Share the Evidence

I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. - Psalm 89:1

In the post “Hear and Apply, discussed is Paul pointing out that all are given evidence of God’s power and divine nature but some still do not believe. There are various ways to receive knowledge of God. We can read His Word, learn from our experiences, and learn from others who have knowledge and experiences to share.

Going out in the backyard either at night before going to sleep or in the morning before sunrise with my dog Marlee, we can hear the sounds of a night. Marlee loves just lying in the grass, listening, and enjoying the cool breeze. I look up in the sky and see the stars and enjoy the amazement as God has painted another masterpiece to communicate His glory. The time in the back yard gives inspiration and hope; confidence that that God is with me and will be with me always.

Another way to receive inspiration and hope is through music as in this video: Light Up the Sky by The Afters.

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Always Hope

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:25

In the post “On this Journey to a Brighter Day”, written about was how Joshua reviews Israel’s history, he emphasizes how God was involved in bringing them from the land of oppression to the Promised Land.

There is always hope for a brighter day when we are with God and He is with us. That is why we should always examine our hopes and dreams and let God take them to a level that we never dreamed. Even if faced with dark times, His light will illuminate the path to a brighter future.

Like Joshua, let us determine the purpose God has for us, let us carry out this purpose, and finish well. When we serve the Lord, there is always hope for a brighter future just like in this song: Chain Breaker by Zach Williams.

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The Straight Path

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

Written about in the post “Seek Direction“, was how the leaders of Israel were fooled by a plan of deception. They were caught off guard by the misleading plan of the Gibeonites but the biggest mistake was their failure to seek direction from God to follow the straight path.

The lesson for us is to always let God be a part of our decision and approval process. This includes concerns with our family, business, organization, or job. The good news is that as the title of the song Grace is Enough by Matt Maher, we have grace to always fall back on when we make mistakes. We can take in the lessons, seek God’s direction, and be guided to better decisions in the future.

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The Unifier and Provider

In the post, “Dissipation of a Nation”, the people turned to idol worship instead of giving credit to God for all they had been given. Written about were some lessons we can take from this passage which can be applied today within nations or used by individuals. Many throughout the world seem to think governments can best provide for needs even though governments have a way of setting up roadblocks to productivity by setting up regulations that are impossible to meet or enforce.

In the nation in which I live, every state is different but united. Within the United States, some states choose to do things one way and others choose to do things another way. Texas has just a few natural lakes. Years ago, some smart people noticed that there were many rivers in Texas but the water just ran into the Gulf of Mexico. During the hot summers, the state would get low on water so they thought of the idea of building damns along the rivers to make lakes that stores the water.

The point is that it’s important to plan using the lessons taught by history. Some states never learned from history; never built lakes to store rain water, and as a result, have to either do without or barrow water from other states at a high price.

The Bible has many lessons taught by history that the United States adopted to form The U. S. Constitution as a guide to run the nation. Unfortunately, many have decided that it should no longer be “One Nation Under God” so they’ve instructed to ditch the advantage that history brings; going instead to the lead of a few unqualified bureaucrats as the best way to the future.  

God’s Plan for Us is the best way. It’s been proven over and over again. This day can be amazing because our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down. Be inspired by the song The Way by Jeremy Camp.

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Making Your Path Straight

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

In the post “Seeking the Best Direction and Guidance”, shared was how spiritual decline led to God’s wrath being poured out on Israel. The Bible gives us a chance to learn from mistakes made in the past and provides a better understanding of the best way to live.

Only God can transform from the inside out; making intangibles like faith, hope, and love into tangible blessings. Today’s video emphasizes this transformation that God can make: Busted Heart – For King & Country.

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There is a Process that does Bless

Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. - Hebrews 4:16

Many times throughout the history of mankind, nations have gone astray. Such is the case as written about in the post “Actions to Take Now for the Good Life”. Amos was telling the people that there is a process that does bless God’s people; a way to change course away from their sins which included the oppression of the innocent, taking bribes, depriving the poor of justice, and idol worship to mention just a few.

Here we are in current times and the warning from Amos continues to apply in the present. Many nations throughout the world do not seek the Lord first. Even the United States of America in which the motto is “One Nation Under God” has lost their way as leaders no longer put an emphasis on integrity and upholding justice.

Albert Einstein once said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning”.  We must continue to question: What does God want in the lives of His people? How can each individual take action now to seek what God has for them?

Learning is a life-long process so let us take every opportunity to ask questions, seek answers, and share with others. God wants His people to seek every good thing and glorify His name. Let us begin at this moment to give praise to the ONE who made this amazing universe as we are inspired by this video: Lifesong– Casting Crowns.

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Choose Good News

In the post Creating Order, some thoughts were shared about the Ten Commandments. God wants the best for us but history tells us that humanity focuses more on the things of the world rather than the “Good News” of God. When we pay attention to the world, disorder expands to fill the void of human failure. When we pay attention to God, order fills the void with greatness.

