Glorifying God!

God designed us to bring Him glory! If we fail to give Him glory, we fail in our primary purpose!

What was Gehenna? It was the place where items that no longer served their purpose were thrown and burned.

Are you? Am I? Glorifying God?

The temptation of these last days is to “blaspheme the name of God” and to refuse to “repent and give Him glory.” [1] To doubt God! To defy and denounce Him!

Let us defy defiance of God and glory in giving Him glory! As the Psalmist said, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” [2]

As Paul said, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” [3] Let us boast about what Jesus for us on the cross!

Jesus advised us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” [4]

Let us glorify the Lord in such a way that others want to join us in bringing God glory!

[1] Revelation 16:9
[2] Psalm 34:3
[3] Galatians 3:14
[4] Matthew 5:16

Overcoming the Forces of Darkness

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” [1]

These evil principalities, powers, dark rulers, and spiritual hosts of wickedness want to keep people from believing in Christ.

“If our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” [2]

“Heavenly Father, please open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Please shine Your light upon those sitting in darkness. I as this in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ.”

I have found it helpful when witnessing to lost souls to use my authority from the Lord to bind the devil in the Name of Jesus. To plead the blood of Jesus shed for them. We overcome the forces of darkness by the blood of the Lamb. We want the Lord to pierce the darkness in their soul and reveal Himself to them. I pray the Holy Spirit to blow upon them like a mighty wind and reveal to them through my witness that Jesus Christ is indeed their Lord and Savior.

[1] Ephesians 6:12
[2] 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Jesus Christ Yesterday, Today, and Forever

The woman had a seemingly incurable illness for 12-years. The remedies given to her by many physicians had only added to her suffering. Her money was gone. Her health was growing worse day by day. Finally, news came to her of a Rabbi named Jesus. He had divine power to heal sicknesses. When she spotted Him in a crowded public area, she snuck up behind Him and touched His garment. She believed, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

She touched His garment. Immediately, she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. Praise the Lord!

Immediately, Jesus knew that power had gone out of Him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You ask, “Who touched Me?”

Jesus spotted her. The woman was afraid. She was trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told Him the whole truth. Would He condemn her? No, He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” [1]

While Jesus was still speaking with the woman, people inform a man who had previously asked Jesus to heal his daughter that the daughter is now dead. A woman was just healed from her prolonged and incurable disease, but now a father is grieving because his daughter is dead. The bearers of bad news suggest to the father, “Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

Jesus said to the father, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

When Jesus arrived at the dead girl’s home, people were in turmoil. They were crying and wailing loudly. Jesus entered the home. He diagnosed the girl as sleeping not dead. The mourners stopped their weeping long enough to ridicule Jesus. He put them outside the house. He brought the father, mother, Peter, James, and John to the child. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” The girl immediately arose and walked. She was 12 years old. The people were greatly amazed! [2]

The woman with the incurable disease and the dead girl were healed on the same day thanks to Jesus. The girl was born in the same year that the woman contracted her illness. Two ladies with unresolvable situations experienced resolve thanks to Jesus. One lady sought out Jesus and drew near and touched Him when she had the opportunity to do so. The other young lady was beyond the point of being able to ask Jesus for help. Thankfully, her father sought out Jesus, found Him and brought Jesus to her.

What unresolvable situation are you or your loved one dealing with today? Why not look to Jesus for help? Ask Him to help! Believe in His power and in His compassion. Nothing is impossible with Jesus.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” [3]

[1] Mark 5:25-34
[2] Mark 5:35-43
[3] Hebrews 13:8

United With God

“Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness...” [1]

The people were afraid. Their earthly economy and security seemed to be ending. A conquering nation was about to overcome their capital. The prophet of the Lord was in prison. The Lord gave Jeremiah a message of grace in this ominous moment. Though life as they knew it was ending, the Lord promised to be gracious to them in the new life that was coming.

“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines and shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.’” [2]

They would survive the calamities and even enjoy a time of music and rejoicing. The Lord’s everlasting love and lovingkindness towards them would be the key to their longevity.

“Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; for I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow. I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.” [3]

In the Lord’s presence, there is rejoicing and dancing. He turns mourning into joy. He greatly comforts us. He takes our sorrow and gives us His joy. He gives His goodness to us.

“I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.” [4]

This is what the Lord does. He gives us a download of spiritual replenishment.

“This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” [5]

Knowing the Lord comes on the heels of His forgiveness. When we ask the Lord to forgive our sins, He does forgive them. In fact, He forgets them. And once our sin is purged, He gives us the greatest blessing... the blessing of knowing and loving Him. God and us united!

