"If The LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for The LORD upholds him with His hand." Psalms 37:23-24 (NIV) In The King James version of The Bible verse 23 reads: "The steps of a good man are ordered by The LORD..."
Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, King David wrote this psalm to contrast the evil man and what he does, with the good man and what he does. He told the people of God not to be concerned with the prosperity of evil men, for it would be short-lived. (Psalm 37:1-2) They were encouraged to commit themselves to The Lord, to trust Him, and to do His will. (Psalm 37:5) The walk and path of a good man is determined by The Lord because a good man will obey the will of God.
All too often, men do whatever they think is right in their own mind. (Proverbs 21:2) Believers know that we are to stay on the straight and narrow path. (Matthew 7:14) We are to follow The Lord and let Him direct our path. (Proverbs 3:6) It pleases The Lord when we follow His way, and He will help us along the way, even when we stumble. (Psalms 37:24) It does not matter how many times we fall, The Lord will pick us up. (Proverbs 24:16) We are to commit ourselves to doing that which is good, even though we sometimes fail. (Romans 7:15) Though we fall and sin, we are to ask to be forgiven, to forget past failures, and to press on towards the goal of righteousness. (Philippians 3:13-14) Along the way, we pray that The Lord will order our steps.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Good People Produce Good Fruit
"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." Matthew 7:16-17 (NIV)
These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, recorded by the Apostle Matthew, the tax collector, as He spoke during His Sermon on The Mount. Jesus warned His disciples, and the crowd which had gathered around them, to watch out for false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are actually wolves underneath. His message was that they may not be able to recognize who they are by their appearance, but they would know them by their fruit. Bad people, like bad trees, produce bad fruit.
The point which Jesus made is just as true today as it was back then. All people are not who they appear to be, or pretend to be. That applies to some of our "friends" as well as some of our leaders. Everything that they say which may sound good, isn't good for us. However, their wickedness will soon reveal itself. Their lack of honesty will manifest itself in behavior which is not in keeping with their words, or with The Word of God. Bad people do not produce the fruit of good works. Their lifestyle and the results of their influence on others, are the fruit that will determine whether or not their words are consistent with kingdom building. If what is being said to us, or if what we are being asked to do, does not line up with The Bible, that person may not have our best interest at heart. The standard by which we test all things, doctrine, teaching, statements, and behavior, is The Word of God. (1 Thessalonians 5:21) The devil can use or influence anyone, so do not believe every word that you hear, try every spirit by The Word of God. (1 John 4:1) Good people produce good fruit, bad people don't.
These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, recorded by the Apostle Matthew, the tax collector, as He spoke during His Sermon on The Mount. Jesus warned His disciples, and the crowd which had gathered around them, to watch out for false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are actually wolves underneath. His message was that they may not be able to recognize who they are by their appearance, but they would know them by their fruit. Bad people, like bad trees, produce bad fruit.
The point which Jesus made is just as true today as it was back then. All people are not who they appear to be, or pretend to be. That applies to some of our "friends" as well as some of our leaders. Everything that they say which may sound good, isn't good for us. However, their wickedness will soon reveal itself. Their lack of honesty will manifest itself in behavior which is not in keeping with their words, or with The Word of God. Bad people do not produce the fruit of good works. Their lifestyle and the results of their influence on others, are the fruit that will determine whether or not their words are consistent with kingdom building. If what is being said to us, or if what we are being asked to do, does not line up with The Bible, that person may not have our best interest at heart. The standard by which we test all things, doctrine, teaching, statements, and behavior, is The Word of God. (1 Thessalonians 5:21) The devil can use or influence anyone, so do not believe every word that you hear, try every spirit by The Word of God. (1 John 4:1) Good people produce good fruit, bad people don't.
Monday, August 18, 2014
When We Face Our Giants
"David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of The LORD Almighty, The God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day The LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head..." 1 Samuel 17:45-46 (NIV)
Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, the prophet Samuel recorded the encounter between David and Goliath, the giant and champion of the Philistines. The Philistines were preparing to go to war with Israel. (1 Samuel 17:1) Goliath came out and shouted insults at Israel's army and told them to send out one man to fight him. (1 Samuel 17:8) If that man beat him, then they would be slaves to Israel. However, if he beat that man, then Israel would be slaves to the Philistines. Goliath was giant of a man who stood over nine feet tall, while David was a short boy. (1 Samuel 17:4 and 17:42) With only a sling and five small smooth stones, David faced Goliath, and the help of The Lord God, David slew Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:49-50)
Today, we need to be aware of the fact that with God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) If we truly believe, with the help of The Lord, we can also defeat our giants. If God is for us, then who can stand against us? (Romans 8:31) It does not matter what giants, or what battles, we are facing, The Lord will protect His children, and He will fight their battles for them. (Exodus 14:14) Even when there seems to be no way out, The Lord will make a way. (Isaiah 43:19)
Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, the prophet Samuel recorded the encounter between David and Goliath, the giant and champion of the Philistines. The Philistines were preparing to go to war with Israel. (1 Samuel 17:1) Goliath came out and shouted insults at Israel's army and told them to send out one man to fight him. (1 Samuel 17:8) If that man beat him, then they would be slaves to Israel. However, if he beat that man, then Israel would be slaves to the Philistines. Goliath was giant of a man who stood over nine feet tall, while David was a short boy. (1 Samuel 17:4 and 17:42) With only a sling and five small smooth stones, David faced Goliath, and the help of The Lord God, David slew Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:49-50)
Today, we need to be aware of the fact that with God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) If we truly believe, with the help of The Lord, we can also defeat our giants. If God is for us, then who can stand against us? (Romans 8:31) It does not matter what giants, or what battles, we are facing, The Lord will protect His children, and He will fight their battles for them. (Exodus 14:14) Even when there seems to be no way out, The Lord will make a way. (Isaiah 43:19)
Acknowledge Confess And Ask To Be Forgiven
"Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to The LORD', and You forgave the guilt of my sin." Psalms 32:5 (NIV)
In this verse King David told the people of God that he acknowledged his sin to The Lord. He also said that he confessed his transgressions to The Lord, and The Lord forgave him.
