Choosing Your Battles Wisely

“Don’t pick fights!” You can probably hear a parents of teacher echoing this advice in your heads. Don’t be that child who throws the first punch. Choosing your battle is an important life skill.

Battles are inevitable. They are going to come our way whether we like it our not. Our survival depends greatly on how we handle battles and that pesky emotion on anger. Battles make us angry, there’s no doubt about that. Anger though isn’t always a bad thing. The emotion of anger is usually lumped all into one category and labeled as bad. Which is not true. All anger is not bad. Once we learn to manage the emotion of anger correctly, then we can learn the importance of choosing our battles wisely.

Let’s face it, most battles come from the root of anger. Either someone is angry with us or we are angry with someone. No Matter which comes first when battles get going both parties are angry.

Believers often ask is it a sin to be angry, I can answer this with a scripture,

“Be angry, and don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath” –Ephesians 4:26

All emotions are created by God. Even God is often angry throughout the Bible. Where do you think the whole flood came from? Anger is intended to help us fight evil in the world. God wants us to be angry at sin like Jesus was.

Jesus wasn’t walking around with a lamb in His arms all the time. He was fearless and brave. He didn’t tolerate the Pharisee’s hypocrisy and He told them so.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation” – Matthew 23:14

He said it straight to their faces too. He was sinless in His anger, though. Unfortunately, most of us wind up sinning because of our anger.

In Matthew 21:12 Jesus went into the temple in Jerusalem and saw the merchants using it to make money, and He became angry. He turned their tables over and threw them out. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like anger to me. He was not sinning though He chose that battle. He elevated the situation and divided it was worth fighting for.

Angry is a motivator. It should motivate us to speak out against what’s wrong. But what happens to most of us is it motivates us to speak our during the wrong.

Angry is not a sin in itself. Anger is a powerful emotion that God blessed us with. Angry can be used to motivate us into action when injustice is present and when danger is present. There are times when God wants us to fight, not with our fists or weapons, but to speak up and battle against evil.

In Ephesians 6:11 we are told “Put on the whole armor of God,” that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

If we are pitting on the armor then there must be some fighting going on. Anger can give us the courage to stand up against pressure when people want us to do something wrong. It gives us the courage to speak out when others are doing wrong. When believers are protecting against evil in society, they are not their because it’s fun, it’s because they are angry.

I will never be about protests and riots, but I am for smacking satan in the face. Protests and riots are the wrong kind of anger. Our anger can certainly can swell up for stupid reasons.

In the movie Star Wars, there is a character named “Yoda” who speaks the truth. “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

Of all the God-given emotions, anger is probably the one that is easiest to be misused. Anger can turn a seemingly timid person into a hero or a monster. Every violent criminal sitting in prison today was once an innocent baby but at some point in their life they indulged their anger. That’s the kind of anger when indulged improperly can lead to all kinds of sin.

Being able to identify good anger from bad anger is one of the most important skills we can ever learn in life. What triggers have nothing to do with Godly anger:

Hurt Feelings

Our pride may swell up and tell us otherwise, but hurt feelings are not the basis for Godly anger.

“Great piece have those who love Your law, and nothing caused them to stumble” – Psalm 119:165

If you are offended and you are feelings are often hurt, then you are not dwelling in the peace of God. Jesus was often accused of being filled with demons, blaspheming God, treason against the government and more, but He was not offended, though these things hurt His feelings.

Feeling get hurt when they are in the way. Just like a foot stuck in the way tripping others up as they pass by. Our feelings, when they are out of control and all over the place, will get hurt more often. The trick is to our feelings in their place. Feelings come and go but if we take those feelings to Jesus in prayer we can hand those feelings over to Him.

Misunderstandings

Misunderstandings are a huge contributor to the wrong anger. Misunderstandings can grow into huge problems. Jesus knew this, that is why He gave us a plan for dealing with misunderstandings.

“If your brother (or sister) sins against you, go show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your bother” -Matthew 18:15.

