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Why the Criticism?

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  But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your brother or regard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. Romans 14:10, AMP Why the Criticism? It’s easy to be critical of someone when we hear what they supposedly said or did that we think is wrong or is something we don’t like. But how many times are we judging things prematurely, finding fault in someone without knowing the facts, without knowing the motives, without knowing the challenges, without knowing how they were raised or what they’re dealing with? Sometimes we’re critical of things we don’t understand. We form negative opinions when it’s actually not what it looks like. We don’t know the full story, and we assume things that may not be true. If we walked in that person’s shoes, most of the time we’d be more understanding, more compassionate. Even if what we’ve heard is true, where is the mercy? Where is the grace to give people room to make mistake...
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The Lord Will Provide!

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  The Lord Will Provide Scripture: Genesis 22:14   “ So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’”  (NIV) What an incredibly intense encounter with God! Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. Nothing was more precious to Abraham than his son. Abraham had so much faith in God, and was obedient to the point of preparing to sacrifice Isaac when God, at the last moment, provided the lamb needed for the sacrifice. What can we learn from Abraham’s encounter with God? We are called upon to sacrifice the BIG “I” or SELF at the foot of the cross. We do this by trusting in God’s provision for our salvation. We renounce, reject, and repent from trusting in “self-justification” by works, behavior, or anything else for our salvation. Instead, through faith, we accept the gift of Jesus’s sacrifice of his own life on our behalf. Daily, we are called upon to put to dea...
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Real Victory

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  “The Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy.” Acts 20:23–24, NKJV Real Victory The apostle Paul was very aware of the troubles and imprisonments that were in front of him. But he also knew that real victory is not when God does everything you like. Real victory is not when God changes all your negative circumstances and fixes all the people who get on your nerves. Real victory is when all that happens, but it doesn’t bother you anymore. You’ve grown to the point where you don’t have to have all that to be happy. You’re content while God is working right where you are, knowing that He’s given you grace, not just for the good times, but grace for the tribulations. When there’s pressure, when people betray your trust, when doors won’t open, your attitude is: “I’m going to keep running my race with joy despite what’s coming against...
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Boasters, Be Careful!

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  Boasters, Be Careful Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6 “ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. ” (NKJV) God is the source of everything. Such a remembrance keeps the person who is being blessed from thinking they have produced the successful outcome of any endeavor. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul makes it clear that the increase or the prosperity of any endeavor comes from God and not from us. The farmer plants the crop, but God gives the increase through the proper amount of rain, sunshine, and temperature. Elsewhere in Scripture we read that God gives us the power to make or generate wealth. God is the one who teaches us how to profit and he leads us in the way we should go. I review these passages often, reminding myself that any perceived success I experience comes from and belongs to the Lord. Honor, praise, and glory belong to him alone. The Christian walk is one of communion with God as he continuously reveals himself to us. Scripture says that the secrets of the L...
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Job 2:1-13!

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  Introduction Job 2:1–13: Satan challenges God to increase Job’s suffering, and Job is afflicted with bodily sores. Friends of Job arrive to comfort him. Today’s Key Verse: Job 2:10b GNT [Job said:] “When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?” Read 2 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord again, Satan was there among them.  2  The Lord asked him, “Where have you been?” Satan answered, “I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth.” 3  “Did you notice my servant Job?” the Lord asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil. You persuaded me to let you attack him for no reason at all, but Job is still as faithful as ever.” 4  Satan replied, “A person will give up everything in order to stay alive.  5  But now suppose you hurt his body—he will curse you to your face!” 6  So the L...
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Here I am , Lord. Send Me!

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  Here I am, Lord. Send Me!” Scripture: Isaiah 6:8 “ Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’”  (NLT) “Are you available?” We need to ask ourselves this question. Often, we don’t want to accept responsibility to do things others ask of us. This was also true in Bible times. Moses didn’t want to go to Egypt to be the spokesman for leading the people out of their Egyptian captivity. He offered all kinds of excuses. Gideon questioned why God would choose him, when he came from such a poor tribe, to head up the means for freeing his people from their oppressors. Jonah ran away from the responsibility God called him to. When it was time to anoint Saul king, they found him hiding in the baggage! God is looking for available people to do his work. Jesus said the harvest was full, but the laborers are few. When it comes to investing our time, talent, and treasure for a life that will echo into e...
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Job 1:13-22

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  Introduction Job 1:13–22: Job learns of the tragedy that has struck him. Despite these devastating losses, he does not blame God. Today’s Key Verse: Job 1:22 GNT In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God. Read 13  One day when Job’s children were having a feast at the home of their oldest brother,  14  a messenger came running to Job. “We were plowing the fields with the oxen,” he said, “and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture.  15  Suddenly the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 16  Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, “Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 17  Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, “Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us, took away the camels, and killed all your servants ex...
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