Consistency

What is the difference between failure and success? Consistency! Do you want to go places in life? You need to practice the virtue of consistency. Why was Larry Bird one of the greatest shoots in the history of the NBA? Larry Bird would shoot 500‑1,000 shoots a day every day even in the winter. The only way to improve at something is to do it until you get it right. Being a Christian is no different. You need to practice your faith every day. One word can help you develop a life of consistency, discipline.

Discipline is the act of being responsible on a regular basis. Everyone of us will be faced with responsibilities that others will entrust to us. The difference between a successful person and failure is not talent or ability but consistency. Your avenue to consistency is discipline. How do you acquire a disciplined lifestyle? First, you want to train the brain. The brain is a wonderful instrument that helps us develop habits. You must pick a time to begin your day and stick with it. Train your brain to wake up at a certain time, so you can get the most out of your day (Ps. 139:23; Prov. 12:5).

Next, you want to maintain your frame. The framework of your routine is very important. The framework of your day is as important as your work schedule within that framework. For example: I have a daily work CD that helps me focus on certain tasks that need to be completed every day. I try very hard not to let my work schedule get out of the framework of the day. When spontaneous things happen that are not apart of your framework, you must fit them in without throwing away the important daily tasks that need to be accomplished (1 Cor. 14:40; Col. 2:5).

Lastly, you must drain the blame. Get rid of all your excuses why you are not consistent. The only person that is hindered by your excuse making is you. Throw all your blame down the drain. The Lord can help you to make priorities and keep them. It’s not enough to say, I would have done this but something else came up. When something important comes up that makes me alter my schedule, I give up a luxury not a necessity. The only time I eat lunch at noon is when I have a lunch date. You have to learn that some things are more important then others if you will achieve a life of consistency (1 Cor. 15:31).

Word for Today

Precedence ‑ The fact, state, or right of preceding; priority: Applications arriving first will receive precedence.

Quote for Today

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self‑Reliance, US essayist & poet (1803 ‑ 1882)

Honesty Is the Only Policy

I’m sure you have heard the saying, “Honesty is the best policy” which is quoted as a virtuous proverb. However, most people don’t realize that it is only part of the quote. The entire quote goes like this: “Honesty is the best policy; but he who is governed by that maxim is not an honest man.” This was quoted by Richard Whately, Archbishop of Dublin. Though the bishop meant it in negative sense, nevertheless, it has grown to be the poster child symbolizing personal integrity. One day I heard someone quote this saying and it dawned on me, “We say that like there is some other option.”

So, I from that day forward began to say this: “Honesty is the only policy.” First, we need to be honest with the Lord. Second, we need to be honest with ourselves. Lastly, we need to be honest with others. There is no option. I believe the main reason why we are not honest with God is because we are afraid to bring him our nastiness; the bad things about us that makes us unholy (Isa. 6:1-8). The Lord can handle anything you bring him. Confession is good for the soul (2 Chron. 30:22; Ezra 10:11; Dan. 9:4). The word “confession” in the Hebrew is yadah, meaning: to physically throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands). So being honest with the Lord about your nastiness is like taking out the trash.

For some reason it is easier to be honest with the Lord than it is being honest with myself. Being honest with ourselves is an onerous task. Looking in the mirror can sometimes be frightening. What do you see when you look at yourself without a notion of justification. Achieving a level of honesty with self can be done by admitting what you see. My mother used to always say, “It is what it is;” in other words “What you see is what you get.” The only way to make progress is to admit where you currently reside. (Psalm 51)

The main reason we continue to deceive others is because we have first deceived ourselves. Once we conquer our own dishonesty, we will be able to be honest with all men (Rom. 12:17). The word for “honest” in this passage is kalos, meaning: valuable or virtuous. Can you honestly say you have been honest with all men; If you haven’t, you’d better get busy. For some of us that may mean going back to the past and making things right where you lied to someone or didn’t tell the whole story to keep from having to disclose uncomfortable information about youself. Whatever the case you won’t be sorry when you practice honesty as your only policy. May the Lord bless you today and keep you in the center of His will.

Word for Today

Onerous- troublesome or oppressive; burdensome.

Quote for Today

“Ay, sir. To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.”

