It’s not just you…

but those who come after you.

And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 2 Samuel 3:28‭-‬30 KJV

Joab’s action bore consequences which would be felt by his children and grandchildren.

This truth is seen elsewhere in scripture as well. (1 Samuel 3:11-14, Exodus 20:4-5)

The warning is clear, if we choose to sin, we are choosing pain and suffering for ourselves and our family.

Sin doesn’t sting only the person choosing it.

Thankfully, Jesus Christ broke the cycle of sin and the suffering which goes with it.

Through Christ we are cleansed!

But this doesn’t mean we can choose sin and then not feel the consequences, rather it means learning to stop choosing sin.

Romans 6:15 NKJV — What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

Ephesians 5:10-11 NKJV — finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Romans 6:23 NKJV — For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus, through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit wants to cleanse us completely.

He guides us with clear instruction, that we might understand what is righteous, honorable, and true. (Phil. 4:8, Gal. 5:22-23, Exodus 20:1-17)

He gives us warning of the ways of the enemy, that we might recognize evil and know how to respond.(1 Pet. 5:8-9, Eph. 6:11-13, Jas. 4:7)

He grants us the responsibility and privilege of bearing His name and His message, that others might know and choose life eternal.(1 Cor. 1:4, Gal. 2:20, Mat. 28:19)

How we live today really does matter.

For it is in today we make the choices which ripple into tomorrow.

Ephesians 5:15-17 NKJV — See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your salvation! Thank You for saving us from sin and death. Lord, please help each one of us to be wise, not foolish, not short-sighted. Please teach us how to live for You in today, redeeming the time. Lord, please remind us to seek Your face and to humble ourselves before You, for it is not on our own strength or in our own understanding where we should be walking, but in You for all things. Lord, please break through any lies the enemy has deceived us with. Please shine Your truth into our hearts and minds that we might see clearly and walk in obedience to You. Lord, thank You for Your patience and love, for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for breaking the cycle of sin and bringing us out of the ways of darkness. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Another chance

Yesterday morning, the Lord spoke clearly to my heart.

He was reminding me of truth and warning me.

I needed to trust and not allow fear, at all.

To rest in His will and be willing to obey in all things, was the direction.

In the morning, I felt able to walk in this.

By the afternoon, I had slid backwards with my attitude and I didn’t even realize it.

At some point, I’d taken my eyes off of Jesus and was trying to do things in my own strength.

God was faithful, all day long.

He continued to guide and direct me.

He continued to speak softly and at one point, He clearly told me to change what I was doing.

I did and my attitude improved greatly.

But it wasn’t until bedtime I saw myself fully.

As we were praying together, it was clearly before me.

I hadn’t walked in His words throughout the day.

I had forgotten His warning and had allowed myself to grow discontent with my circumstances.

I had pushed myself into activity, instead of resting in God’s hands and trusting Him to do all.

Thus, I’d disobeyed His warning from my morning quiet time.

My heart was ashamed, and I confessed before the Lord and my family my wrong.

God’s forgiveness is amazing!

My heart was encouraged, that although I’d failed in that day, God was giving me another chance.

Today is that chance.

Today, I can surrender to the Lord, and walk in contentment and obedience.

Today, God is giving me another chance.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV — Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your compassion, understanding, patience, and mercy. Lord, please help me to obey You throughout my day, not allowing myself to slide into old ways and forgetting Your truth. Lord, I’m ashamed that I failed yesterday, but I’m so thankful for Your mercy and this new day. Thank You. Lord, in my struggles with self discipline, I humbly ask that You teach this stubborn heart. Lord, continue to help me to be humble before You, quick to listen and quick to obey. Please continue to polish me that I might reflect You to those around me, especially my own family who see me at my worst. Lord, I want to pick up my cross and follow You with joy, thankfulness, and humility. Please help me to do so today. Again, thank You for Your faithfulness, compassion, and mercy. Amen.

Why trust?

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3 KJV

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. Psalms 4:5 KJV

God’s Word is full of verses telling those who put their faith in God to trust Him.

In fact, the Bible is clear that those who do not choose to trust the Lord are choosing sorrow:

“They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the LORD your God has given you.” Duet. 28:52 NKJV

“You speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. And in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me? 2 Kings 18:20 NKJV

It is very much like any other relationship we have.

We spend time with someone and they gain our trust through their daily behavior or they loose out trust through the same thing.

The difference with trusting in God is we can not base our opinion of His trustworthiness upon our personal experience.

We are limited as to our understanding, our perspective, our ability to see all frames of history, science, and the spiritual dimension.

God, knows that our ability to understand all of the truths of life, the universe, and spirituality is a tiny fraction of the whole.

Therefore, He put in His Word a command: trust God.

He then backs up why we should do this with story upon story of the lives of those who put their trust in Him as well as some who did not.

Their backgrounds, status, and livelihoods are as different as any group of people across the globe today, but those who put their trust in God are blessed.

Those who do not, are not blessed.

It is that simple.

Of course, our self-important emotions are offended.

“Where does He have the right to choose?”

“Why can’t my good intentions weigh in for something?”

“This isn’t fair!”

But all this means very little.

If you buy a brand-new car and fill the gas tank with olive oil you will ruin your engine.

You can be offended by this.

“Gas is so expensive!”

“I didn’t have any at home, just olive oil.”

“Why did the car maker get to choose what my engine runs on?!”

A gas engine runs on gasoline, because that is how it was designed.

God knows how the universe was crafted, He is the designer and carries authority, but on a much larger scale.

He created it all.

He understands all the parts and pieces.

