What's On Your Mind?

Prayer (Photo credit: Chris Yarzab)

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!

Psalm 139:23

English Standard Version (ESV)

          The above quote strikes me as a rather bold statement.   One would have to be very confident to say this to God--or have a sincere attitude of repentance with a true desire to do what is right in God's eyes.  

         Yet God knows our hearts and our very thoughts and minds.  We are assaulted by what the world tells us.   That input of data jumbles in our heads to taint our hearts.   God offers His way and so much of the time we want to do things our way.  What we want.  What others want.  What the world wants.

         We can't have it both ways if the world is not for God.  Sometimes we have to say no to ourselves, others, and the world.    It's essential for us to seek what God wants for us because that is what is best for us.    God's way is the key to our salvation.

          Pray.  Seek counsel of those of good repute.  Study the scripture.  And pray some more.

          When we strive to dwell within the heart of God, then we become closer to having a cleaner heart within us.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

English Standard Version (ESV)

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Someone's Gotta Do It

Preach It, Brother (Photo credit: Steve Snodgrass)

May God be merciful to us, bless us,
    and cause his face to shine on us.
Selah.
2 That your way may be known on earth,
    and your salvation among all nations...

Psalm 67:1-2

World English Bible (WEB)

         Telling others about something good in our lives is something we usually enjoy doing.  Perhaps it's an upcoming wedding, the impending birth of a child, or a new job.   When we are excited about our circumstances we want to share our joy with others.   It might seem strange not to want to share good news.

          Yet how often do we hold back on telling others about the best news of all.  The Good News.  The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

          "Let someone else do it," we may say.  "'I'm not good at talking to people about something like the Gospel," is our excuse.

           Sometimes if you aren't the one to tell the Good News to a friend, a relative, or a lost soul who needs to hear it, then that person may never hear it and will be lost.   God will guide you in your words if you will allow Him.

            Don't be ashamed of the Gospel.  Don't be afraid of offending someone with the Good News.  Someone's gotta do it.   Why can't that someone be you?

 For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”   How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher?  And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace,
    who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Romans 10:13-15

World English Bible (WEB)

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Watch What You Say

Tell Me A Story - 21 (Photo credit: Inf-Lite Teacher)

Whoever of you loves life
    and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:12-14

New International Version (NIV)

         Words are powerful.  They can also be self-condemning.  If we tame our tongues we are less apt to regret the things we say.  What we say can haunt us and sometimes get us in trouble.   Our words can follow us for years as they rest in the hearts and minds of those who have been in earshot of our verbal wickedness.  We need to watch our mouths because we may not realize where our words may end up.

        Sure, gossip can seem somewhat interesting and certainly juicy.  The big problem is in the truth or falseness that is spoken.   We must discern between what might be considered news or concern for another and the cutting vicious words that are intended to hurt and defame.   Consider before speaking:  Does my saying this have a purpose that is intended for good?

        Before we start spreading dirt perhaps it's time to first do some internal housecleaning of what's inside us.   No one is perfect and we all have sin within us.    Shall we let that sinful nature control what we say?  Better to keep quiet or be slow to speak than to unleash our evil side.   

          Our words say more about who we are than who someone else is.   Watch what you say.  Be a peacemaker rather than an instigator of rumor and hurtfulness.

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

Matthew 15:18

English Standard Version (ESV)

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Wisdom in Our Time

English: Scroll of the Psalms (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

World English Bible (WEB)

       Would you live your life differently if you knew the exact day and hour that you were going to die?   According to the Bible the average lifespan is about 70 to 80 years (Psalm 90:10).   That was written a few thousand years ago and holds true to this day.  However there are no guarantees that any of us will reach that age.  Indeed more than a few of us will perhaps live beyond that projection.   The fact of the matter remains that we might live to a hundred or we might die today.

       So, not having that knowledge of time and date of death how should we live.   The oft heard adage tells us that we should live as though there were no tomorrow.  That can mean many things to different people.  The "carpe diem" philosophy is a hedonistic view for some, but that translates to absolute self-centered fulfillment of ones own desires.  Maybe that's not the way to go when measured by the expanse of the rest of humanity.  Too many people live for themselves without consideration of the legacy they leave to the world.  They want it all, but the fact is they can take none of the pleasure to the grave.

       Perhaps living for oneself is not the wisest choice.  Satan wants us to succumb to evil.  His temptations are alluring yet empty.   The foolish heart pursues the darkness.  Look to the Light!  Our days on Earth are numbered and we should use each one wisely.   Live each day as though it were the last.   Hold tight to life yet be ready to let go when God's call is sounded. 

        My life is God's gift to me.   My mission is to understand His will and to learn His ways.  The time for action is today for I may not have a tomorrow.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Ephesians 5:15-17

New International Version (NIV)

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What to Do When You're Feeling Down?

Dove of the Holy Spirit (ca. 1660, alabaster, Throne of St. Peter, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

       I know I have a great deal in my life for which to be thankful.   How about you?

       In times of sickness and adversity my earthly self may wonder why God has let me come to the point where I am.   My prayers may seem to go unanswered.   Time can seem like it might last forever when things are bad.   And then I remember what forever is in God's terms.

       Blessings in my life have been far more abundant than hardships.  Many have had things far worse than I have.  My life has been easy compared to what it might have been.  In part I have the faith of my fathers to thank for my good life.  My earthly father, my grandparents, and those ancestors of whom I have only heard and never known.   Their faithfulness has been passed down to my generation and hopefully to the generations that may be yet to come in my family line.

        Then there is my own faithfulness.  Sometimes I have been weak and rebellious.  And there have been more sins than I want to admit.  But our God has provided me salvation in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.   For God has loved you and me so much that he forgives us when we come to him in repentance. 

       God has been good to us all and we should rejoice in that.   Let us bow before Him and let His Will be done in us.  The earthly realm will take its tolls on us, but God will give us our greatest rewards.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you.  

1 Peter 5:6-7

21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

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Taking a Break

Due to illness I'll be taking a break for a while until I can get back in top shape and get things reorganized.

Please visit my past posts here if you've missed any of them and leave comments whenever you feel so inclined.  I love to hear from readers even on older posts.

Thanks to all of you and God bless each of you.

Lee

Why Do We Need a Savior?

Monument to the Savior of the World in San Salvador and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janiero, both symbols of Christianity (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 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

New International Version (NIV)

         We can't do everything on our own.  Let's face it, there are times when we need help.  None of us come into the world completely self-sufficient and we can't live our lives without some kind of help from others.

         Even if we became stranded on some remote island and had everything we needed to survive, we'd still want someone to come along eventually to save us.

         Sure, there are times when it's nice to be alone.  Haven't you sometimes fantasized about being the only person in the world able to do anything you wanted to do without anybody saying you can't do it?   Sounds like a fun fantasy for a short while, but what if you got hurt or became sick?   What if you became lonely and longed for someone to comfort you and be your companion?

        We all need a savior who will not fail us.   A savior who provides guidance, comfort, and hope.  A savior like Jesus Christ.   God provides our needs.  He will save us if we accept Him.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

1 John 4:14

New International Version (NIV)

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