If we would take the first step, which Jesus Himself instructed, then misunderstandings could be figured out very quickly. What we tend to do instead is discuss the problem with everybody else except with the person to who we have the problem lies. So, the misunderstanding grows and grows and gets spread around rather than getting resolved. What looks like a huge problem that makes us angry could just be a misunderstanding. God to the person like Jesus instructed and find out.

Passing Problems

Every day in life there are thousands of little problems that could have the potential to be anger triggers and battle triggers. There is one question to ask yourself before you indulge that anger and take on that battle, “will this matter in a year?”

This is a great way to put those passing problems in perspective. Some problems are a big deal, and will matter down the road, but not all of them. We must evaluate these emotions of anger, and where they are coming from and make wise choices. Take a minute to evaluate the problem. Is it just a little passing problem that no one will remember in a year? If so, then just pass over it. When we act rashly based on our anger we can damage relationships and our reputation and ultimately hinder our relationship with God.

Consequences of Battles

When we head into a battle too quickly, there can be terrible consequences. This is especially true when we are fighting battles that stem from hurtful feelings, misunderstandings, and passing problems. Although the types of consequences that can result from his fought battles can be endless there are negative consequences when we are too quick to jump onto the battle bandwagon.

Damaged Relationships

Some of the most intense feelings of anger we will ever experience will be caused by and aimed toward the people we love the most. The closer the relationship, the more potential there is for anger and fighting. Most people believe this is caused by the fact that anger and love are the emotions of passion. Love can ignite great passion in us, but flip things around a little and that passion turns quickly to anger.

When dealing with people who we are very close to, we must choose our battles carefully. Damaged relationships are often hard to repair. When we jump into every battle or fight that comes our way, we will eventually begin to diminish our relationship with others. If we take a minute to think about it, we can probably think of someone who has a reputation for being short-tempered. Everything sets them off. Every little battle becomes a battle. They have developed a reputation of anger, fighting and struggle. People tend to stay away from them because of it.

If you want to avoid developing a reputation of this kind, and consciously make an effort to choose your battles wisely, fight your battles wisely and deal with your anger wisely.

Dealing With Anger Wisely

The key to Ephesians 4:26 to understanding how to use anger wisely. When we can use our anger wisely, then we can easily choose our battles. To deal with anger wisely we need to pinpoint the different anger triggers that we have personally.

The anger triggers I’ve listed above are some general areas that often ignite anger. You personally may have others. We have to use discernment when anger starts creeping up in us. Discernment enables us to judge critically what is correct and proper, and is united with caution.

When we are evaluating our circumstances correctly, properly and cautiously we delay our anger at the time, and we pass over a transgression. Sometimes when we are really angry we should not react at all. Sometimes we get angry about really silly stuff.

Sometimes is best to not react over something that seems like a really big deal.

I’ve seen people literally get angry over someone taking a parking spot. Some people have gotten shot over this. There is absolutely no way to justify a brutal violent act like that,

Seeing Things With God’s Perspective

Th idea that the Spirit of God works through our circumstances and choices, through the things that happen to us, had given me a helpful perspective from which to view my own lit and the lives of those around me.

Perspective is important. Our decisions and how we live our lives are based on how we see things. In that sense, perspective is more important than reality.

God is continentally teaching me to see with new eyes. The prophet Isaiah tells us the rebellious people have ears that can’t hear and eyes that can’t see, and hearts that don’t understand.

God encourages us to see with the eyes of our hearts. Seeing with God’s perspective is an ongoing challenge for everyone. And learning to see things with God’s eyes is important. God sees our hearts, or souls.

There’s a saying that goes, “When you start looking at people’s hearts instead of their faces, life becomes clear.“

I am continually reminded what shapes my life. In the midst of everything I realize how far from perfect I am and how little I have obtained, but keep pressing on, away from everything in my past that distracts me and move toward everything that gives me life today and in the future. This way of looking at my life keeps me going. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is key.

Our lives are like rivers. They seldom go in a straight line for very long. We adapt to the ongoing changes and circumstances, some of which come at us suddenly, and some gradually. When we look at our lives from this vantage point the truth of Romans 8:28 is seen.

