Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Prepare for a Test

8/31/2015

"But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside." -Job 23:10-11 (NASB)

Testing and results are part of teaching and learning. In recent history, the tests have come to mean a lot more to students' and teachers' futures than they have in the past. In many schools, preparing for testing has taken on a whole meaning and importance of its own. While arguments can be made for and against testing in our schools, we need to be prepared for tests in our lives and spiritual education.

Job was one person who endured more than his fair share of testing. Job was a faithful servant to God and both God and the devil noticed. As we consider our lives, we should long for God like Job did. We should talk to God and try our best to stay on His path so we can emerge as gold. We should hold onto God, not turning aside, even when things don't look the best from our point of view. God is always with us and He will see us through!

Rely on God so you are always prepared for a test!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving and supporting me. Help me to stay close to You with my feet on Your path so I can pass any test I face in life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Ready Response

8/30/2015

"When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, 'Who is this?' And the crowds were saying, 'This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.'" -Matthew 21:10-11 (NASB)

He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'" -Matthew 16:15-16 (NASB)

As Christians, our lives are to reflect the love of God and Jesus. While we are not perfect, we should strive to speak and act in ways that let others see our belief and redemption through Jesus. We should also be ready to respond when someone asks us about Jesus!

If our words and actions are filled with God's love, they may set us apart from the world. Being set apart from the world may cause people to ask questions about our faith, about our love for and belief in Jesus and His sacrifice for our sins. As Jesus rides into our lives and the lives of those around us, we may be asked who He is and we should be ready to respond in a way that can bring everyone closer to God. The crowds in Jesus' day identified Him as a prophet, but we know more of the story. We know, much like Simon Peter, that Jesus is the one and only Son of God sent to die as a sacrifice for all of our sins so that we can be redeemed. Think about who Jesus is in the Bible and in your life.

Have a ready response when someone asks about Jesus!

Prayer:

Dear God-
Thank You for sending Jesus to die for me. Thank You for allowing me to know Him. Please help me to always have answers ready for any questions I may be asked about You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Thoughts and Intentions

8/29/2015

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." -Hebrews 4:12-13 (NASB)

It would be easier in life in words and actions were always what they seemed, but they aren't. Sometimes what seem to be kind and thoughtful actions are driven by less than honest desires. Other times words and actions that seem hurtful are not intended to be so. When we consider our own words and actions, we should remember that God always knows what is in our heart and soul.

The precision of God's word is better than the best surgeon with the sharpest scalpel. God can divide our soul and spirit. He always knows the intentions of our heart. Even if we think we can fool those around us, we can't hide our intentions from God. As we continually strive to live better, more Godly lives, we need to begin by looking at our hearts. God's word is active and can impact our lives. We need to look at our thoughts and intentions before we speak or act. We need to talk to God and listen to His response. We need to be honest and truthful with God, with ourselves, and with all of those around us!

Talk to God and keep the thoughts and intentions of your heart in line with His will!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You the love for me that you demonstrate in Your care for me and my soul. Help me to know and be honest about the intentions of my heart and help me to keep my intentions in line with Your will. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Strong and Courageous

8/28/2015

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:8-9 (NASB)

Being strong and courageous can be difficult. Sometimes we sit and worry about how we will deal with a situation or challenges that we face. While we are worrying, we may let solutions pass us by. Instead of worrying, we should follow the advice that Joshua received!

God gives us His Word so we can learn from it and act on it. We need to begin with knowing and meditating on the laws that God has given us. He has established morality for all of us. He has established a pathway to prosperity for each of us. He is with us wherever we go. Once we meditate on His law, talk to Him through prayer, and act courageously on our learning, we can be assured that God will lead us to success!

Be strong and courageous by meditating on God's Word and talking to Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me Your Word and for allowing me to talk to You. Please continue to show me Your will through Your Word and communication. Please guide me in Your path for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Clinging

8/27/2015

"You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name." -Deuteronomy 10:20 (NASB)

There are times that can be difficult for us whether we are parents or children. My family is experiencing this as my daughter heads off for her first day of kindergarten. As parents, we are nervous for and in disbelief that our little girl is growing so quickly. My daughter is also anxious, even to the point of tears. While we would all like to cling together and freeze time as it is, we need to let go and grow together.

As we give each other space to grow, it is reassuring that we never have to let go of God. No matter where we are or who we are with, God is with us. When we face being away from loved ones for a time, whether short or long, we have God to comfort us. In all we do we should respect and honor God and His power. In serving Him, we can cling to God and know that He is ready and willing to comfort, protect, and reassure us.

