God’s Holy Word

I solicit prayers as my husband and I relocate to another state. I thank God for all of His many blessings and for growing my faith the way that He has. I know that He will continue to do so. As I prepare for my move, this post will be the last until we get settled at our destination, which will probably be about three to four weeks. I plan to begin posting again (weekly) in August. Please continue to be encouraged by God’s Holy Word by meditating on it daily. When you meditate on God’s word, you don’t have time to think about the distractions of the world.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and I pray that everyone who reads this message receives the will God has for your life; in Jesus’ name.

Psalm 14

–To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.

4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the LORD?

5 There they are in great fear, For God is with the generation of the righteous.

6 You shame the counsel of the poor, But the LORD is his refuge.

7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!

When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people,

Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

A description of the depravity of human nature, and the deplorable corruption of a great part of mankind.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. The sinner here described is an atheist, one that saith there is no Judge or Governor of the world, no Providence ruling over the affairs of men. He says this in his heart. He cannot satisfy himself that there is none, but wishes there were none, and pleases himself that it is possible there may be none; he is willing to think there is none. This sinner is a fool; he is simple and unwise, and this is evidence of it: he is wicked and profane, and this is the cause. The word of God is a discerner of these thoughts. No man will say, There is no God, till he is so hardened in sin, that it is become his interest that there should be none to call him to an account.

The disease of sin has infected the whole race of mankind. They are all gone aside, there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Whatever good is in any of the children of men, or is done by them, it is not of themselves, it is God's work in them. They are gone aside from the right way of their duty, the way that leads to happiness, and are turned into the paths of the destroyer. Let us lament the corruption of our nature, and see what need we have of the grace of God: let us not marvel that we are told we must be born again. And we must not rest in any thing short of union with Christ, and a new creation to holiness by his Spirit. The psalmist endeavors to convince sinners of the evil and danger of their way, while they think themselves very wise, and good, and safe. Their wickedness is described. Those that care not for God's people, for God's poor, care not for God himself. People run into all manner of wickedness, because they do not call upon God for his grace. What good can be expected from those that live without prayer?

But those that will not fear God may be made to fear at the shaking of a leaf. All our knowledge of the depravity of human nature should endear to us salvation out of Zion. But in heaven alone shall the whole company of the redeemed rejoice fully, and for evermore. The world is bad; oh that the Messiah would come and change its character! There is universal corruption; oh for the times of reformation! The triumphs of Zion's King will be the joys of Zion's children. The second coming of Christ, finally to do away the dominion of sin and Satan, will be the completing of this salvation, which is the hope, and will be the joy of every Israelite indeed. With this assurance we should comfort ourselves and one another, under the sins of sinners and sufferings of saints.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

True Repentance

There are synonyms used for the word repent such as regret, remorse, feel sorrow, but none of these accurately describe what true repentance is. It is more than feeling bad about something you’ve done. Judas felt bad about betraying Jesus, but did he repent? Thieves may feel bad about getting caught and thrown into jail, but do they really repent of their wrong doing? Repentance is to change your mind about living a sinful life.

When a person repents, they lay the foundation to be forgiven. John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ, “and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’”[a] Matthew 3:2-3, NKJV. When Christ began His teaching ministry, He instructs people to repent. “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Matthew 4:17, KJV.

Often messages are preached about the promises of God, but many fail to realize that repentance is required for these blessings to come about. You can feel sorry all day long about what you’ve done, wracked in guilt over your actions, but until the decision is made to turn away from a sinful life the foundation built is on shaky ground. Everything built upon it will eventually tumble and fall. This is evident when people experience the same things over and over in life wondering why deliverance hasn’t come. They listen to sermon after sermon, message after message, but never truly receive the Word. It’s not enough to be a hearer of the word, we must also be doers.

Repentance will be evident by the fruits one is displaying. Remember, Jesus said that you know them by their fruits. Repentance will be evidence in their works; is it of the flesh or of the Spirit? Repentance is a decision, plain and simple, to deny oneself and follow Christ. “Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];” Matthew 3:8, AMP.

Rich Oppressors Will Be Judged

James 5:1-6, NKJV

1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!

2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.

3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.

4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.[a]

5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as[b] in a day of slaughter.

6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.

There was a time when I was promised a certain wage by an employer I was working for and did not get it. There are others who I know about where hours were stolen and deleted from the record so that the company could retain their funds. All of this is fraud. But as the Bible teaches, they too will have their day.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord,” Romans 12:19, KJV.

The Destruction of Jericho

Joshua 6:1-5, NKJV

1 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.

2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.

3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days.

4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

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  Simple instructions
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  Clear plan.
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  The human victory factor: OBEDIENCE

For the Christian, we will not / cannot have victory without obedience.

