Got Wisdom?

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. – Proverbs 4:7

In the post “What’s the Cure”, explained was how the incentives were upside down during Hosea’s time in Israel. Isn’t it amazing that the incentives seem to be upside down in societies throughout our world today! One thought brought out in the post was that governments throughout the world go into debt for rewarding the wrong behavior.

There is an incentive for governments to make people dependent on them rather than God. Even the United States seems to no longer put an emphasis on being “One Nation Under God”. Instead of being wise, being efficient, and productive as individuals, the aim is to promote discontent and chaos. Perhaps the reason is that society is in disarray and laws are not enforced.

When laws are not enforced, there is no accountability in society and a lack of morality is pushed throughout the culture. The worse off the people become, the more government solutions are pushed. Then to support government solutions, people are taxed to support the dependence. This only makes the harmful government institutions grow even larger and more tyrannical.

Over time, governments grow but go into more and more debt. Then governments tax more and this limits what people can create on their own; limiting their gifts to churches and non-profits. The vicious cycle continues from generation to generation. Unfortunately, people then have fewer opportunities to get out of the second-rate living conditions they have been forced into by the government.

The only cure is through accepting God’s grace. The Great Physician diagnosed adultery, stealing, and murder; the prognosis was emptiness, failure, and disappointment. But by accepting God’s grace, there is a cure and His people can also acquire the positive lessons of life through the study of His Word!

God’s way leads to wisdom and understanding. As in this video, God knows how we should live and His Word provides the instruction: He Knows – Jeremy Camp.

Index of devotionals

Renewed Day by Day

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

In the post “Reward for the Soul”, the rich and powerful had oppressed the poor and there was idol worship throughout the land. The time had come for God’s judgment. Just like in the times of Amos, people today look for answers to life’s problems in the wrong places.

As the main point in this song: First – Lauren Daigle, the solution to our challenges each day can be found by seeking God first before anything else. Enjoy today’s inspiring music and have a blessed day?

Index of devotionals

Experts Can Have Many Misses

Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. - Job 6:24

We can’t be assured of the proper guidance from experts or by using apps or maps. Experts can have many misses as they tell us what is best for us in our life. That’s why the greatest learning in life comes from God’s Word and by following His Way.

That’s not to say that we can’t learn from others but many times, the whizzes in certain fields tend to have an agenda. Keep in mind that those who have our best interest in mind are the ones to follow; people like our parents and grandparents.

One time, my daughter stayed with her cousins in my hometown about 60 miles east of where we currently live. I was going over to pick her up but on the way over, I ran into a downpour.  It was so much rain that a part of the highway that goes under a railroad track was flooded. Being from that town, I remembered my dad and grandfather taking another route nearby that went over the tracks instead of under the tracks and then back onto the highway. I took the route and noticed behind me about five other vehicles following me.

No map or app showed the way but experience and following what I had learned growing up got us to where we needed to go. It is much the same in a life with Christ. The experiences we go through and learning how Jesus lived as recorded in the Gospels will lead us to where we need to go.

Some days seem like a fight. We have doubt and we have things that happen that brings us to our knees. It is during these times that we need to go to the ONE who knows. The experts in various fields may have a personal agenda but God has our best interest in mind so lift up your eyes to Him today and receive inspiration from today’s video: He Knows – Jeremy Camp.

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His Word is Golden

And the words of the Lord are flawless,

   Like silver purified in a crucible,

   Like gold refined seven times.  – Psalm 12:6

As explained in the post Rely on God’s Word, the instructions we get from the world many times no longer work or maybe never did work. On the other hand, the instructions we find in God’s Word are golden; always perfect with instructions on how to live.

God’s words are golden and the words we use are also very valuable and powerful. Today’s video is about how important words are as they can build up or tear down or lead others to God: Words – Hawk Nelson.

Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. - Job 4:4

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Faith in God’s Way

Some things in life are hard to figure out. In the post Servant Leader, I wrote that Jesus teaches about the servant type of leadership during His last meal with the disciples. Faith is a great quality when leading others as a parent, teacher, boss, or any other leader.  Through reading the Bible, experiences of life, and sharing with others, our faith grows stronger. It is a valued possession that allows us to accomplish much more in life.