Serve and cling to God and He will guide you and protect you.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being there for me. Please comfort me and my family as we continue to grow and navigate new experiences. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Don't Rain on the Parade!

8/26/2015

"Do not quench the Spirit." -I Thessalonians 5:19 (NASB)

I haven't heard the expression in a while, but when I was younger someone might say, "Don't rain on my parade!" As I prepare to go back to school, I think about the excitement and enthusiasm on the first day of school. I need to be sure my approach to teaching builds on this excitement and doesn't rain on it!

We can see similar challenges in our churches. New ideas may challenge the status quo and often these ideas get rained on or squashed. Instead of dismissing new or different ideas, we should look at them to see if they are good and aligned with God's teaching. God may move the Spirit through our lives, shaking things up so we and His Church can grow and reach out. As long as the excitement, enthusiasm, and ideas are focused on rejoicing, praying, working for good, and avoiding evil, we shouldn't quench the moving Spirit!

Don't rain on the parade, seek God's will and be moved by His Holy Spirit!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit in my life. Help me to always know Your will and allow myself to be moved by Your Holy Spirit. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Pressures and His Spirit

8/25/2015

"No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." -I John 4:12-13 (NASB)

I admit that as my daughter prepares to go off to school, I am a little nervous. There are all of the nagging questions about her adjusting and fitting in with a new teacher and new classmates, but there are also concerns about the pressures that come from being part of a group, even if the group is kindergarten. I hope and pray that my daughter is strong enough to stand up for what she knows is right.

In our "grown-up" lives we face challenges and pressures, too. The world has certain pressures that attempt to push us away from what is right. We may even hear the question, "How do we know what is right?" We have God's Word to help us know what is right. We can know His love and we can love one another. We also know what is right because God has given us part of His Spirit. When the world starts to pressure us, we need to go back to that part of God's Spirit that dwells in us and live in His love, glory, and righteousness!

When you feel the world pushing you around, find God's Spirit that dwells in you and keeps you on the right track!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Spirit that can help me to know right and wrong. Help me to show Your love to others so we can all dwell in Your love, glory, and righteousness forever. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

What is your path?

8/24/2015

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out." -Proverbs 10:9 (NIV)

My last minute back to school shopping took me to a couple different stores. The first store was one that I rarely go to. As I wandered through the store, my route through the store involved zig-zags, circles, and meandering. The second store was one that I am more familiar with and I was able to go directly to what I needed. There are different paths that we follow in our lives, but the path in our spiritual lives should always be straight!

Proverbs reminds us that if our paths are crooked and not guided by integrity, then others will see our devious or perverted ways. As we live, we need to work to remain on the moral and spiritual path that shows integrity. As we learn more about God and His ways, we should practice what we learn. We should be secure in walking with God, knowing that the integrity we gain from following Him will keep us from dangerous zig-zags and meanderings in our spiritual lives!

May sure your path is following integrity and God's Way so you will be secure!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for teaching me how to have integrity and morals. Please continue to guide me and keep me on Your path. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Faith to Overcome

8/23/2015

"And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, "Be taken up and cast out into the sea," it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.'" -Matthew 21:21-22 (NASB)

I recently saw an interview with one of my favorite baseball players, Andrew McCutchen. In the interview, McCutchen discussed his humble beginnings, his acceptance of Jesus, and how he approaches baseball. Andrew McCutchen relied on his faith to overcome obstacles as he became an MVP for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After he received the MVP honor, he gave God the credit for the award and discussed how he plays the game of baseball for the glory of God.

While Andrew McCutchen hasn't moved mountains, he has talked about how his faith, prayer, and relationship with God sustain him through low points. When we need somewhere to turn, we can rely on our faith. Jesus told His disciples what could be accomplished with faith and prayer. When we read the words of Jesus, they can speak to us, reminding us to have faith and, through faith, communicate with God in prayer. With faith, we can ask God for help and overcome any of the low points and challenges we might be facing in our lives.

Have faith, pray, and allow God to help you overcome challenges!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and listening to me. Please help me to stay grounded in You so I can overcome the challenges in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

True Power Not Arrogance

8/22/2015

"Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." -I Corinthians 4:18-20 (NIV)

Whether you turn on news, sports, or entertainment, you are likely to find a politician, athlete, or other celebrity being arrogant. There are times in our lives when we might be arrogant, too. It is easy to talk and sound big and important but harder to back it up through action!