This scripture (provided previously in the NIV) and note shared by Pastor Nate Brock of Mulberry Baptist Church in Sumter, SC. It is a familiar passage that resonate volumes today.

*This post includes the NKJV*

After Godliness

Titus 1: 1-9, KJV

1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Amplified Version
9He must hold fast to the sure and trustworthy Word of God as he was taught it, so that he may be able both to give stimulating instruction and encouragement in sound (wholesome) doctrine and to refute and convict those who contradict and oppose it [showing the wayward their error].

All messages aren’t comfortable to hear, but necessary. God loves us and sets forth commands for us to follow. He points out what is correct and what isn’t. It’s not to criticize us; it’s to shape us into His image.

The Psalmist's Temptation

“If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image,” Psalm 73:15-20, KJV.

The psalmist's temptation.

The psalmist was strongly tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked; a common temptation, which has tried the graces of many saints. But he lays down the great principle by which he resolved to abide. It is the goodness of God. This is a truth which cannot be shaken. Good thoughts of God will fortify against Satan's temptations. The faith even of strong believers may be sorely shaken, and ready to fail. There are storms that will try the firmest anchors. Foolish and wicked people have sometimes a great share of outward prosperity. They seem to have the least share of the troubles of this life; and they seem to have the greatest share of its comforts. They live without the fear of God, yet they prosper, and get on in the world.

Wicked men often spend their lives without much sickness, and end them without great pain; while many godly persons scarcely know what health is, and die with great sufferings. Often the wicked are not frightened, either by the remembrance of their sins, or the prospect of their misery, but they die without terror. We cannot judge men's state beyond death, by what passes at their death. He looked abroad, and saw many of God's people greatly at a loss. Because the wicked are so very daring, therefore his people return hither; they know not what to say to it, and the rather, because they drink deep of the bitter cup of affliction. He spoke feelingly when he spoke of his own troubles; there is no disputing against sense, except by faith.

From all this arose a strong temptation to cast off religion. But let us learn that the true course of sanctification consists in cleansing a man from all pollution both of soul and body. The heart is cleansed by the blood of Christ laid hold upon by faith; and by the begun works of the Lord's Spirit, manifested in the hearty resolution, purpose, and study of holiness, and a blameless course of life and actions, the hands are cleansed. It is not in vain to serve God and keep his ordinances. (Ps 73:15-20)

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 73

The Apostle's Commission

“1FROM PAUL, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God, 2Which He promised in advance [long ago] through His prophets in the sacred Scriptures-- 3[The Gospel] regarding His Son, Who as to the flesh (His human nature) was descended from David, 4And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly [a]designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 5It is through Him that we have received grace (God's unmerited favor) and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name's sake among all the nations, 6And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him. 7To [you then] all God's beloved ones in Rome, called to be saints and designated for a consecrated life: Grace and spiritual blessing and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 1:1-7, AMP.

The apostle's commission.

The doctrine, of which the apostle Paul wrote, set forth the fulfillment of the promises by the prophets. It spoke of the Son of God, even Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, who came from David as to his human nature, but was also declared to be the Son of God, by the Divine power which raised him from the dead. The Christian profession does not consist in a notional knowledge or a bare assent, much less in perverse disputings, but in obedience. And all those, and those only, are brought to obedience of the faith, who are effectually called of Jesus Christ. Here is, 1. The privilege of Christians; they are beloved of God, and are members of that body which is beloved. 2. The duty of Christians; to be holy, hereunto are they called, called to be saints. These the apostle saluted, by wishing them grace to sanctify their souls, and peace to comfort their hearts, as springing from the free mercy of God, the reconciled Father of all believers, and coming to them through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ro 1:8-15).

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

The Vision of Obadiah

"But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it. And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's," Obadiah 1:17-21, KJV.

Destruction to come upon Edom. Their offences against Jacob.

This prophecy is against Edom. Its destruction seems to have been typical, as their father Esau's rejection; and to refer to the destruction of the enemies of the gospel church. See the prediction of the success of that war; Edom shall be spoiled, and brought down. All the enemies of God's church shall be disappointed in the things they stay themselves on. God can easily lay those low who magnify and exalt themselves; and will do it. Carnal security ripens men for ruin, and makes the ruin worse when it comes.

Treasures on earth cannot be so safely laid up but that thieves may break through and steal; it is therefore our wisdom to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Those that make flesh their trust, arm it against themselves. The God of our covenant will never deceive us: but if we trust men with whom we join ourselves, it may prove to us a wound and dishonor. God will justly deny those understanding to keep out of danger who will not use their understandings to keep out of sin.

