Baptist City Blog

Sunday, 2/14/16  Phil 4:21, Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. Christianity 101: Is there anyone in your church that you won’t speak to? What about your home? Do you give your kids or spouse “the silent treatment”? (“Salute” means to greet or embrace.)                Phil 1:7, Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all. Paul had confidence that God would continue to work in their hearts and lives. Why? ...you all, because I have you in my heart; and he had already said he was grateful and prayer-ful regarding them. How confident are you in your kids because of the gratitude you feel and the prayers you pray? your SS pupils? your spouse? your pastor?

 

Monday, 2/15/16  Ps 40:10, I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart... Most believers are guilty of hiding their salvation so deep that no one even suspects that they have it. How long has it been since you even TRIED to witness?                      Phil 1:9, And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more... This sounds good, doesn’t it? “I want abounding love for everyone!!!”  Not good. Love, like all emotions must be tempered and governed by the will. ...more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. Knowledge and judgment may alter how your love is expressed (“What is proper in this situation?” “Does this person need love now, or a rebuke or exhortation?” Maybe it’s time to buckle down and simply work harder instead of taking time now to express love.)

 

Tuesday, 2/16/16  Pro 11:30, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Are you fruitful? Are you wise? Yes, it is that simple... Or, are you barren and foolish? Sinners need soul winners. God needs soul winners. Get back to winning souls and bearing fruit.                Phil 3:13, ...this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind... You know, it’s very hard to forget the hurts done to you, or your failures, your broken dreams, & missed opportunities if you won’t disciple your mind to not dwell on them. Forgive!! And don’t bring it up again. Press on!! And quit actively recalling to mind... “What if...” “If I had only...” You didn’t!!! Now do something good today.

 

Wednesday, 2/17/16  Ps 97:11, Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Just because God planted the seeds doesn’t mean that we’ve nothing to do until the harvest, nor does it mean that the harvest will come sooner (in June) rather than later (in October).                   Phil 4:11, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. How did Paul arrive at this state of contentment? V12, ...every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry (Huh???), both to abound and suffer need. How can he be both hungry and full? Abounding and needful? I think it is the proverbial “glass half full vs. half empty.” If he was hungry and needy, he meditated on his standing with Christ and his home in Heaven. If people turned on him, he instead thought of those who were with him. All of us could use a LOT more mental discipline...God has been REALLY good to each of us, even when we’re having “a bad day.”

 

Thursday, 2/18/16  Ps 44:1, We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. Don’t be content to hear stories of God working today...let Him perform in your life too!!! And don’t be content with “He used to use me...”                  Ps 40:10, I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Not hiding your salvation is done by first declaring His faithfulness and then launching into talk of salvation. God is SSOOO gracious to reveal His lovingkindness via Calvary...can you be SSOOO gracious as to tell someone?

 

Friday, 2/19/16  Pro 15:13, A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Sorrows are part of this life, but if we dwell on them and allow them to linger, they can break us. Deal with the problems, and focus your brain on the positives.              How much time do you spend trying to learn something? Or, is your free time consumed with mindless entertainment? Pro 15:14, the heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on foolishness. Now, we need some time for diversion: re-creation, but most of us overdose on it.

 

Saturday, 2/20/16  All of us are glad we’re saved...but do we reach THIS level? Ps 119:14, I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I think, ¹We’ve no reason to be proud of ourselves, and, ²we need to strive to grow.                         Pro 15:22, Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. Seeking counsel allows us to get a different perspective and thus to see any potential problems along the way and avoid them (and the accompanying disappointment.) Counsel puts our feet on more stable footing. So, for what should you be seeking some advice from a wise person? Dating/marriage? Child rearing? Life’s direction? Your walk with God? Sin problems? Depression? Forgiveness/bitterness? Utilization of time?

 

Sunday, 2/21/16  2 Kings 5:1, Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man...and honorable...he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper. No one has every aspect of life all good, nor does anyone have it all bad. So the question is, “On what do you focus more: your good or your bad?”                         Pro 17:9, He that covereth a matter seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. The first half doesn’t mean “hide it away,” it means to cover it with the blood of the altar of sacrifice, i.e. Calvary. In other words, let God have it. If you won’t forgive, if you keep repeating how someone did you wrong, then you are proud, selfish, and aren’t seeking love.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- Christians must not allow the political correctness police cause us to be afraid of our beliefs.

