Baptist City Blog

- Tuesday, 2/8/22  Hebrews 11:16, But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Do we

REALLY desire Heaven? When was the last time you thought of it and actually longed to be there? Are we preparing for it?                             Proverbs 6:23, For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.  Too often, we serve an unbalanced God. We either emphasize His lovingkindness and forgiveness and comfort and exclude His judgments and wrath, or we focus on the more stern aspects of His character and His harshness and discard His tender compassion and grace. However, we need to remind ourselves that He issues LAWS and COMMANDMENTS, not suggestions. He allows REPROOFS to show us our errors and, if those don’t turn us, He is very adept at progressing to JUDGMENTS and WRATH. Don’t settle for half of a God.

- Wednesday, 2/9/22  Psalm 16:2b-3a, ...my goodness extendeth not to [the Lord]; but to the saints that are in the earth... A reminder that whatever deeds we would like to do for God must be done to people first. Today seek a “least of these my brethren” and do something sweet to Jesus.                                 Psalm 94:1, O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Pay backs are solely God’s responsibility. We know that, and we allow it, right? Well, no. We may not overtly retaliate to those who offend us, but we do often retaliate. How? The silent treatment. Distancing ourselves. Gossip. Not extending goodness to them but to another. No, anything less than “loving our enemies” “as Christ loved us” is executing vengeance. Ouch! Ouch! Double ouch!! Shame on us.

- Thursday, 2/10/22  Psalm 94:2, Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. We cause ourselves a lot of turmoil in our souls when we get our eyes off of our duties and onto God’s timing. He WILL do rightly WHEN He deems it best. We are to just love and serve others.                                 Psalm 94:22, But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. A soldier behind a defensive wall may occasionally check to see how it’s holding or try to reinforce it. Praise God that we NEVER have to check and see if our Wall, our Rock is beginning to crack!!! Dear brother, we are safe!!! Rest in Him, and do His will: help your wounded brethren, bind their wounds and get them back in the fight, and keep on swinging your Sword.

- Friday, 2/11/22  2 Chronicles 1:10, Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? Do you feel up to the challenge for what you’re doing for God? If you do, something is wrong. Either you’re not doing enough for Him, or you’re doing it in your own strength.

- Saturday, 2/12/22  Psalm 18:6, In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Emergency praying is never condemned by our Father...but be aware of the need to develop a prayer life. Pray about your prayers.

- Sunday, 2/13/22  Psalm 97:6, The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. What exactly do we see? Beauty, of course, but also, consistency, dependability. Also, the benefits of the heavens are available to all. Are we beautifully boring? Are we good to all...or do others have to earn it from us?                           Psalm 97:7, Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. A reminder that the lost world out there is REALLY lost. They’re clueless. All of their supposed bravado and confidence is simply a bluff, a sham to cover fear of the unknown future and a dread of eternity. Be patient with them, and always look for an opening to convey a calm life confidence in temporal and eternal things. Look for an opening...they ARE searching, even if they don’t openly acknowledge it.

- Monday, 2/14/22  Proverbs 10:1, A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. “If you’re happy and you know it, tell your son.” Everyone needs some positive feedback. And, evaluate your input on your own parents. Could you do more good (or less bad) to mom and dad?                               (Blunt post) Have you ever said, “I just can’t forgive what they did!! No way!” The real problem is not their sin, but your lack of love and an abundance of hatred. Yes. Is this verse true or not? Proverbs 10:12, Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. ALL sins...even THAT one. ‘Ball’s in your court...