Our faith comes from high places where God is and connects to us. The invisible qualities of faith can’t be overtaken; even at death, these qualities are valued possessions so go, taste and see the goodness of God.

Remember that the life we are living on earth is just the beginning and it passes in a blink of an eye. Watch this video and be inspired by the story made to music of a daughter who loses her Dad. It emphasizes the fact that death is just the beginning and we will see our lost loved ones in due time: Glorious Unfolding – Steven Curtis Chapman.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. - Colossians 2:6-7

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Flourish with Hope

Explained in the post “The Hope that Christ Gives”, there will be difficult times but we should never get down. Remember that the resistance only makes us stronger. There is resistance when we exercise to build up our muscles. There is resistance of the wind that helps an airplane to be lifted high in the sky and travel to faraway places. What we go through in life, only makes us stronger on the other side.

God will provide the resources needed to get through anything. Use His Word to help in difficult times. Examine your hopes and dreams and let God take them to a level that you never dreamed of. This day with God will be amazing because His light will illuminate even greater in dark times. Take inspiration from this video: Hope in Front of Me – Danny Gokey.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope! - Romans 15:13

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Opportunities to Explain

As we step ahead on the path of our journey, there will be those who will try to put roadblocks in our way. Just like the post Stepping Ahead of Roadblocks when The Sadducees asked Jesus a question to try and show discrepancies in His teachings, there will be non-believers that we will come up against. These situations give us an opportunity to explain the soundness and victory found in the Word.

This day with You Father, help us to step ahead by taking in the Word to fortify us. Help us to remain optimistic because with You, we are highly favored. Amen!

A little bit of faith goes a long way and can change those who don’t believe. Here’s a video to inspire our day: Something in the Water – Carrie Underwood.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. - Colossians 2:8

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Approach Each Day with Enthusiasm

Approach each day with enthusiasm by highlighting the amazing things around you in order to spark the interest of others. This is how you shine the light because the amazing parts of life are from God.

Every task can be done with an attitude of praise if we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s purpose. Being filled is accomplished by study of God’s Word and striving to obey God’s instructions.

So this day with God, be optimistic, celebrate, see better days ahead, and be excited about the future. Do everything with an attitude of praise. Sing the uplifting songs so worry will flee and the eternal light can shine forever. After all, you are a child of the one true king: Hello My Name Is by Matthew West.

Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. - Psalm 33:3

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It’s All About Jesus

A lie the world tells us is to do things on our own without any help. Make things as complicated and difficult as possible so that character will be built through struggle. But maybe things in the technological age are complicated enough. How about working together, receiving the help God gives in Christ, and accepting the obvious as truth.

In the post Thoughts of Life Leading to Meaning and Purpose, Jacob gathered his sons together as he was in his last days and gave a talk to his sons on their character traits. It’s always important to listen to others, pray for direction, and make adjustments along the journey.

We all need a strategy and road map along the journey so it’s important to reflect on the past, come to the Lord in praise, have a heart of worship and realize it’s all about Jesus. Today’s video speaks about this approach: Heart of Worship – Matt Maher.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

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Blessings from His Word and Prayer

Written about in the post Guidance, discussed was how Joseph could interpret dreams and help others take action. Today, God speaks to us through His Word; blessing those who seek advice and follow through on His guidance.

Pray for blessings; for peace, His healing, and that His love will provide what we need. Take a few minutes and begin the day with a prayer and this inspiring video: Blessings – Laura Story.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. - Proverbs 29:18

Index of devotionals

His Word Makes a Way so it’s Okay

In the post Receive Direction From His Word, I wrote about the circumstance of Joseph while in an Egyptian prison. During the time of Joseph, God spoke through dreams but today God speaks to us through His Word.

Think back to days when things are not going your way. A day may start out with a challenge and that’s why we want to seek God first thing to help us take on the challenge the best we can.

