Tuesday, 4/12/16 Are you sad today? Lots of burdens? Health poor? Lots of pressure? 1 Thess 5:18, In every thing (not for every thing) give thanks. You can, at the same time, be spiritual and be having a hard time. So, however hard you’ve got it, go live like Christ would if He wore your shoes today. Tit 3:3, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Don’t ever forget what a wicked sinner you were; don’t ever get so “holy” that you’re tempted in any way to look down on one still enslaved; don’t ever become too good to get a little bit dirty helping another get out of the pit...even if “they should’ve known better” or have been in the pit multiple times.
Tuesday, 3/22/16 2 Tim 2:18-19, ...and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. Our faith may be completely destroyed; we may become “worthless” for Him, but God still knows us and holds us: our eternity is secure. Get up and get back in the race. Heb10:17, And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Nowhere that I know of does the Bible ever say that God forgets our sins. He can’t forget: He’s omniscient. But He doesn’t remember them, or, doesn’t member them again, or doesn’t add them to the active roster again. The verb “member” means “to cause to remember, or to mention.” God doesn’t actively think on our past, forgiven offenses. Likewise, our brain doesn’t have a “delete” button, but we do have the wherewithal to choose to not dwell on past offenses. Quit bringing to the forefront, quit mentioning, quit re-membering the mistakes, sins, oversights, and/or blatant wickedness of your spouse, your kids, your parents, or Bro. So-n-so. Quit re-membering them. You may never forget an offense, you may never trust the person again, but quit putting things that are long past back on the active roster. “Remembering no more” is not the same as “forgetting.”
Tuesday, 3/15/16 Ps
126:5-6, They that sow in tears shall
reap in joy. He that goeth forth...shall doubtless come again...bringing his sheaves...
You WILL live later with the results of the choices you make today. Tomorrow WILL come...don’t plant
discouragement and despair even if the seed bag says, “Fun.” Pro
13:14, The law of the wise is a fountain
of life, to depart from the snares of death. This seems to indicate that
our household/school/workplace rules should be to primarily to keep us from
deadly snares, i.e. sin. Of course, some rules are for procedure and
efficiency, but we maybe should be cautious about legislating things pertaining
to our conveniences.
“I don’t get much out of the Christian life...” SO WHAT?!?!? It’s not about you: never has been, & never will be. Rev 4:11, Thou
art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor and power: for thou
hast created all things, and for THY PLEASURE they are and were created. ‘Nuff said?
Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman
Sunday, 3/6/16 “I don’t get much out of the Christian life...” SO WHAT?!?!? It’s not about you: never has been, & never will be. Rev 4:11, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for THY PLEASURE they are and were created. ‘Nuff said? Ps 65:2, O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. He says He hears...so why do we doubt prayer so much and do so little of it? 1It’s a spiritual activity so our flesh will always rebel against it. 2It allows God prime opportunity to poke His finger into our lives and point out areas to work on, i.e. it’s convicting. 3He has His own timetable and we’re impatient. 4He has His own agenda but we insist that He adopt ours. 5He demands compliance and we tend to be rebellious. 6He has His own priorities (building our faith, building His kingdom is more important than our money or life situation). The solution: 1pray about your prayer life. 2Be willing to surrender on the issues of your sins, your impertinent demands, your self-will, and your short-sightedness.
Ps 68:19, Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. (A verse from my morning’s reading...)
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, 2/8/16 Mark 2:17b, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. You’ll walk a lot closer to Christ if you’ll be more cognizant of your sinfulness than your “righteousness.” 2 Cor 7:1, ...let us cleanse ourselves form all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Three truths: 1after salvation, both our flesh and our spirits can be dirty. 2With God’s help, we are primarily the ones tasked to clean ourselves. 3Without the cleansing, our holiness is imperfect (incomplete.)
Sunday, 1/31/16 Ps 22:1-3, …hast thou forsaken me? ..so far from helping me… I cry…but thou hearest not… But thou art holy… Even Bible giants went through the deepest, darkest valleys. 1You’ll be no different. 2God is still God, with all His goodness, in those valleys. 3This too shall pass. Matt 27:1, When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. Just because you can gather others to join you in sin and to add their voices to yours so that you all agree that you’re acting “justly” doesn’t make it so. (We’ve all done it...)
Monday, 1/25/16 1 Sam
28:2, And David said to [the Philistine
king], Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to
David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever. Not every
promotion or good opportunity is a good idea or God’s will. 1 Sam 26:9, And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not:
for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be
guiltless? David could’ve hurt King Saul who was trying to hurt him, but
chose faith. God has chosen your leadership (boss, teacher, pastor,
politicians, etc.) Don’t rebel against them, or fight them, even in your heart.