- Tuesday, 8/11/20
Proverbs 3:7, Be not wise in thine
own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. We all are very adept and
very practiced at justifying (and thus, continuing) our sin. To all of us:
KNOCK IT OFF!!!
Psalm 64:2-3, Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words. Are you having troubles at work? Enemies? Misunderstandings? Have you sincerely prayed about the situation? (After searching for and repenting from any wrongdoing on your part?) (I ask because a dear brother was used by God to reprove and convict me of exactly that.)
- Wednesday, 8/12/20 Acts 9:31a, Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified. If life is rather easy now and you’re resting, you’ve GOT TO build yourself up for the upcoming battle. Yes, there will be another one. At best, you’re in a lull, not peacetime. Matthew 15:18, But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. All of our hearts are filled with perverse, rebellious sin. But when we allow it to come forth, we are defiled. So, 1) that you are aware of your wickedness is not a bad thing. You are just like me and we are just like the greatest Christian we know: we’re wicked, through and through. 2) How’s your mouth? Are you allowing gossip, slander, criticism, griping to come out? Inappropriate flirtatious words? Vulgar speech? To quote a great American, “Zip it! Zip it! Zip it!!”
- Thursday, 8/13/20 Hosea 14:1, O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. If things are not the same between you and God, it’s not Him that has or needs to move. You know what to do... Proverbs 8:7, For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. Oh that every Christian would love pure speech while despising wicked, vulgar speech. (And that we’d quickly repent when we blow it.) Wickedness is an abomination (object of intense hatred and disgust): Lord, help us.
- Friday, 8/14/20 Hosea 14:4, I will heal [my people’s] backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. If you’ll come, He’ll heal. Will you? And will you bring someone with you? Hosea 13:9, O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. Dear Christian, you’ve never gone so far that He won’t take you back, can’t reclaim you. He’s your Father. Unsaved one: God DOES have a Point of No Return when He quits drawing you and withdraws His mercy. He’s your God. Get saved, born-again or go to Hell. It’s that brutally, honestly simple. You can point to hypocritical Christians all you want (and all of us are), but you won’t answer to us or be able to use us as a defense when you stand ALONE in front of Jesus Christ. Get saved, today!! Message me for info, please.
- Saturday, 8/15/20 Psalm 68:3, But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. In context, the prayer for God to intervene was just made, so the situation is still bad. Yet, we are to rejoice exceedingly. Rejoice IN the problem, not just after the problem. Matthew 17:8, And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. Tis a good day when you find yourself alone because you’ll find that you’re not really alone. We all say that we know this...let’s start acting like it’s really true and that we really believe it.
- Sunday, 8/16/20 Genesis 17:1b, ... the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. He’s the same God today; has the same character, and expects the same purity from His children. Are you “holy enough” or striving for “higher ground”? Amos 1:3, Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron. I am not sure of the exact agricultural meaning, but the word picture is one of unnecessary cruelty. Do you go overboard in your correction/discipline? Do you use 3 exclamation points when a period would suffice? Do you write up an employee when a gentle reminder would do? Do you spank when a look would work? Do what you have to do, but don’t enjoy having to do it, and remember the recipient: don’t break their heart/will. If you’re over them in some capacity, you have a responsibility to them.
- Monday, 8/17/20 Psalm 72:5, In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. PTL that this day is coming. Are you ready to meet Him, or will you be ashamed at His coming? (Many believers will.) Are you trying to live the heavenly life NOW? Amos 1:11, Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever. Notice the emphasis on casting of ALL pity and being PERPETUALLY angry. Do you stay mad at someone? Or, do you correct, forgive, and move on? God was very upset here at Edom for how he treated his brother.
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