Many challenges may seem like mission impossible but then as we take a jump of faith and meet the challenge, it is extremely rewarding. God’s Word makes a way and it will be okay. Here is a video I made from a poem I wrote that’s about overcoming bad situations: Jump

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne. - Revelation 3:21

Index of devotionals

Blessings Multiplied

After the dream that Jacob had at Bethel as written about in the post An Amazing Future in His Presence, he acted promptly and stepped ahead with a purpose. The world tells us that everything is limited but with God, everything is unlimited and the blessings are multiplied.

Jacob’s dream gave him hope and optimism for a blessed future. It gave him momentum to apply his faith and do what is right including giving a 10th of all he would receive to God. Today’s video is about God’s love and our growth potential in His presence: Multiplied - Needtobreathe.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

Index of devotionals

Follow the Path Laid Out by God's Word

Photo from Google Images

For a society to build up a resistance to corruption, we have to believe that small actions over time will build up to make major improvements. We have to look at corruption as the enemy and work together to identify this enemy in order to destroy its grip.

Reading in 2 Peter 2:10-22, we get a description of false teachers who had a grip on society during the time of Peter. They had behavior patterns that were slanderous, their message was empty, and they appealed to the lustful desires of sinful human nature. It is explained in the passage that their fate is not good for they will be destroyed and paid back for the harm they have produced.

Explained also in the passage is that the type of person affected by false teaching is the unstable; those who are taken in by the deceivers. Their own lust gains victory over them because accepting what the false teacher promises requires no effort. They simply continue with their negative habits and attitudes to receive what they want. On the other hand, righteousness requires effort.

The best idea to resist false teaching is to follow the path laid out in God’s Word. As presented in this reading, if we follow our own sinful desires, we become enslaved by whatever our flesh wants but if we submit our life to Christ, we become free. The Gospel message is the water of life that refreshes the soul for anyone who wants to be saved by our Lord Jesus.

This day with God, have confidence in the promise that hope will give optimism in a time of despair; faith will give courage in a time of doubt, and love will bring victory in a time of hate.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

The Way of Order and Certainty

I wrote in a post at another blog that the way of the world leads to inconsistency and confusion but the way of God leads to order and certainty. Here’s a video that advances this thought: Stop the World - Matthew West.

God’s Word is essential for life. It’s like food for the soul and we should meditate on it and seek it with all our heart. He speaks through the Bible so Follow His Word and choose the path of truth in getting ready for each day. Then pay attention to the good things, be thankful, and share these blessings with others.

Strong Leaders

After reading 1 Chronicles 13-14, what is found is that David conferred with each of his officers, sought unity with his people and most of all inquired of God who goes before us to prepare the way; building up our life with positive principles found in His Word. Prayer, reflection, and action will develop strong leaders for better families, communities, and nations.

I really enjoy sharing videos that hopefully bless and uplift. I’d like to share this video that asks God for help in leading families. Just click here: Sanctus Real – Lead Me or on the video below to watch. God Bless! 

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. – Psalm 33:4

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at:

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Ideas for Building Up Physical and Spiritual Health

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been writing about the importance of physical and spiritual health. In this final post on this subject, I’d like to put forth some ideas. Each day is a new day and our today can be better than yesterday. This day with God, we can get off on the right track, have the right frame of mind, feel better, be happy, and do amazing things. There are many dietary rules in the Bible that test our obedience. These rules can apply today for the food we take in for our souls including what we read, watch, or think about.

One idea is to go on short vacations by surfing the net for pictures that help connect to a Bible verse, find something that makes us laugh, or find facts about our Creator’s amazing world. This activity has two goals in mind. First, it relaxes our body and mind. Second, it equips us for sharing thoughts and ideas with others.

A prescription for stress is working out with God’s Word, praying, and listening to the Spirit. These activities build muscles of faith which stay strong and build forever. Unlike muscles of the physical body, building up muscles for the soul provides an everlasting gain.

One idea I’ve tried is to mix scripture and exercise into a routine that I call believersize. What you do is find a scripture to memorize and search the internet for pictures that crystallizes a principle from that scripture. You then can put these together into an application like PowerPoint. As you ride your stationary bike or walk on the treadmill, you can view the slides. This is a way to take in God’s Word and exercise at the same time.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” The goal is to take care of God’s temple through a system of scripture memory and exercise. You can have all the latest and greatest exercise equipment but if you never take it out of the box, it’s useless. You have to find something that inspires and there’s nothing like God’s Word to get you started. With believersize, you begin to notice things seem easier. That’s because the intangibles of a winner are being built from the inside and all that internal good stuff just oozes out.