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to caution them against arrogance and to remind them of the true power in God's Kingdom. We can take Paul's words as advice for our lives, too. We can think about the return of Jesus. The arrogant talk of the world around us is no match for the power of Jesus. When He returns, it will be a matter of His power over everyone and everything. We can be sure we are on the side of power and truth by reading His Word and believing in His power for salvation!

Be sure you are on the side of true power and not empty arrogance!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for using Your power to save me. Help me to always be on the side of Your power and not caught up in the empty arrogance of the world. Through Jesus, the source of my power, I pray, amen.

God-made, Not Self-made

8/21/2015

"Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.'" -Psalms 16:1-2 (NASB)

Sometimes the hardest step in our personal, professional, or spiritual growth can be asking for help. We may focus on doing it on our own or being a self-made man or woman. Our strong determination can be beneficial, but there are tomes when it can hold us back. If we look around us, we see that even our leaders that claim to be "self-made" are often surrounded with advisers and supporting staff.

When we find ourselves trying to do it all on our own, we can remember the words of the Psalmist. We can ask God to protect or preserve us and we can find refuge in God. We can also realize that the good in us and in our lives comes from God. God is the greatest adviser we can have in our lives. We can't take credit for our lives or claim to be self-made, but we can (and should) give all the glory to,God for everything we are and have in our lives!

Even when you want to claim to be self-made, remember you are something greater: God-made!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for making me all that I am. Please continue to protect me and allow me to show others the goodness of being God-made. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Light the Way!

8/20/2015

"This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." -I John 1:5-7 (NASB)

I recently completed a professional development project that lasted two years. In that time I was introduced to teaching strategies that can enhance student learning and was able to develop a detailed unit of instruction. At the end of the professional development, many participants shared the changes in our collective approach to teaching and learning. We pondered how to get others excited about all that we had learned. We needed to do more than just telling others!

Our spiritual walk can take on similar challenges. Just telling others about our relationship with God may give them insight into our relationship with God, but it doesn't fully explain the completeness and transforming nature of our relationship. More than just telling others, we need to show others. We can show others what it means to be in a relationship with God by walking in God's Light and spreading His Light to overcome all darkness. By living the light, our words become actions and our actions show love and forgiveness.

Walk in the Light so others will understand God's greatness!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for allowing me to see Your Light. Help me to shine Your Light to overcome darkness in my life and in others' lives. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Falling Flowers, Enduring Truth

8/19/2015

"For, 'All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord endures forever.' And this is the word which was preached to you." -I Peter 1:24-25 (NASB)

It may be my perception of time, but as I look at the garden, it seems like the flowers have bloomed early this year. Even though it is the middle of August, many of the flowers are dying and falling off. Changes in the world are also visible in different aspects of our society, but our faith shouldn't change!

Even though we live in a world that sees the grass and flowers come and go, we know that God is forever. Through the highs and lows of our lives, God is always there. His word isn't something that changes. Even if society tells us that we need to move away from God, we know that His Truth found in His Word are always the same and will endure forever. We can always rely on Him!

The seasons and society may change, but God's Word and Truth endure forever!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me Your Word and Your Truth to guide my life. Help me to always hold onto Your enduring Word regardless of what I am facing. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Finished Faith!

8/18/2015

"Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:2 (AMP)

Do it yourself home improvement projects can sometimes take longer than expected. Sometimes we start them, but can get in over our heads and need to call in a professional. When we consider our faith, we are blessed. In our faith, we have THE professional by our side.

Jesus is the source or author of our faith. He is the Prince sent by His Father to show us holiness in earthly form. His sacrifice on the cross allows us to be redeemed and cleansed of sin. His sacrifice finishes our faith, bringing it to maturity and perfection. Jesus was the beginning and end of the plan to save all of us. We just have to turn to Him and accept His sacrifice for us!

Jesus is the beginning and end of the plan to redeem you. Have faith and accept His sacrifice for you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Jesus to both begin and end the plan for my redemption. Please cleanse me from my sin and help me to live with You forever. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Miracles!

8/17/2015

"Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.'" -Matthew 11:4-6 (NASB)

Sometimes we pray and wait for miracles. Sometimes we wish we could just reach out and touch Jesus' clothes to be healed. While we may not be able to touch the physical being of Jesus, we can be reassured that He is with us. We can be blessed by believing in Him.

Jesus lists some of the miracles that He performed that would have meaning for John the Baptist then He offers a word of encouragement for those that believe in Him. Unlike those living in Jesus' time, we are privileged to have the whole story of the life of Jesus. When we read the Bible, we can see these and many other miracles that Jesus performed. We can also see the greatest miracle, the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of all of our sins. Because of His sacrifice and resurrection, we don't need to reach out and physically touch Jesus. He is always with us and He can still perform miracles in our lives!