He knows we need to trust Him.

And once we lay down our self, put our own opinions as secondary, and choose to walk in trusting God, we have an enormous gift.

Responsibility for our lives suddenly becomes a shared burden, the Lord Almighty and us.

What an incredible opportunity to live beside the Lord, simply following His lead and letting Him guide us.

And Who better, than the Creator of the Universe?

If my dishwasher is acting strange I look at the manual or call a repairman from the company who made it.

How much more important it is to read God’s Word and spend time seeking His plans and following through by trusting Him daily.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the truth that we need to trust You each and every day. Lord, You know it is difficult for us to learn to walk daily in trust. Please help our minds and hearts realize the enormous benefits of trusting You. Lord, let us be humble before You, not prideful, thinking we know what is best. Please continue to lead us, as we walk with You. And for those who have yet to put their trust in You, help them to see what an incredible blessing it is. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Don’t walk alone

Jesus sent His disciples out two by two. Mark 6:7

Ecclesiastes tells us that a cord of three is not quickly broken. Ecc. 4:12b

David had his friend, Jonathan.

1 Sam. 20

Naomi had Ruth.

Ruth 1:16-17

God’s Word refers to us as His sheep. Psalm 100:3

Sheep are a herd animal.

It’s not a mistake or an oversight that mankind needs one another.

And those who call themselves by the name of Christ should be mindful of this need.

At no time are we to walk alone.

Yes, each one of us needs to be quiet and alone with God on a regular basis.

That is completely different from walking alone.

Scripture clearly teaches we are not to forsake the assembly.

Heb. 10:25

We need our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

And they need us.

A true disciple of Christ is discipling others as well as allowing their own hearts and lives to be poured into.

A healthy walk with Jesus includes others.

It’s a reflection of true friendship, a give and a take.

It should also be transparent.

A relationship where one or both members are fake or shallow will never grow into anything healthy and beneficial.

Like the sunshine through the autumn leaves, so should the heart be with Jesus and at least one other mature Christ follower.

Because this world is difficult and there is an enemy.

To segregate oneself from all others can be very dangerous.

But the cord of three is not quickly broken.

Especially when one of the pieces wrapped around the other two

is

Jesus.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the reminder that You gave us others to walk with. Thank You that I have several people in my life who support and love me while I walk with You. Father, please continue to teach and train me, that I might walk with others and disciple those You have placed in my life. Thank You so much for all You are and all You do. Jesus, may Your name be praised!

Walk

Unlock the front door.

Open the gate and walk down the road.

Where?

Into the path of the Lord.

No matter where you live or what your occupation,

No matter how old you are or what you look like,

Each and every one of us are created with a purpose and a path.

And neither of those things are hindered by anything but our choices.

If we choose to deny God’s sovereignty and try to make our own path and to sketch our own purpose than we can blame none but ourselves for the consequences.

However if we choose to live a life submitted fully to Christ we can walk in each day, no matter the circumstance, resting in His purpose and His will.

Of course the walk is not always easy nor does the path look like what we expect,  but it will all be a chance to grow closer in relationships, both with the Lord and with others.

As each of us finds our day unfolding let us hold fast to the Word.

” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Eph. 5 : 15-16a

Another side of Trust

Small sketches,
can work together to create art.

Just like God can take small pieces of trust and weave them into a fabric of a quiet and strong character.

In prayer this morning the Father reminded me of circumstances which as I was walking through them seemed to be disaster.

Yet as I looked at the memories I was able to see the outcome for good in my life.

So many things have been used to teach me how to trust God.

Yet the lessons are just beginning.

I was seeking the Lord for a circumstance I know will need to be dealt with today,
yet instead of giving me the formula for dealing with it the Lord spoke with,

“Trust Me.”

That was all.
And I know it will be enough.

For the longer I read the Bible.
The longer I walk with the Lord.
The more I realize how in control He is and how little I can see or understand the true workings of this life.

For many years ago I said,
“if God has to allow me to break my arm to teach me something,  then I want it.”
Not because God wants to hurt me but because I realize what a stubborn and difficult,  stiff necked person I am. And I know God wants to teach me.

In my statement I was giving myself over to personal loss for spiritual gain.

And the same is true for today.

So what circumstances come,
whatever I may need to give up, my day belongs to God,
(He created it in the first place)
and I will trust
Him.

Change

No matter what,
there is always something
changing.

Children grow into adults.

Young adults get married and begin a new family.

The grey hair begins to shine amongst it’s darker fellows.

Sprouts grow into tall weathered trees.

Roads are built.

Houses are torn down.

Even the seasons are continually changing.

Yet a mid this systematic turnover one thing is never changed.

God’s love for His creation.

Since the beginning till now we can see God working. Gen.1:1-2

The wisest man who ever lived (except for Jesus) commented on the changes of life in the book Ecclesiastes.

Solomon seems almost depressed as he penned the first few chapters.

“I said of laughter–‘Madness!’and of mirth, ‘What does it accomplish?’ ” Ecc. 2:2

“So I said in my heart,  ‘As it happens to the fool, It also happens to me, And why was I then more wise?’ Then I said in my heart,  ‘This also is vanity.’ ” Ecc. 2:15

However he doesn’t stay in this frame of mind.

“I know that whatever God does,  it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it,  that men should fear before Him.” Ecc. 3:14

And Solomon is right. God is always working and what He does no one can take away.
John 10:28-29

As the leaves fall and preparations are made for the next “change” whether it be in the seasons or in life remember–

God loves you.
John 3:16

And He wants to walk with you no matter what else changes.