Are you guilty? (Matthew 5:27-28)

Matthew 5:27-28

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

²⁷ “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

 

Some think that if lustful thoughts are sin, why shouldn't a person go ahead and do the lustful actions too?? Acting out sinful desires is harmful in several ways: 1.) it causes people to excuse sin rather than stop sinning; 2.) it destroys marriages; 3.) it is deliberate  rebellion against God's Word; 4.) it always hurts someone else in addition to the sinner. Sinful action is more dangerous than sinful desire, and that is why desires should not be acted out. Nevertheless, sinful desire is just as damaging to righteousness. Left unchecked, wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

Fathers (Ephesians 6:4)

Ephesians 6:4

The Message (MSG)

⁴ Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.

The purpose of parental discipline is to help children grow, not to exasperate and provoke them to anger and discouragement. (All the fathers out there, "please read that line again"!)

Parenting is not easy - it takes a lot of patience to raise children in a loving, Christ-honoring manner. But frustration and anger should not be cause for discipline. Instead, parents should act in love, treating their children as Jesus treats the people He loves. This is vital to children's development and to their understanding of what Christ is like.

Joe

 

 

 

 

Light of the world. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Matthew 5:14-16

 

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Its light at night could be seen for miles. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide our light by 1.) being quiet when we should speak, 2.) going along with the crowd, 3.) denying the light, 4.) letting sin dim our light, 5.) not explaining our light to others or 6.) ignoring the needs of others. Be a beacon of truth - don't shut your light off from the rest of the world.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

Matthew 5:13

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

The beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-5)

Matthew 5:3-5

 

New International Version (NIV)

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.


Jesus began His sermon with words that seem to contradict each other. But God's way of living usually contradicts the world's. If you want to live for God you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.


Joe


 

More precious than rubies. (Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-31 )

Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-31

New Living Translation (NLT)

A Wife of Noble Character

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
    She is more precious than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband can trust her,
    and she will greatly enrich his life.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

...

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and she laughs without fear of the future.
²⁶ When she speaks, her words are wise,
    and she gives instructions with kindness.
²⁷ She carefully watches everything in her household
    and suffers nothing from laziness.

²⁸ Her children stand and bless her.
    Her husband praises her:
²⁹ “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
    but you surpass them all!”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
³¹ Reward her for all she has done.
    Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.


(Normally I post a verse like this around our wedding anniversary, but I felt today is appropriate.)


This verse in proverbs describes my wife.


My thoughts were on my wife Pat today. As I was juggling my duties at my job, I kept thinking about all that my wife does for me. Sometimes I take her for granted, I am sorry for that.

Men, thank your wife for putting up with you.


Joe

Good News (Matthew 4:23-24)

Matthew 4:23-24

New Living Translation (NLT)

²³ Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. ²⁴ News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.

Jesus preached the gospel - the Good News - to everyone who wanted to hear it. The gospel is that the kingdom of heaven has come, that God is with us, and that he cares for us. Christ can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. There's no sin too great or too small for Him to handle. Jesus' words were good news because they offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

Fishing for Souls. (Matthew 4:18-20)

Matthew 4:18-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁸ And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Jesus told Peter and Andrew to leave their fishing business and become "fishers of men," to help others find God. Jesus was calling them away from their productive trades to be productive spiritually. We all need to fish for souls. If we practice Christ's teachings and share the gospel with others, we will be able to draw those around us to Christ like a fisherman who pulls fish into his boat with nets.

Joe

Repent (Matthew 4:17)

Matthew 4:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

Jesus started His ministry with the very word people heard John the Baptist say: "Repent." The message is the same today as when Jesus and John gave it. Becoming a follower of Christ means turning away from our self-centeredness and "self" control and turning our life over to Christ's direction and control.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

"Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." (Matthew 4:8-10)

Matthew 4:8-10

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
¹⁰ “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

‘Worship the Lord your God
    and serve Him only.’


The devil offered the whole world to Jesus if Jesus would only bow down and worship him. Today the devil offers us the world by trying to entice us with materialism and power. We can resist temptations the same way Jesus did. If you find yourself craving something that the world offers, quote Jesus' words to the devil, "Worship the Lord your God
    and serve Him only".