- William Shakespeare, Hamlet Prince of Denmark (Hamlet at II, ii)

How Do I Handle Grief?

Losing is not very much fun. Whether we lose a job or a loved one, it usually results in grief. Today, it is not very fashionable to be grief stricken. Yet, I find hurting hearts longing for an opportunity to release some of the weight caused by carrying sorrow upon sorrow. If I were to ask you how are you doing today, most would respond with the American idiom, “I’m okay; how are you?” What if we started telling each other the truth? Believe it or not, it’s okay to be discouraged, downcast, or heart broken. Jesus provides for us three different pictures of grief that may prove beneficial for the grieving soul:

Monumental Grief – grieving over some task that seems to be too hard for you to handle.

Matthew 26:37‑38 – “And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. [38] Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Humanitarian Grief – grieving because others are suffering. This may be people you know or don’t know (Tsunami victims).

Luke 19:41‑42 – And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, [42] Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Communal Grief – grieving with others. This may happen at church or even when watching a TV show. You feel for the person’s immediate need and began to weep with them. Romans 12:15; John 11:31‑36 – “The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. [32] Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. [33] When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, [34] And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. [35] Jesus wept. [36] Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

The only way to handle grief is to shed some tears when you feel like you need to.

Gregg Levoy, writing in “Psychology Today,” reports that crying can actually remove chemicals that build up during emotional stress. According to Levoy, the amount of manganese stored in the body affects our moods; and the body stores thirty times as much of manganese in tears as in blood serum. Biochemist William Frey says the lacrimal gland, which determines the flow of tears concentrates and removes manganese from the body. Frey has also identified three chemicals stored up by stress and released by crying.

Jesus wept and it’s okay for you to weep also.

Word for Today

Lacrimal ‑ 1. Of or relating to tears. 2. Of, relating to, or constituting the glands that produce tears.

Quote for Today

“Tears are the diamonds of heaven” - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Time Management

In a fast-pace society it is very difficult to set aside time to spend in the presence of the Lord. We spend the least amount of time on the very thing we need the most. We tend to get behind on our work because we forget what is most important. What is most important is our relationship with the Lord. Matt. 6: 33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

This verse has become one of the most quoted passages in the Bible besides John 3:16. The problem with Matthew 6:33‑34 is that we often seek the Lord after there is a problem. We need to seek Him first as dependent children do their parents when they are in need. Corporate America is big on time management but even they are turning away from the “to do list” of the past to a “stop doing list.” Consider the following: “The start of a New Year is a perfect time to start a ‘stop doing list’ and to make this the cornerstone of your company, your family or yourself. It also is a perfect time to clarify your three circles, mirroring at a personal level the three questions asked by Darwin Smith of Kimberly ‑Clark: 1) What are you deeply passionate about? 2) What are you genetically encoded for? 3) What can make you a living?”

High-level managers recognize that passion is important when it comes to time management. Stop doing all things that don’t matter and make a “don’t do list” and see what you will accomplish. Remove the obstacles that keep you from the presence of the Lord and watch the Lord work on your behalf. (Eph. 5:16) If you are passionate about him, then let the amount of time you spend with Him reflect it. I like the question of Jesus that He presents to His disciples in the garden after they had fallen asleep: (Matt. 26:40) “could not ye watch with me one hour?” This is the Lord’s question for Christian time management.

Word for Today

Chronic ‑1. Of long duration; continuing: chronic money problems.

2. Lasting for a long period of time or marked by frequent recurrence, as certain diseases: chronic colitis.

Quote for Today

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”

- Benjamin Franklin

UNITY

Aesop,

THE BUNDLE OF STICKS

(Translation of James)

A Husbandman, who had a quarrelsome family, after having tried in vain to reconcile them by words, thought he might more readily prevail by an example. So he called his sons and bade them lay a bundle of sticks before him. Then having tied them up into a fagot, he told the lads, one after another, to take it up and break it. They all tried, but tried in vain. Then, untying the fagot, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest ease. Then said the father: “Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for all your enemies; but differ and separate, and you are undone.”

