Guarding the Mind

“But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” (Mark 8:33). Peter got in trouble with the Lord with the same reason I get in trouble. I don't know about you but one of my greatest desires is to have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:!6). This has been my most difficult goal in life, controlling my mind. According to Jesus’ teaching, and my life experiences confirms, the mind directly affects the heart and with the heart is where we sin. From anger to adultery the heart gets dirty because the mind is not squeaky clean. It’s no wonder there is so much in the Bible about the mind. Paul writes in Philippians four to think on the good things. The Old Testament says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3). I have experienced this peace but it seems there is a small period between this peace and “the sin which clings so closely”, (Hebrews 12:1). May I encourage you today to join me in working on the mind? I have found it to be a daily task.

Perfect Harmony

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. - 1 Corinthians 1:10. Harmony between believers is very important to God. You know that person that rubs you the wrong way? Think of that one individual that maybe you go to church with or work with that you really could care less if you ever saw them again. Do they belong to God or even further should they belong to God? Throughout Scripture we are not only encouraged but commanded to love our neighbor. Your neighbor first starts with those who are believers and continues to those that need to be believers. Our option to pick and choose whom we love and care for is eliminated when we say yes to God. There is a reason for this for God doesn't make a rule without a purpose. We need God and we need each other. If you say you love God and have a hatred, big or small, to your neighbor you are being untruthful about your love for God. (1 John 4:20). My encouragement for you today is to examine all your relationships because they are directly related to your relationship with your Creator.

God is Faithful

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. - 1 Corinthians 1:9. The faithfulness of God is amazing! When the storms of life seem to raise higher than you can see, God's faithfulness is always revealed somewhere for His children if we choose to look. Life can be hard and very mysterious when dreams fall to the ground, when cancer appears, when people around you fail you or even hurt you. However, God's faithfulness is there somewhere, look for it, call upon Him for it, it is there somewhere. His track record is perfect, His faithfulness is for an eternity so there really should be no doubts, even when doubts do come. My encouragement for you today is when you think you have to run or give up, stop and look for God's unfailing love and faithfulness, don't stop until you find it. This is the way to real life.

The Greatest Promise

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. - Revelation 22:17. The word "come" is used a lot in the last chapter of the Bible. This action is describing the return of Lord Jesus. Jesus promises to come back, then we see His church (the Bride) and the Holy Spirit asking for this event to take place. Why?  First, Jesus is looking to complete His task of fully redeeming His church and experiencing His Kingdom as promise by the Father. Second, the Holy Spirit knows this ultimate completion is best for all creation (Rom 8:19). Third, when we can see the value of what lies ahead in comparison to what we have now, we simply can't wait any longer. We start to beg for His return. I'm ready! I can't wait! But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-  - 1 Corinthians 2:9. So much to look forward to. Are you ready?

Where to start

Encouragement for the day...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1. Where do we start? A question for every task for there has to be a starting place in order to have a completion of success or benefit. Basic logic, right? What about life? It started with God. Though God has no beginning, for He is eternal both past and future. Not only did it start with God, God started it and sustains, all of it. He even allowed us to mess it up because He loved what He started, you! He is your beginning. Now remember where we began with this logic. If there is a completion of success or benefit, and they is, there has to be a start and oh what a beginning we have, God Almighty. For in His track record everything He starts He has finished and finished in His perfection. So what do you have to worry about today. The One who started it will help it to the end and He will cause all things to work together for who it was started for (Rom. 8:28). Be thankful and joyful to start a new day, a new week and a new year with God Almighty the eternal God that is completely worthy of releasing everything to. God's got this!

Costly Payment

"The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die." - 2 Samuel 12:13-14. You shall not die? Really? Is God changing His mind? Is the Almighty making exceptions? Why or for what reason? No God didn’t change His mind. Yes, David had committed adultery, he had lied and murdered a good friend, a man that covered his back. The Law says David must die and that Law was written by God. So what’s the deal? Did God just look the other way? Is God just a God of love and we can do whatever we want? No! There is and will always be a consequence to sin. God has not changed His position on sin. There was death, death of a baby. But that’s not fair you say. Really? David’s child from the adultery did die, but that was not the payment, propitiation for the sin, Jesus was. Jesus was also the child born to David and this and this only was the payment. Now before we pronounce David’s injustice, let’s look at our own mess. We have sinned, we have broken the commandments and everything is the same with us. Jesus died, Jesus paid dearly, not because He had to but because He loved you. Let that truth sink in today, the only true justice found in mankind has to be in God’s son, for David, for me and for you. 

Be strong - Be intentional

Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him." - 1 Chronicles 19:13. The background of this text finds Israel surrounded by enemies on every side. The captain of the army of Israel has to come up with a plan to make it through the day. Have you been there or are you there now? Surrounded by troubles, decisions, problems or adversity? What do you do? As if it wasn’t enough, Israel’s enemies had hired another county, Syria, to help them defeat Israel. That’s the way trouble often comes, our enemies or challenges seems to multiply or come all at once. I think the answer to these situations is found in the approach of the Israeli captain. Be strong, think of others and what God has blessed us with and then submit. Submit to God and God alone. Our tendency is to submit to our our knowledge, will and strength or the strength of others. However, they submitted fully to God’s will, “may the Lord do what seems good to Him.” In other words, if we win, praise the Lord, if we lose we will praise the Lord, for we know He is good. That attitude and focus is what faith and trust in the Almighty God is about. My encouragement today is when the trouble of life come, and they will, put this approach into practice. It comes first by commitment, then by practice but never comes natural.