Category: Daily Thoughts

Jeremiah 18:1-6 “The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”

The Potter knows the clay. He has the materials (us) (when clay is in the ground it’s not suitable for use and has to go through a process before it can be used). He has the instrument to mold us, (His Hands.) He has a mission. (To make us into usable vessels.) He has a plan. (To use those vessels for His glory and honor). He is Patient ( I am misshapen and deformed by sin, but as long as I am in the Potters hand, He will continue to mold and shape until He is satisfied with His vessel). Yes the Potter knows the Clay Well.

There is a strange thing concerning backsliding. When someone walks out on the Lord they most often try to condemn someone else. Without exception I have seen people who have walked out of fellowship with God do this very thing. Genesis tells us Adam did by saying Eve was to blame, Eve blamed the snake, Aaron blamed the people when confronted about the molten image of the calf, yet in each one of these examples not one, until direct examination by God, admitted they had walked away, backslid, or sinned against God.

Psalm 12:8 “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.”

If God’s people would saturate themselves in the word of God daily, they would not be so easily seduced by the lies of the world. According to the verse: When wickedness is left unchecked, When wickedness is protected by those in authority, things are very bad in the world. In the same sentence of scripture, when the vilest of men are promoted to positions of authority, positions of trust, such as court systems, governmental positions that make law, that protect the constitution, and do nothing to those who are acting in wickedness (breaking the laws), but support them, give them confidence and encouragement, then the wicked walk on every side, or swarm all over the place. Their mission is to deceive, to destroy and they are neither ashamed of what they do, nor how they do it. In fact they do it in the open and laugh about it. They declare and celebrate their sin openly because there is no one to stop them from doing so. In fact what God calls vile and condemns, is now called entertainment and fun. People boast about things they should be ashamed of yet, there is no shame in the heart of the wicked. We are living in a time where verse 8 is true right now. Guard you mind. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers, and principalities, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Don’t want to miss service Sunday.

Who’s Your Authority

This morning and this afternoon I have been studying Matthew 21:23-27. The question posed is one we face everyday in many instances. Who or what is your authority? I believe the Pharisees didn’t and wouldn’t answer the question Jesus asked them because they were dishonest.

2 Authorities mentioned in this text: 1. Man’s perceived authority; 2. And the true authority from our Lord.

I watched a football game last week and in the game a play came under review, the game stopped, the umpire, who is in charge on the field went over to another one in charge to make the call, someone that had more authority than the game’s umpire. The call was made and 50 percent liked it and 50 percent didn’t. Here’s my point, the game of football has a rule book and it is supposed to be the final authority. Everyone that plays the game abides by the rule book or they are penalized. But man sometimes meddles with this rule book and confusion ensues.

Moment by Moment

Our need for strength daily is found in this moment, this very second. Since nothing past the present moment is guaranteed, and with each breath a new challenge, God gives us strength moment by moment. Often I hear, God give me strength to make it through this day, but it should say God, give me strength to make it through this moment, the now, right now. Since the day is 24 hours long and we tend to think the day is guaranteed to us, we neglect to ask for God’s strength now, for it is this very moment that we need God’s strength most.

English: Angry cat (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sometimes when we do something in anger, we don’t realize its lasting effects until it is too late. What we think is temporary can often times be permanent. The bible reminds us that we should always think about what we are doing/ saying because we are responsible to Him for every word/action. The bible reminds us:

1. Let us not go to bed angry – Ephesians 4:26 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”

2. Let us think about what’s been said before we respond- James 1:19-20 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

3. Let us season our speech – Colossians 4:5-6 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

4. Let us Speak softly – Proverbs 15:1-2 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”

Perhaps if we would listen, give pause for thought and then respond we would be less apt to say/do things which stem from anger. If anger drives us then to what end does it drive us? James 1:19 said “slow to wrath.”
That means that we have our anger under control. That means we have understood God’s Word and realized the action of wrath and anger without cause is lasting even though we say it was only temporary, i.e. we say, “I only said that because I was angry.” When we learn to restrain our wrath and our temper, we are more productive and less offensive no matter the response of others. When we engage in learning from God, we will disengage from wrathfully attempting to destroy whoever, or whatever is the focus of our anger. Pull the plug on anger because it only leads to misery and destruction! Have a great and a prosperous weekend!

