Are you a "Know - it - All" ?? (Proverbs 1:7)

Proverbs 1:7

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁷ Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.




One of the most annoying types of people is a know-it-all (we all know one or two), a person who has a dogmatic opinion about everything, is closed to anything new, resents discipline, and refuses to learn. Solomon calls this kind of person a fool. Don't be a know-it-all. Instead, be open to the advice of others, especially those who know you well and can give valuable insight and counsel. Learn how to learn from others. Remember, only God knows it all.





 
Joe





















 

How do you praise God? (Psalm 149:3-5)

Psalm 149:3-5

Amplified Bible (AMP)


 

³ Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the [single or group] dance; let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre!
⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory.
⁵ Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty [which God confers upon them]; let them sing for joy upon their beds.



Although the Bible invites us to praise God, we often aren't sure how to go about it. Here, several ways are suggested - in the dance, with the voice, with musical instruments. God enjoys His people, and we should enjoy praising Him.


 
Joe













 

Worldwide Choir (Psalm 148:5-14)

Psalm 148:5-14

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁵ Let every created thing give praise to the Lord,
    for he issued his command, and they came into being.
⁶ He set them in place forever and ever.
    His decree will never be revoked.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you creatures of the ocean depths,
⁸ fire and hail, snow and clouds,
    wind and weather that obey him,
⁹ mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
¹⁰ wild animals and all livestock,
    small scurrying animals and birds,
¹¹ kings of the earth and all people,
    rulers and judges of the earth,
¹² young men and young women,
    old men and children.

¹³ Let them all praise the name of the Lord.
    For his name is very great;
    his glory towers over the earth and heaven!
¹⁴ He has made his people strong,
    honoring his faithful ones—
    the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!



All creation is like a majestic symphony or a great choir composed of many harmonious parts that together offer up songs of praise. Each part (independent, yet part of the whole) is caught up and carried along in the swelling tides of praise. This is a picture of how we as believers should praise God - individually, yet as part of the great choir of believers worldwide. Are you singing your part well in the worldwide choir of praise?



Joe


















 

Life is short. (Psalm 144:3-4)

Psalm 144:3-4

New International Version (NIV)

 

³ Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
    mere mortals that you think of them?
⁴ They are like a breath;
    their days are like a fleeting shadow.



Life is short, David reminds us that it is "like a breath" and that our "days are like a fleeting shadow." James says (in James 4:14) that our lives are "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." Because life is short, we should live for God while we have the time. Don't waste your life by selecting an inferior purpose that has no lasting value. Live for God - He alone can make your life worthwhile, purposeful, and meaningful.



Joe




















 

Guard my tongue. (Psalm 141:3)

Psalm 141:3

New International Version (NIV)

 

³ Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
    keep watch over the door of my lips.



James wrote (in James 3:5) that "the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts." On the average, a person opens his of her mouth approximately 700 times a day to speak. David wisely asked God to help keep him from speaking evil - sometimes even when he underwent persecution. Knowing the power of the tongue, we would do well to ask God to guard what we say so that our words will bring honor to His name.


 
Joe
















 

Change me on the inside. (Psalm 141:4)

Psalm 141:4

New King James Version (NKJV)


 

⁴ Do not incline my heart to any evil thing,
To practice wicked works
With men who work iniquity;And do not let me eat of their delicacies.



David asked God to guard his heart. Evil acts begin with evil desires. It isn't enough to ask God to keep you away from temptation, make you stronger, or change your circumstances. You must ask Him to change you on the inside - at the level of your desires.



Joe
















 

God's way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Psalm 139:23-24

New International Version (NIV)


 

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.




David asked God to search for sin and point it out, even to the level of testing his thoughts. This is exploratory surgery for sin. How are we to recognize sin unless God points it out? Then, when God shows us, we can repent and be forgiven. Make this verse your prayer. If you ask the Lord to search your heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing on God's "way everlasting."



