Baptist City Blog

- Tuesday, 12/20/22  Proverbs 13:1, A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. Son, daughter, when was the last time you asked

your dad for life advice or discussed deep thoughts/philosophies with him? Perhaps dad has been ignored so long or hushed so often that he won’t speak unless sincerely and repeatedly asked. Go ask a question and open the flow of wisdom from the gray head.                                    Proverbs 14:4, Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Every asset has a liability.  1) Realize that no one/no thing is all positive.  2) Deal with the negatives as necessary, but,  3) Think on and emphasize the positives.  4) Mediate on this: would you be willing to forfeit the future positive simply to eliminate the current negative?

- Wednesday, 12/21/22  Romans 7:15, For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If Paul had this much trouble, we need to be A LOT more patient, compassionate, merciful, and forgiving towards others. Also, steel your mind: you’re in for a life-long battle against sin that you won’t ever win.                            Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. The fact that believers are given “No condemnation” does NOT mean there will be “no correction.” Also, we must learn to give correction to others while not implying condemnation. We must correct improper actions without lessening our view of the other's inherent worth, or questioning their worth to God.

- Thursday, 12/22/22  Proverbs 17:13, Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. ‘Ever feel like you just can’t catch a break? That everyone and everything is against you? Perhaps, in light of this verse, ask the Holy Spirit to walk through your past and point out if there’s something for which you need to apologize; someone to whom you need to reconcile.                                 Romans 6:5, For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. I was praying for God to speak me while I read my Bible. I told Him that I wanted to hear from Him, wanted His wisdom, and wanted His likeness. Are you “like Christ.” Do you think anyone ever looks at you and things, “Wow, he reminds me of what Jesus is like.” Are you like Him? Am I? We have not because we ask not.

- Friday, 12/23/22  Jeremiah 7:20, Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and... The word “therefore” is used 101x in this book. God WILL NOT put up with continued rebellion from His people. Please stop and get even “that little thing” right with Him today.                             Luke 22:31-32, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Jesus said He prayed for Peter, and since He always gets His prayers answered, He must NOT have prayed that the sifting NOT occur. Therefore, we can assume that the sifting was part and parcel of Peter being able to help others later. Your troubles and trials are NOT in vain: learn the lessons and impart that wisdom to another so they don’t have to suffer through the “class” you did.

- Saturday, 12/24/22  Psalm 53:1, The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. A chief characteristic of a fool is rebellion against authority, all authority. Even if it’s as simple as someone disagreeing with you, purporting to be an expert. Quit trying to prove how infallibly right you are. Foolishness is hard-headedness.                                    Feeling stressed out at work, like you’re not up to the challenge?  Luke 5:15-16, But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. The Lord knows pressure and demands, and He knows how to handle them. Of course prayer is not simply saying words to God. It is the opening of the heart and allowing Him to minister to our inner man. So, stop and take a breath (STOP, FOR A MINUTE!!!) and allow your deepest inner man to contact Heaven.

- Sunday, 12/25/22  Luke 7:20, When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist [in prison] hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? Vince Lombardi said, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Here, “Troubles can cause doubt in the strongest Christians.”                         Luke 24:6-8, He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words... Those who’ve been in church for very long usually just need reminders and encouragement. That’s what I try to do with these FB posts and my daily texts. (If you want the texts, message me.) Whom could you remind and encourage?

- Monday, 12/26/22  Jeremiah 16:21,  Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The Lord. The people’s refusal to acknowledge, admit, and quit their sin caused God to say, “OK, you’re making Me flex My muscles.” Is that REALLY what you want dear brother? Get clean: not just “cleaner” but “CLEAN.”                           The Bible is written in simple terms; the vast majority of it is easily comprehensible by a 4^th or 5^th grader. One key to better understanding the Bible is to look for one type of word or phrase called a “subordinating conjunction.” These words show a relationship between what follows and what goes before. The relationship could be cause and effect; it could show a comparison; it could establish time or place order.  Jeremiah 15:16, Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. Notice the conjunction “for.” Paraphrase: “Because I am called by thy name, Your Word brought my heart joy.”  Very bluntly: if you have ZERO relationship with the Bible, if you could take It or leave It, and you usually leave it: be sure you are truly saved. Read the verse again. “Thus-n-thus FOR (or because) I am called by thy name.”