We, as Christians, remain weak when we isolate ourselves. Division causes the body to become weak. When discussing the topic of unity, it usually pertains to the church. Yet, the real problem with unity stems from the division that exists in our homes. Here are the three main causes for division in our homes: 1) The lack of parameters (Gal. 6:16; Phil. 3:16; 1 Tim. 3:5) In today’s family it is fashionable for anyone to do their own thing. 2) The lack of position (Eph. 5:21‑6:6) There needs to be a hierarchy in your home – someone to call the shots and be responsible. In my home my wife calls the shots in some areas, and I in other areas. 3) The lack of patience (Luke 21:19; Rom. 5:3‑4) As Christians, we need to be as patient with those members of our physical family as we are with our spiritual family.

The church will be a reflection of the condition of our homes. If our homes lack parameters, position, or patience, our churches will be the same. For so long we have tried to bring people together in the church when they are divided at home. I plead with you to forgive one another, love one another, help one another, and to be kind to one another. You can be the agent of change in your home by applying these principal words to your home atmosphere. The Lord will come to your house with great blessings if you will strive to bring your home to a place of unity. If the enemy can divide our families, he can divide our churches.

Word for Today

Usurp ‑1. To seize and hold (the power or rights of another, for example) by force and without legal authority. See Synonyms at appropriate.

2. To take over or occupy without right: usurp a neighbor's land.

Quote for Today

“It’s too late to lock the gate when cows are already in the field.” - Loraine Kinley

World View Matters

What’s wrong with our culture? Why are people behaving like they have no moorings? There was a time when our nation had a conscience. Consider the following excerpt from Angelina Grimke’s pamphlet to the Christian Women of the South. “And as a moral being, I feel that I owe it to the suffering slave, and to the deluded master, to my country and the world, to do all that I can to overturn a system of complicated crime, built up upon the broken hearts and prostrate bodies of my countrymen in chains, and cemented by the blood and sweat and tears of my sisters in bonds.” Angelina represents a nation that was birthing a conscience. The abolition of slavery was a movement of conviction.

Today, we face another kind of slavery. It is a slavery of immorality. If I began to disdain pornography, smoking, drinking alcohol, lying, etc., everyone would agree these are amoral behaviors. However, when I say the real problem is your world view, most would be ignorant of what that meant. Francis Schaeffer explains, “Christians have failed to see that all of this has come about due to a shift in world view; that is, through a fundamental change in the over-all way people think and view the world and life as a whole.”

Since we know our world view has shifted in this country, how do we restore the conscience of a nation? We do it by first restoring our own consciences. Paul gives us three ways to restore a nation’s conscience:

Acts 23:1: “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”

1) Live within the knowledge you have. Many people are guilty of wanting more knowledge when they haven’t used the knowledge they already have. Paul simply said I lived what I knew to this point in my life.

Acts 24:16: “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”

2) Treat your fellow man the same way you would treat the Lord. You have heard the slogan, “What would Jesus do?” I want to start another slogan, “Would you do that to Jesus?” This I call, “the rule of conscience.”

Rom. 9:1: “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,”

3) Listen to the voice of the Holy Ghost. He will teach you how to behave yourself in a circumspective manner.

Word for Today

Circumspectly ‑ Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences; prudent.

Quote for Today

“An animal that cannot reason is better than a man with who has no conscience.”

r.a.j.

Did You Ask The Lord First?

A husband and wife from California were motoring through Texas. They saw a tornado coming and, of course, they were afraid. The husband pulled the car off to the side of the road and stopped; the couple got out and crouched beside it. The twister was moving directly toward them but, at the last second, veered off across a field, then hit and totally demolished a small wooden house. The man and woman, still shaking with fright, got up and ran toward the house, which now consisted of little more than kindling wood and a hole in the ground. They looked down into the hole and saw an old man holding on for dear life to a piece of timber, his eyes tightly closed. The woman called down to him, “Hey down there, are you all right?” The old man opened his eyes, looked around cautiously and said, “I guess so.” The woman asked, “Was there anyone else with you?” The old man replied, “Just me and God, and we were having an urgent conversation.”

No one could think the old man strange for praying in the midst of a tornado. We all have the tendency to pray when something big is before us. I believe the mature Christian prays over the small things as well. There are two basic aspects to life: the natural life and the spiritual life. The natural life can consist of things you don’t necessarily have to pray about. For example, common sense tells us that you need not pray if you should brush your teeth in the morning. The spiritual life has to do more with the effects of life. The effects of life are broken down by asking three questions: 1) Would this affect my relationship with the Lord? 2) Would this affect my relationship with any Christian brother or sister? 3) Would this affect an unbeliever’s view of the Christian faith?