All violence, all unrighteousness, is sin; but it makes the violence far worse, if it be done against any of God's people. Their barbarous conduct towards Judah and Jerusalem is charged upon them. In reflecting on ourselves, it is good to consider what we should have done; to compare our practice with the Scripture rule. Sin, thus looked upon in the glass of the commandment, will appear exceedingly sinful. Those have a great deal to answer for who are idle spectators of the troubles of their neighbors, when able to be active helpers. Those make themselves poor, who think to make themselves rich by the ruin of the people of God; and those deceive themselves, who call all that their own on which they can lay their hands in a day of calamity. Though judgment begins at the house of God, it shall not end there. Let sorrowful believers and insolent oppressors know that the troubles of the righteous will soon end, but those of the wicked will be eternal.

About this commentary:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

The Radical Question

Normally, reviews aren't posted on this site, but this book explores Luke 18 so vividly I had to share it here as well as on my book club blog.

“What is Jesus worth to you?” This question posed on the front cover of David Platt’s The Radical Question resonate volumes throughout the booklet. This powerful exploration of Christian living both in and outside of the United States delivers an inspiring display of scripture personified. Consider the scripture passage of Luke 18 where a rich ruler asked Jesus what he must do to be saved. Jesus replied, “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother,” verse 20, KJV. The wealthy ruler replied, “All these have I kept from my youth up.” Then Jesus said to him, “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” When the ruler heard this he did not jump up and say, “Yes, Master! Whatever you’ll have me to do, I’ll do!” In fact, when he heard this, the scripture states that he was very sorrowful because he was very rich.

This booklet shares with the reader those who have said “yes” to the call. There are specific examples of where “great jobs” and “once-in a lifetime” opportunities were turned down for the sake of doing God’s work. It causes one to think about those who are less fortunate in reality versus the abstract. Not just the hungry and those who are homeless, but those who are without the freedom to worship God—those who are subject to become martyrs. What are you willing to sacrifice? Those of us who stand in firmly built air-conditioned homes, visit comfortable worship centers, and rest easy with lucrative bank accounts? What are we doing with what we have? If God were to place it on your heart to share some of it with a neighbor, the community shelter, or even foreign ministries … what would you do? Could that new pool installation wait? Could that brand new TV wait? Better yet, could that weekly lunch or dinner out be sacrificed?

God blesses us to be a blessing. It is all for kingdom advancement. To whom much is given, much is required. When a person teeters on the edge of selfishness, they are on the brink of making those things idols. “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,” verse 25.

Many thanks go to Waterbrook Multnomah where the book can be purchased. Please visit this site for more information: http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com//

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

The Holy Scriptures

2 Timothy 3:10-17, NKJV

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,

11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,

15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

No matter what the enemy may try to make you believe, we must bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5).

The Majesty of the Lord

Psalm 93, KJV

1The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
2Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
3The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.
4The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
5Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

The Lord is worthy to be praised...

The LORD Will Reward You

Proverbs 25:18-25, NKJV

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.

“The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me,” Psalm 18:20, KJV.

Keeping Composure

Jude 1:3-9, KJV

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God[b] and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.

9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Sometimes, we simply need to say, “The Lord rebuke you!” Don't let the enemy manipulate you into behaving like him.

Even the Demons Believe

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?[a] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[b]And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only,” James 2:19-24, NKJV.

It is not enough to say that one believes in God, for even the demons believe. It is not enough to just “go to church,” for we must be the church. It is not enough to understand that His word is true, for we must allow His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. We must surrender to God’s way of doing things, not trying to carefully skate along worshipping God on one day and putting ourselves first on the next. When He is the center of our lives, everything else falls under His direction. You’d constantly ask yourself, “Is this pleasing in God’s sight?”

Faith without works is dead; also consider works without faith is dead or done in vain. For example, if you pay your tithes providing for the house of God, but don’t believe that God will “pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10), then your works are in vain—dead. If the fruits aren’t evident in your life, check the motive behind what you’re doing. Is it for show? Is it to just say that you’ve done that? What you do in secret, God will reward you openly. And we must keep in mind that “blessings” aren’t only materialistic.

“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” The scripture goes on to say that he was called the friend of God. By works, faith was made perfect. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed,” James 1:22-25, KJV.

Reference: God’s Friend

The Lord Is With Us

“And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand,” Genesis 39:2-3, KJV.

There are situations and circumstances in life that may occur in which we have no control over. There are many in prisons that are indeed innocent of the crimes committed. There are lies that are told on some that are also indeed innocent of the accusations. In life, things will happen that are beyond our control that may leave us in a position less favorable than the last, but we must remember as Christians—the Lord is with us.

Consider the story told in Genesis 39 where Joseph after being sold into slavery behind the jealousy of his very own brothers was still blessed even as a slave. He was put in charge of the master’s household. In slavery, Joseph had people answering to him. The Lord was with Him, even in what looked like an awful situation. Then as the story goes on, we find that the master’s wife wanted Joseph to sleep with her. But being an upright man Joseph said, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:8-9).

