Today we are seduced and awed by technology and the dramatic leaps the world has made in the last 50 years…things that were stuff of futuristic movies not too long ago, are now commonplace in every household today. But have we moved so far away that we are forgetting who brought everything into existence in the first place? Are we now trusting in man-made things rather than the God who created man? “Do men make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods!” (Jer. 16:20) False gods, worthless idols are just objects of mockery, and will do us no good when we try to serve them rather than the God who created everything.
Tag: religion
II Chronicles 1:10 ” Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
From the very start, Solomon knew he would need God-inspired intelligence and insight to maintain law and order over the Israelite Nation. When the Lord appeared, Solomon wisely asked for spiritual perception and enlightenment. God was so pleased with his choices that He not only gave Solomon those gifts, but also wealth, riches, and honor…”Such as no King who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” Down through history Solomon was known for many things…but the wisdom God placed in his heart was, and still is, the most important.
Proverbs 6: 9-11 ” How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like a armed man.”
There are several places in Proverbs that talk about lazy people who become poor through their lack of ambition and slothfulness…” Do not love sleep or you will grow poor.” When we don’t have motivation and drive, we become apathetic,and uncaring of ourselves and others around us… and this in turn affects all aspects of our personal and financial lives. This rather lyrical Proverb wants us to rise up, get moving, and persevere.
Joshua 1:8 ” Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Reading the Bible daily…why do we make every excuse known to man about why we can’t? The Lord not only wants us to read His Word daily, but He wants us to sit and think about how it relates to our life after we’re done reading. God wants us to reflect and contemplate what the scriptures are saying to us personally…and in doing so, the His plan for our life will be revealed with clarity and certainty.
Isaiah 58:11 ” The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
I was able to get the last of my vegetable garden planted yesterday. There’s something about being born and raised on a farm that inherently makes you want to plant a crop. Measuring at 35′ x 100′ it’s a big undertaking to prepare the soil in the Spring, but thanks to a big tiller and an even stronger husband it’s soon ready for seed. Every year I have my tried but true varieties of peas and green beans to plant…but I also love to try new things…varieties that catch my eye in the many seed catalogs I get during the Winter. This year I planted purple radishes, multi-colored pumpkins, and crazy looking gourds. People ask what I do with all the produce that comes off the garden…I freeze some, but I also invite people to come and pick…For me, it’s a way to give people who live in town a chance to experience farm life…to see where their food comes from, and to try new vegetables they picked themselves. It’s also a wonderful way to show God’s bountiful goodness towards us in the form of a simple vegetable garden.
Philippians 4:8 ” Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
What we think about, what we listen to, and watch on TV or on the computer will impact our thought pattern greatly…the saying, garbage in-garbage out, holds true to our brain cells. If you are continually putting ungodly or questionable material into your mind, why be surprised what comes out of your mouth, or how farfetched and bizarre your day dreams will become. The Lord wants us to occupy our mind with thoughts that are right, pleasing, and virtuous in His eyes.
Luke 9: 1-2 ” When Jesus had called them together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
The Lord gathered the disciples together, laying out a game plan of what He wanted them to accomplish. He sent them out as ambassadors to proclaim the Gospel to others…But Jesus specifically gave them power to cast out demons and heal the sick. When God commissions you to go out into the world on His behalf, it will be with specific goals He wants you to attain, but He will never send you out without first endowing you with the power, physical capacity, and authority to carry it out. Each of His callings are unique, although there is one overlying mission for all…that is to proclaim the Good News where ever you go.
Psalm 91:1 ” He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Moses had asked the Lord to show him His glory, and God had agreed, but told him,” When My glory comes, I will place you a cleft of the rock, and cover you with My hand until I pass by.” In that shadow of His hand we are protected and sheltered from adversity and the onslaught of the enemy. In that safe spot, we rest in peace and tranquility, knowing our Heavenly Father’s loving hand is safeguarding us, and keeping us from harm.
I Peter 1: 8-9 ” Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
The literal definition of faith is believing, having not yet seen. We step out in trust even though we can’t see around that corner in our life. We move confidently ahead, knowing that the Lord is always there…right beside us, guiding, prompting, and always encouraging us. And so it is with gladness of heart that can not be expressed by mere words, that we look forward to the finish line, to the thing we cherish most…eternal life with our Heavenly Father.
Judges 6:14 ” The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of the Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’ “
The Lord had come to Gideon and addressed him as a mighty warrior…which Gideon disputed and started to reject, when God stopped him by saying…”Go in the might you have at this very moment…you need nothing more…in your weakness I will make you strong.” The Lord’s encouragement released vision in Gideon, who in turn encouraged his fellow Israelites, and a fresh vision was released in the entire nation, and subsequently they were able to defeat the Midians. You never know when a word of encouragement will release vision in someone’s life…when a kind word will suddenly allow a person to see themselves through their Savior’s eyes. Release vision in someone’s life today by speaking encouragement into them.
Safetypinlove 