Jesus performed many miracles and still bless you with miracles!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for forgiving my sin through Your Son. Please continue to be with me and perform miracles in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Forever Words

8/16/2015

"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." -Mark 13:28-31 (NASB)

Many politicians, among others, have had their recorded words come back later to "haunt" them. With the increase of personal and portable technology like cell phones and cameras, it is easy to record ourselves and others. While the technology may be convenient for capturing memories, recorded words can seem to linger forever.

Before technology, video recording, and YouTube, Jesus gave us words that will last forever. God's Word is not embarrassing. God's word is filled with truth. If we believe in God and His Son, Jesus, the words that they give us can reassure us and guide our lives. God's Word is not something that will "haunt" our lives, but will transform them for eternity!

Jesus gave us words that will last forever and that can guarantee you eternity with Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Word and for the words of Your Son. Help me to understand and follow Your Word in all I say and do. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Vindicated!

8/15/2015

"The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever - do not abandon the works of your hands." -Psalm 138:8 (NIV)

There are times when we feel attacked, beat down, depressed, or on the brink of giving up. Even in these situations, God is by our side. If we take time to reflect, we can always find reason for praising God for His works in our lives.

When we feel attacked or pushed around, we can call on the Lord to help us. We have His assurance that He will vindicate us. His vindication may not come when we want it, but it will come in His perfect time. As we call on the Lord, we should also reflect on and praise Him for all of the works of His hands in our lives. It is through His presence in our lives that we can move forward through whatever we face. Give thanks!

Give thanks to the Lord for vindicating you and enduring forever in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your promise to vindicate me and to be by my side through whatever I face. Help my life to show Your promises to others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Open Your Mouth

8/14/2015

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy." -Proverbs 31:8-9 (NASB)

It is nearing back to school time. Each year as part of our professional development, teacher are reminded that we are "mandated reporters". If we see anything that we suspect as abuse or neglect, we are required by state law to report is to the state child welfare agency. While the state mandate applies to school employees, we are given a similar mandate in Proverbs.

In Proverbs (31:8-9) we are reminded to be the voice for those that do not have a voice. While it can be easy to standby and not become involved, we are called to open our mouths to defend the rights of others. We are to discern what is righteous, what is morally right according to God, and then stand up for what is right. Standing up and opening our mouths may be difficult, but God is with us to strengthen and guide us!

Don't stay quiet. Open your mouth and defend the rights of others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being there for me, for defending me and saving me. Please guide me when to stand up and give me the strength to stand up and speak up for the rights of others. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Trash into Treasure

8/13/2015

"And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are, so that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God." -I Corinthians 1:28-29 (AMP)

Some artists make a name for themselves by creating art out of trash. Things that have been thrown away and considered useless can be re-purposed into beautiful works of art. As we consider works of art made from trash, we can think of God's ability to transform and re-purpose our own shortcomings.

God can take what we may consider trash and turn it into treasure. God can take the brokenness of our lives and make it into a story of redemption. God chooses to turn the insignificant and broken into His great works as proof that we need Him in our lives. We cannot create the works we see around us without His presence in our lives.

God is ready to turn your trash into treasure. Let Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for redeeming me. Please continue to take the trash in my life and turn it into treasure so others may see Your glory. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Works and Wisdom

8/12/2015

"O Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your possessions." -Psalms 104:24 (NASB)

My daughter recently got a spin art kit for her birthday. She has enjoyed using it to create many different works of art. When creating spin art, there is a randomness to the end product. While it is fun to place paint and await an outcome, the process of creating works with spin art are much different than the way God uses His wisdom to create.

While some may suggest that God's creation has happened due to chance and random events, the Bible tells us something much different. The works that fill the earth, from life to the miracles we can witness, come from God's amazing wisdom. God created each of us as part of His plan. He keeps us and guides us on our journeys with a wisdom that is beyond our own. If we ever start to question His plan, we can look around to see how many great works He has placed around us throughout all the earth!

In His wisdom God has created many great works. You are not a random chance, you are part of His plan!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and reminding me of Your greatness through all of the works that I can see and witness around me. Help me to follow Your plan for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Heaven Bound, but Humble

8/11/2015

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." -Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB)

There are people that react negatively to Christians. Their reactions may be due to the expectations that Christians behave perfectly, that ourselves and other believers may have shown some less than Christ-like actions, or an attitude that just because we are saved we are better we are superior. As Christians, our faith is supposed to set us apart from others, but it shouldn't give us "big heads" or make us think we are better than others.