Joe






 

Jesus has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. ( Matthew 4:1-10 )

Matthew 4:1-10

New International Version (NIV)

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.

The devil's temptations focused on three crucial areas: 1.) physical needs and desires, 2.) possessions and power, and 3.) pride. But Jesus did not give in. Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus "has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin."  He knows firsthand what we are experiencing, and He is willing and able to help us in our struggles. When you are tempted, turn to Him for strength.

Joe

 

 

 

 

Be on guard. (Matthew 4:1-3)

Matthew 4:1-3

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. ² For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

³ During that time the devil came...

 

Jesus wasn't temped inside the temple or at His baptism but in the desert where he was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. The devil often tempts us when we are vulnerable - when we are under physical or emotional stress (for example, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty). But he also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride. We must guard at all times against his attacks.

 

Joe

We are expected to bear fruit. (Matthew 3:9-10)

Matthew 3:9-10

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹ Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. ¹⁰ Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Just as a fruit tree is expected to bear fruit, God's people should produce a crop of good deeds. God has no use for people who call themselves Christians but do nothing about it. Like many people in John's (the Baptist) day, who were God's people in name only, we are of no value if we are Christians in name only. If others can't see our faith in the way we treat them, we may not be God's people at all.

(hmm...this one makes me think.)

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

Do your actions match your words? (Matthew 3:8)

Matthew 3:8

 

New International Version (NIV)

 

⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

 

John the Baptist called people to more than just words or ritual; he told them to change their behavior. "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance" means that God looks beyond our words and religious activities to see if our conduct backs up what we say, and He judges our words by the actions that accompany them. Do your actions match your words? (I know that my words don't always match my actions.)

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you practice what you preach? (Matthew 3:4)

Matthew 3:4

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

⁴ John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

 

John was different than other religious leaders of his day. While many were greedy, selfish, and preoccupied with winning the praise of the people, John was concerned only with the praise of God. Having separated himself from the evil and hypocrisy of his day, John not only preached God's law, he lived it. Do you practice what you preach? Could people discover what you believe by observing the way you live?

 

Joe

 

 

 

Prepare the way. (Matthew 3:3)

Matthew 3:3

Amplified Bible (AMP)

³ This is he who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness (shouting in the desert), Prepare the road for the Lord, make His highways straight (level, direct).

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. People who do not know Jesus need to be prepared to meet Him. We can prepare them by explaining their need for forgiveness, demonstrating Christ's teachings by our conduct, and telling them how Christ can give their lives meaning. We can "make His highways straight" by correcting misconceptions that might be hindering people from approaching Christ. Someone you know may be open to a relationship with Christ. What can you do to prepare the way for this person?

Joe


 

A different direction. (Matthew 2:11-12)

Matthew 2:11-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

¹² When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

After finding Jesus and worshiping Him, the Magi were warned by God not to return through Jerusalem as they had intended. Finding Jesus may mean that your life must take a different direction, one that is responsive and obedient to God's Word. Are you willing to be led a different way?

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

We must chose to obey God rather than seek the approval of others. (Matthew 1:19-24)

Matthew 1:19-24

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁹ Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

²⁰ As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
²² All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

²³ “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
    She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
    which means ‘God is with us.’”

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

Joseph changed his plans quickly after learning that Mary had not been unfaithful to him. He obeyed God and proceeded with the marriage plans. Although others may have disapproved of his decision. Joseph went ahead with what he knew was right. Sometimes we avoid doing what is right because of what others might think. Like Joseph, we must chose to obey God rather than seek the approval of others.