[1] Jeremiah 31:2
[2] Jeremiah 31:3-4
[3] Jeremiah 31:13-14
[4] Jeremiah 31:25
[5] Jeremiah 31:33-34

An Amazing Savior!

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’” [1]

The four friends of the paralytic brought him to Jesus for healing. The first thing Jesus did was forgive the man’s sins. Was his sin the sin of unbelief? The Scripture says, “When He saw THEIR faith,” Jesus forgave the man’s sins.

“Some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ‘Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” [2]

The scribes were in-charge of interpreting Scripture. They questioned why Jesus pronounced the man’s sin forgiven. Without the shedding of blood there was no forgiveness according to Moses. How could Jesus declare God’s forgiveness without a priest sacrificing an animal on his behalf?

“But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, ‘Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’—He said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’” [3]

Jesus was and is God. He is the Son of God! He has the power to forgive sins. He has the power to heal dysfunctional body parts. Not only this, but He was also and is the atoning sacrifice that the Old Testament sacrifices pointed to. He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

People of faith are still bringing themselves and others to Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins and for the healing of their dysfunctional body parts. Our Lord Jesus is still forgiving sins and healing broken bodies today as we come to Him, present ourselves to Him, seek His forgiveness, and believe in His authority and ability to do miracles.

“All were amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’” [4]

Jesus is Messiah! He is the Son of God. Let us be amazed and glorify God because He does miracles like we have never seen before. He forgives our sins and heals our bodies.

[1] Mark 2:5
[2] Mark 2:6-7
[3] Mark 2:8-12
[4] Mark 2:12

Intervention Preceding From Intercession

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there... HE PRAYED.” [1]

After Jesus prayed before daylight in a solitary placed, what transpired?

“And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee and casting out demons.” [2]

Preaching happened! Demons were cast out of religious places of worship. Captives were set free. People could live and produce fruit for God once again! Praise the Lord!

“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” [3]

What does Jesus do now that He is heaven at the right hand of the Father? He intercedes for us. If the Son of God intercedes for us, should we not do the same for others? We should! Let’s join Him in His intercessory ministry, especially to pray for the Gospel to be shared with the lost and for captives of evil to be set free.

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” [4]

The Holy Spirit is also an intercessor. One day I was prayer walking here in Kirksville and the Lord said to me, “I created the world through words, but I do My ministry work among people through prayer.” So, let us pray for one another.

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” [5]

Why pray for the Lord’s people? Because we are the primary targets of the evil one. He wants to take us out so that we are no longer able to proclaim the Gospel that sets captives free from sin.

Let us boldly pray for one another, especially for our witnessing ministry. That the Lord will connect us with the right people whose hearts He has prepared to hear the Gospel. That we will have the boldness and right words to say when such opportunities open up to us. That the Lord will fill our churches with worshippers. That the Lord will produce more disciples and more laborers for the spreading of His Gospel. Let us intercede so that numerous divine interventions occur.

[1] Mark 1:35
[2] Mark 1:39
[3] Romans 8:34
[4] Romans 8:26-27
[5] Ephesians 6:18

The Lord Weighs the Hearts

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.” [1]

Assuming themselves right without checking their facts with the Lord, was the crisis during the last days of Jeremiah’s Jerusalem. The prophet had been calling them to return to loving God and to loving God’s ways, but to no avail. They did not count loving God as a factor for determining if they were on an upward or downward trajectory.

Jeremiah said: “...This is the 23rd year in which the word of the Lord has come to me; and I have spoken to you, rising early, and speaking, but you have not listened. And the Lord has sent to you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, ‘Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. Do not go after other gods to serve them and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands; and I will not harm you.’ Yet you have not listened to Me,” says the Lord, “that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.” [2]

The prosperity indicator that they ignored was God. They disregarded His importance. God spoke to their nation for 23 years through His prophet Jeremiah. In fact, He spoke to them via many of His servants, but they refused to regard His words as important.

“Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Because you have not heard My words, behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,’ says the Lord, ‘and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, against its inhabitants, and against these nations all around, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations. Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” [3]

Babylon was going to overcome them. Babylon was an actual nation in those days, but its name is also used as a metaphor in the Bible for people who exalt themselves against God and who try to be gods unto themselves. Characteristics of Babylon include the loss of mirth and gladness, the loss of weddings, the loss of production (millstone moving) and the loss of light (a metaphor for wisdom and understanding).

The Lord told the people of Jerusalem that they were about to enter a 70-year season of life in a foreign land that would induce in them a return to loving Him, loving His ways, and loving one another. God did His best with trying to coach them away from choosing the hard way back to Him, and back to one another, but in the absence of their cooperation, He allowed cruel Babylon to break through in their spiritual lives in ways that His caring prophets could not.