If you have to question what you are about to do in any one of these categories, you should pray first. Here are three Bible prayers you can pray to help you in the process.

David’s prayer for God’s guidance: Psalm 73:21‑28 (KJV)

Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. [22] So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. [23] Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. [24] Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. [25] Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. [26] My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. [27] For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. [28] But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

David’s prayer for God’s deliverance from self: Psalm 39:7‑13 (KJV)

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. [8] Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. [9] I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. [10] Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. [11] When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. [12] Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. [13] O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

David’s prayer for God’s confidence: Psalm 65:1‑5 (KJV)

Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. [2] O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. [3] Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. [4] Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. [5] By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

Word for Today

Exculpation - to clear of guilt or blame.

Quote for Today

“The desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer.”

- Saint Augustine

Do You Resemble Christ?

Being a Christian is a monumental task. I can tell you of many who have attempted to walk inthe steps of Christ and failed. We have a promise in scripture that one day we will be changed from this earthly image to the image of Christ. (1 Cor. 15:46-54; 1 John 3:1-3; Phil. 3:20-21) Take courage; the Lord will not leave you undone. He will work on you until His project is complete. (Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; 1 Cor. 3:1-11)
If you are related to someone, you should resemble them. It’s called family traits. Sinclair Ferguson, "Children of the Living God," “Whenever a person is brought into the Kingdom of God and becomes a child of God, the new lifestyle follows. While God works in and through the personalities we already have (Strictly speaking, we do not instantly receive a "new nature."), He begins to mark those personalities with certain broad similarities. There are characteristic qualities of life shared by all of God's children; there is a family likeness which is always present. We expect this in a family.”
The family traits of the family of God are found in Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit. People should be able to look at us and tell what family we belong to. Humans go through stages of growth such as early childhood, to adolescent, to adult. So, the Christian grows in his walk with the Lord. He goes from a babe in Christ to resembling Christ as a mature Christian. (1 Cor 3:1-3; 1 John 11-14; Hebrews 5:10-13; 1 Peter 2:1-2)
Just like children grow and fruit grows, our spiritual man also needs to grow. Paul told the church at Ephesus that the Lord desires for them to grow to the measure of the stature of the fullness of God. (Eph. 4:11-16) This is a big request by the Apostle Paul for anyone to follow. So, let me offer some insight on how you can more resemble Jesus in your daily life. Here are five steps to becoming more like Jesus.
1. Be patient! It doesn’t happen overnight. Remember, it takes a lifetime to become a Christian. (Rom. 5:1-5)
2. Be persistent! Don’t give up when you mess up. (Psalm 113:7-9; Proverb 25:26)
3. Be passive! Don’t allow your ego to set you up for a fall. Pride will always stunt your growth. (Prov. 16:18)
4. Be purposeful! Don’t wait for something to happen -- make something happen. (Ruth 2:16; 1 Kings 5:5) (The Old Testament word for purpose in the Book of Ruth is “shalal” which means to drop or strip; by implication to plunder: - let fall, make self a prey.) This teaches us that you must step out by faith sometimes to get something done. Be liberal with your faith.
5. Be a pleaser! Don’t try to please men -- please the Lord. When your objective is to please the Lord, you will become more like Him. (Ps. 69:13; Prov. 16:7; 2 Thess. 1:11)

Word for Today
Mimicry - noun, the act, practice, or art of copying the manner or expression of another:

Quote for Today
Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. -- Ronald Reagan

Are You Related to Christ?

There are as many answers to this question as there are denominations. Current Events: New Barna Poll shows wide diversity in levels of religious activity among different denominations. New edition of “World Christian Encyclopedia” published a tabulation of 10,000 distinct religious groups, including 33,830 Christian denominations. That’s right; 33,830 church groups claim to be Christian. “So, how does a person know what to believe?” I’m glad you asked me. There are many things to build a belief system on in the Bible. Yet, there are not a variety of ways to be a Christian.