All of us have sinned. (Romans 3:23) Therefore, all of us born again believers need to do as David did here, we need to acknowledge our sins, confess them to The Lord, and ask to be forgiven. The Word of God says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
In this verse King David told the people of God that he acknowledged his sin to The Lord. He also said that he confessed his transgressions to The Lord, and The Lord forgave him.
All of us have sinned. (Romans 3:23) Therefore, all of us born again believers need to do as David did here, we need to acknowledge our sins, confess them to The Lord, and ask to be forgiven. The Word of God says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Saturday, August 16, 2014
He Comforts Us So That We Can Comfort Others
"Praise be to The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father of compassion and The God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Corinth to let them know that all comfort is from God. He comforts us in our hour of need so that we will know how to be a comfort to others in their hour of need.
Our Heavenly Father is The God of all comfort and compassion. When we need it, He comforts us, and He expects that we will comfort those in need as we were comforted. Like blessings, comfort was meant to be shared with others. We are blessed in order to be a blessing to others, and likewise we were comforted in order to be a comfort to others. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Corinth to let them know that all comfort is from God. He comforts us in our hour of need so that we will know how to be a comfort to others in their hour of need.
Our Heavenly Father is The God of all comfort and compassion. When we need it, He comforts us, and He expects that we will comfort those in need as we were comforted. Like blessings, comfort was meant to be shared with others. We are blessed in order to be a blessing to others, and likewise we were comforted in order to be a comfort to others. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Friday, August 15, 2014
We Are To Live Self-Controlled Godly Lives
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ ..." Titus 2:11-13 (NIV)
Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter to Titus, one of his young proteges, to encourage him to tell the people of God that were to live Christ-like godly lives in this sinful world while they awaited the return of Jesus, The Christ.
This advice which Paul gave to Titus is not just for preachers and pastors, it is for all believers. We are not to conduct ourselves as the unsaved sinners behave. We belong to Christ, and just as He was, we are in this world but not of it. (John 8:23) As believers we are to live self-controlled, godly lives as examples to a lost world. One day, Christ will return and we will have to give an account of our stewardship. (Romans 14:12) All believers will be saved, but our rewards will depend upon our works. (Matthew 25:14-23)
Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul wrote these words in his letter to Titus, one of his young proteges, to encourage him to tell the people of God that were to live Christ-like godly lives in this sinful world while they awaited the return of Jesus, The Christ.
This advice which Paul gave to Titus is not just for preachers and pastors, it is for all believers. We are not to conduct ourselves as the unsaved sinners behave. We belong to Christ, and just as He was, we are in this world but not of it. (John 8:23) As believers we are to live self-controlled, godly lives as examples to a lost world. One day, Christ will return and we will have to give an account of our stewardship. (Romans 14:12) All believers will be saved, but our rewards will depend upon our works. (Matthew 25:14-23)
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Do Not Complain
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ..." Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Philippi to encourage them to continue to obey The Word of God, but to do so without complaining or a negative attitude. As the people of God they were to be godly examples to a wicked and depraved world.
We need to understand that if we do the right thing, but we grumble and complain while doing it, God is not pleased. Our negative attitude displays an emotional rejection of God's providence and His will. God knows our thoughts, motives, and intentions. (Psalms 94:11) The Bible teaches us that God loves a "cheerful giver". (2 Corinthians 9:7) We are to be the light of the world. (Matthew 5:16) Whatever the activity or situation, it is the will of God for us at that time and we should accept His will joyfully. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 and James 1:2-4) All things happen for a reason, and even if we do not understand why at that time, they will eventually work for our benefit. (Romans 8:28) So, whatever we do, let us do it without complaining, and do it to the glory of God. (Colossians 3:23)
Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Philippi to encourage them to continue to obey The Word of God, but to do so without complaining or a negative attitude. As the people of God they were to be godly examples to a wicked and depraved world.
We need to understand that if we do the right thing, but we grumble and complain while doing it, God is not pleased. Our negative attitude displays an emotional rejection of God's providence and His will. God knows our thoughts, motives, and intentions. (Psalms 94:11) The Bible teaches us that God loves a "cheerful giver". (2 Corinthians 9:7) We are to be the light of the world. (Matthew 5:16) Whatever the activity or situation, it is the will of God for us at that time and we should accept His will joyfully. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 and James 1:2-4) All things happen for a reason, and even if we do not understand why at that time, they will eventually work for our benefit. (Romans 8:28) So, whatever we do, let us do it without complaining, and do it to the glory of God. (Colossians 3:23)
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