[1] Proverbs 21:2
[2] Jeremiah 25:2-7
[3] Jeremiah 25:8-11

LOVE

“It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.” [1]

“Heavenly Father, please grant that we would love rather than strive.”

“Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?” [2]

“Heavenly Father, please grant that we would be faithful to You... to proclaim Your goodness.”

“...Make every effort to add to your faith... mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [3]

“Heavenly Father, please restore to us and to our nation mutual affection and love. That we would be thoughtful towards one another and care for one another in neighborly ways. And may we become a people who enjoy gathering together in Your Name to worship You once again. Please breakthrough into our lives with Your amazing grace and lovingkindness. All these things, I ask in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”

[1] Proverbs 20:3
[2] Proverbs 20:6
[3] 2 Peter 1:5, 7-8

In God Alone is our Life and Hope

Rejoicing in God’s Word… being happy to be identified with Him:

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

The enemy of humanity’s soul opposes those who delight in God’s Word and speak it faithfully for people to hear it. Thankfully, the Lord is aware of the schemes of the wicked even more than we are.

 
“I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible.” Jeremiah 15:21

I Know that My Redeemer Lives (hymn by Samuel Medley, verses 3-6, 8):

He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

 
The Lord assures us that people (despite the evil one’s schemes) will come to know His hand and His might, and KNOW that HIS NAME is LORD.

“Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know My hand and My might; and they shall know that My name is the Lord.” Jeremiah 16:21

“Dear Heavenly Father, please manifest to those who don’t know You, Your truth, and the power of Your hand, the power of Your might, and that Your Name alone reigns over all creation. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.”

Preposterous Outrageous Yet Wonderful

God’s love moves Him to pursue even when we try to evade Him. He offers to us an uncommon opportunity for a renewed relationship with Him...

“They say, ‘If a man divorces his wife, and she goes from him and becomes another man’s, may he return to her again?’ Would that land not be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot with many lovers; yet return to Me, says the Lord.” [1]

“Though you have been unfaithful, return to Me.” The Lord does not want us to perish in our sin. He does not want a heaven without us, but we have to turn to Him if we want to be saved.

“...You have polluted the land with your harlotries and your wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withheld, and there has been no latter rain. You have had a harlot’s forehead; you refuse to be ashamed. Will you not from this time cry to Me, ‘My Father, You are the guide of my youth?’” [2]

Just as Adam and Eve’s sin defiled paradise, so our sins defile the places where we live. Rain being withheld can serve as a metaphor for anything that we depend on for our well-being. The Lord can withhold such blessings to make it easier for us to reconsider our need for Him. He wants us to rely on Him for help. He WANTS to be our FATHER.

“...I am merciful, says the Lord; I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God, return, O backsliding children, says the Lord; for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” [3]

The Lord assures us that if we return to Him that He will not treat us as our sins deserve. He will bring us to a better place. He will give us good shepherds who feed us excellent spiritual food.

“Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns.” [4] For seed to produce, it needs to fall on ground that has been broken up and on ground that has been cleared of weeds. These are metaphors for a heart that is tender towards the Lord and a heart that has been cleansed of the love of the world’s sinful pleasures.

“O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.” [5]

The Lord experienced much heartache for the people of Jerusalem. War was coming, but it could easily have been averted if they repented of sin and returned to the Lord.

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your outrage against betrayal. You should not be content to be treated this way. Thank You also for Your great love, mercy, and compassion towards us. That You are ready to forgive us, embrace us, identify with us, and guide us! Thank You! Praise You! Help us to love, honor and serve You as we should. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”

[1] Jeremiah 3:1
[2] Jeremiah 3:3-4
[3] Jeremiah 3:12-15
[4] Jeremiah 4:3
[5] Jeremiah 4:19

Where Is The Love?

God called Jeremiah to be a mouthpiece for Him. He reluctantly obeyed the Lord due to a sense of his youthful inexperience, but the Lord promised to be with Him.

God gave Jeremiah a lament. God’s lament was that He was a lover who loved His people well, but they were an unfaithful and kept their distance from Him.