In the Book of Acts 11:26, you will find that it was here that believers were first given the name “Christian.” Let’s learn a little grammar. The suffix “ian’ sheds light on what it means to be a Christian. Notice: -ian suff. 1. Of, relating to, or resembling: Bostonian. 2. One relating to, belonging to, or resembling: academician.

Dividing the word “Christian,” you can define it as “relating to or resembling Christ.” So, a Christian is someone who is related to Christ; and, therefore, resembles Him. Two questions emerge: “Am I related to Christ” and “Do I resemble Christ.” In order to find out if you belong to Christ, you need a blood test. Testing of blood that has been dried on filter paper is a well-established technique which has been used for nearly 40 years. Dr. Robert Guthrie first used the procedure in the early 1960s to collect blood by heel stick, for measurement of phenylalanine in newborns. It is necessary for growth in infants and for nitrogen equilibrium in adults.

If you will be related to Christ, it is to come through the blood, which means you must accept His work as a free gift and for the pardon of your sins (Romans 3:20-31). This has been the marquee of the Christian faith for centuries. The question is clear: “Does your church pass the blood test?” “Does your minister teach propitiation, atonement, the substitutive death of Christ (1 John 2:1-2; Rom. 5:8-20)?” If your minister doesn’t teach that the blood of Jesus is the only thing that can make you a child of God, he is bringing you into the church house but not the Family of God.

Part Two - tomorrow
*
Do You Resemble Christ?*

*Word for Today*

Propitiation - Something that propitiates, especially a conciliatory offering to a god.

*Quote for Today*

"...if you believe in it, it is a religion or perhaps 'the' religion; and if you do not care one way or another about it, it is a sect; but if you fear and hate it, it is a cult."
- Leo Pfeffer. A humorous quotation, but one that is uncomfortably close to reality.

Read and Study your Bible

This devotion is for the at-home bible student, the person who wants to get more out of their time in the Word. Many people will be content with just reading through the Bible every year. Other people will not be satisfied with simply a surface knowledge of the text. When I was in Bible school, I would go to bed at 11:30 pm and wake at 3:30 am to pray and study the Word of God. Known as a pastor, I try to put at least 30 hrs or more a week in prayer and study of God’s Word. Paul told Timothy, in 2Tim 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

People will often ask me some questions about studying the word of God. For example, someone asked me where I found information for a particular message. The answer is simple, books, books, books and more books. You can’t have enough books. Don’t ever throw a book away (Josh 1:8, Rev 22: 12). Furthermore, you must be willing to read information about the Bible to understand the Bible. Christian book stores are not always the best place to find the material for the hard questions in the Bible. Paul obviously read other materials to enhance his knowledge (Titus 1:12).

Paul’s instructions to Timothy laid out a clear pattern for a stay at home Bible student.
First, is the attitude of study. Ask yourself the question, why do I want to know more about the Bible? The answer should be, so I may improve my walk with God. Paul said we should want God’s “approval.” We don’t study to impress people; we study to impress our Father. Second, is the aptitude of our study. Before you start searching the Word for the deeper things of God, you must understand it will be work (you are a “workman”). There are times when it takes me weeks to find answers to one phrase in the Bible. Lastly, is the application of your study. You need to learn a big word if you are going to be affective, content.

When you study rightly, dividing the Word of God is simply keeping it in context. Here is an effective way to make sure you are staying in context. Never inject any word into the text that is not there. Never dissect any word from the text that is in the text. Never select a word or passage from the text to prove your point or idea, this is the heretical process. If you avoid the heretical process, you should enjoy your time in the Word of God. Most people who say they are confused about the Bible are trying to make it say something it was not designed to say. (Titus 3:10)

Word for Today
Heretic - A person who holds controversial opinions, especially one who publicly dissents from the officially accepted dogma of the Church.

Quote for Today
Some people question the answer before they understand the question. r.a.j.

