Greed comes in many forms. Greed for approval. Greed for applause. Greed for status. Greed has many faces but speaks one language: the language of more. We need to realize that God is the giver of every good gift. Also, know that He will supply all of our needs according to His riches. Pray before you go after anything.
Luke 12:15, “Be on your guard against every form of greed.”
When buying gifts for the ones that I love, I strive to find the perfect gift for each of them. There are times that I have to sacrifice in another area in order to come up with the money to purchase the best. The perfect gift is one that will give great joy. If you had all the resources at your disposal as well as the knowledge of what was available, would you strive to find the perfect gift to give to that special someone?
That is what our Heavenly Father did in giving the perfect gift to His one and only Son. Do you realize that in all that God created, He chose to give you and me as a gift to His Son? When you look in the mirror, do you see your worth to the Father? We need to praise our Creator and Provider for the righteousness that gives us value to the Son.
John 17:24 (ESV)
24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see the glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
I really like the song,” I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe. However, when I stop to think about what Heaven is going to be like, I can’t wrap my head around it. When I shop for tires for the car, they advertise them as good, better, and best. My best day here can’t come close to a perfect day in Heaven. There will be no pain, no crying, and no tears in Heaven. We will be in a special place that Jesus has prepared with us in mind. That should put a smile on your face and a bounce in your step as you walk through the day. God bless you as you share this wonderful promise with others.
Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
The other day I was traveling to the medical center in downtown Houston. I have made this trip many times and know many different paths to take depending on traffic. This particular day I decided to plug my destination into the WAZE app. It told me that I should arrive by 8:28 in spite of the early morning traffic. The first thing I decided to do was to take a short detour in order to get another task taken care of as I was passing nearby. That only set me back two minutes. I did not want to pay the tolls that were involved in following the directions, so I opted for another way. That added another three minutes. Then I was directed down a road I have never traveled. I decided to trust Waze only to save two minutes in spite that the road was one of the roughest roads in Houston. Yes, Waze would always find me whenever I had gotten off the path and redirect me to my destination. I did arrive twelve minutes behind the first anticipated time that WAZE had given me.
Our walk with the Lord is like my journey to the medical center. If we would be willing to pay the price and follow and His directions, we would be a part of God’s perfect timing.
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
Yesterday my wife and I were talking about some issues about a friend in need. Our 5-year-old grandson was in the other room on an I-pad. Thinking that he was engulfed in what he was doing, we did not think that he would be listening to us. My wife said that little ears hear everything. I am thankful that what we were discussing would be fine for him to hear, as he did hear what we were saying. There are times that others will over hear our conversations. What will they get out of what they hear?
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
The other morning as I was driving to the church, it was still dark and it was raining. As long as there was not oncoming traffic, I could see the center strip of the road just fine. Yes, I was in my lane. However, when the headlights from oncoming traffic were in my eyes, I had to look to the white stripe on the right shoulder of the road to keep in my lane and avoid an accident.
I thought of how the Holy Spirit guides us if we will but look for His guidance. Just as the white stripe is there on the side of the road, the Holy Spirit is there beside us to guide us not only through harsh conditions, but through all conditions as we walk through this life.
John 16:13 (NIV)
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Many people are enjoying spring break. The normal grind of life is put on hold for some fun and relaxation. I would like for you to write down the first 5 things you did as you began your day. Yes, pause from reading and jot down your list of activities.
Do you realize that our God, our provider, who is always with us never takes a break? The 121st Ps is one of my favorites.
Psalm 121:1-4 (ESV)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Many examples in the Bible show us that God would have us rest, so taking a break is not a bad thing. Now check your list against Matthew 6:33. Yes, it is good to have breaks, but not good to move God down in our agendas nor is it good to leave Him out. Have a great day in our Lord!
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Sunday morning, we were challenged to fast from complaining for 24 hours. It wasn’t even an hour and a half after the service that I heard a fellow church member complaining. That had me thinking about how much complaining we do. When we look in the mirror and we see something we don’t like; when the weather doesn’t suit our plans; when we get on the scales and see too much; when the lines at the store seem to go on forever or someone is not ready when it is their turn at the counter, what do we do? We need to remember that we are not our own and life is not about us. We are to have the mind of Christ living in us. I want to pass this challenge on to you. After you make the first 24 hours without complaining, go the second mile. Then go the third and fourth mile until you are known as one who does not complain but rejoices in all things for the glory of God.
Philippians 2:14-15 (ESV)
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world
This weekend, my five-year-old grandsons came running up on the porch crying because his six-month older cousin referred to him as a little kid. When the older grandson saw the impact of his statement, he began to weep as he saw the hurt, he caused to his cousin. Jesus wept not because Lazarus was dead, but because of the pain it caused in the hearts of family and friends. We need to have a tender heart that sees the hearts of others like Jesus sees.
