Come To Yourself, And Head Home

Good Morning!! Jesus taught the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. This young man made many wrong choices, but ultimately he accepted responsibility for the consequences of those choices. Deciding to set out on his own, he had asked his father for his inheritance and off he went. He proceeded to make more bad choices, squandering his money on wild living. Eventually the money was gone and he fell to the position of feeding another man's livestock. He was so hungry that even the food he was feeding the pigs looked good. He thought of home,...even his father's servants would be eating better than this.

So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.—Luke 15:20 (NIV)

I think I'll return home and become one of my father's servants, he thought. I don't deserve more than that, but I believe he'll hire me. Good choices. To admit his error and not try to blame anyone else. To face up to responsibility. The young man's father saw him coming home. He ran out to meet him with open arms, killed the fatted calf and had a huge party to celebrate his son's homecoming.

If you or someone you know have you made some bad choices,...wandered off and squandered your talents, even your opportunities to do good,...I encourage you to make the right choice of coming home to your Heavenly Father,...He is waiting for you, with open arms.

 

Father God, we've all made so many mistakes. I know many of the things we've done have not pleased You, but we Thank You, for this assurance of Your Love. Please forgive us and take us into Your loving arms. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 

"If we're not Spirit-controlled, it unlikely that we'll ever be what God intended."

Your Past, Is Your Past, Let It Go

Good Morning!! God loves us so much, that he gives us the freedom to make choices,...even bad ones. Some are of little consequence, while others can be life-changing. Our freedom of choice dates back to Adam and Eve. They made a bad choice, and sin entered the realm of mankind. The freedom to make choices, also brings responsibility. But, the good news is that no matter what poor choices we may have made in the past, there is always hope for a better future. God knew that we would make some bad choices, but he loves us so much that he sent Jesus to pay the price for our sin, and to provide a way that our relationship to Him can be restored. Some people go through life carrying the load of some wrong choices they've made, in the past. They believe they've messed up so badly that nothing good can ever come of their lives. If you've ever felt this way, or no someone else that might,...there is Good News! For anyone that want to be set free from the past,...Jesus is the answer.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:13,14 (NIV)

Jesus is the answer. He has already paid the price for your sin ... for every wrong choice you've ever made. Talk to him. Ask him to forgive you and to help you make better choices from now on. He's ready and he's more than able. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9 NIV) Remember, we are very special to God. He loves us no matter what we've done,...He's always there for us. He wants us to put the past behind, so that we can become all that He has designed us to be.

We must learn to ask for God's forgiveness,...learn from our mistakes,...and start looking forward to a future filled with hope.

Thank You Lord, for forgiving our sins. We know that we've made so many wrong choices. Help us now to put them behind us. Help us to Let It Go,...to look and move forward, to the future You have planned for us,...one filled with hope.  Amen.

 

 "If we're not Spirit-controlled, it unlikely that we'll ever be what God intended."

Be A Light, Be A Help

Good Morning!! It's my belief that; sharing our own personal experiences and insight may help our friend understand how to deal with a life-altering problem. We need to keep the conversation positive, talking about our mistakes,...but focusing more on how God helped us, and the things you learned through the process. Don't allow self-disclosure to shift the focus of the conversation, by talking too much about ones self, and away from the person you're wanting to help. It is also important that while sharing with others, that we not be too judgmental,...talking down to them, making them feel as though we're treating them like a child,...or an inferior person.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.—Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Our self-disclosure should have a clear goal, of providing insight or a perspective, that our friend does not appear to have, that can and will move them toward healing. Try to stay at a level of sharing and insight, relevant to the person's need. Freedom from a life-altering problem is a process. Pray that God will help us disclose all that will assist our friends in that process,...but not so much as to produce confusion. And pray that God will use what we say to help set our family, friends and loved ones free. 

Appropriate self-disclosure, can be a useful tool in a helping relationship.

Holy Spirit, help us be generous with our hurts, heart aches, and experiences,...sharing with the people in our lives, those things that will hasten deliverance and healing. I pray that our self-disclosure will be an encouragement to our friends,...to open up to God. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"If we're not Spirit-controlled, it unlikely that we'll ever be what God intended."  

Renew

Good Morning!! Here's a thought, as we begin a short work week; Re-state, Re-commit and Re-assure,....In all these cases " Re" means to do it again. I use to think that if something had been done, there was no need to do it again,...but I think we all know better now. Even though I've dedicated my life to Jesus, and am doing what amounts to evangelical work, my heart, my prayers, and my witness for Christ are in constant need of checking and cleansing. We are in nearly constant danger of following the desires of our hearts, rather than the Will of God.


Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him.—Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NRSV)

The Holy Spirit urges us to rededicate our lives to the Lord. Our hearts can become so easily weighed down with evil thoughts, temptations, and other burdens that block the flow of God's power through us. Sustaining spiritual growth and effective witness requires that we continually attend to the condition of our heart.

Day by day, the Holy Spirit gives us power to live for God,...if we remember to seek it.

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We should be offering ourselves to God every day in order to keep the way clear to receive His Holy Spirit.

 

"If we're not Spirit-controlled, it unlikely that we'll ever be what God intended."

 

The 10th Commandment

Good Morning!! The tenth commandment focuses on a person's unseen evil motives and desires. This one last commandment, can lead us to break the other nine. To covet is to wish for enviously, to long for or crave something,...especially something that belongs to another person. This includes spouse, real estate, car, position, success, prosperity and on, and on. A covetous person always wants more. It is not wrong to desire things that will better our lives, but these desires can become a trap when they replace our focus on God.

"You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."—Exodus 20:16 (NIV)

We live in an age of instant gratification. Advertising touts stuff and more stuff. Everything from cars to designer clothes to the latest electronic gadgets. But all the stuff in the world cannot bring us peace or lasting joy. Only a relationship with God can do that,...it is important to keep our perspective. Don't think that more money and stuff and power will produce happiness. Instead, seek above all else a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father.

 What God has for us, is for us. 

Father God, help us to keep our perspective,...and not to covet anything or anyone. Forgive us for the times we've focused so much on our desire to advance our career,...or to obtain some thing,...or just to have our own way so much that it distracted us from focusing on Your Will. Amen.

"Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct, and ethical decisions, is essential for every believers life." 

The 9th Commandment

Good Morning!! The ninth commandment tells us; that we are not to speak dishonestly about our neighbor. Who is our neighbor?...The whole world,...and more so today, than ever before! This commandment is broken not only when we tell an outright lie, but also when we use deception of any kind. We've probably all been guilty of participating in gossip, either by carrying tales ourselves or by listening to others gossip and remaining silent, failing to stand up for the accused.

"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."—Exodus 20:16 (NIV)

With Christians, gossip is often masked with seemingly caring language: I never would have expected this, of that person,...or I don't mean to put this person down, but did you know,...or Isn't it sad that they are losing their house, because of gambling,...or I wouldn't tell you this, but you need to know how to pray them. If for some reason we do need to share something negative about another person, we first need to be absolutely certain that we have our facts straight. Then we need to examine the real motives for wanting to tell someone about it,...and we should tell only those who really do need to know. Sometimes even the truth, can be destructive,...think before you speak. Strive to always speak the truth,...in love.

The Bible says that "the tongue has the power of life and death" (Proverbs 18:21).
Are we using ours for life? 

Holy Spirit of God, forgive us for the times we've participated in gossip, and for any times that our careless words have hurt others. Help us to always speak the truth,...but out of love. Amen.

"Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct, and ethical decisions, is essential for every believers life." 

The 8th Commandment

Good Morning!! The eighth commandment focuses on the right of ownership. While most of us would never go out and rob a bank, there are other forms of stealing: tax evasion, failure to pay debts, fraud, abusing copyright laws, charging excessive interest, being less than honest on an insurance claim. In short, stealing is; any act of taking something that doesn't belong to us,...and we all know that. Yet we do, and try to justify these acts with thoughts like; That insurance company has plenty of money,...and they overcharge me on my premiums, or These taxes are unfair,...I  shouldn't have to pay them, or If I don't someone else will, or best of all,...everyone does it. But God says: "You shall not steal." 

"You shall not steal."—Exodus 20:15 (NIV)

Ultimately,...everything belongs to God. We are stewards of what he has entrusted to us. To abuse a person's right of ownership, whether they are rich or poor, is wrong. The rich should not rob their employees, and the poor should not rob the rich,...even when they feel entitled or justified. The Christian example should be that of a giver, not a taker. If you've been drawn into the all-too-common attitudes of selfishness and compromise, that invade our world today, it's time to turn your back on those attitudes and focus on doing things God's way.
  

God places a high value on private property.

What's yours is yours,...until you willfully give it away.

Holy Spirit of God, help us not to rationalize our way to dishonest behavior. In all things, help us to be givers, not takers. Amen.

"Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct, and ethical decisions, is essential for every believers life."  

The 7th Commandment

Good Morning!! This is the seventh commandment, and it serves to protect and purify the sexual urge, and the marriage relationship. When followed, the commandment protects against the degradation of human relationships that accompanies adultery. As with all the Ten Commandments, God gave us this one, out of love for us. He wants to protect individuals and families from the hurt that adultery is sure to bring. God knows that breaking this commandment will rob people of peace, love and affection,...while giving them misery and sorrow.