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God for those who are called according to His purpose.”

When times are hard we know why, so we can make sense of our circumstances and move on. Knowing He sees from a far more distant horizon called eternity. Our lives become a beautiful pattern of journeying with God. Nothing is wasted, nothing is unimportant to God. The explanations of what we are going through may be inadequate to the larger spiritual meaning of our journey. God is always charting a new course creating something original with our lives -something of eternal significance that will only be apparent to us at the end.

Isaiah 55 points us to the idea that God’s ways and thoughts are beyond us. He sees things from a higher perspective. From a higher altitude.

Life Is But A Weaving

Increasing Comfort In Daily Life

What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?

There are a practices I do everyday for comfort. From that first sip of coffee in the morning to reading my Bible and meditating on God Word. My long baths with a cup of red wine in the evening. These daily practice give me comfort in my daily life.

Living With The Mind Of Christ

One of my greatest revelations of my life is: I can choose my thoughts and think things on purpose. I don’t have to think about whatever enters my mind.

This was life changing for me. Proverbs 23-7 says,

“For as he thinks in his heart so he is…”

So, where the mind goes, the man follows. God is concerned about what’s in our hearts, which is our inner life. Our inner life is what we think about. The way we think determines how we live and who we are. That’s why we need to think about what we are thinking about.

It’s important for us to understand this because if we don’t learn how to take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus, we won’t live the life Jesus died for us to have. Peace with God gives is peace with ourselves. It comes down to choosing to believe what God says as truth more that we believe our feeling, what other people say about us or our circumstances.

The Bible tells us three things we must do to develop a mind that agrees with God.

“Set your minds and keep them set on what is above” – Colossians 3:2 (AMP).

This is the key to resisting temptation. When we make up our minds ahead of time about what we will and won’t do, then when temptation comes, we have laid a foundation to make the right choices and are more likely to successfully overcome those temptations. For instance, before you get into social situations, decide you’re not going to gossip. I’m not going to ruin someone else’s reputation and offend God. Other situations include “I’m not going to eat candy today, or I’m not going to hang out with people who are a bad influence. The point is we won’t want to wait until the temptation arises and then react based on how we feel at the time.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” – Romans 12:2

Renewing the mind is an ongoing process. Every day we need to take the time to study God’s Word so we can purposely think according to what it says. We cannot keep one or two junky areas in our thought lives because it keeps us from being the best that God has for us. We don’t have to be perfect with this, but we need to be a work in progress each day so we can keep our minds renewed and grow in our relationship with God.

“Gird up the lions of your mind…” – 1 Peter 1:13

What the heck is that you’re probably thinking? It’s basically we need to get the junk out of our minds out of our way so we can keep running our race in with Jesus and have the victory God wants us to have. Then we are ready to follow God’s plans for our lives.

We can accomplish these three directions from God to have a thinking session every day. Spend time every day to think about some things on purpose and think about the scriptures that renew your mind with the truth about what God says about Him love for you, His plan for you, and the life He wants you to have.

Look up words you don’t understand and find scriptures that cover areas where you are struggling (Psalms is a good place to start) write them down if you have to and place them in places where you will see them every day.

This is how I changed my thoughts and perspective from being a sad, horrible, selfish person to being a happy, loving person.

If you will commit to set your mind on God’s Word, renewing your mind with truth and get rid of “stinkin thinken” put of your way, then you will experience fullness of new life we all can have with Jesus.

All it takes is a little progress one day at a time.

Biblical Warnings To Take Seriously

People who have undeniable faith in God turn to the wisdom and guidance turn to the Bible. When they study His teachings, memorize scriptures, and strive to follow and obey His commands it leads to improved lives.

However, there are some warnings that everyone tends to ignore, but these warnings can have serious consequences if not heeded. Here are a few:

Don’t Be Deceived

The Bible reminds us to be vigilant of false teachers who try and receive us with their teachings. Jesus warned His disciples, saying,

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves” – Matthew 7:15

In 1 John 4;2 we read not to believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. We need to be discerning and test everything we hear against the truth of God’s Word. Especially today, so many people rely on someone else to tell them things, which deceives them.