Joe

 

 

 

 

The Lord saves. (Matthew 1:21)

Matthew 1:21

New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Jesus means "the Lord saves." Jesus came to earth to save us because we can't save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can't eliminate the sinful nature present in all of us. Only Jesus can do that. Jesus didn't come to help people save themselves; He came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin. Thank Christ for His death on the cross for your sin, and then ask Him to take control of your life.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

God wants to use you. (Matthew 1:1-17)

Matthew 1:1-17

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:

² Abraham was the father of Isaac.
Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.
³ Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar).
Perez was the father of Hezron.
Hezron was the father of Ram.
⁴ Ram was the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
⁵ Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse.
⁶ Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).
⁷ Solomon was the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam was the father of Abijah.
Abijah was the father of Asa.
⁸ Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.
Jehoram was the father of Uzziah.
⁹ Uzziah was the father of Jotham.
Jotham was the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.
¹⁰ Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh.
Manasseh was the father of Amon.
Amon was the father of Josiah.
¹¹ Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon).
¹² After the Babylonian exile:
Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.
¹³ Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud.
Abiud was the father of Eliakim.
Eliakim was the father of Azor.
¹⁴ Azor was the father of Zadok.
Zadok was the father of Akim.
Akim was the father of Eliud.
¹⁵ Eliud was the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar was the father of Matthan.
Matthan was the father of Jacob.
¹⁶ Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

¹⁷ All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

In the first 17 verses we meet 46 people whose lifetimes span 2000 years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied considerably in personality, spirituality, and experience. Some were heroes of the faith - like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had shady reputations - like Rehab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary - like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and Akim. And others were evil - like Manasseh and Abijah. God's work in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and He works through ordinary people. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring His Son into the world, He uses all kinds today to accomplish His will. And God wants to use you.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

Don't use your heredity as an excuse to sin. (Zechariah 1:2-6)

Zechariah 1:2-6

 

 

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

² “I, the Lord, was very angry with your ancestors. ³ Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ ⁴ Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’

⁵ “Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead. ⁶ But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.’”

The familiar phrase "Like father, like son" implies that children turn out like their parents. But here, God warned Israel not to be like their forefathers, who disobeyed Him and reaped the consequences - His punishment. We are responsible before God for our actions. We aren't trapped by our heredity or environment, and we can't use these as excuses for our sins. We are free to choose, and individually we must return to God and follow Him.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

God is eager to bless us. (Haggai 2:18-19)

Haggai 2:18-19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid. Give careful thought: ¹⁹ Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit.

“‘From this day on I will bless you.’”

The people laid the Temple foundation, and immediately God blessed them. He did not wait for the project to be completed. God often sends His encouragement and approval with our first few obedient steps. He is eager to bless us.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

Honor your parents. (Ephesians 6:1-4)

Sunday after working at my job, I went over to my parents house to begin painting their second floor bedrooms. I agreed to do the work a few weeks back when my schedule was a little lighter than it is now. In my head I was trying to think of an excuse not to go over...(I could be home doing things around my house... Vacation is only a week away, I need to get my fishing rods ready... a quiet Sunday with my family would be nice...) That's when I remembered the verse below from Ephesians, the one that has a promise attached to it. I need to honor my parents! My attitude changed when I realized this is a command from God, and I must be obedient.

Ephesians 6:1-4

New Living Translation (NLT)

6 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. ² “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: ³ If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

If our faith in Christ is real, it will usually prove itself at home, in our relationships with those who know us best. Children and parents have a responsibility to each other. Children should honor their parents even if the parents are demanding and unfair. Parents should care gently for their children, even if the children are disobedient and unpleasant. Ideally, of course, Christian parents and Christian children will relate to each other with thoughtfulness and love. This will happen if both parents and children put the others' interests above their own - that is, if they submit to one another.

Joe

 

 

 

Get to Work ! (Haggai 2:4)

Haggai 2:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

"Be strong...and now get to work, for I am with you." Judah's people had returned to worshipping God, and God had promised to bless their efforts. But it was time for them to work. We must be people of prayer, Bible study, and worship - but eventually we must get out and do what God has in mind for us. He wants to change the world through us. God has given you a job to do in the church, at your place of employment, and at home. The time has come to be strong and work because God is with you.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

The meek and humble will be rewarded. (Zephaniah 3:11-12)

Zephaniah 3:11-12

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame
    for all the wrongs you have done to me,
because I will remove from you
    your arrogant boasters.
Never again will you be haughty
    on my holy hill.
¹² But I will leave within you
    the meek and humble.
The remnant of Israel
    will trust in the name of the Lord.

 

 

God will remove the proud people and leave the meek and humble. God is opposed to the proud of every generation. But those who are meek and humble will be rewarded because they trust in God. Self-reliance and arrogance have no place among God's people or in His kingdom.