Joseph was not just concerned with his earthly master, but more importantly our heavenly Father. This is a great example of knowing that where ever and however we prosper, all good things come from above. It is not who hands it over to us here on earth, but the One who works within. In verse three it is mentioned that the earthly master knew this as well, “And his master saw that the LORD was with him…”

After Joseph refused this woman, she concocted a plan to have him thrown out. In her selfish, conniving mind was conceived an idea to make Joseph pay for refusing her. When her husband came in, she lied and told him that Joseph tried to rape her. As proof, she held Joseph’s garment up that she was able to clutch as Joseph ran away from her. He literally wanted nothing to do with this woman, but she wasn’t willing to take no for an answer. This was a situation that Joseph found himself in, but the Lord was with him.

Regardless of where we are in life, we must hold fast to our faith in Christ. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but God comes to give life and to give it more abundantly. Don’t allow situations and circumstances to define who you are, allow God to and His Holy Word. Someone may be experiencing a false accusation that got them fired, a miscommunication that forced a spouse to move out, or even a case of mistaken identity that lands them in jail, but know “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28, KJV.

As time progressed, Joseph prospered still. He eventually was appointed to oversee all the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:41). No weapon formed against thee shall prosper and God’s word does not return unto Him void. It will accomplish that thing in which it was sent forth to do. Joseph had a dream and his dream came true. When God gives a vision, though it may tarry … wait for it (Habakkuk 2:3).

God's Friend

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you,” John 15:12-16, KJV.

What a friend we have in Jesus … Do you remember that song? To know and understand that God is our friend is an awesome thing. Jesus taught in this passage that there is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for another. This clearly foreshadows what He was going to do. He knew this was the ultimate sacrifice—to die for another.

For Christ to die on that cross was the greatest act of love for us. For God, the Father, to give His only begotten Son was the greatest display of love. Jesus knew His mission, He was well aware of His purpose helping us to understand the character of the Father. “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him,” John 14:7, KJV.

But there is a criterion to being God’s friend. Notice, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” It is important not to forget that being God’s friend is to obey His commands. There are a set of rules/commandments put in place to help us on this journey of life. God understands and knows that we aren’t perfect (after all, He made us), but what He expects is obedience. In our imperfection, He is perfect. In accepting Him as Lord and savior, the Father sees us through Jesus Christ—the faultless One. In accepting Christ, God is faithful to forgive us of our sins. That’s where confession comes in.

In being Jesus’ friend, He makes known to us all that He’s heard of the Father. No good thing will God withhold. Many are called, but few are chosen. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

The Lord Sustains

Psalm 3, KJV

1Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

5I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

 Amen! Remember that the Lord protects and vengeance is His (Romans 12:19).

Judge Not

It’s amazing how often people spit out the words “Judge not,” under the context of one telling another about their unrighteous deeds. Have you ever heard others say, “don’t judge,” when the words spoken came directly from the Bible? When Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-2, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again,” it was clearly explained. Whenever judgement takes place, be sure that you understand that those same standards will be applied back to you. In living by the commands of Christ, that is fine. You can share with someone that sex before marriage is wrong. You can share that being unequally yoked is immoral. This is not judging, this is living by the Word of God.

The judging comes in when a person draw conclusions about another based upon their own set of standards in selfishness, conceit, or pride. God provided a perfect example in James 2:1-4, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”

So, explaining to someone the way of salvation and the fruits of the Spirit is not judging, but partiality is.

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment,” James 2:5-13, KJV.

Joy and Peace

“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir 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,” Isaiah 55:12-13, KJV.

As I meditate on the goodness of the Lord, I smile. God is joy and peace and Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God.” I know that I’m not perfect, but praise God, He is! I fall short at times, but He forever stands. I become weak in moments, but I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. He is just so wonderful and worthy to be praised!

I was a little down earlier thinking about the recent passing of my husband’s close family member. As I grew to know her she became my family too, and not just by marriage. She loved, she shared, but most of all she believed on Christ. We spent times talking about the goodness of the Lord and how some people shun God and are turned over to a reprobate mind, but praise God there are those of us who are separated from the world. Those of us, who may not be perfect, but seek the One who is. I thank God for her life and countless others who are now experiencing what it’s like to see God face to face.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord,” 2 Corinthians 5:8, KJV.

That Which is Good

3 John 9-12, KJV

9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

11Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

12Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

We are to imitate good. Those of us who practice goodness are of God—walking after the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will not tell us to do anything that does not bring glory to Him. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 5:16, KJV. But those who make it a practice of doing evil does not know God. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them,” Matthew 7:20, KJV.

Additional Reading: 3 John 1-14