Whether we run into negative reactions or are trying to live our lives for God, we need to learn from the attitude that Jesus showed us. Jesus was perfect, the Son of God. Even though He was perfect, He was humble. We are not perfect. Even though we are purified by God through the sacrifice of Jesus, we should still be humble. We are sinners, just like everyone else in the world. Our humble actions should show that we have been forgiven and allow others to see the path to forgiveness. We are heaven bound, but we should be humble and helping others join us on the journey!

Redeemed and heaven bound, just don't forget to be humble so others will join the journey!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for saving me. Help me to be humble and to show others Your path to forgiveness and a better, eternal life. Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray, amen.

Thank You!

8/10/2015

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving." -Colossians 4:2 (NASB)

Tonight my daughter asked if she could say grace before dinner. She began by saying "thank you" for the food and then went on to list the events of the last few days for which she was thankful. Her bedtime prayers are often the same, filled with "thank yous".

Listening to my daughter reminded me of how we need to express our thanks to God. As adults, we can sometimes get caught up in our needs and wants. When we think about what we need, we can lose sight of all that we have. We need to take time to reflect on what we have so we can pray a prayer for thanksgiving for all that God has given us and done in our lives!

Reflect on your life and then pray a prayer of thanksgiving for God's presence in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You. Thank You for all that You provide for me and for Your presence in my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Knees, Tongues, and Hearts?

8/9/2015

"For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.'" -Romans 14:11 (NASB)

My daughter's newest complaint is that her brain is sleeping. When her brain is sleeping, it doesn't want to make choices. However, even not making a choice is a choice. At the end of the day, there are consequences for the choices we made or decided not to make!

The choices that we make in our hearts will have consequences for our lives now and at the end of time. Romans (14:11) reminds us that in the end every knee will bow and tongue will confess the greatness of God. It is not saying that everyone will make that choice in their hearts before Christ's return. During their lives some people will choose to follow God, some will choose to go against God, and others will not make a conscious choice either way. When we choose to act against God or to make no choice at all, we are not choosing the path to salvation. For those that do not choose God during their lifetimes, they will recognize God's glory and will bow to Him, but it will be too late for their souls.

Be sure you have chosen God in your heart, so when your knees bow and your tongue sings praises it will be in Heaven with Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for saving me and allowing me to be with You in Heaven one day. Help me to continue to bow to You in prayer and to praise You, no matter what I might face in life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Lions and Tigers and Bears... Oh My!

8/8/2015

"Be alert and sober of mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." -I Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Toto are skipping down the yellow brick road until they become frightened by the thought of lions and tigers and bears...Oh my! As we journey through life, we each encounter our own lions, tigers, or bears. While these circumstances may cause us to stop and proceed cautiously, much like Dorothy, we don't have to travel through the dark forests alone!

When we face the roaring lions of the devil in our lives, we can be reassured of two things: 1) God is with us and more powerful than the devil and 2) Other believers are traveling through the same dark forests that we are facing. When we face the dark forest and the roaring lions, we shouldn't panic. We can call out to God and remain calm. The next thing we can do is fellowship with other believers so we have someone next to us through the journey. As we move travel our journey with other believers and rely on God for guidance and support, we can tame the roaring lions and reach our destination safely!

Don't let the roaring lions of life scare you. Call on God and travel with fellow believers to safely reach your destination!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me, for giving me other believers in my life that I can travel with, and for Your willingness to guide me and to tame the lions. Help me to always trust in Your guidance so I can safely reach my destination with You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Worthless Wealth

8/7/2015

"Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." -Proverbs 11:4 (NIV)

In society today, we are encouraged to accumulate wealth. Investments, information, money, and "stuff" in general are supposed to improve our lives, keeping us happy for longer. Even with all of the stuff we have at our fingertips, there are many that are still searching for ways to avoid death.

Proverbs (11:4) reminds us that no matter who we are or what we have, there is only one way to conquer death. Even though we cannot be righteous on our own, there is a way that we can be purified. The Good News is that the purification cannot be bought. It is not an expensive path to improving happiness and conquering death, but it does take commitment. We need to start by believing in the sacrifice of Jesus to erase our sin, then we need to ask God for forgiveness. The final step is translating our belief into action. We should live a life that is committed to and guided by God's Word and the path that He provides for us.

In the end, wealth is worthless. Conquer death through God's forgiveness and your commitment to His Way!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for purifying me from my sin. Help my life to reflect a commitment to You that will inspire others to know and love You. Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray, amen.