- You just DO the will of God. Do it and never seek it. Do what you are suppose to do where you are.

- The little saying, "Nobody's perfect" has been like a two edged sword to me. It helps for those times when I felt like I was perfect, and for the times I felt like I was a nobody.

- Do not make the mistake of comparing yourself to what others think you should be.

- There is something wrong with every parent, every pastor, every church, every spouse, every leader, every friend, every neighbor, every teacher, and every Christian. Stop focusing on what is wrong with them and appreciate the good about them.

- It's in God's presence that you will find your purpose.

- It's easier to avoid/run away from temptation than it is to resist it!

- Don't let your bad day make you a worse sinner.

- I discovered how great a Savior I have when I realized how great a sinner I am.

- Forgiveness does not come after closure. Forgiveness brings closure.

- Stop thinking anyone owes you an apology and it will feel like a precious gift when someone gives you one.

- Choose to be thankful until it becomes a habit.

- I know am the chief of sinners, so I strive to be the chief of repenters as well.

- We are less prone to wander when our eyes behold our God in wonder.

- The biggest temptation you will face today is to doubt God's goodness.

- Scripture does its most painful work when it seeks to divorce us from the values and ideals of our pagan cultures. As Christ-followers, we are called to transformation, not conformity (Romans 12:1-2). Without any doubt, conformity to the culture in which we are immersed is the easier route, but this is not the way of faith and virtue. Discipleship is a call to difference, not for the sake of contrariness, but for the cause of holiness.

- The one who leaves a trail of glitter is not easily forgotten.

- Those hurt by our disgrace are not always healed by His grace at the same time we are healed. Rather than boasting in grace it would be best if we bowed our heads humbly and prayed for those our sin has damaged. Long after God heals the transgressors, the victims of the transgressions are likely hurting. God is gracious and He will help anyone willing to move forward. I feel that I have been on both sides, and I know this to be true.

- Wounds are part of the battle. Your attitude about the wound makes the difference.

- When you climb mountains in your life, you are overcoming obstacles. Let the obstacles of life make you what you should be.

- Temperance is getting your feelings hurt, but opting not to retaliate or seek revenge.

- Trust that God is able to do His job.

- Commit some “drive-by” act of grace today.

- Getting saved is a valuable moment, but being allowed to keep that Salvation is an eternal treasure.

- The strongest person in your life is sometimes afraid. Do not wrongly think that a few words of encouragement will be wasted on them.

- You have this day to live and you are not guaranteed another. Do not waste it with spite, anger, slander, gossip or bitterness. What a waste of the last day you know you have.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- Pro 15:28, the heart of the righteous studieth to answer, but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Righteous men will usually study to answer and think before speaking, but the wicked will blurt out what’s on their mind. The old adage, “engage brain before putting the mouth in gear” is still appropriate!

- Pro 14:30, A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. It's no wonder that Paul told Timothy, “...godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN." Being content is healthy: as opposed to always wanting more/something else.

- Pro 14:24a, The crown of the wise is their riches. We might take this to mean that you'll have lots of money if you're wise. Although, that is a by-product; the reward (“their riches") of being wise is a crown... Here are some ways that having a crown defines you:  honor; splendor; dignity; accomplishment; an elevated object: as a badge of imperial or regal power and dignity; completion; the end of an anchor: as in: what holds things together.

- Bible thoughts! Ps 13:6, I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully" that's a reason to shout! God is good to us!

- “Yes! Sin is fun [for a season]."  We've all heard that before. I've even said it to my own kids. Well, I just caught this. Sin is only fun to those who are destitute of wisdom. Wow! Ouch!  Pro 15:21, Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.”

- Pro 14:30, A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. It's no wonder that Paul told Timothy, “...godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN." Being content is healthy: as opposed to always wanting more/something else.

- Bible thoughts! Ps 18:2, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Wow! This is a great reminder that God is near!!