God Gives The Increase

Good Morning!! Christians have different gifts, that produce different fruit, for God's work. While we can accept this in Scripture,...we still question why some Christians are more successful in ministry than others. We wonder why one church is so much larger than another. We tend to look at the "successful person", and try to pattern ourselves to be like that person,...instead of keeping our focus on the Lord.

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.—1 Corinthians 3:7-8 (NIV)

Paul makes a piercing statement that should penetrate each of us, right into the depths of our heart. Our focus in life, as in ministry, needs to be about God,...period. Without God, there is no increase, no success,...and no value to our work. Without God, there would be no gifts, skills, or fruits. Without God, there would be no us. Because of God, one person is given certain talents while someone else is given the complement to those gifts,...both designed by God to fulfill His purpose only (1 Corinthians 12:11). In these verses, Paul is planting while Apollos is watering, both chosen by God to perform His service.

If you are feeling frustrated, fatigued, and frazzled, comparing yourself to others,
...then you are missing what God has for you.

God, You are our Farmer. You have given us the talents and skills, to plant and water,...but all for Your purposes, and glory. We now know; without You, there will be no growth, and no success for anyone. Amen.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

Back To Egypt,...Really??

Good Morning!! The temptation to crawl back into our Comfort Zone, never truly goes away,...without guidance and focus. A reference to going back to Egypt, is made often, in the Old Testament. The Israelites spent over 400 years in Egypt,...and most of that time consisted of hard labor, and enslavement. They cried out to God,...and He answered their cries. But, as soon as they encountered trials, even on the journey, the people were quick to want to go back to Egypt and their old way of life. Why would anyone want to go back to a life that was filled with bondage, and suffering?...because they at least knew what to expect,...and sometimes, that is more comforting than having to face the uncertainty of our future.

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.—Isaiah 31:1 (NIV)

And it doesn't look as if much has changed with us, even today. Except as Christians, we have God's Holy Spirit who is our Helper and our Comforter. We know trials and hard times, are inevitable in our lives, because we live in a fallen world,...that brings sorrows and pains. Though we will be tempted at times to give up and to go back to our familiar territories, we must press on towards the upward call of Christ Jesus. We can not put our trust in the strength of men, or money, or worldly power,...but we must put our trust in our Lord. Turn your eyes to Jesus, and He will lead the way.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
(1 Timothy 2:5, 6 NIV)

Holy Spirit, help us find ways to better apply the Word of God to our lives, every day. Amen.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

Make And Keep, God First

Good Morning!! What about me,...and what I want? There is nothing wrong with wanting something, for ourselves,...the problems begins, and quickly get out of control, when we trust anything other than God, to make it all better. We have to learn to pull ourselves out of our situations, and begin seeing things from God's perspective,...instead of our own. It takes discipline and self-control to live for the Lord, despite the situations, and events, in our lives. We need to say, "OK,...God is powerful, and He has the ability to change my circumstances, if needed. God is wise, and He has the ability to give me the wisdom to deal with these circumstances, if needed. God is loving, and He knows what I need, better than I do." When we can apply these three attributes of God: powerful, wise and loving, to all of our circumstances,...we're able to trust God,...in all situations and events,...and thus, able to bear fruit in all we do,...and with all we have.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:8-9 (NIV)

Two thing to learn and remember: To pull ourselves out from the circumstances, recall the attributes of God. To pull ourselves out from our emotions, be in the Word of God. We have to claim verses, as promises, to keep us focused on doing those things that please God,...even if it does not please others. It is in praying for self-control, to maintain a steadfast life, that brings God glory. Decisions counts, and our choices really do matter.