 "You shall not commit adultery."—Exodus 20:14 (NIV)

 We are surrounded by sexually impure thoughts and behavior,...movies, television programs and even advertisements. Unless we stay focused on God, and the pureness and beauty of the marriage relationship, it can be so easy to stray. Getting emotionally involved with someone or indulging in a little fantasizing now and then might seem innocent enough at first, but adultery is usually committed in stages like these before the actual act occurs.

Be on guard.

 Don't allow yourself to get into compromising situations. And above all, focus on God and trust Him to help you be all that he wants you to be.

Father, help us to be, and remain faithful,...mentally, emotionally and physically. In Jesus' name. Amen.

"Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct, and ethical decisions, is essential for every believers life."

The 6th Commandment

Good Morning!! The sixth commandment focuses on the sanctity of human life. It is designed to protect us, in our relationship with others. Many in our world today have less and less regard for God,..or the life He has given us all. Along with that decline comes a lessening of the value of life. This decline is apparent in the growing number of mass shootings, and other acts of murder. Every life is important to God,...even the poor, the elderly, the sick,...and the unborn. Everyone. And He calls us to value and protect every life.

"You shall not murder."—Exodus 20:13 (NIV)

You might say; "I really don't have to be concerned about this commandment,...I'd never kill anyone." But it goes beyond the actual crime of murder. It includes the condition of our heart,...that lack of love.  Jesus said, "You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder." (Matthew 5:21, 22) Hidden emotions in the form of anger, malice, rage revenge, and yes, indifference, are all in violation of the sixth commandment. If you are holding on to anger or bitterness toward someone,...ask God to help you let go. If you are witness to someone's unfair or mistreatment,...ask God for the courage to speak up and out.

We must not let anger build and fester. Just as Jesus, in his love, paid the price on the cross for our sins, he calls us to show the same kind of love and forgiveness to others.

Father in Heaven, forgive us, for any unforgiveness or anger in our hearts. Forgive us, for turning a blind eye to injustice, and the pain of others. Help us to let go, and to demonstrate Your love, compassion and courage to all people, in all situations. In Jesus' name. Amen.

"Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct, and ethical decisions, is essential for every believers life."

The 5th Commandment

Good Morning!! This is the fifth of the Ten Commandments, and it may be considered the centerpiece of all the commandments. The first four commandments deal with our relationship with God and the last six focus on social relationships. This one serves as a bridge from our focus on God, to our focus on interpersonal relationships. Honoring one's father and mother is a model to respect God,...and others. Honor is learned in the home and flows into other areas of respect for various kinds of authority. Children are to obey and honor their parents.

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."—Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

Even though we are no longer called to obey after we enter adulthood and are living out on our own, our responsibility to honor them never ceases. If they treat us badly, we don't need to honor the wrong things they do, but we still need to honor them as our parents,...and show them respect. As they age, we can continue to honor our parents by checking on them regularly, by seeing that they are lovingly cared for, by visiting them, talking to them, and especially by listening to them. It is easy to get so busy with job, friends and other family and even church that we begin to neglect our parents. It is important to guard against that.

Even as we move through the various cycles of life, we have a duty to honor our parents,...with our time, our care, our prayers, and our love. 

Father God, we thank You for our parents. Help us to always honor them in our thoughts,...as well as our words and actions. In Jesus' name. Amen.

"Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct, and ethical decisions, is essential for every believers life."

The 4th Commandment

Good Morning!! The fourth commandment focuses on setting aside a time for rest and worship,...and clearly shows that God is concerned about our time. In this day and age, time seems to be a real issue for most people. We have time management courses, and an unending stream of electronic devices to help us organize, schedule and remember. God wants us to balance work with rest and worship.

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy."—Exodus 20:8 (NIV)

Even God set aside a day of rest,...after six days of creation. Jesus set aside times to rest away from the crowds. And so we need to learn to balance all our busy activities, with rest and worship. Sabbath means rest. God told us to set aside this time because He loves us, and knows we need it. Without a special time to rest and worship, our focus on God will become dimmer. Without rest, we tend to stress more, and start to suffer physically and emotionally,...as well as spiritually.

The Sabbath is a time to regroup for the coming days,...a time to focus on God.
It's a time to enjoy our family, and to experience rest and recreation.

God has given us this gift,...let's enjoy it!

Lord, thank You for the Sabbath, for this special time for rest and worship. Help us learn to better balance our time and activities,...and not neglect the Sabbath. Amen.

 

"Make sure that there is a witness in your spirit, so that you will know you're on the right track."  

