Right and Wrong

Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

2 Tim 2:14 (HCSB)

OK, I know we all like to be right.  It is hard sometimes to hear people spouting off and not knowing what they are talking about.  Over the years I have met many people who thought their number one goal in life was to prove these dumb Christ followers wrong.  What is even more distasteful is to discover another Christian who is so sure that their view of a certain issue or topic that they want to beat you and everyone else down with their interpretation of the Bible.

The Apostle Paul has something to say to us about that.  He says, "don't do it!"  Don't fight about words.  It is unproductive and will only damage those who hear it.  Often the damage is to innocent bystanders who are all ears when we begin to argue.  Yes there are times we must defend the truth but that can be done in a patient and constructive way.  But lets be honest.  Most of the things we fight about really aren't that important in the big picture of Kingdom life.

So next time think about this verse from 2 Timothy, Count to ten, bite your lip or stick your sock in your mouth before you start that argument.  No one will really win!

Not out but protected

I am not prayingthat You take them out of the worldbut that You protect them from the evil one.

John 17:15 (HCSB)

In John 17 Jesus is praying for His disciples then and those in the future (us).  He is very clear.  He says, "I am not praying that you take them out of the world."  And yet the Christian community over the years has tried to find ways to get out of the world.  We have tried to legislate.  We publish advertising so that we know which businesses are "Christian."  We have established "Christian Schools."  All of this seems to contradict what Jesus said He was praying for, that we would not be out of the world.

Instead Jesus said He was praying, "that You protect them from the evil one."  Jesus plan is not to take us out but to protect us while we are in.  In order for us to be effective as light and salt we must be in regular contact with the world.  If we isolate ourselves from the world we will never be able to do our job as Christ followers and bring others into the Kingdom.

Jesus does not want you compromised or destroyed by the evil one in the world but He does want you to be a visible light and a purifying salt in the world.  Stay in and know you are protected.

Praise God in all things

As a Christ follower we know the importance of praising God.  It is easier to praise God when things go as we wish they would but it is much harder in tough times.  Watch this video and be encouraged by this Christ followers commitment to praise God in the hard times.  Since this video was made He has gone on to be with the Lord.

Revealed

The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky   proclaims the work of His hands.2 Day after day they pour out speech;night after night they communicate knowledge.

Psalms 19:1-2 (HCSB)

Psalm 19 tells us an important truth.  God reveals Himself to us.  He reveals Himself through nature.  Nature declares His glory, power and majesty.  God is not hidden.  He is visible to all who want to see.  When we know that we might look at a sunset, the mountains or the ocean a little differently.  When we see the power and precision of nature it is revealing to us the splendor of an awesome God.

Enjoy Him today!

Happy!

How happy is the manwho has put his trust in the Lord

Psalms 40:4 (HCSB)

It is important that the Bible does not promise us to be happy.  Happiness is an emotion that can change.  God does promise abundant life, joy, peace, calls us to rejoice but not necessarily that we will be happy.  It is also important to realize that happiness is not a bad thing and shouldn't be something we hope for and look for in our lives.

Here is a great verse that reminds us that generally speaking we can find happiness simply by trusting in the Lord.  When we have the right mindset and focus, when we are putting our faith in Him alone we can be happy even in the midst of difficult things.

Trust God and enjoy today!