Joe















 

God knows everything about us. (Psalm 139:1-5)

Psalm 139:1-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹ O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
² You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
³ You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
⁴ You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
⁵ You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.



Sometimes we don't let people get to know us completely because we are afraid they will discover something about us that they won't like. But God already knows everything about us, even the number of hairs on our heads (see Matthew 10:30 below), and still He accepts and loves us. God is with us through every situation, in every trial - protecting, loving, guiding. He knows and loves us completely.

 

Matthew 10:30

New International Version (NIV)


 

³⁰ And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

  
 
 
Joe




















 

Psalm 139:7-10

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁷ I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!
⁸ If I go up to heaven, you are there;
    if I go down to the grave, you are there.
⁹ If I ride the wings of the morning,
    if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me



 
God is omnipresent - He is present everywhere. Because this is so, you can never be lost to His Spirit. This is good news to those who know and love God, because no matter what we do or where we go, we can never be far from God's comforting presence (see Romans 8:35-39 below).

 

Romans 8:35-39

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.



 

 
Joe






















 

Include God in your plans. (Psalm 138:8)

Psalm 138:8

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁸ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Don’t abandon me, for you made me.




Every person dreams and makes plans for the future. Then they work hard to see those dreams and plans come true. But to make the most of life, we must include God's plan in our plans. He alone knows what is best for us; He alone can fulfill His purpose for us. As you make plans and dream dreams, talk with God about them.




 
Joe

























 

God always gives us a way out. (Psalm 124:7-8)

Psalm 124:7-8

New International Version (NIV)



 

⁷ We have escaped like a bird
    from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
    and we have escaped.
⁸ Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.




Do you ever feel trapped by overwhelming odds? With God, there is always a way out because He is the Creator of all that exists. No problem is beyond His ability to solve; no circumstance is too difficult for Him. We can turn to the Creator for help in our time of need, He is on our side. God will provide a way out; we need only to trust Him.




Joe









 

How do you view worship? (Psalm 122:1)

Psalm 122:1

New International Version (NIV)

 

¹ I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”





Going to God's house can be a chore or a delight. For the psalmist, it was a delight. As a pilgrim attending one of the three great religious festivals, he rejoiced to worship with God's people in God's house. We may find worship a chore if we have un-confessed sin or if our love for God has cooled. But if we are close to God and enjoy His presence, we will be eager to worship and praise Him. Our attitude toward God will determine our view of worship.




Joe


















 

"Great Peace" (Psalm 119:165)

Psalm 119:165

New International Version (NIV)


 

¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.




Modern society longs for piece of mind. Here is clear-cut instruction on how to attain this: if we love God and obey His laws, we will have "Great Peace." Trust in God, who alone stands above the pressures of daily life and gives us full assurance.




Joe


















 

I love your law (Psalm 119:113)

Psalm 119:113

New International Version (NIV)

 

¹¹³ I hate double-minded people,
    but I love your law.





Double-minded people cannot make up their minds between good and evil. But when it comes to obeying God, there is no middle ground; you must take a stand. Either you are obeying Him or you are not. Either you are doing what He wants or you are undecided. Choose to obey God, and say with the psalmist, "I love your law."



 
 
Joe


















 

A lamp to my feet (Psalm 119:105)

Psalm 119:105

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.



To walk safely in the woods at night we need a light so we don't trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we don't stumble as we walk. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.



Joe

Ten years ago today... (John 14:2)

Today makes 10 years since my daughter Amanda went home to be with the Lord. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her.

 

Last year I wrote about a dream that I had about her. I re-posted the dream below, but I added some things at the end that are worth taking a look at.

 

 

 

John 14:2

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)


 

² In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

 
In my dream I remember going into a house. I walked down a long hallway toward a room that had a light on. As I entered the room and looked around, I saw painting equipment scattered around... ladders, drop cloths, open paint cans, brushes and rollers. There standing in the middle of all of it was my daughter Amanda with a big smile on her face (the "light up" the room smile that I miss so much). Her cheeks had splatters of yellow and orange paint on them. Her sweatshirt looked like she was using it to clean the brushes. I looked at her and smiled. I said to her, "Amanda, what are you doing? You know that painting is my job!" She looked at me, a more serious look on her face this time, she said, "Dad, I'm getting your room ready!