Jesus wept. John 11:35
Ever wondered why after Jesus healed Lazarus, Jesus asked for the people to remove the stone from in front of the tomb? It seems to be a little thing to roll a stone away compared to bringing someone back to life. My take is that as we look at what Jesus did, we will see that He does what we cannot do and leaves what we can do to us to do. If you want to see the glory of God, I want to urge you to be about doing what Jesus has called us to do.
John 11:38-40 (NIV)
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
39 "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."
40 Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors to help you “score high on exams.” Yes, I read a lot of Cliffs Notes instead of reading the books in college. I was amazed to learn how many of my professors knew that I did not read the books. One professor said that there is so much more in the book that Cliffs Notes miss. It is like only using what you hear in the church to be your guide through life. If God has a plan for our lives, do we just want the “Cliffs Notes” version of instructions?
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
When I think of my grandfather, I am reminded of this love for the Lord. As a teenager, I would sit in his men’s class and listen to him teach from his heart. Yes, I can remember playing in the hay loft or fishing in the pond; but the greatest impact he had on me was a faithful walk with his Lord. My prayer is that my grandchildren as well as others will see that walk that he showed to me lived out in me. What will others see in you for generations to come?
Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)
9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations
The Bee Gees sang a song titled “How Deep is your Love”. Here are a few of the lyrics;
How deep is your love? How deep is your love?
I really mean to learn
'Cause we're livin' in a world of fools
And it's me you need to show
How deep is your love?
My question to you is, How deep is your love for God and for the people Jesus died for? We need to show our love for God through our obedience to Him. Jesus has told us by our actions others will know that we are His disciples.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:7-10
Hebrews encourages us to throw off everything that slows us down and finish the race by keeping our eyes on the prize—Jesus Christ. Do we keep our eyes on the finish line of faith? Our Heavenly Father wants us to have the will of a champion even in the midst of dark times. We are not to quit until we’ve made it successfully to the end of our race. Remember, life is not a sprint, but a journey.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I, like many others, have known heartache, despair, and tribulation, but I have also known deep joy, love, and celebration. Following Jesus may take us through hardship and suffering that can make it hard to see and believe in God’s saving love. However, there are those moments of revelation, that lift us up and remind us that God is on His Throne and that in His great love, He sent Christ to give us the peace, joy, and hope that will put a new song in our hearts.
Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
Have you ever said, “I don’t have time”? If you are like me, I have said that statement many times. Many times I even thought it was true, however; I was reaching that conclusion on my own or evaluating my time by the schedule in front of me. Think about this, whose day is it that we walk in? Yes, it is the Lord’s day and He has plans for us. If we don’t check with our Lord, how do we know the plans He has for us?
Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Extra:
It’s my day off! Again, whose day is it? Yes, we have a day created for us to rest. However, that day still belongs to God for us to be about His business.
Restoration is the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition. People restore things that have value to them. It could be a piece of furniture, a house, or an automobile. I love seeing old worn-out cars that seem to be headed to a scrap yard restored. Many times, these people who restore items, make their projects better than when they were new. When God does a work in us (He values each of us), He doesn’t just throw away the old and bring in the new. God will one day make us (restore us) to the perfect righteous creation we were meant to be. Praise God for His restoration work in us.
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Jeremiah 18:1-4 (ESV)
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2 “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.”
3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel.
4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
Revelation 21:5
“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. '” As Christians, we can trust that the God will keep His promise.
Give 2023 to the One who wants to mold us into His image!
It seems that everywhere I go the day after Christmas, all I see are empty boxes on the curbs. This makes me ask, “What is left after Christmas?” Take a moment to look with me at Acts 20:35. The real joy is in giving. God bless you and yours.
Acts 20:35 (ESV)
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
In my granddaughter’s basketball game, the coach would remind the girls to keep their heads up as they dribbled the ball. With their heads up, they were able to see where help from their teammates was. When times are tough, it is easy to drop our heads. As believers, we need to keep our heads up as we go through life. We are to focus on God and not the situations around us.
Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
When Karen and I were living in Waco just after we were married, we had three choices in television channels. Today after 45 years of marriage, we have somewhere around 100 television channels available for us to choose from. It seems that the longer we live, the more choices we have.
Ok, my guess is you know where I am going. Jesus said that He is the only way to be with the Father. Yet, after we choose to follow Him, we still have daily choices on whom we will serve. Today is a new day to tune into Jesus.
Joshua 24:15 (ESV)
15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