Faith

I pray today is the beginning of great things in your life. It will be if you apply the Godly principles concerning faith that I’m going to share with you in this morning’s devotion. There are basically two types of faith in the Bible. The first is practical faith and the second is the practice of faith. Practical faith is the faith that saves us from our sins. (Acts 16:30-31, Eph 2:8-9,1Tim 1:14-15). The practice of faith is the faith that saves us from our circumstances. Many Christians never mature from the measure of practical faith, that is they only have faith enough to get saved. The Lord wants us to grow to the place where we have faith enough for our circumstances to be changed or the strength to go through them. Last week, the Provenzano family was challenged by two doctors’ reports concerning some heart problems with their two children Matthew and Sara. They had a choice to accept the report or have faith in the Lord. They chose to practice their faith. The reports that started out negative returned as nothing this week. Some will explain that away. I call it faith. Some will say what about when nothing happens? I believe that is faith as well. God didn’t promise that your faith would always change every circumstance. He simply said, have faith in every circumstance and I will either change the circumstance or I will change you. (Mk 11:22-23) I can promise you that either the Lord will change your circumstance when you trust Him; or he will take you through your circumstance when you trust Him. Here are three practical steps to increase your faith in difficult circumstances. First, speak the word into your ears (Rom 10:17). Second is Biblical meditation. This is speaking the word over and over again to yourself. (Psalm 1:2-3, 119:15, 48) Remember, the longer I stay in the Word, the longer the Word will stay in me. Last but not least is doing the Word. When you practice what you hear and meditate upon it, it will be a part of your life. Image you can get to the place where your first response to a bad situation becomes, “what does the Bible say about this” instead of “what I am going to do?”( Deut 11:26-29, James 1:19-22) I’ll tell you what you’re going to do. You’re going to get on your face, cry out to God, pick up your Bible, and practice your faith. Remember,when you speak to the mountain and it doesn’t move, that means he wants you to climb it instead. So we say, Lord move this mountain or give me the strength to climb it. (Is 43:1-3, Psalm 23, Mt 28:19-20) Word for Today Devotee -One who is ardently devoted to something; an enthusiast or advocate. Quote for Today “When I don’t have the strength to believe the Lord for help, He will give me the strength to wait until my help comes.” raj

Greed

Why do we say, “I have no food” when our cupboards are full? “I have no clothes” when are closets are plastered with clothes? The answer is clear, we have become greedy. We are blinded by the vial of our covetous desires. They may seem harsh; but read the following example; then make your own judgment.GREED by Julian Edney Sign the tab in certain Midtown eateries and your neighbors’ eyes slide over. Is that a $48,000 Michel Perchin pen? What’s on your wrist – a $300,000 Breguet watch?In Palm Springs and Bel Air, $100,000 twin-turbo Porsches and $225,000 Ferraris buzz the warm streets. In New York at an exclusive Morell & Company auction last May, a single magnum of Dom Perignon champagne was sold for $5,750. And there are the paintings, of course. One evening at auction, two Monets sold for $43 million (2). Hotel rooms, anyone, at $10,000 a night? Estate agents in suburbs of Dallas and Palm Beach have advertised baronial homes for sale at over $40 million .These are prices paid by the exceptionally wealthy, the folks who skim the pages of the Robb Report (average annual salary of subscribers: $1.2 million) in whose glossy pages are reviewed the best of everything. In a recent issue a southern plantation is advertised, "everybody's dream," at $8.5 million.

America's Disease is Greed by Andrew Greeley
Greed is responsible for the obscene salaries of CEOs. In the '90s the ratio of CEO compensation to average workers' compensation was 250 to 1, meaning that the boss earned on his first day of work during a year as much as the worker did in a whole year. In European countries the ratio is closer to 100 to 1. Recent estimates put the current ratio at 500 to 1 -- the boss makes as much before lunch as the worker does all year. Greed is the cause of the high wages paid to the bosses even if the company is failing. Greed is defined as: "An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth."
The Bible is very stern when it comes to this sin of greed. Those who have money are told to be generous (1Tim. 6:17-19). Jesus warns those who are less fortunate not to be covetous (Luke 12:13-21). The earnest is upon the rich and the poor and those who are in between to learn to be content. The contented man is the richest man of all. He cannot be burdened by any material state of being (Phil. 4:10-13; 1Tim 6:6-10). Contentment is the Greek word "autarkeia," and it means to be self-satisfied. The lust for worldly things comes from the need to feel important. That is the deceptive nature of greed. Greed takes the meaning out of life, whereas giving brings meaning to life. James Brown is noted for his hit song, “I Feel Good.” I watched him on "Good Morning America" two days ago and he said these words, “I just want to help somebody. I just want to help somebody.” He came to this realization after he overcame a battle with prostate cancer.
James Brown learned the true meaning of self-satisfaction. Contentment comes from following the words of Jesus, recorded by Luke in the Book of Acts 20:35 (KJV) I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. The world says “get all you can and can all you get.” Jesus said in, Luke 6:38 (KJV) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Word for Today
Cupidity - Excessive desire, especially for wealth; covetousness or avarice.
Quote for Today
“Many... attach to competition the stigma of selfish greed” (Henry Fawcett).