Don’t Be Greedy

The Bible warns us against the love of money and the pursuit of wealth. Jesus said to His disciples:

“Watch out and guard yourselves against every form of greed, for even when one has an overflowing abundance does his life consist or not is it derived from his possesses” – Luke 12:15 (AMP)

In 1 Timothy 6:10 Paul said “For the love of money is the root of all evil”

Some people eager for money have wandered from faith and pierced themselves with much grief. We need to be content with what we have and trust in God to provide for our needs.

There’s a saying that goes, “If God is all you have, you have everything you need.”

Avoid Sexual Sin

The Bible reminds us to stay away from sexual immorality and impurity. Paul wrote,

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body” -1 Corinthians 6:18 (AMP

Hebrews 13:4, tells us,

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

Control Your Anger

The Bible warns us against anger and the danger of holding grudges. Jesus told His disciples,

“But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother (or sister) without cause will be in danger of judgment. Whoever says to the brother, ‘You good for nothing!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!‘ will be in danger of the fire of Gehinnom” (Hell) -Matthew 5:22

Paul says in Ephesians 4:26-27, “ In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, do bit give the devil a foothold.”

We need to forgive others as God had forgiven us and not let anger control our lives.

Beware Of Pride

The Bible warns us against pride and the danger of thinking too highly of ourselves. Jesus warned,

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble“ -James 4:6

We need to humble ourselves before God and others and seek to serve others instead of seeking our own glory.

Forgive Others

The Bible warns us against forgiveness and the danger of holding grudges. Jesus warned His disciples saying,

“If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” -Matthew 6:14-15 (AMP)

Worship Only God

The Bible warns us against idolatry and the danger of putting anything before God. The first commandment is,

“You shall have no other gods before me“ – Exodus 20:3

Paul again warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:14, to “ Flee from idolatry.

When we worship only God everything else will fall in place.

Don’t Be Lazy

The Bible warns us against laziness and the danger of wasting our time and talents. Solomon wrote,

“Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; which having no chief, overseer or ruler, provides her bread in the summer, and gathers het food in the harvest” -Proverbs 6:6-8

Paul also warned,

“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat“ – 2 Thessalonians 3:10

We need to use our time and talents wisely and work hard for the Lord.

Believe In Jesus Christ

The Bible warns us against unbelief and the danger of rejecting God’s truth. Jesus warned,

“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” -John 3:18

Paul wrote,

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God” -Hebrews 3:12

Be Genuine In Your Faith

The Bible warns us against hypocrisy and the danger of pretending to be something we are not. Jesus warned His disciples saying,

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” -Matthew 6:1

Paul also warned saying,

“Be careful that you don’t do charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a shofar (trumpet) before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward” – Matthew 6:1-2

When you give -give quietly. And don’t pass judgment on others for their giving.

Mark 12:42-44 tells about the poor widow who put in two coins in the offering plate that had no source of income after her husband’s death. Her offering was much more than the rich men who dropped loose coins that they did not depend on, the widow gave all she had.

It is not the money that is given, but rather the sacrifice made in the offering.

Hope For The Downtrodden

I was noticing today how many people I’ve talked to that said they were tired. But I feel the better word for what they are feeling is downtrodden. Treated very badly by people of power, but do not gave the ability or the energy to do anything about it. Yes, I think that about sums his up.

We are all running a little tired right now. When we buy something for ourselves like a new cell phone or tablet, the feeling is amazing. The device runs fast and the battery seems to last forever. But our old device doesn’t work as well as it used to. You put on the charger at night and the next day it might be charged to 80%, and then it gets worse from there.

That’s a pretty good description of a lot of people right now. The last few years have been difficult for all of us. We’ve been in a burnout.

Along with covid, masks, social distancing, to riots, and the stressful inflation on everything, crime in the streets. These year’s has affected everyone differently.

Let me give you a little hope, in Isaiah 40 God’s people were in exile. It was intended for people who rebelled and had the destruction of God’s land -Isreal. They felt demoralized, exhausted, hopeless, and on the edge of despair. They felt like God had abandoned them, and there was no future left.