"My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge."(Psalm 62:7 NIV)

Father God, we seek to trust You,...above all else. Amen.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

Come In Confidence

Good Morning!! When we teach on prayer, we often use many of the following verses, as references. Regardless of the audience to whom we are speaking,...because almost everyone is familiar with at least some of these verses. In the gospels, Jesus tells us to "ask" for things. Matthew 7:7 says,..."Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Emphasis added)...A few chapters later, Jesus says, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)...When you study the gospels, you will notice that Jesus makes it clear that asking and believing, go hand in hand. In other words: when we pray, we need to pray (or ask) in faith.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.—1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)

John gives us a clearer picture of that faith by using the word "confidence" in how we approach God in prayer,...but how many of us really come to the Lord in confidence? Many people feel that if they are not praying God's Will, then they can not approach Him in confidence. They try to figure out what God wants them to pray before they come to Him in prayer. That approach is confusing and can lead to misguided, fruitless prayers. How can we ever truly know God's will? Let's not put the cart before the horse; start with the basics of prayer. Start with asking. Go to the Lord in honesty and humility and tell Him where your heart is. Tell Him that you are not sure what His will may be for you but that you want to know. Tell Him that you are not sure what to pray but these are the things on your heart. Ask the Lord to help you pray in confidence and to approach His throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16).

The Lord already knows our wants, needs and desires,
...He just wants us to come and fellowship with Him.

Father God, we open our hearts to You in honesty,...and trust Your Spirit to help us with the rest. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

Don't Let Money Fool You

Good Morning!! How do we keep a spiritual perspective about money,...while living in our materialistic society? Money seems like a good thing to most of us, even spiritually speaking,...think of the potential for good. Family, friends and church, you could bless them all,...if you won this week's Mega Millions prize. But don't forget the potential for evil, or real greed. Everyone who's ever caused you harm,...suddenly you have the means within you hands, to make them truly suffer. Or maybe your first thought is for self,...a bigger house, a new car, a great vacation,...or better yet, the ability to just pack up and leave everything, and everyone, behind. The fact is; if we're not doing much good with what we have now,...it's real unlikely that we'll be able to show real generosity, because we've hit it big.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.—1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)

Often Jesus would be speaking to someone about the eternal, while they would interpret His words in the temporal. For example, when Jesus talked about the living water and the bread of life, He was speaking of spiritual elements that affect our earthly lives. But the Samaritan woman asked for the living water so she wouldn't have to return to the well, and the people asked for the bread Jesus promised because they wanted to be fed continually on earth. Paul is saying the same things in these verses above. He is trying to help us focus on eternal values by using temporal tools. Paul is saying: We should give our earthly materials generously,...and willingly for God's kingdom. By keeping a spiritual perspective on earth, we are laying for ourselves a firm foundation in the life that is to come. Paul is saying to use your money on earth for the things of God. This way, God's work will continue here, while laying a firm foundation for you in the coming age.

"Do not trust money alone to provide for your needs,...but rather, depend on God."

O' Lord, help us to have a spiritual perspective towards money the we have, and receive. Help us to be generous and willing to share. We want to lay up treasures in heaven,...and we want to trust in You, to provide for our needs on earth. Please increase our faith.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

The Bible,..A How To Book?

Good Morning!! The Bible is a template for living,...a "template", which refers to an overlay used in graphic arts, or in sewing to replicate letters, shapes, or designs. As believers we have to use the Scripture as our overlay, to help us replicate in our lives, to what we've seen in the Book.

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.—John 13:17 (NIV)

"We are in a true age of faith, the Holy Spirit no longer writes Gospels,...except in our hearts; saintly souls are the pages, suffering and action are the ink. The Holy Spirit is writing a living Gospel with the pen of action." (Jean-Pierre de Caussade) I love the phrase "the pen of action." When we open the Bible to read carefully,...to think deeply,...to pray faithfully,...we must ready ourselves, to act it out in our lives,...courageously.

We must develop the spiritual discipline, to perform in our lives, what we have seen in the Bible.

Holy Spirit of God, as we read Your Word more deeply, help us to live more faithfully. Amen.

"Don't just take your troubles to God,...leave them there."

Fear Of The Lord Is Beneficial To All Saints

Good Morning!! Psalm 34 says that the fear of the Lord is the key to happiness. Do you want all good things,...and to lack for nothing? Do you desire life, do you want to see many days? Well then, "Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD" (v. 11). And that’s not all. We’re also promised spiritual blessings. Listen to Mary: "His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation" (Luke 1:50.) What more could you ask for? A rich, long, happy life here,...eternal life through the covenant mercies of God hereafter,...All for those who fear the Lord.

Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.—Psalm 34:9 (NIV)

A rich, long, happy life here,...eternal life through the covenant mercies of God hereafter,...all, for those who fear the Lord. But we know, it’s not quite as simple, as that. Psalm 34 also points out, that the Lord is "close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (v. 18). It talks about the many afflictions of the righteous and their cries for help. It even points to the suffering of the perfectly Righteous Man; "he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken." (v. 20) ,...words fulfilled by Jesus,...the Ultimate God-fearer,...even on the cross.

As we fear the Lord, our lives,...all of them, rich or poor, long or short, painful or trouble-free,...are truly blessed beyond measure.

Father God, may we learn to live in Your fear,...and die in Your favor. Amen.

"Don't just take your troubles to God,...leave them there."

Who Should We Fear?

Good Morning!! Pilate said to Jesus of Nazareth; "Don’t you realize I can have you crucified?" Jesus calmly responded; "You have no authority over me, except what has been given to you." Jesus was able to stand fearless, in the face of a terrible death, because He had complete trust that His Heavenly Father was actually in control,...of this and every situation.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.—Matthew 10:28 (NIV)

Peter said; "Offer appropriate respect to the Emperor, but save your fear for the One who is truly sovereign". Many times we reverse those instructions. We honor God, at least to some extent,...but what we truly fear is the Emperor: (the powers that be) like the government,...or the boss,...or the people we feel a need to impress.

The fear of God liberates us, from the fear of man.

Father in Heaven, deliver us from all lesser fears. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

"Don't just take your troubles to God,...leave them there."

Filial Dread

Good Morning!! One biblical scholar, defined the fear of the Lord as; "a filial dread of offending God." Fear prompts us to obey God,...not so much because we are afraid He will punish us, if we don't but because we value our relationship with the Father we love,...and who loves us. 'What does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him . . . and to keep the commandments of the Lord' (Deut. 10:12).

Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.—Genesis 22:12b (NIV)

Abraham's trial consisted of responding to a clear command from the Lord, that seemed to destroy the equally clear promise of the Lord,...to bless him through Isaac. Yet Abraham obeyed because he trusted God to provide a way. His obedience put into action his promise to put nothing above God. We know, as Abraham didn't, that God Himself would provide His own Son as the ultimate sacrifice, to set all men free from sin.

"The fear of God, is the only thing standing between us, and the law of the jungle."

Holy Spirit, help us to be faithful,...and to do what’s right,...even when we think no one is watching. Amen.

"Don't just take your troubles to God,...leave them there."

Thy Will, Not Mine

Good Morning!! "Thy will be done",...setting aside what we want, so as to align ourselves with what God wants. We need to ask ourselves; Do we really mean that? Do we want whatever God wants? What Jesus wanted in Gethsemane was deliverance, safety,...life. And so he prayed, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me,...nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." And when He arose from His knees, He was the calmest person in the garden.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.—Matthew 6:10b (KJV)

Thy will be done,...offers a note of resignation, in a sense, when we pray "Thy will be done to me," we're volunteering ourselves, for God’s service. Thy will be done through me,...that’s something else altogether. We're now saying; "Father, we want what you want,...and we want to help make it happen". Jesus moved resolutely to His cross with the confidence of a person perfectly in sync with the Will of God. "Thy will be done",...means some of your own wants may have to be crucified,...but you will have the quiet confidence of knowing that God’s Will isn't just happening to you,...it's happening through you. And you too, will be the calmest person in the garden.

"My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work."
(John 4:34)

Father in Heaven, let Thy will be done,...in, through, and with our lives. Amen.

"...the individual whose track record is morally pure has no better chance at earning God's favor than the individual who has made a wreck and waste of their life, and is currently living in unrestrained disobedience."

