Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
What good does getting angry do you? When was the last time that you became angry at some business for how they were treating you? When you blew your top, did you get any better […]
Proverbs 8:9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
In this passage we are hearing the voice of wisdom. Wisdom declares that the words that she speaks are truth and that there is no wickedness or abomination that comes out of her lips. Wisdom declares that her words […]
Proverbs 6:19 and he that soweth discord among brethren.
The seventh item in the list of seven abominations unto the Lord is one who stirs up strife among those who should be at peace. The word brethren is a broad term; its meaning would safely stretch anywhere between a physical brother all the way to two […]
Psalms 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Is it your heart’s cry to understand who God is? Do you take the time to discern what God is doing in your life? It is easy to say that you are a Christian, but […]
Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Is God first in your life? There are a lot of things on this earth that are desirable, but nothing compares with God. Some people desire long life, others riches, and some fame, but God […]
Psalms 63:5-6 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Are you satisfied with God? Are you content with where God has you today? Are you at […]
Psalms 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
To often Christians look at scriptures such as this and they claim the promises that God has made in the verse. In this case, you can hear a Christian say, Lord you have promised to give me strength […]
Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
David was a man of war. On many occasions he put his life in jeopardy as he fought the Lord�s battles. Yet despite the fact that he was a man of war, he had the understanding that God was with him. David was not worried about what man could do to him; instead, he trusted in the Lord and allowed God to show HIMSELF strong in his life.
David understood that when he went out to battle that he was in a position that he might lose his life. However, there was a different safety that David was more concerned about. David was concerned about ensuring that his relationship was right before God so that he could cry out to God and find the peace that passeth all understanding. David understood that God could give him a place of refuge in the midst of the storm.
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
All around you people are trying to find purpose for their life. They are looking for happiness in relationships, in material possessions and in occupations. However, the harder they try, the more they fail to find true peace for their lives. It does not matter what they do they are never content.
Those who are of the world fail to realize that as long as they are a slave to sin, they will never find the true meaning for their life. However, all they have to do is accept Christ�s gift of salvation and they can be freed from the chains that enslave them. By accepting Christ�s gift of salvation, you no longer were a slave to sin but became a servant of God. It is your choice to do that which is right in the eyes of God.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
The world is full of turmoil yet Christ promises you rest. You cannot obtain Christ�s rest for your soul simply because you profess to be a Christian, you must take the time to take up Christ�s yoke and to learn more about HIM. In order to learn more about Christ, you must be proactive; you must take the time to study the ways of God so that you understand how HE expects you to live. Unless you learn about the power of God, you are never going to understand Christ�s yoke for you.
Acts 28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, an said that he was a god.
Paul was a prisoner traveling to Rome where he was to stand trial before Caesar. However, the ship that Paul was traveling on was just wrecked and he had swam to shore along with all the other prisoners and soldiers on the ship. It was cold and rainy but you did not find Paul sitting by the fire trying to warm himself. Instead, you found Paul serving others and putting the needs of others before his own needs. Paul was gathering wood and placing it on the fire so that his fellow shipmates could stay by the fire and keep warm. However, as Paul was placing some wood on the fire, a viper latched onto his arm. Paul calmly shook the viper into the fire.
Acts 7:59 - 60 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Stephen was being martyred for his belief that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and that HE died and was raised from the dead and now sitting at the right hand of God. Stephen had preached the simple gospel and it had been rejected. Stephen understood he was about to lay down his life for the cause of Christ. Rather then struggle and fight for his life, Stephen understood the hope that resided within him and as such, he was able to go to his death with great peace.
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Three times in one night, Jesus came before HIS Father and asked HIM to change HIS will regarding Jesus� death on the cross. Jesus understood that it was HIS Father�s will for HIM to die so that the world might have the opportunity to be free. However, Jesus understood that when HE died, HE would be taking on all the sins of the world and that because of this sin, HE would lose fellowship with HIS Father for a period of time. Nonetheless, Jesus understood the important principle that HE was not on this earth to fulfill what was expedient for HIM but that HE was on this earth to glorify HIS Father.
Jesus made three requests that God take death away from HIM. Yet, when God did not remove the task set before HIM, Jesus with joy did endure HIS cross and did lay aside HIS own will so that HIS Father might be glorified through HIM. Jesus had the power to stop HIS crucifixion yet HE demonstrated great faith by restraining HIS own passions and allowing God�s will to be done through HIM.
