Baptist City Blog

Tuesday, 8/23/16  Ps 111:1, Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. Here’s an assignment: praise God publicly at least two times this week.                                    A person’s thoughts are driven heavily by their feelings. Feelings are heavily influenced by perceptions. Those whom you say you love, do they perceive it? Or, do your actions give them a confusing message? Also, feelings are neither right nor wrong; they are simply an indication of the state of the heart. To change someone’s feelings, you must change their thinking, and to change their thinking, you must change their perceptions which will probably mean you must change your own words/actions.                               Deut 6:1-2, Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither thou goest to possess it: that thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments...that thy days may be prolonged.  Step #1: Teach the Bible (& learn).  Step #2: Obedience to the Bible in every day life and the daily arena.  Step #3: A proper view and respect of God is achieved.  Step #4: Better obedience and more commandments given.  Step #5: A continued, lifetime committment.  Step #6: Blessings received. Where are you? Or, where did you (or your kids) get off of the conveyor?

 

Wednesday, 8/24/16  “I don’t see God working in my life...”  Ps 111:2, The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. Maybe you didn’t enjoy his previous performances. Seek and enjoy his actions.                                 Just in case you come across a repentant believer, here is what God says you're to do: 2 Cor 2:7-8, "...ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him."  **Notice that the words "ostracize" and "ignore" are not mentioned...nor are they used anywhere in the Bible, just FYI.

 

Thursday, 8/25/16  Pro 20:9, Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Each of the sins that ever have plagued you still have the potential to do so again. We never really ever totally get the victory over them. You may be “in remission” but are NOT “cured.”                                   Ps 81:10, I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open mouth wide, and I will fill it. Picture baby birds expecting and reaching for food from Mom. Expectation comes from a knowledge of the provider’s character; and an awareness of past performance. Review God’s past faithfulness and provisions in your life (this will require keeping a list) and in the Bible.

 

Friday, 8/26/16  Pro 21:21, He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor. We’re to seek righteousness (holiness) for ourselves and mercy to extend to others. (Remember, we can’t change others, just be merciful and adaptive toward them.)                             Deut 6:3, Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye my increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. The first step to learning is hearing (and that involves the setting and timing and focus and limiting distractions.) The second step is observing. (Dad, teacher: are you doing more and better than you teach?) Step #3: the learner does. Step #4, God blesses the learner. You have to do to be blessed...it ain’t rocket science, folks.

 

Saturday, 8/27/16  Deut 6:7, And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. The last time you did this was when...??                          Deut 8:11, Beware that thou forget not they Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day. Remember the reason for the rules is a loving God, not a checklist of obedience. It’s all for the reason of pleasing Him.

 

Sunday, 8/28/16  Ps 78:34-35, When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. How harsh will God have to act to cue your memory? Please return to Him. You’ll be happier.                               Luke 9:44, Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. Humanly speaking, literally, the weight of the entire world was coming down upon the Lord, and what do the next verses discuss? Which of them was the greatest and jealousy over another’s actions. It’s surprising that the Lord didn’t pull out His hair. It’s still the same today. Souls are perishing while we squabble over semantics and silly pet doctrines and personalities. Go soul winning! Encourage a faltering brother!! Do something for your Pastor! Redouble your efforts at holiness!!

 

Monday, 8/29/16  Luke 10:33, But a certain Samarian...he had compassion on him, and went to him... Do the sweet, albeit unsaved, people in your world display more daily, practical Christianity than you or I do? We should be light years ahead of them in compassion, understanding, tolerance, love, etc.                              Ps 119: 64, The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. Do you pay attention as you go through life and see what God has done and is doing on a daily basis all around you? All of us need to wake up and focus some more.