(THE GRACE AWAKENING, Charles R. Swindoll, p. 22)

Struggle Is A Key Part Of Growth

Good Morning!! When God wants us to grow, He places us outside of our comfort zones. Jesus invited Peter to get out of his old, familiar boat and join Him on the water. He told the rich young ruler to sell all he had and give his money to the poor. He told the paralytic lying on his mat to stand up and walk. Whether we are hard workers like Peter, living in comfort like the rich ruler, or handicapped and depending on society for support like the paralyzed beggar, we all tend to settle into comfort zones and hang our security on human devices. We buy insurance to cover every possible situation. We go to the same places, follow the same routines, socialize with the same people,...rarely looking beyond, what we already know.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And He said Come.—Matthew 14:28 29a (KJV)

We also play it safe spiritually, as well. We grow to a level of spiritual maturity (or immaturity) and there we stay. Our spiritual life may be boring,...but familiar and so predictable. We sit in the same pew, sing the same songs, give the same amount, think and behave the same way. Instead of growing, we calcify. That is until God shakes up our world, and we pushed to depend less on ourselves, and more on Him. It's scary, but also exciting to depend on God. Try moving out of your comfort zone,...lean less on your crutches and rely more on the Lord!

When you learn to truly lean of God,
...you'll see yourself walking on water, laughing at adversity and running without limping.

It's our tests, that gives us our testimony.

"...the individual whose track record is morally pure has no better chance at earning God's favor than the individual who has made a wreck and waste of their life, and is currently living in unrestrained disobedience."

(THE GRACE AWAKENING, Charles R. Swindoll, p. 22)

What Holy Looks Like

Good Morning!! What does a holy person look like? I believe, it's someone who seems more interested in others, than in promoting self,...someone who is neither naive nor jaded, about human nature,...someone who is able to bear trying circumstances with poise,...someone whose face radiates with generosity and love. Someone you'd want to be like,...or at least be near.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.—Colossians 3:2, 3 (ESV)

Holy people know the meaning of the old expression, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." They must realize that nothing we do can earn God’s love,...they also know that we're no better than the people around us. Those who understand grace can have compassion on their fellow sinners, because they know that we're all capable of the types of wickedness Paul describes in verses 5-8. At the same time, they "put to death" their sinful nature,...not out of fear, but out of love for the One who first loved us.

The pursuit of holiness comes from love for Christ,
...and the delight found in knowing, and serving Him.

Father God, we long to be Holy,...show us Your way. Amen.

"...the individual whose track record is morally pure has no better chance at earning God's favor than the individual who has made a wreck and waste of their life, and is currently living in unrestrained disobedience."

(THE GRACE AWAKENING, Charles R. Swindoll, p. 22)

Relationship, Not Rules

Good Morning!! You might think that the life of a mature Christian is marked by holiness, and that’s true. But there is a difference between an outward, apparent holiness consisting in “correct” behavior motivated by fear or pride and the inward holiness of a transformed heart. Paul is warning the Colossians not to confuse one with the other.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you.—Colossians 2:16-18a (NIV)

Sometimes, Christians can find themselves wrapped up in the externals of religious observance, and forget the gospel. The Christian religion can become a trap,...a lifeless collection of rituals and habits,...if those practicing it, lose sight of Christ.

If holy living to you means keeping an external set of man-made rules,...you've missed the gospel entirely.

O' Lord, teach us the real holiness,...that’s only found in knowing You. Amen.

"...the individual whose track record is morally pure has no better chance at earning God's favor than the individual who has made a wreck and waste of their life, and is currently living in unrestrained disobedience."

(THE GRACE AWAKENING, Charles R. Swindoll, p. 22)

Saved By Faith, Not Flesh

Good Morning!! When God looks at us, He sees us as though we have lived the perfect life Christ did. Imagine Christ’s life wrapped around you like a robe,...but even this metaphor falls short, because robes are only worn on the surface. God's grace transforms us, through and through.

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,...—Colossians 2:13 (NKJV)

There is a difference between living in the flesh, and living in the Spirit. By "flesh" Paul means the life we lived before accepting Christ. To live in the flesh in this sense means to continue to try and save yourself, by making something other than Christ, your righteousness. In other words, if you believe you must earn God's favor through your behavior,...you’re still living in the flesh.

