sometimes, we feel like there is just not enough of us to go around. We have scripture to guide us through those times: Isaiah 40:29 says, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength” and Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The next time we feel burnout, let’s all lean on Him, the one who renews us! God bless you.
God is Our Helper
As believers, we are not left to our own ability or strength to live according to God’s will and purpose. It is really God’s divine power and grace that enables us to have the desire and the ability to live in alignment with His plans. God’s work within us involves both our desires (“to will”) and our actions (“to act”). He shapes our hearts, aligning our desires with His, and empowers us to take practical steps that reflect His good purpose. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” This verse holds a profound truth about the Christian life and the role of God’s grace in our daily walk with Him. We can have confidence that God is faithful to complete the work He has started in us. Christian life is not solely dependent on our own efforts or willpower. It is a partnership between us and God, with Him being the primary source of transformation and empowerment. It is through His grace and the work of His Spirit that we are able to grow in holiness, exhibit godly character, and fulfill the purposes He has for our lives. God bless you today!
Love at First Sight
It was love at first sight! That’s a common expression used when we first see our newborn child, but we also feel that love before we even see the birth of our babies. God loves us before we are born. He felt that way about Jeremiah when he said, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.” Loving without seeing is a common trait among Christians. Even though we have not seen him, we believe, and love him, and 1 John 4:19 says, “We love him, because he first loved us.” Imagine how much greater that love is going to be “when our Jesus we will see.” God bless you!
When and Why to Praise
King David gave us a great example of when and why we should praise God. Many of the Psalms that he wrote are full of examples. In spite of his shortcomings and the trials he faced, David was a man full of thanksgiving and praise. So, the question becomes: how often do we seek and praise our Lord? When? Psalm 63:1a says, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee…” Verse 3 continues with the why: “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.” God deserves our praise, he is our provider and sustainer, he heals us and protects us, he guides us through his word and gave us the Holy Spirit. Let’s all make a habit of praising his goodness daily, amen? God bless you!
Give from the Heart
All of us have blessed with various measures of success; some with much, others with some. A recent message talked about giving from the heart. If we see someone in need, we should respond in Christian love according to our ability. Sometimes, it might be a financial gift, other times an encouraging word or sentiment. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” As a member of the family of God, if we see a need, we should try to fill it, not for an expectation of being paid back, but for the sheer joy of doing something in Jesus’ name. He is our reward. God bless you!
Owner’s Manuals
All of us have had to put something together, whether it’s a bicycle or a doll house. We try to follow the directions, but sometimes they are just too small to read or are written in broken English. In truth, our lives are full of instructions: owner’s manuals for our cars, appliances, tools, etc. Thankfully, there is only one manual that we truly need. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Have you read His word today? It will give you all the instructions you need. God bless you!
Exceptions to Every Rule?
We have all heard the expression, “There are exceptions to every rule,” but are there? Let’s talk about forgiveness. The families of crime victims have been heard to say that they don’t feel that they can ever forgive; I guess that might be a human reaction. We, however, have examples to teach us otherwise. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” I recently read a quote by William Arthur Ward which says, “We are most like God when we forgive.” Jesus forgave us without exception. Let’s try to follow his example, amen? God bless you!