I woke up knowing that one day I will be with my daughter again.

 

 

A little over 10 weeks ago, my oldest brother went home to be with the Lord. I miss my brother Nick. He was always there to lend me a hand, or give me advice.

About a month before he passed he asked me to come over to his house and help him install some air conditioners. During our time together we talked about heaven. He told me that if the Lord decided to take him home, that there would be a lot of people waiting to see him. I told him to do me a favor when he got there...to give my daughter a big hug and tell her that I love her.

 

 

If you ever want to see the believers that went home before you, you have to do what they did. You have to confess your sins to God and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior (see John 3:16-18 below).

 

John 3:16-18

New International Version (NIV)

 

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.


 
Joe












 

We are strangers on earth. (Psalm 119:19)

Psalm 119:19

New International Version (NIV)


 

¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth; ...




The psalmist says that he is a "stranger on earth," and so he needed guidance. Almost any long trip requires a map or guide. As we travel through life, the Bible should be our road map pointing out safe routes, obstacles to avoid, and our final destination. We must recognize ourselves as pilgrims, travelers here on earth who need to study God's map to learn the way. If we ignore the map, we will wander aimlessly through life and risk missing our real destination.







Joe















 

Drowning in a Sea of Impurity (Psalm 119:9)

Psalm 119:9

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
    By living according to your word.



We are drowning in a sea of impurity. Everywhere we look we find temptation to lead impure lives. The psalmist asked a question that troubles us all: How do we stay pure in a filthy environment? We cannot do this on our own, but we must have council and strength more dynamic than the tempting influences around us. Where can we find that strength and wisdom? By reading God's Word and doing what it says.



 
Joe

This is the day that the Lord has made. (Psalm 118:24)

Psalm 118:24

New King James Version (NKJV)


 

²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.




There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. We can relate to the writers of the psalms who often felt this way. But no matter how low the psalmists felt, they were always honest with God. And as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise. When you don't feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel. You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice. God has given you this day to live and to serve Him - be glad!




 
Joe
























 

God is merciful. (Psalm 106:44-46)

Psalm 106:44-46

New International Version (NIV)



 

⁴⁴ Yet he took note of their distress
    when he heard their cry;
⁴⁵ for their sake he remembered his covenant
    and out of his great love he relented.
⁴⁶ He caused all who held them captive
    to show them mercy.





This is a beautiful picture of God's great love for His people who deserve only judgment. Fortunately, God's compassion and mercy toward us are not limited by our faithfulness to Him. God was merciful to us in sending His Son to die for our sins. If He did this while we were captive to sin, how much more merciful will He be now that we are His children.






Joe


















 

Don't give in to the world's pleasures (Psalm 106:34-39)

Psalm 106:34-39

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

³⁴ Israel failed to destroy the nations in the land,
    as the Lord had commanded them.
³⁵ Instead, they mingled among the pagans
    and adopted their evil customs.
³⁶ They worshiped their idols,
    which led to their downfall.
³⁷ They even sacrificed their sons
    and their daughters to the demons.
³⁸ They shed innocent blood,
    the blood of their sons and daughters.
By sacrificing them to the idols of Canaan,
    they polluted the land with murder.
³⁹ They defiled themselves by their evil deeds,
    and their love of idols was adultery in the Lord’s sight.




Israel constantly turned away from God. How, after the great miracles they saw, could they turn from God and worship the idols of the land? We also have seen God's great miracles, but sometimes find ourselves enticed by the world's gods - power, convenience, fame, sex, and pleasure. As Israel forgot God, so we are susceptible to forgetting Him and giving in to the pressures of an evil world. Remember all that God has done for you so you won't be drawn away from Him by the world's pleasures.