The 3rd Commandment

Good Morning!! This is the third of the Ten Commandments and emphasizes right thinking regarding the name of the Lord. Most of us want our names to be spoken correctly and with honor and respect. God, whose name is above every name, desires,...and deserves,...his name to be used with the greatest respect and honor. Although this commandment is often and correctly, viewed as prohibiting profanity and blasphemy,...it means more than that.

"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name."—Exodus 20:7 (NIV)

It also means we are never to take the Lord's reputation lightly. If we call ourselves Christian, we are privileged to use His name. And we dishonor His precious name every time we say or do, something that does not show honor or respect for Him,...like when we hurt or condemn, rather than showing love to others. We should be careful not to take God's name frivolously in conversation,...or lightly in worship. We should avoid movies and TV programs that use His name in profanity, or show other signs of disrespect.

 Let us use the Lord's name with reverence, and honor Him in all we say, in all we do,...and in all that we are. 

Father, help us to honor Your Holy name, not only in our speech, but in every thought,...in our attitudes and in every thing that we do. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 "Make sure that there is a witness in your spirit, so that you will know you're on the right track."

The 2nd Commandment

Good Morning!! This is the second of the Ten Commandments and shows that we are to worship only God. God forbids us to worship or use created things or even creation itself as an approach to him. Not trees, or flowers, or land. Not statues, monuments,...not even traditions. Only God. We should have no God-substitutes.

"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."—Exodus 20:4 (NIV)

When we look to anyone or anything other than God as our primary source of meaning, self-worth, comfort or fulfillment, we are in danger of having an idol in our lives. An idol is anything that we depend on for solutions that only God can provide. Three common types of idols are substances, behaviors and relationships that control our lives.

God doesn't want us to serve idols, because He loves us, and knows what's best for us. Let us come before Him daily, seeking His will and His plan for our lives.

Lord, forgive us for trying to find comfort, solutions, and happiness in things, activities or relationships. Although You may use some of these things or people, to enrich our lives and to help us,...I know that You are the source of all good things. Holy Spirit help us to stop depending on weak substitutes. Amen.

 

"Make sure that there is a witness in your spirit, so that you will know you're on the right track."

 

The 1st Commandment

Good Morning!! The Ten Commandments deal with our relationship with God and with others. The bottom line is love. Each of these commandments holds a great deal of meaning for our lives today. One of the more prevalent "other gods" in our society today is the New Age Movement. Today's scripture is the first of the Ten Commandments. It calls for an undivided faithfulness to God.

" You shall have no other gods before Me."—Exodus 20:3 (NIV)

Because we have been created in God's image, this relationship is at the very core of human need,...and affects everyone. "Other gods" usually brings to mind wooden or stone figures,...or the proclaimed god, of another religion. But there are more subtle "other gods." Anything that takes our focus off Christ,...anything that we devote more time, attention and allegiance to, than Jesus, can become our other god. It might be money, sports, or sex. It could even be our job, a relationship,...it can even be our working in a ministry.

It's good to do a periodic reality check: Am I asking God for guidance,...or doing my own thing. Am I trusting in my job, another person, or my own abilities more than I'm trusting in the Lord?

Father God, forgive us for sometimes getting sidetracked, and allowing other things or people, to become more important in our life than You. Holy Spirit help us to refocus on Jesus. Amen.

"Make sure that there is a witness in your spirit, so that you will know you're on the right track."  

The Father Speaks, Are You Listening?

Good Morning, It's a Marvelous Monday!!...And I Started It Off By Praying For Enough Of God's Grace, Mercy, Wisdom, And Strength To See Us All Through. It's important that we always keep an open, and listening, heart toward God. We may have devotions for weeks, without feeling as though God has spoken to us. We may worship and pray faithfully, and nothing special seems happen. We may even wonder if God hears us at all,...but God does listen, and speak to us,...in His time, not ours.

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;....Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.—Proverbs 2:3, 5 (KJV)

One day we're reading the Bible and a wonderful, new insight comes to us that helps us see our situation differently. Or we're worshiping and an awesome sense of the presence of God unexpectedly floods over us. Or we are praying much as we always do, only this time a veil lifts and we are aware that we are in the very presence of God! We do not control God with our devotions, our worship or our prayers. These we offer to Him because we need to give them and because He is worthy. But they do keep us ready for the occasions when God speaks a personal word to us.

 We can't know or even anticipate when God will speak a personal word to us. But we can be listening when He does!

 The more time we spend with the Father and His Word, the more opportunity we have to hear Him speak. Amen.

"Make sure that there is a witness in your spirit, so that you will know you're on the right track."