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't allow sin to harden you. (Zephaniah 3:7)

Zephaniah 3:7

 

 

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

⁷ I thought, ‘Surely they will have reverence for me now!

    Surely they will listen to my warnings.

Then I won’t need to strike again,

    destroying their homes.’

But no, they get up early

    to continue their evil deeds.

We may wonder how the Israelites could of had such clear warnings and still not turn to God. The problem was that they allowed sin to so harden them that they no longer cared to follow God. They refused to heed God's warnings and they refused to repent. The more God punished them, the more they sinned. In fact, they were "eager" to sin (WOW!). If you disobey God now, your heart may grow hard, and you may lose your desire for God.

Joe

 

 

 

Ganderbrook (Luke 18:15-17)

 

 

 

 

 

Luke 18:15-17

The Message (MSG)

^15-17 People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”

Last week I had the opportunity to serve at Ganderbrook Christian Camp in Raymond, Maine. My wife Pat volunteers every year to cook in the kitchen during the week that our daughter is there, while I stay home and work at my job. This year I was able to join Pat and her team. Boy, did I work hard. We started around 6AM and finished around 8PM everyday.

In the beginning of the week as I was sweating over a hot grill in a 95 degree kitchen, I kept thinking of how we were blessing the children by cooking them 3 great meals everyday. In my mind, the team and I were blessing the children in a small way, while the staff and counselors were doing the major blessing with teaching, singing, & praying.

By the end of the week, I realized that it was me that was being blessed. I was blessed by the kitchen crew (Pat, Leland, Linda, Karen & Lynn). We worked together like a well oiled machine. We supported each other, we got along despite the unbearable heat. I was blessed by the staff of the camp. Just seeing the heart that they had for the children, blessed me.

But most of all, I was blessed by the children. I don't know where most of the kids are from...I don't know what their home life is like, but I saw Jesus in these children! I received more high fives, fist bumps, "call outs" (it's a clapping ovation) and hugs than I have in my previous 55 years on this earth.

I was truly Blessed !

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to serve !

Joe   (sign me up for next year)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The problem is pride. (Zephaniah 3:2)

Zephaniah 3:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

² No one can tell it anything;
    it refuses all correction.
It does not trust in the Lord
    or draw near to its God.

Do you know people who refuse to listen when someone disagrees with their opinions? Their root problem is pride - inflated self esteem. God's people had become so proud that they would not hear or accept God's correction. Do you find it difficult to listen to the spiritual counsel of others or God's words from the Bible? Don't let pride make you unable or unwilling to let God work in your life. You will be more willing to listen when you consider how weak and sinful you really are compared to God.

Joe

 

 

 

 

Your money won't save you. (Zephaniah 1:18)

Zephaniah 1:18

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁸ Your silver and gold will not save you
    on that day of the Lord’s anger...

Money is not evil in itself, but it is useless to save us. In this life, money can warp our perspective, giving us feelings of security and power. Just as the Israelites' wealth could not save them from invasion, so at the final judgment, our riches will be worthless. Only Christ's redemptive work on our behalf matters for eternity. Christ alone will ransom us if we believe in Him. Don't trust money, trust Christ.

Joe

 

 

 

Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Habakkuk 3:17-19

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights.

Crop failure and death of animals would devastate Judah. But Habakkuk affirmed that even in times of starvation and loss, he would still rejoice in the Lord. Habakkuk's feelings were not controlled by the events around him but by faith in God's ability to give him strength. When nothing makes sense, and when trouble seems more than you can bear, remember that God gives strength. Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God.

Joe

 

 

 

 

Receive His loving forgiveness. (Micah 7:18)

Micah 7:18

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁸ Where is another God like you,
    who pardons the guilt of the remnant,
    overlooking the sins of his special people?
You will not stay angry with your people forever,    because you delight in showing unfailing love.


God delights to show mercy ! He does not forgive grudgingly, but is glad when we repent and offers forgiveness to all who come back to Him. Today you can confess your sins and receive His loving forgiveness. Don't be too proud to accept God's free offer.



Joe