For an inspirational start to your day, join me at This Day with God Devotional.

Abundant Life with a Bright Outlook

Each day during the week, I write a post at this link. The mission of this blog is to demonstrate an instrument for Bible study that uses technology to develop a better way to study the Bible by integrating the principles or core values God gives into our daily life at work and at home. One core value God gives that I think is important is to take care of our physical and mental body.

To continue with the benefits of good physical and mental health, we need to understand that happiness is short term but joy last forever. People get excited about snow in central Texas and when it happens, they build a snow man. But it melts the next day. With God’s word, you build something inside which last forever and can never melt away. Some ways to brighten or warm up your day is to seek the truth of His Word, experience the joy Christ gives, and be aware of the wonder in Creation. These are the true treasures.

Being able to adapt to circumstances, having self-control, and just being a good person are the best prescription for a sound mind and body. The trials we face in this world are not easy but we can believe that our reward is with Christ.

God placed extreme value on us, created us in His image, and crowned us with tremendous honor when He sent His Son to die for us. Because of what He has done for us, we need to give ourselves a chance to be happy. With Christ, we have a chance for abundant life today that only gets better in the long term with daily transformation; growing in grace and a future beyond our wildest imagination.

Take Care of God’s Temple and Honor Him

Take care of yourself because you are God’s temple; a holy place for the Spirit. Honor God with regular exercise, healthy eating, and good sleeping habits. Don’t misuse your body by smoking, drinking, overeating, or being promiscuous. Find your true love and demonstrate devotion. Clear your path to life with enthusiasm, passion, and peace of mind.

A physical workout builds physical muscle and in a similar way we can build muscles of faith by studying God’s Word, prayer, and by listening for direction from the Holy Spirit. If we plant seeds of Christ’s core values into a fertile soul and water with the Spirit, the result is abundant growth. 

Next weekend, I’ll continue with the core value of physical and mental health.

Affects of Good Physical and Mental Health on Society

Good physical and mental health helps a society tremendously. Without it, the quality of life can be in terrible shape. Some third world countries have poor health because of unclean food and throughout life children have difficulties.

A vacation my family once took was to Moody Gardens in Galveston Texas. What started out as a place to help those with paralysis, Moody Gardens has become a place to learn and relax. The major attractions there consist of pyramids that house animal and plant life. Also there are great 3D theaters that show educational short movies. I remember one movie that explained how the health of humans and nature relies on the health of our oceans.

Everything consists of cycles in our world. An example is the water cycle where rain water fills lakes and rivers which flow into our oceans. Then evaporation causes the collection of moisture in the atmosphere to produce more rain. Stress also causes a cycle but it’s a bad cycle which cost our healthcare industry an astronomical amount of money. What’s been discovered is that stress leads to heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidental injuries, and suicide. It pushes many to drinking alcohol which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver for individuals but it can also harm others like in auto accidents.

Refuel and Recharge

Speaking of autos, they can get you many places and go far distances but they have to contain fuel to go. It’s the same with us as everyone needs to refuel. God Himself rested on the seventh day.

So since we’ve established the fact that we all have to refuel, where do we get it? There’s no better fuel than God’s Word. A cheerful heart restores the mind and body; therefore we can be in good spirits by reading the good news of God’s Word, accepting His kindness, and building faith by knowing Christ. The refueling station is His church. Sundays should be a day to take it easy. It should be a day to worship God and be appreciative. It should be a day to slow down and enjoy the comforts of your home.

Our fuel for the soul which Jesus provides is inner peace and abundant life that is full of meaning; infused with purpose, contentment, and joy. With the explosion of computer technology, we sometimes forget that it is only a tool. The greatest machine ever made is you; God has made you to be the most efficient and productive machine ever known. Then He’s provided the fuel to make you go called the Holy Spirit.

Next time, we will look at how good physical and mental health provides abundant life with a bright outlook. Please connect with me on facebook at this link.