There is no need to tally up the good things we have done in order to curry favor with God,
...because Christ has obliterated our sin debt,...yes, He has paid it all!

Father in Heaven, we can never fully fathom the true depths of Your love and grace. We can only praise You for them. Amen.

"...the individual whose track record is morally pure has no better chance at earning God's favor than the individual who has made a wreck and waste of their life, and is currently living in unrestrained disobedience."
(THE GRACE AWAKENING, Charles R. Swindoll, p. 22)

Whom Do You Serve?

Good Morning!! Everyone has something that he or she is living for, something that gives life its sense of value. Though as Christians we claim to serve Christ, many of us still are captive to idols,...the things to which we've given our functional trust. We fear losing these things,...money, job, status,...because we secretly feel that without them, we are nothing.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.—Colossians 2:8 (NIV)

If you're serving God in order to get the things you want, then you aren't really serving God,...you're just using God as a means to an end,...the end being your personal happiness. This is what Paul means by "hollow and deceptive philosophy." If we see the gospel as another self-help method,...a way to make our life feel more meaningful and secure, or to make us feel like a good person,...as soon as we fail, or hardship comes, we'll cast off Christianity in favor of something else. Or we'll fall victim to some other false forms of Christian teaching,...things that emphasize works over faith,...or offers of prosperity rather than the cross. So ask yourself: "What makes me a valuable person? What makes my life count?" The answer might help you identify what (or whom) you’re really serving.

Bob Dylan once sang; "It may be the devil,...or it may be the Lord,
...but you gotta serve somebody."

Father in Heaven, we want to serve You alone,...show us how. This we ask, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus. Amen.

"Loving God is the key to loving others."

Seek Salvation, Not Self-help

Good Morning!! Every evening, as I go online to catch up on e-mails, or to work on the devotionals, flashing ads on the web page shout, "Click here to lose 15 pounds by following one easy rule!" or "Learn financial security in three short steps!" advertisers tell us that personal transformation can be fast, cheap, and painless,...but they lie.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.—Colossians 1:19, 20 (ESV)

Instead of giving three easy steps to increased spiritual maturity, Paul offers a majestic passage, on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul's point is that we cannot expect to experience spiritual growth until we have experienced Christ,...and the place where we come to know Christ most fully, is the cross.

At the cross, we receive the promise that God is reconciling us to Himself,
...through the blood of Jesus.

Lord, bring us all to the cross, so that we may better know, Your grace. Amen.

"Loving God is the key to loving others."

Righteousness, Only Through Christ

Good Morning!! Most people believe that we somehow can deserve salvation. We search for things in ourselves to establish our righteousness,...to become worthy of God’s love. Those of us who are Christians, may feel that we've avoided this trap, because we have given our lives to Christ. But religious people are often the most in danger. Some of us work very hard at being good Christians, because deep down, we believe our obedience makes us worthy of God's love, and blessings. We cannot admit just how undeserving we are,...because if we did, we'd be unable to look down our noses at others.

He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,...—Colossians 1:22 (ESV)

Paul was very clear; We have done nothing to deserve or earn our salvation,...Righteousness comes from Christ alone. Our reconciliation with God was solely His doing,...through Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. This is "the hope of the gospel" (v. 23). If we realize how lavishly God has bestowed His love on us, when we were not looking for it, or even wanting it, we will begin to sense the true freedom of the gospel.

Here is the gospel in a nutshell: We are worse than we ever imagined,...yet more loved than we ever hoped.

Father God, may Your love always find us, in spite of ourselves. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"Loving God is the key to loving others."

Speak Words To Help, Not Hurt

Good Morning!! Admonish seems like a relic, from another age,....one of those words you seem to find only in the Bible. After all, who admonishes anyone anymore,...who would dare? Does it sound very loving, or friendly to admonish anyone? It sounds more like bad news, instead of good news. But look carefully at what Paul is says in today's verse. He doesn't say, "Admonish the world carelessly." He says; "Admonish one another in all wisdom."