“What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me...?” [1]

“I brought you into a bountiful country, to eat its fruit and its goodness. but when you entered, you defiled My land and made My heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ and those who handle the law did not know Me; the rulers also transgressed against Me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after things that do not profit.” [2]

“Has a nation changed its gods, which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit.” [3]

“My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” [4]

“Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the Lord your God, and the fear of Me is not in you, says the Lord God of hosts.” [5]

“I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?” [6]

“But you said, ‘There is no hope. No! For I have loved aliens, and after them I will go.’” [7]

“They have turned their back to Me, and not their face. but in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’ But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble; for according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah.” [8]

“In vain I have chastened your children; they received no correction.” [9]

“My people have forgotten Me days without number.” “Yet you say, ‘Because I am innocent, surely His anger shall turn from me.’ Behold, I will plead My case against you because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’” [10]

“The Lord has rejected your trusted allies, and you will not prosper by them.” [11]

“Dear Heavenly Father, You with Your Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are the source of pure love. Please forgive us for not loving as we should. Please help us to honor You by loving You and by inspiring others to do the same. We do love You want, but to love You more. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”

[1] Jeremiah 2:4
[2] Jeremiah 2:7-8
[3] Jeremiah 2:11
[4] Jeremiah 2:14
[5] Jeremiah 2:19
[6] Jeremiah 2:21
[7] Jeremiah 2:25
[8] Jeremiah 2:27-28
[9] Jeremiah 2:30
[10] Jeremiah 2:32, 35
[11] Jeremiah 2:37

REPENT & BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Good News of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. REPENT, and BELIEVE in THE GOOD NEWS.’” [1]

Many turned to the Lord through the ministry of John the Baptist. He was blessed with a large following. His imprisonment could have spoiled the momentum that was building, IF the people who heeded his preaching began to doubt the value of the movement of God’s Spirit. Jesus did not allow the movement to wane. He continued preaching, “The kingdom of God is hand. Repent and believe the Good News.” Don’t listen to the naysayers. Repent of pessimism! BELIEVE the GOOD NEWS!

The instruction of wisdom is to hold God in high regard. Don’t give into evil. Don’t succumb to humanity’s attempt to dethrone God! Don’t yield your tongue to perversities! Listen to what the Lord is saying! BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS of HIS REIGN...

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver. I traverse the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.” [2]

JESUS told His disciples that those who surrender that which is most precious to them for God and God’s work will prosper. They will receive a hundredfold blessing on earth and eternal life with God when this life is over...

“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” [3]

Speaking as someone who went to preach the GOOD NEWS in Hong Kong in June of 1985 with just $200 in my pocket, and a lot of faith in the goodness of God, I can say most assuredly that I have never been able to out give God. We went to Hong Kong with one baby and returned to the USA 12 years later with four children, and more than a $1,000 in our pocket. In the meantime, many lost souls heard the GOOD NEWS in Hong Kong and Guangzhou City. Many believed in JESUS. The key point here is that the Lord prospered us not for our own ego’s or vanity’s sake. He prospered us as we BELIEVED in HIS GRACE and SHARED HIS GOOD NEWS!

Let us TRUST GOD and share THE GOOD NEWS of what JESUS did for us and for the SALVATION of the WORLD!

[1] Mark 1:14-15
[2] Proverbs 8:13-21
[3] Matthew 19:29

Worshipping God Is Better Than Vanity

The definition of vanity is having a lot of pride or conceit in your appearance or achievements. It also means worthless, emptiness, or something without value just like life apart from God is nothing.

Competing with others and living for self-praise is vanity. We must be on guard from vanity.

Remember God is Your Creator. Praise and adore Him! We are made in His image. The devil got caught up in himself and began to compete with God which led to his rebellion against God and his war against God. Self-worship is vain and dangerous. If you have been vain, repent and ask God to forgive you.

“The human heart has so many crannies where vanity hides, so many holes where falsehood lurks, is so decked out with deceiving hypocrisy, that it often dupes itself.” [1]

What does the Bible say?

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” [2]

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” [3]

Don’t make yourself an idol: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” [4]

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” [5]

“Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless–like chasing the wind.” [6]

“Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return.” [7]

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways.” [8]

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to His loved ones.” [9]

“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” [10]

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” [11]

“What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” [12]

“Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” [13]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us for vain glory seeking. Help us to seek to only bring You glory all our days. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”

[1] John Calvin - biblereasons.com/vanity
[2] Proverbs 31:30
[3] Proverbs 16:18
[4] 1 John 5:21
[5] 1 John 2:16
[6] Ecclesiastes 4:4
[7] Job 15:31
[8] Psalm 119:37
[9] Psalm 127:2
[10] Galatians 5:26
[11] Philippians 2:3-4
[12] 1 Corinthians 4:7
[13] Galatians 6:14

Forsake Wicked Ways

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [1]

Great things happen when wicked people forsake wicked ways and turn to the Lord for mercy and forgiveness.

God’s thoughts and ways are far above ours...

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” [2]

But God wants to share His thoughts and ways with us to prosper us:

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” [3]

Joy and peace, singing and clapping come from the Lord to those who follow His leading:

“For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” [4]

[1] Isaiah 55:6-7
[2] Isaiah 55:8-9
[3] Isaiah 55:10-11
[4] Isaiah 55:12-13