Isaiah 40 starts out by saying,

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her.”

God’s people needed comfort at this point. They were tired and discouraged and needed hope. And that’s what God gives them. We end up with one of the more encouraging verses in all of scripture.

God’s people need to start looking at what God is doing and not what’s going on the news, or social media. There is reason for us go hang in there when we feel tired.

Isaiah 40:1-26 tells us that we should not give up because there is nobody who compares in majesty to our God. When you get a glimpse at who God is and what He is willing to do for you, that He comes to you in overwhelming glory to restore what js broken, and conform you.

Our greatest need we have in this broken and discouraging world is to lift our eyes and see God for who He really is. God is our only hope, and the worse the world gets, the more we need Him.

It is in God’s strength that we not only endure what’s going on around us but also advance. To find hope for our tired souls we need only look up and away from our situations. We can rely on His promises with expectancy, confidence, faith, and trust. And “He will lift us up on eagles wings so that we can run and not be weary, walk than not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).

For The Sake Of Harmony

What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?

In life, harmony is an important goal. It’s a state of peaceful coexistence. One thing I try to get rid of is one thing I think we can let go of in society today. And that’s the need to always be right. I see situations where ego gets in the way of resolving conflicts. People tend to stubbornly hold onto their beliefs and opinions. While it’s fine to have strong beliefs in things we have gotten farther and farther away from accepting other people’s differences. There is so much hate these days because of one person not believing in this or that. We need to talk to each other without screaming and violence and work on things to make it better. I may not have the same beliefs or opinions as someone and that’s okay. I’m not going to hate someone for it or try and shove my beliefs or opinions down someone’s throat. It’s okay to disagree and still have respect for each other. We need to relearn or learn that in society.

Favorite Music

What is your favorite genre of music?

My musical preference is country legends like Hank Williams Sr and Johnny Cash. But I also like Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Bob Seger. I also have a thing for Messianic Worship songs. It just depends on what I’m feeling like on a given day.

Music is what go me though my childhood. I helped me cope with everything that happened. The old legends today help me remember the good times I had with my father. The old Rock and Roll just feels good to my soul, and the Messianic Music calms my spirit and helps me worship God.

Music is so many different things to so many people. But no matter what genre we listen to it has the ability to change our moods, and helps is process our feelings, heal, inspire, and soothe our souls.

Freedom From Bondage

Freedom is a liberating moment when someone is released from a force, influence, and power that has dominated their lives. Before freedom, there was a restraint of personal liberty, involuntary servitude, slavery, or captivity in one form or another, which when freed from its grip, gives someone reason to shout and be thankful.

When God gives us that liberating moment it feels like a heavy weight has been lifted off of us. In Psalm 40:1-2 David reveals freedom from bondage,e

“I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.”

David waited continually with constant patience, hope, and firm expectation, for help and assistance and for God’s deliverance.

God gives us freedom from bondage with provision and protection. Psalm 23 expresses clearly the role of God as our protector and provider in life. God is compared to a shepherd and His children are His sheep. We are His sheep who should be dependent on Him as the Shepherd provides us with provision and protection.

“The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want…He restores my soul“ -Psalm 23

Freedom from bondage only comes when we realize we are in a condition of bondage. Bondage is the power of physical corruption against the freedoms of life. Any believer in God who fails to fight and fortify sin, allows sin to dominate them.

Many people are being held in captivity towards the sinful side of themselves, not realizing it even relishing in its pleasures, and are good of conscience or conviction against it. Enslaved to that which condemns their soul to eternal damnation rather than heavenly gain. They are brought into captivity (bondage) of the devil, out of which nothing but the power of God, and Jesus can release them.

Those who have gained victory over sin, become the servants of obedience unto righteousness. They have a new life with Jesus, a new beginning and live righteously in His sight.

Paul wrote in Romans 6:22,

“Now being made free from sin (freedom from bondage of such) and become servants to God (no longer to sin), have your fruit into holiness and have everlasting life.”