Walking in faith is not always going to be easy. You may spend countless hours in prayer discovering the will of God for your life only to find out that God�s will is not your personal plan. It will be during these difficult times of soul searching that you will need to learn to yield your own will and to make your desire to do the will of God. Jesus, the Son of God prayed three times approximately one hour each time that God change HIS mind. Jesus knew how to pray, and HE had a close relationship with God. Yet, when Jesus understood that God was not going to change HIS will regarding the crucifixion, Jesus by faith, followed God�s will.
God�s ways are not always your ways. By faith you will determine God�s will and you will pursue it. It takes great faith to yield up your own plans in order to do the will of the Father. Nonetheless, as you learn to do God�s will for your life, you will experience the peace that passeth all understanding. You will experience the power of God in your life that you never imagined. You will experience results from your ministry that you never thought possible.
Jesus took the time to develop a relationship with HIS Father. Jesus could have been out performing miracles hoping that HIS good works would win God�s grace to extend the deadline for HIS death. However, Jesus understood that HIS ministry flowed from HIS relationship with God. If HE did not have a proper relationship with God, HIS ministry of great faith would be in vain. That is one reason why Jesus took the time to learn how to communicate with God.
How is your personal relationship with God today? Have you been seeking the Lord�s will for your life and then doing it? Have you yielded your personal rights to do what you desire to do so that God might be glorified through you? You must understand that God is looking to use people who will make it a priority in their life to develop a relationship with HIM. God does not care for all the things you can do for HIM if you are not taking the time to develop a relationship and to do those things that are HIS will for your life.
II Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Timothy was instructed that he could not be like every other young man. Timothy was to have different goals for his life. Timothy was not to subject himself to the lusts of the world as others did. Instead, Timothy was to fill his time pursuing righteousness, faith, charity, and peace with those who have a pure heart.
Timothy was not to be like everyone else. Just because everyone else does it, it does not make it right. It is not easy going against the grain, to stand-alone for the cause of Christ, but that is exactly what Paul was asking Timothy to do. Paul was asking Timothy to be an example among the believers by avoiding those sins that plagued young men at that tie. Timothy was to flee, to get away from, to have no part of these sins. Timothy was to set his life apart for the Lord.
However, when you do not do what everyone else is doing, it does create a vacuum of time in your life that others do not have to worry about. What was Timothy to do with his time now that he was having no part of youthful lusts? Timothy was instructed to flee lusts but to associate himself with those who have a pure heart. What was he to do with those who had a pure heart? Timothy was instructed to pursue the things of God.
It is harder to yield to the lusts of the world when you are by yourself; that is probably why Paul desired that Timothy pursue the things of God with someone who has a pure heart. Timothy would have a better chance to flee lusts since he had accountability with another individual to pursue the things of God.
Timothy was instructed to pursue the righteousness of God. He was to live his life in a manner that God would approve of his life, not because of who Timothy was, but because of who God was in the life of Timothy. Timothy was instructed to pursue faith. This means that he should be striving to live each day of his life drawing closer to God and hearing the Lord�s voice and seeking ways that he could obey the Lord. Then upon seeing the Lord�s provision, protection and direction, Timothy and his accountability partner would be in a position to see their faith grow as they shared their testimonies.
Timothy was instructed to pursue love. He was to learn to love the Lord with all his heart and to love his neighbor as himself. By filling his life full of love for others, he would not have time to pursue the lusts of this world. Timothy was instructed to pursue peace. This means that Timothy was to learn to develop a tranquil state of his soul and to learn to be content with whatever God brings his way.
Satan does not want you to follow after the things of God. Instead, he desires that you waste your time with the things of this world. This means that he will try to distract you from the things of God by filling up your life with things that just eat up your time. Find an individual who is seeking the Lord and spend your time with them pursuing God. Together you will be in a position that enables you to avoid the entrapments of this world and will give you the strength to pursue the things of God. Together you can learn to put others before yourself. Together you can learn to increase your faith.
Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Paul salutation to the church of Ephesus reminds us of what is important in the church today. Paul started out by giving them a simple blessing of peace. Paul knew that even though things could be in turmoil, God�s peace could still exist even in the midst of the storm. It is critical that the brethren remember the peace of God in their life and that they do not become distracted by all the storms that surround them.