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.—Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Now days, we'd say check them, or put them in their place, but done right,...it just means to holding each other accountable,...keeping one anther on the right path. There are some clues for us in Paul's confrontation with Peter in Galatians 2. Paul saw that by Peter's behavior, he had traded the freedom of the gospel for legalism. Peter fell into a common trap,...sometimes in our desire to be moral, or obedient, we exhibit behaviors in conflict with the very gospel we preach. To admonish with wisdom means we should always start by asking the question, "Does this behavior contradict the gospel?" If the answer is yes, then we must confront the behavior,...but again with wisdom,...so our admonishing also is in line with the gospel.

"A person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ."
(Paul admonished Peter, to keep the good news, good.)

Our Lord, our God, grant us great wisdom as we attempt to deal with each other,...in love. Amen.

"Loving God is the key to loving others."

Don't Just Preach, Teach

Good Morning!! A Teacher, gives useful information,...in a way that it can be understood,...and put into action. Jesus was such a teacher, who taught with great wisdom. In His parables, He used familiar image after familiar image to explain the Kingdom of God: a mustard seed, a lamp under a basket, lost sheep and coins and children, farmers sowing seed, and people discovering buried treasure. He understood His audience and spoke to them,...as they were able to hear it.

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the Word to them, as much as they could understand.—Mark 4:33 (NIV)

We've all heard speakers who address an audience as if the listeners have degrees in astrophysics, and others who speak to adults like they are fourth graders. To use wisdom means to teach so that the listeners not only hears, but also understands. After all, the key element in human communication isn’t just what's being said, or how,...it's what's being understood.

How many more souls could be saved,...if ministers thought of themselves as teachers,...instead of preachers?

Jesus, was the greatest model for all ministers, as He taught. Holy Spirit, help us follow His example. Amen.

"Loving God is the key to loving others."

The WORD Should Dwell In Us

Good Morning!! Jesus' exemplary knowledge, was the only weapon He had to fend off the temptations of the devil, in the wilderness. Although Jesus' hunger made Him vulnerable, He uses the truth of Scripture to expose the lies of Satan. What's interesting here, is that Jesus isn’t the only one quoting Scripture,...the devil quotes Psalm 91 to tempt Jesus!

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"—Luke 4:9-11 (NIV)

Like anything of power,...the Bible can be (and has been) misused. That's why Paul encourages us in Colossians 3, to not only let the Word dwell richly inside of us, but also to use it with great wisdom. God’s Word is the key that helps us distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, and the truth from a lie. If Jesus is our model, we need to take the time to memorize,...so the Word may dwell in us richly.

Jesus distinction, was not only that He had the word memorized,
...but that He also had deep insight, into what He had memorized.

Author of Truth, we ask for Your insight, into Your Word. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

"He who holds the stars in space, holds His people in His Hands."

We Need An Attitude Of Gratitude

Good Morning!! How about a little Gratitude, on this Thoughtful, Thankful, Thursday? Thank You,...how often do you say, or hear that, now days? We aren’t born grateful. In fact, no matter how much we get,...we still see the need for more. There is this since of entitlement, amongst the old, and young alike today. Even if we never say it,...most times we act; as if the universe revolves around us,...with little or no thought about; what others may need, or want. You might even say that our self-centeredness, is the true opposite of gratitude,...and it isn't attractive, on God's children.

He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him,...and he was a Samaritan.—Luke 17:16 (NIV)

Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to say; "thank you". The one who returned was a despised Samaritan,...perhaps thought to be the least likely, to fall on his face before Jesus. Did the others feel they were entitled to be healed? Or maybe they were just too preoccupied with their new lives to think of saying thanks, to the one who made it possible. It's only when we begin to comprehend that the universe doesn’t revolve around us, that we have a chance to become really grateful, for our place in it.

Politeness was drilled into most of us, as a stand-in for gratitude,
...hoping it would eventually develop.

Thank You, Father, for creating and redeeming us. Amen.

"He who holds the stars in space, holds His people in His Hands."