Proverbs 5:22 reveals to us,

“The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly.”

It is noted that someones iniquities is the snare or new in which they become so entangled that they cannot release themselves not are able to shake off the shackles of the bondage of their sins.

They will be held with the cords of sin which becomes more in bondage with constant indulgence increasing it’s hold. With the person’s individual conscience becomes seared towards retaining it with no desire for freedom from bondage and becoming enslaved to it.

Paul wrote in Romans 6:23,

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Messiah, Yeshua our Lord.“

It is noted that the penalty for sin is death, both spiritual and physical. The moment Adam and Eve sinned they died spiritually of what was provided before that time. Sin became a reality to them, and to all generations, from that day forth.

Physical death is described as the separation of body and spirit with someone in an unsaved state, having to face a second death portrayed as the lake of fire. The only escape from the second death which is literally burning in hell is to receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus as one’s Savior, who provided atonement for our sins, through His shed blood on the cross.

Sin will do three things to us,

1. It will take us where we never intended to go.

2. it will keep us longer than we intended to stay.

3 It will cost us more than we intended to pay.

Sin is a costly business that separates us from God, whereas repentance from our hearts brings forgiveness and restoration with God, through His Son Jesus,

Paul wrote in 2 Peter 2:19,

“Promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.”

This is not Christian liberty, where in lies freedom from bondage of sin and it’s dominion.

It is a license to immortality, to walk away from the Word of God, to live in a manner of sin and wickedness, which eventually leads pro the confines of a literal burning hell. Such entrapment and way of thinking is by those who promise like berty while they themselves are in bondage.

They corrupt all others and particularly lust of uncleanness, which they walk in. For of who man is overcome, of the same is brought into bondage after having entertained the ways of sin and become a prisoner themselves, such is neither a free man, not can they promise liberty to others.

Jesus said in John 8:32, 34

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits a sin is the bondservant of sin.”

The truth of the gospel is acknowledgment and adherence to it, will lead one away from the captivity of sin, while others who are learning and never coming to the acknowledgment of the truth are blinded and will continue in the errors of their ways.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4,

“Even if our Good News (the gospel) is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying; in whom the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Messiah, who is in the image of God, should not dawn on them.”

Many today have been blinded to the truth of the Gospel message allowing the sinful side of man to be more prominent in their life than the life-saving message of Jesus.

There is a cultural drift toward doing what is right in one’s own sight rather than adhering to the Word of God.

Proverbs 14:12 says,

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.“

God calls us to love all. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:24,

“The servant of the Lord must not participate in quarrels but must be kind to everyone (even-tempered) preserving peace, and he must be skilled in teaching, patient, and tolerant when wronged.” -Amp

God wants His people to be free from the bondage that readily ensures one in modern-day culture.

He gave us His best, an atonement sacrifice for our sins, through His Son. Who delivered us from the power of darkness (Satan) and has given us an opportunity to transfer us into His kingdom of His dear Son, in whom we have deliverance through His blood, and the forgiveness of sins.

My Most Memorable Vacation

Describe your most memorable vacation.

My most memorable vacation was this year. We went to Las Vegas with my daughter and her husband. For mine and my husband’s 35 wedding anniversary. When we arrived the hotel desk gave us the wrong room so she switched it the next day we went to get something to eat and enjoy the sites. When we arrived back to our room someone had gone in the taken all of our things -our things our were completely gone.

When went back to the hotel desk clerk she said the lady the day before didn’t put our room change in the computer and they thought we were squatters. Security had our things. When we went to security they told us some of our things had been thrown away.

My husband has a nasty habit oh chewing tobacco, and he had just bought new. They said they threw the tobacco away. So we lost about $80 worth of tobacco. Why would they throw brand-new things away? Seems suspicious to me.

No one likes having their personal items gone through. I am the same, some strange men touching my underwear just creeps me out. It was an awful circumstance for what was supposed to be a good time.

