- Tuesday, 12/17/19 1 Corinthians 13:1, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Bottom line: regardless of how well we do any/all other aspects of the Christian life, if we aren’t loving people, it’s worthless.
Do you and I treat others like the Bible commands, or do we respect persons and justify mistreatment, i.e. SIN (at home, work, church)? Matthew 28:17, And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. I wonder what they doubted? They’d seen Him several times (Easter night, a week later, at the Sea of Galilee, with 500 at once, and now here.) Doubted His love? Doubted His plan? Doubted their ability to fulfill His plans? Regardless, His words in v18 can calm them and us: His power can secure our fearfulness; His power can motivate our slothfulness. So, if you’re doubt-full...do what He says anyway. His power, His omniscience, His love...they will work even when we’re less than sure. Obey first, and then tell Him about your doubts.
- Wednesday, 12/18/19 Psalm 116:7-8, Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. V8 causes V7. (Note: “for.”) He kept you going in your biggest battle to date: return unto Him, your Rest, now. Rest and deliverance are available. The entire context of Psalm 115 is national calamity, and God’s people being faithful during it. Psalm 115:1-2, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? V18, But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. The best explanation for the word "glory" is a spotlight. We all have one. Will you (me) trust God enough in the troubles to shine the spotlight on Him and not on our problems? Easily said...relatively easy to vow...very tough to actually do.
- Thursday, 12/19/19 Psalm 112:5, A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Whenever we loan money, assume it’s not coming back. That way, our hearts stay tender if it doesn’t. “Don’t lend; give.” (Now, we don’t have to tell the recipient of that practice. They need to repay; we need to hold loosely the things of earth.) Is this Christmas season rather bleak and dreary for you? Are you faking the cheer? Going through the motions, while getting on yourself for not being more spiritual? (I”m guilty as I write this.) Psalm 84:11, For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Unless He’s suddenly become a liar, that last phrase is still true. So, walk uprightly (which would include going to church, witnessing, reading our Bibles, confession of sin, praising and worshipping and giving thanks, trying to lift the burdens of another, etc.) and He PROMISES He’ll not withhold good from us, which would probably mean a lifting of the cloud bank enveloping your soul. So...ball’s in our court, and there are the rules. (So, today and tomorrow will be as bright and as sunny as you and I choose...)
- Friday, 12/20/19 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, So also is the resurrection of the dead. [The flesh] is sown in corruption, dishonour, weakness, a natural body... A reminder that our bodies are our consummate enemies. Stay (or get) humble, because there is much work for each of us to do. We have nothing to brag about. 2 Corinthians 1:9, But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, THAT we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead. Problems produce trust, which is good. But, be forewarned, as we pass 1 trial, the problems will be bigger next time. Just like in mathematics: addition gave way to multiplication which gave way to fractions which gave way to story problems which gave way to algebra which gave way to geometry...until we quit taking classes. (However, you and I can’t quit “school” until we go to Heaven, so sharpen your pencils...class is about to start!!)
- Saturday, 12/21/19 Psalm 86:3, Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Problems ARE overwhelming, and sometimes, we feel that the Christian life isn’t “working” for us in our situation. But...if we cry daily, it means that we weren’t buried yesterday!! Just keep swimming Dorie!! Psalm 86:17, Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me. What a great verse!! Bible giants were just like us! How many times have you and I asked for something like this? “Just show me that You’re there!!” And, almost always, we don’t get it, right? But...we managed to keep going...showing that He truly did help and comfort us. Rest easy: God’s got you. But, “it’s a battlefield brother, not a recreation room; it’s a fight, and not a game.” God is trying to hone a soldier (you), not a couch potato...
- Sunday, 12/22/19 MOST of happiness is a simple realization of things that we forgot. Psalm 86:13, For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. If all we have is forgiveness and a Home in Heaven...truly, all the rest is gravy. “Think on these things,” Phil 4:8. Psalm 119:23-24, Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. Others are going to do what others are going to do, and we have ZERO control over it. But I CAN control what I do, and on what I think. So, as always, our happiness and mental stability is in our jurisdiction. Govern YOU, and let God govern them.
- Monday, 12/23/19 I Kings 3:3, And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. All of us have our “only-ies.” Let’s strive to identify them, confess them, and eradicate them. (And be patient with others’.) 1 Kings 3:3, And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. God used Solomon greatly. This verse was given just a few verses before God appeared to him in a dream and offered him carte blanche. God will still use us, but that doesn’t mean that He isn’t aware of or is overlooking our “only-ies.” He is patient, but demanding. What is it that He’s been on you about getting right? Don’t think that His forbearance means He’s given you a pass: He hasn’t.
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