When we think of God

When we think of God’s holiness, we faint; when think of God’s love, we come alive. The only way to pass through the great arroyo of God’s holiness is to be accepted in the beloved. David in two of the Psalms uses the word "beloved" to describe himself. It is the Hebrew word yediyd, which means loved: - amiable, (well-) beloved, loves. Psalm 60:5 "That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me." Psalm 108:6 "That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me."

The point of interest is that these are two different occasions for the writing of these Psalms yet they have similar meter. He connected God’s desire to deliver him with God’s love for him. Yet, in the first Psalm 60:5, his request is to be heard. In the second, his request is to be answered. David had the realization that the Lord will both hear and answer those whom he loves. Did you ever ask yourself “Why does God love me?” I have asked that question numerous times. The answer is he reated us to be loved (beloved).

Word for Today

JAUNTY: cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance

Quote for Today

“If they can see you love them, they can say anything to them”

Richard Baxter

A PIECE OF GOD FOR THE PEACE OF GOD

There are many types of peace in the universe, for example, ecological peace known as homeostasis. In addition, there is military peace between nations such as the agreements made between the Russians and the U.S.A. during the Cold War (WWII 1939-45). Finally, we have political peace, where two parties achieve bipartisanship. All of these have an effect on our existence, even though what we strive for is inner peace. Paul writes to the Church at Philippi between A.D. 61 (This date can be disputed). Paul uses the word "peace" three times.

Phil:1:2: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Phil:4:7: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Phil:4:9: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Peace in these passages is the Greek word “eirene” which means tranquility, health, prosperity and good welfare of every kind. In order for a person to have the peace of God, they must have a piece of God. In Philippians 4:9 Paul gives us the formula for getting a piece of God. I realize that we must strive for the fullness of God, but in reality we can only achieve the fullness as we die daily to our flesh. (John 3:35; 1 Cor. 15:31; Gal. 2:20) Paul describes five pieces to the puzzle of God’s peace: 1) Learn something new about God everyday; 2) Receive something new from God moment by moment; 3) Hear the Word of God morning and evening; 4) See the life of God in godly people; 5) Connect the entire puzzle one piece at a time and the God of peace will give you the peace that passeth all understanding.

Word for Today Abnegation: renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation

Quote for Today “Peace is the tranquility of order.”
Augustine of Hippo

True Grace

When Paul wrote to the young pastor, Titus, in AD 64, he left a life-changing message of hope to all people, especially to those who have reached the depths of human depravity. Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” God’s grace in this passage is the Greek word “charis”, which means the liberal benefit of God’s divine favor and its effect upon the human heart. God’s love is the reason for divine grace.

It’s through God’s love that grace. He becomes what God has designed him to be. Grace enables the child of God to live soberly, righteously and godly; which, in essence, is the fulfillment of the edict in the first clause of verse 12, “to deny ungodliness and worldly lust.” Grace is the inner working of God upon the human heart until he is conformed into the image of Christ. A person that has fallen to the depths of human depravity need not think he has fallen too far for grace to reach him. Romans 5:21, “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Grace in this passage is said to have dominion over sin and death. Grace is not passive as some may preach it. Grace is an active word that goes seeking sinners; it doesn’t wait for them to appear; it, as Paul has stated, appears to all e has come to mankind. God’s law is man's revelation of divine grace. It’s through God’s law that man sees his need for divine grace. God’s luring is the relationship of divine grace. Grace is a relationship builder. When we forgive someone of a transgression, it helps the offender to have a feeling of worthiness. This is the final effect of divine grace upon the human heart.

Word for today abject: wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect

Quote for today Let grace and goodness be the principal loadstone of thy affections. For love which hath ends, will have an end; whereas that, which is founded on true virtue, will always continue.