For Those Who Don’t Give Up

Psalm 11

“In the Lord I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, ‘flee as a bird to your mountain!’ For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the unright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple. The Lord is on His throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence His soul hates. On the wicked, He will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is “righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see His face.“

The an old hymn that begins with the words, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.” By Louis Armstrong, I’m sure that song has resonated with a lot of people over the years, because there is one constant in life -trouble.

We are certainly living in troubled times. Our world is becoming more and more divided. The riots, the pandemic, genocide and lawlessness abound. Trouble is not a new issue. Nearly 1000 years before Jesus walked the earth, King David brought his troubles to God by praying the Psalms. And today we can use the Psalms to assist us in praying during times of trouble.

On one hand, we have an impulse to turn to God in times of trouble, but on the other hand we have the desire to run away and hide from what it taking place.

“In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me flee like a bird to the mountains.”

As human beings, it’s easy to run away and hide from the troubles we face. In America, drugs are running rampant, alcohol sales are through the roof, and sexual immorality is at an all-time high.

Charles Spurgeon said that “sinning times have always been the saints praying times.”

The Psalms do not minimize the level of trouble. But they describe what is at stake when troubles come.

Human beings today are not just having bad days, our troubles are as real as life and death. The foundations of civil and moral life are crumbling and the future well-being of people is at stake.

“For behold, the wicked bend their bow, the have set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?

There is an internal battle that goes on within people during difficult times. We can fight, for what is taking place across our world in many varied forms or we can run away from the problems. The third option and the best is to connect with God in prayer and receive His guidance in these troubled times. I will never be about riots and picket signs. But I am about smacking the devil in the face with God’s Word.

God is never far from us. He is the Lord of the universe and He sees and knows what we need.

“The Lord is in His Holy temple; the Lord is on His throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine.”

When Peter was about to face the most difficult time of his life in Luke 22:31-32 Jesus said, “Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when inc you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

We are being “sifted” by the troubles of this world, we can ask Jesus to pray for us. Rather than run away from the troubles we encounter. We can always call on Jesus who “always lives to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25).

I decided along time ago that I was not going to let satan win. And I will always stick to those words.

In Genesis 18:25 Abraham asked God, “Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just? God is the judge of all the earth and He does do what is just. God’s just abs righteous justice demands that those who oppress others receive appropriate punishment for the way they have treated the people less powerful.

“The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and him to love violence His soul hates. On the wicked, He will rain blazing coals, fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

How does God respond when people use their power to oppress others? He says, If your neigh cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate” (Exodus 22:27). God hears the cries of the oppressed and will respond with justice.

As we face trouble that causes us to lose sleep or cry at night, we know that God sees, hears, and responds to our anguish.

Our great opportunity and goal should be to behave in the way Jesus both lived and taught. Being people who live a “Jesus-kind of life.” and live righteously.

“For the Lord is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see His face.”

May our troubles always cause us to run to the very fact of God, rather than to the diversions and distractions of the world.

What advantage is it to have God’s mighty power if we don’t make use of it in times of trouble? As our works us being “sifted,” lets make use of Jesus.

Charles Spurgeon

God’s Opinion Matters

There are a few people in my life whose words are meaningless to me. I love them and see them as someone in need of Jesus. But when they speak, I know from my observation that their words are probably deceptive and wrong. I don’t pay much attention to their opinions, and I would certainly not follow their counsel.

I’m sure that’s true of you too. But there is One who’s opinion matters. The One from who every word is wisdom and righteousness and mercy and justice all combined.

Seeking God’s opinion results an a heart attitude.

“Great piece have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” – Psalm 119:165

People have peace because their lives are not standing on the shifting sands of culture or circumstances but on the sovereign, never-changing promises of that One who is above all. And they do not stumble beytney are following the Good Sheppard who leads them in all the right paths for His name’s sake,

Having a heart attitude towards God’s Word is very simple. If you cherish His Word, you will make time to playfully read it and gladly obey what He says. It’s the source you run to first for direction. It will assume the highest place in your heart and mind. It is not merely a value for the Bible, it is your value of God Himself.

If you are against God He will be against you.

“Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned” – Psalm 34:21