Distraction steals our heart from God. Worry and the senseless noise of the phone, television, and the bad news of the world can get us down. Each of us could use more of God’s “Good News”. Here’s an uplifting video that inspires this thought: Stop the World – Matthew West

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

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Irritations can Become Pearls

Some days are just frustrating and it takes some adjustment and soothing but like a piece of sand irritating a clam, our irritations might become our pearls.

This day with God, be an overcomer even when things happen that should not or when those you thought you could trust do something that makes you not trust them anymore. Be able to forgive, step ahead, and be grateful for what you do have. Here’s a video to spur us on with this thought: Overcomer - Mandisa.

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

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Pray Daily for Instructions

Each of us has a purpose and to be determined to fulfill this purpose, it’s important that we go to God in prayer too. If we have the right instructions and plan for our day, we have a better chance for things to fall into place so we accomplish more than we ever thought we could. Then day by day, our purpose is fulfilled.

Writing and reading about faith gives one a great purpose because we can highlight thoughts or ideas that encourage, energize and inspire just like this video: Every Good Thing – The Afters.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2

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Surround Yourself with People of Integrity

The post Association contained some written thoughts from the study of Genesis 14. A lesson learned was that the people we associate with are so very important. Lot was near the sinful city of Sodom and because of this association; he lost all his possessions and was taken captive. On the other hand, Abraham was where God wanted him to be and with the people He wanted him to be.

Being around a negative environment can cause great damage in societies. Think of societies that begin to break down. Respect for people breaks down, respect for authority breaks down, and respect for keeping the surroundings upright breaks down.

Like in Genesis 14, the area became a crime riddled wasteland and wars broke out. What once was the place to be, near prosperous activity and growth became a devalued area not because of location but because of the lack of integrity around it.

We need today more people of integrity like Abraham who promised God not to take the spoils of war. He kept his promise when he refused to take anything from the king of Sodom. Here is a video that inspires integrity: Search me Lord – Gaither Vocal Band.

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. -  Psalm 25:4-5

Index of Devotionals

Glorify God

I’m currently reading and studying in Genesis 11 about the Tower of Babel. It’s about the world rejecting God and believing they have all the answers. Even today when history has proven the strategy of secularism a failure, after all the struggles the world has faced, including wars, disasters, and disease; pride keeps society going in the wrong direction.

Things can get messy in life but God is there to help us pick up the messes. There is a constant need to search our heart and know why we do certain things. Is it to glorify God or to make a name for ourselves?

If it is to glorify God, then there are no limits to what can be accomplished. To get us thinking in this direction, here is today’s video: The Stand – Hillsong.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. - Psalm 16:8

You are invited to read and study the Bible each day at http://wp.me/1ar6D

The Sharp Double-Edged Sword

Photo Credit - Google Images

We face a war between the forces of good and evil in our daily living. Think of the entertainment industry. Here’s a post from Proverbial Thought about the conflict we constantly have to contend with in a society that praises vulgarity, violence, and vice.

We do not go alone so never fear. Trust in God in rainy days or the heat of a pressure filled day or whatever each day brings. Don’t be shaken. God’s Word is like a sword to protect us against the enemy.

To sharpen this sword as we battle each day, I think it’s important to reflect, meditate on, and memorize the Word. As I reflected on the passages I studied this past week, there are two poems at the links below that were inspired and my hope is that they help affirm the need for prayer and to encourage each other:
Where Everything Begins
Invite and Encourage

Have a blessed weekend my friends! For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

Thankful for the Simple Truths of the Gospel

I have been going through the book of Zechariah in my daily devotional. The picture received in Zechariah 11 is different from Zechariah 10. Trying to anchor this prophecy in history is next to impossible and the text is difficult. It seems to cover a wider span of history and perhaps going past our present times. The prophecy begins with the desolation of the land; then goes into the rejection of the Messiah and to the destruction of all that do not accept Christ as the Messiah.

On the other hand, the gospel message is really a simple one. Explained throughout the Bible is this need to be reconnected to God. Sin had disconnected people from God and the solution is His Son who died on the Cross as the ultimate sacrifice. We no longer have to fulfill the law but simply belief that Jesus is our Savior. Here’s a link to God's Plan for Us which documents a study I led with a small group.

Jesus is the way and the glue that holds us together. During difficult times like a death in the family or sickness, God’s people are there to care for each other. In the book, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, the following is written, “As believers we share one Lord, one body, one purpose, one Father, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one baptism, and one love. We share the same salvation, the same life, and the same future - factors far more important than any differences we could enumerate”.

Alone we are just one small drop of water but together with God and with other believers we combine to form an entire ocean that brings new life. The video below helps to illustrate this point: Dolphins rescued by people at the beach.

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. - Romans 12:5

This day with God, I’m praying that I encourage, build up, and humbly care for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Together, there is an amazing impact.

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

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