Something To Think About

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." (Romans 2:17-24 NIV)

Hypocrisy doesn't only affect the way that people view us, it affects how others see God. When we behave in a way that is contrary to what we claim to believe (and condemn others for doing the same thing), it turns God into a joke, people don't want to follow Him because they think they will turn into hypocrites too. If we want those in the world to become members of the body of Christ, we have to show them that it turns us into people filled with love and compassion and not self righteousness.

Something To Think About

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

During troubling times we shouldn't think that God has abandoned us, but merely that it's an opportunity for us to grow in strength. With any circumstance that we find ourselves in, God gives us the tools to get through.

Something to Think About

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (Romans 1:21-23 NIV)

It is not enough jut to know God, we should give Him praise and glorify His name each day. We have to continually remind ourselves what God has done for us. Spending time with God or just even thinking about Him makes it harder for the enemy to distract us with things that will take us out of God's will. If we keep ourselves in God's word, no one will be able to fool or mislead us. Being a child of God isn't just something that you confess with your lips, it is something that should be seen in our everyday lives.

Something To Think About

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7 NIV)

Just as God's kindness washed over us, saving us from certain death. We should show kindness to those who have not yet found Him as we were once in the same situation.

Week of Fasting

We are embarking on a week of prayer an fasting. Everyone is free to join us as we take time to be in God's word and communicate with Him.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 57:6

They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves. (Psalm 57:6 NIV)

People may try to harm us, but we should rest assured because no weapons formed against us shall prosper. Those who wish us harm will have it placed upon themselves. so leave them for God to deal with.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 7:15-16

Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit they have made. The trouble they cause recoils on them;
their violence comes down on their own heads. (Psalm 7:15, 16 NIV)

A warning to those who do evil. All the schemes they plan against others will be returned to them. The righteous should not think that because these people continue in their ways, that God has ignored their actions. In everything we do, we are sowing a seed that we will one day reap. Ensure that what you reap is something that will bring you joy and not regret.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 34:1-22

I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. (Psalm 34:1-22 NIV)

God is always there for us whenever we need Him. All we have to do is trust in Him. If we put our trust in Him, there will be nothing to fear or be anxious of. He has already made a way out of every situation, He has laid victory before us. We only need to stand in Him and draw on the strength that He has made available to us.

Psalm of the Day : Psalm 31:6

Psalm 31:6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;as for me, I trust in the Lord.

What is an idol, it can not move, speak, think or feel. But God's Spirit moves around us, He speaks to us each day, He is always mindful of us, and He feels what we feel. Why put your trust in something that was made by man, put your trust in the One that made man.