Garden of the Gods Sunset View (Photo credit: Striking Photography by Bo Insogna)

Most often the best thing to do is listen. Many people talk so much they can’t hear for their much talking, and they don’t understand why this or why that because they don’t hear what’s been said for 2000 years. I am profoundly aware of the events which are taking place in America and around the world yet none are listening to what’s being said from the proper and right authority, nay the only authority, Our Lord and Saviour, through His Holy Word! I heard someone say the other day I cannot understand the Bible, especially the KJV BIble to which I relied, “there is a reason for that,”

John 8:43 “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.”

Matthew 13:15 “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

Psalm 17:10 “They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.”

I Cor 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

The world has developed a hatred for the word of God, the House of God, the standards of God, and have substituted that which is evil for that which is Holy. As a result the teachings of the Bible are foreign to those who try to read and understand it without the Spirit of God dwelling inside of them. Instead of gaining knowledge from the Spirit of God, they insert their own wisdom and logic and become as their father the devil (John 8:44)

So today, I urge you to re-consider your day, redeem the time because the day is approaching when our redeemer draweth nigh, and listen to the small still voice, then and only then can you gain the insight and wisdom of what God’s word is saying.

Prayer is the language (Photo credit: Lel4nd)

Prayer is powerful, Prayer is personal, Prayer is passionate, and Prayer is practical. Perhaps the most neglected event in the Christians life is prayer! Without Prayer we are anemic, we are ordinary, we are apathetic, and we are irrational.

The Bible states in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without Ceasing,”

Psalm 55:17 “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud and He shall hear my voice.”

Philippians 4:6 – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Ephesians 6:18 – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

John 15:7 – “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

Matthew 21:22 -” And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

The Bible emphasizes prayer over and over again. Why neglect something spoken of so often in scripture?

No Time For Prayer:

I woke up late, no time to pray, I hurried off to school. I failed to take advantage of this important tool. Throughout the day I ran about, I had no time to kneel. When dinner came, I failed again, to thank God for my meal.
When day was done, I went to bed, to get the rest I needed. But once again the Bible’s call for prayer was left unheeded. One busy day my soul was called, to answer for my deeds; And as I stood, I realized I had denied its needs. My name was called, and I stepped up to hear my sentence quote; Yet all I got, to my surprise, was a little paper note; And on this parchment God had written a message, oh, so true. “You always failed to talk to me, why should I speak to you?” -Anonymous

You may run, you may hide! Remember when we were kids and we played hide and go seek? Today, I had a thought come into mind: We are playing hide and go seek with God. The object of the game is to hide and the person chosen by whatever method, had to come find you. Finding the person was not that difficult, but catching them was another story. Whoever made it back to the base was safe and whoever got caught was it.

Today we are sinning at an alarming rate (without either care of concern), and we think safety is found in human philosophy, political policies, (note to reader: check out Daniel 8:23-27 to see how the anti-christ works). The world systems mimic the system of government to that of the anti-christ and no surprise there for it is the spirit of anti-christ in the world today which is instituting policies in every governmental system.

Still, God is patiently calling for He is the only safety (Base, foundation, refugee). God is not chasing any one. God is watching everything, every creature (yes that means He see’s what the devil and his minions are doing) and nothing is escaping his sight.

Hebrews 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

Psalm 11:1-7 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

It is already decided what happens to the wicked and nothing changes that once death happens, but as I stated, “the Lord is patiently calling and waiting at the only safe base, and whosoever will may come. Sadly, many are running around hiding and trying to cover their sins (Proverbs 28:13), and even while they seem to be unhindered and prospering, all are under the eyes of Him who created every creature and He misses nothing. Do not think God is going to let sin go unpunished, He isn’t. (Romans 14:11-12) Repent for the time of God’s patience nears it’s tipping point and His judgment cometh quickly! May the Lord Bless

Peace of Mind or Piece of the World?

I John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

SO many today are lured by the pursuit of worldly pleasures that they have not the time nor the inclination toward spiritual things. Many people believe the bible, but when it comes to separating themselves apart from the world they cannot because they still love the world, yearn for the pleasures of it, and desires it company over that of God’s provisions. Believing the bible is not living the bible, and you can believe the bible is true, and die and go to hell because one never accepted is premise and the Author and finisher of our faith. There are two things to love, God, and the World which bare a great significance on your eternal state. One brings peace, the other piece. Which will you choose? Have a great Wednesday!