Joe



























 

God is creative. (Psalm 104:24)

Psalm 104:24

Amplified Bible (AMP)


 

²⁴ O Lord, how many and varied are Your works! In wisdom have You made them all; the earth is full of Your riches and Your creatures.




Creation is filled with stunning variety, revealing the rich creativity, goodness, and wisdom of our loving God. As you observe your natural surroundings, thank God for His creativity. Take a fresh look at people, seeing each one as God's unique creation, each with his or her own special talents, abilities and gifts.



 
Joe


























 

Everything praise the Lord. (Psalm 103:20-22)

Psalm 103:20-22

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

²⁰ Praise the Lord, you angels,
    you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
    listening for each of his commands.
²¹ Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
    who serve him and do his will!

²² Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
    everything in all his kingdom.

 
Let all that I am praise the Lord.


 
Everything everywhere is to praise the Lord: all angels - mighty ones and heavenly hosts - and all His works! Praising God means remembering all He has done for us, fearing Him and obeying His commands, and doing His will. Does your life praise the Lord?



Joe

















 

As far as the East is from the West. (Psalm 103:12)

Psalm 103:12

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹² He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.



East and west can never meet. This is a symbolic portrait of God's forgiveness - when He forgives our sin, He separates it from us and doesn't even remember it. We need never wallow in the past, for God forgives and forgets. We tend to dredge up the ugly past, but God has wiped our record clean. If we are to follow God, we must model His forgiveness. When we forgive another, we must also forget the sin. Otherwise, we have not truly forgiven.




Joe
















 

Thanksgiving every day. (Psalm 92:1-2)

Psalm 92:1-2

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹ It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to the Most High.
² It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
    your faithfulness in the evening




During the Thanksgiving holiday, we focus on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for them. But thanks should be on our lips every day. We can never say thank you enough to parents, friends, leaders, and especially to God. When thanksgiving becomes an integral part of your life, you will find that your attitude toward life will change. You will become more gracious, loving, and humble.




Joe
















 

God sees all our sins. (Psalm 90:8)

Psalm 90:8

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁸ You spread out our sins before you—
    our secret sins—and you see them all.




God knows all our sins as if they were spread out before Him, even the secret ones. We don't need to cover up our sins before Him because we can talk openly and honestly with Him. But while He knows all that terrible information about us, God still loves us and wants to forgive us. This should encourage us to come to Him rather than frighten us into covering up our sin.




Joe







 

Don't give God lip service (Psalm 78:36-37)

Psalm 78:36-37

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

³⁶ But all they gave him was lip service;
    they lied to him with their tongues.
³⁷ Their hearts were not loyal to him.
    They did not keep his covenant.




Over and over the children of Israel claimed that they would follow God, but then they turned away from Him. The problem was that they followed God with words and not with their hearts; thus their repentance was empty. Talk is cheap. God wants our conduct to back up our spiritual claims and promises.





Joe


















 

Remember what God has done. (Psalm 77:11-12)

Psalm 77:11-12

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹¹ But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
    I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
¹² They are constantly in my thoughts.
    I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.




Memories of God's miracles and faithfulness sustained Israel through their difficulties. They knew that God was capable and trustworthy. When you meet new trials, review how good God has been to you, and this will strengthen your faith.




Joe


















 

God's timing, not ours. (Psalm 75:2)

Psalm 75:2

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

² God says, “At the time I have planned,
    I will bring justice against the wicked.






God will act when He is ready. Children have difficulty grasping the concept of time. "It is not time yet" is not a reason they easily understand because they only comprehend the present. As limited human beings, we can't understand God's perspective about time. We want everything now, unaware that God's timing is better. When God is ready, He will do what needs to be done, not what we would like Him to do. We may be as impatient as children, but we must not doubt the wisdom of God's timing. Wait for God to reveal His plan. Don't take matters into your own hands.





Joe